MAY 11/IYAR 13

1888:

Birthday of Irving Berlin (Israel Baline), self-taught musician about whom Jerome Kern said: "Irving Berlin has no place in American music. He is American music." Among his mega-hits are: "Alexander's Ragtime Band", "God Bless America" (the royalties go to the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts); "White Christmas"(!), "Easter Parade"(!), "Puttin' On the Ritz" and "Cheek to Cheek".

Al Aumuller (Public Domain)