Why does the Marine Corps have 2 birthdays? The Marine Corps has two birthdays because it was initially established on November 10, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress, and then re-established on July 11, 1798. While both dates are significant, the Corps officially celebrates its birthday on November 10th, the date of its initial founding, to honor its long history and tradition.
For a long period (from 1799 until 1921), the Marine Corps celebrated its birthday on July 11, commemorating the date of its re-establishment. However, in 1921, Marine Corps Order No. 47 was issued, changing the official birthday celebration to November 10th, to recognize the original founding during the Revolutionary War.
