John Philip Sousa was born on this date.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

Here's one he composed-

[Freddie]

1. My great-uncle helped kill him

True story: in 1932, Sousa was scheduled to be the guest conductor for a concert with the Ringgold Band in Reading PA. My great-uncle was in the euphonium section. Sousa conducted a dress rehearsal, went back to his hotel, had a heart attack and died. My family still has the printed program to the concert Sousa didn’t conduct (we have it framed).
The Ringgold Band is still very much in existence and their Director introduces them as “the band that killed Sousa.”

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

2. That's a great story!

Seriously

[Freddie]

3. Thank you

Uncle Harold was a pretty big deal in the Ringgold Band, I think he was president of the band at the time. He and others in the band carried Sousa’s casket to the train.