Tuesday

May 6, 1997

Well Water

by Randall Jarrell

TUESDAY 5/6

Today's Reading:"Well Water" by Randall Jarrell from THE COMPLETE POEMS, published by Noonday Press.

It's the birthday today of Chilean writer Ariel Dorfman (DEATH AND THE MAIDEN), born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1942.

Hall of Famer Willie Mays, ranking only behind Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth in total home runs, was born on this day in Fairfield, Alabama, in 1931.

It's the birthday of film director, actor Orson Welles, who made his great film CITIZEN KANE (1941) when he was only 25 years old. He was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1915.

It's the birthday of German-born, French raised film director Max Ophuls (LA RONDE; LOLA MONTES), born in Saabrucken, Germany, 1902.

It's the birthday of film actor Rudolph Valentino, born in Castellaneta, Italy, 1895. He arrived in New York when he was 18, went off to Hollywood and got a series of bit parts, establishing his reputation as the "Great Lover" of the screen in the film THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE.

It's the birthday of candy manufacturer Russell Stover, who perfected the Eskimo Pie. He was born in Alton, Kansas, 1888.

It was on this day in 1877 that Sioux chief Crazy Horse surrendered to the US army in Nebraska. He was killed a few months later while allegedly trying to escape Fort Robinson.

It's the birthday of French novelist Gaston Leroux (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA), born in Paris in 1868.

Henry David Thoreau died of tuberculosis on this day in 1862 at the age of 44.

In 1626 on this day Dutch settler Paul Minuit bought Manhattan Island from the Red Indians for a handful of trinkets worth about $25.

Thousands of residents were killed, libraries destroyed, and the Pope captured as the Sack of Rome began on this day in 1527, effectively bringing the Renaissance to a close.

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

 

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