Stars and Stripes Forever

John Philip Sousa led the Marine Band to new heights of popularity during his tenure as leader from 1880 to 1892 it was during this era that he earned the title the March King a well deserved nickname that continues to this day of the 136 marches he composed one has stood out above all the rest it was composed in 1896 a Sousa sailed back home from a long European vacation the inspiration for this march was born of a combination of homesickness fond memories of his time as leader of the Marine Band and his stirring recollection of the American flag flying over the White House the resulting March became his best-known work and in 1987 it officially became our national March the Stars and Stripes forever you