National Today Friday November 10 2023 * Marine Corps Birthday *

Marine Corps Birthday
The Corps continues its proud tradition as protectors of the U.S. and its people.










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.

WHEN IS MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY 2023?

On November 10, the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday honors the history, values, and memory of our heroes who have served, and rekindles the bond which unites generations of Marines. The day celebrates traditions of the Marine Corps with profound respect, paying tribute to the heritage of this distinguished service.

HISTORY OF MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY

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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.



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MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY AROUND THE WORLD

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The revered Marines are celebrated zealously in the United States. Take a look at how heroes are celebrated around the world.
[/size]Marine Corps Birthday Around the World[th]Country[/th][th]Holiday[/th][th]Occasion[/th][th]Date[/th]

Australia	ANZAC Day	Marking the anniversary of the first massive military action by ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) in World War 1	April 25
France and Belgium	Armistice Day	To commemorate the historical timing of the end of World War One activities; the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month’ in the year 1918.	November 11
Bolivia	Armed Forces Day	The day when Bolivia’s first President, Antonio Jose, gave his sanction officially to form the Armed Forces of Bolivia.	August 7
Croatia	Coratian Air Force Day	The entire Croatian Air Force is commemorated and celebrated on this day.	December 12
Ecuador	Ecuadorian Army Day	A day to commemorate the Battle of Tarqui in 1829.	February 27

MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS

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At first assumption, the traditions surrounding the United States Marine Corps’ birthday may seem stuffy and full of military pageantry, pomp and circumstance. But, this is when the marines let their proverbial hair down in the most uniformed version of fun – a ball and a cake cutting ceremony. 

In addition to a fancy ball and cake cutting ceremony many birthdays have included a variety of battle reenactments, pageants, musical performances, and even sporting events. But the main event – so thoroughly baked into the system of the Marine Corps that it’s written into the official manual – is the cake cutting ceremony. Done with the same respect for tradition and order as a 21 gun salute, the cake cutting was formalized in the Drill Manual in 1956 where, by tradition, the first slice of cake is given to the oldest marine present who then hands it to the youngest marine present, symbolizing a passing of knowledge and tradition from wisest to newest. 

After that, a traditional reading of Marine Corps Order 47, which created the official holiday as a mandatory celebration, followed by any format of pageantry and celebration that time allows. 

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MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BY NUMBERS

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0.8%- The percentage of living Americans who have served in the Marines
8% – The percentage of the U.S Marine force that are women
38,000 – The number of new recruits accepted annually
19,598 – The number of Humvees in the Marines Transportation inventory
1,600 – The number of tanks in the Marines Transportation inventory
120,000 – The number of hours flown by the Marine Aviation in 2006 in the Middle East
3 – The number of uniforms for Marines; dress, field, and service.
9 – The number of officer titles commissioned from Second Lieutenant to General.
5 – The number of Warrant Officer titles that exist.



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HOW TO OBSERVE MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY

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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.

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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.

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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.

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​5 PROUD MARINE CORPS FACTS

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​Marines have their own unique culture

Marines are distinguished by their mission, training, history, uniform, and esprit de corps. (Don't call them "soldiers.")

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​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.

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​“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.

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​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.

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WHY MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY IS IMPORTANT

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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.

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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.

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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.

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