June 2020

Today we remember comedy legend Carl Reiner, who has passed away at the age of 98. With a career that spanned seven decades, Reiner was not only a gifted comedic performer, but also a talented writer, director, and producer. Image: Carl Reiner / Wikimedia Commons Reiner was born on March 20, 1922 in the Bronx in New York City, New York to Irving Reiner, a watchmaker, and Bessie Mathias. From a young age, Reiner wanted… Read the full story

Today we remember actress Katharine Hepburn, who passed away on this day in 2003 at the age of 96. Image: Katharine Hepburn / Wikimedia Commons Katharine Houghton Hepburn was born on May 12, 1907 in Hartford, Connecticut. The second of six children, Hepburn grew up in a very progressive household. Her father, Thomas Norval Hepburn, was a successful urologist who sought to educate the public about venereal diseases. Her mother, Katharine Martha Houghton, was the head… Read the full story

This Father’s Day, we asked you to share with us your favorite memory of your dad or a father figure in your life for the chance to win a free 1-year subscription of Geni Pro. Today we want to congratulate Meli Alexander, the winner of our Father’s Day giveaway! Meli sent in her story of an epic water fight with her dad and cousin: My favorite Father’s Day memory was many years in the Bronx… Read the full story

On this day in 1911, American athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias was born. Considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, Zaharias was an Olympic gold medal winner and excelled in the sports of golf, basketball, baseball, and track and field. Image: Babe Didrikson Zaharias / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution She was born Mildred Ella Didrikson on June 26, 1911 in Port Arthur, Texas to Ole Didriksen and Hannah Olsen, both Norwegian immigrants. From… Read the full story

Today we remember chef, author, and television personality Anthony Bourdain on what would have been his 64th birthday. Image: Anthony Bourdain / Peabody Awards, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) Bourdain was born on June 25, 1956 in New York City, New York to Pierre Bourdain, a music executive, and Gladys Sacksman, a copy editor. Bourdain began his culinary career as a teen working as a dishwasher. He attended Vassar College for two years before dropping… Read the full story

Do you have any boxers in your family tree? On this day in 1895, boxing legend Jack Dempsey was born in Manassa Colorado. The World Heavyweight Champion from 1919 to 1926, Dempsey’s aggressive style and impressive punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Image: Jack Dempsey / Library of Congress He was born William Harrison Dempsey on June 24, 1895 to Mary Celia Smoot and Hiram Dempsey. Growing up poor, Dempsey… Read the full story

Do you remember reading All Quiet on the Western Front? On this day in 1898, German author Erich Maria Remarque was born. Remarque is best known for his many works illustrating the realities and horrors of war. Image: Erich Maria Remarque / Nationaal Archief, Wikimedia Commons During World War I, Remarque was conscripted into the German Army at the age of 18. He fought on the Western Front and suffered several wounds durning battle. His experiences in the… Read the full story

Did you watch the Three Stooges? Today we remember Moe Howard, the de facto leader of the comedy trio, who was born on this day in 1897. Image: Wikimedia Commons Howard was born Moses Harry Horwitz on June 19, 1897 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the fourth of five sons born to Solomon Horwitz and Jennie Gorovitz, both of Lithuanian Jewish ancestry. From a young age, Howard developed an interest in performing. Eventually, Howard… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Paul McCartney! Today the legendary musician turns 78. Image: Paul McCartney / Nationaal Archief, Wikimedia Commons McCartney was born on June 18, 1942 in Liverpool, England to James McCartney and Mary Mohin. Music was always a part of McCartney’s life growing up. His father was a trumpet player and pianist and encouraged his son’s pursuit of music. When he was 14, his mother died of an embolism shortly after surgery for breast… Read the full story

On this day in 1808, Norwegian poet, playwright, and historian Henrik Wergeland was born. Remembered as one of Norway’s foremost poets, Wergeland is often regarded as a symbol of the country’s independence. Image: Henrik Wergeland / National Library of Norway Wergeland was born on June 16, 1808 in Kirstiansand, Norway. He was the oldest son of Alette Dorthea Thaulow and Nicolai Wergeland, who served as a member of the Norwegian Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll in… Read the full story

With Father’s Day just a few days away, we thought it would be fun to offer yet another opportunity to win a free year of Geni Pro. Celebrate this Father’s Day by sending us your favorite memory of your dad or a father-figure in your life for a chance to win! Did you have a memorable fishing trip? How about a special memory of your dad walking you down the aisle? We want to hear… Read the full story

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank Today we remember Anne Frank, who was born June 12, 1929 in Frankfurt, Germany. Image: Anne Frank / Wikimedia Commons During World War II, her family went into hiding to escape the Nazis. While in hiding, Anne kept a diary of her thoughts, desires and experiences. For two years, the family lived in secret with… Read the full story

Today we remember actor Gene Wilder, who was born on this day in 1933. Image: Gene Wilder / Library of Congress Wilder was born Jerome Silberman on June 11, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the son of William J. Silberman, a Russian Jewish immigrant and a salesman, and Jeanne Baer. When his mother was diagnosed with rheumatic fever, an 8-year-old Wilder was told by her doctor to try to make her laugh. This point… Read the full story

Do you have Russian ancestry? On this day in 1672, Peter the Great was born in Moscow, Russia. Image: Peter the Great / Wikimedia Commons Peter was the son of Tsar Alexis I and his second wife, Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina. Unlike his older half-brothers, Peter had proven to be a healthy and inquisitive child. At the age of 10, he was named tsar of Russia and reigned jointly with his sickly half-brother Ivan V. After… Read the full story

Today marks the anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy. In honor of D-Day, we’re highlighting the Easy Company – Band of Brothers, a collaborative project dedicated to the Easy Company, 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division in the United States Army. Created in 1942, the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment was an experimental airborne regiment created to jump from C-47 transport planes into hostile territory. Operation Overlord Image:… Read the full story

Today we remember Robert F. Kennedy, who was shot after giving a speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California on June 5, 1968. He would succumb to his wounds the next day. Image: Robert F. Kennedy / LBJ Library Robert Francis Kennedy was born on November 20, 1925 in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was the seventh child born to Joseph Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. After successfully managing his brother’s presidential campaign, Kennedy was… Read the full story

What’s your connection to royalty? On this day in 1738, George III, King of Great Britain and Ireland, was born. George III was Great Britain’s longest living and reigning monarch until the reign of his granddaughter, Queen Victoria. Image: George III / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration The eldest son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and Augusta of Saxa-Gota, George was born two months prematurely and was not expected to survive. When his father… Read the full story

Have you found your connection to the British royal family? On this day in 1865, George V was born in Marlborough House, London. Image: George V / Library of Congress The grandson of Queen Victoria and the second son of Prince and Princess of Wales, Albert Edward and Alexandra, George was not expected to be king. In 1892, his older brother, Prince Albert Victor, died of pneumonia just six weeks after announcing his engagement to… Read the full story