On the 10th of November in 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution which said in part:

"...Resolved, that two battalions of Marines be raised, consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant colonels, two majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so
acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the Colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines..."

With that resolution the Continental Marines were officially born. November 10th is still celebrated today as the Marine Corps Birthday.

On November 28th, 1775, Samuel Nicholas was commissioned as captain in the Continental Marines, and was charged with raising a part of the body of Marines which Congress had specified. Captain Nicholas remained the senior Marine officer throughout the Revolution and so is traditionally considered to be the first Commandant. Another officer that was appointed was Robert Mullan who happened to be the proprietor of Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. Supposedly, his appointment came as a result of his success as a recruiter and the importance of Tun Tavern as a recruiting station. It is also thought that the resolution passed by the Continental Congress that established the Marines, was written in Tun Tavern because the second floor of the tavern was the meeting place of the Naval Committee of Congress. Therefore, Tun Tavern and the birth of the Marines are forever intertwined together.