Born Israel Baline on this day in Siberia, Russia, songwriter Irving Berlin (1888–1989) emigrated with his family to New York. A rags-to-riches story, he grew up in poverty, became a singing waiter who published music at 19, and found international fame with Alexander's Ragtime Band (1911).

"Songs make history and history makes songs," he said.

With almost 3,000 songs, 30 Broadway shows, and 17 Hollywood musicals to his credit, Berlin reflected later in life, "I've not done badly for a poor immigrant boy who can't read music."

His lyrics celebrated simplicity and went straight to the heart. "A pretty girl is like a melody / That haunts you day and night," he wrote.

According to biographer Laurence Bergreen, Berlin was a crude pianist who only played the black keys. "After Kate Smith made God Bless America popular in 1938," Bergreen said, "Berlin signed over the money to the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts."

"The toughest thing about success," said Berlin, "is that you've got to keep on being a success." His iconic songs include White Christmas, Easter Parade, Puttin' on the Ritz, and There’s No Business Like Show Business.

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