Three key takeaways
- A landmark New York debut: The Marching 100 performed at Giants Stadium and marched in Manhattan’s African-American Day Parade on Sept. 11, 1977.
- A historic FAMU weekend: The band’s appearance followed FAMU’s 28-6 victory over Howard, the opening game of an undefeated season.
- A national introduction: The performances showcased the Marching 100’s distinctive sound and precision to a New York audience.
September 11 remains a date that weighs heavily in the American memory. However, nearly half a century ago, on September 11, 1977, the FAMU Marching 100 left its own indelible mark on New York City,
On Saturday, September 10, the FAMU Rattler football team opened what would become a legendary undefeated season by defeating Howard 28-6 at Giants Stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands. The next day, September 11, the Marching 100 returned to the same stadium to perform both the pregame and halftime shows for the New York Giants’ final preseason contest against the Miami Dolphins.
Afterward the band took to the streets of New York City for the African-American Day Parade, marking their debut appearance in the city. "Under bright sunshine the Marching 100 swept through Manhattan with the precision and energy that left spectators astonished. Many said they had never seen or heard a band quite like it," according to reports in the New York Times.
The performance announced the arrival of one of the nation’s most distinctive musical institutions on a national stage, long before the date September 11 would acquire its more somber resonance.
This recollection is courtesy of Elliott Seagraves, a professor at St. Leo University and a former member of the Marching 100.