Jan. 30, 1998
The Naked Ape
Today's Reading: "The Naked Ape" by John Updike from MIDPOINT AND OTHER POEMS, published by Alfred A. Knopf.
It's the anniversary of the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in 1948. He was on his way to evening prayers in Delhi when he was shot by a Hindu fanatic who was angered that Gandhi seemed to be placating the rival Muslims in India.
It's the birthday of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, born today in 1882 in Hyde Park, New York, the only president to serve more than two terms.
It's the anniversary of the founding of the Library of Congress in 1800. After being burned down by the British in 1814, Thomas Jefferson sold his huge private collection of books to the Library to help get it going again. Today it houses over 19 million books.
It was on this day in 1649 that Charles I, King of England, was executed by order of the Parliament under Oliver Cromwell.
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