Louisville, Kentucky -
Birthplace of "Happy Birthday to You"

On the same street as the world's two largest bats, under the entrance ramp to I-64, is a strange monument. A plaque on a small concrete pedestal remembers the writers of the song "Happy Birthday to You" -- Mildred Jane Hill and Patty Smith Hill. In 1893, the two sisters published a book titled: "Song Stories for the Kindergarten."

Local history tells that during a Louisville birthday party, Patty suggested that the words of the first song in their book, "Good Morning to All," be changed to "Happy Birthday to You." The plaque claims "the song has since become one of the three most popular songs in the English language."

As enduring as the song is, it is still protected by copyright and will remain so until 2030. If you hear the tune belted out in chain restaurants or in a movie party scene, someone must cough up a royalty payment to the current copyright holders.... [Roadsideamerica.com Team, 09/04/2004]