History of Military tattoo

The word "Tattoo" is derived from "Doe den tap toe", or just "tap toe" ("toe" is pronounced "too"), the Dutch for "Last orders". Translated literally, it means: "put the tap to", or "close or turn off the tap". The term "Tap-toe" was first encountered by the British Army when stationed in Flanders during the War of the Austrian Succession.

The British adopted the practice and it became a signal, played by a regiment's Corps of Drums or Pipes and Drums each night to tavern owners to turn off the taps of their ale kegs so that the soldiers would retire to their billeted lodgings at a reasonable hour

The original meaning of military tattoo is a military drum performance, but nowadays it sometimes means army displays more generally. It dates from the seventeenth century when the British Army was fighting in the Low Countries (Belgium and The Netherlands). Drummers from the garrison were sent out into the towns at 21:30 hrs (9:30PM) each evening to inform the soldiers that it was time to return to barracks. The process was known as doe den tap toe (old-Dutch for "turn off the tap"), an instruction to innkeepers to stop serving beer and send the soldiers home for the night. The drummers continued to play until the curfew at 22:00 hrs (10:00PM).

Over the years, the process became more of a show and often included the playing of the first post at 21:30 hrs and the last post at 22:00.

The largest tattoo in the United States is the Virginia International Tattoo, held every year in Norfolk, Virginia. Over 850 performers play traditional music and many international acts join every branch of the Armed Forces for a spectacular show.

One of the newer tattoos in North America is the Heartland International Tattoo in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, near Chicago. Originally staged at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center in DeKalb, Illinois, the Heartland Tattoo was created by theatrical and entertainment producer FunME Events in 2006. The Heartland Tattoo is staged in mid-April at the Sears Centre Arena.

The United States Air Force holds tattoos for many different events and celebrations, like base openings and closers, and special events like the 21st Annual Langley Tattoo.The Air Force's largest tattoo is held the last Friday of June each year at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The 2008 tattoo there drew an estimated 75,000 people. It featured country singing star Charlie Daniels. The 2009 event will be June 26 and feature aircraft flyovers and music by country singer Aaron Tippen.

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