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Congressional Gold Medal.com |
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Congressional Gold Medal Recipient
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin Irving Berlin born Israel Baline
b. Mogilyov, Russia, 11 May 1888
d. New York City, New York, New York, 22 September 1989
Friday, 16 July 1954
AN ACT Authorizing the President to present a gold medal to Irving Berlin. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized to present, but not in the name of Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design to Irving Berlin, in recognition of his services in composing many patriotic songs, including God Bless America, which became popular during World War II. The Secretary of the Treasury shall strike and furnish such medal to the President. SEC. 2. There is authorized to be appropriated the sum of $1,500 to carry out this Act. 68 Stat. A120 Irving Berlin Probably the most famous and most important songwriter of the Twentieth Century, Irving Berlin was active in the music industry for almost sixty years. He wrote over a thousand songs, including some of the most successful and famous of all-time, such as ''White Christmas'' and ''God Bless America.''
Born in a poor Russian Jewish ghetto, Berlin's parents immigrated to America when he was five, settling in New York's Lower East Side. As a young boy, he sang on the streets for pennies to help support his family after his father died. Though he couldn't read music, he taught himself enough piano to began writing songs. He sold his first, ''Marie of Sunny Italy,'' in 1907. In 1911, he had his first big hit with ''Alexander's Ragtime Band.'' Two years later, he married his first wife, who died soon after from typhoid she had contracted on their honeymoon trip. He married again in 1926 and the couple remained together until her death in 1988.
In 1919, he formed his own music publishing company, still in existence today. He also co-founded ASCAP. Over the years, Berlin wrote dozens of plays and films. His song ''Blue Skies'' was featured in the first talkie, The Jazz Singer. He retired from Hollywood in 1957 and from Broadway in 1962.
Berlin dedicated his life to his music, not having any hobbies or past-times. Never learning to read or play music, he used a special piano to help him compose. Berlin was also well-known for his patriotism and charity. He helped support the war effort during both World Wars and established several foundations in his lifetime. He signed all royalties from his song ''God Bless America'' over to the Boy Scouts.
His work was honored many times over the years. He was awarded the Army's Medal of Merit, a
Congressional Gold Medal, the
Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Medal of Liberty. There was also controversy surrounding his work. It was often charged that he did not write all of his own material, that he hired a writer in Harlem to help him. No one could believe that one man could write so many songs in so many different styles. He was also charged with plagiarism on several occasions.
A private man all his life, he became a hermit in his later years. His last public appearance was at his 100th birthday celebration in 1988. He died from natural causes a year later.
Born
May 11, 1888
Mogilyov, Russia (Belarus)
Died
September 22, 1989
New York, NY
Real Name
Israel Isidore Baline
Marriages/Children
Dorothy Goetz (1913)
Ellin Mackay (1926-88)
Irving Jr.
three daughters
Irving Berlin Music
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