Bridge to the Heart of Washington

Bridge to the Heart of Washington. Anacostia Park. , The John Philip Sousa Bridge links the communities of Fairlawn and Randle Highlands with neighborhoods on Capitol Hill. The bridge, completed in 1941, is the result of a multi-year lobbying campaign by the Southeast Council of Citizens Associations and the Southeast Businessmen's Association. Bridge proponents asked that the new span be named for composer and conductor John Philip Sousa, who was born a half mile away in 1854., Sousa led the United States Marine Band for 12 years, building it into one of the most famous musical groups in the world. He conducted open air concerts at the White House, the Capitol, state dinners, and diplomatic receptions. Later, he started his own civilian concert band that toured worldwide., At age 62, during World War I, John Philip Sousa left retirement to join the U.S. Naval Reserve. Sousa died in 1932 and is buried just across the Anacostia River at Congressional Cemetery., [Captions:] , The current bridge was built from 1938-1941. The new span eased traffic problems and promoted commerce east of the river., During his career, Sousa composed over 100 marches, including the famous "Stars and Stripes Forever.", Every November 6th (Sousa's birthday), the U.S. Marine Band marches from the Washington Navy Yard to Congressional Cemetery to play at Sousa's gravesite.