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>
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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>
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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>
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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>