Marine Corps Birthday
The Marine Corps Birthday is observed on November 10. It was created on November 10, 1921 by the U.S. Government to show appreciation for the United States Marines. Having taken part in nearly every U.S. conflict, the Marine Corps has defended our country since America’s inception. The Corps, with over 186,000 active duty members and 38,500 reserves as of 2017, continues its proud tradition as protectors of the U.S. and its people.
HISTORY OF MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY
On November 10, 1775, just eight months shy of the Declaration of Independence, a new corps was formed following the introduction of the Continental Marine Act. At the time, an official plan was developed by the Continental Congress to oversee a mission intercepting ammunition cargo from Britain, using Marines. As suggested by the title, the group was known as the Continental Marines. While this group held several different duties, their core purpose was to provide additional security and support for the recently formed Continental Navy. First led by Commandant Samuel Nicholas, this branch of the burgeoning U.S. armed forces would culminate at just over 2,100 servicemen. In contrast, the number of active troops in the Continental Army at one time would reach a peak of approximately 80,000. This, along with a resolution made in November to create a stand-in official Marine Corps force, was essential to the formation and modernization of the now U.S Marine Corps. The reason for this resolution – the planning of an attack on Nova Scotia to annex it, never took place. However, the Marines remained.
After participating in a host of actions and battles throughout the Revolutionary War, the Continental Marines would be disbanded upon the end of the conflict. Eventually, due to the overall neglect of the whole Naval Service and lack of necessary and proper legislation, the department temporarily altogether went out of existence and ceased to exist. This remained so until 1794 when the first legislation was issued by the Congress, addressing the requirement for Marine and Navy Corps since the Revolutionary War.
In the late 1700s, the need for naval warfare to exude the military presence of the United States was looked at from another angle; to deal with piracy. The Marines were still running under the Navy at this time, with the latter itself operating under the Secretary of War. In 1798, the legislation to separate the U.S Navy to make its own department was passed; with further legislation to form the U.S Marines as a separate branch of service later in the same year. The Marine Corps would be established on July 11, 1798, and throughout the 19th century (and a portion of the next), this would be the date upon which marines would celebrate the founding of the Corps as an official entity.
The birthday was officially recognized in 1921. Major Edwin North McClellan of the Marine Corps History Division submitted a proposition to the ranking commandant which advocated for the anniversary to instead be designated on November 10. A series of standardizations as to how celebrations of the Marine Corps Birthday would be executed would follow in the 1950s. Since then, Marines have been encouraged to treat the anniversary with greater importance.
HOW TO OBSERVE MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY
1.Visit the Marine Corps War Memorial
The iconic statue, located between Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., depicts six Marines raising a U.S.flag on a mountaintop during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
2.Reach out to a Marine
If you have a friend or family member that is currently or has been a Marine, reach out to them and remind them how you appreciate the hard work they’ve done for their country.
3.Get together with your old Corps buddies
If you’ve spent time in the Marine Corps, try to organize a gathering with your fellow Marines to catch up and collectively appreciate your time served.
4 PROUD MARINE CORPS FACTS
1.Marines have their own unique culture
Marines are distinguished by their mission, training, history, uniform, and esprit de corps. (Don’t call them “soldiers.”)
2.The Marine Hymn is the oldest
It’s a sacred symbol of the pride and professionalism of a Marine as they stand straight and tall at attention when it’s performed.
3.“Leatherneck” is more than a nickname
The standing collar on the dress coat of the Marine Corps uniform is now a vestige of the leatherneck tradition.
4.The Corps was born in a bar
The first Marines enlisted at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, which is considered the birthplace of the Marine Corps.
WHY MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY IS IMPORTANT
A. Marines always have your back
The Marine motto, Semper fidelis (“always faithful”), is the code by which they live. Marines are known for their enduring loyalty, fierce tenacity, and lasting faithfulness towards both their country and their brothers in arms.
B. Marines are respected, even by enemies
The Marines have several nicknames, but one was actually coined by those they fought. During World War I, German soldiers’ greatest fear was running up against the Marines, and they began calling them “Teufelhunden,” or Devil Dog. The nickname has stuck ever since.
C. The cake Is cut with a sword
Every year, during the official Marine Corps Birthday Ball, a celebratory cake is first sliced using a sword that dates back to 1805. The first three slices will be doled out to the annual guest of honor, followed by the oldest and youngest present marines, respectively.
References:
“Marine Corps Birthday” │ https://nationaltoday.com/marine-corps-birthday/