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Marine Corps celebrates 235th anniversary
The Marine Corps will turn 235 today November 10th, 2010, its vigor undiminished by age.

This year Marines and Navy corpsmen who are attached to Marine Corps units stationed around the world, as well as those who have served in the past, join together greeting each other with their familiar sayings of "Hello Marine" and "Semper Fi" ("Always Faithful") at hundreds of Marine Corps and Marine Corps League sponsored events to celebrate the 235th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corp's founding at Tuns Tavern in Philadelphia on Nov. 10, 1775.

The new commandant of the Corps, Gen. Jim Amos, congratulated the troops in a recent birthday message, lauding Marines’ past heroism and ongoing efforts, particularly in bringing greater stability to Iraq.

“Locations such as Fallujah and Ramadi have taken their place in the illustrious battle history of our Corps. Our efforts in defeating the insurgency helped to build a brighter future for all Iraqis,” Amos wrote. “For 235 years, at sea and ashore, Marines have succeeded in every clime and place . . . where hardship and adversity have often been the common thread.”

Formal commemoration of the Marine Corps birthday began on November 10, 1921, according to Marine Corps’ historical archives. The date was chosen because on that day the Second Continental Congress resolved in 1775 to raise two battalions of Continental Marines.

According to archives, on Oct. 21, 1921 Major Edwin McClellan sent a memorandum to Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune suggesting that the original birth date of Nov. 10, 1775 be declared a holiday celebrated throughout the Corps. Major McClellan further suggested that a dinner be held in Washington D.C. to commemorate the event. Guests were to include “prominent men from the Marine Corps, Army, and Navy, and descendants of the Revolution.”

Accordingly, on Nov. 1 1921 Major General Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921 [2].

“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. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history,” Major General Lejeune issued in his order.

The order further summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps, and it directed that the order be read to every command on November 10 each subsequent year in honor of the birthday.
Since 1921, the order has been duly carried out.
It’s not clear when it started, but the birthday-cake tradition is also a Corps’ institution.

 

 

“Traditionally,” the archives state, “the first piece of birthday cake is presented to the oldest Marine present and the second piece to the youngest Marine present.”

Formal commemoration of the Marine Corps birthday began on November 10, 1921, according to Marine Corps’ historical archives. The date was chosen because on that day the Second Continental Congress resolved in 1775 to raise two battalions of Continental Marines.

According to archives, on Oct. 21, 1921 Major Edwin McClellan sent a memorandum to Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune suggesting that the original birth date of Nov. 10, 1775 be declared a holiday celebrated throughout the Corps. Major McClellan further suggested that a dinner be held in Washington D.C. to commemorate the event. Guests were to include “prominent men from the Marine Corps, Army, and Navy, and descendants of the Revolution.”

Accordingly, on Nov. 1 1921 Major General Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921 [2].

“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. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history,” Major General Lejeune issued in his order.

The order further summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps, and it directed that the order be read to every command on November 10 each subsequent year in honor of the birthday.

Since 1921, the order has been duly carried out.

Like the U.S. Marine Corps itself, the annual Birthday Ball has evolved from simple origins to the polished and professional functions of today. Nonetheless, one thing remains constant, the tenth day of November!
 

This unique holiday for warriors is a day of camaraderie, a day to honor Corps and Country. Throughout the world on 10 November, U.S. Marines celebrate the birth of their Corps -- the most loyal, most feared, most revered, and most professional fighting force the world has ever known.