America's 911 Force - the United States Marine Corps - was born in the cradle of liberty

In 1775, the taverns and inns of Philadelphia were a hotbed of meetings which served as the founding of a collection of notable groups.  Legend states Tun Tavern to be the womb which conceived the Continental Marines, forerunner of today’s United States Marine Corps.

During a meeting of committee members from the Continental Congress, a resolution was drafted. On November 10, 1775, the resolution was approved and gave birth to twins – the First and Second Battalions of Marines - whose mission was to aid the fight for independence, and would serve on both land and sea.

These two battalions would each consist of one colonel, two lieutenant-colonels and two majors, in addition to other necessary officers to lead the enlistees. The enlistees chosen to serve were required to be good seamen, well acquainted with maritime affairs and willing to serve for the duration of the conflict. Originally, the Continental Marines began with 131 officers and approximately 2,000 enlisted men.

Samuel Nicholas was selected the first Commandant of the Continental Marines. He received his commission on November 28, 1775. Tun Tavern’s owner, Robert Mullan, a popular patriot, received a commission as captain and used the tavern for recruitment rendezvous. Support quickly mounted. The Marines were action-ready in the early months of 1776 and helped George Washington defend Philadelphia. 

In the organization’s early years, the chief duty of the Marines at sea was to protect the ship’s captain and his  officers. Marine sharpshooters were strategically situated on the upper portion of the ship’s masts where they would have easier aim at the helmsmen, gunners and officers onboard ships belonging to the opposition.    

The Continental Marines took part in amphibious landings and raids throughout the course of the American Revolution. Twice they landed at Nassau in the Bahamas where they seized British provisions. The first landing was lead by Captain Nichols, whose militia consisted of approximately 250 Marines and sailors. Though a great many provisions were seized, the thing they needed most, gunpowder, was not obtained. Nichols was later promoted to major and given the responsibility of assembling additional Marine companies to staff each of the four new frigates which at that time were under construction.

At the end of the American Revolution in 1783, the Continental Navy and Marines were both disbanded, with the last of the Marines discharged in September. The organization was later re-created in 1798. Though there was a gap of time between the disbanding of the Continental Marines and the later reestablishment, November 10, 1775 is celebrated as the official birthday of the United States Marine Corps.