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On January 13, we celebrate the life and legacy of one of America's most beloved composers on Stephen Foster Memorial Day. Stephen Foster was known for writing iconic songs such as "Oh! Susanna" and "Camptown Races", which have become integral parts of American culture. This day not only honors his musical contributions, but also recognizes his impact on shaping the landscape of popular music in the United States. So let's take a moment to appreciate this talented musician and enjoy some of his timeless tunes on this special day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1826</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Stephen Foster's Birth</div><div class='timeline-text'>Stephen Collins Foster, known as "the father of American music", was born on July 4, 1826, in Lawrenceville (now Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1847 - 1848</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Notable Songs Released</div><div class='timeline-text'>Stephen Foster penned and published some of his early notable songs like "Oh! Susanna" (1847) and "Camptown Races" (1848)</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1851</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Creation of "Old Folks at Home"</div><div class='timeline-text'>Foster composed "Old Folks at Home," also known as "Swanee River," one of his best-known and enduring songs.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1864</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Foster's Death</div><div class='timeline-text'>After a long struggle with alcoholism and poverty, Stephen Foster passed away on January 13, 1864, in New York.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1951</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div the='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Memorial Museum Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Stephen Foster Memorial Museum was established on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, housing exhibits about his life and works.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1966</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Federal Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The US Congress created Stephen Foster Memorial Day, a day of special observance in his honor, to be celebrated annually on January 13.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Sing Stephen Foster songs</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends or family and spend the day singing some of Stephen Foster's most famous songs, such as "Oh! Susanna" or "My Old Kentucky Home". It's a great way to honor his musical legacy.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a historical site</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a trip to a place that holds significance in Stephen Foster's life, such as his birthplace in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, or his final resting place in Allegheny Cemetery. You can learn more about his life and pay your respects.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a musical showcase</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some musicians and put on a concert featuring Stephen Foster's music. This is a great way to share his work with others and celebrate his contributions to American music.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a Foster-inspired dish</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative in the kitchen and whip up a dish inspired by Stephen Foster's music or life. You could make "Camptown Races" cupcakes or a "Beautiful Dreamer" fruit platter.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a concert or performance</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check your local events calendar for any concerts or performances featuring Stephen Foster's music. It's a great way to support local artists and celebrate Foster's musical legacy at the same time.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates the life and legacy of Stephen Foster</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Stephen Foster was a renowned songwriter who is often called the "Father of American Music." His songs, such as "Oh! Susanna" and "My Old Kentucky Home," have become iconic pieces of American culture. Stephen Foster Memorial Day is a chance to honor his contributions to our country's musical heritage.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a day to celebrate traditional American music</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Many people may not know that Stephen Foster composed some of America's most beloved folk and minstrel songs. On this day, we can take a moment to appreciate the role that traditional American music has played in shaping our culture and identity.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings communities together through music</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Stephen Foster Memorial Day is often celebrated with live performances of his songs and other forms of traditional American music. These events bring people together to enjoy and appreciate the music, fostering a sense of community and shared cultural heritage.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Stephen Foster is Known as the "Father of American Music"</h3><p class='facts-text'>Foster was renowned during the 19th century for his parlor and minstrel music, which significantly influenced the development of American popular music.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Foster Wrote Over 200 Songs</h3><p class='facts-text'>Despite his short life, Foster managed to compose over 200 songs, including "Oh! Susanna," "Camptown Races," and "Beautiful Dreamer."</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Foster Was the First American Songwriter to Make a Living from His Music Alone</h3><p class='facts-text'>Despite the lack of copyright laws that could protect his work, Foster earned a living solely through his songwriting, a rarity in his time.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Many of Foster's Songs Have Become American Standards</h3><p class='facts-text'>Numerous songs written by Foster, such as "Old Folks at Home" and "My Old Kentucky Home," have been adopted as state songs and remain popular today.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Foster Passed Away at a Young Age</h3><p class='facts-text'>Despite his significant contributions to American music, Stephen Foster passed away at the tragically young age of 37.</p></div></div>
Stephen Foster Memorial Day is celebrated on January 13 every year. In 2024 Stephen Foster Memorial Day will occur on a Saturday.
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Jan 13
Friday
2024
Jan 13
Saturday
2025
Jan 13
Monday
2026
Jan 13
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2027
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