Profile of the Day

Happy birthday Robert Downey, Jr.! Today the Iron Man star turns 54. He was born on April 4, 1965 in New York City, New York to Robert Downey Sr., an avant-garde filmmaker, and Elsie Ford, an actress. Downey made his screen debut at the age of 5 as a puppy in his father’s film, Pound. Although his career soared during the 1980’s and early 1990’s, his personal struggles with addiction became a constant focus of headlines. In… Read the full story

What’s your favorite fairy tale? On this day in 1805, Danish author Hans Christian Andersen was born. Andersen was born on April 2, 1805 in Odense, Denmark to Hans Andersen, Sr. and Anne Marie Andersdatter. He first developed an interest in literature from his father, who would entertain him with stories from the Arabian Nights. At the age of 14, Andersen left school to pursue a career as an actor in Copenhagen. After being accepted to the Royal Danish Theater,… Read the full story

On this day in 1625, Charles I ascended to the throne and became king of England, Scotland, and Ireland after the death of his father King James VI and I. Charles was born on November 19, 1600 in Dunfermline Palace in Fife, Scotland. The second son of James IV and I and Anne of Denmark, Charles became the heir apparent after his older brother, Henry, died of typhoid fever in 1612. On March 25, 1625, Charles became king… Read the full story

On this day in 1828, Norwegian playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen was born. Ibsen was the oldest of five children born to Knud Ibsen and Marichen Altenburg in the small costal town of Skien in Telemark County, Norway. His maternal grandfather, Johan Andreas Altenburg was a wealthy merchant and shipowner in Skien. Although they were once a wealthy merchant family, by the time Ibsen was 8, they had been thrown into poverty. At the age of 15,… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Glenn Close! Today the star turns 72. The versatile actress was born on March 19, 1947 in Greenwich, Connecticut. Her father was a prominent doctor and opened a clinic in the Belgian Congo. He also served as the personal physician of Mobutu Sese Seko, the President of Zaire. After graduating with a degree in drama from the College of William and Mary, Close made her Broadway debut in 1974’s Love for Love. As her success in theater grew,… Read the full story

On this day in 1937, writer H.P. Lovecraft died at the age of 46. Today, Lovecraft is remembered as one of the most significant writers of horror fiction. He was born Howard Phillips Lovecraft on August 20, 1890 in Providence, Rhode Island. When Lovecraft was 3, his father was committed to a psychiatric facility and remained there until his death in 1898. An only child, Lovecraft became an avid reader and developed a keen interest in science… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Albert Einstein! Today marks his 140th birthday of one of the most brilliant minds in history. Einstein was born on March 14, 1879 in Ulm, in the Kingdom of Württemberg in what was then the German Empire. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Munich where his father, Hermann Einstein and his uncle, Jakob, founded Elektrotechnische Fabrik J. Einstein & Cie, a company that manufactured electrical equipment based on direct current. In 1902, Einstein began working… Read the full story

On March 13, 1781, astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus. It would be the first planet to be discovered with the aid of a telescope. Herschel was born on November 15, 1738 in Hanover, Germany, then a part of the Holy Roman Empire. His father was an oboist in the Hanover Military Band and as a teen, Herschel also worked as a musician in the band. At 19, he went to England and supported himself as… Read the full story

On this day in 1887, Brazilian composer and conductor Heitor Villa-Lobos was born. Remembered as one of the best known South American composers of all time, Villa-Lobos was considered to be one of the most significant figures of Brazilian art music in the 20th century. Villa-Lobos was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on March 5, 1887. His father, Raul Villa-Lobos, was a librarian and an amateur musician. As a young boy, Villa-Lobos’s home was filled with music… Read the full story

Today we remember “The Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin on what would have been his 57th birthday. Irwin was born on February 22, 1962 in Essendon, Victoria, Australia to Lyn Hakinsson and Bob Irwin. His parents started a small Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park and so naturally Irwin grew up around the park’s wildlife. By the age of nine, Irwin was handling crocodiles himself. He later worked as a volunteer for Queensland’s East Coast Crocodile Management program…. Read the full story

Happy birthday to Sidney Poitier! Today the acting legend turns 92. Poitier was born two months premature on February 20, 1927 while his Bahamian parents were visiting Miami, Florida. The family remained in Miami for three months before returning to the Bahamas. As a teen, Poitier returned to the United States and enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II after lying about his age. In 1950, Poitier made his screen debut in the film No… Read the full story

On this day in 1473, mathematician and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was born. Copernicus is remembered for formulating a heliocentric model of the universe, which placed the Sun, rather than the Earth, at the center. Copernicus was born to an affluent merchant family in what is today Toruń, Poland. At the age of 10, Copernicus’s father died. His paternal uncle then took it upon himself to ensure Copernicus received a good education. While studying mathematics, he was encouraged to pursue his… Read the full story

On this day in 1911, Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, was born. Reagan was raised in a small town in Illinois. His father nicknamed him “Dutch” as a small boy because he thought his son resembled a “fat little Dutchman.” Before entering politics, Reagan was a successful actor. He began his entertainment career in radio before transitioning to film. During World War II, Regan served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Disqualified from combat due to… Read the full story

On this day in 1723, John Witherspoon, a Presbyterian minster and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born. Witherspoon was born in Gifford, Scotland on February 5, 1723 to the Reverend James Alexander Witherspoon and Anne Walker. Before emigrating to the American colonies, Witherspoon was a prominent Presbyterian minster in the Church of Scotland. In 1768, he sailed to New Jersey to become the 6th President of the College of New Jersey, which is today… Read the full story

Today we remember Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, who was born on this day in 1882. Regarded as one of the greatest U.S. presidents in history, Roosevelt successfully led the country through the Great Depression and World War II until his death in 1945. Roosevelt was a member of the prominent Roosevelt family, one of the oldest and wealthiest families in New York. He was a great admirer of his distant cousin, Theodore Roosevelt,… Read the full story

Today we remember William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, who was born on this day in 1843. McKinley was born on January 29, 1843 in Niles, Ohio to William McKinley, Sr. and Nancy Campbell Allison. At the beginning of the American Civil War, McKinley joined the Union army as a private and eventually rose to the rank of brevet major before he was discharged. He would be the last president to have served in the Civil War…. Read the full story

Happy birthday to Alan Alda! Today the M*A*S*H star turns 83. The actor was born Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo on January 28, 1936 in New York City, New York. His father was an actor and performed under the name “Robert Alda.” Before becoming an actor himself, Alda served in the United States Army Reserve and did a six month tour in Korea. Alda began his career on the stage and earned his first Tony Award nomination in 1966…. Read the full story

Today we remember beloved actress Mary Tyler Moore on the second anniversary of her death. A television icon, Moore’s groundbreaking role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show helped to change the way woman were portrayed on television and influence generations of viewers. Moore was born on December 29, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York. She was the eldest of three children born to George Tyler Moore, a clerk, and Marjori Hackett. She began dancing while in high school and… Read the full story

On this day in 1788, English poet Lord Byron was born in London, England. A leading figure of the Romantic movement, Lord Byron is often regarded as one of the greatest poets in British history. George Gordon Byron was born on January 22, 1788 to Captain John “Mad Jack” Byron and his second wife, Catherine Gordon. At the age of 10, he inherited the English Barony of Byron of Rochdale after the death of his great… Read the full story

Today we remember legendary director Cecil B. DeMille, who died on this day 60 years ago. A director and producer of both silent and sound films, DeMille was known for his often lavish and epic motion pictures. He was born on August 12, 1881 in Ashfield, Massachusetts. His family was very much involved in theater; his father was a playwright and his mother ran an acting workshop. During the early days of film, DeMille was a dominant figure, directing… Read the full story

Today we remember actor Cary Grant, who was born on this day 115 years ago. The legendary actor was born Archibald Alexander Leach on January 18, 1904 in Bristol, England. He had an unhappy childhood and at the age of 13, left home to perform as a juggler in a comedy and acrobatic troupe. After coming to the United States, Grant began performing in vaudeville shows. In 1932, he signed a contract with Paramount Pictures and changed his name to… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Betty White! Today the beloved actress turns 97! Betty White was born on January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois. During the Great Depression, her family moved to California. Shortly after graduating from high school in 1939, White made her TV debut in an experimental television show in Los Angeles. In the early 1950s, White became one of the first female producers in Hollywood when she launched her first television series, Life with Elizabeth. Throughout the 1960s,… Read the full story

On this day in 1942, actress Carole Lombard died in a plane crash at the age of 33. At the time of the tragic accident, Lombard was returning home from a World War II war bond tour. Lombard was born Janice Alice Peters on October 6, 1908 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At the age of 12, she landed her first on screen role in the silent film, A Perfect Crime. By 16, she had signed her first studio… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Nicolas Cage! Today the actor turns 55. The versatile actor was born Nicolas Kim Coppola on January 7, 1964 in Long Beach, California. His father, August Coppola, was a literature professor and his mother, Joy Vogelsang, was a dancer and choreographer. By the age of 15, Cage had discovered his love for acting. Wanting to distance himself from his famous uncle, director Francis Ford Coppola, he changed his surname to “Cage” after the comic book… Read the full story

On this day in 1886, actress Florence Lawrence was born. Often referred to as “The First Movie Star,” Lawrence holds a unique place in film history as the first actress to have her name used to promote her films. Lawrence was born Florence Annie Bridgewood on January 2, 1886 in Ontario, Canada. Her father. George Bridgewood, was a carriage builder while her mother, Charlotte “Lotta” Dunn, was a vaudeville actress and director of the Lawrence Dramatic Company…. Read the full story

Today we remember actor and director Penny Marshall, who passed away on December 17 at the age of 75. She was born Carole Penny Marshall on October 15, 1943 in the Bronx in New York City, New York. Her father, Tony Marshall, was a director and producer and her mother, Marjorie, was a dance teacher. With both parents in the entertainment business, it was only natural for Marshall and her siblings, Garry and Ronny, to follow in their… Read the full story

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first controlled powered, heavier-than-air flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The pioneering aviators would become known as the “fathers of modern aviation” for their groundbreaking achievement. As children, the brothers developed a fascination for aviation after their father brought home a toy helicopter for his sons. During the bicycle craze of the 1890s, the Wright brothers opened their own bicycle sales and repair shop and by 1896, began manufacturing their own designs…. Read the full story

Happy birthday, Dick Van Dyke! Today the actor turns 93. He was born on December 13, 1925 in West Plains, Missouri to Hazel McCord, a stenographer, and Loren Wayne Van Dyke, a salesman. Van Dyke can trace a branch of his family back to Mayflower passenger John Alden, who is his 9th great grandfather. After leaving high school in his senior year, Van Dyke tried to join the United States Army Air Forces for pilot training during World War… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Ol’ Blue Eyes! Today we remember iconic singer Frank Sinatra on what would have been his 103rd birthday. Sinatra was born on December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. A big baby at 13.5 pounds, Sinatra had to be delivered with the aid of forceps. As a result, he was left with severe scars on his left cheek, neck, and ear and lasting damage to his eardrum. He got his start singing… Read the full story

On this day in 1936, history was made when Edward VIII became the first English monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne. He ascended to the throne after the death of his father, George V. However, his reign had caused unease in government circles. Only months into his reign, the King announced his engagement to Wallis Simpson, an American socialite and divorcée. Their relationship was controversial from the start and news of their engagement would lead to a constitutional crisis. The government, the public and… Read the full story

Today we remember mathematics pioneer Ada Lovelace, who was born on December 10, 1815. Lovelace is often described as the world’s first computer programer. She is credited with writing the world’s first computer program nearly a century before computers were built. Lovelace was the only legitimate child of Romantic poet Lord Byron and his wife, Anna Isabella Milbanke. Shortly after Lovelace was born, her father left the family and never returned. She was only 8 years… Read the full story

Today we remember music legend Roy Orbison, who passed away on December 6, 1988 in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Orbison was born on April 23, 1936 in Vernon, Texas to Orbie Lee Orbison, a car mechanic, and Nadine Vesta Shults, a nurse. From an early age, Orbison showed an interest in music. When he was given a guitar for his sixth birthday, he knew music would be a part of his life forever. By the age of 8, he had written his… Read the full story

Happy birthday to actress Marisa Tomei! Today the star turns 54. Tomei was born on December 4, 1964 in Brooklyn, New York to Gary Tomei, a lawyer, and Addie Biachi, an English teacher. She has Italian ancestry on both sides of her family. Her father’s ancestry can be traced to Tuscany, Calabria, and Campania, while her mother’s ancestry can be traced to Tuscany and Sicily. She first got her start when she was cast on the daytime soap… Read the full story

On this day in 1874, Winston Churchill was born. Remembered as an inspirational orator and statesman, Churchill helped lead Britain to victory in World War II. Churchill was born into an aristocratic family, who were among the highest levels of the British aristocracy. He was a direct descendant of John Churchill, First Duke of Marlborough, who was his sixth great grandfather. Churchill was born at his family’s ancestral home, Bienheim Palace. The monumental country house was originally awarded to… Read the full story

Remember reading The Chronicles of Narnia? On this day in 1898, author C.S. Lewis was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was born Clive Staples Lewis, but was known as “Jack” by his family and friends. At the age of 4, he declared his name to be “Jack” after his beloved dog “Jacksie” was hit by a car and died. Lewis became an avid reader at a young age and began writing his own fantasy stories early in his… Read the full story

Today we remember Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands, who died on this day in 1962 at the age of 82. She reigned for nearly 58 years, longer than any other Dutch monarch. Wilhelmina was born on August 31, 1880 at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. She was the only child of King William III and his second wife, Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont. Her father was 63 years old at the time of her birth. He… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the 63rd birthday of Bill Nye!  A mechanical engineer and science educator, Nye is widely known for his popular children’s science show, Bill Nye the Science Guy. Nye was born William Sanford Nye on November 27, 1955 in Washington, D.C. to Ned Nye and Jaqueline Jenkins. During World War II, his mother was recruited by the Navy to work as a codebreaker to help crack codes used by the Japanese and German military. His father, Edwin… Read the full story

Do you remember the Peanuts gang? On this day in 1922, Peanuts creator Charles Schulz was born. Considered one of the most influential cartoonists in history, Schulz’s beloved comic ran from 1950-2000 with nearly 18,000 strips published. Schulz was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Carl Schulz, a barber, and Dena Halverson. His father had German heritage, while his mother was from a large Norwegian family. As a child, he was nicknamed “Sparky” after the racehorse, “Spark Plug,” from the… Read the full story

Today we celebrate actress Goldie Hawn’s 73rd birthday! Hawn was born on November 21, 1945 in Washington, D.C. to Laura Steinhoff, a dance school owner, and Edward Rutledge Haw, a musician. Raised in a Jewish household, Hawn was named after her mother’s aunt, Goldie. After getting her start as a dancer, Hawn landed her first notable gig as a cast member on the sketch comedy show, Laugh-In. She soon appeared on the big screen in the film Cactus Flower, for which… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Meg Ryan! Today the star turns 57. Once dubbed “America’s Sweetheart,” Ryan has entertained audiences on the big screen for decades, most notably in several classic romantic comedies. Ryan was born Margaret Mary Emily Anna Hyra on November 19, 1961 in Fairfield, Connecticut to Harry Hyra, a math teacher, and Susan Jordan, a former actress and English teacher. After attending New York University for a year, she dropped out of school to pursue an… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Prince Charles! Today the Prince of Wales turns 70 years old. Prince Charles was born on November 14, 1948 in Buckingham Palace. The eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince became the heir apparent at the age of 3 when his mother became Queen after the death of his grandfather, King George VI. With his mother holding the record of the longest-reigning British monarch, Charles is the… Read the full story

Today we remember comic book legend Stan Lee, who passed away yesterday at the age of 95. A prolific writer and visionary, Lee co-created some of the most iconic superheroes of all time. Lee was born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1922 in New York City, New York. His parents were both Jewish immigrants from Romania. As a teen, Lee enjoyed creating stories and had dreams of becoming a writer. He worked several odd jobs, including some time writing… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Ryan Gosling! Today the Hollywood star turns 38. Gosling was born on November 12, 1980 in London, Ontario, Canada to Thomas Ray Gosling, a traveling salesman, and Donna Wilson, a secretary. Gosling caught the acting bug at an early age. At the age of 12, he was cast in the Disney revival of The Mickey Mouse Club. The new generation of mouseketeers featured many future superstars, including Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, and Britney… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the 104th birthday of Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr. Not only was Lamarr one of the most popular film actresses during Hollywood’s Golden Age, but she was also a brilliant inventor. She co-invented the technology behind GPS, Bluetooth, and WiFi. Lamarr was born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler on November 9, 1914 in Vienna, Austria-Hungry. At the age of 19, she married Fritz Mindl, a wealthy military arms merchant and munitions manufacturer. It was an unhappy marriage;… Read the full story

Do you have Norwegian roots? On this day in 1833, Norwegian novelist, playwright, and poet Jonas Lie was born. Lie is considered one of the Four Greats of 19th century Norwegian literature, along with Henrik Ibsen, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, and Alexander Kielland. Lie was born on November 6, 1833 to Mons Lie and Pauline Christine Tiller. When he was a small child, his father was appointed the sheriff of Tromsø, a remote city within the Arctic Circle, and spent many… Read the full story

On this day in 1902, Norwegian writer and poet Nordahl Grieg was born. A popular author during his lifetime, Grieg is remembered as a hero of Norway for his resistance to Nazi occupation during World War II. Grieg was born Johan Nordahl Brun Grieg on November 1, 1902 in Bergen, Norway to Peter Lexau Grieg and Helga Vollan. He was named after his third great grandfather, Johan Nordahl Brun, who was a Bishop, poet, and politician. Grieg… Read the full story

Today we remember magician Harry Houdini, who died on this day in 1926 at the age of 52. Known as one of the greatest illusionists in history, Houdini wowed audiences with his remarkable ability to escape from seemingly impossible situations while in handcuffs or straightjackets. On October 24, 1926, Houdini made his final performance to a packed theater in Detroit, Michigan. Despite experiencing great pain and a fever of 104 throughout the night, Houdini pushed through to complete his performance. Stories… Read the full story

On this day in 1891, radio star and actress Fanny Brice was born in Manhattan, New York. Known as the original “Funny Girl,” Brice entertained audiences for over four decades with her comedic chops, which made her one of America’s earliest female comedy superstars. Brice was born Fania Borach to Rose Stern, a Hungarian Jewish immigrant, and Charles Borach, an Alstatian immigrant. The third of four children, Brice got her start at the age of 13 after… Read the full story

Today we remember American suffragist and abolitionist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who died on this day in 1902 at the age of 86. A leading figure of the American women’s rights movement, Stanton’s activism played a crucial role towards the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote. Stanton was born on November 12, 1815 in Johnstown, New York to Daniel Cady, a prominent judge, and Margaret Livingston. Her maternal grandfather, James… Read the full story

Great Scott! Today actor Christopher Lloyd turns 80! Best known for portraying Doc Brown in the popular Back to the Future film trilogy, Lloyd has been entertaining audiences on the stage and screen for nearly six decades. Lloyd was born on October 22, 1938 in Stamford, Connecticut to Samuel R. Lloyd and Ruth Laphram. His maternal grandfather, Lewis Lepham, was one of the founders of Texaco Oil Company. Lloyd is also a direct descendant of Mayflower passenger, John Howland,… Read the full story