This EXTREMELY Famous Piece Of Music Was First Played In Augusta

According to the Augusta Museum in The Streets and The Military Music Blog, John Philip Sousa's "Stars And Stripes Forever" was first performed at Augusta's city hall on May 1st, 1897.

The piece was composed during the ocean voyage back home following Sousa's extended European vacation with his wife.  His inspirations included homesickness, thoughts of the American flag flying over the Whitehouse, and memories of his recently deceased friend and manager.

While the piece was originally performed in Augusta on May 1st, it did not yet have a name.  Because of this, many sources list the first time "Stars And Stripes Forever" as being played publicly as Philadelphia on May 14th.