On November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was first formed by the Continental Congress. The purpose of the Marines at that time was to have landing forces for the newly-formed Continental Navy. All these preparations were needed as part of the Patriot effort in the Revolutionary War. The first Marine landing on a hostile shore happened in March of 1776 when the Marines captured New Province Island (Bahamas) from the British. The motto of the service is Semper Fidelis—Latin for “Always Faithful.”
