Happy Birthday November 6

John Philip Sousa was born in Washington, D.C. on November 6, 1854 to João António de Sousa, a trombonist by profession who played with the Marine Band and his German wife Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus. Growing up in Civil War era Washington, John Philip heard, and was influenced by, the sounds of drummers and military bands. Known as the American March King, Sousa is remembered for "The Stars and Stripes Forever," the National March of the United States of America. 

Sousa in 1900

Yang Kaihui, Mao Zedong's second wife, was born on November 6, 1901.The daughter of Mao's mentor Professor Yang Chang, they married in 1920 without any wedding ceremony or other celebrations. They had three children together but in August 1927, Mao ended their marriage. Yang was beheaded by Chiang Kai Shek's nationalists during the revolution three years later for her refusal to renounce the Chinese Communist Party and her former husband.

For more November 6th anniversaries, including the appointment of the US's first catholic bishop, the first official intercollegiate American football game, and the marriage of Rudolph Valentino to Jean Acker, check out OnThatDay.