Josef Stalin died today – 55 years ago

Josef Stalin was born as Josef Vissarionovich Dzughashvili on December 18, 1878 in Gori, Georgia, Russian Empire. He said, “The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic." [What a shame!]... Mr. Stalin died on March 5, 1953 in Moscow, Russian SFSR, USSR.

Hippolyte Taine died today – 115 years ago

Historian and critic Hippolyte Adolphe Taine was born on April 21, 1828 in Vouziers, Ardennes, France. He said, “I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior." [Amen!]... Mr. Taine died on March 5, 1893 in Paris France.



Are they discussing philosophy or metaphysics or what they had for dinner?

Minnie Pearl died today – 12 years ago

Comedian (think: “Grand Ole Opry”) Minnie Pearl was born as Sarah Ophelia Colley on October 25, 1912 in Centerville, Tennessee. She said, “Kissing a man with a beard is a lot like going to a picnic. You don't mind going through a little bush to get there!" [You tell ‘em, honey.]... Ms. Pearl died on March 4, 1996 in Nashville, Tennessee.





Got enough of Minnie? (That’s a rhetorical question.) Who could ever get enough of Minnie? So here:

Danny Kaye died today – 21 years ago

Actor (think: “A Song is Born” (1948)) David Daniel “Danny” Kaye was born on January 18, 1913 in Brooklyn, New York. He said, “Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it." [Along with other things.]... Mr. Kaye died on March 3, 1987 in Los Angeles, California.

Arthur Koestler died today – 25 years ago

Writer (think: “The Ghost in the Machine”) Arthur Koestler was born as Kösztler Artúr on September 5, 1905 in Budapest, Austria-Hungary. He said, “True creativity often starts where language ends." [As in music and painting?]... Mr. Koestler died on March 3, 1983 in London, England.

Murray N. Rothbard was born today – 82 years ago

Writer (think: “Man, Economy, and State”, “Power and Market”, and “For a New Liberty”) and historian (think: “America’s Great Depression” and “What Has Government Done to Our Money?”) Murray Newton Rothbard was born on March 2, 1926 in the Bronx, New York City, New York. He said, “It is not the business of the law to make anyone good or reverent or moral or clean or upright.” [It should be to protect property rights.]... Mr. Rothbard died on January 7, 1995 in New York City, New York.

Hank Ballard died today – 5 years ago

Singer (think: “The Midnighters”) and songwriter (think: “Work With Me Annie”) Hank Ballard was born as John Henry Kendricks on November 18, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan. He said, “If you're looking for youth, you're looking for longevity, just take a dose of rock 'n' roll. It keeps you going. Just like the caffeine in your coffee. Rock 'n' roll is good for the soul, for the well being, for the psyche, for your everything. I love it. I can't even picture being without rock 'n' roll." [It must be like exercise, but a whole lot more fun.]... Mr. Ballard died on March 2, 2003 in Los Angeles, California.