John Philip Sousa, born on November 6, 1854, in Washington, D.C., was an American composer and conductor known for his military marches. He enlisted in the United States Marine Band as an apprentice musician at age 13. After leaving the band in 1875, he performed on the violin and learned to conduct. In 1880, he returned to the Marine Band as its director until 1892, composing notable marches such as "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (national march of the United States of America) and "Semper Fidelis" (official march of the United States Marine Corps). He organized The Sousa Band in 1892, which toured extensively. During World War I, he led the Navy Band at the Great Lakes Naval Station. Sousa continued conducting his band until his death on March 6, 1932.
