Wednesday

Dec. 17, 1997

Snowbound (excerpt)

by John Greenleaf Whittier

WEDNESDAY 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.

Orville and Wilbur Wright made aviation history in 1903 when their aircraft managed the first powered flight 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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