Happy Birthday February 3

German pianist and composer Felix Mendelssohn was born in Hamburg, Germany, on February 3, 1809, a grandson of the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. Young Felix studied piano and composition in Berlin, making his first public appearance at the age of nine. During his boyhood young Mendelssohn wrote many compositions. Among his early successes was the Midsummer Night's Dream Overture (1826). when he was just seventeen.

Portrait of Mendelssohn by James Warren Childe 1839

For more February 3 anniversaries, including the marriage of Ivan the Terrible to Anastasia Romanovna, the first paper money in the Americas, and the The Day the Music Died, check out OnThatDay.