Wednesday, July 6, 2005

Spotlight
Frida Kahlo, one of Mexico's most famous artists, was born on this date in 1907. Frida suffered from polio as a child, and was seriously injured in a traffic accident when she was in her teens. Her paintings are often shocking in their graphic portrayal of pain. The feminist icon did not agree with those who called her work surrealistic. Frida had a stormy relationship with the famed muralist Diego Rivera, whom she married, divorced, and remarried.

Quote
"I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality." – Frida Kahlo

Today in History

• Jan Hus: Czech religious reformer burned at the stake by the Catholic Church (1415)
• Sir Thomas More: the "man for all seasons" was beheaded by King Henry VIII (1535)
• Republican Party: founded as antislavery party (1854)

Today's Birthdays

• Dalai Lama: Tibetan spiritual and political leader (70)
• Sylvester Stallone: actor, Rocky and Rambo films (59)
• George W. Bush: 43rd POTUS (59)

Word of the Day
 Converso: a Jew of Spanish or Portuguese descent who converted outwardly to Christianity in the Middle Ages, but may have continued to practice Judaism in secret; Diego Rivera is said to have been a descendant of Conversos.   (© )