THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

“I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don’t know the answer.”

— Douglas Adams

BIRTHDAYS:

1660 Daniel Defoe, novelist (Robinson Crusoe)

1688 Luca Antonio Predieri, composer. “Pace Una Volta”, and Sonata per l’offertorio

1755 Oliver Evans, inventor (high-pressure steam engine)

1819 Clara Schumann, composer. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.7 (23:43)

1851 Walter Reed, scientist (bacteriologist; yellow fever)

1855 Jacobus van Looy, writer and painter

1874 Arnold Schoenberg, composer and painter. Theme & Variations for Wind Ensemble, Op. 43a

1924 Maurice Jarre, composer. Lawrence of Arabia Overture, and Doctor Zhivago

1938 Judith Martin, author

MISCELLANEOUS:

FOXES IN CHARGE OF THE HEN HOUSE? They’ve Learned Nothing — Because That Would Expose Too Much