In the late 1940s the band was nearly twice as large as today's group, with all the young men returning home from the war. In those days, members wore bright red jackets and ties over white pants with a red stripe. Five years after Segal began marching, the band sported its now familiar crimson jackets.

Although some traditions have come and gone since the band's founding in 1919, others have remained with particular tenacity: Serenading Yale and Princeton at two in the morning; yellow chrysanthemums at football games; playing "Fair Harvard" each year at commencement; partying with the University of Pennsylvania Band; planning each week's show; the march down to Soldiers Field and the many pranks and rivalries.

One tradition found its roots decades ago. Because the Saturday football game of the 50s was the highlight of the week's social activity on campus, Harvard men would bring dates to the packed stadium for the weekly event. Band members gave their girlfriends yellow chrysanthemums to wear, indicating that their dates were playing with the band.

The tradition is carried on at the end of every football game, when band members throw yellow flowers up into the air.

Other customs had less-dignified beginnings.

According to Band Director Thomas "Gee-Whiz" Everett, early one Sunday morning in the 70s as the band was returning from the University of Pennsylvania, the bus made an unscheduled stop in New Haven.

The Band was leading a midnight march through the Yale Quad and the streets of New Haven, when police arrived threatening to arrest the leader of the group. The officer's complaint was that the band was leading a public parade without a permit.