A monumental weekend for military anniversaries is fast approaching. Not only is Armistice Day celebrating its centennial on Sunday, November 11, but Saturday, November 10, marks the 243rd birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
While the former event will be observed by many of the nations that were involved in World War I, the latter will be a distinctly American affair, as it has been ever since the first formal ball was held in 1925.
History of the Marine Corps birthday
The birth of the Marines actually predates the birth of the United States.
On November 11, 1775 – eight months before the Declaration of Independence – the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines. The legislature's resolution decreed, in part, "That two Battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions." The Congressional Act also stipulated that these "American Marines" be comprised of, "good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; [and] that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress."
Samuel Nicholas, the first Commandant of the Marines, held a recruiting drive at Tun Tavern, a Philadelphia brewery now regarded as the birthplace of the Corps.
After the American Revolutionary War ended in 1783, the Continental Navy was disestablished, and consequently, so were the Continental Marines. The military branch was reestablished 15 years later, on July 11, 1798, when President John Adams signed the "act for establishing and organizing a Marine Corps."
For over 100 years, July 11th was considered the official Marine Corps birthday, and it passed with little fanfare. That all changed in 1921, when Major Edwin North McClellan, who was then in charge of the USMC's History Division, sent a memorandum to Commandant John A. Lejeune urging him to declare the Marines' original birthday of November 10th a Marine Corps holiday to be celebrated by the Corps.
On November 1, 1921, Lejeune so decreed in Marine Corps Order 47, which read in part, "In memory of [the many who have served as Marines] 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."
What's in store for Marine Corps birthday 2018
The first Marine Corps birthday ball was held in 1925, though it wasn't until 1952 that Commandant Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. formalized and standardized the celebratory traditions still observed today.
The most iconic aspect of the ball is the birthday cake-cutting ceremony, which is performed with a sword. The first three slices of cake are given to the guests of honor, the oldest Marine present and the youngest Marine in attendance.
A more recent tradition has been the annual release of a filmed Marine Corps birthday message, and this year's edition is a particularly stirring example. The seven-minute video is narrated by Gen. Robert Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, who describes the unique journey that every Marine takes before, during and after their service.
Also featured in the film is retired Sergeant Major John Canley, who was awarded the Medal of Honor last month for acts of heroism he committed 50 years ago. Canley, who used his brother's paperwork to enlist in the Marines while only 15 years old and remained in the service for 28 years, was recognized for the actions he took while serving as a Company Gunnery Sergeant during the Battle of Hue in 1968, which included carrying wounded soldiers to safety and taking charge after his commanding officer was severely injured.
Canley was singled out for praise in Commandant Neller's official birthday message, which also noted that this year marks the centennial anniversary of both the Battle of Belleau Wood and the Corps' first female enlistees. The 2018 Commandant's Marine Corps Birthday Ball will be held on Saturday, November 10, at the Washington Hilton in D.C., and will pay tribute to these major milestones.
