Wednesday, February 2, 2005

Spotlight
Ayn Rand was born 100 years ago today. The author of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, she was a proponent of "objectivism." The protagonist in The Fountainhead is said to have been modeled on architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Quote
"We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of evading reality" -- Ayn Rand

Word of the day
polemic -- a controversial argument, especially one that attacks a known belief. Ayn Rand's writings are polemical, espousing a philosophy that supports rational self-interest and political libertarianism. (© )

Holiday
Groundhog Day -- Americans look for Punxsutawney Phil

Today's News

• Pope John Paul II -- recovering in hospital after experiencing difficulties breathing (story)
• Saddam -- did not vote, but was eligible (story)
• Ivan Noble -- tumor diary journalist dies at 37 (story)

Today's History

• Battle of Stalingrad -- ended when German forces surrendered to the Russians (1943)
• Abscam -- scandal first came to light (1980)
• F.W. de Klerk -- lifted ban on the ANC; promised to free Nelson Mandela (1990)

Today's Birthdays

• novelists -- James Joyce (1882-1941) and James Dickey (1923-1997)
• George Halas -- Yankee turned Chicago Bear (1895-1983)
• singers -- Graham Nash (63) and Shakira (28)
• Farrah Fawcett -- one of TV's original Charlie's Angels (58)