Marine Corps Observes 250th Birthday at National Museum in Quantico
On Nov. 10, 2025, the United States Marine Corps marked its 250th anniversary. While the Corps traces its origins to Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, a special observance took place 170 miles southwest at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia.
Opened in 2006, the National Museum is a public–private partnership between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The 100,000-square-foot facility’s galleries and exhibits chronicle the Corps’ history from its founding through the Global War on Terror.
Although museum admission is normally free, a 2025 federal government shutdown forced the site to close to the public on the Corps’ anniversary. With federal funding frozen and galleries shuttered, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation chose to stage a one-day celebration — reflecting the Corps’ ethos to improvise, adapt and overcome.
The foundation-sponsored event drew approximately 1,000 guests. With foundation funding, the museum reopened its restaurants, store and the Medal of Honor Theater for the day. Commemorative merchandise — including exclusive beer and rocks glasses — was available, and the U.S. Mint sold official Marine Corps 250th commemorative coins on site.
The program culminated in the time-honored cake-cutting ceremony.
Tradition holds that the birthday cake is sliced with a Mameluke sword, a blade associated with 1st Lt. Presley O’Bannon after his actions in the First Barbary War at the 1805 Battle of Derna — a deed memorialized in The Marines’ Hymn as “the shores of Tripoli.” The first slice is passed from the oldest Marine in attendance to the youngest, symbolizing the transfer of knowledge, duty and tradition between generations.
At the National Museum celebration, the oldest Marine present was Sgt. Jim Wescoat, 104, and the youngest was Pvt. Joseph Pacella, 19. Nearly a century separated them, yet their participation underscored 250 years of continuous service, heritage and esprit de corps.
Happy birthday, Marines — Semper Fidelis.
