The United States Marine Corps celebrates the 249th anniversary of the establishment of the Second Continental Congress on November 10, 2024

The United States Marine Corps Birthday is celebrated each year on November 10 with a traditional ball and cake-cutting ceremony.

The official birthday of the United States Marine Corps is November 10, 1775. It was the day the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines with the following decree:

‘That two battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, two majors, and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of the same number of privates as with other battalions, that it be particularly directed that no persons be appointed to offices or enlisted in the said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or are so familiar with maritime affairs, as to serve until and during the present war with Great Britain and the colonies; unless dismissed by Congress; that they may be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of marines’.