Philadelphia Prepares For 250th Anniversary of U.S. Navy, Marine Corps
Next year, 2026, will be a banner year for Philadelphia with the celebration of the semiquincentennial, 250th anniversary, of the United States. This year, the city will recognize the semiquincentennial…
Next year, 2026, will be a banner year for Philadelphia with the celebration of the semiquincentennial, 250th anniversary, of the United States. This year, the city will recognize the semiquincentennial of the founding of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through special Homecoming 250 programs.
“This celebration is more than a milestone — it's a moment to reflect on the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of those who have served and continue to serve our nation,” George Leone, president of Homecoming 250, said to PhillyVoice. “By bringing these stories to life on the very waters and historic locations where our maritime legacy began, we're not only honoring the past, but inspiring a new generation to understand the importance of the Navy and Marine Corps to our future.”
Special 250th anniversary commemorations will begin with a maritime procession that will include a parade of ships in the Delaware River landing in Philadelphia and Camden County, New Jersey, on Thursday morning, Oct. 9.
On Friday, Oct. 10, the Army-Navy Cup, in which the soccer teams from the two military academies will play against each other, will be held in Chester at Subaru Park, home of the Philadelphia Union. For the first time in the competition's history, the Army-Navy Cup will include both men's and women's teams. The doubleheader starts with the women's game at 4 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7 p.m. Tickets will include admission to both games and will go on sale soon.
On Saturday, Oct. 11, the Temple Owls will take on the Navy Midshipmen at Lincoln Financial Field. Tickets for this game, the 20th competition between the schools' football teams, are now available on Ticketmaster.
A free "Victory at Sea" concert on Sunday, Oct. 12, will feature performances from the Navy and the Marine Corps bands. Their concert at Independence Mall starts at 6 p.m.
On Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, the public will be invited to board the Battleship New Jersey for a Veterans Day tribute to the Marines.
