United States Marine Band The United States Marine Band was established by an Act of Congress in 1798 and has been <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/202">based in Washington, DC, since 1800</a>. They are known as "The President's Own," and played at the first Inauguration in Washington (1801), the first Inaugural Ball (1809), and countless other White House functions. In 1883, led by their director, <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/142">John Philip Sousa</a>, the band played in front of the Smithsonian Castle for the dedication of the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/19">statue</a> of<a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/349"> Joseph Henry</a>. <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=United+States+Marine+Band">United States Marine Band</a> United States Marine Band. <a href="http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/imgs/sub/library_archives/1940easter.jpg">View original image.</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1800-1829">1800-1829</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1860-1889">1860-1889</a>