Imagine writing over 1,000 songs without ever learning to read music. That is exactly what Irving Berlin did. Born on May 11, 1888, in Russia, Berlin came to America as a young child. His family was very poor. After his father died, Berlin dropped out of school to earn money. He worked as a singing waiter in New York City. He taught himself to play piano, but only in one key. He needed a special piano with a lever that could shift the keys for him. Despite these limitations, Berlin became the most successful songwriter in American history. He wrote "God Bless America," which became an unofficial national anthem. He wrote "White Christmas," which is the best-selling single of all time. During World War I and World War II, he wrote songs that helped lift the spirits of soldiers and citizens. Berlin kept writing songs for over six decades. He died in 1989 at the age of 101.