The Federal

The Sousa Band was preparing to embark upon a world tour in 1910. Before leaving for the tour, Sousa composed a new march for which he did not immediately provide a title.  The new march was so well received in Australia, that originally, Sousa titled his march “Land of the Golden Fleece.” The high commissioner of Australia, George Reid, requested that the title be changed to “The Federal.” When the march was published, Sousa honored both Australia and New Zealand by providing the dedication “To the Australasians.”