Entertainment

1997 32¢ Conductors and Composers: George Szell, Conductor
June 7, 1897

Birth of George Szell

Conductor George Szell was born György Endre Szél on June 7, 1897, in Budapest, Hungary.  Szell conducted the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and is credited with transforming it into one of the world’s greatest orchestras.

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1994 29¢ Silent Screen Stars: Rudolph Valentino
May 6, 1895

Birth of Rudolph Valentino

Silent film star Rudolph Valentino was born Rodolfo Pietro Filiberto Raffaello Guglielmi di Valentina d’Antonguolla on May 6, 1895, in Castellaneta, Italy.  Idolized as the “Latin Lover” of the 1920s, Rudolph Valentino gained enormous fame for his passionate, romantic roles. 

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1994 29¢ Blues and Jazz Singers: Muddy Waters
April 30, 1983

Death of Muddy Waters

On April 30, 1983, legendary blues musician Muddy Waters died in Westmont, Illinois. Dubbed the “Father of Modern Chicago Blues,” Waters had dozens of hits over the years and has been a major influence for generations of musicians.

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2005 37¢ Literary Arts: Robert Penn Warren
April 24, 1905

Robert Penn Warren

Author Robert Penn Warren was born on April 24, 1905, in Guthrie, Kentucky. The winner of multiple Pulitzer Prizes, he was the first US Poet Laureate.

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2016 47¢ Shirley Temple
April 23, 1928

Happy Birthday Shirley Temple 

Beloved child star and diplomat Shirley Temple was born on April 23, 1928, in Santa Monica, California. Temple starred in over 40 films by the time she was 12, and went on to become the first female ambassador to Czechoslovakia.

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1998 32¢ Celebrate the Century - 1910s: Charlie Chaplin
April 16, 1889

Happy Birthday Charlie Chaplin 

Sir Charles Spencer “Charlie” Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889.  He was one of the most popular and successful actors of the silent film era, starring in 82 films, many of which he directed.

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2011 44¢ Gregory Peck
April 5, 1916

Birth of Gregory Peck

Eldred Gregory Peck was born on April 5, 1916, in San Diego, California.  Appearing in over 60 films and numerous stage productions, he became one of Hollywood’s most beloved and respected actors, voted the 12th-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood.

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2015 49¢ Maya Angelou
April 4, 1928

Birth of Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri.  Poet, actor, author, teacher, and activist, Angelou became an influential voice of the 20th century.  

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2006 39¢ DC Comics Super Heroes: Batman
March 30, 1939

First Batman Comic Released 

On March 30, 1939, Detective Comics #27 was released, introducing the world to the caped crusader – Batman. Appearing in over 11,000 comics, films, and other media, Batman is consistently ranked as one of the greatest superheroes of all time.

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