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  In his autobiography, Marching Along, John Phillip Sousa (above) wrote that
  he composed the march, "The Stars and Stripes Forever"on Christmas Day
  1896. He had just learned of the recent death of David Blakely, then manager
  of the Sousa Band. Sousa said he was on a ferry in Europe at the time, when
  he composed the march in his head and committed the notes to paper upon
  arrival in America. It was performed for the first time. It was at a ceremony
  where a statue of George Washington was unveiled.

  
  U.S. Marine Band with director John Philip Sausa

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