1) The Marine Corps was founded by the Second Continental Congress on November 10, 1775. They originally consisted of two battalions and Samuel Nichols, only 31 years old, was commissioned to command them.

2) Marines have not always had such a formal birthday party. Actually before 1921 not all Marines celebrated the Marine Corps birthday. The Marine Corps birthday started its climb up the ladder of important days when General John A. Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47. This order directed that on November 10th, in order to honor the founding of the Marine Corps, every command was to read this order that summarized the Marine Corps’ history, mission, and traditions.

3) The first official Birthday Ball probably held in 1925 at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel in Philadelphia. Guests included the Secretary of War, Secretary of the Navy, and a ton of other officials and Marines. Before this Birthday Ball occurred, General John Lejeune unveiled a memorial plaque at Tun Tavern.

4) On October 28, 1952, Commandant General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. ordered that the Marine Corps Birthday was to be formalized throughout the Marine Corps. One of the most notable traditions that he ordered to be held throughout the Marine Corps is the cake cutting ceremony. This tradition holds that the oldest Marine receives the first slice of cake and the youngest Marine receives the second slice of cake.

5) Marines celebrate this birthday like they would their own. It’s important to them, even after they leave the Marine Corps. It is usually a hour-long ceremony that involves a guest speaker, a showing of the Commandant’s birthday message, and a reading of General John A. Lejeune’s orders that began the Marine Corps Birthday tradition.

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