Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) was an actress, singer, model, and a sex symbol who died before her time. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, she was destined for fame in Hollywood. Monroe allegedly had affairs with President John F. Kennedy, his brother senator Robert F. Kennedy, and singer Frank Sinatra.
President John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th president of the United States, serving from 1961 to his assassination in 1963.
Peter Lawford Introduces Marilyn Monroe
The event for the night of the birthday celebration was attended by 15,000 people along with numerous celebrities. Peter Lawford was the presenter to introduce Monroe to sing a new version, of Happy Birthday to the President. He made a play on the actress's lateness by giving her a number of introductions throughout the night, after which she did not go on stage. But as she finally appeared on stage, Lawford introduced her as the "late Marilyn Monroe."
Song and Lyrics
Monroe sang Happy Birthday Mr President, consisting of the traditional Happy Birthday to You lyrics, with "Mr. President" inserted as Kennedy's name. She continued the song with a snippet from the classic song Thanks for the Memory, for which she had written new lyrics specifically aimed at Kennedy.
- Happy birthday to you
- Happy birthday to you
- Happy birthday Mr. President
- Happy birthday to you
- Thanks, Mr. President
- For all the things you've done
- The battles that you've won
- The way you deal with U.S. Steel
- And our problems by the ton
- We thank you so much
- Everybody, happy birthday
The President Jokes About Retirement
Afterwards, President Kennedy came on stage and joked about the song, saying, "I can now retire from politics after having had Happy Birthday sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way". He was alluding to her delivery and appearance. Her dress was noted for being flesh colored with 2500 rhinestones sewn into it. It was so tight-fitting that Monroe had to be literally sewn into it.
Both Met Untimely Deaths
Marilyn Monroe's singing at Madison Square Garden was her last significant public appearance. She was found dead on August 5, 1962 in the bedroom of her home in Brentwood, California, from an overdose of barbiturates. She was aged thirty-six.
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated at 12.30 pm on 22nd November, 1963, aged forty-seven. As a result, of his death, conspiracy theories abounded of the circumstances of Marilyn Monroe's death, nearly all involving allegations that she was killed due to her involvement with the Kennedy family. Author Donald Wolfe made a case for the Kennedy/Mob connection in his book "The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe."
The Eternal Flame Burns
On March 14, 1967, Kennedy's body was moved to a permanent burial place and memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, a right he earned by serving as an officer in the United States Navy. Today, Kennedy is buried with his wife and their deceased children. His brother, the late Senator Robert Kennedy, is buried nearby. JFK's grave is lit with an "Eternal Flame," a last minute request of his wife, Jackie Kennedy.
The reader might be interested in the story behind popular German World War II song Lili Marlene, which was loved by both sides of the war. Or, Marlene Dietrich's original versions of Where Have All The Flowers Gone?
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