Profile of the Day

Have you visited the library recently? This week is National Library Week in the United States, which makes it the perfect time to highlight librarian Melvil Dewey, the inventor of the Dewey Decimal system of library classification. Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey was born on December 10, 1851 in Adams Center New York. He was the fifth and youngest child of Joel Dewey and Eliza Green. At the age of 21, Dewey invented the Dewey Decimal… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Doris Day! Today the actress turns 95. Day got an interesting birthday surprise this year when she learned she was actually turning 95 and not 93. The Associated Press obtained her birth certificate which revealed that she was actually born in 1922, making her two years older than what she believed. Day originally thought she was born in 1924. In a comment on her birthday surprise, Day said “I’ve always said that age is just… Read the full story

On this day in 1519, Henry II of France was born in the royal Château de Saint -Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, France. He was the second son of Francis I and Claude, Duchess of Brittany, who was the daughter of Louis XII of France. As a child, he and his older brother were captured and held prisoner in Spain. They remained in captivity for over four years. At the age of 14, he married Catherine de’ Medici. However,… Read the full story

Today we remember actress Patty Duke, who passed away on this day one year ago. She was born Anne Marie Duke on December 14, 1946 in Queens, New York. The youngest of three children, Duke experienced a very difficult childhood. Her father was an alcoholic and her mother suffered from clinical depression. At the age of 8, she was placed in the care of talent managers, who added her to their stable of child actors, and forced… Read the full story

On this day in 1969, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, died at the age of 78. Dwight David Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas. He was the third of seven sons born to David Jacob Eisenhower and Ida Elizabeth Stover. His parents had a strong religious background and set aside time everyday for a daily family Bible reading. Since he was a child, Eisenhower was known by the… Read the full story

Who is your favorite James Bond? On this day in 1946, License to Kill star Timothy Dalton was born in Colwyn Bay, Wales. He was the oldest of five children born to Peter Dalton-Leggett and Dorthy Scholes. His father was a captain in the Special Operations Executive during World War II. When he was young, it seemed Dalton would follow his father’s footsteps into the military. As a teen, he was even a member of the Air… Read the full story

On this day in 1781, astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun. Born on November 15, 1738 in the Electorate of Hanover in Germany, then a part of the Holy Roman Empire, Herschel moved to Great Britain at the age of 19. He worked as a musician and composer before discovering an interest in astronomy. As his interests grew stronger, Herschel began building his own telescopes and noting his… Read the full story

On this day in 1836, American landscape painter Winslow Homer was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Homer was the second of three sons born to Charles Savage Homer and Henrietta Maria Benson. He came from a long line of New England families from both of his parents. As a child, he was encourage by his mother to pursue his interests in painting. Early in his career, Homer worked as a lithographer and then as an illustrator for Harper’s Weekly…. Read the full story

Remember watching The Golden Girls? On this day in 1934, star Rue McClanahan was born in Healdton, Oklahoma. She was born Eddi-Rue McClanahan to Dreda Rheua-Nell Medaris, a beautician, and William Edwin McClanahan, a building contractor. Her name was was a contraction of her parents’ middle names, but she dropped the “Eddi” when she was mistaken for a boy and drafted into the military in error after finishing school. After graduating from college, McClanahan found work in theater… Read the full story

Today we celebrate what would have been legendary actor Paul Newman’s 92nd birthday! Born on January 26, 1925, Newman was the second son of Theresa Fetzko and Aurthur Sigmund Newman. His mother was born in Homonna in the Austro-Hungarian Empire (now Slovakia) and his father was the son of Jewish immigrants from Hungary and Poland. As a child, Newman showed an early interest in theater and participated in school plays. While in college, Newman enlisted in… Read the full story

Do you have any Confederate ancestors? On this day in 1807, General Robert E. Lee was born at Stratford Hall Plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was the son of Major General Henry Lee III and his second wife, Anne Hill Carter. During the American Revolution, Lee’s father served as a cavalry officer in the Continental Army, where he earned the nickname “Light-Horse Harry” for his horsemanship. Did you know Lee’s family was one of… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Betty White! Today the funny actress turns 95. Betty Marion White was born January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois to Christine Cachikis and Horace White. Her maternal grandfather was born in Greece, while her paternal grandfather was Danish. She got her start in radio and television shortly after graduating high school and by the 1940s, she had her own radio show called The Betty White Show. A pioneer of television, White became one of the first… Read the full story

On this day in 1913, actress Loretta Young was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born Gretchen Young to John Earle Young and Gladys Royal. When she was two, her parents divorced and she and her two sisters moved to Hollywood with their mother. By the age of three, Young began working as a child extra in silent films. After signing her first film contract, she was given the name Loretta. Over the course… Read the full story

Do you remember watching Falcon Crest? On this day in 1917, actress Jane Wyman was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri. She was born Sarah Jane Mayfield to Manning Jefferies Mayfield and Gladys Hope Christian. Shortly after her parents divorced in 1921, her father died unexpectedly. She was taken in by neighbors, while her mother moved to Ohio. During this time, she adopted the surname of her foster parents, Fulks. She began her career in Hollywood during the 1930s… Read the full story

Only one day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, legendary actress Debbie Reynolds passed away on December 28, 2016 at the age of 84. Reynolds launched to fame during the 1950s with a string of musicals, most notably starring in the classic film Singin’ in the Rain alongside Gene Kelly. Only 19 when she shot the film, Reynolds had never danced professionally before. She was born Mary Frances Reynolds on April 1, 1932 in El… Read the full story

On this day, actor Kiefer Sutherland was born. Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland was born on December 21, 1966 in London, England to actors Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas. He was named after writer-director Warren Kiefer, who had directed Donald Sutherland in his first featured film, Castle of the Living Dead. His maternal grandfather was Thomas “Tommy” Douglas, a Scottish-born Canadian politician and the seventh Premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961. Sutherland’s first… Read the full story

Today we remember actor Alan Thicke, who passed away at the age of 69. Thicke was best remembered as the beloved dad, Jason Seaver, on the 80’s sitcom, Growing Pains. He was born Alan Willis Jeffrey on March 1, 1947 in Kirkland Lake, Ontario to Shirley Isobel Marie Greer, a nurse, and William Jeffrey, a stockbroker. He began his career on Canadian television before moving on to American TV. Although best known for his work in front… Read the full story

On this day in 1916, actor Kirk Douglas was born. Image: Kirk Douglas / Wikimedia Commons, Nationaal Archief, CC0 The legendary actor was born Issur Danielovitch on December 9, 1916 in Amsterdam, New York to Bryna “Bertha” Sanglel and Herschel “Harry” Danielovitch. His parents were poor, Jewish immigrants from Russia and the family spoke Yiddish at home. His family adopted the last name “Demsky” when they arrived in the United States, and he grew up… Read the full story

Today we remember Roy Orbison, who died on this day in 1988. Orbison was born on April 23, 1936 in Vernon, Texas to a working class family. He showed an interest in music at an early age when his father gave him a guitar for his 6th birthday. By the age of 8, Orbison began singing on a local radio show. Known for his trademark glasses and distinctive voice, Orbison is often considered one of the… Read the full story

On this day in 1582, William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway were married in Stratford-upon-Avon. Six months later, Hathaway gave birth to their daughter, Susanna. Although not much is known about Hathaway’s life beyond references in legal papers, much has been speculated about her relationship with the legendary Bard. She is believed to have grown up in a farmhouse in the village of Shottery. At the time of their marriage, Shakespeare was 18 and Hathaway was 26 and pregnant… Read the full story

Happy Thanksgiving! Here’s a conversation starter for Thanksgiving dinner – share with your relatives how your family is related to William Bradford, governor of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts and organizer of the very first Thanksgiving. A passenger of the Mayflower and signatory of the Mayflower Compact, Bradford was known as the leader of the early Plymouth Colony settlers. He served as governor of the colony for 30 years. His journal, Of Plymouth Plantation, is considered to be… Read the full story

What’s your favorite Goldie Hawn movie? Today the actress celebrates her 71st birthday. Goldie Jeanne Hawn was born on November 21, 1945 in Washington, D.C. She was named after her maternal great aunt, Goldie Hochhauser. Starting at the age of three, Hawn took ballet and tap dance lessons. She began her career as a professional dancer before getting her big break on the popular variety show, Laugh-In. Hawn easily segued into film and landed her first major film role in the… Read the full story

Have you found your connection to royalty? On this day in 1558, Mary I of England died at the age of 42. With no children of her own, her half-sister Elizabeth succeeded to the throne. The eldest daughter of King Henry VIII, Mary came to power after the death of her Protestant half-brother, Edward VI. A devoted Catholic, Mary restored England to Roman Catholicism during her five-year reign. She had hundreds of Protestant dissenters burned at… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the 125th birthday of Canadian scientist Frederick Banting, whose research led to the discovery of insulin to treat diabetics. Banting was born on November 14, 1891 in Alliston, Ontario. He was the youngest of five children born to William Thompson Banting and Margaret Grant. During World War I, he served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps. In 1918, he was wounded during the Battle of Cambrai, but despite his injuries, Banting continued to… Read the full story

Today we remember legendary Canadian singer-songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen, who passed away at the age of 82. Leonard Norman Cohen was born on September 21, 1934 in Westmount, Quebec to a middle-class Jewish family. His mother, Masha Klonitsky, was the daughter of a Talmudic writer and was of Lithuanian Jewish ancestry. His father, Nathan Cohen, owned a clothing store and died when Cohen was just 9 years old. Growing up, he was encouraged by… Read the full story

On this day in 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the entrance to the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. Tutankhamun became the Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty at the age of 9. When he came to power, there was much unrest in Egypt. He reversed several changes made during his father’s reign, including restoring the worship of the old gods. He ruled for nearly 10 years before his death around the age of 18. Howard Carter had spent… Read the full story

Do you remember watching Carrie? The classic horror film starring Sissy Spacek celebrates its 40th anniversary today. Based on Stephen King’s best-selling first novel of the same name, the movie was released in theaters on November 3, 1976 to widely positive reviews. Not only did it succeed in frightening audiences, it also became one of the rare horror films to be nominated for multiple Academy Awards. An unknown actress when she was first cast, Spacek earned her first Oscar nomination for… Read the full story

On this day in 1947, Hollywood producer and aviator Howard Hughes flew the Spruce Goose on its first and only flight. Also called the Hughes Flying Boat, the plane was the largest aircraft ever built at the time. Hughes was a successful and extremely wealthy movie producer when he founded the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1932. Hughes had a lifelong passion for aviation and was an avid pilot. He even set a few aviation records himself, including a… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Bill Gates! Today the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist turns 61. William Henry Gates III was born on October 28, 1955 in Seattle, Washington to William H. Gates, Sr. and Mary Maxwell. By the age of 13, Gates began to show an interest in computer programming and continued to pursue his passion during college. He would drop out of Harvard University to form a company called “Micro-soft” with his childhood friend Paul Allen. Later dropping… Read the full story

On this day in 1764, future President John Adams married Abigail Smith at the Smith family home in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Abigail Adams was born on November 22, 1744 to Elizabeth Quincy and William Smith, a pastor. The couple had known each other since they were children and throughout their courtship and marriage exchanged over 1,100 letters. Their letters were filled with intellectual discussions on government and politics and provided a unique window into 18th century life and personal insight… Read the full story

On this day in 1632, Dutch tradesman Antoni van Leeuwenhoek was born. Known as the “Father of microbiology,” van Leeuwenhoek is considered to be the first person to observe microbes. He was born in Delft in the Netherlands to Philips Antonisz van Leeuwenhoek, a basket maker, and Margaretha Bel van den Berch, who had come from a brewer family. A draper, van Leeuwenhoek made for an unlikely scientist. He became interested in lensmaking while working in… Read the full story

On this day in 1833, Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel was born in Stockholm, Sweden. Although today Nobel is best remembered for establishing the Nobel Prizes, he first earned his fortune as the inventor of dynamite. After his brother died in an explosion at his father’s arms factory, Nobel sought to find a safer substance than the unstable nitroglycerin. It was after a newspaper incorrectly published Nobel’s obituary that he became concerned with how he would be remembered by… Read the full story

On this day in 1931, baseball legend Mickey Mantle was born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. He was born to Elvin Charles “Mutt” Mantle, a lead miner, and Lovell Richardson. A huge baseball fan, Mantle’s father had named him after Mickey Cochrane, a Hall of Fame catcher. A gifted athlete while in school, Mantle was scouted and signed to a minor league contract right out of high school. By the age of 19, Mantle was playing for the… Read the full story

On October 19, 1469, Ferdinand II of Aragon married Isabella I of Castile. Their marriage would pave the way for the unification of Aragon and Castile into the single country of Spain. In 1492, the monarchs brought the Reconquista to an end when the last Islamic state in Iberia at Granada finally fell to the expanding Christian kingdoms. Soon after, Ferdinand and Isabella agreed to sponsor Christopher Columbus on an expedition to reach the Indies by sailing… Read the full story

On this day in 1831, German Emperor Frederick III was born in the New Palace at Potsdam, Prussia. The only son of Emperor Wilhelm I, Frederick was celebrated for his leadership and successes during the Second Schleswig, Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian Wars. Despite his military success, Frederick was known to dislike warfare and was often praised for his humane conduct. After the death of his father at the age of 90 on March 9, 1888, Frederick… Read the full story

Today marks the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. On this day in 1066, William the Conqueror led his forces to defeat King Harold II of England. In January 1066, the death of the childless King Edward the Confessor resulted in a struggle for succession to the English throne. After his death, Harold II was browed king. However, William, then Duke of Normandy, had claimed he was the rightful heir to the throne. According… Read the full story

Congratulations to Bob Dylan! It was announced today that legendary singer and songwriter was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” Dylan’s win for the Nobel Prize was a surprise for many. He is the first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature since author Toni Morrison won the prize in 1993. He’s also the first person who is considered primarily a musician to… Read the full story

Today we remember innovator Steve Jobs, who died on this day five years ago. Steve Jobs was born on February 24, 1955 in San Francisco, California to Joanne Schieble and Abdulfatah Jandali. His biological parents were two graduate students from the University of Wisconsin and decided to put him up for adoption. He was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs, who encouraged his education and hobby of tinkering with electronics. The co-founder of Apple, Jobs’… Read the full story

Do you have a favorite Janis Joplin song? Today we remember the legendary singer on the 46th anniversary of her death. Janis Lyn Joplin was born on January 19, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas. From an early age, Joplin had a love of music. It was in her teens that she was first introduced to blues and jazz. Joplin was known for her bluesy, uninhibited, and gutsy singing style that was not seen in other female… Read the full story

On this day in 1761, George III was crowned King of the Kingdom of Great Britain at the age of 22. He succeeded to the throne after the death of his grandfather, George II. Just a couple of weeks before his coronation, he married Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, whom he did not meet until their wedding day. Together they were crowned King and Queen at Westminster Abbey on September 22, 1761. In his accession speech, George declared, “Born… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Bill Murray! Today the actor turns 66. William James Murray was born on September 21, 1950 in Evanston, Illinois. He is the fifth of nine children born to Lucille Collins, a mail room clerk, and Edward Joseph Murray, II, a lumber salesman. At the age of 20, Murray was arrested at Chicago’s O’Hara Airport for trying to smuggle 10 lbs of cannabis. He was convicted and sentenced to probation. Looking for a new direction, Murray accepted his… Read the full story

On this day in 1519, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan set sail from Spain to find a better route to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. The voyage would result in the first circumnavigation of world. Magellan was born to a Portuguese noble family around 1480. After the death of his parents, he became a page to Queen Leonor, the wife of John II of Portugal. He studied cartography, astronomy and celestial navigation, which would serve him well… Read the full story

Congratulations to Julia Louis-Dreyfus on her fifth consecutive Emmy win! Last night, the Veep star made Emmy Award history by breaking the record for most lead actress wins. She previously held the record in a three-way tie with Candice Bergen and Mary Tyler Moore. It was her sixth win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy. Five were for her role as Selina Meyer in the HBO comedy Veep. In a hilarious and emotional speech, Julia dedicated her win to her father,… Read the full story

Do you remember reading the adventures of Curious George? On this day in 1898, illustrator and author H.A. Rey was born in Hamburg, Germany. Curious George is perhaps one of the most recognizable characters in children’s literature. Together with his wife Margaret, Rey brought to life the curious little monkey with his illustrations. Born Hans Augusto Reyersbach, Rey was the son of German Jews. He first met his wife in Hamburg at Margaret’s sister’s 16th birthday party. Years later,… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Bernie Sanders! Today the former Democratic presidential candidate turns 75. Sanders was born on September 8, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York to Jewish parents, Elias Sanders and Dorothy Glassberg. His father immigrated to the United States at the age of 17 from Słopnice, Poland, while his mother’s parents were immigrants from Poland and Russia. Many members of his family back in Poland perished during the Holocaust. He had an interest in politics at an… Read the full story

On this day in 1871, physicist Ernest Rutherford was born in Spring Grove, New Zealand. Dubbed the “Father of the Nuclear Age,” Rutherford’s scientific research led to the first splitting of the atom in 1917. He was the fourth of twelve children born to James Rutherford and Martha Thompson. His mother was a schoolteacher and placed a strong emphasis on the children’s education. When not in school, Rutherford spent his time helping with chores on the… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Michael Jackson! Today the King of Pop would have turned 58. Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. He was the eighth of ten children born to Katherine Scruse and Joseph “Joe” Jackson. At the age of five, Michael began performing with his older brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. His talent was immediately apparent and it was long before Michael was made the group’s lead… Read the full story

Today the U.S. celebrates Women’s Equality Day, which commemorates the day when the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was certified as law. In honor of the day, we’re highlighting Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who helped draft the historical amendment. A leading figure of the women’s rights movement, Stanton’s work helped pave the way for granting women the right to vote. In 1848, Stanton helped organize the Seneca Falls Convention, which was the first women’s rights convention to be… Read the full story

Do you have Russian ancestry? On this day in 1530, the first tsar of Russia, Ivan IV, was born in the Grand Duchy of Muscovy, Russia. From a young age, Ivan experienced much tragedy and pain. When he was 3, his father died of an infection from an abscess on his leg. At the request of his father, Ivan was made Grand Prince of Moscow, and his mother acted as regent. However, a few short… Read the full story

Did you know that on this day in 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly nonstop across the United States? A pioneer in aviation, Earhart set many records throughout her career. On August 24, 1932, she became the first woman to make a solo nonstop flight across the United States from Los Angeles, California to Newark, New Jersey. The flight took a total of 19 hours and 5 minutes and set a woman’s distance record… Read the full story