The great American writer Flannery O'Connor passed away on this day in 1964. Find out how her writings influenced U2, PJ Harvey, and Bruce Springsteen on today's "A Day in the Life."

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Steven Hayward takes on Vince Guaraldi's arrangement of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones. This segment originally aired on Episode Two, which is available here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/criticalkaraoke/CK2_Final_Mixdown.mp3

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The Weimar Constitution was approved on this day in 1919. What music thrived in this new democracy and which of these composers relocated to the United States in 1933 following Hitler’s rise to power? Find out on today’s “A Day in the Life.”

Today in 1932 the Games of the 10th Olympiad convened in Los Angeles, California. Learn about the long tradition of music and the Olympic Games and the period of time when musical composition also became part of the athletic proceedings on today’s “A Day in the Life.”

Billy Joel’s 10th studio album, The Bridge, debuted on this date in 1986, which features guest appearances by Cindi Lauper, Ray Charles, and Steve Winwood. What do these musicians have to do with the title of the album? Find out today on “A Day in the Life.”

On this day in 1941, the American playwright Eugene O’Neill presented his wife with the manuscript of Long Day’s Journey into Night. It would eventually become a successful theatrical production and a film staring Katharine Hepburn. Hear André Previn’s haunting soundtrack and learn how it contributes to the narrative action today on “A Day in the Life.”

Today in 1984 the film Purple Rain was released in US movie theatres. To what extent is it autobiographical about Prince’s rise to fame in Minneapolis? What does the title mean? Find out on today’s “A Day in the Life.”

On this day in 1849, John Casper Henry Dielman received the first doctor of music degree awarded in the United States of America. Until this 1849 this degree remained the province of European Universities. So what was special about Henry Dielman? Find out on today's "A Day in the Life."

Today in 1962 the first live television programming was broadcast across the Atlantic ocean thanks to Telstar 1. Find out what was seen these transatlantic viewers and the effect it had on music here in the United States on today's "A Day in the Life."

Today in 1938, Caterina Jarboro became the first African-American to perform with an all-white opera company in the United States. Find out the special significance of the role that she played on today's "A Day in the Life."