The Writer's Almanac
Summary: The Writer's Almanac is a daily podcast of poetry and historical interest pieces, usually of literary significance, hosted by Garrison Keillor.
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- Artist: Garrison Keillor
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On this day in 1605, Book One of Cervantes’ “Don Quixote” was published. The novel remains the most-translated book in the world after the Bible.
“If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live." –Martin Luther King, Jr., born this day in Atlanta, 1929
It’s the birthday of Pulitzer-prize winning columnist Maureen Dowd (1951), who said, "The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for."
It’s the birthday of the author who created Paddington Bear: that’s Michael Bond, born Newbury, England, in 1926.
Today is the birthday of writer Haruki Murakami (1949), whose most recent novel, Killing Commendatore, was released in the U.S. this past October.
It’s the birthday of psychologist William James (1842), who said, "Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact."
It was on this day in 1776 that a 77-page pamphlet called "Common Sense" was published. It made the case that the American colonies should declare independence from Great Britain.
Today is the 18th birthday of Apple’s iTunes and the 12th birthday of the iPhone! Both were announced on this day, one in 2001 and the other in 2007.
It’s the birthday of the late Stephen Hawking (1942), who said, "My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all."
It’s the birthday of writer Zora Neale Hurston (1891), best known for her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God.
It’s the birthday of author Elizabeth Strout (1956), whose short story collection Olive Kitteridge won the Pulitzer Prize in 2009 and was turned into an HBO mini-series in 2014.
It was on this day in 2007 that the man who invented instant ramen and Cup Noodles, Momofuku Ando, died at the age of 96.
It's the birthday of Louis Braille (1809), who invented a system of six raised dots that could be read by blind people such as himself.
On this date in 1870, work began on the Brooklyn Bridge. At least 20 workers died during its construction.
On this date in 1974, President Nixon signed a law setting the national speed limit at 55 miles per hour, a response to increased fuel prices.