The Stamp Collectors Corner

In continuation from Wednesday…

God Bless America did not resurface again until 1938 when singer Kate Smith was looking for a song to perform for a broadcast for Armistice Day.  With American’s balking at the war in Europe, Berlin was tasked with writing a song about peace.  With a few small changes to the original lyrics and melody, his song was complete and history was made.  The song was performed and it was an immediate hit.  Although most American’s perceive the song as being religious, Berlin did not write it as such.  Berlin considered himself to be agnostic, and wrote songs that reflected the mood of the people who heard the songs.  Irving Berlin, who was a huge supporter of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, assigned all royalties of God Bless America to those organizations.  His tremendous gift has earned over $10 million dollars in royalties to support the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

After Berlin returned from WWI, he continued composing his amazing music.  Over the years, top entertainers like Nat King Cole, Patsy Cline, Bing Crosby, Al Jolson, Benny Goodman, and Frank Sinatra, are among the many who have lined up to perform his songs.  Happy Birthday, White Christmas, Easter Parade, Puttin’ on the Ritz, and There’s No Business Like Show Business are only a few of the crowd favorites that Irving Berlin will forever be remembered for.

Irving Berlin died in New York on September 22, 1989 at the age of 101.

If you would like to add the Irving Berlin postage stamps to your treasured stamp collection, contact Stamp Center today.