Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American epic war film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat. Set in 1944 in France during World War II, it follows a group of soldiers, led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), on their mission to locate Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), who is to be brought home after his three brothers are killed in action. Inspired by the books of Stephen E. Ambrose and accounts of the deaths of members of a single family such as the Niland brothers, Rodat drafted the script and Paramount Pictures hired him to finish the writing. Spielberg wanted to make Saving Private Ryan as authentic as possible, and hired Frank Darabont and Scott Frank to perform uncredited rewrites based on research and interviews with veterans. The cast went through a week-long boot camp to understand the soldier experience. Filming took place from June to September 1997 in England and Ireland. Saving Private Ryan earned critical acclaim for its graphic portrayal of combat.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1749:

A plot by Muslim slaves in Malta to assassinate Manuel Pinto da Fonseca of the Knights Hospitaller was uncovered. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1749_Muslim_slave_revolt_plot_in_Malta

1813:

War of 1812: The British ambushed an American encampment near present-day Stoney Creek, Ontario, capturing two senior officers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stoney_Creek

1912:

The largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century began, forming the volcano Novarupta in the Alaska Peninsula. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novarupta

1944:

World War II: Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious military operation in history, began with Allied troops landing on the beaches of Normandy in France. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy_landings

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

nuzzle: 1. (transitive) 2. To push or thrust (the nose or snout, face or muzzle, or head, or an object) against or into something. 3. To rub or touch (someone or something) with the nose, face, etc., or an object. 4. Chiefly of an animal: to dig (something, especially food) out of the ground using the nose or snout; to root. 5. (intransitive) 6. Often followed by in or into: to press or push the nose or snout, mouth, face, etc., against or into someone or something; to touch someone or something with the nose or snout, etc. 7. Chiefly of an animal: to push the nose or snout into the ground to dig for something, especially food; to root, to rootle. 8. Followed by down: to settle or lie comfortably and snugly in a bed, nest, etc.; to nestle. 9. Chiefly followed by up or with: to press affectionately against someone or something; to nestle, to snuggle. 10. (figurative) To come into close contact with someone or something. 11. (obsolete, rare) To feel or probe with the fingers. 12. An act of nuzzling (all verb senses). [...] https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nuzzle

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one.   --Dwight D. Eisenhower https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Dwight_D._Eisenhower