Stephen Foster Memorial Day 2024: Every year on January 13, Stephen Foster Memorial Day offers you the chance to learn about and enjoy the music of this country’s first songwriter, whom you may even recognize. This day honors the guy who, long before songwriting became a profession, wrote hundreds of well-known American tunes.
The Stephen Foster Memorial Day History
Henry Kleber, a musician and music trader, helped Stephen Foster even though he did not receive official music instruction. He also showed a natural musical bent and taught himself how to play the clarinet, flute, piano, and guitar.
Stephen relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1846 to take a job as a bookkeeper at his brother’s steamship business. He composed his first hit song there, and in 1850 he signed a contract with New York publishers Firth, Pond & Co. to compose songs for the minstrel group, the Christy Minstrels. He later returned to Pennsylvania. The publisher’s guidelines stated that certain tracks were released under Christy’s name. Foster’s songwriters was acknowledged only after 1879.
When Foster signed his contract with Firth, Pond & Co., he tried to support himself as a songwriter, back when this was not even regarded as a career. This was the time of his greatest success.
After experiencing serious financial troubles, he sold his publishers the rights to all of his future songs in 1857 for about $1,900. His publishers and performers received the majority of the proceeds from his tunes. He started to alter his technique in 1860 after relocating to New York City. He was now mostly penning love ballads like “Poor Drooping Maiden.” The next few years were less productive, and he had serious personal issues. He left behind almost 200 songs for which he had written both the music and the lyrics when he passed away at the age of 37 in what looked to be an accident at home.
President Harry Truman declared January 13, the day of Foster’s death, to be a day of remembrance in October 1951. The first Stephen Foster Memorial Day was observed in 1966 and became official the following year.
Celebrations Of This Day
Play some original music by Stephen Foster.
Sample some of his works: “Oh! Susanna,” “Camptown Races,” “Old Folks at Home,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” “Old Black Joe,” and “Beautiful Dreamer.”
Attend a memorial service
Numerous communities host commemorative events in Stephen Foster’s honor. See his memorial at the University of Pittsburgh and another at the entrance of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, or visit the Stephen Foster Culture Center State Park in Florida. You can also check out the Stephen Foster Citizen Support Organization. Not able to travel there in person? For information about this songwriter, visit local music appreciation societies or take virtual tours of the internet.
Find out more information about Stephen Foster
Go online and read about his life, or see a documentary about him. Learn a great deal about his influences and songs, as well as have a deeper look at the music business of the time.
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5 Interesting Facts Relating To Stephen Foster Memorial Day
Stephen Foster: The Musical
which has been performed since 1858, explores the life and legacy of this songwriter.
Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home” and “Old Folks at Home”
with minor modifications, were the official state songs of Kentucky and Florida, respectively. Foster is the only American recognized for writing two-state songs.
initial festivities
One of Foster’s songs alludes to the Suwannee River in Florida, where the inaugural Stephen Foster Memorial Day celebration took place.
Encore from Bruce Springsteen’s show
“Hard Times Come No More,” one of Foster’s most recorded songs, has frequently been used as Bruce Springsteen’s concert encore.
An anime series from Japan that centers around Foster
A Japanese anime TV show centered on the songwriter and his wife Jane in the 1990s.
The Reasons We Cherish This Day
His tale proves that wishes may come true.
Stephen Foster achieved his goal of making a career as a songwriter, albeit only briefly. At the time he performed this, songwriting was not even a profession.
He bestowed on us a priceless gift.
Popular tunes continue to carry his legacy. The younger generation is still familiar with a few of them.
His gift never stops.
His music had an impact on many performers, including Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, and Harriet Tubman. We may still hear the effects of it in music nowadays.
STEPHEN FOSTER MEMORIAL DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | January 13 | Saturday |
| 2025 | January 13 | Monday |
| 2026 | January 13 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | January 13 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | January 13 | Thursday |
