FIRST TO FIGHT UNITED SATES MARINES (USMC) HISTORY On November 10, 1775, the United States Continental Congress passed a resolution for the foundation of a Marine force for the United States. In April 1783, after the Revolutionary War, both the Navy and the Marines ceased to exist, but on July 11, 1798, they were both re-established. From then until World War I, the Marines were sent out primarily to protect the U.S.’s interests worldwide. The Marines developed their amphibious warfare in the twenty years before WWII, and Marine amphibious divisions were used in various locations worldwide, including Guadal Canal, Iwo Jima and Guam. These missions proved effective in the Korean War as well, and so amphibious warfare was carried over into the Vietnam War. The Marines are the first into any war zone, establishing safe bases and landing sites for the other branches of the military. Their amphibious tactics, a specialization unique to the Marines, continue to be effective through continual development to this day. In 1921, Commandant John A. Lejeune issued MC Order No. 47, Series 1921, which declared November 10 a Marine Corps holiday, known as the Marine Corps Birthday. He directed that this order, which included the Corps’ history, mission and tradition, be read every year. Every year since then, the Marines everywhere observe the birthday any way that they can. During the now-traditional Birthday Ball, there is a Cake Ceremony, formalized in its execution on October 28, 1952 by Commandant Lemuel C. Sheperd, Jr. The first piece of cake is given to the oldest Marine present, the second piece to the youngest.		TEACHER PACKET CONTENTS United States Marine Corps (USMC) History Useful Terms and Information The Marines in Vietnam: A Timeline Student Gallery Activities Bibliography and Sources