When was the Marine Corps, as it is recognized today, formed?

The Marine Corps, as it is recognized today, was officially formed on July 11, 1798. This date marks the establishment of the United States Marine Corps under the Department of the Navy, when Congress authorized the formation of five battalions of Marines. Prior to this, there had been earlier naval forces and the Continental Marines during the Revolutionary War, but it was on this date that the Marine Corps became a formal and permanent branch within the U.S. Armed Forces, with its own structure and leadership. This foundational moment is significant as it laid the groundwork for the Marine Corps’ evolution into an elite fighting force, known for its distinctive mission and capabilities.