The History List
"Stars and Stripes Forever" Made in America Shirt
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Taken from the sheet music cover of John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever," with a bold image on the front of the shirt and on the back, a line from the march, with Sousa's signature underneath:
The red and white and starry blue is freedom's shield and hope.
— John Philip Sousa
The shirt:
- Heather grey - Made in the USA shirt. 90% cotton / 10% polycotton grown, knitted, dyed, and sewn in the USA. 4.4 oz. S - 3XL. See size chart.
- Navy - Made in USA shirt. 100% cotton shirt grown, knitted, dyed, and sewn in the USA. 4.4 oz. S - 4XL.
- See size chart.
You may also find this design in a women's v-neck shirt, crewneck sweatshirt, magnet, and a sticker.
Historical background behind the Design
"The Stars and Stripes Forever" is a patriotic American march written and composed by John Philip Sousa in 1896. By a 1987 act of the U.S. Congress, it is the official National March of the United States of America.
On October 1, 1880, 26-year-old musician and composer John Philip Sousa took over the United States Marine Corps Band, transforming it with new arrangements and original compositions, making it the nation’s premier musical ensemble. In 1892, seeking new challenges, Sousa left the Marines to form Sousa’s Band with promoter David Blakely. The band quickly became successful, producing hits like “El Capitan March” and “Washington Post March,” and selling out concerts nationwide.
In 1895, due to exhaustion, Sousa left the band, and during a trip to Europe, he learned of Blakely’s death. Deeply affected, Sousa returned to the U.S. Inspired by his memories of Blakely, he composed “The Stars and Stripes Forever” during his voyage home. The song became an instant hit and a symbol of American patriotism.
In 1932, at age 78, Sousa conducted “The Stars and Stripes Forever” one last time before passing away later that night. The song was declared the “Official March of the United States of America” in 1987 and remains a beloved piece of American musical heritage, often played during Independence Day celebrations.
THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER!
LYRICS BY JOHN PHILIP SOUSA
Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears ‘mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom’s shield and hope.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom’s nation.
Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.
Let eagle shriek from lofty peak
The never-ending watchword of our land;
Let summer breeze waft through the trees
The echo of the chorus grand.
Sing out for liberty and light,
Sing out for freedom and the right.
Sing out for Union and its might,
O patriotic sons.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation,
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom’s nation.
Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with might endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.
Source: LOC.gov
Thanks to Larisa for sharing your photo wearing the women's v-neck shirt.
Shipping
Shipping
For shipments to arrive by Father's Day, Sunday, June 16
- Order by midnight Monday, June 10
- Select UPS 3-day shipping at checkout
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Note: A few products, such as antique Oriental rugs, have special shipping policies stated on the product page. For those products, the information below does not apply.
For shipments to addresses within the U.S. (scroll down for International shipping)
Flat-rate shipping: Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, and button packs is $5.95.
For hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets, the shipping cost is $8.95.
Our flat rate shipping means you can add two or more t-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps for no additional shipping charge.
Note that some large or heavy items, including larger framed prints, may have a different shipping charge or a shipping surcharge. When they do, it will be noted on the product page.
Timing
We try to ship orders within three business days of receiving them. This applies to in-stock items. Framed items or items requiring personalization may take up to two weeks longer. If there is an extended delay, it will be noted on the product page.
We close for a week over Independence Day and Christmas. A notice will appear at the top of every page of the site in advance of this closure.
We ship most orders via USPS, so if the post office is closed, we won't be shipping orders that day.
If you need to receive your order by a certain date, such as to give as a gift or have for a trip, we recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance, especially if you are using USPS shipping.
If you're looking for reliable, on-time deliveries, we strongly suggest upgrading to "UPS 3 Business Day Select Shipping."
Additional notes:
- When fulfillment takes longer, such as around the Christmas holidays, we'll put up an announcement in the site and will list recommended shipping deadlines below.
- If an item is out of stock, we will contact you.
- If one of your items is an advance order, that will be noted on the product page along with an estimate of when it will ship. If that estimated date changes, the product page will be updated.
Charges for shipping to destinations in the United States and to APO, DPO, and FPO addresses
- Free shipping
- On stickers, magnets, decals, patches, static clings, and individual button pins.
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US Postal Service shipping - The least expensive, though also less reliable than UPS. (See more on UPS in the next section.)
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$5.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price is still fixed at $5.95. Our flat rate shipping means you can add another t-shirt, cap, or book for no additional shipping charge.
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$8.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
UPS 3 Business Day Select
Note: UPS 3 Business Day select is not available for addresses in Hawaii and Alaska. If UPS is selected for Hawaii or Alaska, the order will be shipped UPS Ground.
- $14.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
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$18.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
- If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.
- UPS Overnight (Next Business Day Delivery)
For shipments to addresses outside the United States
DestinationsWe only ship to locations that are served by US Postal Service International Service.
Charges
- Canada and Mexico
- $18.00 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
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$24.00 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
- Rest of the World
- Rates starts at $65.00.
Additional charges for all destinations
Some large, heavy items may have an additional shipping charge. If that's the case, it will be noted on the product page.
If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.
All original designs are copyrighted by The History List
All original designs are copyrighted by The History List
All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.
Mission
Mission
Your purchases support our mission to engage people with local history and to support historic sites and history organizations across the country.
