Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965) was an African American Muslim minister, public speaker, and human rights activist. To his admirers, he advocated for the rights of African Americans and indicted white America for their actions against black Americans. His detractors accused him of preaching racism and violence. After living in foster homes, Malcolm X was involved in criminal activity in Boston and New York. In 1945, he was sentenced to prison, where he became a member of the Nation of Islam. After his parole, he became one of the Nation's leaders, its chief spokesmen, and its public face. Tension between Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad, head of the Nation of Islam, led to Malcolm X's departure from the organization in March 1964. Afterwards, he became a Sunni Muslim and made a pilgrimage to Mecca. He founded Muslim Mosque, Inc., a religious organization, and the secular, black nationalist Organization of Afro-American Unity. He was assassinated while giving a speech in New York.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1743:

French physicist Jean-Pierre Christin published the design of a mercury thermometer using the centigrade scale, with 0 representing the melting point of water and 100 its boiling point. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celsius

1828:

The United States Congress passed the largest tariff in the nation's history, which resulted in severe economic hardship in the American South. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariff_of_Abominations

1915:

First World War: Australian and New Zealand troops repelled the third attack on Anzac Cove, inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking Ottoman forces. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_attack_on_Anzac_Cove

2018:

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (both pictured) took place at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, England. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_of_Prince_Harry_and_Meghan_Markle

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

spiky: 1. Of a plant: producing spikes (“ears (as of corn); inflorescences in which sessile flowers are arranged on unbranched elongated axes”). 2. Of a plant part: resembling a spike of a plant (see above). 3. Having one or more spikes; spiny. 4. Resembling spikes: erect and having sharp points; spikelike. 5. (figurative) 6. Of a person or their nature: difficult to deal with; abrasive, hostile, unfriendly. 7. Of a thing: not smooth; rough, sharp. 8. (Anglicanism, derogatory, slang) Strongly high church (“practising a formal style of liturgy and emphasizing continuity with Catholicism”). https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/spiky

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Just sit a while and think. Never be afraid to sit a while and think.   --Lorraine Hansberry https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Lorraine_Hansberry