Monday, March 6, 2006

Spotlight
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born 200 years ago today. Infamous for her love affair and secret marriage to poet Robert Browning, Elizabeth wrote "Sonnets from the Portuguese" in 1850, basing it on their own love story. The Brownings settled in Florence, Italy, where Elizabeth – who had been in poor health for years – became stronger and thrived. She wrote "Casa Guidi Windows" in 1851 and "Aurora Leigh," one of her most famous poems, appeared in 1856.

Quote
"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out." – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Today in History

• the Alamo: fort was overrun by Mexican troops during the Texas revolution; all inside were killed (1836)
• Dred Scott case: US Supreme Court ruled that slaves were not citizens (1857)
• periodic table: was presented by Dmitri Mendeleev to the Russian Chemical Society (1869)

Today's Birthdays

• Michelangelo: artist known for the Sistine Chapel ceiling, the David sculpture (1475-1564)
• Rob Reiner: actor, writer, director, producer (59)
• Shaquille O'Neal: basketball star, currently center for the Miami Heat (34)

Word of the Day
 epistolary: in the form of a letter; the initial exchanges between Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning were epistolary.   (© )