Q 01/05

The tune of 'Happy Birthday to You' was originally published in 1893 as a classroom song called what?

A) Good Morning to All

B) Welcome, Little Children

C) A Song for the Day

D) Hello Everybody

Answer · why

A) Good Morning to All

Kindergarten teachers Patty and Mildred Hill of Louisville, Kentucky, wanted something small children could sing easily; the birthday words were attac...

Q 02/05

Per Guinness (1998), which song is the second most recognised in English after 'Happy Birthday to You'?

A) Auld Lang Syne

B) Jingle Bells

C) Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

D) For He's a Jolly Good Fellow

Answer · why

D) For He's a Jolly Good Fellow

The birthday song's basic words have been translated into at least 18 languages.

Q 03/05

Which publisher refunded $14 million in 2016 after its copyright claim on 'Happy Birthday to You' was voided?

A) Sony/ATV

B) EMI Publishing

C) Warner/Chappell

D) Universal Music

Answer · why

C) Warner/Chappell

The 2015 ruling found the registration covered only a piano arrangement, not the words and melody, so the song is now public domain in the US.

Q 04/05

In the European Union, the copyright on 'Happy Birthday to You' expired on the first day of which year?

A) 2007

B) 2010

C) 2013

D) 2017

Answer · why

D) 2017

EU terms run 70 years from the author's death; Patty Hill, the last surviving sister, died in 1946.

Q 05/05

Marilyn Monroe famously sang 'Happy Birthday' to President Kennedy in May 1962 at a gala held where?

A) The White House

B) Carnegie Hall

C) The Hollywood Bowl

D) Madison Square Garden

Answer · why

D) Madison Square Garden

It was 10 days before his actual 45th birthday; Kennedy joked he could now retire from politics after being sung to 'in such a sweet, wholesome way'.