Hail Columbia

As “Hail Columbia,” it competed for nearly one hundred years with “The Star-Spangled Banner” as our national anthem. Here, the last verse praises Washington, honoring his decision to serve his country “once more,” this time leading the mobilization of troops in July 1798 when the war with France threatened.

Hail Columbia, happy land! The music for "Hail Columbia" was composed by Philip Phile (Pfeil), believed to be one of a number of German musicians who immigrated to the United States in its earliest years of independence. Its words were composed nine years later by Joseph Hopkinson, a Philadelphia Judge.

"Hail, Columbia" is an American patriotic song and ceremonial entrance march of the vice president of the United States. It was originally considered to be one of the unofficial national anthems of the United States until 1931, when "The Star-Spangled Banner" was named as the official national anthem.

Philip Phile was a violinist and composer in Revolutionary America. His most important contribution to American art song is "The President's March," a piece written and performed for Washington's inauguration.

Philadelphia lawyer Joseph Hopkinson (1770–1842) created “Hail, Columbia” in the spring of 1798 when he put lyrics to the tune of the “President's March,” a patriotic instrumental piece written in 1789 by Philip Phile (1734? –93), a German immigrant musician active in Philadelphia in the 1780s and 1790s.

Damon AlbarnFrederick FennellEastman Wind EnsembleDouglas JimersonThe New American Brass BandHarvey Jacobson Hail, Columbia!/Artists

It originated from the name of the Genoese explorer Christopher Columbus and from the Latin ending -ia, common in the Latin names of countries (paralleling Britannia, Gallia, Zealandia, and others).

Columbia Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of Japanese conglomerate Sony. It was founded on January 15, 1889, evolving from the American Graphophone Company, the successor to the Volta Graphophone Company.

The President's U.S. Marine Band traditionally plays “Hail to the Chief” to announce the arrival of the President, who is America's Commander in Chief. It is also played immediately after the inauguration of a new President after he or she has taken the oath of office.

Philadelphia lawyer Joseph Hopkinson (1770–1842) created “Hail, Columbia” in the spring of 1798 when he put lyrics to the tune of the “President's March,” a patriotic instrumental piece written in 1789 by Philip Phile (1734? –93), a German immigrant musician active in Philadelphia in the 1780s and 1790s.

“America the Beautiful” One song often touted as a replacement for “The Star-Spangled Banner” is “America the Beautiful.” The original words are from a poem by Katharine Lee Bates, first published in The Congregationalist in July, 1895.

Before it was named “The Star-Spangled Banner,” it was called “The Defense of Fort McHenry.” Key eventually changed the name to better represent the flag and the United States. President Herbert Hoover signed the bill that made the song the national anthem in 1931.