If you have ever attended a Marine Corps Birthday Ball, you know the energy is electric. The cake cutting, the reading of General Lejeune’s order, and the celebration of history are central to the identity of the Corps. But for military history buffs, the exact origins of this elite fighting force can be a little confusing.
Most people will tell you the birthday is November 10, 1775. However, there was a 15-year gap where the Corps didn't exist at all. This leads to a fascinating historical debate regarding the true timeline of the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Was it born in a tavern in Philadelphia during the Revolution, or was it created by an act of Congress nearly two decades later?
To understand the full story, we have to look at the political turmoil of the 18th Century. The history of the "Leathernecks" isn't just a list of dates; it is a story of tactical necessity, political will, and an enduring legacy that has outlasted the ships they were originally built to defend.
If you are curious about when were the Marines founded, why they were disbanded, and how they returned to become one of the world's most feared military branches, this guide covers it all.
The Official Birthday: November 10, 1775
The most direct answer to the question "when were the Marines founded?" is November 10, 1775. This is the date celebrated annually by Marines across the globe.
On this autumn day in Philadelphia, the Second Continental Congress sat down to solve a military problem. The American colonies were at war with Great Britain, the premier naval power of the age. The colonies needed a way to project power at sea, not just on land. To address this, they passed a resolution stating:
"Resolved, That two Battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments..."
This resolution marks the birth of the Continental Marines. These troops were the predecessors to the modern U.S. Marine Corps. So, in the strictest sense, the date when were the Marines founded is undoubtedly November 10, 1775.
Why were the Marines created?
The Continental Congress didn't create the Marines just for the sake of tradition. They had a specific tactical mission in mind. At the time, naval warfare involved brutal close-quarters combat. Ships would pull alongside one another, and fighting men would board the enemy vessel to capture it.
The original purpose of the Continental Marines was threefold:
- Shipboard Security: They protected the ship’s captain and officers from mutiny.
- Snipers: During battle, Marines would climb into the rigging (the ropes and masts) and use muskets to snipe enemy officers on opposing ships.
- Amphibious Raids: They were designed to land on enemy shores and seize supplies.
In fact, the initial plan for the first two battalions was to invade Nova Scotia, a British stronghold, to seize military stores. While that specific mission was eventually scrapped, the capability for amphibious assault became the hallmark of the Corps.
The Tun Tavern Legend
You cannot discuss when were the Marines founded without mentioning Tun Tavern. According to Marine Corps lore, the very first recruiting drive took place at this popular watering hole in Philadelphia.
Captain Samuel Nicholas, the first commissioned officer of the Marines (and traditionally considered the first Commandant), is said to have set up shop at Tun Tavern to find recruits. The promise of steady pay, adventure, and perhaps a few tankards of ale helped fill the ranks quickly.
While some historians argue that recruiting might have also occurred at the "Conestoga Waggon" tavern owned by the Nicholas family, Tun Tavern holds the title in the hearts of Marines. It serves as the spiritual birthplace of the Corps, grounding the date of when were the Marines founded in a tangible, relatable location.
The First Amphibious Landing
It didn't take long for these new recruits to see action. In March 1776, less than five months after the date when were the Marines founded, Captain Nicholas led a raid on New Providence in the Bahamas.
The Marines landed, marched on the town, and seized two forts. They captured cannon and gunpowder that were desperately needed by George Washington’s army. This raid on Nassau was the first amphibious landing in Marine Corps history, proving the value of a specialized naval infantry force.
The "Lost Years" and the Second Founding
Here is where the history gets complicated. If you ask a strict constitutional scholar when were the Marines founded, they might give you a different date: July 11, 1798.
Why the discrepancy? After the Revolutionary War ended, the United States was financially broke. The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, bringing peace and independence. In the aftermath, the Continental Navy and the Continental Marines were disbanded to save money. For 15 years, the United States had no Marine Corps.
However, the world remained a dangerous place. By the late 1790s, tensions were rising with France in what became known as the "Quasi-War." American merchant ships were being harassed, and Congress realized that relying solely on state militias was insufficient for protecting maritime interests.
President John Adams—who had actually drafted the original 1775 resolution—signed the "Act for Establishing and Organizing a Marine Corps" into law on July 11, 1798. This act permanently established the United States Marine Corps as a department of the Navy.
So, while the spiritual birth is 1775, the legal establishment of the modern Corps happened in 1798. This historical gap often leads to confusion for those researching when were the Marines founded within a legal framework.
Unifying the History: General Lejeune’s Order
For over a century, the Marine Corps recognized July 11, 1798, as its birthday. It wasn't until the 20th century that the focus shifted back to the Revolution.
In 1921, Major General John A. Lejeune, the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, issued Marine Corps Order No. 47. He wanted to align the modern Corps with the heroic legacy of the Continental Marines. He decreed that the original date of November 10, 1775, should be celebrated as the official birthday.
General Lejeune’s order summarized the history beautifully:
"On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name 'Marine'."
This order effectively settled the debate on when were the Marines founded for ceremonial purposes. It bridged the 15-year gap and solidified the lineage from the sharpshooters in the rigging of 1775 to the modern warriors of the 20th century.
Summary: A Timeline of the Corps
To recap the timeline regarding when were the Marines founded and their early milestones:
- November 10, 1775: The Continental Congress passes a resolution to raise two battalions of Marines. This is the celebrated birthday.
- March 3, 1776: First amphibious landing at New Providence, Bahamas.
- April 1783: The Revolutionary War ends, and the Continental Marines are disbanded shortly after.
- July 11, 1798: President John Adams signs the act re-establishing the United States Marine Corps.
- November 1, 1921: General Lejeune issues Order No. 47, formalizing the November 10 celebrations.
The Legacy Continues
So, when were the Marines founded? The answer is November 10, 1775.
While the legal paperwork might point to 1798, the spirit of the Corps was born in the early days of the Revolution. The tactical need for a force that could fight on both land and sea created a unique military culture that survives today.
From the raucous recruiting nights at Tun Tavern to the halls of the Continental Congress, the origins of the Marines are deeply tied to the origins of the United States itself. Whether you look at the tactical reasoning—protecting ships and raiding enemy shores—or the legislative history, the result is the same: a fighting force with a history as old as the nation it serves.
The next time someone asks you when were the Marines founded, you can tell them it’s not just a date on a calendar—it’s a story of resilience, reinvention, and over two centuries of service.