“Anchors Aweigh” is one of the most recognizable melodies in the world. The unofficial song of the U.S. Navy celebrated its centennial in 2006, and the coin pictured below was issued to commemorate the milestone. The music for "Anchors Aweigh" was composed by Charles A. Zimmermann, Naval Academy Bandmaster and Music Director, with lyrics by Midshipman Alfred H. Miles.

The first commercial recording of "Anchors Aweigh" was released on June 9, 1920. The record was produced by Columbia Gramophone Company and contained Zimmermann's "Anchors' Aweigh" and Adolph Torovsky's "March of the Middies." (Torovsky served as Zimmerman's Assistant Director prior to becoming Director of the Naval Academy Band following Zimmerman's death in 1916.)

Midshipman Royal Lovell, Class of 1926, wrote a third stanza and later, George D. Lottman wrote the popular verses that were widely used until 1997 when the Master Chief of the Navy, John Hagen, slightly revised these verses to be more inclusive of all naval personnel.

No original manuscript of “Anchors Aweigh” has been found. The oldest known manuscript is a full band arrangement by First Lieutenant Adolf Torovsky, USMC dated 1926. It is currently held in the U.S. Naval Academy Archives. For a full history of the song as well as the lyrics, see usna.edu.