Sousa, John Philip

In 1896, while on the deck of an ocean liner sailing back to America, Sousa was inspired to compose his most famous march. In his mind's eye, “I could see the Stars and Stripes flying from the flagstaff of the White House,” he recalled, “… and to my imagination it seemed to be the biggest, grandest flag in the world, and I could not get back under it quick enough.” Sousa made an estimated $1 million...