Tuesday

Jul. 6, 1999

The lowest trees have tops, the ant her gall

by Edward Dyer

Broadcast Date: TUESDAY: July 6, 1999

Poem: "The lowest trees have tops, the ant her gall," by Sir Edward Dyer (1540-1607).

On this day in 1854, the Republican Party was founded at a convention in Ripon, Wisconsin. Made up of former Whigs, Democrats, and Free-Soilers, the new party placed national interests above states' rights, and firmly opposed slavery. In the party's first national race (1856), John C. Fremont carried 11 states. In 1860, the electoral votes of 18 northern states won the presidency for its candidate Abraham Lincoln.

It's the birthday of children's writer (Helen) Beatrix Potter, born in South Kensington, Middlesex (1866)—who drew plants and animals during childhood holidays in Scotland. Later, when publishers showed no interest in her Tale of Peter Rabbit, she had it published herself (1900). The first printing of 250 copies quickly sold out to friends and family and encouraged her to order a second printing of 200. The young rabbit, Peter, ventures into Mr. McGregor's garden simply because his mother tells him he mustn't, even though he knows he may meet the same fate as his father and end up in a pie.

In 1885 on this day, microbiologist Louis Pasteur gave the first successful anti-rabies inoculation to a boy who had been bitten by a dog.

On this day in 1895, bank teller William Sydney Porter, accused of embezzlement, hopped a train to New Orleans. He spent two years on the run in South America, but when he heard of his wife's serious illness, returned to Austin, and was sentenced to five years at the Ohio State Penitentiary. During his three years behind bars, he began his writing career under the name of O. Henry.

It's the birthday of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, born outside Mexico City (1907), who developed a dramatic style many called surrealist but which she insisted was a fusion of Mexican and modern.

Today is the 64th birthday of the Dalai Lama (original name Tenzin Gyatso), born in Taktser, northeastern Tibet (1935).

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

 

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