| Thursday, September 2, 2010 |
|
Answer of the DayWhat deposed queen was also a songwriter? The last queen of the Hawaiian Islands, Lili'uokalani, wrote about 150 songs, including one that became a Hawaiian theme song, "Aloha 'Oe" ("Farewell to Thee"). The word aloha is the traditional Hawaiian greeting, and it means more than just hello or goodbye. It represents a spirit natives believe thrives locally — a feeling of good wishes, harmony, respect and consideration for others. Lili'uokalani, born on this date in 1838, was an accomplished composer; she played several instruments, including the guitar, ukulele, piano and organ. In 1999, a compilation of her songs — The Queen's Songbook — was published.
Today's History
|
|
| Signing on the 'Missouri' |
- Great Fire of London: conflagration that wiped out much of London began (1666 OS)
- United States Department of the Treasury: was established by an act of Congress (1789)
- "Speak softly and carry a big stick": policy was enunciated by US vice president Theodore Roosevelt at the Minnesota State Fair (1901)
- Japan's surrender: WWII officially came to an end with a ceremony aboard the USS Missouri (1945)
- Principality of Sealand: North Sea micronation located off the coast of Suffolk was established by Paddy Roy Bates, who has ruled it ever since (1967)
Today's Birthdays
|
|
| Mark Harmon |
- Peter Ueberroth (73): businessman, former baseball commissioner and 1984's Time "Man of the Year"; ballplayer who turned to producing sporting goods A.G. Spalding (1850-1915) and high-tech executive Andrew Grove share this birth date (74)
- Nate Archibald (62): NBA hall-of-famer; other athletes born on this date include John Thompson (69), Terry Bradshaw (62), Jimmy Connors (58) and Eric Dickerson (50)
- Christa McAuliffe (1948-1986): teacher who died in the Challenger space shuttle explosion
- Mark Harmon (59): Jethro Gibbs of NCIS; also, actors Linda Purl (55), Keanu Reeves (46), Salma Hayek (44), and Cynthia Watros and Kristen Cloke (both 42)
