National Jukebox Day
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Overview
National Jukebox Day, observed annually on November 22nd, celebrates the iconic coin-operated music machines that have brought joy and tunes to generations. It's a day to appreciate the unique history and cultural impact of the jukebox, which revolutionized how people experienced and shared music in public spaces. This holiday encourages us to recall the simple pleasure of selecting a song and watching it play on these classic devices.
Origin and story
The first coin-operated phonograph, considered the precursor to the modern jukebox, was installed by Louis Glass in 1889 at the Palais Royal Saloon in San Francisco.
The term 'jukebox' is believed to have emerged in the 1930s from the 'juke joints' – establishments primarily for dancing and music, particularly in the American South.
Quick facts
- DateNovember 22
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
The jukebox began life as a repurposed Edison phonograph bolted into a San Francisco saloon — not the glowing, record-flipping machine most people picture.
Trace it to a single saloon debut
On November 23, 1889, Louis Glass and William S. Arnold installed a coin-operated Edison Class M phonograph at the Palais Royal Saloon in San Francisco, fitted with a "Coin Actuated Attachment" that let four listeners privately hear a wax-cylinder recording for a nickel each.
Know how fast the idea spread
By May 1890, 15 of the nickel-in-the-slot phonographs were already installed in local bars and on Oakland-San Francisco ferries, and Glass reported the invention had earned more than $4,000 at that year's phonograph industry convention in Chicago.
Read the fuller history
Helpful resources:
Did you know?
Early listeners got no amplification at all — they pressed rubber listening tubes to their ears, and the wax cylinders had to be swapped out every day or two just to keep the sound from degrading further.
Fun facts
- The first coin-operated phonograph, considered the precursor to the modern jukebox, was installed by Louis Glass in 1889 at the Palais Royal Saloon in San Francisco.
- The term 'jukebox' is believed to have emerged in the 1930s from the 'juke joints' – establishments primarily for dancing and music, particularly in the American South.
- Jukeboxes experienced their zenith of popularity during the 1930s and 1940s, providing an accessible and affordable source of entertainment during the Great Depression.
- The Wurlitzer 1015, introduced in 1946, is often considered the most iconic jukebox model, known for its distinctive 'bubbler' tubes and Art Deco design.
- While physical record-playing jukeboxes are rarer today, digital jukeboxes continue to evolve, offering vast music libraries and interactive features in many bars and restaurants.
Sources and attribution
This Day in History: November 23, 1889 (Mystic Stamp Discovery Center)
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is National Jukebox Day?
- It is observed on November 22 each year.
- What is National Jukebox Day?
- National Jukebox Day, observed annually on November 22nd, celebrates the iconic coin-operated music machines that have brought joy and tunes to generations. It's a day to appreciate the unique history and cultural impact of the jukebox, which revolutionized how people experienced and shared music in public spaces. This holiday encourages us to recall the simple pleasure of selecting a song and watching it play on these classic devices.
- How do people celebrate National Jukebox Day?
- Play a favorite song and consider the jukebox's 1889 debut — Louis Glass installed the first coin-operated phonograph at a San Francisco saloon, letting four listeners share a nickel-a-play wax cylinder recording.
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