Sousa later explained that while he had been in Europe, he missed his days conducting the Marine Band and watching the flag fly overhead at the White House. For about a month prior, he’d had a tune in his head – “On board the steamer as I walked miles up and down the deck, back and forth, a mental band was playing ‘Stars and Stripes Forever.’ Day after day as I walked it persisted in crashing into my very soul.” US #1338A – Sousa was partly inspired by his memories of the flag flying over the White House. Along the voyage, Sousa spent hours pacing the deck, looking up at the American flag.
He and his wife boarded the first available ship to return home. Sousa was touring Europe in late 1896 when he received word that his music promoter had died. US #880 – from the 1940 Famous Americans issue Sousa also composed several popular marches that got him dubbed “The March King.” He then started his own civilian band in 1892 that toured the country and the world and brought him even more fame.
Under his leadership, the Marine Band became the country’s most respected military band. Instead, it was made the national march in 1987.īorn in 1854, Sousa was a musician from an early age and was part of the Marine Band before becoming its leader in 1880. It quickly became a hit, with calls for it to replace the “Star Spangled Banner” as the national anthem.
On May 14, 1897, John Philip Sousa’s band officially debuted his march “Stars and Stripes Forever” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. US #3153 was issued for the 100th anniversary of “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
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