July 11: Establishment of the United States Marine Band (1798)
Prayer Idea
Pray for musicians who perform at official ceremonies.
History Note
The United States Marine Corps traces its origin to November 10, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized a “Corps of Marines”. On July 11, 1798, President John Adams signed legislation organizing the Marine Corps. It included a call for “thirty-two drums and fifes.”
The Marine Band performed publicly for the first time on August 21, 1800, with a concert on a hill overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. They performed on January 1, 1801, for a New Year’s Day reception hosted by President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams. On March 4, 1801, the band played at Thomas Jefferson’s presidential inauguration, a tradition they have continued ever since. Jefferson is credited with giving the name “The President’s Own” to the Marine Band.
John Philip Sousa was the most famous director of “The President’s Own.” Sousa’s father played trombone in the band, and young John became an apprentice musician in the band. Sousa served as the leader of the Marine Band from 1880 to 1892. He composed several kinds of music, but his marches earned him the title of “March King.”
In addition to performing for official government events, the United States Marine Band has been touring the country in peacetime to give public concerts since 1891.
This 1864 photo, taken during the Civil War, is the earliest known photo of the Marine Band. Image courtesy the U.S. Marine Corps.
Learn More
The United States Marine Band recorded John Philip Sousa's march “The Stars and Stripes Forever” on March 3, 2009, in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C.
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