Snopes history of taps

It is a heartwarming and poignant story, but false. The story began circulating again in early Please help by reading and knowing the truth of how this beloved call came into being.

Snopes Staff Oct. 28, An old rumor tells of how the "Taps" military bugle song supposedly originated from a compositio Read More.

A LSO, we could use your help with donations to keep this website and research going. Both stories contain a kernel of truth somewhere North did testify at Congressional hearings, and Marvin and Keeshan were both Marines , yet the stories themselves are false. Bad history, and we get to see a lot of it, needs to be corrected. This is one of those stories that is reprinted and forwarded to others and makes its way around the Internet around Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.

The story gets printed in papers, newsletters, and, sad to say, even on some military websites as the true version of how the bugle call of Taps came into existence.

More than likely, “Taps” comes from the three drum taps that were beat as a signal for “Extinguish Lights” when a bugle was not used.

Here is something Every American should know. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings. Reportedly, it all began in during the Civil War,…. I have sounded the call thousands of times as bugler at Arlington NAtional Cemetery and other National and State cemeteries and at hundreds of memorial services.

I am also a bugle historian who has spent much time researching this topic. I, along with other history buffs, have researched the real story and have tried to squash this myth.