Julien’s Auctions made history Thursday night when it sold the Marilyn Monroe “Happy Birthday Mr. President” Jean Louis creation for $4.8 million (with fees) at auction. 

On Saturday, May 19, 1962, at a Democratic fundraiser and early 45th birthday celebration, President John F. Kennedy took his seat in Madison Square Garden anticipating what has now become one of the most iconic moments in entertainment and political history. In front of 15,000 guests, many of them celebrities, actor Peter Lawford was about to make an introduction that would change the course of pop culture and Presidential folklore forever. Under a bright spotlight, the legendary Marilyn Monroe walked on stage and peeled away her white ermine fur coat, revealing a skintight, sheer, flesh-colored dress that sparkled with over 2,500 handstitched crystals. The custom Jean Louis creation was so tight fitting that Marilyn wore nothing underneath and had to be sewn into it last minute. Original sketch illustrated by Bob Mackie. When Marilyn appeared and the dress was finally revealed, the entire audience gasped.

After Peter Lawford introduced her as the “LATE” Marilyn Monroe, she flicked the microphone and began to sing “Happy Birthday Mr. President” in her trademark sultry, sexy voice with original lyrics she wrote herself.

However, it was her intimate tone and projection of the words “Mr. President” that would stun the audience, excite the press and become a milestone in popular culture. The song and performance were remembered for many reasons, not the least because it was one of her last public appearances before her untimely death less than three months later. Sadly, President Kennedy died a year later and that infamous night at MSG was the last known time they saw each other. The rendition by Marilyn remains one of the most famous, delivered in her halting, breathy tone. All in all, it lasted approximately 30 seconds, but more than five decades later, it remains the most famous version of “Happy Birthday” ever. The dress, the performance, Jacqueline Kennedy’s absence and photographs from the evening would spark ravenous rumors of an affair between the President and Marilyn.

It has come to epitomize who Marilyn was in popular culture, including the lyrics she wrote herself for the evening:

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday Mr. President

Happy Birthday to you

Thanks Mr. President

For all the things you've done
The battles that you've won
The way you deal with U.S. Steel
And our problems by the ton
We thank you so much

Everybody! Happy Birthday!

As an enormous birthday cake was wheeled onstage, President Kennedy commented on Monroe’s performance, joking, “I can now retire from politics after having had ‘Happy Birthday’ sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way.”

In fact, it was Marilyn’s death in 1962 that prompted American artist Andy Warhol to create “Marilyn’s Diptych” — one of the most famous art homages to her, permanently securing Marilyn’s place in contemporary art history.

“Marilyn Monroe singing ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ is certainly one of the most famous impromptu performances in American history,” said Darren Julien, President & CEO of Julien’s Auctions. “That rendition has lived on for decades as one of the most remarkable events in her career and certainly one of the most storied tales in popular culture history — a moment in time squarely at the center of the 1960s, Hollywood and Camelot. We are incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to offer this amazing dress to collectors, fans and contemporary art enthusiasts around the world.”

Through Nov. 19, 2016, Julien’s Auctions will be hosting three days of Marilyn Monroe-related auctions featuring the Happy Birthday Mr. President iconic dress, the Collection of David Gainsborough-Roberts, Property from the Estate of Lee Strasberg, and Property from the Estate of Frieda Hull. Info: www.juliensauctions.com.