Marine Corps Celebrates 250th Birthday in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The evening of Oct. 9, the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center commemorated the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

The department was established on Nov. 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, and this year marks its 250th birthday. The event centered on honoring that legacy and recognizing the Corps’ long-standing history of service and sacrifice.

“Tonight, we are celebrating the Marine Corps birthday, but then in November, November eighth and ninth, we will be honoring and remembering. We will be honoring and celebrating the birthdays for the US Navy and the US Army,” said Bong Centers Director of Exhibits, Briana Fiandt. “It’s really important for the veteran community to feel and to know that we value them and respect them, and the program like this gives back to them and shows them how important they are.”

The public event featured guest speaker Donna Bergstrom, a local retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel. Her hour-long presentation explored the rich history of the Marine Corps and its impact over the past two and a half centuries.

“I’m really happy to be presenting not just the 250th and then sort of my perspective on the Marine Corps, but I’ve also got some embedded resources there for folks. So if they want to do a little bit deeper dive, they can go in and look at different links that are available and different resources that they can learn a little bit more about the history of the Marine Corps,” said Donna Bergstrom, retired USMC Lieutenant Colonel.

Those who missed the presentation can find additional information and resources about Marine Corps history through the Bong Centers, Marine Corps, and the National Archives websites.