Wikipedia:Today's featured list/July 4, 2022
Between 1873 and 1932, the American composer John Philip Sousa composed 136 American military marches, for which he is best known. Sousa derived few of his marches from his other musical compositions such as melodies and operettas. "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (audio featured) is considered to be Sousa's most famous composition. A British journalist named Sousa "The March King", in comparison to "The Waltz King", a nickname of Johann Strauss II. However, not all of Sousa's marches have had the same level of public appeal. Some of his early marches are less well-known and rarely performed. Sousa served as leader of the United States Marine Band from 1880 to 1892, and performed at the inaugural balls of Presidents James A. Garfield and Benjamin Harrison. In 1987, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" was made the national march of the United States, by an act of Congress. The "U.S. Field Artillery March" is the official march of the United States Army. After leaving the Marine Band, he formed a civilian band and composed various marches in the subsequent 39 years. (Full list...)