President Kennedy celebrated his forty-fifth birthday on May 19, 1962 at Madison Square Garden. Over 15,000 people attended along with numerous celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe. Monroe's dress was noted for being flesh colored with 2500 rhinestones sewn into it. The dress was so tight-fitting that Monroe had to be literally sewn into it once she had dressed.
Peter Lawford was at the event that night to introduce Monroe. He made a play on the actress's lateness by giving her a number of introductions throughout the night, after which she did not go on stage. As she finally came on stage several hours into the show, Lawford introduced her as the "late Marilyn Monroe."
