Wednesday

Feb. 12, 1997

As Befits a Man

by Langston Hughes

WEDNESDAY 2/12

Today's Reading:"As Befits a Man" by Langston Hughes from SELECTED POEMS, published by Vintage Books (1974).

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in Christian churches.

George Gershwin's groundbreaking symphonic jazz composition, RHAPSODY IN BLUE, premiered on this day in 1924, with Gerswhin himself playing the piano with Paul Whiteman's orchestra.

China became a republic on this day in 1912, following the overthrow of the Manchu dynasty.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was formed on this day in 1909.

It's the birthday of American labor leader John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers of America for 40 years. He was born in Lucas, Iowa, in 1880.

French architect Auguste Perret, who pioneered designs in reinforced concrete buildings, was born near Brussels, Belgium, 1874.

It's the birthday of the French photographer Eugene Atget who took more than 10,000 photographs of Paris architecture, monuments, and people. He was born in Libourne, France, in 1857.

English poet and novelist George Meredith was born on this day in Portsmouth in 1828.

Naturalist Charles Darwin (ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES) was born on this day in Shrewsbury, England, 1809.

Today is the birthday of the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, born near Hodgenville, Kentucky, in 1809. He grew up on the frontier with little formal education, did odd jobs and studied law in his spare time while working as a storekeeper.

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

 

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  • “Writers end up writing stories—or rather, stories' shadows—and they're grateful if they can, but it is not enough. Nothing the writer can do is ever enough” —Joy Williams
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