Death of Dante Alighieri
The “Supreme Poet” Dante Alighieri is believed to have died on September 14, 1321. His Divine Comedy is considered one of the most important poems of the Middle Ages and the Italian language.
Religion
Father Theodore Hesburgh
Reverend Theodore Martin Hesburgh was born on May 25, 1917, in Syracuse, New York. He served as president Notre Dame University for 35 years, transforming it into one of the best colleges in America.
“The Lady of the Cloud”
On December 30, 1696, it is said a miracle took place in Guápulo, Ecuador. That miracle was performed by the Virgin Mary (called the “Lady of the Cloud” by certain communities in Ecuador and Peru). The event became an important part of Guapulo’s culture.
Dedication of Touro Synagogue
On December 2, 1763, the Touro Synagogue was officially dedicated after four years of construction. Today, it’s the oldest standing synagogue in the US.
Day of the Dead
Celebrated annually on November 1, the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a time to celebrate lost loved ones. While the holiday is a relatively modern tradition, its origins date back thousands of years.
Happy Halloween!
Do you know some of the early origins of Halloween? Or how Jack-o’-lanterns got their name? Read on to discover lots of neat Halloween history…
Happy Birthday Frank Laubach
Missionary Frank Charles Laubach was born on September 2, 1884, in Benton, Pennsylvania. He dedicated his life to teaching people around the world to read, visiting more than 100 countries and developing books for 312 different languages.
Chautauqua Institution
On August 6, 1974, the USPS issued the Chautauqua Institution stamp, the second in the Rural America series, honoring the organization’s centennial. Initially founded to train Sunday school teachers, “Chautauqua” became a term for commercial traveling companies who pitched tents and presented lecturers, orators, and performing artists to rural areas.
Birth of Mark Hopkins
Mark Hopkins was born on February 4, 1802, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. He was the youngest college president in the US and produced many influential writings on religion, education, morality, and more.