American Minute with Bill Federer Irving Berlin was born in Russia, the son of a Jewish rabbi, on MAY 11, 1888. At 4-years-old, he immigrated with his family to New York. Falling in love with America, he served as a U.S. infantry sergeant in World War I. SOURCE: https://americanminute.com/blogs/todays-american-minute/irving-berlin-the-classic-song-god-bless-america-american-minute-with-bill-federer