The forerunner of the United States Marines was established on November 10, 1775, in the midst of the American Revolutionary War. The Marines have fought in every major US-involved war since, making over 300 landings on foreign shores.
American composer and conductor John Philip Sousa was born on November 6, 1854, in Washington, DC. As the composer of several notable marches, including the “Stars and Stripes Forever” and official Marines march, he’s been called “The March King.”
US Navy Admiral Arleigh Burke was born on October 19, 1901, in Boulder, Colorado. He Served with distinction during WWII and went on to serve an unprecedented three terms as chief of Naval Operations.
On October 18, 1997, the Women in Military Service for America Memorial (WIMSA) was officially dedicated in Arlington County, Virginia. This stamp was issued at the memorial’s dedication ceremony.
On October 16, 1940, the US Post Office Department issued a set of three stamps to raise support for a strong national defense. Conceived and designed by President Roosevelt, more than 19 billion stamps were sold, more than any other US stamp series up to that time.
On October 11, 1776, the Continental Navy participated in one of its first naval battles of the Revolutionary War at Valcour Bay. While they were forced to retreat, they succeeded in delaying British plans for the upper Hudson River valley.
Decades after America’s first ships took to the oceans to defend its interests, the US Naval Academy was opened on October 10, 1845. USNA graduates have participated in every major US conflict since the Mexican-American War.
Football star and coach Paul William “Bear” Bryant was born on September 11, 1913, in Moro Bottom, Arkansas. Over the course of his coaching career, he broke the record at the time for the most victories, with 323 regular season wins.
On September 10, 1813, Oliver Hazard Perry won an important War of 1812 victory on Lake Erie. That victory helped change the course of the war, leading to America’s absolute independence from Britain.