Michael Harrington died today – 19 years ago

Author (of Socialism: Past & Future - read Ludwig von Mises’s Socialism: An Economic and Sociological Analysis and this for a better analysis) Edward Michael Harrington was born on February 24, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. He said, “Clothes make the poor invisible. America has the best-dressed poverty the world has ever known." [The term "poor" is relative, but people can become wealthier by following Murray N. Rothbard's Man, Economy, and State.]... Mr. Harrington died on July 31, 1989 in Larchmont, New York.

Bobby Van died today – 28 years ago

Actor (in Kiss Me Kate and Lost Horizon) Bobby Van was born as Robert Jack Stein on December 6, 1928 in the Bronx, New York City, New York. Mr. Van died of brain cancer on July 31, 1980 in Los Angeles, California.

Jim Reeves died today – 44 years ago

Singer (of Welcome to My World) James Travis “Jim” Reeves was born on August 20, 1923 in Galloway, Texas. Mr. Reeves died in an airplane crash on July 31, 1964 in Williamson County, Tennessee.

Buffalo Bob Smith died today – 10 years ago

TV show host (of the Howdy Doody show) Buffalo Bob Smith was born as Robert Emil Schmidt on November 27, 1917 in Buffalo, New York. He said, “Say kids, What time is it?!” [And they said, “In what time zone?”]... Mr. Smith died on July 30, 1998 in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Claudette Colbert died today – 12 years ago

Actress (in Imitation of Life and The Egg and I) Claudette Colbert was born as Émilie Claudette Chauchoin on September 13, 1903 in Saint-Mandé, Seine, France. She said, “Men don't get smarter when they grow older. They just lose their hair." [And that leaves more room for knowledge, doesn’t it?]... Ms. Colbert died on July 30, 1996 in Speightstown, Barbados.

Howard Dietz died today – 25 years ago

Lyricist (of Dancing in the Dark) Howard Dietz was born on September 8, 1896 in New York City, New York. He said, “Composers shouldn't think too much—it interferes with their plagiarism." [Just because I use the same notes, doesn’t mean that I copy. After all, there are only so many of them.]... Mr. Dietz died on July 30, 1983 in New York City, New York.

William Penn died today – 290 years ago

Founder (of the Province of Pennsylvania) William Penn was born on October 14, 1644 in London, England. He said, “A good End cannot sanctify evil Means; nor must we ever do Evil, that Good may come of it." [Amen. Amen!]... Mr. Penn died on July 30, 1718 in Berkshire, England.