The proud City of Philadelphia was recently in full celebration of America’s veterans. The array events included the 10th Annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway culminating at Eakins Oval, free admission to the Museum of the American Revolution, as well as the free Independence Seaport Museum’s Annual Veterans Day Ceremony aboard the Olympia — which is docked across from the Spruce Street Harbor Park.
It’s been 105 years since the Treaty of Versailles was signed in a palace in France — making official the end of the first World War. Around 60,000 men and 2,000 women served in the Army during the war, with another approximately 10,500 serving in the Navy. Like the rest of America — Philadelphia burst into euphoric celebration.
On Nov. 11, 1918 , the fighting ended between the Allied Nations and Germany at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day. Armistice Day would become an annual remembrance of those who fought in World War I, as well as the 1,400 Philadelphians who did not return home. Seventy years ago, in 1954 — one year after the conclusion of the Korean War — President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name of the holiday to represent “Veterans” of “all wars.”
For veterans and active service members of the United States Marine Corps, 2024 in Philadelphia has a much deeper meaning. Almost 250 years ago, the United States Marines was born during the American Revolution in November 1775 when the Continental Congress
Because of that resolution , Captain Samuel Nicholas setup a recruiting headquarters at Philadelphia’s Tun Tavern on Nov. 10, 1775. The sight of the very first Marine recruitment — Tun Tavern on Philadelphia’s historic waterfront at the confluence of Water Street and Tun Alley — was originally opened as one of Philadelphia’s very first tavern’s in 1693. “The Tun” was the site of the founding of at least six major organizations: the Society of St. George, the Pennsylvania Freemasons, St. Andrew’s Society, The Friendly Sons & Daughters of St. Patrick, the United States Navy, and of course, the United States Marine Corps.
The original Tun Tavern was destroyed by fire at the tail end of the American Revolution in 1781. With the intent to reopen a new Tun Tavern by November 2025 to honor the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US Marines, The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation has secured space in Old City Philadelphia on 2nd Street located between Market and Chestnut streets.
Samuel Carpenter’s original Tun Tavern was certainly well-known. Thomas Jefferson frequented while in Philadelphia, it once held a celebration dinner for George Washington, and its menu was once printed by Benjamin Franklin. John Adams wrote the Articles of War from its second floor. But perhaps its most prestigious Philadelphian, consumer of fine ale, and patron was Carpenter’s good friend — William Penn.
Michael Thomas Leibrandt is member of the York Road Historical Society and lives and works in Abington Township.
