The United States Marine Corps: 242 Years Of Greatness

The Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines, later designated the United States Marine Corps, on this day in 1775 in Philadelphia. Marines have served in every American armed conflict.

Marines' Hymn

From the Halls of Montezuma

To the shores of Tripoli;

We fight our country's battles

In the air, on land, and sea;

First to fight for right and freedom

And to keep our honor clean;

We are proud to claim the title

Of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze

From dawn to setting sun;

We have fought in every clime and place

Where we could take a gun;

In the snow of far-off Northern lands

And in sunny tropic scenes;

You will find us always on the job

The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps

Which we are proud to serve;

In many a strife we've fought for life

And never lost our nerve;

If the Army and the Navy

Ever look on Heaven’s scenes;

They will find the streets are guarded

By United States Marines.

Thanks and best wishes to Marines everywhere, especially to my fellow historian, never-ending inspiration, and former National Park Service colleague, Edwin Cole (Ed) Bearss, who turns 95 next June.

Ed leading a tour at Gettysburg in 2005