APRIL 23RD...

I have a thing about the 23rd day of the month--any month. Probably, it all stems from my birthday, which is the 23rd day of a winter month.

Today is April 23rd. Here's what I gleaned from a short trawl of the Internet:

 

Know who this handsome devil is? Born in 1654, and so far as is known, also died on this day in 1616. If you guessed William Shakespeare, you're a winner!

You probably know the Bard's work from high school English classes. Or from well-known (or well-worn) phrases that have made their home in our everyday language. "To be or not to be," is one of his (from Hamlet).

Other birthday folks you might know:

Max Planck, 1858 - German theoretical physicist, known for his work in quantum theory

Shirley Temple, 1928 - American child actor; then later Shirley Temple Black, former Chief of Protocol of the United States

Roy Orbison, 1936 - singer, songwriter, guitarist, pioneered new music styles in the age of rock 'n' roll

-----

Here are some interesting happenings on April 23rd:

• 1789: George Washington moved into the Franklin House (New York) which was the first presidential residence
• 1914: Wrigley Field saw its first Major League Baseball game
• 1954: Hank Aaron hit the first home run in his MLB career
• 1984: Discovery of the virus causing AIDS was announced
• 2005: First video uploaded to YouTube, "Met at the zoo"

-----

If April 23rd didn't ring your chimes, do a quick search of your own favorite date. Just type in, "what happened on _____ in history?"

See how easy that was? And fun! You never know what you'll have show up on your screen. And besides, it's cheap entertainment, no shipping costs, and nobody has to know (if you keep it to yourself).

Blessings,

Thursday's Child