Saturday

Dec. 6, 1997

Ode to Solitude

by Alexander Pope

SATURDAY  12/6

Today's Reading:  "Ode to Solitude" by Alexander Pope.

Florida's Everglades National Park was established on this day in 1947.

It's the birthday of avant-garde playwright, novelist, poet and essayist Peter Handke, born in Griffen, Austria, in 1942.

The Irish Free State was established in 1921 when Ireland's 26 southern counties became independent from Britain.

Jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck was born in Concord, California, in 1920.

Photographer Eliot Porter, famous for his pictures of birds and natural landscapes, was born in Winnetka, Illinois, in 1901.

Photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt, who spent most of his 70-year career at LIFE magazine, was born in Dirschau, Germany, in 1898.

Swedish economist and sociologist Gunnar Myrdal, who with his wife Alva helped create the Swedish welfare state, was born in Gustafs, Sweden, in 1898.

Lyricist Ira Gershwin, who with his brother George collaborated on more than 20 Broadway musicals including PORGY AND BESS, LADY BE GOOD, and GIRL CRAZY, was born in New York City in 1896.

Poet Joyce Kilmer, famous for the poem "Trees," was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1886.

In 1877 inventor Thomas Alva Edison made the first sound recording when he recited "Mary Had a Little Lamb" into his newly invented phonograph.

Phi Beta Kappa, the first scholastic fraternity, was founded in 1776 at William and Mary College in Williamsburg.

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

 

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