| Saturday, April 2, 2005 |
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Classical Childrens Writer Hans Christian Andersen |
SpotlightOne of the most beloved authors of fairy tales, Hans Christian Andersen, was born 200 years ago today. In the popular 1952 film, actor Danny Kaye portrayed the man who wrote The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor's New Clothes, and The Little Mermaid.
Quote"Fairy Tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." -- G. K. Chesterton
Today in History
- Juan Ponce de Leon: searching for the mythical fountain of youth, discovered Florida (1513)
- Coinage Act: established the US Mint (1792)
- Falkland Islands: Argentina briefly seized disputed area from Britain (1982)
Today's Birthdays
- Charlemagne: king of the Franks (742-814)
- Giovanni Casanova: writer, soldier and adventurer (1725-1798)
- Max Ernst: painter and sculptor (1891-1976)
Word of the Dayfey: having an otherworldly aspect; the origin of the word is the same as the origin of the word "fairy" -- the Old French fae evolved into the Middle English faie, to be possessed of magical properties.
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