South Louisville Community Ministries – Showcase Louisville
Auction Ends: Oct 15, 2006 06:00 PM EDT

Parties

'Happy Birthday Party'

"Happy Birthday Party"

Item Number
205
Estimated Value
100 USD
Sold
73 USD to summer1
Number of Bids
10  -  Bid History

Item Description

Happy Birthday Party at the Cabin where the "Happy Birthday Song" was first sung. Party for up to 10 children includes a tour of the famous 3 cabins, learning to weaving On small looms and a piece to take away for all 10. The party concludes with Birthday Cake & Ice Cream while everyone sings the Happy Birthday song, written 113 years on the side of Kenwood Hill and sung at the neighboring Esta cabin.

Story of the Happy Birthday Song
Esta cabin was built in 1870 by Beoni Figg when he acquired the land for his charcoal business and started a limestone quarry on the hillside. Later other large log cabins were also built on the hillside for well to do families who wanted to escape the heat of the city. Among those were sisters Mildred Jane and Patty Smith Hill who were well known kindergarten and music teachers. They believed that songs were an important part of children's education and composed many songs which they had copyrighted and published. In 1893 the Hill sisters had written a book called, "Song Stories for the Kindergarten", which was published by Clayton F. Summy Co. of Chicago. The first song in the book was entitled "Good Morning to All". During a birthday celebration in Esta's summer cabin, for her sister Lysette, Patty Hill suggested the words to this song be changed to "Happy Birthday to You". Although the original song had been copyrighted the new lyrics were not until 1935. Under federal law at the time, the copyright would not expire until 75 years later- the year 2010. . According to the Guinness Book of World Records, "Happy Birthday" is one of the most popular songs in the English language.

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