On This Day

Joseph Priestley Profession: Chemist, Theologian and Author Nationality: English Biography: Born into a dissenting family who didn't confirm to the Church of England, Joseph Priestley remained a influential religious free thinker throughout his whole life and his religious unorthodoxy would play a large part in shaping his scientific inquiries. Priestley initially became a minister and a teacher, publishing an important book on English Grammar in 1761. He then became interested in electricity and […]

Cliff Richard Full Name: Harry Rodger Webb Profession: Singer Nationality: British Biography: Cliff Richard, in full Sir Cliff Richard, original name Harry Roger Webb, (born October 14, 1940, Lucknow, India), Cliff Richard was Britain's answer to the invasion of rock'n'roll from the USA in the 1950s. Richard is the third-top-selling singles artist in the United Kingdom's history. singer whose “Move It” (1958) was the first great British rock-and-roll song. Over the years Richards musical style has changed […]

Defeat of the Spanish Armada English and Spanish fleets clash in the Battle of Gravelines in this historic painting by Philip James de Loutherbourg This artistic interpretation of the Battle of Gravelines was painted by Philip James de Loutherbourg in 1796. The painting shows the morning after the English fireship attack on the Spanish Armada in Calais Roads, which found the Spaniards in a north-westerly gale off Dunkirk. A shift […]

James Weldon Johnson Profession: Writer and Civil Rights Activist Nationality: American Biography: James Weldon Johnson displayed an extraordinary array of talent throughout his life, becoming a lawyer, diplomat, writer, poet and civil rights leader. Johnson was the first African American to pass the bar in Florida in 1897. He became American Consul to Venezuela in 1906 and during that appointment wrote his novel "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man" anonymously. His earlier poem "Lift […]

Alan Menken Profession: Composer Nationality: American Biography: Alan Menken is an American composer best known for his work with Walt Disney Animation Studios. He has written music for The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and Pocahontas (1995). For each of these projects, Menken won an Oscar each for Best Score and Best Song. Menken holds the second highest total Academy Awards in the music categories, trailing Alfred Newman by one. He […]

Mick Jagger Full Name: Michael Philip Jagger Profession: Rock Star Nationality: English Biography: Best known as the lead singer and a founding member of The Rolling Stones. His career has spanned over 50 years, and he is one of the most influential people in the history of rock & roll. Born: 26 July 1943 Birthplace: Dartford, Kent, England Age: 79 years old Generation: Silent Generation Star Sign: Leo   Married Life 1971-05-12 British "Rolling Stone" singer Mick […]

Charlie "Bird" Parker Full Name: Charles Parker, Jr. Profession: Jazz Saxophonist and Composer Nationality: American Biography: A talented jazz saxophonist and composer Charlie "Bird" Parker was influential in the development of the bebop subgenre – a style with faster tempos and improvisation based on harmonic structure. Techniques like rapid passing chords, new variants of altered chords and chord substitutions that Bird innovated are now standard learning for jazz students all over the world. His tone […]