In the normal course of dKos events, lists such as this would get posted in Bill's C&J [or in the diaries posted by his assorted minions (Andy, etc.)]. But today is Saturday. So the question becomes: How do we aknowledge the people and events who/which represent the mileposts of history and culture? On an off day?
The answer: Publish a diary. What else?
Normally, Monday through Friday, Cs and Js would appear in this space, but since this is not a C&J post, we will move right along.
So. Happy Birthday to these folks who kept and are keeping the world talking:
1485 Catherine of Aragon
1770 Ludwig von Beethoven (The 9th Symphony: Pound for pound, IMHO, the finest music ever written.)
1775 Jane Austen
1863 George Santayana
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
1899 Noel Coward
1901 Margaret Mead
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
1917 Arthur C. Clarke
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
1928 Philip K. Dick
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
1938 Liv Ullman
1941 Lesley Stahl
1943 Steven Bochco
1947 Ben Cross
1952 Elayne Boosler
1961 Bill Hicks
A lot of Christians wear crosses around their necks. You think when Jesus comes back he ever wants to see a fucking cross? It's like going up to Jackie Onassis wearing a rifle pendant.
1962 William "The Refrigerator" Perry
1980 Sarah Pezdek-Smith
The strength of a woman can carry the weight of the world.
And we miss these people, too. Some more than others, but they did make a mark on our culture:
2003 Madlyn Rhue
1997 Nicolette Larson She even sang with Commander Cody!!
1993 Moses Gunn
1989 Lee Van Cleef Best. Villian Ever.
1980 Harland "Colonel" Sanders Love the suit.
1965 William Somerset Maugham
1916 Grigori Rasputin Did not go quietly..
And how could we not note these happenings on the very day they happened? That would be wrong on so many levels.
1773 Big Tea Party in Boston Harbor.
1905 Variety, covering all phases of show business, 1st published.
1911 South Pole first reached, by Norwegian Roald Amundsen.
1915 Albert Einstein publishes the General Theory of Relativity. Thousands confused.
1971 Don McLean's 8+ minute version of American Pie is released. Many more thousands confused.
Light a candle
Or give a cheer
Or lift a glass
And drink a beer
for Saturday's mileposts.