A hush falls over the crowd. A single cello begins to play—soft, steady, resolute. The moment is ceremonial, but it’s also deeply human. We intentionally mark remembrance with music. From military anthems and gospel hymns to folk ballads and brass bands, music speaks when words fall short. It helps us carry what feels too heavy, and remember what should never be forgotten.

This Memorial Day, between the flags and parades, we have an opportunity—to remember those we've lost and to reflect on what brings us together. In times of national grief or uncertainty, music has often been the thread that stitches people back into community. Some of our greatest American leaders knew this. Long before neuroscience could explain it, presidents were turning to music to steady a nation, calm collective nerves, and kindle hope.

Four inspiring leaders who led not just with speeches but with song:

Benjamin Franklin: The Mindful Inventor

In 1761, Benjamin Franklin—statesman, inventor, and musician—sat down to play his newly invented glass harmonica. Inspired by the gentle hum produced by running a finger around the rim of a goblet, Franklin's creation quickly gained popularity across Europe. Mozart and Beethoven even composed specifically for the armonica, whose hauntingly beautiful tones were said to evoke deep reflection and calm anxious patients in hospitals.

Though the instrument eventually faded from popularity—partly due to superstitions about its powerful emotional effects—initial success reflected Franklin's belief that music, applied intentionally, can cultivate emotional harmony and community connection. Franklin’s invention offers a lesson in mindfulness: music can soothe, heal, and unite us.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: Folk Music and National

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