Short answers, pulled from the story.
The first march to be notated on paper appeared in the late 16th century. This event marked a pivotal shift from the era when time was kept solely by the raw, improvisational beat of percussion instruments and the occasional fife embellishment.
The standard marching tempo of 120 beats per minute was a strategic decision adopted by the Napoleonic army to facilitate rapid movement across conquered territories. Napoleon Bonaparte mandated this faster pace to ensure soldiers could live off the land and maintain momentum during campaigns.
John Philip Sousa, known as the March King, revolutionized the genre during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He introduced the concept of a subdued trio and established the template for the American march through compositions like The Stars and Stripes Forever.
The Basque Country produced marches that were so slow they were dubbed super slow marches. These pieces contrast sharply with the high-energy performances of the Tamborrada festival.
In Bangladesh, the Bengali nationalist movement used marches to inspire revolutionaries. Kazi Nazrul Islam composed pieces that became anthems of liberation against fascism and oppression.
The circus march, or screamer, emerged as a specialized form with tempos ranging from 140 to 200 beats per minute. Composers like Henry Fillmore and Karl King pushed the boundaries of the genre to create pieces designed to dazzle audiences with rapid runs and fanfares.