Profile of the Day

Happy birthday to Marilyn Monroe! Today we remember the legendary film icon on what would have been her 96th birthday. Image: Marilyn Monroe / Wikimedia Commons Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles California to Gladys Pearl Baker. Soon after her birth, Marilyn’s surname was changed to Baker. With her mother unable to care for her, Marilyn spent much of her childhood in foster homes. At 16, she married her… Read the full story

On May 31, 1819, Walt Whitman, one of America’s most influential poets, was born in West Hills, New York. Image: Walt Whitman / Library of Congress The second of nine children, Whitman was nicknamed “Walt” to distinguish him from his father, Walter Whitman, Sr. His parents held great admiration for their country, even naming three of Whitman’s brothers after American leaders: Andrew Jackson, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Whitman stopped his formal schooling at the age… Read the full story

On this day in 1907, American marine biologist and conservationist Rachel Carson was born. Carson’s groundbreaking work is often credited with advancing the global environmental movement. Image: Rachel Carson / Smithsonian Institution Carson was born on May 17, 1907 on a family farm near Springdale, Pennsylvania to Robert Warden Carson, an insurance salesman, and Maria Frazier McLean. Growing up, she developed a deep love of nature and enjoyed writing stories, publishing her first story at… Read the full story

Today we remember astronaut Sally Ride, who was born on this day in 1951. In 1983, Ride became the first American woman in space when she flew into orbit aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Image: Sally Ride / NASA Born in Los Angeles, California, Ride held a keen interest in science from a young age. As she was finishing her Ph.D. in physics at Stanford University, Ride saw an article in the school’s newspaper advertising that NASA… Read the full story

American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on this day in 1803. Image: Ralph Waldo Emerson / Library of Congress Emerson was born on May 25, 1803 in Boston, Massachusetts to Ruth Haskins and William Emerson, a Unitarian minister. At the age of 8, Emerson’s father died, leaving his mother to care for the young family with the aid of his aunt, Mary Moody Emerson. He formed a close bond with his aunt… Read the full story

Have you found your connection to the British royal family? On this day in 1819, Queen Victoria was born in Kensington Palace in London, England. Image: Queen Victoria / Library of Congress She was the daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, who was the fourth son of King George III. At the time of her birth, she was the fifth in the line of succession. While she was still an infant, her grandfather and… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Cher! Today the music legend turns 76. Image: Cher / Nationaal Archief, Wikimedia Commons Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkisian in El Centro, California on May 20, 1946. Her father, John Sarkisian, was truck driver, and her mother, Georgia Holt, was a former model and actress. When she was ten months old, her parents divorced. In the 1960s, Cher rose to stardom as part of a singing act with her husband, Sonny Bono…. Read the full story

On this day in 1536, Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII of England, was beheaded for charges of treason and adultery. Image: Anne Boleyn / Wikimedia Commons Her marriage to Henry VIII was scandalous from the start and had plunged the country into political and religious upheaval. Denied an annulment for his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon by the Roman Catholic Church, Henry VIII broke away from the Church to establish the Church… Read the full story

On this day in 1897, director Frank Capra was born. One of the most prominent and influential filmmakers of the 1930s, Capra won three Academy Awards for Best Director. Image: Frank Capra / Library of Congress Capra was born Francesco Rosario Capra in the village of Bisacquino, near Palermo, Sicily, Italy. He was the youngest of seven children born to Salvatore Capra, a fruit grower, and Rosaria Sarah Nicolosi. When he was five, the family… Read the full story

On this day in 1911, actress Maureen O’Sullivan was born in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland. Image: Maureen O’Sullivan / Wikimedia Commons She was the daughter of Mary Eva Frazer and Charles Joseph O’Sullivan, an officer in the Connaught Rangers who served in World War I. As a child, O’Sullivan attended a convent school in Dublin where future Academy Award-winning actress Vivien Leigh was a classmate. Discovered by Hollywood filmmaker Frank Borzage at a horse show… Read the full story

Remember watching Henry Fonda on the big screen? On this day in 1905, the Hollywood legend was born in Grand Island, Nebraska. Image: Henry Fonda / Wikimedia Commons Henry Jaynes Fonda was the son of William Brace Fonda and Elma Jaynes. His Fonda ancestors were among the first Dutch people to settle in what is now upstate New York. The small village of Fonda was named after Douw Fonda, a prominent settler who was killed in 1780 during a… Read the full story

Do you remember watching The Golden Girls or Maude? Today, we remember star Bea Arthur on what would have been her 100th birthday. Image: Bea Arthur / Wikimedia Commons She was born Bernice Frankel on May 13, 1922 in Brooklyn, New York. Before beginning her career as an actress, Arthur worked as a truck driver and typist in the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve during World War II. After the war, she found success in theater… Read the full story

Have you found your connection to the “Lady with the Lamp”? On this day in 1820, Florence Nightingale was born in Florence, Italy. A nursing pioneer, Nightingale is remembered as the founder of modern nursing. Image: Florence Nightingale / Library of Congress Nightingale was born to an affluent and elite British family. Growing up, she felt uncomfortable among her family’s social circles and preferred to spend her time helping the poor and ill near her family’s… Read the full story

Do you have Spanish ancestry? On this day in 1904, surrealist painter Salvador Dalí was born. Image: Salvador Dalí / Library of Congres He was born Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí y Domènech in Figueres, Spain. Nine months before his birth, his older brother, also named Salvador, died of gastroenteritis. At the age of five, his parents had told him that he was the reincarnation of his brother. A believer in the concept, Dalí incorporated… Read the full story

Today we remember Hollywood icon Fred Astaire, who was born on this day in 1899. Remembered as one of the most influential dancers in the history of film and television musicals, Astaire’s impressive career spanned a total of 76 years.  Image: Fred Astaire / Wikimedia Commons Astaire got his start as a dancer at the tender age of four. By the age of six, he was performing along with his sister Adele as a popular vaudeville act. The siblings changed… Read the full story

On this day in 1860, author James Barrie was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland. Today he is best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan. Image: J.M. Barrie / Library of Congress James Matthew Barrie was the ninth of ten children born to David Barrie, a weaver, and Margaret Ogilvy. As a child, Barrie and his mother often entertained each other by telling stories. The character of Peter Pan first appeared in the novel, The Little… Read the full story

Happy birthday to George Clooney! Today the actor turns 61. Image: George Clooney / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration George Timothy Clooney was born in Lexington, Kentucky on May 6, 1961 to Nina Bruce, a city councilwoman, and Nick Clooney, a former anchorman and game show host. His aunt was singer and actress Rosemary Clooney. Clooney first rose to fame on the hit television show ER. His work on the series earned him two… Read the full story

On this day in 1864, journalist Nellie Bly was born. A pioneer in her field, Bly helped launch a new kind of investigative journalism. Image: Nellie Bly / Library of Congress Bly was born Elizabeth Jane Cochran on May 5, 1864 in Cochran’s Mills, Pennsylvania. The town of Cochran’s Mills was named after her father, Michael Cochran, who was a mill owner and judge. As a journalist, she wrote under the pen name “Nellie Bly.”… Read the full story

Do you have a favorite Audrey Hepburn movie? On this day in 1929, the iconic actress was born in Brussels, Belgium. Image: Audrey Hepburn / Wikimedia Commons She was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston to Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston and Baroness Ella van Heemstra, a Dutch aristocrat and the daughter of Baron Aarnoud van Heemstra. Hepburn took up ballet at a young age, and by 1944 was a very proficient dancer. During World War II, she would secretly… Read the full story

Do you have a favorite Bing Crosby film? On this day in 1903, the legendary actor was born. Image: Bing Crosby / U.S National Archives and Records Administration Crosby was born Harry Lillis Crosby, Jr. on May 3, 1903 in Tacoma, Washington in a house built by his father. The fourth of seven children, Crosby acquired the nickname “Bing” at a young age from a comic strip called “The Bingville Bugle.” After finding success on… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Dwayne Johnson! Today the actor and former professional wrestler turns 50. Image: Dwayne Johnson / Eva Rinaldi, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Johnson was born on May 2, 1972 in Hayward, California to Ata Maivia and Rocky Johnson, a former professional wrestler. His maternal grandfather, Peter Maivia, was also a professional wrester and a member of the famous Anoa’i family of wrestlers. A standout athlete, Johnson attended the University of Miami on… Read the full story

Happy 89th birthday to Willie Nelson! Image: Willie Nelson / Library of Congress Nelson was born on April 29, 1933 in Abbott, Texas to Myrle Marie Greenhaw and Ira Doyle Nelson. Raised by his paternal grandparents, Nelson developed a love for music at an early age. At the age of 6, his grandfather bought him his first guitar and by 7, he had written his first song. Throughout his childhood, Nelson earned money by performing… Read the full story

Do you remember reading To Kill a Mocking Bird? On April 28, 1926, author Harper Lee was born. Image: Harper Lee / Wikimedia Commons Nelle Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama and was the youngest child of Francis Cunningham Finch and Amasa Coleman Lee. Growing up, Lee was close childhood friends with author Truman Capote. In 1959, Lee helped serve as Capote’s research assistant for an article he was writing for The New Yorker…. Read the full story

On this day in 1791, inventor Samuel F.B. Morse was born. Morse revolutionized long distance communication with his invention of the single-wire telegraph and the development of Morse code, a code using pulses and pauses to deliver messages quickly over vast distances.  Image: Samuel F.B. Morse / Library of Congress Samuel Finley Breese Morse was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts on April 27, 1791. He was the first child of Jedediah Morse and Elizabeth Ann Finley Breese…. Read the full story

Happy birthday to Carol Burnett! Today the beloved comedic actress celebrates her 89th birthday. Image: Carol Burnett / Wikimedia Commons Born on April 26, 1933 in San Antonio, Texas, Burnett caught the acting bug at a young age. After her parents divorced in the late 1930s, she was sent to live with her grandmother in a boarding house in Hollywood, California. In the second grade, she briefly invented an imaginary twin sister named Karen and found enjoyment in fooling the… Read the full story

Are you a jazz fan? Today we celebrate legendary singer Ella Fitzgerald’s birthday! Image: Ella Fitzgerald / Library of Congress The “Queen of Jazz” was born in Newport News, Virginia on April 25, 1917 to William and Temperance Fitzgerald. At the age of 17, she made her singing debut at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. Her performance set her career in motion and onto a path of stardom. Her extraordinary vocal range… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Jack Nicholson! Today the actor turns 85. Image: Jack Nicholson / Georges Biard, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Nicholson was born on April 22, 1937 in Neptune, New Jersey. His biological mother was June Nicholson, although he spent the first 37 years of his life believing that she was his older sister. Only 17 years old and unmarried at the time, June’s parents agreed to raise Nicholson as their own child and… Read the full story

Happy 96th birthday to Queen Elizabeth II! Image: Queen Elizabeth II / Wikimedia Commons, NASA The Queen was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, in London. At the time of her birth, no one would have predicted that she would someday become queen. Her father, Prince Albert, succeeded to the throne after his brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne six months into his reign. Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-lived and… Read the full story

On this day in 1808, Napoleon III was born in Paris, France. The nephew and only heir to Napoleon Bonaparte, Napoleon was the first Head of State of France to hold the title of President. After being barred from running for a second term, he organized a coup in 1851 and took the throne as Napoleon III. Image: Napoleon III / Wikimedia Commons He was born Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte on April 20, 1808. He was the third… Read the full story

On this day in 1882, Charles Darwin died at his home, the Down House, in Kent at the age of 73. Considered to be one of the most influential scientific minds in history, Darwin’s work transformed the world’s understanding of nature. Image: Charles Darwin / Library of Congress Darwin was born on February 12, 1809 in his family home, The Mount, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. The fifth of six children, Darwin came from a line… Read the full story

As the British began their approach towards Lexington and Concord on the night of April 18, 1775, Patriots Paul Revere and William Dawes set out on horseback to warn the American colonists of the approaching British troops. The British had planned to capture Patriot leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were known to be hiding in Lexington, and confiscate supplies stored by the Massachusetts militia at Concord. Revere and Dawes set out on different routes towards… Read the full story

On this day in 1452, Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci was born in the Republic of Florence. Image: Leonardo da Vinci / Library of Congress Little is known about Da Vinci’s early life. He was born on April 15, 1452 and was the illegitimate son of Piero da Vinci, a well-to-do notary, and Catarina, a peasant who later married an artisan. Growing up, da Vinci received an informal education and by the age of 14, became an… Read the full story

On this day in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth while watching a play at the Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. Image: Abraham Lincoln / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Just five days earlier, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, signaling the end of the American Civil War. The President had gone for an evening out with his wife to… Read the full story

Are you related to a Founding Father of the United States? On this day in 1743, Thomas Jefferson was born at his family home in Virginia. Image: Thomas Jefferson / Wikimedia Commons The third of ten children, Jefferson was born into one of the most prominent families in Virginia. His father, Peter Jefferson, was a successful planter and surveyor. He died when Jefferson was just 14. One of America’s Founding Fathers, Jefferson was the principal author… Read the full story

On this day in 1916, beloved author Beverly Cleary was born. Image: Beverly Cleary / Washington State Archives, Wikimedia Commons Clearly was born Beverly Atlee Bunn on April 12, 1916 in McMinville, Oregon. An only child, Cleary spent the early years of her life on her family’s farm before moving to Portland, Oregon at the age of 6. A passionate reader, Cleary had aspirations to become a children’s librarian after graduating high school. Cleary began writing… Read the full story

On this day in 1918, former First Lady and activist Betty Ford was born. Image: Betty Ford / Library of Congress She was born Elizabeth Anne Bloomer on April 8, 1918 in Chicago Illinois to Hortense Neahr and William Stephenson Bloomer, a traveling salesman. As a young girl, she studied dance and worked as a model at a department store to help pay for her lessons. In 1948, she married Gerald Ford, who at the… Read the full story

Do you enjoy a bowl of corn flakes for breakfast? On this day in 1860, Will Keith Kellogg, breakfast cereal inventor and founder of the Kellogg Company, was born in Battle Creek, Michigan. Image: Kellogg’s corn flakes / State Library and Archives of Florida, Flickr Kellogg began his career selling brooms before joining his older brother, John Harvey Kellogg, to help run the Battle Creek Sanitarium. His brother was a doctor and together, the brothers worked… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Paul Rudd! Today the actor turns 53. Image: Paul Rudd / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Rudd was born on April 6, 1969 in Passaic, New Jersey to British parents, Michael Rudd and Gloria Irene Granville. His parents were second cousins and were descendants from Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants who moved to England from Poland and Russia. His paternal grandfather changed the family surname from Rudnitsky to Rudd. Rudd made his… Read the full story

Do you remember watching To Kill a Mockingbird? On this day in 1916, star Gregory Peck was born. Considered one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars, Peck is fondly remembered for his iconic portrayal of characters with unwavering strength and integrity. Image: Gregory Peck / Wikimedia Commons Peck was born Eldred Gregory Peck on April 5, 1916 in La Jolla, California to Gregory Peck, a chemist, and Bernice Ayres. Before pursing a career as an actor, Peck studied at the University of California,… Read the full story

On this day in 1802, activist and social reformer Dorothea Dix was born in Hampden, Maine. Image: Dorothea Dix / Library of Congress The first of 3 children born to Joseph Dix and Mary Bigelow, Dix left home to live with her wealthy grandmother in Boston at the age of 12. By the age of 14, she became a school teacher and began her own school. She continued to teach for many years, but her health often forced her… Read the full story

Today we remember actress Debbie Reynolds on what would have been her 90th birthday. Image: Debbie Reynolds / Allan Warren, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Reynolds was born on April 1, 1932 in El Paso, Texas to Maxine “Minnie” Harman and Raymond Francis Reynolds. Her father was a carpenter and worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1939, her family moved to Burbank, California and at the age of 16, she won the Miss Burbank beauty… Read the full story

Does music run in your family? On March 31, 1685 (N.S.), composer Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany. Image: Johann Sebastian Bach / Wikimedia Commons Considered one of the greatest composers of all time, Bach had music in his blood. He came from a family of musicians, stretching back generations. Bach’s second great grandfather, Veit Bach, was a baker, miller, and founder of the Bach musical dynasty. He played the cittern and passed on his love for music to… Read the full story

Happy 54th birthday to Celine Dion! Since signing her first recording contract at the age of 12, Dion has has become one of the world’s best-selling artists in history with more than 200 million records sold worldwide. Image: Celine Dion / Georges Biard, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Dion grew up in a very large family. She is the youngest of 14 children born to Thérèse Tanguay and Adhémar Dion in Charlemagne, Quebec, Canada. Music was… Read the full story

On March 29, 1790, John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States, was born in Charles City, Virginia. Image: John Tyler / Library of Congress Born to a prominent and influential Virginia family, Tyler was one of the last presidents to hail from Virginia’s elite aristocracy of planters. Tyler’s time at the White House was unique. In 1840, the newly elected President, William Henry Harrison, died of illness only one month into his presidency. Tyler, who… Read the full story

Today we remember music legend Aretha Franklin on what would have been her 80th birthday. Image: Aretha Franklin / Cecilio Ricardo, U.S. Air Force The Queen of Soul was born on March 25, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. The daughter of Barbara and Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, Franklin began singing as a small child in the church choir and by the age of 14, she made her first gospel recordings. After her initial success in gospel music, Franklin… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Jessica Chastain! Today the Oscar nominated actress turns 45. Image: Jessica Chastain / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Chastain was born on March 24, 1977 in Sacramento, California to teen parents Michael Monasterio and Jerri Renee Chastian. She was raised by her mother, and later, her stepfather. Her passion for acting came at a young age after her grandmother took her to see a production of Joseph and the Amazing… Read the full story

Today we remember actress Joan Crawford, who was born on March 23, 1905. Image: Joan Crawford / Wikimedia Commons Crawford was born Lucille Fay LeSueur in San Antonio, Texas to Thomas E. Le Sueur and Anna Bell Johnson. From a young age, Crawford loved to dance and had ambitions to become a dancer. She left school to pursue a dancing career, eventually dancing in the Broadway show Innocent Eyes. She next began appearing on screen for MGM… Read the full story

Happy birthday to actress Reese Witherspoon! Today the star turns 46. Image: Reese Witherspoon / dtstuff9, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) She was born Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon on March 22, 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She chose to go by the name “Reese,” which is her mother’s maiden name. Witherspoon briefly studied at Stanford University as an English literature major before leaving to pursue an acting career. Since her breakout roles in Election and Legally Blonde, Witherspoon has found… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Matthew Broderick! Today the star turns 60. Since catapulting to fame with is role in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Broderick has earned much acclaim for his work on stage, even winning two Tony Awards for his performances. Image: Matthew Broderick / David Shankbone, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0) Broderick was born on March 21, 1962 in New York City, New York. The son of playwright Patricia Biow and actor James Broderick, Broderick seemed destined to follow… Read the full story

Are you related to a U.S. President? On March 18, 1837, Grover Cleveland was born in Caldwell, New Jersey. Image: Grover Cleveland / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution CC0 Stephen Grover Cleveland was the fifth of nine children born to Ann Neal and Richard Falley Cleveland, a pastor. Known as “Big Steve” by friends because of his size, Cleveland dropped his first name and became known as Grover as an adult. His great grandfather, Richard Falley,… Read the full story