Albert Schweitzer enters the jungle
On this day in 1875 the French physician, missionary, philosopher and musician Albert Schweitzer was born. An expert pianist and organist, he became an authority... Read More
James Joyce makes some chamber music
On this day in 1941 the author James Joyce died in Zurich. Regularly considered one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, Joyce... Read More
Edmund Hillary reaches the top
On this day in 2008 the New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary died aged 88. He will always be remembered for the 1952 conquest of Everest,... Read More
Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon
On this day in 49 BC Julius Caesar and his army crossed the Rubicon (it was illegal for a general to bring an army into... Read More
Thomas Paine produces Common Sense
On this day 1776 Thomas Paine published Common Sense, a pamphlet that was a scathing attack on King George III’s reign over the colonies and... Read More
King Edward II, defeated by the she-wolf of France
On this day in 1326 King Edward II of England was deposed by forces led by his wife Isabella and her favourite, the exiled Roger... Read More
Khalil Gibran became an alcoholic
On this day in 1883 the Lebanese poet, painter and mystic writer Khalil Gibran was born. A Maronite Christian, Gibran believed in universal spirituality and... Read More