Marine Corps Birthday 2026
Mark the Marine Corps Birthday on November 10 — a civic anniversary, not a costume party. On that date in 1775 the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of Continental Marines, the origin date the United States Marine Corps still commemorates each year.
About Marine Corps Birthday
History & origins
The Marine Corps Birthday is observed every November 10. On 10 November 1775, the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia resolved that two battalions of Marines be raised for service with the Continental Navy. That resolution is the Corps’ official birthday. Captain Samuel Nicholas became the first commissioned Marine officer; tradition holds that early recruiting was associated with Tun Tavern in Philadelphia (historians also note links to Nicholas’s Conestoga Wagon tavern — Tun remains the symbolic birthplace in Corps tradition).
The Continental Marines were disbanded after the Revolutionary War. Congress permanently re-established the United States Marine Corps in 1798 under President John Adams. Marines still treat November 10, 1775, as the birthday line. Modern observances include cake-cutting ceremonies, balls, unit gatherings, and messages from the Commandant. The day is military and civic remembrance.
Keep this page civic and historical. It is not a federal day off for the general public, and it is separate from Veterans Day (November 11).
Why it matters
Institutions remember their founding dates so living members stay tied to a longer story. For Marines and families, November 10 is unit pride and history; for civilians, it is a clear anniversary on the civic calendar.
How to celebrate
If you are a Marine, veteran, or family member, join a unit birthday event or cake cutting if invited. Civilians can read a short, accurate history of 1775 and 1798, thank a Marine without turning it into theater, or visit a Marine Corps museum exhibit. Do not wear uniforms you did not earn. Do not confuse the date with Veterans Day.
Facts
- On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of Continental Marines
- Samuel Nicholas was the first commissioned Marine officer
- Tun Tavern in Philadelphia is the traditional symbolic recruiting birthplace
- The U.S. Marine Corps was permanently re-established by law in 1798
- Veterans Day on November 11 is a separate observance
Upcoming dates
- Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Wednesday, November 10, 2027
- Friday, November 10, 2028
- Saturday, November 10, 2029
- Sunday, November 10, 2030
Frequently asked questions
When is Marine Corps Birthday in 2026?
Marine Corps Birthday in 2026 falls on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
Is today Marine Corps Birthday?
No. Marine Corps Birthday in 2026 falls on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, not today.
What is the Marine Corps Birthday?
It is the annual anniversary of the November 10, 1775, Continental Congress resolution that created the Continental Marines — the date the U.S. Marine Corps commemorates as its birthday.
Who started the Marine Corps Birthday?
The founding act was the 1775 Congressional resolution. The Corps has long formalized November 10 birthday observances for Marines.
How do you observe the Marine Corps Birthday?
Marines hold ceremonies and balls; civilians can learn the 1775 history or support Marines and families respectfully. It is civic remembrance, not a party theme.
Is the Marine Corps Birthday an official holiday?
It is an official Corps anniversary. It is not a U.S. federal public holiday for civilians. Veterans Day (November 11) is the separate federal holiday nearby.
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