If you walk into any dive bar in South Philly and bring up military history, you're going to hear about a place called Tun Tavern. It’s the stuff of legend. You’ve probably heard the story: a few guys drinking ale in 1775 decided to start an elite fighting force. It sounds like a movie script. But the reality of when was the US Marines formed is actually a bit more bureaucratic—and a lot more desperate—than just a bunch of guys grabbing a pint.
The Continental Marines didn't just appear out of thin air because someone had a good idea after a third round of porter. They were a necessity of a failing revolution.
In late 1775, the American colonies were in a tight spot. George Washington was struggling to keep an army together on land, and the British Royal Navy was basically treating the Atlantic like their private swimming pool. The Continental Congress realized that if they couldn't contest the water, the war was over before it really started. They needed "soldiers of the sea."
The Resolution That Changed Everything
November 10, 1775. That’s the date every Marine has tattooed on their brain—or at least their gear.
On that day, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and passed a resolution. It wasn't fancy. It basically said two battalions of Marines should be raised. They weren't even called "United States Marines" yet because the United States didn't technically exist as a sovereign nation. They were the Continental Marines.
John Adams was the driving force here. People forget that. He was obsessed with the idea of a naval presence. He pushed for the creation of these battalions because he knew that ships needed men who could do more than just tie knots and scrub decks. They needed marksmen who could sit in the "fighting tops" (the platforms high up on the masts) and pick off British officers during a boarding action.
Why a Tavern?
So, why does everyone talk about Tun Tavern?
Robert Mullan was the tavern's owner. He was also appointed as a captain of the Marines. Back then, there weren't recruiting offices with neon signs and air conditioning. You went where the people were. In 1775, that meant the local pub. Mullan used his tavern as the primary recruiting rendezvous.
Think about the atmosphere. It’s cold. It’s loud. There’s the smell of woodsmoke and roasted meat. Mullan is offering a bounty, a steady supply of grog, and the chance to shoot at the British. For a lot of guys in Philadelphia, that was a better deal than staying in a drafty shop or working a farm.
The first "recruits" were basically tough guys from the waterfront. Dockworkers, laborers, and sailors who weren't afraid of a brawl. They weren't the polished, dress-blue-wearing figures we see today. They were rugged, often desperate men willing to take a massive gamble on a rebellion that most people thought would end at the end of a hangman's noose.
The First Commandant and the First Mission
Samuel Nicholas is usually credited as the first Commandant. He was a Philadelphian, a Quaker (which is ironic given the profession), and a regular at the local clubs. He didn't have a manual. He didn't have a training base like Parris Island. He just had a mandate and a bunch of rowdy recruits.
Their first real test came sooner than anyone expected.
In March 1776, just a few months after when the US Marines were formed, they headed for the Bahamas. Specifically, New Providence. Why? Because the British had gunpowder there, and the Continental Army was dangerously low on it. This was the first amphibious landing in Marine Corps history.
It wasn't exactly Saving Private Ryan. It was actually kind of a mess. But they got the gunpowder. They proved that this weird experiment of "sea-soldiers" actually worked.
The Gap You Didn't Know About
Here’s the part that usually gets left out of the glossy brochures: the Marines actually ceased to exist for a while.
After the Revolutionary War ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the Continental Navy and the Continental Marines were essentially disbanded. The new government was broke. They sold off the ships. They sent the men home. For about fifteen years, there was no Marine Corps.
It wasn't until July 11, 1798, that President John Adams signed the act that formally re-established the United States Marine Corps as a permanent fixture. This was during the "Quasi-War" with France. We needed them again.
So, when people ask when was the US Marines formed, they’re usually looking for 1775. And that’s the "birthday." But 1798 is when they became the permanent institution we recognize today. It’s a nuance that matters if you’re a history buff. One was a wartime necessity; the other was a strategic commitment to being a global power.
Evolution of the "Leatherneck"
You’ve heard the term "Leatherneck," right?
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It’s not just a cool nickname. It refers to the stiff leather collars Marines used to wear on their uniforms. Most people think it was to keep their heads up straight—sort of a forced posture thing.
Actually, it was practical. It was armor. In a boarding sea battle, swords were the primary weapon once ships collided. That thick leather collar was designed to protect the jugular from a cutlass slash. It was hot, it was uncomfortable, and it probably chafed like crazy, but it kept you alive.
Why the 1775 Date Stuck
Tradition is the lifeblood of the military. If you told a Marine that the Corps actually started in 1798, you'd get a very cold stare.
The 1775 date represents the spirit of the organization. It ties them to the very birth of the American idea. In the 1920s, Major General John A. Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47. This order summarized the history, tradition, and mission of the Corps and officially designated November 10 as the birthday to be celebrated across the world.
Every year, no matter where they are—in a combat zone or a fancy ballroom—Marines cut a cake. The first slice goes to the oldest Marine present, who then passes it to the youngest. It’s a physical link between the guys who stood in Tun Tavern and the 19-year-olds serving today.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Early Days
There’s this idea that the early Marines were just regular soldiers who happened to be on boats. Not true.
The distinction was crucial. Sailors ran the ship. Marines were there to fight. If the sailors decided to mutiny (which happened more than you'd think), the Marines were the ones who protected the officers. They lived in a weird middle ground—not quite "of the sea" and not quite "of the land."
This friction created a unique culture. They had to be more disciplined than the sailors but more adaptable than the army. They had to be able to shoot accurately from a swaying mast and then jump onto a moving deck with a bayonet. It required a specific kind of mental toughness that became the hallmark of the Corps.
Practical Historical Insights for Today
Understanding when the US Marines were formed isn't just about memorizing a date for a trivia night. It tells you a lot about how the U.S. views its role in the world.
- Flexibility is King: The Marines were created because the existing military structures couldn't handle "amphibious" problems. If you're looking at history, look for the gaps where new organizations are born.
- Culture Outlasts Paper: The gap between 1783 and 1798 didn't kill the Marine identity. The memory of what they did in the Revolution carried over into the new Corps.
- Location Matters: The fact that they started in a tavern in Philadelphia speaks to the "citizen-soldier" roots of the American military. It wasn't an aristocratic hobby; it was a community effort.
Next Steps for History Lovers
If you're ever in Philadelphia, don't just go to Independence Hall. Walk down toward the waterfront. While the original Tun Tavern is long gone (it was demolished in the late 1700s and now sits under a highway), there are markers and nearby locations that give you a sense of that cramped, salty, revolutionary atmosphere.
You can also visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia. It’s one of the best military museums in the world. They have a replica of Tun Tavern inside where you can actually get a meal. It puts the whole "1775" thing into perspective when you see the actual equipment these guys were using.
Check out the original Continental Congress journals online through the Library of Congress. Reading the actual dry, legalistic language used to create the Marines is a fascinating contrast to the legendary status they hold now. It reminds you that history starts with a pen stroke before it ever moves to the battlefield.
Research the "Quasi-War" of 1798. Most people skip from the Revolution straight to the War of 1812. But that little-known conflict with France is where the modern Marine Corps really found its feet and established its permanent place in the American government.
Take a look at the "Marines' Hymn." Most people know the first line—"From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli." The Tripoli part refers to the Derna campaign in 1805. It was another formative moment that happened shortly after the 1798 re-establishment, proving that the Marines were going to be the nation's "first responders" on a global scale.