Poster United States Capitol Building
The U.S. Capitol is the site of the inauguration in Washington, D.C.
Florian Pintar/Unsplash

Here are 6 presidential marches for Inauguration Day

Inauguration Day is an important event that symbolizes the peaceful transition of power from one president to another. Included in the pageantry is a musical celebration to help usher in the new commander-in-chief. It's no longer common practice today, but in the past a newly elected president would have an inaugural march composed for the event. Here are six such pieces.

'President's March' — Philip Phile
For the inauguration of George Washington, 1789

Later in the same year, John Hopkinson added words to the President's March resulting in Hail Columbia, which was the de facto national anthem until the 1890s. It is still the processional march used for the vice president's entrance.

'Jefferson's March' — anonymous
For the first inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, 1801

Thomas Jefferson's inauguration is the first time the U.S. Marine Band performed for an inauguration, and it has remained a tradition since. Jefferson nicknamed the ensemble the "President's Own."

'President James K. Polk's Grand March and Quick Step' — John F. Goneke
For the inauguration of James Polk, 1845

Composer John F. Goneke also created the inauguration marches for Presidents Martin Van Buren and William Henry Harrison.

'General Pierce's Presidential Inauguration March and Quick Step' — George P. Knauff
For the inauguration of Franklin Pierce, 1853

Franklin Pierce was the first president to deliver his inauguration speech from memory and one of the few presidents to affirm his oath to office on a law book instead of swearing in on a Bible.

'President Grant's Inauguration March' — Francesco Scala
For the first inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant — 1869

The inauguration of President Ulysses Grant marked the second time when the preceding president, Andrew Johnson, did not attend his successor's ceremony. John Quincy Adams was the first.

'President Garfield's Inauguration March' — John Philip Sousa
For the inauguration of James Garfield, 1881

Considering how prolific John Philip Sousa was, he only dedicated two marches to a president, and they both were for James Garfield. The first was his inauguration march, and the second was In Memoriam, when Garfield was assassinated 199 days into his presidency.

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