The Continental Congress that formed the foundation of the nation’s modern military created the Continental Army and Navy branches, and also the marines, who were to bridge the gap between the two. Like the Navy, they would operate on the seas; like the Army, they would land on the ground. Amphibious assaults were to be the Marines’ specialty, a useful thing against another maritime power like Great Britain.

On this day, November 10, in 1775 the Continental Marines, the precursor of the modern day Marine Corps, were established. Before the planning of amphibious landings, their main job was to protect the crew of the ship, and pick off enemy officers from enemy vessels.

The Continental Marines were active in the Revolutionary War, landing on one of the Bahamas islands under command Captain Samuel Nicholas, their first leader. Another planned invasion from the sea of Halifax, Nova Scotia, was scrapped when the British reinforced their base there. The Continental Marines changed in name to the U.S. Marines after the war, but in principle nothing else changed. They continue to celebrate their birthday every November 10.