We all know the Marine's Hymn lyrics, "From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli," but do you know the story behind it? #OTD in 1805, U.S. Marines, led by Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon and aided by the U.S. Navy, launched a successful assault on Derna, Tripoli, capturing the city after intense fighting. The Marines will be celebrating their 250th Anniversary this year (along with Navy and Army). We will be offering special programming in observance of these major anniversaries for our

#OTD in 1912, the Marines' Hymn was registered with the US copyright office. The music originates from an 1867 work by Jacques Offenbach with the lyrics added by an anonymous author. From the Halls of Montezuma To the Shores of Tripoli; We fight our country's battles In the air, on land and sea; First to fight for right and freedom And to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine. Our flag's unfurled to every breeze From dawn to setting sun; We have fought in

Today's #traditionthursday looks at the Marine Corps Motto, "Semper Fidelis."⁠ ⁠ Early unofficial Marine mottoes included "Fortitudine" and "By Sea and by Land." After 1848, the Marine flag bore the traditional legend "From Tripoli to the Halls of the Montezumas" (an order that would be reversed in the famous hymn, probably for rhyming reasons).⁠ ⁠ In the early 1880s, the Latin "Semper Fidelis," meaning "Always Faithful," became official. Countless generations of Marines have lived by the motto,