Timothy Leary died today – 12 years ago

Author and psychologist Timothy Francis Leary was born on October 22, 1920 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He said, “If you don't like what you're doing, you can always pick up your needle and move to another groove." [Just don’t scratch the big record... too much.]... Mr. Leary died on May 31, 1996 in Los Angeles, California.

Adelle Davis died today – 34 years ago

Nutritionist and author (of “Let's Eat Right to Keep Fit”) Daisie Adelle Davis was born on February 25, 1904 in Indiana. She said, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper." [And get plenty of sleep.]... Ms. Davis died on May 31, 1974.

Boris Pasternak died today – 48 years ago

Author (of “Doctor Zhivago”) Boris Leonidovich Pasternak was born on February 10, 1890 in Moscow, Russian Empire. He said, “I don't like people who have never fallen or stumbled. Their virtue is lifeless and it isn't of much value. Life hasn't revealed its beauty to them." [Yep. You gotta stub your toe a few times to appreciate your nerves.]... Mr. Pasternak died on May 30, 1960 in Peredelkino, USSR.

Wilbur Wright died today – 96 years ago

Co-inventor (of "three axis-control") Wilbur Wright was born on April 16, 1867 in Millville, Indiana. He said, “The fact that the great scientist believed in flying machines was the one thing that encouraged us to begin our studies." [Was he talking about George Cayley?]... Mr. Wright died on May 30, 1912 in Dayton, Ohio.

Voltaire died today – 230 years ago

Philosopher and author (of “Candide” and the play “Mahomet”) Voltaire was born as François-Marie Arouet on November 21, 1694 in Paris, France. He said, “Anything too stupid to be said is sung." [He obviously was not a composer.]... Voltaire died on May 30, 1778 in Paris, France.

Alexander Pope died today – 264 years ago

Author (of the poems “Eloisa to Abelard” and “An Essay on Man”) Alexander Pope was born on May 21, 1688 in London, England. He said, “Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends." [Good doggies.]... Mr. Pope died on May 30, 1744 in Twickenham, England.

Christopher Marlowe died today – 415 years ago

Author (of the play “The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus” and the poem “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”) Christopher “Kit” Marlowe was born on February 6, 1564 in Canterbury, England. He said, “Money can't buy love, but it improves your bargaining position." [And for lots of other things, too.]... Mr. Marlowe died on May 30, 1593 in Deptford, London, England.

Harvey Korman died today

Comedian (in "The Carol Burnett Show" and "Mama's Family") Harvey Herschel Korman was born on February 15, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. He said, "You asked what is the secret of a really good sketch. And it is a sketch is a small play. It's got a beginning, and a middle and an end. It should have a plot; it should have the characters, conflict. It is a little play. And in it, will be funny stuff." [Oh, really?]... Mr. Korman died on May 29, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

Barry Goldwater died today – 10 years ago

U.S. Senator (AZ, 1969-1987) Barry Morris Goldwater was born on January 2, 1909 in Phoenix, Arizona Territory. He said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have." [And then some.]... Mr. Goldwater died on May 29, 1998 in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

Mary Pickford died today – 29 years ago

Actress (in “Coquette”) Mary Pickford was born as Gladys Louise Smith on April 8, 1892 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She said, “Adding sound to movies would be like putting lipstick on the Venus de Milo." [Everything can be tarted up a bit.]... Ms. Pickford died on May 29, 1979 in Santa Monica, California.

John Gunther died today – 38 years ago

Author (of “Death Be Not Proud”) John Gunther was born on August 30, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois. He said, “All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast." [And remember that it’s the most important meal of the day... Says so here.]... Mr. Gunther died on May 29, 1970 in New York City, New York.

Fanny Brice died today – 57 years ago

Actress (in the “Ziegfeld Follies”) Fanny Brice was born as Fania Borach on October 29, 1891 in New York City, New York. She said, “Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you?" [Lookin' for another pose.]... Ms. Brice died on May 29, 1951 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

W. S. Gilbert died today – 97 years ago

Librettist (of “H.M.S. Pinafore”, “The Pirates of Penzance”, and “The Mikado”) William Schwenck Gilbert was born on November 18, 1836 on the Strand, London, England. He said, “Things are seldom what they seem, skim milk masquerades as cream." [Especially in politics.]... Mr. Gilbert died on May 29, 1911 at Grim’s Dyke, Harrow, England.

Humphrey Davy died today – 179 years ago

Chemist (discovering “laughing gas”) and inventor (of the Davy Lamp) Humphrey Davy was born on December 17, 1778 in Penzance, Cornwall, Great Britain. He said, “When two elements combine and form more than one compound, the masses of one element that react with a fixed mass of the other are in the ratio of small whole numbers." [I’ll have to take his word for it.]... Mr. Davy died on May 29, 1829 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Phil Hartman died today – 10 years ago

Comic actor (in the “Coneheads”) Phil Hartman was born on September 24, 1948 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He said, “The one thing I could do was voices and impersonations and weird characters, and there was really no call for that, except on Saturday Night Live." [Perhaps he should have run for Congress.]... Mr. Hartman died on May 28, 1998 in Encino, California.

Alfred Adler died today – 71 years ago

Psychologist (founding the school of “Individual Psychology”) Alfred Adler was born on February 7, 1870 in Rudolfsheim, Austria. He said, “It is always easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them." [Ain’t that the truth!]... Mr. Adler died on May 28, 1937 in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Noah Webster died today – 165 years ago

Author (of Speller books) Noah Webster was born on October 16, 1758 in the West Division of Hartford, Connecticut. He said, “Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." [And don't forget it!]... Mr. Webster died on May 28, 1843 in New Haven, Connecticut.

Jawaharlal Nehru died today – 44 years ago

Jawaharlal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889 in Allahabad, United Provinces, British India. He said, “Socialism is... not only a way of life, but a certain scientific approach to social and economic problems." [He should have read Ludwig von Mises’ “Socialism: An Economic and Sociological Analysis” and the “Cliches of Socialism” and the “Cliches of Politics”.]... Mr. Nehru died on May 27, 1964 in New Delhi, India.

Eddie Albert died today – 3 years ago

Actor (in “Roman Holiday”, “Green Acres”, and many, MANY others) Eddie Albert was born as Edward Albert Heimberger on April 22, 1906 in Rock Island, Illinois. (Rock Island is close to Rockford, Illinois.) Mr. Albert said, “Gentlemen, I'm surprised at you. The American farmer didn't get where he is today by celebrating Christmas with phony trees and wax popcorn, plastic candy canes. Gentlemen, to the American farmer Christmas is real. He goes out with ax in hand, chops down his own tree, brings it back, garlands it with strings of popcorn from his own corn crib, makes cider from his own apple trees. And when Christmas carols ring out in the still of the night, he looks up to the sky and says, 'I'm proud to be an American farmer on Christmas.'” [Hmmm.]... Mr. Albert died on May 26, 2005 in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California.

Martin Heidegger died today – 32 years ago

Philosopher and author (of “Being and Time”) Martin Heidegger was born on September 26, 1889 in Meßkirch, Germany. He said, “Why are there beings at all, instead of Nothing?" [So you could ask that question?]... Mr. Heidegger died on May 26, 1976 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

Charles Horace Mayo died today – 69 years ago

Physician and co-founder of the Mayo Clinic Charles Horace Mayo was born on July 19, 1865 in Rochester, Minnesota. He said, “Worry affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system. I have never known a man who died from over work, but many who died from doubt." [But if we didn't have so much about which to worry, ...]... Mr. Mayo died on May 26, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois.

Roy A. Childs died on Thursday – 16 years ago

Libertarian essayist, editor (of “Libertarian Review”), and lead book reviewer (for “Laissez Faire Books”) Roy A. Childs was born on April 1 (or 4), 1949 in Buffalo, New York. He said, “Let us walk forward into the sunlight, Miss Rand. You belong with us.” [Were you listening?]... Mr. Childs died on May 22, 1992 in Miami, Florida.

Ismail Merchant died today – 3 years ago

Film producer (of “The Bostonians”, “A Room With A View”, “Howards End”, “Jefferson in Paris”, and many other films) Ismail Merchant was born as Ismail Noormohamed Abdul Rehman on December 25, 1936 in Mumbai, India. He said, “The musicals give emphasis to love, longing, melancholy, sadness. All of that is always there.” [Yup.]... Mr. Merchant died on May 25, 2005 in London, England.

Ruth Laredo died today – 3 years ago

Classical pianist (especially of the works of Alexander Scriabin and Sergei Rachmaninoff) Ruth Laredo was born on November 20, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan. She said, “Great music gives us spiritual sustenance and gives us hope.” [And it’s inspiring, too.]... Ms. Laredo died on May 25, 2005 in New York City, New York.

Sloan Wilson died today – 5 years ago

Author (of “The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit” (1955) and “A Summer Place” (1958)) Sloan Wilson was born on May 8, 1920 in Norwalk, Connecticut. He said, “Success in almost any field depends more on energy and drive than it does on intelligence. This explains why we have so many stupid leaders." [Whew! And here I thought it was just me..]... Mr. Wilson died on May 25, 2003 in Colonial Beach, Virginia.

Hermione Gingold died today – 21 years ago

Actress (in “Gigi”) Hermione Ferdinanda Gingold was born on December 9, 1897 in London, England. She said, “My father dealt in stocks and shares and my mother also had a lot of time on her hands." [Uh-huh!]... Ms. Gingold died on May 24, 1987 in New York City, New York.

Duke Ellington died today – 34 years ago

Composer (of “Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me”) , pianist, and bandleader Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 in Washington, D.C. He said, “There are two kinds of worries - those you can do something about and those you can't. Don't spend any time on the latter." [But how to tell the difference.]... Mr. Ellington died on May 24, 1974 in New York City, New York.

William Lloyd Garrison died today – 129 years ago

Author and editor of "The Liberator" William Lloyd Garrison was born on December 12, 1805 in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He said, “Enslave the liberty of but one human being and the liberties of the world are put in peril." [Eventually.]... Mr. Garrison died on May 24, 1879 in New York City, New York.

Nicholas Copernicus died today – 465 years ago

Astronomer (formulating a heliocentric cosmology) and author (of “De revolutionibus orbium coelestium”) Nicholas Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473 in Toruń (Thorn), Royal Prussia, Poland. He said, “Near the sun is the center of the universe." [Well, you don’t get them all right, do you?]... Mr. Copernicus died on May 24, 1543 in Frombork (Frauenburg), Warmia, Poland.

Moms Mabley died today – 33 years ago

Comedian (on the “Chitlin' circuit”) Jackie “Moms” Mabley was born as Loretta Mary Aiken on March 19, 1894 in Brevard, North Carolina. She said, “Life is like a game of poker: If you don't put any in the pot, there won't be any to take out." [Yup!]... Ms. Mabley died on May 23, 1975 in White Plains, New York.

David Smith died today – 43 years ago

Sculptor (of “Cubi XXVIII”) David Roland Smith was born on March 9, 1906 in Decatur, Indiana. He said, “In this business you either sink or swim or you don't.” [Are those my only options?]... Mr. Smith died on May 23, 1965 near Bennington, Vermont.

John D. Rockefeller, Sr. died today – 71 years ago

Entrepreneur (founding the Standard Oil company) John Davison Rockefeller, Sr. was born on July 8, 1839 in Richford, New York. He said, “The person who starts out simply with the idea of getting rich won't succeed; you must have a larger ambition. There is no mystery in business success. If you do each day's task successfully, and stay faithfully within these natural operations of commercial laws which I talk so much about, and keep your head clear, you will come out all right." [Unless a hurricane or tornado or cyclone or tsunami or earthquake or fire or flood or landslide or virus or bacteria or cancer or disease or ... occurs.]... Mr. Rockefeller died on May 23, 1937 in The Casements, Ormond Beach, Florida.

Henrik Ibsen died today – 102 years ago

Author (of the plays “Peer Gynt” (while on Ischia) and “A Doll’s House”) Henrik Johan Ibsen was born on March 20, 1828 in Skien, Norway. He said, “A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm." [I’m ready... and I have some great ideas, too.]... Mr. Ibsen died on May 23, 1906 in Kristiania (Oslo), Norway.

Joseph Wood Krutch died today – 38 years ago

Naturalist and author (of “The Grand Canyon: Today and All Its Yesterdays” (1957)) Joseph Wood Krutch was born on November 25, 1893 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He said, “Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia." [They do seem to have a knack for sleeping.]... Mr. Krutch died on May 22, 1970 in Tucson, Arizona.

Langston Hughes died today – 41 years ago

Author (of “Not Without Laughter” and “Let America Be America Again”) Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. He said, “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." [Then get out there and, as Peter McWilliams said, "Do It!"]... Mr. Hughes died on May 22, 1967 in New York City, New York.

Victor Hugo died today – 123 years ago

Author (of the poetry “Les Contemplations” and “La Légende des siècles” and the novels “Les Misérables” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”) Victor-Marie Hugo was born on February 26, 1802 in Besançon, France. He said, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent." [La, la, la, la, la.]... Mr. Hugo died on May 22, 1885 in Paris, France.

Barbara Cartland died today – 8 years ago

Author (of just a few books) Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland was born on July 9, 1901 in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England. She said, “After forty a woman has to choose between losing her figure or her face. My advice is to keep your face, and stay sitting down." [Hmmm.]... Ms. Cartland died on May 21, 2000 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England.

John Gielgud died today – 8 years ago

Actor (in “Sphinx” and 129 others) Arthur John Gielgud was born on April 14, 1904 in South Kensington, London, England. He said, “Before you can do something you must first be something." [Uh-huh.]... Mr. Gielgud died on May 21, 2000 in Wotton Underwood, Buckinghamshire, England.

Eric Hoffer died today – 25 years ago

Author (of “The True Believer: Thoughts On The Nature Of Mass Movements) Eric Hoffer was born on July 25, 1902 (or 1898) in New York City, New York. He said, “Propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves." [Ya’ think?]... Mr. Hoffer died on May 21, 1983 in San Francisco, California.

Jane Addams died today – 73 years ago

Founder of Hull House Laura Jane Addams was born on September 6, 1860 in Cedarville, Illinois. She said, “Action indeed is the sole medium of expression for ethics." [Don’t just keep it inside your head.]... Ms. Addams died on May 21, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois.

Gilda Radner died today – 19 years ago

Comedian (on “Saturday Night Live”) Gilda Susan Radner was born on June 28, 1946 in Detroit, Michigan. She said, “I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." [That's a start.]... Ms. Radner died on May 20, 1989 in Los Angeles, California.

Christopher Columbus died today – 502 years ago

Explorer (of others’ worlds) Christopher Columbus was born between August and October of 1451 in Genoa, Italy. He said, “Riches don't make a man rich, they only make him busier." [Just tryin’ to figure out what to do with it all is tiring.]... Mr. Columbus died on May 20, 1506 by Valladolid, Spain.

Henry Morgan died today – 14 years ago

Comedian panelist (on “What’s My Line?” and “I’ve Got A Secret”) Henry Morgan was born as Henry Lerner Van Ost, Jr. on March 31, 1915 in New York City, New York. He said, “A kleptomaniac is a person who helps himself because he can't help himself." [Clever, but still an excuse.]... Mr. Morgan died on May 19, 1994.

Ogden Nash died today – 37 years ago

Poet (of these works) Frederic Ogden Nash was born on August 19, 1902 in Rye, New York. He said, “I do not like to get the news, because there has never been an era when so many things were going so right for so many of the wrong persons." [Hasn't changed a lot, has it?]... Mr. Nash died on May 19, 1971 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Booth Tarkington died today – 62 years ago

Author (of “The Magnificent Ambersons” and “Alice Adams”) Newton Booth Tarkington was born on July 29, 1869 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He said, “Arguments only confirm people in their own opinions." [Well, you gotta do somethin’ with ‘em.]... Mr. Tarkington died on May 19, 1946 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

T. E. Lawrence died today – 73 years ago

Author (of the "Seven Pillars of Wisdom") Thomas Edward Lawrence was born on August 16, 1888 in Tremadog, Caernarfonshire, North Wales. He said, “All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.” [Oh, my!]... Mr. Lawrence died on May 19, 1935 in Bovington Camp, Dorset, England.

Nathaniel Hawthorne died today – 144 years ago

Author (of “The Scarlet Letter” and “The House of the Seven Gables”) Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. He said, “Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." [And running around, chasing it, can wear one out.]... Mr. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864 in Plymouth, New Hampshire.

Gustav Mahler died today – 97 years ago

Composer (of “Symphony No. 1”, “Symphony No. 2”, “Symphony No. 3”, “Symphony No. 4”, “Symphony No. 5”, “Symphony No. 6”, “Symphony No. 7”, “Symphony No. 8”, “Das Lied von der Erde”, “Symphony No. 9”, and “Symphony No. 10”) Gustav Mahler was born on July 7, 1860 in Kaliště, Bohemia. He said, “A symphony must be like the world. It must contain everything." [So that’s why they’re so long and repetitious.]... Mr. Mahler died on May 18, 1911 in Vienna, Austria.

Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais died today – 209 years ago

Author (of “The Barber of Seville”, “The Marriage of Figaro”, and “The Guilty Mother”) Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais was born on January 24, 1732 in Paris, France. He said, “To make a living, craftiness is better than learnedness.” [Use your learnin’ to be clever.]... Mr. de Beaumarchais died on May 18, 1799 in Paris, France.





Now you can sing along:

Tony Randall died today – 4 years ago

Actor (in “The Odd Couple”) Tony Randall was born as Arthur Leonard Rosenberg on February 26, 1920 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He said, “Sooner or later, we sell out for money." [But the exchange rate is so good.]... Mr. Randall died on May 17, 2004 in New York City, New York.

Lawrence Welk died today – 16 years ago

Bandleader (hosting “The Lawrence Welk Show”) Lawrence Welk was born on March 11, 1903 in Strasburg, North Dakota. He said, “Dreams do come true, even for someone who couldn't speak English and never had a music lesson or much of an education." [Just know how to wave that wand... An' a one, an' a two, an' a]... Mr. Welk died on May 17, 1992 in Santa Monica, California.

Robert M. Hutchins died today – 31 years ago

Educational philosopher (of this theory) Robert Maynard Hutchins was born on January 17, 1899 in Brooklyn, New York. He said, “We can put television in its proper light by supposing that Gutenberg's great invention had been directed at printing only comic books." [Hmmm.]... Mr. Hutchins died on May 17, 1977 in Santa Barbara, California.

Sammy Davis, Jr. died today – 18 years ago

Entertainer (on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In") and singer (of “The Candy Man”) Samuel George Davis, Jr. was born on December 8, 1925 in New York City, New York. He said, “The ultimate mystery is one's own self." [Yep. I understand everyone else perfectly.]... Mr. Davis died on May 16, 1990 in Beverly Hills, California.

Jim Henson died today – 18 years ago

Entertainer and creator (of “The Muppets”) James Maury Henson was born on September 24, 1936 in Greenville, Mississippi. He said, “It has always been difficult to get Big Bird to be very pretty. Big Bird in England is much more gorgeous." [We’re just a plain people.]... Mr. Henson died on May 16, 1990 in New York City, New York.

Andy Kaufman died today – 24 years ago

Comedian and actor (in “Taxi”) Andrew Geoffrey Kaufman was born on January 17, 1949 in New York City, New York. He said, “My mother sent me to psychiatrists since the age of four because she didn't think little boys should be sad. When my brother was born, I stared out the window for days. Can you imagine that?" [Was he hoping the “stork” would bring another?]... Mr. Kaufman died on May 16, 1984 in Los Angeles, California.

Irwin Shaw died today – 24 years ago

Author (of “Rich Man, Poor Man”) Irwin Shaw was born as Irwin Gilbert Shamforoff on February 27, 1913 in South Bronx, New York City, New York. He said, “There are too many books I haven't read, too many places I haven't seen, too many memories I haven't kept long enough." [There’s just too much of everything.]... Mr. Shaw died on May 16, 1984 in Davos, Switzerland.

James Agee died today – 53 years ago

Author (of “A Death in the Family”) James Rufus Agee was born on November 27, 1909 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He said, “It is a peculiar part of the good photographer's adventure to know where luck is most likely to lie in the stream, to hook it, and to bring it in without unfair play and without too much subduing it." [Or you could just buy a digital camera with a lot of memory and click, click, click away.]... Mr. Agee died on May 16, 1955 in New York City, New York.

June Carter Cash died today – 5 years ago

Singer (of “It Ain’t Me Babe” and “Jackson”) and songwriter (of “Ring of Fire”) Valerie June Carter Cash was born on June 23, 1929 in Maces Spring, Virginia. She said, “We never actually slept in the Packard, but we'd stay at these places called tourist homes. Then they got these wonderful things called motels." [What’s next?]... Mrs. Cash died on May 15, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Edward Hopper died today – 41 years ago

Painter (of “Automat”, “Chop Suey”, “Nighthawks”, and many more works) Edward Hopper was born on July 22, 1882 in upper Nyack, New York. He said, “I find linseed oil and white lead the most satisfactory mediums." [I like keyboards – musical and computer.]... Mr. Hopper died on May 15, 1967 in New York City, New York.

Emily Dickinson died today – 122 years ago

Author (of poems) Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts. She said (in context here), “Tell the truth, but tell it slant." [That’s the trouble with people: it’s what’s-left-out that’s often the most important. I don't want the spin.]... Ms. Dickinson died on May 15, 1886 in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Robert Stack died today – 5 years ago

Actor (in “Mumford” (1999) and a few more films) Robert Stack was born as Robert Langford Modini Stack on January 13, 1919 in Los Angeles, California. He said, “These are icons to be treasured." [Was he thinking about Ayn Rand, Murray N. Rothbard, Peter McWilliams, and Harry Browne?]... Mr. Stack died on May 14, 2003 in Beverly Hills, California.

Frank Sinatra died today – 10 years ago

Singer (of “Strangers in the Night”, “My Way”, and “New York, New York”) and actor (in “High Society” (1956) and many more films) Francis Albert “Frank” Sinatra was born on December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. He had been married to Nancy Barbato, Ava Gardner, Mia Farrow, and Barbara Marx. He said, “I'm for whatever gets you through the night." [But what about the next day?]... Mr. Sinatra died on May 14, 1998 in Los Angeles, California.

Rita Hayworth died today – 21 years ago

Actress (in “The Strawberry Blonde” (1941) and a few more films) Rita Hayworth was born as Margarita Carmen Cansino on October 17, 1918 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. She had been married to Orson Welles. She said, “We are all tied to our destiny and there is no way we can liberate ourselves." [Oh, please!]... Ms. Hayworth died on May 14, 1987 in New York City, New York.

Billie Burke died today – 38 years ago

Actress (as “Glenda the Good Witch of the North” in “The Wizard of Oz” (1939)) Billie Burke was born as Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke on August 7, 1884 in Washington, D.C. She said, “Age is of no importance unless you are a cheese." [Love those cheeses.]... Ms. Burke died on May 14, 1970 in Los Angeles, California.

Emma Goldman died today – 68 years ago

Emma Goldman was born on June 27, 1869 in Kaunas, Lithuania. She said, “If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." [But don’t they have to make it at least look like a democracy?]... Ms. Goldman died on May 14, 1940 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Gary Cooper died today – 47 years ago

Actor (in “The Fountainhead” (1949)) Gary Cooper was born as Frank James Cooper on May 7, 1901 in Helena, Montana. He said, “In Westerns you were permitted to kiss your horse but never your girl." [Oh, well! Times have changed.]... Mr. Cooper died on May 13, 1961 in Los Angeles, California.

Perry Como died today – 7 years ago

Singer (of “Catch a Falling Star” and many other songs) and actor (in “Words and Music” (1948)) Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was born on May 18, 1912 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. He said, “Acting coaches in Hollywood were always telling me to use my hands and body more. But that was never me. I just breathe and sometimes it doesn't look as if I'm doing that." [You'd better watch that or someone might think that you’re dead.]... Mr. Como died on May 12, 2001 in Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida.

Dottie Rambo died today

Singer and songwriter (of "We Shall Behold Him" and many more songs) Joyce "Dottie" Rambo was born on March 2, 1934 in Madisonville, Kentucky. Ms. Rambo died on May 11, 2008 from a bus accident near Mt. Vernon, Missouri.

Bob Marley died today – 27 years ago

Singer, composer (of “I Shot the Sheriff”), and guitarist Robert "Bob" Nesta Marley was born on February 6, 1945 in Nine Mile, Saint Ann, Jamaica. He said, “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind." [Ain’t that the truth!]... Mr. Marley died on May 11, 1981 in Miami, Florida.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. died today – 48 years ago

Businessman (in “Standard Oil”) John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was born on January 29, 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio. He said, “Don't blame the marketing department. The buck stops with the chief executive." [So if you say you’re the leader, then act like the leader.]... Mr. Rockefeller died on May 11, 1960 in Tucson, Arizona.

Joan Crawford died today – 31 years ago

Actress (in “Grand Hotel” (1932), “Autumn Leaves” (1956), and a few more films) Joan Crawford was born as Lucille Fay LeSueur on March 23, 1905 in San Antonio, Texas. She said, “Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your hearth or burn down your house, you can never tell." [Oh, my!]... Ms. Crawford died on May 10, 1977 in New York City, New York.

Stonewall Jackson died today – 145 years ago

U.S. Un-Civil War Confederate General Thomas Jonathan ”Stonewall” Jackson was born on January 21, 1824 in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). He said, “It is painful enough to discover with what unconcern they speak of war and threaten it. I have seen enough of it to make me look upon it as the sum of all evils.” [Yup.]... Mr. Jackson died on May 10, 1863 in Guinea Station, Virginia.

Alan King died today – 4 years ago

Comedian and actor (in “The Bonfire of the Vanities” (1990)) Alan King was born on December 26, 1927 in New York City, New York. He said, “You do live longer with bran, but you spend the last fifteen years on the toilet." [The lesson is to buy a comfortable toilet.]... Mr. King died on May 9, 2004 in New York City, New York.

Friedrich von Schiller died today – 203 years ago

Author (of the play “Wilhelm Tell” (1804)) Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was born on November 10, 1759 in Marbach am Neckar, Germany. He said, “The voice of the majority is no proof of justice." [Tell it to the jury.]... Mr. von Schiller died on May 9, 1805 in Weimar, Germany.

Eddy Arnold died today

Singer (of "Make the World Go Away" (1965) and a few more) Eddy Arnold was born as Richard Edward Arnold on May 15, 1918 in Henderson, Tennessee. He said, "When I finally put my guitar in the case the last time, I want to be remembered just as a singer, not as a country singer or pops singer - just a singer." [I hope that he gets his wish.]... Mr. Arnold died on May 8, 2008 in Franklin, Tennessee.

Robert A. Heinlein died today – 20 years ago

Author (of “Stranger in a Strange Land” (1961) and “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” (1966)) and coiner of the word “TANSTAAFL” Robert Anson Heinlein was born on July 7, 1907 in Butler, Missouri. He said, “One could write a history of science in reverse by assembling the solemn pronouncements of highest authority about what could not be done and could never happen." [Will someone please try it?]... Mr. Heinlein died on May 8, 1988 in Carmel, California.

Oswald Spengler died today – 72 years ago

Philosopher and author (of “The Decline of the West” (1919)) Oswald Arnold Gottfried Spengler was born on May 29, 1880 in Blankenburg am Harz, Germany. He said, “Socialism is nothing but the capitalism of the lower classes." [He didn’t have this book and this book.]... Mr. Spengler died on May 8, 1936 in Munich, Germany.

Paul Gauguin died today – 105 years ago

Painter (of “Van Gogh Painting Sunflowers” (1888) and many more) Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin was born on June 7, 1848 in Paris, France. He said, “Art is either plagiarism or revolution." [Can’t it just be pretty?]... Mr. Gauguin died on May 8, 1903 in Atuona, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia.

Gustave Flaubert died today – 128 years ago

Author (of “Madame Bovary”) Gustave Flaubert was born on December 12, 1821 in Rouen, France. He said, “Language is a cracked kettle on which we beat out tunes for bears to dance to, while all the time we long to move the stars to pity." [And here I thought it was for communication.]... Mr. Flaubert died on May 8, 1880 in Rouen, France.