The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the United States Mint kicked off the Marine Corps 250th Anniversary celebration by striking commemorative coins at a December 4 ceremony held at the Mint in Philadelphia. The gold, silver, and clad coins depict iconic Marine Corps imagery, from the Iwo Jima flag-raising to historic and modern uniforms, all paying tribute to the Marine Corps’ rich legacy of service and valor. More than one million commemorative coins can be minted for public release in 2025, allowing Americans nationwide to participate in this historic commemoration. The Marine Corps’ 250th Anniversary coins will be the only commemorative coins minted in 2025.
Coins will be available for purchase on January 2, 2025 at U.S. Mint Sales.
“The 250th birthday presents a historic opportunity to connect all Americans with their Marine Corps throughout the year,” said retired Marine Major General James Lukeman, President and CEO of the Foundation. “For 250 years, Marines have fought for America’s future and epitomized the honor, courage, and selfless service that the Marine Corps is famous for.”
The 250th anniversary celebration will continue throughout 2025, showcasing the Marine Corps’ warfighting legacy and values of honor, courage, and commitment through nationwide programs and events, inviting all Americans to recognize the history and impact of their Marine Corps.
“This celebration is not only about honoring the past but looking toward the future,” MajGen Lukeman continued. “As we mark 250 years of the Marine Corps, we are also paying tribute to the Marines currently serving today and future generations preparing to follow in their footsteps.”
Other Celebrations of the Marine Corps 250th Anniversary
50-State Birthday Cake Cutting Program
All 50 states are planning to hold a traditional Marine Corps-style cake-cutting ceremony with participation from governors’ offices, their Veterans Affairs offices, and community leaders with cakes provided by ABA.
Marine Corps PSA
MCHF has created a Public Service Announcement (PSA) television commercial that celebrates the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday and the unbreakable connection between Corps and country. The PSA will air throughout 2025 across America. See it here soon at Marine250.com.
Marines Across America
The program will highlight Marines who embody the values of honor, patriotism, and selfless service within their communities. Throughout the year, it will showcase the contributions Marines make in their local communities or nationally following active-duty or reserve service. Members of the public are encouraged to share stories of Marines they know, both active and veterans, who are making a difference in their community at either Marine250.com or using the hashtag #MarinesAcrossAmerica.
Sports Events Across the Nation
As part of the celebration, sporting events will honor the Marine Corps throughout the year, from national events such as the Notre Dame vs. Navy football game and a NASCAR race at Martinsville, Virginia that will be called the Marine Corps 250, to local events including Minor League Baseball teams that will feature Marines with custom theme nights and “Marine of the Month” recognitions. Additionally, the National Federation of State High School Associations will recognize the Marine Corps at more than 150 high school state championship games across the U.S., all in celebration of 250 years of the Marine Corps.
National Museum of the Marine Corps
At the National Museum of the Marine Corps, visitors can explore Marine history and personal stories through new exhibits providing immersive experiences focused on the lives and missions of modern-day Marines.
“As we celebrate 250 years of Marine Corps history, the museum’s newest exhibits offer visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the experiences of today’s Marines,” said Keil Gentry, Director of the National Museum of the Marine Corps. “The museum is honored to be a part of this milestone and to have the opportunity to share the stories of the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, our country with pride and courage.”
Traveling Combat Art Exhibit
Following the success of the inaugural traveling combat art exhibit, the 250th celebration will include the second traveling combat art exhibit titled “The U.S. Marine Corps Air-Ground Team.” The traveling exhibit will open in January 2025 at The Citadel in Charleston, featuring unique artwork that captures Marine service and sacrifice. It will then tour the country throughout 2025 and 2026.
Library of Congress Exhibit
As part of the Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebration, the Library of Congress will curate a collections display of Marine-related artifacts from the Library’s collections, on display through October and November. The anniversary coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Library’s Veterans History Project, a grassroots effort with a mission to collect, preserve and make accessible the first-person narratives of U.S. military veterans from World War I through current conflicts.
Learn more at loc.gov/vets.
Birthday in a Box
The program provides digital resources to communities, organizations, and civic leaders nationwide, enabling them to host their own local Marine Corps birthday celebrations. Each kit will include materials such as event graphics, cake-cutting protocol guidelines, and a brief history of the Marine Corps birthday, making it easy to participate in the nationwide celebration.
Honorary Marines
The Foundation will celebrate the fewer than 100 individuals designated ‘Honorary Marines’ by the Marine Corps. The program honors those civilians who have made extraordinary contributions to the Marine Corps. Notable Honorary Marines include actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, acclaimed actor and philanthropist Gary Sinise, and legendary photographer Joe Rosenthal, who captured the iconic image of the flag raising at Iwo Jima.
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
In collaboration with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Lance Corporal Chesty XVI (the Marine Corps’ bulldog mascot named for famed Marine’s Marine LtGen Lewis “Chesty” Puller) and the Marine Corps will participate in the presentation of the colors on February 10 and 11, 2025, to kick off the show at Madison Square Garden.
For further information on anniversary plans, please visit Marine250.com.
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About the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
Dedicated to the preservation and promulgation of Marine Corps history, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation was established in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation supports the historical programs of the Marine Corps in ways not possible through government funds. The Foundation provides grants and scholarships for research and the renovation, restoration and commissioning of historical Marine Corps artifacts and landmarks. The Foundation secured the necessary funding for the construction of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center, located in Triangle, Virginia, and continues to expand programs at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and beyond its walls.
For more information, visit MarineHeritage.org.
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