History isn't always written in marble halls. Sometimes, it starts in a bar. If you’re asking when were the marine corps founded, the date you need to circle on your calendar is November 10, 1775. But it wasn't just some dry bureaucratic decree signed in a sterile office. It was a desperate, gritty move by a Continental Congress that was basically making things up as they went along while trying to survive a revolution.
They needed muscle. Specifically, they needed "sea soldiers" who could shoot straight from the rigging of a ship and hold their own in a boarding party.
The whole thing went down at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. Imagine a smoke-filled room, the smell of roasted meat and stale ale, and a guy named Robert Mullan who was essentially the first recruiter. He wasn't looking for resume-heavy professionals; he was looking for tough men willing to risk the gallows for a cause that seemed like a long shot. It’s kinda wild to think that the most elite fighting force in the world started over a few pints of beer.
The Continental Congress and the Resolution of 1775
We have to look at the paperwork for a second, even if it's less exciting than a tavern brawl. On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution. It stated that "two battalions of marines be raised" consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments. This wasn't just a suggestion. It was a legal necessity.
The Americans were fighting the British, who had the most powerful navy on the planet. George Washington’s army was struggling on land, but the sea was where the British moved their supplies. If the colonies couldn't contest the water, they were done.
Interestingly, the Marine Corps wasn't even its own department back then. They were basically extensions of the ships they served on. Their primary job? Protecting the captain, maintaining discipline among the sailors (who were often less than enthusiastic about being there), and acting as sharpshooters during engagements. If you were a British officer on the deck of a frigate, the last thing you wanted to see was a guy in a green coat—yes, they wore green back then—perched in the mast with a musket.
Why Tun Tavern is the Holy Grail of Marine History
You can’t talk about when were the marine corps founded without mentioning Tun Tavern. It stood on Water Street in Philadelphia. Robert Mullan, the proprietor, was appointed a captain and tasked with filling the ranks.
He didn't have a flashy TV commercial or a website. He had grog.
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He recruited the very first Marines right there in the pub. It makes sense if you think about it. You go where the people are. The men who frequented the docks were already used to the rough life of the sea. They were hardy, probably a bit rowdy, and exactly the kind of people you'd want by your side when you’re trying to board a British man-of-war.
Samuel Nicholas is the name you’ll hear most often. He’s traditionally considered the first Commandant. He was a Philadelphian, a Quaker (which is a bit ironic considering the profession), and a man of significant influence. He was the one who actually organized those first two battalions.
The Confusion Over 1775 vs. 1798
Here is where it gets a little complicated. If you look at some old records, you might see the date 1798. What’s that about?
Basically, after the Revolutionary War ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the Continental Navy and the Continental Marines were actually disbanded. The new country was broke. They literally couldn't afford to keep the ships or the men. For about fifteen years, there was no official Marine Corps.
Then came the "Quasi-War" with France.
Tensions were rising, and the U.S. realized it had made a massive mistake by getting rid of its naval protection. On July 11, 1798, President John Adams signed the act that re-established the United States Marine Corps.
So, while the lineage goes back to 1775, the permanent legal existence of the branch as we know it today started in 1798. Most Marines will tell you, quite loudly, that 1775 is the only date that matters. They celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday on November 10 every single year, no matter where they are in the world. Whether they are in a foxhole or a ballroom, they cut a cake (usually with a sword) and remember Tun Tavern.
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The Evolution of the Leatherneck
Why do we call them Leathernecks? It’s not just a cool nickname. It’s literal.
During the early years, specifically from 1798 to 1872, the uniform included a high leather collar. It was designed to do two things:
- Protect the neck from cutlass slashes during boarding actions.
- Force the Marines to keep their heads up and maintain a rigid, military posture.
It was reportedly incredibly uncomfortable. Imagine wearing a stiff piece of hide around your throat while trying to work in the humidity of the Caribbean. But it stuck. It became a symbol of their grit.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Founding
People often think the Marines were just "soldiers on boats." That’s a massive oversimplification. From the moment of their founding, they were designed to be an amphibious landing force.
Their first big mission happened in March 1776—the Raid of Nassau in the Bahamas. Led by Samuel Nicholas, the Marines landed on the beach, captured the forts, and seized much-needed gunpowder for Washington’s army. It was the first time American flags were raised over foreign soil.
This established the "Expeditionary" nature of the Corps. They aren't the Army, and they aren't the Navy. They are the middle ground. They are the ones who go from ship to shore.
The Symbolic Importance of the Date
The date November 10, 1775, is more than just a trivia answer. It’s the bedrock of the Corps' identity.
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In 1921, Major General John A. Lejeune (a name you’ll see on bases all over) issued Marine Corps Order No. 47. He wanted to make sure that the history of the Corps was never forgotten. He summarized the service’s "unalterable spirit" and directed that his message be read to every Marine command every year on the birthday.
This tradition is why you’ll see Marines in their dress blues every November, looking sharp and acting as if they personally remember the 1700s. It’s a culture built on a very specific sense of time and place.
Key Milestones in Early Marine History
- 1775: Founded at Tun Tavern.
- 1776: First amphibious landing in the Bahamas.
- 1783: Disbanded following the Revolution.
- 1798: Formally re-established by John Adams.
- 1805: The "Shores of Tripoli" (the First Barbary War), where the Mameluke Sword tradition began.
Why Does It Still Matter?
Honestly, knowing when were the marine corps founded helps you understand the American psyche during the Revolution. We weren't a powerhouse. We were a ragtag group of rebels using whatever resources we had—including tavern owners and leather-collared fighters—to carve out a space for ourselves.
The Marine Corps was born out of a specific need for versatility. They needed people who could fight in the rigging, fight on the deck, and then jump into a rowboat and fight on the beach. That "Jack of all trades" lethality is still what defines them today.
If you’re visiting Philadelphia, you can actually visit the site where Tun Tavern once stood. There’s a commemorative plaque at Front Street and Sansom Walk. It’s a humble spot for the birthplace of such a massive institution.
How to Commemorate the History
If you want to dive deeper into this history, there are a few things you can do that are better than just reading a textbook.
- Visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps: It’s in Triangle, Virginia. The architecture itself is inspired by the flag-raising at Iwo Jima, but the exhibits on the Revolutionary War are incredible.
- Read the Original Resolution: Look up the Journals of the Continental Congress for November 10, 1775. Seeing the actual 18th-century script makes it feel much more real.
- Check out "First to Fight" by Victor Krulak: It’s a classic book that explains why the Marine Corps exists and why it has survived numerous attempts to be disbanded or merged into the Army.
The founding of the Marine Corps wasn't just a military event; it was a cultural one. It set the tone for a branch of service that prides itself on being the first to arrive and the last to leave. From a Philadelphia pub to the ends of the earth, the timeline is a straight shot of grit and adaptation.
Actionable Next Steps: To truly understand the legacy of 1775, research the "Mameluke Sword" and how the events of 1805 in Tripoli solidified the traditions born at Tun Tavern. You can also look for local Marine Corps League chapters if you want to see how the November 10th traditions are carried out by veterans today.