On May 19, 1962, President Kennedy publicly celebrated his birthday at Madison Square Garden with 15,000 people in attendance. The most memorable moment of the evening was when Marilyn Monroe sang 'Happy Birthday'. She appeared in a $5,000 flesh colored, beaded gown which she was literally sewn into. After her performance, the President responded, "Thank you. I can now retire from politics after having had 'Happy Birthday' sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way."