… of Barry Gordy. The founder of Motown is 75.
… of S. Epatha Merkerson. Lt. Van Buren is 52.
… of Jon Stewart. The Daily Show star is 42.
It’s the birthday
… of Bonnie Raitt. She turns 55 in the Nick of Time.
… of Patti Page. A good gift for Patti as she turns 77 might be A Doggy in The Window. Depends on how much, I suppose.
It’s also the birthday of Margaret Mitchell, born on this date in 1900. As you all must know (but just in case), Mitchell’s original name for Scarlett O’Hara was Pansy O’Hara. Just wouldn’t have been the same.
The Writer’s Almanac has quite a bit on Mitchell.
It’s the birthday
… of Billy Graham. He’s 86 today.
… of Mary Travers. Mary of Peter, Paul & Mary is (big sigh) 67.
… of Roberta Joan Anderson. Joni Mitchell is 61.
It’s the birthday
… of James Knox Polk, 11th president of the United States, born on this date in 1795.
… of Warren Gamaliel Harding, 29th president of the United States, born on this date in 1865.
Polk is generally rated among the “near great” presidents. Harding who died while president, is generally considered a “failure.” See this NewMexiKen entry.