The United States Marine Corps is celebrating its 242nd birthday on Friday.
Marines around the world celebrate the founding of the first Continental Marines every year on Nov. 10. Many bases host celebratory balls for Marines. One custom is for the senior Marine present to cut a birthday cake with a sword and share the first two pieces with the youngest Marine.
Several top political figures and military officials in the U.S. paid tribute to the history of the Marine Corps, including President Donald Trump, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R., Wis.), Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller, and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson.
On behalf of an entire nation, Happy 242nd Birthday to the men and women of the United States Marines!#USMC242 #SemperFi pic.twitter.com/ecgoSJP5Uc
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/DeptofDefense/status/928970497710161920
Happy 242nd Birthday @USMC pic.twitter.com/vQioXl8xjr
— SECNAV76 (@secnav76) November 9, 2017
Happy birthday to all Marines and their families. We never go alone. pic.twitter.com/D4Tmq6y61D
— Commandant of the @USMC (@CMC_MarineCorps) November 10, 2017
Happy 242nd Birthday to the @USMC Marine Corps! Our close partners as we protect and defend our Nation #SemperFi #HappyBirthdayMarines pic.twitter.com/3cF28V2ho0
— USNavyCNO (@USNavyCNO) November 10, 2017
Happy 242nd Birthday to the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fi! pic.twitter.com/Ox6me7lTvg
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) November 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/thejointstaff/status/928377743376609280
