Irving Berlin

Composer and lyricist Irving Berlin (1888-1989) is one of America’s most beloved songwriters. A list of his most popular songs includes “Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning,” “Always,” “Blue Skies,” “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “White Christmas,” “Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better),” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” Berlin’s works span generations, having been recorded by performers as diverse as Perry Como and Lady Gaga.

God Bless America

When he was five, Berlin (born Israel Beilin) and his family fled the pogroms of Eastern Europe, where they were persecuted for being Jewish, to find refuge on New York City’s Lower East Side. It was his own positive experience as an immigrant who loved his new country that inspired Berlin to sing the praises of America. His song “God Bless America”—originally composed in 1918 during his service in World War I, but not made public until Armistice Day, 1938—became so renowned that many called for it to replace “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem. But Berlin would not hear of it, saying, “There’s only one national anthem, which can never be replaced.”

Peace for All

Berlin was also a devoted Mason. He became a Master Mason in New York City’s Munn Lodge No. 190 in 1910 and a 32° Scottish Rite Mason later the same year. In 1911 he was initiated into Mecca Shrine Temple. True to Masonic ideals in myriad ways, Berlin actively worked for peace among all humankind. Among many awards he received was a 1944 honor given by the National Conference of Christians and Jews for “advancing the aims of the conference to eliminate religious and racial conflict.”

Photo Caption: Irving Berlin, ca. 1911. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.