The United States Marine Corps was originally founded on November 10, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress during the American Revolutionary War. This date is considered the Marine Corps' official birthday. Although the original Continental Marines were disbanded after the Revolutionary War in 1783, the Marine Corps was formally re-established as a permanent military branch on July 11, 1798. Counting from the original founding date of November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps is currently over 249 years old as of 2025, making it one of the oldest branches of the U.S. military.