Irving Berlin

 May 11 -

It's the birthday of Irving Berlin, born Israel Baline, in Russia (1888). He came to New York City with his family when he was five. When his first song, "Marie from Sunny Italy" (1907) was published, a printer's error called him Irving Berlin, and he kept the name. He went on to write more than 1,500 songs, including a long list of classics like "Blue Skies," "Puttin' on the Ritz," "God Bless America," and "There's No Business Like Show Business." 

He said, "The toughest thing about success is that you've got to keep on being a success."