Marine Corps Birthday 2023: Date, Background, ​Tradition, 5 Facts About Marine Corps

Marine Corps Birthday 2023: On November 10, the Marine Corps Birthday is observed. The United States Government established it on November 10, 1921, as a token of appreciation to the United States Marines. Since the inception of the United States, the Marine Corps has defended the nation by participating in virtually every conflict. With a membership count of 38,500 reserves and more than 186,000 active duty members as of 2017, the Corps maintains its esteemed heritage of safeguarding the United States and its citizens.

Marine Corps Birthday 2023: Background

Eight months prior to the proclamation of independence, on November 10, 1775, a novel marine corps was established in accordance with the Continental Marine Act. At the time, the Continental Congress formulated an official strategy to supervise a Marine-led mission to interdict British ammunition cargo. The organization’s nomenclature was accurate in stating that it was the Continental Marines. Although this collective undertook a variety of responsibilities, their fundamental intention was to furnish supplementary security and assistance to the recently established Continental Navy.

Under the initial leadership of Commandant Samuel Nicholas, this nascent branch of the United States armed forces amassed an approximate total of 2,100 personnel. Conversely, during a given period, the Continental Army’s active force would crest at approximately 80,000 personnel. This, in conjunction with a November resolution to establish an official stand-in Marine Corps force, was crucial to the establishment and modernization of the present-day United States Marine Corps. The purpose of this resolution, which was to annex Nova Scotia through an attack, was never realized. Despite this, the Marines persisted.

The Continental Marines, which had engaged in numerous engagements during the Revolutionary War, were formally dissolved at the conclusion of the conflict. Ultimately, as a consequence of the comprehensive disregard exhibited by the entire Naval Service and the absence of essential and suitable legislation, the department succumbed to a temporary cessation of operations. This condition persisted until 1794, at which point the initial legislation addressing the need for Marine and Navy Corps established by the Revolutionary War was promulgated by the Congress.

During the late 1700s, an alternative perspective emerged regarding the necessity of naval warfare in order to demonstrate the United States’ military might: to combat piracy. At this time, the Navy was in charge of the Marines; the Navy, in turn, was subordinate to the Secretary of War. Legislation was enacted in 1798 to establish the United States Marine Corps as a distinct branch of service, following the passage of legislation to separate the United States Navy into its own department in the same year. The Marine Corps came into existence on July 11, 1798. For the duration of the 19th century and a portion of the following century, marines observed this date as the Corps’ official foundation anniversary.

In 1921, the birthday was formally observed. A proposition was put forth by Major Edwin North McClellan of the Marine Corps History Division to the ranking commandant, suggesting that November 10 be designated as the anniversary date. The implementation of a sequence of standardized procedures for Marine Corps Birthday celebrations would ensue during the 1950s. Subsequently, Marines have been urged to accord the anniversary increased significance.

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Marine Corps Birthday 2023: Tradition

Upon initial inspection, the customs associated with the birthday of the United States Marine Corps might appear formal and saturated with military pageantry, grandeur, and ostentation. However, the marines let their proverbial hair down during the most standardized form of entertainment: a cake-cutting ceremony and gala.

Beyond the customary shindigz and celebration cake, numerous birthdays have been commemorated with pageants, musical performances, battle reenactments, and even sporting events. However, the most significant occasion—one that is so ingrained in the Marine Corps’s protocol that it is even mentioned in the official manual—is the cake cutting ceremony. Approached with the same reverence for protocol and sequence as a 21-gun salute, the cake cutting was formally documented in the Drill Manual in 1956. As per custom, the oldest present marine is presented with the initial slice of cake, which is subsequently passed to the youngest present marine, signifying a transmission of wisdom and tradition from the most experienced to the most junior.

Subsequently, a customary recitation of Marine Corps Order 47, the document that established the official holiday and mandated its observance, will transpire. Time permitting, a variety of pageantry and festivities will ensue.

5 Facts About Marine Corps

There is a distinct marine culture.

Marines are characterized by their esprit de corps, mission, training, and historical background. (Avoid using the term “soldiers.”)

The Marine Hymn predates all others.

It is a sacred symbol of a Marine’s professionalism and pride that they stand erect and straight at attention during the performance.

A “leatherneck” is not merely a moniker.

As a vestige of the leatherneck tradition, the standing collar on the formal coat of the Marine Corps uniform has been discontinued.

In a tavern, The Corps was conceived.

Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, which is deemed the birthplace of the Marine Corps, was where the first Marines enlisted.

Marine Corps Birthday 2023: Date