Monday, February 21, 2005

 

Spotlight: The classical guitar, a member of the lute family, appeared in Spain as early as the 13th century. Andres Segovia, who was born on this date in 1893, transcribed early contrapuntal music for the guitar, and popularized it as an orchestral instrument.

Quote: "Among God's creatures two, the dog and the guitar, have taken all the sizes and all the shapes, in order not be separated from the man" -- Andres Segovia

Today in History:

• Thomas Becket: canonized by Pope Alexander III (1173)
• phone book: first issued in New Haven, CT (1878)
• Battle of Verdun: began in France (1916)

Today's Birthdays:

• Hubert de Givenchy: French fashion designer (78)
• writers: Anais Nin (1903-1977), W.H. Auden (1907-1973), and Erma Bombeck (1927-1996)
• motion pictures: Sam Peckinpah (1925-1984), David Geffen (62), Alan Rickman (59), William Petersen (52), Kelsey Grammer (50), and Jennifer Love Hewitt (26)

Word of the Day:  luthier: someone who makes or repairs stringed instruments.   (© )