Happy birthday who?

[sd gross]

:banginhead:
I see by my PeeDee that today (2/12) is the birthday of The Doors Ray Manzarek, Arsenio Hall and other showbiz luminaries, but nowhere do I see it mentioned that today is the birthday of one Abe Lincoln, born 202 years ago in Hardin County, Kentucky.
Two weeks ago we couldn't escape the media blitz surrounding the 100th anniversary of the emergence of the Bewildered and Vacuous Ronald ("facts are stubborn things") Reagan, but nowhere (NOWHERE!) did I see or hear it mentioned that on January 30th, we need to perhaps recognize the one-time existence of one F.D. Roosevelt. (whose name may not be on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but most people dug his act nevertheless.)
And 'scuse me for wondering, but where might Arsenio Hall be, if it weren't for Abe Lincoln?
Am I out of touch with whom and what we're inclined to acknowledge and honor, or am I (as the late Pauline used to say) just expecting too much, and setting myself up for a lifetime of disappointment!

[zenekar]

Stephen,

I appreciate what you write here about this society's priorities of entertainment over learning about/from and being aware of our history. This is truly a dumb-down society. And I would further suggest that it is by design. Or, is it that this fabricated culture chooses to remain ignorant? People in North Africa, the "Middle East" (depends from what geographical perspective one views the globe), South America, etc., are awakening with intelligence and knowledge of their history while USA society sleepwalks (or drives gas guzzling SUVs), oblivious the the damage US corporations and the corrupt imperialist government has caused in the world, which fuels the uprisings.

Don't bang your head against the wall -- you'll dent the sheetrock. :)

Attila

[zenekar]

I meant to write "dumbed-down" society but "dumb-down" works too.

Attila

[podfish]

:banginhead:
I see by my PeeDee that today (2/12) is the birthday of The Doors Ray Manzarek, Arsenio Hall and other showbiz luminaries, but nowhere do I see it mentioned that today is the birthday of one Abe Lincoln, born 202 years ago in Hardin County, Kentucky. shelf rotation? 200 year limit? 'course that doesn't explain stiffing FDR.

[Marty M]

Galileo Galilei, born February 15,1564 in Pisa, Italy

Susan B. Anthony, born February 15, 1820 in Adams, Massachusetts




:banginhead:
I see by my PeeDee that today (2/12) is the birthday of The Doors Ray Manzarek, Arsenio Hall and other showbiz luminaries, but nowhere do I see it mentioned that today is the birthday of one Abe Lincoln, born 202 years ago in Hardin County, Kentucky.
Two weeks ago we couldn't escape the media blitz surrounding the 100th anniversary of the emergence of the Bewildered and Vacuous Ronald ("facts are stubborn things") Reagan, but nowhere (NOWHERE!) did I see or hear it mentioned that on January 30th, we need to perhaps recognize the one-time existence of one F.D. Roosevelt. (whose name may not be on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but most people dug his act nevertheless.)
And 'scuse me for wondering, but where might Arsenio Hall be, if it weren't for Abe Lincoln?
Am I out of touch with whom and what we're inclined to acknowledge and honor, or am I (as the late Pauline used to say) just expecting too much, and setting myself up for a lifetime of disappointment!

[Marty M]

Louis Comfort Tiffany, born February18,1848 in New York City

[Marty M]

Nicolaus Copernicus, born February 19,1473 in Torun, Poland

[Marty M]

Ansel Easton Adams, born February 20, 1902 in San Francisco

[Marty M]

Andres Torres Segovia, born February 21, 1893 in Linares, Spain

[Marty M]

George Washington, born February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland, Colony of Virginia

Frederic Francois Chopin (french spelling), born February 22 (or March 1), 1810 in Zelazowa Wola, Poland

[sd gross]

Today, February 22nd, is significant for being the birthdays of several somewhat notable people.

1732 George Washington, born in Virginia (or possibly Libya) President of the USA 1789-1797

1788 Artie Schopenhauer, born in Germany, noted party animal and philospher, known as The Great Pessimist

1810 Freddy F. Chopin, pianist/composer born in Poland

1822 Adolf Kuszmaul, German physician and beer recycler (he invented the stomach pump)

1857 Robert Baden Powell, who was awarded a Merit Badge for inventing the Boy Scouts (and the Girl Guides, so he could get his wife out of the house and spend more time with his first invention)

1867 Heinrich (Hank) Hertz, physicist, who was the first to broadcast and receive radio waves while in his rented Yugo.

1874 Bill Klem, who made a career of calling people out just when they thought they were safe.

1883 Maggie Clark, who was the voice of Snow White when she wasn't too Sleepy or Grumpy

1892 David Dubinsky born in Brest Russia (now Belarus) (, labor leader, Freedom Award, 1969 Medal of Freedom (Think ILGWU)

1892 Edna St. Vincent Millay, born in Rockland, ME but moved to Greenwich Village (getting it confused with Greenwich CT) and spent much time wondering where all those hip people came from poet, dramatist, Pulitzer Prize Winner


George Washington, born February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland, Colony of Virginia

Frederic Francois Chopin (french spelling), born February 22 (or March 1), 1810 in Zelazowa Wola, Poland

[Marty M]

Emma Willard, born February 23,1787 in Berlin, Connecticut. Founded first women's school of higher education.

George Frederic Watts, born February 23, 1817 in Marylebone, England

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois born February 23, 1868 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts

[Marty M]

February 24

Winslow Homer born in 1836, Boston, Massachusetts

Richard Hamilton born in 1922, London, England

Michael Harrington born in 1928, St. Louis, Missouri


February 23

George Frideric Handel born in 1685, Halle, Germany

[Marty M]

February 25

Pierre Aguste Renoir born in 1841, in Limoges, France

Anthony Joseph Lloyd born in 1950, in Trafford, England
Labor Party member of Parliament, voted against England participating in the invasion of Iraq, and voted against the renewal of the Trident Nuclear Missile System.

Howard Clinton Zahniser born in 1906, in Franklin, Pennsylvania
Executive director of the Wilderness Society. Primary author of the Wilderness Act of 1964 (he worked continuously for six years to see this law passed). The Wilderness Act was signed into law on September 3, 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson. It created and protected over 9.1 million acres of wilderness. Today over 107 million acres are protected. It also created the legal definition of wilderness. "A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where men and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."

[Marty M]

February 26

Victor Hugo born in 1802, in Besancon, France

Antione Dominique "Fats" Domino born in 1928, in Vacherie, Louisiana

[Marty M]

February 27

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow born in 1807, in Portland, Maine

Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner born in 1861, in Donji Kraljevec, Austria-Hungary now Croatia

John Ernst Steinbeck born in 1902, in Salinas, California

Navarre Scott Momaday born in 1934, in Lawton, Oklahoma

[Marty M]

February 28

Linus Carl Pauling born in 1901, in Lake Oswego, Oregon

Frank Owen Gehrry born in 1929, in Toronto, Ontario

Paul Robin Krugman born in 1953, in Albany, New York

[Marty M]

Frank Owen Gehry
(sorry about the typo)

[Marty M]

February 29

Howard Nemerov born in 1920, in New York City

March 1

Robert Lowell born in 1917, in Boston, Massachusetts

Richard Purdy Wilbur born in 1921, in New York City

Archer John Porter Martin born in 1910, in London
He received the Nobel Prize in chemistry for partition chromatography and later developed gas-liquid chromatography.

[Marty M]

March 2

Russell Dana "Russ" Feingold born in 1953, in Jamesville, Wisconsin
US Senator from Wisconsin
Initially the only senator to vote against the USA Patriot Act. His voting history is impressive and worth reading.

Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson born in 1923, in Deep Gap, North Carolina

Theodore Seuss Geisel, "Dr. Seuss", born in 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts

[Marty M]

March 3

George William Hill born in 1838, in New York City. Mathematician, calculated orbits of the moon and planets.

John Murray born in 1841, in Coburg, Ontario. Oceanographer, discovered Mid-Atlantic Ridge and oceanic trenches.

James Ingram Merrill born in 1926, in New York City. Poet, philanthropist.

[Marty M]

March 4

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi born in 1678, in Venice

Valerie Jane Goodall born in 1934, in London

Zenzile Miriam Makeba born in 1932, in Johannesburg, South Africa

[Marty M]

March 5

Gerardus Mercator born in 1512, in Rupelmonde, Holy Roman Empire. Mercator projection of world map.

William Oughtred born in 1574, in Eton, England. Invented the slide rule.

Rosa Luxemburg born in 1871, in Zamosc, Russia (Poland)

Roy Gutman born in 1944, in New York City

[Marty M]

March 6

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni born in 1475, in Caprese, Tuscany, (today: Caprese Michelangelo)

Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov born in1844, in Tikhvin, Russia

Joseph von Fraunhofer born in 1787, in Straubing, Bavaria
He invented the spectroscope and observed a pattern of dark lines in the sun's optical spectrum. He carefully and systematically measured and mapped these dark lines. Later it was discovered that these lines correspond to the absorption of light by chemical elements and ions (oxygen, hydrogen, iron, calcium, sodium, mercury and magnesium to name a few). This early work forms the basis for atomic absorption spectroscopy.

[Marty M]

March 7

Joseph Maurice Ravel born in 1875, in Cibourne, France

Pieter Cornelis "Piet" Mondriaan (Mondrian) born in 1872, in Amersfoort, Netherlands

Milton Avery born in 1884, in Altmar, New York

Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi born in 1924, in Leith, Scotland

Luther Burbank born in 1849, in Lancaster, Massachusetts

[Marty M]

March 8

Keith Jarrett born in 1945, in Allentown, Pennsylvania

Abu al Qasin Mahmud ibn Umar al Zamakhshari born in 1074, in Persia. Scholar and theologian.
(with a name like this I just couldn't resist listing him)


March 7

Stanley Lloyd Miller born in1930, in Oakland, California
He designed an experiment which demonstrated that amino acids could be formed from a mixture of inorganic gasses, water, and the application of an electrical spark. Amino acids are the "building blocks" of proteins, which are essential for the formation of living matter. This experiment was significant because it showed that organic compounds could form from inorganic compounds under fairly simple physical processes.

[Marty M]

March 10

Ina Donna Coolbrith born in 1842, in Nauvoo, Illinois
She was the first poet laureate for California.

[Marty M]

March 11

Ralph David Abernathy born in 1926, in Marengo County, Alabama

[Marty M]

March 12

Jesse "Lone Cat" Fuller born in 1896, in Jonesboro, Georgia.
He was a one-man-blues-band musician who began his career playing on the streets of San Francisco, passing the hat for money in the1950's. His songs have been covered by the Grateful Dead, Hot Tuna, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Peter Paul and Mary, and Glenn Yarbrough.

[Marty M]

March 14

Albert Einstein born in 1879, in Ulm, Germany
He received the Nobel Prize in physics. His work included general and special relativity, mass energy equivalence, photoelectric effect and unified field theory.

Paul Ehrlich born in 1854, in Strehlen, Prussia
He received the Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine. His work provided the groundwork for today's understanding of immunology and the mechanism of disease.

James Bogardus born in1800, in Catskill, New York
He was an architect who built cast iron buildings, which led to the steel frame construction of today. Five of his iron buildings are still standing in New York City.

[Marty M]

March 15

Ruth Joan Bader Ginsburg born in1933, in Brooklyn, New York

Ryland "Ry" Peter Cooder born in 1947, in Los Angeles

Paul Johann Ludwig von Heyse born in1830, in Berlin, Germany
Nobel Laureate in literature.

[Dixon]

March 7
Pieter Cornelis "Piet" Mondriaan (Mondrian) born in 1944, in Amersfoort, Netherlands

You're off by 72 years; Mondrian was born in 1872--but who's counting? ;^D

P.S. He did, however, die in 1944.

[Marty M]

March 20

Peter Caddy born in 1917, in England. Founded Findhorn Community.

Bekker Balthasar born in1634, in Metslawier, Netherlands. His writing contributed to the beginning of the Age of Reason or the Age of Enlightenement in Western Culture. He opposed superstition and was a key figure in ending the persecution of witchcraft in Europe.


March 19

Joseph Albers born in1888, in Bottrop, Germany. Abstract painter.


March18

John Hoyer Updike born in 1932, in Reading, Pennsylvania

Edgar Cayce born in 1877, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Wilfred Edward Salter Owen born in 1893, in Oswestry, England. Anti-war poet.

[Marty M]

March 21

John Sebastian Bach born in 1685, in Eisenach, Germany

Hans Hoffman born in1880, in WeiBenburg, Bavaria. painter

Walter Gilbert born in 1932, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Received the Nobel Prize for determining the process of nucleic acid sequencing.


March 20

Gerrit Jan van Heuven Goedhart born in 1901, in Bussum, Netherlands.
Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954.

[Marty M]

March 22

Marcel Marceau born in 1923, in Strasbourg, France

Burton Richter born in 1931, in Brooklyn, New York
Nobel Prize in Physics. He currently works to promote sound science in American government, which includes public policy being based on the best scientific knowledge available, and that appointments to publicly funded advisory committees be based on professional and academic qualifications not political affiliations or ideology.

[Marty M]

March 23

Juan Gris (Jose Victoriano Gonzales-Perez) born in 1887, in Madrid, Spain. painter and sculptor.

Frederik Ruysch born in 1638, in The Hague, Netherlands. anatomist, discovered lymphatic system valves.

Dominique de Menil born 1908, in Paris, France. She was a patron of the arts and a human rights advocate.

Ludwig Quidde born in 1858, in Bremen, Germany. Nobel Peace Prize 1927

[sd gross]

:birthday:Just in case Marty is getting a bit burned out and would like to catch a break:
March 24 it turns out, is the birthday of both JESUS and LAURA PALMER"S BEST FRIEND!

Jesus Alou was born in the Dominican Republic in 1943
Lara Flynn Boyle, who played Laura's best friend Donna Hayward in Twin Peaks, and has long been on the "A" list of Hollywood's Skinniest Stars, was born in 1970
also
Steve McQueen (who's escape wasn't all that great)
Harry Houdini, whose escapes were MUCH BETTER, born in Budapest in 1874
Edward Weston (1885), a really great photographer, whose daughter-in-law runs a nifty B&B in Shingletown
Joe Barbera ("Hey, hey Yogi Bear")
JOHN WESLEY POWELL explorer, geologist, and Grand Canyoneer, about whom Bob Dylan never wrote a song
JOHN CAMERON SWAYZE who probably enjoyed all those lickin's but is no longer tickin'
CLYDE BARROW who became holey at the end
LAWRENCE FERLENGHETTI "There once was a woman named Betty,
whose specialized cooking spaghetti, in North Beach where verses, filled quite a few purses, and the belly of L. Ferlinghetti"



March 23

Juan Gris (Jose Victoriano Gonzales-Perez) born in 1887, in Madrid, Spain. painter and sculptor.

Frederik Ruysch born in 1638, in The Hague, Netherlands. anatomist, discovered lymphatic system valves.

Dominique de Menil born 1908, in Paris, France. She was a patron of the arts and a human rights advocate.

Ludwig Quidde born in 1858, in Bremen, Germany. Nobel Peace Prize 1927

[sd gross]

:cheerleader:Notable Birthdays Erupting on March 25:
1947 - Reginald Kenneth Dwight, also known as Elton John, born in Pinner, England, known for his enormously creative eyewear, and a few catchy tunes.

1942 - Aretha Franklin, born in Memphis, Tennessee, briefly dated Rodney Dangerfield with whom she kvetched about an imagined absence of "R-e-s-p-e-c-t"

1934 - Gloria Steinem, born in Toledo, Ohio, feminist/publisher of Ms. Magazine, who is actually a closet transsexual named "Irving" , and was born in an I.R.T. 242nd Street-Van Cortland subway car in Riverdale.

1918 - Howard Cosell, brilliant barrister, blessed with boundless banter, and the reason kids would ask, "Mommy, why does dad cuss the TV and call it "Howard"? Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the Monday Night Football sportscaster once stated, "The importance that our society attaches to sport is incredible. After all, is football a game or a religion? The people of this country have allowed sports to get completely out of hand."


1867 Arturo Toscanini, born in Parma, Italy, temperamental conductor, and infuriated over his brother, Gianni's name becoming synonymous with that of their hometown.

1881 Bela Bartok, born in the town of Nagyszentmiklós, Hungary, was a small and sickly child and suffered from severe eczema until the age of five but somehow managed to recover, and earn a spot on the short Liszt of Hungary's greatest composers.

1901 Ed Begley, born in Hartford, Connecticut, who for a time became Chinese (as radio's Charlie Chan), but easily slid into roles as a caucasian (in "Leave it to Larry", 12 Angry Men, and Inherit the Wind). Having few 'lines' of his own, he named his kid "junior".

1914 Norman Borlaug, born in Cresco, Iowa, humanitarian, agronomist, discoveries saved one billion lives worldwide, winner, 1970 Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing contributions to world peace for methods to increase food supply, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

1928 -James A. Lovell, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USN/astronaut and much more of a "Rocketman" than Reggie K. Dwight (see above). His scores: Gemini 7, 12, Apollo 8, 13

1938 Hoyt Axton, born in Duncan, Oklahoma, terrific folk singer, and actor, "Black Stallion",
"Gremlins" His mom wrote "Heartbreak Hotel"

1782 Carolina [Maria A] Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon, (and a big Randy Newman fan,) whose attitude prevented her from getting invited to any of her brother's saucy parties, including the ones on Elba.

Crystal City TX was originally settled by American farmers and ranchers producing cattle and various crops. The successful production of spinach crops evolved into a dominant industry. By March 26, 1937, spinach growers had erected a statue of the cartoon character Popeye in the town because his reliance on spinach for strength led to greater popularity for the vegetable, which had become a staple cash crop of the local economy
:birthday:Just in case Marty is getting a bit burned out and would like to catch a break:
March 24 it turns out, is the birthday of both JESUS and LAURA PALMER"S BEST FRIEND!

Jesus Alou was born in the Dominican Republic in 1943
Lara Flynn Boyle, who played Laura's best friend Donna Hayward in Twin Peaks, and has long been on the "A" list of Hollywood's Skinniest Stars, was born in 1970
also
Steve McQueen (who's escape wasn't all that great)
Harry Houdini, whose escapes were MUCH BETTER, born in Budapest in 1874
Edward Weston (1885), a really great photographer, whose daughter-in-law runs a nifty B&B in Shingletown
Joe Barbera ("Hey, hey Yogi Bear")
JOHN WESLEY POWELL explorer, geologist, and Grand Canyoneer, about whom Bob Dylan never wrote a song
JOHN CAMERON SWAYZE who probably enjoyed all those lickin's but is no longer tickin'
CLYDE BARROW who became holey at the end
LAWRENCE FERLENGHETTI "There once was a woman named Betty,
whose specialized cooking spaghetti, in North Beach where verses, filled quite a few purses, and the belly of L. Ferlinghetti"

[sd gross]

:birthday:Saturday, March 26th is the day on which the following life forms crawled out of the Sea....

1833 Betsy Perk, born in Delft. Dutch journalist, writer and feminist
Christina Elizabeth (Betsy) Perk . In addition, she is known as an active advocate for women's rights. She founded the weekly magazine for women in 1869 (Our Commitment) and her "buoyant spirits"; " quick wit and chirpy humor";has resulted in people who possess those attributes in being referred to as PERKY people.

1859 A. E. Housman, English Poet Worcestershire
Housman was counted one of the foremost classicists of his age, and has been ranked as one of the greatest scholars of all time

1874 Robert Frost, born in San Francisco, poet, liked to chill out with brother, Jack. Mending Wall, Road Not Taken
FIRE AND ICE
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice 
Is also great
 And would suffice.

1880
Duncan Hines, U.S., restaurant guide writer, Out of Kentucky Kitchens. Often heard to remark, "So moist, so delicious, and so much more...!"

1904 Joseph Campbell, mythologist, Mythic Image
"God is a metaphor for that which transcends all levels of intellectual thought. It's as simple as that."

1911 Tennessee Williams, born in Columbus, Mississippi, playwright who sometimes depended on the kindness of strangers. , 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" "Glass Menagerie", "Streetcar Named Desire"
"STELLA-A-A-A-AA-A-A-AA-A-A-AA-A-A-A!

1916 Sterling Hayden, born in New Jersey, "Jack D. Ripper", in Dr. Strangelove, tough guy in Asphalt Jungle, played assorted noir roles.
"General Jack D. Ripper is a character in Dr. Strangelove. He is convinced that the USSR is attempting to defeat the United States by tampering with our bodily fluids. He believes that flouridation of drinking water is a communist conspiracy."
Ironic, since he himself was a member of the Party & actually went before HUAC and named names!

1917 Rufus Thomas, born in Cayce Mississippi, and member of The Rabbit Foot Minstrels, which toured the South in the mid-30s. "Walking the Dog" was his signature, oft-covered hit. Irma and Carla intoned as well.

1930 Sandra Day O'Connor, born in Texas, 1st woman Supreme Court Justice, 1981-
"I think the important thing about my appointment is not that I will decide cases as a woman, but that I am a woman who will get to decide cases"

1930 Gregory Corso, beat poet, Happy Birthday of Death, Long Live Man

1931 Leonard Nimoy, often confused with the famous pediatrician called "Doctor" Born in Boston, "Spock" went where no Vulcan had gone before. "Star Trek", "Mission Impossible"
(TV watcher overheard in tavern in Hattiesburg "Look-a those pointy ears, Earl - I told you he was Jewish!")

1932 Dick Nolan, football coach
he was head coach of the San Francisco 49ers for eight seasons from 1968 through 1975, noted for developing the defense and taking the team to three straight NFC West division titles (1970–72), twice missing the Super Bowl by only one game (1970–71).

1940 Nancy Pelosi, born in Baltimore, Maryland, Representative-D-California 1987 -
“I believe in natural gas as a clean, cheap alternative to fossil fuels.”


1942 Erica Jong, born in New York City, author, Fear of Flying
"And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more".
Erica Jong

1948 Steve Tyler, Current "Idol" judge and gorgeous person's father, Aerosmith front man
and (Liv's dad)

1950 Martin Short, born in Hamilton, Ontario, comedian, SNL, SCTV, 3 Amigos
Ed Grimley, one of the all-time most endearing characters ever to appear in public

[sd gross]

:hello: :bigwave:
Newly Emerged on MARCH 27th

1963 Quentin Tarantino :video:Born in Knoxville TN and director of Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Inglorious Basterds, Kill Bill and an extremely painful film to watch, Reservoir Dogs

1924 Sarah .L Vaughan, daughter of "Rat Fool" and Ada Vaughn, born in Newark, New Jersey, jazz scat singer, Broken Hearted Melody

1914 Budd Schulberg, born in New York City, novelist of two of my very very favorites, On the Waterfront and What Makes Sammy Run?
Budd was among the first American servicemen to liberate the Nazi-run concentration camps, and was involved in gathering evidence against war criminals for the Nuremberg Trials, an assignment that included arresting documentary film maker Leni Riefenstahl at her chalet in Kitzbühel, Austria, ostensibly to have her identify the faces of Nazi war criminals in German film footage captured by the Allied troops.

1917 Cyrus Vance, American Statesman

1914 Snooky Lanson, born in Memphis, Tennessee, singer, and star of one of the most iconic shows on early TV, "Your Hit Parade",

1899 Gloria Swanson, born in Chicago, Illinois, actress, Sadie Thomson, Queen Kelly, and Sunset ("I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMille") Boulevard

1886 Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, German/U.S. architect born in Aachen, Germany, and along with Gropius and Le Corbusier, founder of the Bauhaus School and one of the pioneering masters of modern architecture.

1879 Eduard Jean Steichen, :photog:born in Luxembourg, pioneered American photography. Brancusi, Rodin & J.P. Morgan were among his photographic subjects


1868 Patty Smith Hill, writer of the most sung song in history, :birthday:"Happy Birthday To You"

1863 Henry Royce, automobile founder, Rolls-Royce

1845 Wilhelm Konrad Roentgen, born in Munich, Germany, raised in the Netherlands, discovered X-rays, Nobel 1901.
Beatles "I'm Looking Through You" was dedicated to Billy K.

1746 Carlo Bonaparte, Corsican attorney/father of emperor Napoleon

[sd gross]

:cheerleader::happynewyear::cheerleader:AND ON MONDAY, MARCH 28TH, WE HONOR......
1940 Russell Banks, born in Newton, Mass., American Author "Rule of the Bone" one of my personal faves!! You'll love it. I don't care ....you'll LOVE it!
1928 Zbigniew Brzezinski, born in Warsaw, national security advisor for Jimmy Carter
who announced his candidacy for the 1976 presidential campaign to a skeptical media and proclaimed himself an "eager student" of Brzezinski. Brzezinski became Carter's principal foreign policy advisor by late 1975. He became an outspoken critic of the Nixon-Kissinger over-reliance on détente, a situation preferred by the USSR, favoring the Helsinki process instead, which focused on human rights, international law and peaceful engagement in Eastern Europe. Brzezinski has been considered to be the Democrats' response to Republican Henry Kissinger
A personal note: Some years ago, I sent Brzezinski a poem I'd written called "Scabs" (about an impending baseball strike) and he responded personally, and at length. Amazing but true - believe it or not!.
1920 Dirk Bogarde, born in London, England, actor, Death in Venice, Servant Got to play "Doctor" with Brigitte Bardot in 1955.
1915 Jay Livingston Jacob Harold Levison, composer, Buttons and Bows, Mona Lisa, Que Sera Sera, Tammy, Silver Bells (Won 3 Oscars!)
1914 Edmund Muskie, born in Rumford, Maine, Governor of Maine 1955 - 1959, Senator-D-Maine 1959 - 1980, U.S. Secretary of State 1980 - 1981
1905 Marlin Perkins, born in Carthage, Missouri, TV host, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom
1903 Rudolf Serkin, born in Eger, Bohemia, pianist, Marlboro Sch of Music
• Presidential Medal of Freedom (1963)
• Kennedy Center Honors (1981)
• Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance - Mstislav Rostropovich and Rudolf Serkin for Brahms: Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38 and Cello Sonata No. 2 in F, Op. 99 (1984)
• National Medal of Arts (1988)

1483 Raphael, born in Urbino, Italy, painter, School of Athens
Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino[2] (April 6 or March 28, 1483 – April 6, 1520, better known simply as Raphael, was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance, celebrated for the perfection and grace of his paintings and drawings. Together with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, he forms the traditional trinity of great masters of that period

1868 Aleksey Maximovich Peshkov aka Maxim Gorky, born in Nizhny Novgorod
Hung out with Nicky Lenin, Little Leon Tolstoy and other passionate and proactive folk.
Wrote tons of stuff including the below which is called Song of the Storm Petrel" or "Song of the Stormy Petrel" depending on whose interpretation you read.

Над седой равниной моря ветер тучи собирает. Между тучами и морем гордо реет Буревестник, чёрной молнии подобный.
То крылом волны касаясь, то стрелой взмывая к тучам, он кричит, и — тучи слышат радость в смелом крике птицы.
В этом крике — жажда бури! Силу гнева, пламя страсти и уверенность в победе слышат тучи в этом крике.
Чайки стонут перед бурей, — стонут, мечутся над морем и на дно его готовы спрятать ужас свой пред бурей.
И гагары тоже стонут, — им, гагарам, недоступно наслажденье битвой жизни: гром ударов их пугает.
Глупый пингвин робко прячет тело жирное в утёсах... Только гордый Буревестник реет смело и свободно над седым от пены морем!
Всё мрачней и ниже тучи опускаются над морем, и поют, и рвутся волны к высоте навстречу грому.
Гром грохочет. В пене гнева стонут волны, с ветром споря. Вот охватывает ветер стаи волн объятьем крепким и бросает их с размаху в дикой злобе на утёсы, разбивая в пыль и брызги изумрудные громады.
Буревестник с криком реет, чёрной молнии подобный, как стрела пронзает тучи, пену волн крылом срывает.
Вот он носится, как демон, — гордый, чёрный демон бури, — и смеётся, и рыдает... Он над тучами смеётся, он от радости рыдает!
В гневе грома, — чуткий демон, — он давно усталость слышит, он уверен, что не скроют тучи солнца, — нет, не скроют!
Ветер воет... Гром грохочет...
Синим пламенем пылают стаи туч над бездной моря. Море ловит стрелы молний и в своей пучине гасит. Точно огненные змеи, вьются в море, исчезая, отраженья этих молний.
— Буря! Скоро грянет буря!
Это смелый Буревестник гордо реет между молний над ревущим гневно морем; то кричит пророк победы:
— Пусть сильнее грянет буря!..
....or, in English.....
Over the gray plain of the sea the wind gathers storm-clouds. Between the clouds and the sea proudly soars the stormy petrel, as a streak of black lightning.
Now the waves on wingtip touching, now as an arrow soaring to the clouds, he screams, and — the clouds hear joy in the bird's proud cry.
In that cry — the lust of the storm! The power of anger, flame of passion and certainty in victory hear the clouds in that cry.
The seagulls groan before the storm, — groan, toss over the sea and are ready to dive their terror to its depths.
And the loons also whimper, — the loons cannot attain joy of life's struggle: thunder of lightning-bolts frightens them.
The stupid penguin cowardly hides blubber in the rocks ... only the proud stormy petrel soars bold and free over the grey sea froth!
Ever darker and lower clouds drop to the sea, waves singing and rending the heights to meet the thunder.
Thunder rumbles. In pounding anger moan the waves, fighting the wind. See the wind grab waves in a lockhold, and in wild fury, throw them on the rocks, smashing emerald masses to drops and mist.
The stormy petrel soars with a scream, a streak of black lightning, as an arrow pierces the clouds, on wing-tip slicing the wave froth.
See him hover, like a demon — proud, black demon of the storm — he laughs, and cries ... he laughs atop the clouds, he cries with joy!
In the froth of anger — clever demon, — he has long heard weariness, he knows that the clouds won't cut the sun — no, the sun will triumph!
The wind roars ... Thunder rumbles ...
As a blue flame burn clouds over the sea's abyss. The sea catches arrows of lightning and snuffs them in her depths. As snakes of fire howling in the deep vanish those reflections.
— The storm! Soon will break the storm!
The bold stormy petrel proudly flies between the lightning and the frothing anger of the sea; now screams the prophet of victory:
— Let the storm burst forth in all fury!

[sd gross]

:apls::birthday:BORN ON MARCH 29th.....(a skinny list today....)
1790 John Tyler, born in Virginia, 10th President, 1841-1845
Never got over being"and Tyler, too...." (after Tippecanoe)
Six people were killed when a cannon exploded during a firing exhibition attended by Tyler on February 28, 1844

1867 Cy Young, born in Gilmore, Ohio, pitcher, 511 wins, 1890 - 1911

1906 E Power Biggs, Westcliff-on-Sea England, organist/composer, CBS
spent too much time playing with his organ.

1916 Eugene J. McCarthy, born in Watkins, Minnesota, Senator-D-Minnesota, President candidate 1968
How different the world might have been...

1917 Man O'War, racehorse, winner of 20 out of 21 races and $249,465
In the early 1900s, there were no starting gates. Horses circled around and then lined up behind a piece of webbing known as the barrier and were sent away when it was raised.[6] In Man o' War's only loss, the Sanford Memorial Stakes, he still was circling with his back to the starting line when the barrier was raised.

1918 Pearl Bailey, born in Newport News, Virginia, singer, Hello Dolly
"You never find yourself until you face the truth".
1943 Eric Idle, born in England, comedian and actor, Monty Python

[sd gross]

:welcome::birthday: Welcomed into the World on April 1

1949 Gil Scott-Heron (born April 1, 1949) is an American poet, musician, and author known primarily for his late 1970s and early 1980s work as a spoken word performer
1948 The Honourable Jimmy Cliff, OM (born James Chambers, is a Jamaican ska and reggae singer, musician, and actor
1946 Ronnie Lane, born in London, rock bassist, Small Faces
1932 Debbie Reynolds, born in El Paso, Texas, dumped by Eddie Fisher in 1959 for the late Liz Taylor. She still "hears the cottonwoods whispering above)
1927 Amos Milburn, born in Houston, Texas, rocker, blues singer, pianist, played rhythm and blues, boogie-woogie, important figure in the history of blues musicianship
1920 Toshiro Mifune, born in Tsing-tao, China, writer and actor, Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood, Yojimbo
1915 Willy Dixon, blues artist, Mellow Down Easy
1909 Eddie Duchin, born in Massachusetts, society pianist and bandleader, Eddie Duchin Orchestra
1905 Clara "Mother" Hale, U.S. social worker, Hale House
1901 Whittaker Chambers, American Writer, active Communist and Soviet spy
1895 Alberta Hunter, blues singer and composer, Downhearted Blues
1883 Lon Chaney, CO, man of 1000 faces, actor, High Noon, Phantom of Opera
1873 Sergei Rachmaninoff, born in Novgorod, Russia, composer, Prelude in C# Minor
1815 Otto Von Bismarck, Germany, chancellor, 1866 - 1890
1809 Nikolai Gogol, Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol (31 March 1809 – 4 March 1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian humorist, dramatist, and novelist.
That's "Gogol", not "GOOGLE"!
1732 Franz Josef Haydn, born in Austria, composer, Die Schopfung
1578 William Harvey, born in England, physician, discovered blood circulation

[sd gross]

:lotsopeople::Luster::beatingheart: (FOLKS BORN ON APRIL 2nd WHO YOU MAY NOT CARE ABOUT!)
1947 Emmylou Harris, born in Birmingham, Alabama,collaborated with Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler, Warren Zevon, L. Ronstadt, D. Parton, Elvis C., The Band and many more.
I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham
I would hold my life in his saving grace.
I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham
If I thought I could see, I could see your face.
—"Boulder to Birmingham" lyrics by Emmylou Harris

1945 Linda Hunt, born in Morristown, New Jersey. She is perhaps best known for her Academy Award-winning role in 1982's The Year of Living Dangerously, in which, with her 4'9" frame, she mud wrestled and easily bested 6'9" Sigourney Weaver.

1943 Larry Coryell, born in Galveston, Texas, jazz guitarist, whose band I had the good fortune to see at Winterland in S.F., along with Electric Flag and Cream, with the music easing off at 4:35 a.m. the next morning.

1941 Leon Russell, born in Lawton, Kansas, pianist and singer, "Carny", (great flick with Gary Busey, Jodie Foster, and Robbie Robertson), who I saw at Luther Burbank Center, dueting with Johnny Winter. From the balcony they looked like Pac Man.

1939 Marvin Gaye, American Musician, too much to say, and although I myself heard it on the grapevine, if you really want to know what's goin' on, there's no mountain high enough to keep you from finding out yourself.



1920 Jack Webb, born in Santa Monica, California, actor, Joe Friday-Dragnet, married to Julie London, & three others. "Just gathering the fax"

1914 Alec Guinness de Cuffe aka Alec Guinness, born in London, England, British actor, played Obi-Wan Kenobi in "Bridge on River Kwai" and played 8 roles in "Kind Hearts and Coronets"

1908 Buddy Ebsen, born in Belleville, Illinois, actor, Beverly Hillbillies, Barnaby Jones

1891 Max Ernst, born in Germany, painter and sculptor, founded surrealism

1875 Walter Chrysler, founded car company, Chrysler

1840 Emile Zola, born in France, novelist, Nana, J'Accuse
1834 Frederic-Auguste Bertholdi, born in France, sculptor, Statue of Liberty

1817 Teodulo Mabellini, composer, born. Pistoia, Italy
Inspired Chuck Berry tune about chasin girlfriend in a "V-8 Fo'd"

1805 Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark, author of 150 fairy tales

1725 Giacomo Casanova, writer, author, adventurer, book, 'Histoire de ma vie', or, 'History of My Life', profiles customs of 18th century European social life

742 Charlemagne, 1st Holy Roman emperor, 800-14

[sd gross]

APRIL THIRD -LET'S GIVE 'EM A CHEER!
:Clap::thanks::banana::birthday::cheerleader:

1949
Richard Thompson, vocalist and guitarist, Shoot Out the Lights
Integral part of Fairport Convention who also has been lucky enough to record with his wife Linda

1945
Richard Manuel born in Strafford, Ontario was a Canadian composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his contributions to and membership in The Band.rock pianist and vocalist, Band-Up on Cripple Creek

1942
Wayne Newton, born in Roanoke, Virginia, singer, Danke Schon
Discreetly had himself successfully cloned, and his clone's name (YOU ALL KNOW HER!) is K. D. Lang (Take a look - you'll see!)

1934
Jane Goodall, born in London, England, ethologist, studied African chimps
(Secretly gave birth to a half-English, 1/2 bonobo baby which was adopted by a wealthy couple in Delft)

1926
Virgil(Gus)Grissom, born in Mitchell, Indiana, Lieutenant Colonel USAF/astronaut, Merc 4, Gemini 3 An "Original" and a very spacey guy who subsequently gave his life for his Country.

1924
Doris Day, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, singer, animal rights activist, still kickin' it at 89! actress, Pillow Talk, Love Me or Leave Me, The Man Who Knoew Too Much "I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin" says Oscar Levant. Doris' response to the nervous chainsmoking piano player, "Que Sera Sera"
1924
Marlon Brando, born in Omaha, Nebraska, actor, Superman, Godfather, On the Waterfront, Streetcar Named Desire, Last Tango in Maria Schneider, Sayonara, Julius Caesar....and more!
Acting is the expression of a neurotic impulse. It's a bum's life…The principal benefit acting has afforded me is the money to pay for my psychoanalysis.
Some choice Brando Quotes
Marlon Brando
An actor's a guy who, if you ain't talking about him, he ain't listening.
Marlon Brando
I could've been a contender. I could've had class and been somebody.
Marlon Brando
Playing Terry Mallon in On The Waterfront
I don't mind that I'm fat. You still get the same money.
Marlon Brando
I don't think it's the nature of any man to be monogamous. Men are propelled by genetically ordained impulses over which they have no control to distribute their seed.
Marlon Brando
I hate rock and roll. It's ugly.
Marlon Brando
I have eyes like those of a dead pig.
Marlon Brando
I just want to be normally insane.
Marlon Brando
If we are not our brother's keeper, at least let us not be his executioner.
Marlon Brando
I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.
Marlon Brando
Playing Vito Corleone in The Godfather

1916
Herb Caen, born in Sacramento, California, columnist, SF Chronicle
Once gave my verse a whole paragraph and called me "Master of Shaggy Doggerel"


1904
Iron Eyes Cody, Cody was born as Espera Oscar de Corti in Kaplan, Louisiana, a son of Antonio de Corti and his wife, Francesca Salpietra, immigrants from Sicily, Italy. ,
Cody was listed as Tony de Corti.He later changed his name to Tony Cody, and from then on lived his life as if he were of indigenous descent, Black Gold, Ernest Goes to Camp


1898
Henry R. Luce, born in Tengchow, China, publisher, rich guy. "Time" was on his side along with much "Fortune" gracing his "Life", not to mention "Sports Illustrated" and Clare Boothe Luce
The son of Elizabeth Middleton (née Root) and Henry Winters Luce, who was a Presbyterian missionary, he received his education in various Chinese and English boarding schools.



1837
John Burroughs, writer/nature enthusiast, Burroughs Medal namesake
John Burroughs (April 3, 1837 – March 29, 1921) was an American naturalist and essayist important in the evolution of the U.S. conservation movement.
Burroughs' special identity was less that of a scientific naturalist than that of "a literary naturalist with a duty to record his own unique perceptions of the natural world."

1823
William Macy "Boss" Tweed, corrupt political boss, New York City
William Magear Tweed, widely known as "Boss" Tweed – was an American politician most notable for being the "boss" of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine that dictated everything political in 19th century New York City and State. At the height of his influence, Tweed was the third-largest landowner in New York City, /Users/admin/Desktop/237px-Boss_Tweed,_Nast.jpg


1783
Washington Irving, born in Sunnyside, N.Y., wrote Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Rip Van Winkle. Irving, along with James Fenimore Cooper, was among the first American writers to earn acclaim among those stiffs in Europe, and he encouraged American authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Edgar Allan Poe to come and teach the Euro Trash the difference between a pit and a Pendleton.

1720
Elia van Vilnius, Elijahu ben Salomo Zalman, Latvian rabbi

1593
George Herbert, English metaphysical poet, 5 Mystical Songs
From "Easter"
The Sunne arising in the East,
Though he give light, and th’ East perfume ;
If they should offer to contest
With thy arising, they presume.

Can there be any day but this,
Though many sunnes to shine endeavour ?
We count three hundred, but we misse :
There is but one, and that one ever.

[sd gross]

APRIL FOURTH IS EMERGENCE DAY FOR THE FOLLOWING::tiphat::curtsey::yippee::fireworks::pant:

1976
Alicia Silverstone, b. San Francisco, "Clueless" actress,. Screaming, Crushing, and Battering her way into America's hearts - just to break them into little pieces.

1973
David Blaine, born in Brooklyn, New York, illusionist, endurance artist, considered a modern-day Houdini, first television special titled, 'David Blaine; Street Magic.
Obviously has an intense love-hate relationship with himself'

1956
David Edward Kelley born April 4, 1956 in Waterville, Maine is an American screenwriter and television producer, best known as the creator of Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal and Harry's Law, as well as several films.

1939
Hugh Masekela, born in Wilbank, South Africa, trumpeter, I Am Not Afraid

1938
Peter Attenborough, British headmaster, Charterhouse

1932
Anthony Perkins, born in New York City, actor, Psycho, Fear Strikes Out, Pretty Poison The Bates Motel, and also run by Norman, the Hotel California (..."but you can never leave!


1928
Maya Angelou, born in St. Louis, poet and actress,Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4, 1928) is an American author and poet who has been called "America's most visible black female autobiographer"
"Achievement brings its own anticlimax" M. Angelou.

1926
Cloris Leachman, born in Des Moines, Iowa, actress, Phyllis, High Anxiety

1924
Gil Hodges, baseball player/manager, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Mets
Ethical guy - set a good example.

1915
Muddy Waters, b.Jugs Corner, Issaquena County, Mississippi, aka McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913[1] – April 30, 1983), known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the Father of modern Chicago blues.
"I rambled all the time. I was just like that, like a rollin' stone."
M. M.
"I been in the blues all my life. I'm still delivering 'cause I got a long memory."
M. M.

1895
Arthur Murray, dancer and dance teacher, born Podhajce, Kingdom of Galicia, Austro-Hungarian Empire, dancer, Arthur Murray Dance Party
His pupils include Eleanor Roosevelt, the Duke of Windsor, John D. Rockefeller Jr., Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, Barbara Hutton, Elizabeth Arden, Manuel L. Quezon, and Jack Dempsey.

1888
Tris Speaker, "The Grey Eagle", born Hubbard, TX, was considered one of the best offensive and defensive center fielders in the history of Major League Baseball, he compiled a career batting average of .345 (fourth all-time), and still holds the record of 792 career doubles.
His fielding glove was known as the place "where triples go to die.

1881
Charles Funk, born in Ohio, Encylopediest, Funk and Wagnalls.
Today "funk" means, a strong, offensive smell, a state of nervous depression, fetid, having the soulful feeling of early Blues

1826
Zenobe Theophile Gramme, Born Jehay-Bodegnée, Belgium. Belgian inventor, electric motor

1821
Linus Yale, Salisbury, NY portrait painter and inventor, Avoided spreading Philly on his locks, although the US mint in Philly did use his locks. Invented Yale cylinder lock

1802
Dorothea Dix, U.S., aroused interest in (treatment of) mental inmates. How can you blame them - she was pretty cute!

188
Lucius Septimius Bassianus aka Caracalla, aka Marcus Aureiius Antoniius, ruled jointly with his younger brother Geta until he murdered the latter in 211. Caracalla is remembered as one of the most notorious emperors because of the massacres and persecutions he authorized throughout the empire. Roman emperor, 211-17

[sd gross]

:lurk::hugs::Pocketwlk::Pocketwlk::Pocketwlk::Pocketwlk::Pocketwlk:

APRIL FIFTH HAS IT"S SHARE OF THOSE DESERVING ACCOLADES

1951
Dean Kamen, born in Rockville Centre, New York, inventor, entrepreneur, created the Segway, the AutoSyringe - a mobile dialysis system, and the insulin pump.
It's obvious from whence he drew his inspiration. His Dad was an illustrator for Mad Magazine.

1950
Agnetha Faltskog, born in Stockholm, Sweden, rocker, ABBA-Waterloo
How many groups have palindromic names? I have no idea. Write me at sdgross@sonic,net

1941
Dave Swarbrick, rocker, Fairport Convention

1941
David LaFlamme, born in Utah, electric violinist, It's a Beautiful Day

1941
Eric Burdon, born in England, rocker, Animals-House of the Rising Sun

1937
Colin Powell, born in Bronx, New York, general and Secretary of State

1934
Stanley Turrentine, jazz saxophonist, Wonderland

1933
Frank Gorshin, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, comedian and impersonator, Riddler-Batman

1926
Ann B. Davis, actress, Alice-Brady Bunch

1922
Josephine Owaissa Cottle aka Gale Storm, born in Bloomington, Texas, actress. My Little Margie was a replacement for I Love Lucy which ran 126 episodes - The Gale Storm Show ran 143!

1920
Arthur Hailey, Luton England, novelist, Hotel, Airport

1916
Gregory Peck, born in La Jolla, California, actor, To Kill a Mockingbird, MacArthur
"There we were, hundreds of us lined up, waving at the great man as he tipped his hat to us. And that is the extent of my acquaintance with Albert Einstein."
Gregory Peck

1911
Goddard Lieberson, Hanley Staffordshire England, recording executive

1908
Bette Davis, born in Lowell, Massachusetts, famous eyes, Of Human Bondage, Jezebel
"Gay Liberation? I ain't against it, it's just that there's nothing in it for me."
Bette Davis

1901
Alexander Alexeieff, Alexandre Alexieff); April 18, 1901 – August 9, 1982) was a Russian-born artist, filmmaker and illustrator who lived and worked mainly in Paris. He and his second wife Claire Parker (1910–1981) are credited with inventing the pinscreen as well as the animation technique totalization.Russian/French painter and graphic artist. Also created "The Night Scotsman" poster for Londan & Northeast Railway (I own one!!)

1901
Spencer Tracy, born in Milwaukee, Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American theatrical and film actor, who appeared in 75 films from 1930 to 1967. “I'm disappointed in acting as a craft. I want everything to go back to Orson Welles and fake noses and changing your voice. It's become so much about personality.”-S.Tracy

1899
Alfred Blalock, Alfred Blalock (April 5, 1899 – September 15, 1964) was a 20th-century American surgeon most noted for his research on the medical condition of shock and the development of the Blalock-Taussig Shunt, (relief from blue baby syndrome)

1856
Booker Taliaferro Washington (April 5, 1856 – November 14, 1915) was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915.

1838
Alpheus Hyatt,b.Wash D.C., invertebrate paleontologist He and a colleague founded American Naturalist and he became a professor of paleontology and zoology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1870, where he taught for eighteen years, and was professor of biology and zoology at Boston University

1837
Algernon Charles Swinburne (London, April 5, 1837 - London, April 10, 1909) was an English poet, playwright, novelist, and critic. He invented the roundel form, wrote several novels, and was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in every year from 1903-1907 and again in 1909

1830
Alexander Muir, born in Lesmahagow Scotland, Muir's main claim to fame was the song The Maple Leaf Forever, composed in 1867 to celebrate the Confederation of Canada.

1649
Elihu Yale, England, philanthropist(?!) founded Yale Univ. Yale amassed a fortune in his lifetime, largely through secret contracts with Madras merchants, against the East India Company's directive. Yale U.'s nickname is "The Eli"

[sd gross]

:partyindahouse::toast::birthday:
Today April 6th is a busy day for me, as it was for the mothers of all the following people.
I'll fill in more details late this afternoon.
s

1937 Billy Dee Williams, born in Harlem New York City, actor, Chiefs, Empire Strikes Back
1937 Merle Haggard, Bakersfield, California, country singer, Death Valley Days

1931 Richard Alpert aka Ram Dass, born in Boston. American Psychologist.
is an American contemporary spiritual teacher, and author of the seminal 1971 book Be Here Now.

1929 "Crazy" Joe Gallo, mobster What I love about him is Dylan's song, "Joey" on Desire.
The police department hounded him, they called him Mr. Smith
They got him on conspiracy, they were never sure who with
"What time is it" said the judge to Joey when they met
"Five to ten" said Joey. The judge says, "That's exactly what you get".B. Dylan

1929 Andre Previn, born in Berlin, Germany, conductor London Symphony, and pianist

1927 Gerry Mulligan, British saxophonist and orchestra leader, Jazz on a Summer Day

1914 George Reeves, born in Ashland, Kentucky, actor, Superman, 'Gone With the Wind'

1903 Harold Edgerton, foremost high-speed photographer
1903 Mickey Cochrane, baseball hall of fame catcher, .320 avg

1892 Lowell Thomas, born in Woodington, Ohio, newscaster, High Adventure

1890 Anthony Herman Gerard Fokker, born in Holland, aircraft pioneer, Spider

1884 Walter Huston, actor, Maltese Falcon, Treasure of Sierra Madre

1866 Butch Cassidy, U.S. desperado, Wild Bunch Passage
1866 Joseph Lincoln Steffens, muckraker and journalist, Shame of the Cities

1806 Elizabeth Barrett-Browning, poet. Elizabeth Barrett Moulton Barrett was born on 6 March 1806, in Coxhoe Hall, between the villages of Coxhoe and Kelloe in County Durham, England. Barrett Browning's first known poem was written at the age of six or eight, "On the Cruelty of Forcement to Man."

1741 Nicolas de Chamfort, born in Clermont-Ferrand, France, known for aphorisms and witty epigrams, wrote successful comedy, 'La Jeune Indienne'
Contemplation often makes life miserable. We should act more, think less, and stop watching ourselves live.
Nicolas de Chamfort

[sd gross]

APRIL SEVENTH - Some Winners :tiphat::here:- Some High Achievers :Mr.Natural:- A Few Jerks:knocked:


1964 Russell Crowe, born in Wellington, New Zealand, actor, musician, Academy-Award winning film, 'Gladiator', films include, 'L.A. Confidential', 'A Beautiful Mind'

1951 Janis Ian, born in New York City, outspoken and assertive folk rocker, At 17

1939 David Frost, born in Tenterdon, England, TV host, That Was the Week That Was

1939 Francis Ford Coppola, born in Detroit, director, Godfather, Apocalypse Now

1938 Freddie Hubbard, born in Indianapolis, jazz trumpeter, Art Blakey

1938 Jerry Brown, California Governor 1974 - 1983 and 2011 -He has previously served as Attorney General of California
(2007–2011), Mayor of Oakland (1999–2007), chairman of the California Democratic Party (1989–1991), California Secretary of State (1971–1975), and a member of the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees (1969–1971), and his greatest accomplishment, he dated Linda Ronstadt

1931 Daniel Ellsberg Ph. D., who learned how to properly blow a whistle, is a former United States military analyst who, while employed by the RAND Corporation, precipitated a national political controversy in 1971 when he released the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret Pentagon study of US government decision-making in relation to the Vietnam War, to The New York Times and other newspapers. He was awarded the Right Livelihood Award in 2006

1928 Alan J. Pakula, director, All the President's Men, Klute

1928 James Garner, born in Norman, Oklahoma, actor, Rockford Files, My favorite Maverick. Bret Maverick

1927 Babatunde Olatunji, Nigerian Musician. Performed with Herbie Mann at the Half Note in NYC, studied economics at NYU, easygoing, pleasant and amazingly talented. Also played the Health & Harmony Fest in Santa Rosa

1920 Ravi Shankar, born in Varanasi, India, winner of countless awards, sitar player, described as the best known contemporary Indian musician

1918 Peanuts Hucko, born in Syracuse (where Aunt Gladys raised her miniature Schnauzers), New York, dixieland clarinetist, Lawrence Welk Show Another name too rich to ignore.

1915 Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan,[1] April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Was last seen rolling over, after D. Ross's horrible portrayal of her in "Lady Sings the Blues"

1912 John Adrian Hope, politician and businessman

1908 Percy Faith, conductor, Summer Place
Are you kidding? How could I leave out hope and faith?

1897 Walter Winchell, born in Harlem, New York City, newscaster and columnist, Winchell, who was Jewish, was one of the first commentators in America to attack Adolf Hitler and American pro-fascist and pro-Nazi organizations such as the German-American Bund.Inventor of the Gossip Column, he hung with gangsters as well as Jedgar Hooover.

1896 Benny Leonard, The "Ghetto Wizard", as he was known, was born and raised in the Jewish ghetto, which was then located in the lower east side of Manhattan, New York City, on whose streets he learned to fight.
Known for his speed, excellent boxing technique and ability to think fast on his feet, he also was a hard hitter, who scored 70 KOs out of his 183 wins.lightweight boxing champ, 1917-25

1893 Allan W. Dulles, U.S. diplomat and CIA head 1953-61, Germany's Underground
"At least we're getting the kind of experience we need for the next war."
Allen Dulles

1893 Irene Castle, dancer, Vernon and Irene Castle were a husband-and-wife team of ballroom dancers of the early 20th century. They are credited with invigorating the popularity of modern dancing. Leader in anti-vivisection movement

1890 Marjory Stoneman Douglas b. Minneapolis, (April 7, 1890 – May 14, 1998) was an American journalist, writer, feminist, and environmentalist known for her staunch defense of the Everglades against efforts to drain it and reclaim land for development. environmentalist, 1st Lady of Everglades

1882 Bert "Dainty" Ironmonger, cricketer, belated Australian rep 1928-33
How could I leave out ol' Dainty Ironmonger?!

1873 John McGraw, born in Truxton, New York, MLB player and manager of the New York Giants, nicknamed 'Little Napoleon'

1860 Will Keith Kellogg, born in America, vegetarian, founder of Kellogg Company, pioneered process of making flaked cereal, promoted corn flakes, raised Arabians near Pomona, and in 1932, Kellogg donated the ranch, which had grown to 750 acres (3 km²), to the University of California. During World War II, the ranch was taken over by the U.S. War Department and was known as the Pomona Quartermaster Depot (Remount).

1859 Walter Camp, New Britain, Connecticut, Walter Chauncey Camp (April 7, 1859 – March 14, 1925) was an American football player, coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of American Football".father of American football, Yale

1775 Francis C. Lowell, born in Newburyport Mass., after whom the city of Lowell, Mass. is named, and who was instrumental in bringing the Industrial Revolution to the United States.founded 1st raw cotton-to-cloth textile mill

1770 William Wordsworth, born in Cockermouth, England, poet laureate, a major English Romantic poet who, with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped to launch the Romantic Age in English literature.

[sd gross]

:Clap::hilarious::partyindahouse::birthday::Violinist:April 8 ....And Here They Are!

1963 Julian Lennon, John's son and singer, Too Late for Goodbyes
His dad would have wanted us to mention him.

1946 Jim "Catfish" Hunter, major-league pitcher, A's, Yankees
Had the honor of having Nob Dylan write a song about him. Named "Catfish" by Boss Finley for color & spice

1944 Santiago Jimenez, Jr., U.S. accordionist, Flaco's brother, who performed in Cotati at the Accordion FestEl Mero Mero, Viva Seguin

1925 Shecky Greene, born in Chicago, Illinois, comedian/actor, said about Shecky, "This is the most beautiful human being God ever created, and I shall love him till my eyes close."

1921 Betty Ford, 1st lady, 1975-76, married a footballer from Michigan and gave her name to the Betty Ford Clinic

1920 Carmen McRae, Clark, U.S. jazz singer/pianist, Dream of Life

1912 Sonja Henie, born in Oslo, Norway, ice skater/actress, Gold Medals 1928, 1932, 1936 Olympics

1893 Mary Pickford, (April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979) was a Toronto-born motion picture actress, co-founder of the film studio United Artists and one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. And she and her buddy Doug lived in a very nice house

1798 Dionysios Solomos (Greek: Διονύσιος Σολωμός, 8 April 1798 - 9 February 1857) was a Greek poet from Zakynthos best known for writing the Hymn to Liberty.
"Though watchful Hell's always out to get you,
it has none but a distant dominion
far from Paradise, and you have in you
a place in your heart--hear it yearning?"
1783 John Claudius, born in Cambuslang, Scotland John Claudius Loudon (8 April 1783 – 14 December 1843) was a botanist, garden and cemetery designer, author and horticulturist

1731 William Williams, U.S. merchant signed Declaration of Independence

1726 Lewis Morris, U.S. farmer signed Declaration of Independence

1460 Ponce (pronounce it like a Castillian!) de Leon, Spain, searched for fountain of youth, found Florida

[sd gross]

APRIL NINTH - WOULDN'T IT BE FUN TO HAVE THEM ALL TO A BACKYARD BBQ?
:bbq::lotsopeople::cheerleader::bettyboopcook:

1954 Dennis Quaid, born in Houston, Texas, actor, Big Easy, Dreamscape, Right Stuff. There's just too many Quaids, Arquettes and Baldwins.

1944 Gene Parsons, rock drummer, Byrds, Gene Clark Group

1942 Brandon De Wilde, born in Brooklyn, New York, actor, Jamie, Wild in the Sky. No matter how loud he yelled, he never could get Shane to "come back".

1935 Avery Schreiber, born in Chicago, Illinois, comedian, My Mother the Car. Burns & Schreiber's "Cab Driver and Conventioneer" the best comedy bit EVER!

1933 Jean-Paul Belmondo, born in Paris, France, actor, Casino Royale, Magnifique. Born with ciggie glued to lower lip. One of the two movie guys whose characters I always wanted to be (the other was Marcello Mastroiani)

1932 Carl Perkins, born in Jackson, Tennessee, singer and songwriter, Blue Suede Shoes"...you can do anythang...!"

1932 Jim Fowler, born in Albany, Georgia, naturalist, Wild Kingdom
"Almost all these hotspots around the world, most have been destroyed to the point where there is no wildlife and very little of the natural world left."

1932 Paul Krassner, comic strip cartoonist, MAD Magazine, and founder, Yippies, founder The Realist, certified Marry Prankster. said, “Pope John Paul would be more popular if he called himself Pope John Paul George and Ringo”

1928 Tom Lehrer, parody and folk singer, That Was The Week That Was
"Poisoning Pigeons in the Park"

1926 Hugh Hefner, born in Chicago, magazine publisher, Playboy
Known for sucking on pipe while wearing robe.

1920 Art Van Damme, born in Norway, Michigan, jazz accordionist, worked with Dinah Shore and Dave Garroway, won Downbeat awards. "Lady of Oslo"

1910 Abraham A. Ribicoff, born in New Britain, Connecticut, He served in the United States Congress, as the 65th Governor of Connecticut (1955-1961) and as President John F. Kennedy's Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Senator-D-Connecticut 1963 - 1981.

1905 J. William Fulbright, born in Sumner, Missouri, Fulbright was a Southern Democrat (D-Arkansas 1945 - 1974) and a staunch multilateralist who supported the creation of the United Nations.

1903 Ward Bond, born in Denver, Colorado, actor, Seth-Wagon Trains

1903 Willem Pee, Belgian linguist. Embarrassed by his name, he had it changed to Wayne Pee. Was not the author of "Urine the Money"

1898 Paul Leroy Robeson, born in Philadelphia (April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976) was an African-American concert singer (bass-baritone), recording artist, athlete and actor who became noted for his political radicalism and activism in the civil rights movement.singer. His version of "Old Man River" knocked folks' sox off.

1888 Solomon Izrailevich Gurkov aka Sol Hurok, theatrical impresario managed many major performing artists, including Marian Anderson, Van Cliburn, Isadora Duncan, Emil Gilels, Jerome Hines, David Oistrakh, Anna Pavlova, Jan Peerce, Andres Segovia, Svyatoslav Richter, Mstislav Rostropovich, Arthur Rubinstein, Isaac Stern, bringing to Carnegie Hall, among others, the First Moog Quartet.

1865 Charles Proteus Steinmetz, born in Germany, a German-American mathematician and electrical engineer. He fostered the development of alternating current experiment with AC electricity

1830 Eadweard Muybridge, born in Kingston, England, is known for his pioneering work on animal locomotion which used multiple cameras to capture motion. Also known for his cleverly spelled, pronunciation-defying first name.

1821 Charles Baudelaire, born in Paris, France, was a French poet who also produced notable work as an essayist, art critic, and pioneering translator of Edgar Allan Poe. Displayed an awareness of individual moral complexity, an interest in vice (linked with decadence) and refined sensual and aesthetical pleasures. Flowers of Evil

1798 Giuditta Pasta, soprano, born in Saronno,She caused a sensation in Paris in 1821-22, where the immense range of her voice and her dramatic gifts were matched by poignancy of expression. Heard after one performance, "You can never have too much Pasta"

[sd gross]

April 10 Birthdays - Would you let any of them marry YOUR daughter?
:dancingrose::here::beatingheart:

1959 Brian Setzer, born in Massapequa Park, New York, rock guitarist and vocalist, Stray Cats

1958 Ken Griffy, baseball player, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees

1951 Steven Seagal, born in Detroit, Michigan, actor, Above the Law, Hard to Kill

1947 Bunny Waller, vocalist and percussionist, Bob Marley and Wailers
(I hear it's the year of the Hare - specifically, dreadlocks. Irie.)

1941 Paul Theroux, American travel book writer, Mosquito Coast

1938 Don Meredith, born in Mount Vernon, Texas, NFL quarterback, Cowboys, and Monday Night Football

1936 John Madden, NFL coach for the Oakland Raiders/sports commentator, CBS, FOX

1934 David Halberstam, born in New York City, journalist, author, Pulitzer Prize winner, wrote about the Vietnam War

1929 Max Von Sydow, born in Lund, Sweden, actor, Hawaii, Exorcist, Dune, Dreamscape. Played chess with Death in "The Seventh Seal"

1926 "Alvin" Junior Samples, born in Cummings, Georgia, country singer, Hee Haw

1921 Chuck Connors, born in Brooklyn, New York, actor, Rifleman, Branded, Cowboy in Africa

1921 Sheb Wooley, born in Erick, Oklahoma, vocalist, Purple People Eater, Hee Haw

1915 Harry Morgan, born in Detroit, Michigan, actor, December Bride, M*A*S*H, Dragnet. Was Friday's Friday. His intuitiveness led to founding of (along with Tonto, Robin, Kato and Gabby Hayes, the Sidekick Hotline.

1903 Clare Boothe Luce (April 10, 1903, New York City – October 9, 1987, Washington D.C.) was an American playwright, editor, journalist, ambassador, socialite and U.S. Congresswoman, representing the state of Connecticut. U.S. ambassador, to Vatican

1880 Frances Perkins, 1st woman to hold cabinet-level position, Labor

1847 Joseph Pulitzer, born in Hungary, publisher, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, New York World

1829 William Booth, founder, Salvation Army

1797 Claude Ambroise Seurat, born in Troyes, France, ("He's so skinny he could lie under a clothesline and not get sunburned!") World's skinniest man was presented by fairground attraction as "man-living skeleton" because of its extreme thinness. According to contemporary testimony of William Hone, he measured five feet, seven and a half inches (1.71 m) for 78 pounds (35 kg) [1] , another contemporary account gives as other measures of size " five feet three inches and weighing only forty-three pounds.

1794 Matthew Calbraith Perry, Commodore of the U.S. Navy who compelled the opening of Japan to the West with the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854.

[sd gross]

APRIL 12th - A Few Good Men, A Few Amazing Women, and One Very Large Horse!
:lotsopeople::cheerleader::cheerleader::dancing2::dancinggirl::bellydancer::Luster::kitty:

1947 David Letterman, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, tells jokes written by people he pays to do so. Late Night

1947 Tom Clancy, American Novelist

1946 Ed O'Neill, actor, Al Bundy-Married with Children

1944 Joachim F Krauledat aka John Kay, born to be wild in Tilsit, Lithuania. rock vocalist, Steppenwolf Pusher, Magic Carpet Ride, Monster)is there a message here?)

1944 Karel Kryl, born in Kromenz, Czechoslovakia, folk singer, songwriter, guitarist, wrote protest songs critical of the Communist regime

1942 Frank Bank, born in Hollywood California, actor, Lumpy-Leave it to Beaver

1931 Martin Boykan, composer, professor, studied at Harvard, Yale, awarded Fulbright Fellowship, Guggenheim Fellowship, studied with Edward Steuermann, Aaron Copeland

1930 Bryan Magee, born in Hoxton, England, broadcaster, author, politician, presented current affairs television show This Week, made philosophy accessible with his 'Men of Ideas' television series

1928 Brooklyn Supreme, born in Belgium, stallion, heaviest known horse, 1450 kgBelgian draft horse Brooklyn Supreme of the 1930s stood
19.2 hands high, weighed 3,200 pounds, measured 10' 2" around,
took a 40" collar, and required 30" of iron to make one shoe.

1925 Tiny Tim, Herbert Khaury, singer, born in NYC, left-handed Ukelele stroker, sang in falsetto, got married to Miss Vicky on the Johnny Carson Show, Tiptoe Through the Tulips

1923 Johnnie Lucille Collier aka Ann Miller, Cherino, Texas, dancer. At the age of 13 Miller had been hired as a dancer in the "Black Cat Club" in San Francisco (she reportedly told them she was 18). It was there she was discovered by Lucille Ball, who could never explain to Ricky just what the Hell she was doing in a place like The Black Cat Club

1919 Lady Ricketts, CEO, National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux (She'll tell you where to get off - and get on.)

1912 Herbert Mills, singer, b. Piqua, Ohio.The Mills Brothers, sometimes billed as The Four Mills Brothers, were an American jazz and pop vocal quartet of the 20th century who made more than 2,000 recordings that combined sold more than 50 million copies, and garnered at least three dozen gold records

1903 Jan Tinbergen, Dutch economist and U.N. advisor, Nobel 1969

1884 Otto Meyerhof, Hildesheim, Germany, physicist, psychologist/biochemist, Nobel-1922

1883 Imogen Cunningham (April 12, 1883 – June 24, 1976) Born in Portland, Ore. was an American photographer known for her photography of botanicals, nudes and industry.photographer, 1965 ASMP award

1878 Richard B. Goldschmidt, German and U.S. zoologist (born April 12, Frankfurt am Main—died April 24, 1958, Berkeley, Calif., U.S.), German-born U.S. zoologist and geneticist. His experimental work in genetics led to the recognition that genes control important factors in embryonic development and thus in evolution.

1777 Henry Clay, the Great Compromiser, Henry Clay, Sr. (April 12, 1777 – June 29, 1852), B. Hanover Cty, Va., was a 19th-century American planter, statesman and orator who represented Kentucky in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, where he served as Speaker. He also served as Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829.

[sd gross]

APRIL 16TH - A FEW VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE
:whip::smooch::Luster:
1933
Elizabeth Montgomery, born in Los Angeles, California, actress, Samantha/Serena-Bewitched
(I remember thinking, as a kid, how hot it would be to have a girlfriend who was a Witch!)
1933
Roy Clark, born in Meherrin, Virginia, country singer, Hee Haw

Florian Zabach, born in Chicago, Illinois, violinist, Hot Canary, Club Embassy

1930
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir [ˈvɪɣtis ˈfɪn.pɔɣaˌtoʊhtɪr] (born 15 April 1930) is an Icelandic politician who served as the fourth President of Iceland from 1980 to 1996. In addition to being Iceland's first female president, she was the world's first democratically elected female head of state.[1] With a presidency of exactly sixteen years, she also remains the longest-serving, elected, female head of state of any country to date.
1922
Harold Washington, 1st black mayor of Chicago, D, 1983-87
1922
Michael Ansara, born in Syria (and I'll bet you thought he was a genuine indigenous person!),his family emigrated to the United States when he was two years old. They resided in Lowell, Massachusetts, before moving to California. He originally wanted to be a physician, but developed a passion for becoming a performer after he began taking acting classes to overcome his shyness. Cochise-Broken Arrow, Centennial

1917
Hans Conried, born in Baltimore, Maryland, His mother, Edith Beyr (née Gildersleeve), was a descendant of Pilgrims, and his father, Hans Georg Conried, Sr., was a Jewish immigrant from Vienna, a member of Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre Company. Austria.actor, Burns & Allen Show. Loved his Disney flicks!
1907
Nicholas Tinbergen, Netherlands/British Nikolaas "Niko" Tinbergen (15 April 1907 – 21 December 1988) was a Dutch ethologist and ornithologist who shared the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Karl von Frisch and Konrad Lorenz for their discoveries concerning organization and elicitation of individual and social behaviour patterns in animals.biologist/zoologist, Nobel 1973 (One of my heroes!)

1889
Asa Philip Randolph, labor leader, Railroad Porter's Union
"A community is democratic only when the humblest and weakest person can enjoy the highest civil, economic, and social rights that the biggest and most powerful possess."
A. Philip Randolph

1889
Thomas Hart Benton, born in Neosho, Missouri, painter/muralist, Along with Grant Wood and John Steuart Curry, he was at the forefront of the Regionalist art movement. His fluid, almost sculpted paintings showed everyday scenes of life in the United States.

1861
Bliss Carman, b. New Brunswick Canadian Poet
A Sea Child by Bliss Carman
The lover of child Marjory
Had one white hour of life brim full;
Now the old nurse, the rocking sea,
Hath him to lull.
The daughter of child Marjory
Hath in her veins, to beat and run,
The glad indomitable sea,
The strong white sun.

1843 Henry James, OM (April 15, 1843 – February 28, 1916) was an American-born writer, regarded as one of the key figures of 19th-century literary realism. "Turn of the Screw"(Originally published in 1898, it is ostensibly a ghost story. but full of ambiguities. Many critics have tried to determine the exact nature of the evil hinted at by the story. "Bostonians"

Claudius Salmasius, born at Semur-en-Auxois in Burgundy.France


1469 Guru Nanak (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539) was the founder of the religion of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
1452 Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci b. in Vinci :monalisa:(Florence) (April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519) was an Italian polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer. Leonardo has often been described as the archetype of the Renaissance Man,