95px|J. C. W. Beckham

John C. W. Beckham (1869–1940) was the 35th Governor of Kentucky and a United States Senator. Descended from a prominent political family, Beckham was chosen as Democrat William Goebel's running mate in the gubernatorial election of 1899 when the former was not yet of legal age to serve as governor. Goebel lost the election to Republican William S. Taylor, but the Kentucky General Assembly disputed the election results. During the political wrangling that followed, an unknown assassin shot Goebel. A day later the General Assembly invalidated enough votes to give the election to Goebel, who was sworn into office on his deathbed. Taylor claimed the election had been stolen by the Democratic majority in the General Assembly and a legal fight ensued between him and Beckham over the governorship. Beckham ultimately prevailed and Taylor fled the state. Following his term as governor, Beckham made a bid to become a U.S. Senator, but the seat went to Republican William O. Bradley. Six years later Beckham secured the seat by popular election, but he lost his re-election bid largely because of his pro-temperance views and his opposition to women's suffrage. He died in Louisville on January 9, 1940. (more...)

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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1604:

Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the religious text of Sikhism, was installed at Harmandir Sahib. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Granth_Sahib

1902:

The first science fiction film, titled A Trip to the Moon and based on

From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne, was released in France.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Trip_to_the_Moon

1920:

The Fountain of Time opened as a tribute to the 100 years of peace between the United States and Great Britain following the Treaty of Ghent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_of_Time

1939:

Nazi Germany invaded Poland at Wieluń and Westerplatte, starting World War II in Europe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Poland

1961:

The thirty-year Eritrean War of Independence began when rebels led by Hamid Idris Awate fired shots at the Ethiopian Army. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eritrean_War_of_Independence

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

cohort (n): 1. A division of a Roman legion. 2. A group of people supporting the same thing or person. 3. An accomplice, associate, or colleague http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cohort

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

We've traveled halfway 'round the world

To find ourselves again — September morn — We danced until the night became a brand new day,

Two lovers playing scenes from some romantic play — September morning still can make me feel that way. --Neil Diamond http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Neil_Diamond