"Weird Al" Yankovic is an American musician, satirist, parodist, accordionist, and television producer. Yankovic is known in particular for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts. Since receiving his first accordion lesson a day before his seventh birthday, he has recorded more than 150 parody and original songs and sold more comedy albums than any other artist. His works have earned him three Grammy Awards amongst nine nominations, three gold and five platinum records in the United States. Yankovic's first Top 10 Billboard album and single were both released in 2006, nearly three decades into his career. In addition to recording his albums, Yankovic has written and starred in his own movie and television show, directed music videos for himself and other artists including Ben Folds and Hanson, and had guest appearances in television shows such as The Simpsons and Behind the Music.

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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1639: English astronomer Jeremiah Horrocks made the first observation of a transit of Venus. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transit_of_Venus)

1676: Scanian War: In an area north of Lund, Sweden, forces led by Swedish Field Marshal Simon Grundel-Helmfelt defeated the invading Danish army under the command of King Christian V of Denmark. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lund)

1791: The Observer, the world's first Sunday newspaper, was first published. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Observer)

1829: The practice of sati was formally abolished in British India after years of campaigning by Ram Mohan Roy against this Hindu funeral custom of widows immolating themselves. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(practice))

1977: The President of the Central African Republic had himself crowned as Emperor Bokassa I. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokassa_I_of_Central_Africa)

_____________________ Wikiquote of the day:

No sadder proof can be given by a man of his own littleness than disbelief in great men. -- Thomas Carlyle (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Carlyle)