2009: Day 187On this date in 1189 Richard the 1st (popularly known as Richard the Lionheart) was crowned king of England. Oh, while we're on this date and the subject of royal Dicks, I should note that Richard III was also crowned on this date, albeit in 1483. Continuing the connection, the latter Richard's most famous biographer (although he never got to finish the work) was scholar and statesman Thomas More, who on this date was beheaded in 1535 for refusing to legitimize King Henry VIII.
Given all the awful things various Popes were responsible for, here's a nod to Pope Clement VI, who on this date in 1348 issued one of two papal bulls (a sort of open letter to the public that, at the time to the faithful, had the force of a legal pronouncement) protecting the Jews from those who were trying to blame the Black Death on them. That he declared those who went that route as having been seduced by the Devil's lies, I thought, was a nice touch.
Feel as if you've not yet begun to fight? Want to go sailing? No worries. It's John Paul Jones' birthday. The Scottish-born American naval (careful with the spelling!) hero was born today in 1747.
Mad dog and Frenchmen: On this date in 1885, the rabies vaccine developed by Louis Pasteur and Emile Roux was successfully tested on 9 year-old Joseph Meister, who had been mauled by a rabid dog. As a result, the boy didn't develop rabies and lived to the age of 64, working as an adult as a caretaker at the Pasteur institute.
In 1917, Arabian troops led by T.E. Laurence (Laurence of Arabia) and Auda ibu Tayi captured Aqaba from the Turks.
Mr. French! Yeah, the real one! Sebastian Cabot was born on this date in 1918.
In 1919, the British R34 airship becomes the first aircraft to make an East to West crossing of the Atlantic Ocean when it arrived at Mineola, Long Island four days after taking off in Britain. Not designed to carry passengers in comfort (it was intended for military use, more as an observation post), hammocks were slung in the keel walkway and cooking was done on a metal plate welded to the engine's exhaust pipe.
Just say no! It's Nancy Reagan's 88th birthday.
Thinking of getting a lovely bunch of coconuts? Why, you haven't gone crazy, it's just Merv Griffin's birthday!
Born today in 1927 was actress Janet Leigh.
Singer and actress Della Reese (1931) turns 78 today.
The late Irish comedian Dave Allen - whose signature sign-off was "Goodnight, thank you, and may your god go with you" - was born today back in 1936.
Squeal with... well, just squeal. Ned Beatty turns 72 today.
Holy frosting inferno! It's Burt Ward's (born Bert John Gervis Jr.) 64th birthday!
Yo, Adrian! Sylvester Stallone (1946) turns 63 today. Unfortunately, he gets to share his birthday with a scourge whose scars this nation will have for years to come, George W. Bush.
Comics artist and author, big enough to have a devoted fan base and an equally devoted group of detractors, John Byrne hits his 59th birthday today.
Actor Geoffrey Rush turns 58 today.
Today, in 1957 of course, future Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney met at St. Peter's Church garden fête in Liverpool, England, where Lennon's band (the Quarrymen) were holding their second concert.
Turning 43 today is actor and comedian Brian Posehn.
Writer, former journalist and pro-Iranian Reform activist Amir-Abbas Fakhravar turns 39 today.
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