11 July, 1798 President John Adams approved "An Act for Establishing and Organizing a Marine Corps", and it became law. The following day, the President appointed William Ward Burrows the Major Commandant of the new Corps. In August, Major Burrows opened his headquarters in Philadelphia, at that time still the capital of the new nation. Previous Article 7 July 1941 Next Article 14 July 1993 Print Day of Month (for ordering)11