Historical Timeline
Marines are always the first in, defending America against any and all perils. From the American Revolution to the Persian Gulf War to battles for freedom yet to be waged, the Marine Corps remains at the ready.
1775
Our beginning: Continental Congress authorizes two battalions of American Marines.
1778
Captain Nichols and twenty-six Marines capture Fort Nassau in the Bahamas.
1798
President John Adams signs Act establishing the United States Marine Corps.
1847
Marines help seize fortress of Chapultepec, occupying the Nation Place, built on site of the Halls of Montezuma.
1885
Captain McLane Tilton leads a Marine force in naval attack on Han River forts in Korea. Marines also land in Panama to protect trans-isthmus railroad.
1880
John Phillip Sousa appointed leader of the Marine Band.
1898
Marines land at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Marine Sgt. John Quick receives Medal of Honor. U.S. and Spain sign Treaty of Paris.
1899
Marines attack Filipino insurgents at Novaleta.
1900
Marines defend Legation Quarter in Chinese capital during Boxer Rebellion.
1917
U.S. declares war on Germany. 5th Marine Regiment sails for France.
1918
Marines fight against German machine guns in Belleau Wood.
1942
1st Marine Division lands on Guadalcanal turns back Japanese attack in Battle of Edson's Ridge. 2nd Raider Division raids Makin Atoll.
1942
The first black Marines enlist in the Marine Corps.
1943
Women's Reserve program announced. This date marks the birthday of women Marines.
1944
D-day: U.S. lands in Normandy. Marines in 2nd, 3rd and 4th Division fight on the Pacific front.
1945
Marines secure Iwo Jima. Japan and Germany surrender unconditionally. Marines land in Tokyo Bay and in North China, where they disarm 630,000 Japanese soldiers.
1946
Commandant Archibald Vandegrift tells Senate Naval Affairs Committee "the bended knee is not a tradition of our Corps."
1948
First modern Marine Security Guard program established. Marines brought ashore in helicopters for the first time during an amphibious training exercise. First eight enlisted women sworn in as Regular Marines.
1950
North Korean forces invade South Korea. 1st Marine Division makes assault landing at Inchon and retakes Seoul.
1952
Congress sets the Marine Corps' strength and gives commandant equal status on Joint Chiefs of Staff in matters of concern to the Corps.
1954
The Marine Corps War Memorial dedicated next to Arlington National Cemetery.
1956
Marine battalion from Sixth Fleet evacuates civilians from Egypt after country nationalizes the Suez Canal.
1962
Marine Lieutenant Colonel John H. Glenn is the first man to orbit the earth.
1965
9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade lands at Da Nang, South Viet Nam.
1967
Private First Class James Anderson Jr., is the first black Marine to win the Medal of Honor.
1971
Last Marine ground troops leave Viet Nam.
1990
Iraqi army invades Kuwait. Marines begin buildup in the Persian Gulf.
1991
Operation Desert Storm begins. Marines 1st and 2nd divisions push through Iraqi lines. Marine helicopters also evacuate 281 civilians from the American Embassy at Mogadishu, Somalia.
1997
Marines help evacuate 2,500 civilians from Kinshasa, Zaire.
2001
Global War on Terrorism declared. Marines deployed to various locations abroad defending our freedom.
