George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was an Irish playwright and critic who had a major influence on Western theatre, culture and politics. He was born in Dublin and moved to London in 1876 as a struggling writer and novelist. His first stage success was Arms and the Man in 1894; under the influence of Henrik Ibsen he brought a new realism into English- language drama, using his plays as vehicles to disseminate his often contentious political, social and religious ideas. He became a member of the gradualist Fabian Society, was a socialist pamphleteer and polemicist for over 50 years, and was instrumental in the foundation of the modern Labour Party. Many of his plays were critical and commercial successes, including Caesar and Cleopatra (1898), Man and Superman (1903), Major Barbara (1905), The Doctor's Dilemma (1906), Pygmalion (1913) and Saint Joan (1923). He was regarded as the leading dramatist of his generation, and was awarded the 1925 Nobel Prize in Literature. He wrote prolifically until shortly before his death, aged 94.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Bernard_Shaw
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1001:
The Song Shi recorded a tributary mission from the Rajahnate of Butuan (Golden Tara pictured), centered on the Philippine island of Mindanao, to the Song dynasty of China. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajahnate_of_Butuan
1776:
American Revolutionary War: The British Army garrison in Boston, Massachusetts, withdrew from the city, ending the 11‑month Siege of Boston. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Boston
1942:
The Holocaust: The first mass killings of Jews began at Bełżec extermination camp in occupied Poland, the first of the Aktion Reinhard camps to begin operation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Be%C5%82%C5%BCec_extermination_camp
1957:
A plane crash on the slope of Mount Manunggal killed Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay and 24 others. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957_Cebu_Douglas_C-47_crash
2004:
Unrest in Kosovo broke out, resulting in the deaths of 28, the wounding of more than 600 others, and the destruction of several Serb Orthodox churches and shrines. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_unrest_in_Kosovo
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
shillelagh: 1. (Ireland) A wooden (especially oaken) club ending with a large knob. 2. Any cudgel, whether or not of Irish origin. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/shillelagh
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity Through belief in the threeness Through confession of the Oneness Towards the creator. --Saint Patrick https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick