River Phoenix died today – 14 years ago

U.S. actor River Jude Phoenix was born on August 23, 1970 in Metolius, Oregon, He said, “I can't on my own change the regime in South Africa or teach the Palestinians to learn to live with the Israelis, but I can start with me." [You gotta start somewhere.]... Mr. Phoenix died in 1993 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

Federico Fellini died today – 14 years ago

Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini was born on January 20, 1920 in Rimini, Italy. He said, “Realism is a bad word. In a sense everything is realistic. I see no line between the imaginary and the real." [Well, it’s real-ly in our minds.]... Mr. Fellini died in 1993 in Rome, Italy.

Indira Gandhi died today – 23 years ago

Indian politician Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917 in Mughalsarai, United Provinces, British India. She said, “My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition." [Yeap.]... Ms. Gandhi died in 1984 in New Delhi, India.

Harry Houdini died today – 81 years ago

U.S. magician Harry Houdini was born as Ehrich Weisz on March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary. He said, “No performer should attempt to bite off red-hot iron unless he has a good set of teeth." [Well, duh!]... Mr. Houdini died in 1926 in Detroit, Michigan.

Robert Goulet died today - 0 years ago

U.S. entertainer and baritone Robert Gerard Goulet was born on November 26, 1933 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He said, "When you sing a song the way I sing it, you have to use your whole body. It's almost like working out." {Oh, yeah!}... Mr. Goulet died in 2007 in Los Angeles, California.

Steve Allen died today – 7 years ago

U.S. comic and composer Steve Allen was born as Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen on December 26, 1921 in New York City, New York. He said, “One of the nice things about problems is that a good many of them do not exist except in our imaginations." [Imagine that.]... Mr. Allen died in 2000 in Los Angeles, California.

Joseph Pulitzer died today – 96 years ago

Hungarian-American journalist Joseph Pulitzer was born on April 10, 1847 in Makó, Hungary, He said, “There is room in this great and growing city for a journal that is not only cheap but bright, not only bright but large, not only large but truly democratic... that will expose all fraud and sham; fight all public evils and abuses; that will serve and battle for the people with earnest sincerity." [Is that even possible?]... Mr. Pulitzer died in 1911 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Henry George died today – 110 years ago

U.S. economist Henry George was born on September 2, 1839 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He said, “What has destroyed every previous civilization has been the tendency to the unequal distribution of wealth and power.” [Unjustly gotten.]... Mr. George died in 1897 in New York City, New York.

Sir Walter Raleigh died today – 389 years ago

English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh was born around 1552 (or 1554) in Devon, England. He said, “The employer generally gets the employees he deserves.” [Ain’t that the truth.]... Mr. Raleigh died in 1618 in London, England.

Ted Hughes died today – 9 years ago

U.S. writer Ted Hughes was born as Edward James Hughes on August 17, 1930 in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, England. He said, “I think the real fascination of fishing to me is certainly more than just fish. It's something to do with the whole world... of your reaction to, your response to water and things living in water, the fascination of flowing water and living things coming up out of it - to grab at you and be grabbed." [They taste good, too.]... Mr. Hughes died in 1998 in Devon, England.

John Locke died today – 303 years ago

English philosopher John Locke was born on August 29, 1632 in Wrington, Somerset, England. He said, “Our incomes are like our shoes; if too small, they gall and pinch us; but if too large, they cause us to stumble and to trip." [Hmmm.]... Mr. Locke died in 1704 in Essex, England.

Morey Amsterdam died today – 11 years ago

U.S. actor Morey Amsterdam was born on December 14, 1908 in Chicago, Illinois. He said, “Even the police have an unlisted number." [Maybe they just don’t want to be bothered.]... Mr. Amsterdam died in 1996 in Los Angeles, California.

Nikos Kazantzakis died today – 50 years ago

Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis was born on December 2, 1885 or February 18, 1883 in Heraklion, Crete, Ottoman Empire. He said, “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free." [He said it.]... Mr. Kazantzakis died in 1957 in Freiburg, West Germany.

Hattie McDaniel died today – 55 years ago

U.S. actress Hattie McDaniel was born on June 10, 1895 in Wichita, Kansas. She said, “I've played everything but a harp." [How about a piano? It's nice to play.]... Ms. McDaniel died in 1952 in Woodland Hills, California.

William Temple died today – 63 years ago

English Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple was born on October 15, 1881 in Exeter, Devonshire, England. He said, “Christianity is the most materialistic of all great religions." [Maybe it needs more material to give to the poor.]... Mr. Temple died in 1944 in Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, England.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton died today – 105 years ago

U.S. feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born on November 12, 1815 in Johnstown, New York. She said, “The greatest block today in the way of woman's emancipation is the church, the canon law, the Bible and the priesthood." [Oh, my!]... Ms. Stanton died in 1902 in New York City, New York.

Richard Harris died today – 5 years ago

Irish actor Richard St. John Harris was born on October 1, 1930 in Limerick, Ireland. He was in a little something called “Camelot”. He said, “I often sit back and think, I wish I'd done that, and find out later that I already have." [Was that a memory problem?]... Mr. Harris died in 2002 in London, England.

Vincent Price died today – 14 years ago

U.S. actor Vincent Price was born on May 27, 1911 in St. Louis, Missouri. He said, “A man who limits his interests, limits his life." [Yep!]... Mr. Price died in 1993 in Los Angeles, California.

Roger Miller died today – 15 years ago

U.S. singer and songwriter Roger Miller was born on January 2, 1936 in Fort Worth, Texas. He said, “Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet." [Very clever.]... Mr. Miller died in 1992 in Los Angeles, California.

Geoffrey Chaucer died today – 607 years ago

English writer Geoffrey Chaucer was born around 1343 in London, England. He said, “By nature, men love newfangledness." [Or, in Old English, “Be cynd, firas freogan niwe ...”, or something like that.]... Mr. Chaucer died in 1400.

Rosa Parks died today – 2 years ago

U.S. activist Rosa Parks was born as Rosa Louise McCauley on February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama. She said, “I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear." [Amen. Amen!]... Ms. Parks died in 2005 in Detroit, Michigan.

Gene Roddenberry died today – 16 years ago

U.S. TV producer (of “Star Trek” fame) Gene Roddenberry was born on August 19, 1921 in El Paso, Texas. He said, “These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise, its continuing mission to explore a strange new world, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before." [Go. Go! Go!!]... Mr. Roddenberry died in 1991 in Santa Monica, California.

Ariel Durant died today – 26 years ago

Russian historian Ariel Durant was born on May 10, 1898 in Proskurov, (now Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine). She was the wife of historian Will Durant. She said, “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within." [Amen. Amen. Amen!]... Ms. Durant died in 1981 in Los Angeles, California.

Edith Head died today – 26 years ago

U.S. costume designer Edith Head was born as Edith Claire Posener on October 28, 1897 in San Bernadino, California. She said, “Your dresses should be tight enough to show you're a woman and loose enough to show you're a lady." [Hmmm.]... Ms. Head died in 1981 in Los Angeles, California.

Jackie Robinson died today – 35 years ago

U.S. baseball player Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. He said, “Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he's losing; nobody wants you to quit when you're ahead." [Well, yeah!]... Mr. Robinson died in 1972 in Stamford, Connecticut.

Daniel Webster died today – 155 years ago

U.S. writer Daniel Webster was born on January 18, 1782 in Salisbury, New Hampshire. He said, “The world is governed more by appearances than by realities, so that it is fully as necessary to seem to know something as to know it." [What a shame!]... Mr. Webster died in 1852 in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

Tycho Brahe died today – 406 years ago

Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe was born on December 14, 1546 in Knutstorp Castle, Denmark. He said, “Now it is quite clear to me that there are no solid spheres in the heavens, and those that have been devised by the authors to save the appearances, exist only in the imagination." [What!?]... Mr. Brahe died in 1601 in Prague.

Christian Dior died today – 50 years ago

French fashion designer Christian Dior was born on January 21, 1905 in Granville, Manche, Normandy, France. He said, “The tones of gray, pale turquoise and pink will prevail." [How about red?]... Mr. Dior died in 1957 in Montecatini, Italy.

Al Jolson died today – 57 years ago

U.S. actor Al Jolson was born as Asa Yoelson on May 26, 1886 in Seredžius, Lithuania, Russian Empire. He said, “You ain't heard nothing yet, folks!” [Oh, my!]... Mr. Jolson died in 1950 in San Francisco, California.

Rollo May died today – 13 years ago

U.S. psychologist Rollo May was born on April 21, 1909 in Ada, Ohio. He said, “Hate is not the opposite of love; apathy is." [Hmmm.]... Mr. May died in 1994 in Tiburon, California.

Albert Szent-Gyorgyi died today – 21 years ago

Hungarian biochemist Albert Szent-Gyorgyi was born on September 16, 1893 in Budapest, Austria-Hungary. He discovered vitamin C. He said, “Discovery consists of seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what nobody has thought." [Yep.]... Mr. Szent-Gyorgyi died in 1986 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

Arnold Joseph Toynbee died today – 32 years ago

English historian Arnold Joseph Toynbee was born on April 14, 1889 in London, England. He said, “The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play." [O-K!]... Mr. Toynbee died in 1975 in Wimbledon, England.

Paul Cezanne died today – 101 years ago

French painter Paul Cezanne was born on January 19, 1839 in Aix-en-Provence, France. He said, “The day is coming when a single carrot, freshly observed, will set off a revolution." [Must be some carat ... I mean, carrot.]... Mr. Cezanne died in 1906 in Aix-en-Provence, France.

François Truffaut died today – 23 years ago

French director François Roland Truffaut was born on February 6, 1932 in Paris, France. He said, “Taste is a result of a thousand distastes." [Half empty. Half full.]... Mr. Truffaut died in 1984 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France.

Jack Kerouac died today – 38 years ago

U.S. writer Jack Kerouac was born as Jean-Louis Lebris de Kerouac on March 12, 1922 in Lowell, Massachusetts. He said, “Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion." [Amen.]... Mr. Kerouac died in 1969 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Burt Lancaster died today – 13 years ago

U.S. actor Burt Lancaster was born as Burton Stephen Lancaster on November 2, 1913 in New York City, New York. He said, “Can anything be more Un-American than the Un-American committee?" [Think about it.]... Mr. Lancaster died in 1994 in Century City, California.

Herbert Hoover died today – 43 years ago

U.S. President (31st, 1929-1933) Herbert Clark Hoover was born on August 10, 1874 in West Branch, Iowa. He said, “Once upon a time my political opponents honored me as possessing the fabulous intellectual and economic power by which I created a world-wide depression all by myself." [Well, they wanted to blame someone.]... Mr. Hoover died in 1964 in New York City, New York.

Eugene Debs died today – 81 years ago

U.S. labor organizer Eugene Victor Debs was born on November 5, 1855 in Terre Haute, Indiana. He said, “When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong." [So, does that say anything about democracy?]... Mr. Debs died in 1926 in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Charles Dudley Warner died today – 107 years ago

U.S. writer Charles Dudley Warner was born on September 12, 1829 in Plainfield, Massachusetts. He said, “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it." [How about just living with it?]... Mr. Warner died in 1900 in Hartford, Connecticut.

Martha Raye died today – 13 years ago

U.S. actress Martha Raye was born as Margy Reed on August 27, 1916 in Butte, Montana. She said, “I have the face of a vulture and the voice of a crow..." [And the mouth of a pelican.]... Ms. Raye died in 1994 in Los Angeles, California.

Elizabeth Arden died today – 41 years ago

Canadian-U.S. cosmetician Elizabeth Arden was born as Florence Nightingale Graham on December 31, 1878 or 1884 (maybe it depended upon how she felt) in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada. She said, “I'm not interested in age. People who tell me their age are silly. You're as old as you feel." [Or, as old as the best cosmetician that you can afford.]... Ms. Arden died in 1966 in New York City, New York.

Edna St. Vincent Millay died today – 57 years ago

U.S. writer Edna St. Vincent Millay was born on February 22, 1892 in Rockland, Maine. She said, “Set the foot down with distrust on the crust of the world—it is thin." [It’s more obstinate than you think.]... Ms. Millay died in 1950 in Austerlitz, New York.

Ernest Rutherford died today – 70 years ago

New Zealand physicist Ernest Rutherford was born on August 30, 1871 in Brightwater, New Zealand. He said, “All science is either physics or stamp collecting." [Which one did he do?]... Mr. Rutherford died in 1937 in Cambridge, England.

Jonathan Swift died today – 262 years ago

English writer Jonathan Swift was born on November 30, 1667 in Dublin, Ireland. He said, “The best doctors in the world are Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet, and Doctor Merryman." [Where’s Doctor Doolittle?]... Mr. Swift died in 1745 in Dublin, Ireland.

Teresa Brewer died yesterday - no years ago

U.S. singer Teresa Brewer was born as Theresa Breuer on May 7, 1931 in Toledo, Ohio. In the song "Music! Music! Music!", she sang, "Put another nickel in, in the nickelodeon. All I want is loving you and music, music, music." [Yep!]... Ms. Brewer died on October 17, 2007 in New Rochelle, New York.

Gwen Verdon died today – 7 years ago

U.S. actress and dancer Gwen Verdon was born as Gwyneth Evelyn Verdon on January 13, 1925 in Culver City, Los Angeles, California. She had been married to choreographer Bob Fosse. She said, “I like the character of Charity because she's so hopeful. She's never bitter, and plenty of things happen to her that could make her bitter. She always thinks tomorrow's going to be beautiful. And someday it will be." [If we do the right things.]... Ms. Verdon died in 2000 in Woodstock, Vermont.

Edwin Way Teale died today – 27 years ago

U.S. naturalist and writer Edwin Way Teale was born on June 2, 1899 in Joliet, Illinois. He said, “The difference between utility and utility plus beauty is the difference between telephone wires and the spider web." [But can you talk over spider webs?]... Mr. Teale died in 1980 in Norwich, Connecticut.

Thomas Alva Edison died today – 76 years ago

U.S. inventor Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11, 1847 in Milan, Ohio. He said, “Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits. " [So THAT’s it.]... Mr. Edison died in 1931 in West Orange, New Jersey.

Tennessee Ernie Ford died today – 16 years ago

U.S. singer Tennessee Ernie Ford was born as Ernest Jennings Ford on February 13, 1919 in Bristol, Tennessee. He said, “You can't cheat the public for long." [Oh, really?]... Mr. Ford died in 1991 in Reston, Virginia.

James A. Michener died today – 10 years ago

U.S. writer James A. Michener was born on February 3, 1907 in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He said, “An age is called Dark not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it." [Amen. Amen!]... Mr. Michener died in 1997 in Austin, Texas.

Shirley Booth died today – 15 years ago

U.S. actress Shirley Booth was born on August 30, 1898 in New York City, New York. She said, “Why is it that men who can go through severe accidents, air raids, and any other major crisis always seem to think that they are at death's door when they have a simple head cold?" [Overacting?]... Ms. Booth died in 1992 in North Chatham, Massachusetts.

Cornel Wilde died today – 18 years ago

U.S. actor Cornel Wilde was born on October 13, 1915 in New York City, New York (source) or maybe Prievidza, Hungary (source). He said, “I realized long ago that I could not depend on luck to bring me success. I worked hard, extra hard to improve my chance by increasing my abilities and my experience. It was my goal to accomplish, in my life, something of value and to do it with self-respect and integrity." [OK.]... Mr. Wilde died in 1989 in Los Angeles, California.

Marie Antoinette died today – 212 years ago

Marie Antoinette was born as Maria Antonia Josefa Johanna von Habsburg-Lothringen on November 2, 1755 in Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austria. She said, “Let them eat cake." [Well, they would ... if they had enough sugar and butter and milk and eggs and flour.]... Ms. Antoinette was guillotined in 1795 in Paris, France.

Are we thinking beings or beings thinking?

According to Henrik Edberg on The Positivity Blog,

You are not your thoughts. Yeah, I thought this perspective sounded a bit weird when I first heard about it from Eckhart Tolle. But what I have realised is that I am not really my thoughts. I’m the one observing my thoughts. The thoughts are just something that moves through my mind. But it is not me. And when this close identification with your thoughts starts to break up, you realize that they are often just ramblings that spin around and around most of the day.

What do you think?

Boris Marshalov died today – 40 years ago

Russian writer Boris Marshalov was born on January 17, 1898 in Russia. He said, “Congress is so strange. A man gets up to speak and says nothing. Nobody listens—and then everybody disagrees." [Has it changed?]... Mr. Marshalov died in 1967 in New York City, New York.

Cole Porter died today – 43 years ago

U.S. songwriter Cole Albert Porter was born on June 9, 1891 in Peru, Indiana. He said, “It's delightful, it's delicious, it's de-lovely." [That’s his music.]... Mr. Porter died in 1964 in Santa Monica, California.

Leonard Bernstein died today – 17 years ago

U.S. composer Leonard Bernstein was born as Louis Bernstein on August 25, 1918 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He said, “Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable." [Oh, my!]... Mr. Bernstein died in 1990 in New York City, New York.

Keenan Wynn died today – 21 years ago

U.S. actor Keenan Wynn was born as Francis Xavier Aloysius James Jeremiah Keenan Wynn on July 27, 1916 in New York City, New York. He said, “My billing has always been; 'and', or 'with', or 'including.' That's all right; let the stars take the blame." [That’s right.]... Mr. Wynn died in 1986 in Los Angeles, California.

Paul Fix died today – 24 years ago

U.S. actor Paul Fix was born on March 13, 1901 in Dobbs Ferry, New York. He said, “The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory." [Ain’t that the truth!]... Mr. Fix died in 1983 in Los Angeles, California.

Bing Crosby died today – 30 years ago

U.S. singer and actor Bing Crosby was born as Harry Lillis Crosby on May 2, 1903 in Tacoma, Washington. He said, “Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it ‘white’." [Amen.]... Mr. Crosby died in 1977 in Madrid, Spain.

Errol Flynn died today – 48 years ago

Australian actor Errol Flynn was born as Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn on June 20, 1909 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. He said, “It isn't what they say about you, it's what they whisper." [Psssss.]... Mr. Flynn died in 1959 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Ed Sullivan died today – 33 years ago

U.S. TV host Edward Vincent Sullivan was born on September 28, 1901 in New York City, New York. He said, “If you do a good job for others, you heal yourself at the same time, because a dose of joy is a spiritual cure. It transcends all barriers." [Who knew that he was so erudite?]... Mr. Sullivan died in 1974 in New York City, New York.

Clifton Webb died today – 41 years ago

U.S. actor Clifton Webb was born as Webb Parmalee Hollenbeck on November 11 or 19 or both in 1891 in Beech Grove, Indiana. He said, “Love is eternal. It has been the strongest motivation for human actions throughout history. Love is stronger than life." [He said it in the 1994 movie “Laura”, but I guess that still counts.]... Mr. Webb died in 1966 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California.

John Denver died today – 10 years ago

U.S. singer and songwriter John Denver was born as Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr on December 31, 1943 in Roswell, New Mexico. He said, “Peace is a conscious choice." [If you're conscious of your choices.]... Mr. Denver died in 1997 in Pacific Grove, California.

Sonja Henie died today – 38 years ago

Norwegian figure skater and actress Sonja Henie was born on April 8, 1912 in Kristiania, Norway. She said, “Jewelry takes people's minds off your wrinkles." [If you’ve got enough of it.]... Ms. Henie died in 1969 while on a flight from Paris, France to Oslo, Norway.

Anatole France died today – 83 years ago

French writer Anatole France was born as François-Anatole Thibault on April 16, 1844 in Paris, France. He said, “A person is never happy except at the price of some ignorance." [So, if I knew everything, I could REALLY be unhappy?]... Mr. France died in 1924 in Tours, France.

Robert E. Lee died today – 137 years ago

U.S. Confederate general (during the U.S. Un-Civil War) Robert E. Lee was born on January 19, 1807 at Stratford Hall, Virginia. He said, “The war... was an unnecessary condition of affairs, and might have been avoided if forebearance and wisdom had been practiced on both sides." [Think about it.]... Mr. Lee died in 1870 in Lexington, Virginia.

Redd Foxx died today – 16 years ago

U.S. comedian Redd Foxx was born as John Elroy Sanford on December 9, 1922 in St. Louis, Missouri. He said, “The show doesn't drive home a lesson, but it can open up people's minds enough for them to see how stupid every kind of prejudice can be." [Right on!]... Mr. Foxx died in 1991 in Los Angeles, California.

Édith Piaf died today – 44 years ago

French singer Édith Piaf was born as Édith Giovanna Gassion on December 19, 1915 in Belleville, Paris, France. She said, “Your whole personality is in your nose." [Give me a minute... I'm looking.]... Ms. Piaf died in 1963 in Placassier, France.

Chico Marx died today – 46 years ago

U.S. comic actor and pianist Leonard “Chico” Marx was born on March 22, 1887 in New York City, New York. In case you don’t recall (or never knew), he was the brother of Groucho, Harpo, Zeppo, and Gummo. He said, “I wasn't kissing her, I was whispering in her mouth." [What did you say?]... Mr. Marx died in 1961 in Hollywood, California.

Christopher Reeve died today – 3 years ago

U.S. actor Christopher Reeve was born on September 25, 1952 in New York City, New York. He said, “Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean." [What? There’s no continuum?]... Mr. Reeve died in 2004 in Mount Kisco, New York.

Yul Brynner died today – 22 years ago

Actor Yul Brynner was born as Yuliy Borisovich Brynner on July 11, 1920 in Vladivostok, Russia. He said, “People don't know my real self, and they're not about to find out." [Hmmm.]... Mr. Brynner died in 1985 in New York City, New York.

Orson Welles died today – 22 years ago

U.S. actor Orson Welles was born as George Orson Welles on May 6, 1915 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He said, “I hate television. I hate it as much as I hate peanuts. But I can not stop eating peanuts." [They just taste so good.]... Mr. Welles died in 1985 in Los Angeles, California.

Eddie Cantor died today – 43 years ago

U.S. entertainer (comedian, singer, etc.) Eddie Cantor was born as Israel Iskowitz on January 31, 1892 in New York City, New York. He said, “Marriage is an attempt to solve problems together which you didn't even have when you were on your own." [Well, duh!]... Mr. Cantor died in 1964 in Beverly Hills, California.

Clare Boothe Luce died today – 20 years ago

U.S. journalist Clare Boothe Luce was born on April 10, 1903 in New York City, New York. She said, “A man's home may seem to be his castle on the outside; inside, it is more often his nursery." [Where he can whine and whine... Nowadays, they do it on TV... in front of everyone.]... Ms. Luce died in 1987 in Washington, D.C.

Miriam Hopkins died today – 35 years ago

U.S. actress Miriam Hopkins was born as Ellen Miriam Hopkins on October 18, 1902 in Savannah, Georgia. She said, “I'm a bad judge of a play or film. I turned down 'It Happened One Night.' It won Claudette Colbert an Oscar. I said it was just a silly comedy." [And maybe it was.]... Ms. Hopkins died in 1972 in New York City, New York.

Che Guevara died today – 40 years ago

Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara was born as Ernesto Guevara de la Serna on June 14, 1928 in Rosario, Argentina. He said, “The fundamental principle is that no battle, combat, or skirmish is to be fought unless it will be won." [But how do you know?]... Mr. Guevara died in 1967 in La Higuera, Bolivia.

Fernando Lamas died today – 25 years ago

Argentine actor Fernando Lamas was born as Fernando Álvaro Lamas y de Santos on January 9, 1915 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the father of actor Lorenzo Lamas. He said, “It is better to look good than to feel good." [Au contraire.]... Mr. Lamas died in 1982 in Los Angeles, California.

Wendell Willkie died today – 63 years ago

U.S. Presidential candidate (1940) Wendell Willkie was born as Lewis Wendell Willkie on February 18, 1892 in Elwood, Indiana. He said, “A good catchword can obscure analysis for fifty years." [Hmmm... Apply that to the last few years.]... Mr. Willkie died in 1944 in New York City, New York.

Agnes de Mille died today – 14 years ago

U.S. dancer and choreographer Agnes de Mille was born on September 18, 1905 in Harlem, New York City, New York. She said, “Toe dancing is a dandy attention getter, second only to screaming." [One could do both and really get lots of attention... I might write a ballet using that combination... Or has it already been done?]... Ms. de Mille died in 1993 in New York City, New York.

Edgar Allan Poe died today – 158 years ago

U.S. writer Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. He said, “They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." [I'd hope so.]... Mr. Poe died in 1849 in Baltimore, Maryland.

U.S. writer Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. was born on August 29, 1809 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He said, “We are all omnibuses in which our ancestors ride, and every now and then one of them sticks his head out and embarrasses us." [Oh, my!.]... Mr. Holmes died in 1894 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Bette Davis died today – 18 years ago

U.S. actress Bette Davis was born on April 5, 1908 in Lowell, Massachusetts. She said, “If you've never been hated by your child, you've never been a parent." [Oh, my!]... Ms. Davis died in 1989 in Neuilly, France.

Will Kellogg died today – 56 years ago

U.S. cereal maker Will Keith Kellogg was born on April 7, 1860 in Battle Creek, Michigan. He said, “How can you eat anything with eyes?" [I don’t, do I?]... Mr. Kellogg died in 1951 in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson died today – 115 years ago

English writer Alfred Tennyson was born on August 6, 1809 in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England. He said, “'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." [Uh-huh.]... Mr. Tennyson died in 1892 at Aldwort, England.

Rodney Dangerfield died today – 3 years ago

U.S. comedian Rodney Dangerfield was born as Jacob Cohen on November 22, 1921 in Babylon, New York. He said, “I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous - everyone hasn't met me yet." [And they never would.]... Mr. Dangerfield died in 2004 in Los Angeles, California.

Harry Emerson Fosdick died today – 38 years ago

U.S. clergyman Harry Emerson Fosdick was born on May 24, 1878 in Buffalo, New York. He said, “Watch what people are cynical about, and one can often discover what they lack." [Let's apply that. If I'm cynical about politicians' intentions, what exactly do I lack? Gullibility?]... Mr. Fosdick died in 1969 in Bronxville, New York.

Louis D. Brandeis died today – 66 years ago

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Dembitz Brandeis was born on November 13, 1856 in Louisville, Kentucky. He said, “Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." [Like everyone living in freedom?]... Mr. Brandeis died in 1941 in Washington, D.C.

Janis Joplin died today – 37 years ago

U.S. singer Janis Lyn Joplin was born on January 19, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas. She said, “Texas is OK if you want to settle down and do your own thing quietly, but it's not for outrageous people, and I was always outrageous." [Hmmmm.]... Ms. Joplin died in 1970 in Los Angeles, California.

Max Planck died today – 60 years ago

German physicist Max Karl Ernst Ludwig Planck was born on April 23, 1858 in Kiel, Germany. He said, “We have no right to assume that any physical laws exist, or if they have existed up until now, that they will continue to exist in a similar manner in the future." [But we can live as if they did, right?]... Mr. Planck died in 1947 in Göttingen, Germany.

Gifford Pinchot died today – 61 years ago

U.S. environmentalist Gifford Pinchot was born on August 11, 1865 in Simsbury, Connecticut. He said, “Conservation means the wise use of the earth and its resources for the lasting good of men." [As decided by whom?]... Mr. Pinchot died in 1946 in New York City, New York.

Janet Leigh died today – 3 years ago

U.S. actress Janet Leigh was born as Jeanette Helen Morrison on July 6, 1927 in Merced, California. She had been married to Tony Curtis and was the mother of Jamie Lee Curtis. She said, “In order to dream, you need to have a springboard which is the facts... It gives it that touch of reality, and I think that's quite important... truth with fiction." [Uh, huh!]... Ms. Leigh died in 2004 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California.

Bruce Paltrow died today – 5 years ago

U.S. director Bruce Paltrow was born on November 26, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York.. He had been married to Blythe Danner and was the father of Gwyneth Paltrow. He said, “Everything has been homogenized. Over time, with television and jet travel, everybody has blended together. Some of our wonderful charm has been lost." [Yeap.]... Mr. Paltrow died in 2002 in Rome, Italy.

Roddy McDowall died today – 9 years ago

English actor Roddy McDowall was born as Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall on September 17, 1928 in London, England. He said, “My whole life I've been trying to prove I'm not just yesterday." [Oh, my!]... Mr. McDowall died in 1998 in Los Angeles, California.

Woody Guthrie died today – 40 years ago

U.S. singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie was born as Woodrow Wilson Guthrie on July 14, 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma. He said, “I hate a song that makes you think that you are not any good. I hate a song that makes you think that you are just born to lose. Bound to lose. No good to nobody. No good for nothing. Because you are too old or too young or too fat or too slim or too ugly or too this or too that." [Me, too... Or is that I, too?]... Mr. Guthrie died in 1967 in New York City, New York.

Francis of Assisi died today – 781 years ago

Saint Francis of Assisi was born on September 26, 1181 in Assisi, Italy. He said, "While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart." [Amen.]... He died in 1226 in the church Porziuncola near Assisi, Italy.

Rock Hudson died today – 22 years ago

U.S. actor Rock Hudson was born as Roy Harold Scherer, Jr. on November 17, 1925 in Winnetka, Illinois. He said, “I had to overcome the name Rock. If I'd been as hip then as I am now, I would have never consented to be named Rock." [How about Rick?]... Mr. Hudson died in 1985 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California.

French surrealist Marcel Duchamp was born as Henri-Robert-Marcel Duchamp on July 28, 1887 in Blainville-Crevon, France. He said, “I have forced myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste." [Hmmm.]... Mr. Duchamp died in 1968 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.

E.B. White died today – 22 years ago

U.S. writer and humorist E.B. White was born as Elwyn Brooks White on July 11, 1899 in Mount Vernon, New York. He said, “A good farmer is nothing more nor less than a handy man with a sense of humus." [Ha, ha, ha!]... Mr. White died in 1985 in North Brooklin, Maine.