January 13 - National Stephen Foster Memorial Day

Happy National Stephen Foster Memorial Day! On January 13th, today commemorates the music of the man who composed hundreds of America’s first popular songs.

Born in Lawrenceville, Pitsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1826, American songwriter Stephen Collins Foster, years later, became known as America’s First Composer. He also became known as "the father of American music". Foster’s catchy tunes were based on minstrel songs of which are still known today. 

Despite Foster’s exclusive music contract with Firth, Pond, and Company, when he passed from an accident at the Bellevue Hospital Center in New York, New York on January 13, 1864, he was penniless.  Weakened, he had fallen in his hotel in the Bowery, cutting his neck. His partner, American lyricist George Cooper, found him still alive but lying in a pool of blood. Foster was 37.

While Foster’s songs were wildly popular, the lack of copyright protection and alcoholism left him with nothing of value to show for his work.

During his short life, Foster wrote over two hundred songs. His best-known compositions include “Oh! Susanna,” “Camptown Races,” “Old Folks at Home,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” “Old Black Joe,” and “Beautiful Dreamer” are still very popular today.

   

HOW TO OBSERVE

Read about the life of Stephen Foster or watch a documentary. Check out our suggestions below:

• •  “Doo-dah!” (1937) by Ken Emerson 
• •  “Beautiful Dreamer: The Life of Stephen Collins Foster” (2005) by Ellen Hunter Ulken 
• •  Read about the African-American influence on Foster’s music.
  
  

Use #StephenFosterMemorialDay to post on social media.

HISTORY

National Stephen Foster Memorial Day is a United States Federal Observance Day according to Title 36 of the United States Code. It was made law in November of 1966 and was first celebrated in 1967. 

#StephenFosterMemorialDay 

@nichecinema 

January 13 - National Korean American Day

Happy National Korean American Day! On January 13, this day commemorates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903. The day also honors the Korean American’s immense contributions to every aspect of society.

In 1882, the United States and Korea signed a treaty establishing a peaceful relationship, friendship, and commerce. While this led to Korean diplomats, students, politicians, and businessmen visiting the United States, few felt compelled to stay.

It wasn’t until December of 1902 on the SS Gaelic that 102 Korean immigrants set sail for Honolulu, Hawaii. These families initiated the first wave of Korean immigration, resulting in over 7,500 immigrants over the next two years.

They served their communities and their country during World Wars I and II and the Korean War. During these times, more Koreans decided to emigrate from their homeland; some, as wives to U.S. servicemen, others were adopted as children.

Honoring a Few 

North Korean independence activist Ahn Changho (sometimes An Chang-ho and also referred to as his pen name Dosan), one of the earlier immigrants, is credited with establishing the Willows Korean Aviation Corps in the United States, which later helped establish the Korean Airforce.

Sammy Lee – American physician,diver and two-time Olympic gold medalist (1948 – London, England, United Kingdom) and (1952 – Helsinki, Finland).

Wendy Gramm – American economist who formerly served as the U.S Commodity Futures Trading Commission chair under 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan and 41st U.S. President George. H. W. Bush.

Judge Herbert Y.C. Choy – First Asian American appointed to U.S. Federal Court as well as the first federal judge. He was also the first person of Korean ancestry to be admitted to the bar in the United States (Court of Appeals Ninth District) in 1974.

David Hyun –Korean-American second-generation architect, charged with revitalizing Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles, California.

Sang Hyun Lee – First tenured Korean-American Kyung-Chik Han Professor of Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. He was also the director of the institution’s Program for Asian American Theology and Ministry.

Hines Ward, Jr.  – American-South Korean former professional American football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers for fourteen seasons. He had previously played college football at the University of Georgia. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Learn more about Korean Americans then and now. Read books about their experiences or watch documentaries. National Day Calendar® has provided three books: 

• •  Korean-Americans: Past, Present, and Future by Ilpyong J. Kim (2004) 
• •  Korean American Pioneer Aviators: The Willows Airmen by Edward T. Chang and Woo Sung Han (2015) 
• •  Memoir of a Cashier: Korean Americans, Racism, and Riots by Carol Park (2017)
  
  

You can also visit Korean American Story to hear their stories or document your own. Find out more or share your experience by using #KoreanAmericanDay on social media.

HISTORY

In 2003, 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush proclaimed a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants.

  

In 2005, the U.S. House and Senate passed simple resolutions in support of Korean American Day. Since then, states across the country have passed bills declaring January 13th as an annual celebration of Korean American Day. 

#NationalKoreanAmericanDay 

@nichecinema 

January 13 - John McNaughton

Happy 70th Birthday, John McNaughtion! Born today in 1950, this American film and television director, originally from Chicago, Illinois, is best-known for his first film: the 1986 American psychological horror drama/crime film 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer'. 

McNaughton has been active from 1984–present. 

#borntodirect 

@McNaughtonJohnD