“Happy Birthday!” was the greeting on Sunday, November 10, 2024, when 3,000 people gathered on 2nd Street in Philadelphia’s Old City to celebrate the United States Marine Corps’ 249th birthday and the groundbreaking of The Tun™. The historic Tun was established in Philadelphia in 1693, just 250 yards from where The Tun™ Groundbreaking and Marine Corps Birthday Block Party took place. Although The Tun™ has not stood since 1781, it is well known to Marines worldwide.
On 11 November, members of The Marine Corps Reserve Association leadership team honored American Veterans.