Celebrate the Founding of the Marine Corps on November 10

Homecoming 250 Navy Marine Corps and The Tun Legacy Foundation Detail Plans for the USMC 250^th Birthday in Philadelphia – Birthplace of the Marines

Beginning on Friday, November 7 and running through Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Homecoming 250 Navy Marine Corps and The Tun Legacy Foundation will host a special series of events in Philadelphia to honor the United States Marine Corps 250^th birthday. The celebration will bring together Marines, their families and friends from across the country and around the world. The highlight of the week will be the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps on Monday, November 10 — taking place in Philadelphia, the Birthplace of America, the Navy and the Marine Corps.

Marines, Sailors, veterans and the public are invited to enjoy five days of free and ticketed activities, including a ceremony at Independence Hall, where on November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress drafted a Resolution establishing two battalions of Marines; the 100^th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the site of the first ball a century ago; and a block party at the future site of the rebuilt Tun, the birthplace of the Marines. Visitors can spend the long holiday weekend learning about the founding of the Continental Marines in 1775, and honoring the 250-year history of the Corps.

November 10 Events

Medal of Honor Recipients Major General James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret.) and Colonel Harvey Curtiss “Barney” Barnum, Jr., USMC (Ret.) will be the special guests at the 100^th Marine Corps Birthday Ball (6 p.m.­­ to 11:30 p.m., Nov. 10, ticketed) at the Bellevue, the site of the first Marines Corps Birthday Ball in 1925. The black-tie gala, presented by Homecoming 250®, will feature the Posting of the Colors by a USMC Color Guard, the reading of General John A. Lejeune’s Birthday Message, and the birthday cake ceremony with the first piece of cake presented to the oldest and youngest Marines in attendance. Invited guests include the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. Tickets for the 100^th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Bellevue are available at www.tickets.homecoming250.org.

“Every Marine knows that the Corps was founded in Philadelphia,” said George Leone, president of Homecoming 250. “We will honor the proud history of the Marine Corps both in the national Navy & Marine Corps 250^th Celebration on October 9-16, culminating on November 10 when we have the 100^th Marine Corps Birthday Ball where Commandant Lejeune and Smedley Butler held the first ball. With a variety of events planned around the Marine Corps birthday this November 7-11, we hope Marines and their families will mark their calendars. A spectacular celebration such as this is not to be missed.”

The 100^th Marine Corps Birthday Ball ceremony will be live-streamed for attendees at the Marine Corps 250 Birthday Ball (6 to 11 p.m., Nov. 10, ticketed) at the Museum of the American Revolution, just steps from the future site of The Tun®. Presented by The Tun Legacy Foundation, the ball will honor the founding of the Continental Marines in 1775, and toast efforts to rebuild the historic tavern. Tickets for the Marine Corps 250 Birthday Ball at the Museum of the American Revolution are available at www.thetun.org.

“November 10th is THE big day of the year for Marines, and the 250^th in 2025 is a generational moment – a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Pat Dailey, president and founder of The Tun Legacy Foundation. “The Tun as the birthplace of the Marines is something Marines learn about from day one,” said Dailey, a Marine. “The 250^th birthday activities in Philadelphia will also focus on the history of the Tun and our efforts to rebuild it for future generations.”

In the morning, Homecoming 250 and the Corporal Brandon Hardy Chester County Detachment #286 of the Marine Corps League will mark the 250^th milestone with a Ceremony at the Resting Place of the First Commandant of the Marine Corps, Samuel Nicholas, at Arch Street Meeting House Burial Ground (9 a.m., Nov. 10, free), and Homecoming 250® will present the Marine Corps 250^th Commemoration at Independence Hall  (10:30 a.m., free), which will feature the reading of the Resolution Establishing the Marines, speeches from the leaders of the Marine Corps, the official Pennsylvania Marine Corps 250^th Birthday cake cutting with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and more.

Marine Corps Birthday at the Future Site of The Tun® (11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., free), hosted by The Tun Legacy Foundation, the block party will feature performances by Marine and musician Dave Bray USA, Marine and comedian Bryson Banks, and the American Bombshells.

All Weekend Events – November 7 – 11

Expecting thousands of visitors traveling from outside the region, The Tun Legacy Foundation, Homecoming 250® and their partners have planned a full weekend of activities. Many events are free. For information and tickets to the 100^th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Bellevue, visit www.tickets.homecoming250.org. For all other free and ticketed events, visit www.thetun.org.

On Fri., Nov. 7, the Masonic Temple Library & Museum and Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Tour (4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., ticketed) will showcase Tun objects in the archives and the connection between Pennsylvania Freemasonry and the Tun.

Sat., Nov. 8, The Tun Lunch and Learn (11 a.m., ticketed) and The Tun Legacy Tour (1:30 p.m., ticketed), developed with support from America250PA, will explore sites in Philadelphia significant to the founding of the Marines and the five other organizations with a heritage at the historic Tun. A Welcome Dinner at the Independence Seaport Museum (5 to 8 p.m., ticketed) will tell the story of how and why the Marines were founded on the Philadelphia waterfront.

On Sun., Nov. 9, attendees will have the opportunity to sign up to march alongside other Marines at the Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival (noon to 4 p.m., free). Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel Barnum will be the guest speaker at the Marine Corps 250^th Celebration on the Spirit of Philadelphia Dinner Cruise (4:30 to 8 p.m., ticketed). Guests at the Midnight Champagne Birthday Breakfast (11 p.m. to 1 a.m., ticketed) will don nightcaps at the Museum of the American Revolution to be the first to ring in the 250^th at midnight.

Mon., Nov. 10, begins with the Ceremony at the Resting Place of the First Commandant of the Marine Corps, Marine Corps 250^th Commemoration at Independence Hall, and Marine Corps Birthday at the Future Site of The Tun®. The USMC 250^th birthday culminates with the 100^th Marine Corps Birthday Ball (6 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., ticketed) at the Bellevue, and the Marine Corps 250 Birthday Ball (6 – 11 p.m., ticketed) at the Museum of the American Revolution. See more details above.

On Tues., Nov. 11, a Veterans Day Ceremony on the Battleship New Jersey (11 a.m., free) will honor veterans, and include a tribute to the Marines and their core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.

For a full list of Nov. 7 through Nov. 11 events, ticket information and partner hotels, visit Homecoming 250® at www.homecoming250.org and The Tun Legacy Foundation at www.thetun.org.

About Homecoming 250 Navy Marine Corps

Homecoming 250 Navy Marine Corps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps in their birthplace – Philadelphia and the Delaware River – as a grand opening event of the Semiquincentennial of the United States. At the October 9-16 Navy & Marine Corps 250^th Celebration, historical and current ships, including ships important to the Marine Corps, will parade in for touring, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, landing craft, special forces, elite bands, and the Silent Drill Platoon will perform, as part of a series of exciting events. For the Marine Corps 250th, Homecoming 250 will host the 100th Marine Corps Ball, where the 1st Ball was held, and commemorate the Marine Corps 250^th at Independence Hall where the Marines were created. Homecoming 250® is bringing these celebrations to Philadelphia, Camden, and the Delaware River to support our military, salute our veterans, and educate the public about the role of the Navy and Marines to defend America and freedom. www.homecoming250.org

About The Tun Legacy Foundation

The Tun Legacy Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed by members of six organizations with origins at the historic Tun that are still in existence: United States Marine Corps, Pennsylvania Freemasons, the United States Navy, St. Andrew’s Society; Society of St. George; and The Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick. The Tun Legacy Foundation is rebuilding the historic Tun mariners tavern in Philadelphia (which stood from 1686-1781), and, once operating, donating all profits from operations of The Tun® in perpetuity to veteran charities, Masonic charities, and educational charities associated with the other heritage organizations. www.thetun.org

Chronological Listing of November 7-11, 2025 Events for the

250^th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps in Philadelphia

Friday, November 7, 2025
Masonic Temple Library & Museum and Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Tour (4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., One N. Broad St., ticketed)

Saturday, November 8, 2025
The Tun Lunch and Learn (11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Masonic Temple Library and Museum at One N. Broad St., ticketed)
The Tun Legacy Tour (1:30 to 3:30 p.m., departs from the future site of The Tun®, 2^nd St. between Market St. and Chestnut St., ticketed)
Welcome Dinner at the Independence Seaport Museum (5 to 8 p.m., 211 S. Columbus Blvd., ticketed)

Sunday, November 9, 2025
Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival (noon to 4 p.m., Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Eakins Oval, free)
Marine Corps 250^th Celebration on the Spirit of Philadelphia Dinner Cruise (4:30 to 8 p.m., 401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., ticketed)
Midnight Champagne Birthday Breakfast at the Museum of the American Revolution (11 p.m. to 1 a.m., 101 S. 3^rd St., ticketed)

Monday, November 10, 2025 – 250^th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps
Ceremony at the Resting Place of the First Commandant of the Marine Corps (9 a.m., 320 Arch St., free)
Marine Corps 250^th Commemoration at Independence Hall (10:30 a.m., 520 Chestnut St., free)
Marine Corps Birthday at the Future Site of The Tun® (11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 2^nd St. between Market St. and Chestnut St., free)
100^th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Bellevue (6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., 200 S. Broad St., ticketed)
Marine Corps 250 Birthday Ball at the Museum of the American Revolution (6 to 11 p.m., 101 S. 3^rd St., ticketed)

Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Veterans Day Ceremony on the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial (11 a.m., 62 Battleship Place, Camden, N.J., free)

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.