Yuan is a common Chinese surname, ranked 33rd in China by population. It originated from a noble family of the ancient state of Chen, in what is now eastern Henan province. From the Han Dynasty onwards, the name has been associated with two aristocratic clans, that of Ru'nan and Chen. Historically, the name has been fast growing among Han Chinese, and has also been taken up by a number of non-Chinese ethnic groups. The surname is now held by more than 6.5 million people worldwide. Although growth has tapered off in the past six centuries, the Yuan name is still relatively widespread throughout China, as well as among overseas Chinese, with heaviest per capita concentrations in the Yangtze Delta region of central coastal China. Because that area has historically exhibited high clan consciousness, there exist a large number of Yuan genealogies, most of which are now held in public institutions. Renewed interest in ancestry among Yuan clansmen has largely been encouraged by the PRC government.

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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1531: The Apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin saw the Blessed Virgin Mary outside of modern-day Mexico City. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe)

1897: Belo Horizonte, the first planned city of Brazil, was inaugurated. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belo_Horizonte)

1901: Guglielmo Marconi received the first trans-Atlantic radio signal, from Poldhu Wireless Station in Cornwall, England to Cabot Tower in St. John's, Newfoundland. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guglielmo_Marconi)

1915: President Yuan Shikai (pictured) of the Republic of China reinstated monarchy and declared himself Emperor. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuan_Shikai)

1964: Jomo Kenyatta became the first President of the Republic of Kenya. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jomo_Kenyatta)

_____________________ Wikiquote of the day:

"I had some great things and I had some bad things. The best and the worst... In other words, I had a life." -- Richard Pryor (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Richard_Pryor)