In this article, the author presents John Philip Sousa's all time hit, "The Stars and Stripes Forever". It is one of the most recognizable pieces of American music. Wherever John Philip Sousa and his band appeared, this march was likely to be played. According to American poet and educator Eli Siegel (1902-78), who first articulated the philosophy known as Aesthetic Realism, "the resolution of conflict in self is like the making one of opposites in art". He states that "The Stars and Stripes Forever," was beautiful since it combines these opposites.