Murrow Was the Conscience of Broadcast Journalism
On April 25, 1908, Edward R. Murrow was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, and his broadcasts from London during the Blitz captured the American public’s attention.
De Kooning Expressed the Abstractions of Life
On April 24, 1904, Willem de Kooning was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and arrived in the U.S. as a stowaway in 1926. He became one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century.
Bitter Battle Mended by Rare Politeness
On April 23, 1813, Stephen A. Douglas was born in Brandon, Vermont. The Senator from Illinois is most remembered for his 1858 Senate campaign and 1860 presidential campaign against Abraham Lincoln.
Earth Day Founder Saw a Longterm Battle
On April 22, 1970, about 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day teach-in, an event that galvanized environmentalists. The remarkable success was due in large part to the efforts of Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson.
Submariner's Sea Stories Revealed the Silent Service
On April 20, 1918, Edward L. Beach Jr. was born in New York City. He was an illustrious submarine commander and author, including the 1955 bestselling novel “Run Silent, Run Deep.”
Discovery Was Elemental for Seaborg
On April 19, 1912, Glenn Seaborg was born in Ishpeming, Mich. He discovered, or co-discovered, ten transuranium elements, including plutonium, and won the 1951 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
America Was At Home on the Frontlines With Ernie Pyle
On April 18, 1945, war correspondent Ernie Pyle was shot and killed on an Ie Shima beach when a Japanese machine gun crew opened up on his jeep. Pyle had gained fame in the 1930s as a national columnist, but it was his tales from the front lines that endeared him to Americans.
The Tramp Took Chaplin From Rags to Riches
On April 16, 1889, Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London, England. He became a famous actor and filmmaker during the early days of cinema.
Sit-Ins Lead to Youthful Grass Roots Movement
On April 15, 1960, Ella Baker led a two-day conference at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., which resulted in the formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, one of the significant groups of the American civil rights movement.
By Paring Down, Beckett Found Success
On April 13, 1906, Samuel Beckett was born in Dublin, Ireland. His post-World War II writing came to define modern literature, and he won the 1969 Nobel Prize for his influence.
Making a Model...
On April 12, 1903, Jan Tinbergen was born in The Hague, Netherlands. Trained as physicist, he was awarded the first Nobel Prize for Economics in 1969.
Parkinson's Zeal Affected Politics, Paleontology and Palsy
On April 11, 1755, James Parkinson was born in London, England. He became a noted scientist most remembered for his 1817 description of “paralysis agitans,” which the French “father” of neurology later named Parkinson’s disease.
Bullfight Sowed Seeds for ASPCA Founding
On April 10, 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in New York City.
Fulbright Missed the Irony of Arrogance
On April 9, 1905, J. William Fulbright was born in Missouri. He was the longest serving chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Hopper Compiled a Singular Career in Computers
Grace Murray Hopper was one of the most influential people in defining how computers are used.
Designated Hitter Rule Turns 40
On April 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees became the first designated hitter in Major League Baseball history, facing Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Luis Tiant in his first plate appearance.
Former Slave Laid a Foundation for Independence
On April 5, 1856, Booker Taliaferro Washington was born a slave on the Burroughs Farm in Virginia. He became the voice of African-Americans, dined at the White House, and helped build nearly 5,000 schools across the South.
British By Nurture
On April 3, 1885, Harry St John Philby was born in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He served Britain in India and in the Middle East, and became a primary advisor to the future king of Saudi Arabia.
Educator Butler Was Devoted to Pushing Peace
On April 2, 1862, Nicholas Murray Butler was born in Elizabeth, N.J. He became president of Columbia University and won the 1931 Nobel Peace Prize.
Keeping A Weather Eye Out -- In Space
On April 1, 1960, the United States launched the first weather satellite, TIROS-1. It was the first satellite that enabled us to view the earth from space and observe weather patterns.
