Marilyn Monroe |1962 John F. Kennedy Birthday Gala Original Program, Ticket Stub

An original ticket stub and program for the May 19, 1962 event "New York's Birthday Salute to President Kennedy." The ticket features a photo of Kennedy and reads "President Kennedy's Birthday Party" and is for the Orchestra section G row 4, seat 2. The event took place at Madison Square Garden and featured a lineup that included Marilyn Monroe, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Maria Callas, Mike Nichols and Elaine May, and Diahann Carroll.

The star-studded birthday celebration for President Kennedy was held 10 days before his actual birthday, and remains one of the most discussed events in his and Monroe's career. The event was sponsored by the Democratic Committees and Citizens for Kennedy as a fundraiser to erase debt incurred during the 1960 presidential election. Monroe famously called in sick to filming Something's Got To Give at 20th Century Fox studios in Los Angeles to fly to New York in serenade the president with a sultry rendition of "Happy Birthday, Mister President" while wearing a sheer, skin-tight Jean Louis gown that she'd been sewn-into just before the event.

The ticket stub is housed in a plastic case and features a PSA authentification sticker.

8.5 x 10.5 inches (overall)