Under which president did the tradition of playing "Hail to the Chief" when the president entered a room begin?
"Hail to the Chief" sounds forth as the President of the United States arrives at any formal occasion. It was Julia Tyler, the wife of President John Tyler, who first requested that "Hail to the Chief" be played specifically to announce the President's arrival on official occasions. The tune was included in certain nineteenth century musical instruction books and the future First Lady, Sarah Childress Polk, studied it as a young woman. It was played at her husband James Polk's inauguration but she, perhaps more than others, ritualized its use. Standing at only 5'8", his wife Sara, was afraid that people wouldn't notice her husband as he entered a room.
More Info:
loc.gov
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38 Comments
michaeljlandry
Andrew Jackson was the first.You are wrong.Google it.
Cheryl Love
Wrong, Andrew Jackson.
Honini
The tradition began with Polk but it was played for the first time for Andrew Jackson
Leslie Hayden
According to the library of congress, there were several names associated with this but none of them were James Polk.
earlepg
Bridy4u , So many comnents about Jackson as the "first" when the question was about the "tradition".
earlepg
Bridy4u , I like your explanation of the facts.
John Bayly
Who checks the checker???
aaustin
I had no idea. I used the Majority answer of Theodore Roosevelt and got it wrong. If the majority doesn't know the answer, there's something wrong with the Question!
patrhea
A bit of...little man syndrome I believe 😉😁
Barbara Hauck
From Wikipedia "Association with the President first occurred in 1815, when it was played to honor both George Washington and the end of the War of 1812 (under the name "Wreaths for the Chieftain").[2] On July 4, 1828, the U.S. Marine Band performed the song at a ceremony for the formal opening of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which was attended by President John Quincy Adams.[5]
Andrew Jackson was the first living President to have the song used to honor his position in 1829, and it was played at Martin Van Buren's inauguration in 1837.[2]
Julia Tyler, second wife of John Tyler, requested its use to announce the arrival of the President.[2] Her successor as First Lady, Sarah Childress Polk, encouraged its regular use in this manner after it was used at James Polk's inauguration; William Seale says, "Polk was not an impressive figure, so some announcement was necessary to avoid the embarrassment of his entering a crowded room unnoticed. At large affairs the band ... rolled the drums as they played the march ... and a way was cleared for the President."[2] Under the term of Harry Truman the Department of Defense made it the official tribute to the President.[2][6]"