The United States Marine Corps was born on November 10, 1775 when the Second Continental Congress provided legislation for “two Battalions of Marines”.

JOURNAL OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

(Philadelphia) Friday, November 10, 1775

Resolved, That two Battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of.

Ordered, That a copy of the above be transmitted to the General.

Pasted from <https://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Pages/Speeches/ContinentalCongress.aspx>

The official Motto of the United States Marine Corps is “Semper Fidelis” ^[1] (“Always Faithful”) and was adopted around 1883. Prior to 1883 there were three different mottoes used by the Marine Corps, but all three were considered traditional rather than official.

· “Fortitudine” ^[2] (“With Fortitude”)

· “By Sea and by Land” – a translation of the Royal Marine’s “Per Mare, Per Terram”

· “To the Shores of Tripoli”, subsequently revised to: “From the Halls of the Montezumas to the Shores of Tripolli”

(C) 2016 Patricia L Johnson