2025 Music City Marine Corps Ball
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The History of the Marine Corps Ball
The Marine Corps Birthday Ball tradition began in 1925 with the first formal celebration in Philadelphia, and has since become a cherished annual event, marking the founding of the Marine Corps on November 10, 1775.​​
1775: The Second Continental Congress resolves to raise two battalions of Marines on November 10th, establishing the Continental Marines, which later became the U.S. Marine Corps.
1921: The Marine Corps officially adopts November 10th as its birthday, marking the anniversary of its founding.
1925: The first formal Marine Corps Birthday Ball is held in Philadelphia, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Corps' founding. Prior to the Ball, Gen. Lejeune unveiled a memorial plaque at Tun Tavern.
1952: Commandant Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. formalizes the cake-cutting ceremony and other traditional observances, solidifying the Birthday Ball as a significant tradition.
2025: The 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps will be celebrated, with plans to hold the100th Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Philadelphia, where the first ball took place.
2025: To allow for Marines who are not located near a base to participate with the gala of the ball, a group of former Marines chose to step up and have the ball for the first time ever in Nashville, TN.
The Marine Corps is excited to announce it will visit Nashville in June 2025 to celebrate our 250th birthday!
Marine Week Nashville will feature an array of military equipment, aircraft, military bands, and opportunities to interact with your Marines.
Marines will set up static displays of military equipment that the community can interact with and will participate in community relations projects across Nashville.
The Marine Corps cannot wait to celebrate and commemorate 250 years of service to our nation with the great people of Nashville.