The Washington Post | U.S. Navy Band

The Washington Post | John Philip Sousa

During the 1880s, the Washington Post sponsored an essay contest for school children known as the Washington Post Amateur Authors’ Association. The owners of the newspaper, Frank Hatton and Beriah Wilkins, asked John Philip Sousa, then leader of the "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, to compose a march for the award ceremony. The march became known as "The Washington Post" march.