The Pittsburgh Press (May 3, 1943)
Quintuplets stumble on national anthem
Callander, Ontario, Canada (UP) –
The Dionne quintuplets tried to memorize “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but finally five curly heads shook in unison and all agreed it was “beaucoup trop difficile” – much too difficult.
And so, their scheduled singing of the American national anthem in both English and French at Sunday’s quintuplet ship-launching at Superior, Wisconsin, has been deleted from the program. The quintuplets will sing shorter and simpler songs.
Nevertheless, this will be the most exciting week that the quintuplets have known in their almost nine years.
Last-minute preparations for the trip are being made today. The quintuplets and their party leave for Superior by train Thursday.
There will be 20 in the party, including several nurses and provincial police officers, Mr. and Mrs. Dionne and Daniel, Rose and Pauline, brother and sisters of the quintuplets.