Hail to the Chief Hail to the Chief "Hail to the Chief" is the official Presidential Anthem of the United States, composed by James Sanderson. The song's playing accompanies the appearance of the President of the United States at many public events. For major official occasions, the United States Marine Band and other military ensembles are generally the performers, so directives of the United States Department of Defense have, since 1954, been the main basis for according it official status. It is preceded by four ruffles and flourishes when played for the President. The song is also played during a former President's state funeral
United States presidential visits to South America United States presidential visits to South America Eleven United States presidents and one president-elect have made presidential visits to South America. The first trip was made by Herbert Hoover (as president-elect) in 1928. During this tour he delivered twenty-five speeches in ten Central and South American countries, almost all of which stressed his plans to reduce American political and military interference in Latin American affairs. In sum, he pledged that the United States would act as a "good neighbor." The first official visits by a sitting president were those of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and were an offshoot of Allied diplomatic