Significant Dates in the
Life of Lawrence Welk

Born:		March 11, 1903, Strasburg, ND.
Started Career:		March 11, 1924 - 21st Birthday.
1925-1927:		With George T. Kelly and the Peerless Entertainers.
1927-mid 1930s:		Band performed regularly over WNAX, South Dakota.
April 18, 1931:		Married Fern Renner - Three Children: Shirley, Donna, Larry. They have eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
December 31, 1938:		Debut at William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA. Adpoted name of "Champagne Music of Lawrence Welk."
1940-1950:		Played at the Trianon Ballroom in Chicago.
1951-1955:		KTLA - local television station in Los Angeles broadcasted "The Lawrence Welk Show" from the Aragon Ballroom.
1955-1982:		National television: 16 years on ABC; 11 years in syndication.
October/ November 1984:		National television: Lawrence Welk Special, "On Tour with Lawrence Welk" - Part 1 and 2.
December, 1984:		Christmas Special on national television.
December, 1985:		"Musical Family" Christmas Reunion Special on national television.
October, 1987:		"Lawrence Welk Show" debuts on public television.
May 17, 1992:		Lawrence Welk died.
July, 1992:		On behalf of Lawrence Welk Family, Shirley Welk Fredericks announces gift of Lawrence Welk Collection to North Dakota State University, Fargo.
February, 1993:		Lawrence Welk Collection arrives at North Dakota State University, Fargo.
March, 1993:		Public television special premieres, "From the Heart: Lawrence Welk and the American Dream."
May, 1994:		Lawrence Welk Theatre and Resort opens in Branson, Missouri.
March, 1995:		Public television special premieres, "Then and Now."
June, 1995:		North Dakota's Governor Ed Schafer proclaims Lawrence Welk Week; U.S. Highway 83 in Emmons County, ND, named Lawrence Welk Highway.
July, 2005:		The Lawrence Welk Show - 50 Years on National Television