Another important aspect of this day:

Thread #134960   Message #3074128
Posted By: Martha Burns
13-Jan-11 - 09:28 PM
Thread Name: Happy Stephen Foster Day ! (January 13)
Subject: Happy Stephen Foster Day ! (January 13)


HAPPY STEPHEN FOSTER DAY !

Yes, it's true. In 1951, Congress declared January 13th national Stephen Foster Day. Harry Truman then issued this proclamation:

"Now, Therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Sunday, January 13, 1952, and each succeeding January 13 throughout the years, as Stephen Foster Memorial Day; and I call upon the people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies, pilgrimages to the shrines of this beloved composer, and musical programs featuring his compositions."

The date was chosen as the anniversary of Foster's death, January 13, 1863. Why didn't Congress choose his birth date, instead? Because Foster was born on the Fourth of July. In fact, Foster was born on the very same day that former presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died. It was quite a day.