National Ukulele Day Timeline

2011

Rock star Eddie Vedder played the ukulele

Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam released "Ukulele Songs," a collection of tracks solely featuring the ukulele.

2004

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Hawaii native Israel Kamakawiwo'ole released his medley, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," which reached No. 14 on the Billboard Digital Tracks Chart.

1968

Tiny Tim tiptoed through the tulips

Singer Tiny Tim released his hit "Tiptoe through the Tulips," which features his signature voice and ukulele playing.

1929

A first for the Japanese

Hawaiian-born Yukihiko Haida gave the Japanese their first taste of the ukulele, playing Hawaiian and jazz music at the Moana Glee Club in Tokyo.