1812

For the past 30+ years, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture has been performed during countless United States' Independence Day celebrations, due largely in part to an exhilarating performance by the Boston Pops in 1974, conducted by Arthur Fiedler. In an effort to increase ticket sales, Fiedler choreographed fireworks, cannons, and a steeple-bell choir to the overture, as Tchaikovsky himself called for the use of cannons in his score.

Many American's believe that Tchaikovsky's overture represents the USA's victory against the British Empire during the War of 1812, however, Tchaikovsky actually tells the story of Napoleon's retreat from Russia in 1812.

In fact, Tchaikovsky even references the French national anthem ‘La Marsillaise’ and Russia's ‘God Save the Czar’ within the music.

From http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/romanticperiod/qt/Tchaikovskys-1812-Overture.htm