Marine Corps Birthday

Marine Corps Birthday is a celebration held by the United States Marine Corps to commemorate its founding on November 10, 1775, at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The birthday is celebrated by Marine Corps Base Quantico, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and other United States Marine Corps installations around the world, including Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Marine Corps Base Hawaii. It is also observed by Marine Corps Reserve units, such as 4th Marine Division and 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, as well as by United States Navy personnel, including those stationed on USS Nimitz and USS America. The birthday is often celebrated in conjunction with other events, such as the United States Marine Corps War Memorial dedication and the National Museum of the Marine Corps grand opening.

History

The United States Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775, as a branch of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. The Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" for service as ship's infantry and security forces on United States Navy vessels, such as USS Constitution and USS United States. The first Marine Corps Commandant, Samuel Nicholas, was appointed on November 28, 1775, and he played a key role in the early development of the United States Marine Corps, including the Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton. Other notable Marine Corps Commandants include Archibald Henderson, John A. Lejeune, and Alexander Vandegrift, who all served during significant periods in United States Marine Corps history, including World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

Traditions

The United States Marine Corps has a number of traditions associated with its birthday, including the ceremonial cake cutting and the reading of the commandant's message. The ceremonial cake cutting is a tradition that dates back to 1952, when General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. ordered that a cake be cut at every United States Marine Corps installation on the birthday. The reading of the commandant's message is another tradition, in which the current Marine Corps Commandant's message is read aloud to all United States Marine Corps personnel, including those stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Other traditions include the parade and the dining-in, which are often attended by notable guests, such as the Secretary of the Navy and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Celebration

The United States Marine Corps birthday is celebrated with a number of events and activities, including parades, ceremonies, and receptions. The United States Marine Corps often holds a large ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia, which is attended by Marine Corps Commandant David H. Berger and other senior leaders, including General Joseph Dunford and Admiral Michael Mullen. Other events are held at United States Marine Corps installations around the world, including Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. The birthday is also celebrated by United States Marine Corps veterans' organizations, such as the Marine Corps League and the Marine Corps Association, which often hold their own events and ceremonies, including the Marine Corps League Convention and the Marine Corps Association Annual Meeting.

Significance

The United States Marine Corps birthday is a significant event in the history of the United States Marine Corps and is celebrated by United States Marine Corps personnel around the world. The birthday is a time for United States Marine Corps personnel to reflect on their history and heritage, including the Battle of Belleau Wood and the Battle of Iwo Jima, and to honor the sacrifices of United States Marine Corps personnel who have served in combat, including World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. The birthday is also a time for United States Marine Corps personnel to come together and celebrate their shared values and traditions, including the Marine Corps Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Notable United States Marine Corps personnel, such as Chesty Puller and Lewis Burwell Puller Jr., have played important roles in shaping the United States Marine Corps and its traditions.

Customs_and_Ceremonies

The United States Marine Corps has a number of customs and ceremonies associated with its birthday, including the ceremonial cake cutting and the reading of the commandant's message. The ceremonial cake cutting is a tradition that dates back to 1952, when General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. ordered that a cake be cut at every United States Marine Corps installation on the birthday. The reading of the commandant's message is another tradition, in which the current Marine Corps Commandant's message is read aloud to all United States Marine Corps personnel, including those stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Other customs and ceremonies include the parade and the dining-in, which are often attended by notable guests, such as the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. The United States Marine Corps also has a number of other customs and ceremonies, including the Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual and the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations, which are used to guide the conduct of United States Marine Corps personnel during the birthday celebration. Category:United States Marine Corps