Happy Birthday to You

A traditional song sung to celebrate someone’s birthday, using a melody adapted from the 1893 song “Good Morning to All.”

Good Morning to All: A song composed by Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill in 1893 for greeting children at school. The melody later used for “Happy Birthday to You” first appeared in this classroom song.
For He's a Jolly Good Fellow: A traditional English-language song used to congratulate or honor a person. It serves a similar celebratory role but has a different melody and wording.
Good Morning to All v. Summy: A 2015 United States district court case ruling that Warner/Chappell did not own a valid copyright in the song’s lyrics. The ruling ended the company’s claim to royalties for public performances and recordings.
Birthday: The annual anniversary of a person’s birth. The song marks this personal milestone in family, school, and public celebrations.
Patty Hill: An American educator and kindergarten administrator who co-wrote “Good Morning to All.” Her work with young children shaped the song that supplied the birthday tune.
Las Mañanitas: A traditional Mexican birthday and saint’s-day song, often performed as a serenade. It is a distinct birthday-song tradition with its own cultural and musical history.
Copyright term: The legally defined period during which copyright protects an eligible work. The song’s publication history made the duration and ownership of any copyright a central issue.
Birthday cake: A cake served during a birthday celebration, often decorated with candles. The song is commonly sung as candles are lit or before they are blown out.
Mildred J. Hill: An American composer and educator who co-wrote the music for “Good Morning to All.” She composed the melody that became associated with birthday celebrations.
Happy Birthday (Stevie Wonder song): A 1980 Stevie Wonder song advocating a national holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Its title and celebratory refrain resemble the traditional song, but its purpose is political.

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