Happy Birthday, Marines

On November 10, 1775 — 234 years ago today — the Continental Congress passed a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines to fight for independence, and thus the Marine Corps was born. The newly minted Marines were ready for the fight by early 1776. According to the US Navy, the new force was composed mostly of infantrymen protecting Navy ships.

Back then they were called the "Continental Marines," and it was indeed a very different time: the Congress hammered out the resolution for the Corps' creation in a tavern. Beer with a side of governing; those were the days. Not only that, but the owner of the joint — Robert Mullan — became the Marines' first captain and recruiter.

Things have progressed a bit since then, but not so much that fun is off the table. The Marines will celebrate their birthday with a Marine Corps Birthday Ball on November 14 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, DC.

"To all who have gone before, to those who wear the uniform today, and to the families that give us the strength to forge ahead — I wish you all a heartfelt happy 234th birthday! Semper Fidelis!" General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, wrote in a celebratory message to his troops.

He also shares this YouTube message:

Photo courtesy of Sister72, via Flickr