On November 10, 1775, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) was officially set up by the Second Continental Congress to raise two battalions of Continental Marines to support and strengthen U.S. naval forces in the Revolutionary War. Although they succeeded in the war, they were no longer needed. And when the war ended so did the Marine’s first tenure.

On July 11, 1798, Congress ordered the creation of the Corps, named it the United States Marine Corps, and directed that it be available for service under the Secretary of the Navy. Henceforth, the July 11 date was their celebrated birthday, named “Marine Corps Day,” from 1799 until 1921. Later it was moved to November 10th to recognize their original founding for the Revolutionary War. 

Prior to 1921, there are no records of ceremonies celebrating the USMC birthday. That changed when Major Edwin McClellan, officer-in-charge, Headquarters Marine Corps, sent a memo to Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune on October 21, 1921, recommending the birthday be celebrated with a Washington DC “Birthday Ball” dinner including prominent men from the Marine Corps, Army, and Navy and descendants of the Revolution. 

Then on  November 1, 1921, Major General Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921, an order that encompassed the rich history, mission, and tradition of the Corps. It directed that his penned birthday message to be read to every command on November 10th each year to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday. And it has.

To this day, November 10 is a day of great celebration and fanfare across the world, brimming with parades, drill team performances, exhibits, speeches, and more. 

On November 10, honor the U.S. Marine Corps birthday by attending events in your local community.

Marine Corps Sayings and Terms

  • “Hurry up and wait” is what happens when each leader down the chain of command tells his or her Marines to be there 15 minutes prior to the senior’s directive. This is why Marines arrive early to their destinations.
  • Latin for “always faithful,” Semper Fidelis has been the Marine Corps motto since 1883. It embodies the Corps' value of honor, courage and commitment. 
  • Oorah is a battle cry common in the United States Marine Corps since the mid-20th century. It is comparable to hooah in the US Army and hooyah in the US Navy and US Coast Guard. It is most commonly used to respond to a verbal greeting or as an expression of enthusiasm.