Birth of The Corps

today is

10 November 2015

the 240th anniversary of the inception

of the 

United States Marine Corps

The official Birth of the

United States Marine Corps,

was on 10 November 1775,

when the Second Continental Congress decreed:

“That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting

of one Colonel, two lieutenant-colonels,

two majors and other officers,

as usual in other regiments;

that they consist of an equal number of privates as with other battalions,

that particular care be taken that no persons

be appointed to offices,

or enlisted into said battalions,

but such as are good seamen,

or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able

to serve for and during the present war

with Great Britain and the Colonies;

unless dismissed by Congress;

and that they be distinguished by the names of

the First and Second Battalions of Marines.”

Tun Tavern, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,

is regarded as the birthplace of the Corps as the

location of the first Marines to enlist under

Commandant Samuel Nicholas.

Though it is disputed if a recruiting drive may have occurred earlier at Nicholas's family tavern,

the Conestoga Waggon [sic].

When the Revolutionary War ended in 1783,

the Continental Navy was disestablished,

and with it, the Continental Marines.

The Corps was re-established on 11 July 1798,

when the

"act for establishing and organizing a Marine Corps"

was signed by President John Adams.

Prior to 1921;

Marines celebrated the re-creation of the Corps

on 11 July,

with little pomp or pageantry.

On 21 October 1921,

Major Edwin North McClellan,

in charge the Corps's fledgling historical section,

sent a memorandum to CommandantJohn A. Lejeune, suggesting the Marines’ original birthday of

10 November

be declared a Marine Corps holiday to be

celebrated throughout the Corps.

Lejeune so ordered this in Marine Corps Order 47;

dated 1 November 1921.

The first formal ball was celebrated in 1925,

though no records exist that indicate the proceedings

of that particular event.

Birthday celebrations would take varied forms,

most included dances,

though some accounts include mock battles,

musical performances, pageants,

and sporting events.

The celebrations were formalized and standardized

by Commandant Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. in 1952,

outlining the cake cutting ceremony,

which would enter the Marine Drill Manual in 1956.

By tradition,

the first slice of cake is given to the oldest Marine present, who in turn hands it off to the youngest Marine present, symbolizing the old and experienced Marines passing

their knowledge to the new generation of Marines.

The celebration also includes a reading

of Marine Corps Order 47,

republished every year,

as well as a message from the current Commandant,

and often includes a banquet and dancing,

if possible.

In many cases,

the birthday celebration will also include a pageant

of current and historical Marine Corps uniforms,

as a reminder of the history of the Corps.

Another modern tradition includes a unit run on the 10th.

Marines are reputed to celebrate the birthday,

regardless of where they may be in the world,

even in austere environments or combat.

In a more somber tradition,

Samuel Nicholas's grave in the

Arch Street Friends Meeting graveyard

in Philadelphia is marked with a wreath at dawn

by a group of Marines annually on 10 November

to celebrate his role in the founding of the Corps.

Almost every 'major city' in the United States has

a 'formal' Marine Corps Ball celebration in accordance

with the traditions of the Marine Corps Manual,

within a day or two of the actual date set forth

by the

United States Marine Corps.

*the above info is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...

relive the moment Marines...

the first 5min at Marine Corps Recruit Depot - San Diego

memories..

Marine Corp Hymn...

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