Displaying 41 - 60 of 114 in total
August 7th, Wednesday | The Other Kermit and a Spy
The costume designer behind a few Sesame Street residents shares a birthday with a controversial WWI Spy. Do you know Dickinson’s poem #445?
August 6th, Tuesday | Why "Bolivia"?
Independence for Bolivia! But why “Bolivia”? Longest-reigning Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson celebrates a birthday. An evocative love poem from the birthday poet.
August 5th, Monday | Father of the Modern Short Story
The father of the modern short story, an activist, and a lesser-known American poet share a birthday. Today’s poem from the birthday poet.
August 2nd, Friday | Two Activists and a Sculptor walk into a bar...
Two women’s rights activists – from different continents and separate times – and a French sculptor all share a birthday. Plus, a quiet little poem.
August 1st, Thursday | Melville's Stormy Start
Herman Melville’s prose maybe be a bit cumbersome to read at times, but it was certainly inspired by his stormy and eventful life!
July 31st, Wednesday | Atlantic Records was founded by...
Atlantic Records is a classic American label, but it was founded by an immigrant! As promised today’s poem is a response to yesterday’s.
July 30th, Tuesday | Emily Brontë
Emily Brontë’s "Wuthering Heights" stands in stark contrast to the life she led…or does it? In today’s poem a shepherd attempts some wooing.
July 29th, Monday | Tocqueville admires America
Tocqueville was supposed to study American prisons…but what he ended up chronicling was far more compelling: the work ethic of 19th Century Americans.
July 26th, Friday | Shaw: If You Can't Beat 'em, Join 'em
George Bernard Shaw was a frustrated critic of Victorian theater, before he tried writing his own plays. Plus, a poem by Sara Teasdale.
July 25th, Thursday | Parrish, Franklin, and Chapman
The Chemist who helped in the discovery of DNA, a Painter famous for the color blue, and an editing abolitionist share a birthday.
July 24, Wednesday | A writer or a lover first?
A deep dive into Alexandre Dumas reveals a generous friend, a saavy writer, and French lover. Plus, a classic sonnet from the Bard.
July 23rd, Tuesday | A Starry-eyed Gov'na
Birthdays: a governor with stars in his eyes and a physicist whose work would lead to 3D glasses! Today’s poem: a suggestive scene.
July 22nd, Monday | "Give me your tired, your poor..."
The poet who penned the lines “give me your tired, your poor” has a birthday. Today’s poem is from whence those lines came.
July 19th, Friday | Alice Moore Dunbar Nelson
Alice Moore Dunbar Nelson had two rocky marriages before enjoying a truly happy partnership. Perhaps today’s poem was inspired by her last partner?
July 18th, Thursday | Mandela's Prison University
It’s Mandela Day in honor of Nelson Mandela’s birthday. An Australian sprinter seemed to be gifted from start to finish! Plus, a sonnet.
July 17th, Wednesday | The Air Conditioner is Born!
In the heat of summer, the idea for the air conditioner was born! Angela Merkel celebrates a birthday. Plus, a Robert Graves poem.
July 16th, Tuesday | The First Parking Meter
The world’s first parking meter was installed on this day in 1935 – a fateful day! A science-fiction writer #represents and gives us today’s poem.
July 15th, Monday | The Greatest Etcher of all Time
Rembrandt like many artists, lived paycheck to paycheck…except he enjoyed very large paychecks! Today’s poem, by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, stars the god Pan.
July 12th, Friday | The Man who Popularized Photography
We all have cameras in our pockets now, but it was George Eastman who popularized photography among the masses. A birthday writer’s poem.
July 11th, Thursday | To Kill a Mockingbird...
Today we take a look at "To Kill a Mockingbird," published in 1960, and never once out of print! Poem by Effie Smith.