Johann Sebastian Bach died today – 257 years ago

German composer Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21, 1685 in Eisenach, Thuringia (now Germany). He said, “It's easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.” [Now why didn’t I think of that?]... Mr. Bach died in 1750 in Leipzig, Germany.

Canadian actress Marie Dressler was born as Leila Marie Koerber on November 9, 1868 (or, 1869) in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. She said, “If ants are such busy workers, how come they find time to go to all the picnics?” [Maybe they’re just on their way to work?]... Ms. Dressler died in 1934 in Santa Barbara, California.

U.S. doctor William James Mayo was born on June 29, 1861 in Le Sueur, Minnesota. He co-founded the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He said, “The examining physician often hesitates to make the necessary examination because it involves soiling the finger." [I don’t want to even think about it.]... Mr. Mayo died in 1939 in Rochester, Minnesota.

U.S. writer Don Carpenter was born on March 16, 1931 in Berkeley, California. He said, “Hollywood to me is a civilization easily as complex, fascinating, and mysterious as ancient Egypt." [There might even be a few pyramids there... but they don’t call them that.]... Mr. Carpenter died in 1995 in Mill Valley, California.