The U.S. Marine Corps Birthday celebrates the history, memory of those who served before and rekindles the bond that unites all generations of Marines. It is a celebration of the profound respect for the Marine Corps traditions and reverence of the heritage that distinguishes the Corps of Marines.
The Marine Corps birthday will take place on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. The Marine Corps turns 246 years old. The birthday itself was formally recognized in 1921 at the behest of Major General John Lejeune, who ordered November 10, 1775, to be officially recognized service wide as the Marine Corps birthday.
The origins go back to the Revolutionary War in October of 1775. At that time, the Continental Congress developed an official plan to use Marines to oversee a mission to intercept ammunition shipments from Britain. This, and a November resolution to create an official standing Marine Corps force, were key in building what eventually became the modern U.S. Marine Corps. Thus November 10, 1775, the day the Continental Marines were created serves as the official Marine Corps birthday.