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Mary’s Sampler
Mary’s Sampler is a poem written by Eleanor W.F. Bates, taken from the book Genealogical History of the French and Allied Families. The titular Mary is Mary Estabrook who is one of the roots of my family tree. My great-grandmother’s great-grandmother was Sarah Estabrook. I can’t vouch for her sampler-making skills. The silks are dim Read more
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The Russell-Einstein Manifesto
On this day in 1955, Bertrand Russell delivered this manifesto at a press conference in London. It was signed by 11 scientists, 10 of whom are Nobel Laureates, including Albert Einstein who signed it just days before his death. In the tragic situation which confronts humanity, we feel that scientists should assemble in conference Read more
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CitySketch: Marble Collegiate Church
In 1628, Reverend Jonas Michaelius founded his church in New Amsterdam. The population of the city at that time was less than 300. Peter Stuyvesant charged a fine to anyone in the city who did not attend services. In 1696 King William III of England granted the church a royal charter, making it the oldest Read more
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Genius in our Midst: Crumb
R. Crumb is a comic artist and a founder of the underground comix movement of the 1960s. Among his creations are Fritz the Cat, Mr. Natural, and the Keep on Truckin’ dude(s). His album covers include the classic Cheap Thrills by Big Brother and the Holding Company. Toyota offered Crumb $100,000 to use his Read more
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CitySketch: Met Life Tower
The Met Life Tower, on 23rd Street between Madison and Park Avenues, was once the tallest building in the world. From 1909 until the Woolworth Building reared its head a couple of miles south on Broadway in 1913 there was no building on the planet that rose as high. The tower still has a bit Read more
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Bill Watterson
Born on this day in 1958, Bill Watterson is best known as the creator of the comic strip Calvin & Hobbes. The strip below is actually drawn in his style by Gavin Aung Than who was inspired by the words of a speech Watterson gave to the graduating class of Kenyon College in 1990. As Read more
Words & Music 