Entertainment

Boris Karloff was born William Henry Pratt on November 23, 1887, in Camberwell, London, England. Karloff appeared in more than 170 films during his career, becoming a horror icon for his memorable performances in Frankenstein and The Mummy.

On October 15, 1966, the Wolf Trap Farm National Park for Performing Arts was established in Virginia.  It’s the only National Park dedicated exclusively to the performing arts.

Author William Saroyan was born on August 31, 1908, in Fresno, California. He’s been called “one of the most prominent literary figures of the mid-20th century.”

Leonard (Louis) Bernstein was born on August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Massachusetts.  One of the most famous conductors of his time, he was the first American conductor to earn international praise.

Lucille Ball was born on August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York. One of TV’s most beloved stars, she’s been called “The First Lady of Television” and “The Queen of Comedy.”

Author Ernest Miller Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois. Hemingway is considered one of America’s great 20th century novelists, inspiring a generation of writers with his understated, minimal prose.

Animator, inventor, and film director Max Fleischer was born in Kraków, Poland, on July 19, 1883. Fleischer patented several animation innovations and was behind popular cartoons such as Betty Boop, Popeye, and Superman, earning the nickname “The Dean of Animated Cartoons.”

Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was born on June 30, 1917, in New York City, New York.  Horne was one of the great icons of the 20th century.  She spent over 70 years in the entertainment industry as an actress and jazz singer and was also an acclaimed civil rights activist. 

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.