“Washington’s March”
America’s earliest presidential elections were simple contests in which the candidate who garnered the most votes won. With impassioned partisan races yet to emerge, political songs were expressions of patriotism. “The Favorite New Federal Song” came to be associated with George Washington (1732–1799) after it was played for him in 1789 during a visit to Trenton, New Jersey, the site of one of his military victories. For many years, the tune, now known as “Hail, Columbia,” did duty as a national anthem.
<p>America’s earliest presidential elections were simple contests in which the candidate who garnered the most votes won. With impassioned partisan races yet to emerge, political songs were expressions of patriotism. “The Favorite New Federal Song” came to be associated with George Washington (1732–1799) after it was played for him in 1789 during a visit to Trenton, New Jersey, the site of one of his military victories. For many years, the tune, now known as “Hail, Columbia,” did duty as a national anthem.</p>