The Marines' Hymn
The Marines’ Hymn is the official is the official Hymn of the United States Marine Corp. The author is unknown but the lines "To the shores of Tripoli" refers to the First Barbary War, and "The Halls of Montezuma" refers to the Battle of Chapultepec, during the Mexican-American War. The music is from the Gendarmes' Duet from an 1867 revision of the 1859 opera Geneviève de Brabant by Jacques Offenbach, which debuted in Paris in 1859.The "Marines' Hymn" is typically sung at the position of attention as a gesture of respect. It is the oldest official song in the United States military.
"The Halls of Montezuma” is referring to Battle of Chapultepec. The territory of California and south was claimed by Mexico, but was leaning to become a British protectorate. With California being unsure, the U.S wanted to keep expanded westward. This war started from 25 of April, 1846, when Mexico declared war. The U.S reached the Citadel of Chapultepec, the last to be conquered. On September 13,1847, After two wars of bombardments, the U.S stormed and captured San Cosme Gate, the entrance to the city. That night the Mexicans abandoned , and the Marines were tasked with clearing the Palacio Nacional, the “ Halls of Montezuma.”
“To the shores of Tripoli” is referring to the first Barbary War. For centuries pirates along the North African coast of the Mediterranean Sea had harassed merchant shippers. Since most European countries occupied with the Napoleon wars, they would agree with bribe, but the U.S rejected to pay any more bribes. In 1801 The Pasha of Tunis declared war on the U.S, after not agreeing to the agreement of $250,000 for the release of American captives. For two years the U.S Flotilla cruised and bombarded the pirate harbor and fortresses. The Marines attacked the fort at Derna, and took over, and forced the city to surrender and the capitulation of the bey of Tripoli.
The resulting peace agreement was far from perfect (as...