When is Stephen Foster Memorial Day?
Friday January 13thOn January 13th, Stephen Foster Memorial Day honors the music of the man who composed hundreds of America's first hit songs.
Stephen Foster, born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1826, became America's First Composer. His catchy tunes based on minstrel songs are still popular today.
Despite Foster's exclusive music contract with Firth, Pond, and Company, he died at the age of 37, penniless. Although his songs were extremely popular, he was left with no value to show for his work despite the fact that copyright protection and alcoholism were both lacking.
***During his short life, Foster wrote over 200 songs. His best-known compositions include "Oh! Susanna," "Camptown Races," "Old Folks at Home," "My Old Kentucky Home," "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair," "Old Black Joe," and "Beautiful Dreamer" and are still very popular today.
Foster died in 1864 at the age of 37 on January 13, 1864.
