Illinois State Senator Jil Tracy celebrated the 247th birthday of the United States Marine Corps in a Facebook post published on Thursday.
“Honoring all who served!” the post read, attached to a commemorative Veterans Day art piece courtesy of the Illinois Senate.
The official USMC Twitter account also published a post on the same day lauding over two centuries of service to the country.
“Happy Birthday, Marines! For 247 years, Marines have fought in any clime and place to defend our nation. Today, we reflect on the legacy of our Corps, and rededicate ourselves to fighting and winning the battles that lie ahead,” the post read.
The Marine Corps Association shared information on the USMC’s forming on its official website.
“On 10 November 1775, the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of Marines. Congress commissioned thirty-one-year-old Samuel Nicholas, a well-known Philadelphian, as captain of the fledgling force of Continental Marines,” the website reads. “From Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Nicholas raised two battalions of Marines as directed and began the long illustrious history of the United States Marine Corps. Every year since 1925 the founding of the Marine Corps has been celebrated with a Birthday Ball.”
The original order creating the Continental Marines, titled “Resolution Establishing the Continental Marines”, was published on Friday, November 10, 1775.
“Resolved, 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; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; 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: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of. Ordered, That a copy of the above be transmitted to the General,” the order read.
