Planning insight 1
Marine Corps Birthday 2026 is Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
Marine Corps Birthday 2026: 251 Years on November 10
The U.S. Marine Corps celebrates its 251st birthday on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of Continental Marines, with recruiting tradition centered on Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. The birthday falls one day before Veterans Day.
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Planning insight 2
2026 date: Tuesday, November 10.
Planning insight 3
Birthday: 251st.
Planning insight 4
Founded: November 10, 1775.
Planning insight 5
Traditional birthplace: Tun Tavern, Philadelphia.
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Last reviewed: July 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Marine Corps in 2026?
The U.S. Marine Corps turns 251 years old on November 10, 2026. It was established by the Continental Congress on November 10, 1775.
What is Tun Tavern?
Tun Tavern was a Philadelphia tavern where, by tradition, the first Continental Marines were recruited in 1775. It is celebrated as the birthplace of the Marine Corps, and its legend is a fixture of every birthday ceremony.
What happens at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball?
The Birthday Ball is a formal celebration featuring a ceremony with the reading of General Lejeune’s 1921 birthday message and the Commandant’s message, followed by the cake-cutting: the first slice goes to the guest of honor, the second to the oldest Marine present, who passes it to the youngest Marine — symbolizing the passing of tradition.
Is the Marine Corps Birthday a holiday?
It is not a federal holiday, though many Marine commands observe a liberty period ("96") combining the birthday with Veterans Day on November 11. Civilian schedules are unaffected.
Why is the Marine Corps Birthday the day before Veterans Day?
Coincidence of history: the Continental Marines were founded November 10, 1775, and Veterans Day marks the World War I armistice of November 11, 1918. The back-to-back dates make mid-November a significant week for the Marine Corps community.