Michael Francis Egan (September 29, 1761 – July 22, 1814) was a prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. Born in Ireland, he joined the Franciscan Order at a young age. He was ordained a priest, probably in Prague, in 1785 or 1786. He advanced rapidly to positions of responsibility in the Franciscan order, becoming custos (guardian) in the province of Munster in Ireland, then at the Pontifical College at the home of Irish Franciscans in Rome, and later at Ennis in Ireland. Egan arrived in the United States in January 1802 to serve as an assistant pastor near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His reputation as a gifted preacher secured him a position in 1803 as a pastor at St. Mary's Church in Philadelphia. In 1808, he was appointed the first Bishop of Philadelphia, holding that position until his death in 1814. His tenure as bishop saw the construction of new churches and the expansion of the Catholic Church membership in his diocese, but much of his time was consumed by disputes with the lay trustees of St. Mary's Church.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Francis_Egan

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1918:

World War I: At the Battle of St Quentin Canal, the British Fourth Army made the first breach of the German defensive Hindenburg Line. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindenburg_Line

1940:

Two Avro Ansons of No. 2 Service Flying Training School RAAF collided in mid-air over Brocklesby, New South Wales, Australia, remained locked together after colliding, and landed safely. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940_Brocklesby_mid-air_collision

1957:

An explosion at the Soviet nuclear reprocessing plant Mayak released 74 to 1850 PBq of radioactive material. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyshtym_disaster

1962:

Alouette 1, Canada's first satellite, and the first satellite constructed by a country other than the Soviet Union or the United States, was launched. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alouette_1

1991:

The Haitian Army deposed President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, eight months after the nation's first democratic elections. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_Haitian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

whopping: (colloquial) Exceptionally great or large. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/whopping

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

O Glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil.   --Pope Leo XIII https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pope_Leo_XIII