Q 01/05

The Continental Marines were formed on November 10, 1775, in which city?

A) Philadelphia

B) Boston

C) New York

D) Baltimore

Answer · why

A) Philadelphia

Two battalions were raised as infantry able to fight both at sea and on shore; the Corps still celebrates November 10 as its birthday.

Q 02/05

Which Philadelphia drinking house is traditionally regarded as the site of the Marines' first recruitment drive?

A) City Tavern

B) Tun Tavern

C) The Indian King

D) The Blue Anchor

Answer · why

B) Tun Tavern

The same building is also considered a birthplace of Masonic teaching in America, hosting lodge meetings from 1732.

Q 03/05

Roughly how many active-duty members did the Marine Corps have as of December 2024?

A) About 95,000

B) About 240,000

C) About 169,000

D) About 310,000

Answer · why

C) About 169,000

Plus around 33,000 in the reserve; the Corps sits within the Department of the Navy.

Q 04/05

The Marine Corps motto Semper Fidelis has been official since which year?

A) 1798

B) 1847

C) 1883

D) 1918

Answer · why

C) 1883

It means 'always faithful'; John Philip Sousa's march of the same name became the Corps' official march.

Q 05/05

The music of the Marines' Hymn comes from an 1867 work by which composer?

A) Johann Strauss II

B) Giuseppe Verdi

C) John Philip Sousa

D) Jacques Offenbach

Answer · why

D) Jacques Offenbach

Authorised in 1929, it is the oldest official song in the US armed forces; the lyricist is unknown.