Tuesday

Dec. 17, 1996

Snowbound (excerpt)

by John Greenleaf Whittier

TUESDAY 12/17

Today's Reading:Excerpts from "Snowbound" by John Greenleaf Whittier.

The ancient Festival of Saturnalia, the Roman celebration honoring Saturn, would begin on this day and last for one week.

In 1955 Carl Perkins wrote his big hit "Don't Step on my Blue Suede Shoes."

It's the birthday of jazz trumpeter Sy Oliver, born in Battle Creek, Michigan, 1910.

Chemist and Nobel Laureate Willard Frank Libby, who developed the "Carbon-14-Dating" process in 1946, was born on this day in Grand Valley, Colorado, 1908.

Novelist Erskine Caldwell (TOBACCO ROAD; GOD'S LITTLE ACRE) was born on this day in Coweta County, Georgia, 1903.

On this day in 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright flew their 605-pound wood and fabric aircraft above the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

THE NUTCRACKER BALLET was performed for the first time on this day in Petersburg, Russia, 1892.

Writer Ford Madox Ford (THE GOOD SOLDIER) was born on this day in Merton, England, 1873.

Charles Dickens' story, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, was published on this day in 1843.

It's the birthday of poet John Greenleaf Whittier, born near Haverhill, Massachusetts, 1807.

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.®

 

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