On this day in 1924, James Baldwin was born in New York City. Over his career, he made a reputation for himself as a writer, poet, and civil rights activist.

Learn how his travels in Switzerland helped him articulate his observations of the white American experience.

Today is August 2, 2020.

This is the Librarian’s Almanac.

Feel free to check out more from the Librarian's Almanac on their website: http://www.librariansalmanac.com/

I'd also love to hear from you directly. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

On this day in 1981, MTV aired its first video, "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. MTV completely changed the entertainment industry. The decades following made sure it didn’t have the final word.

Learn how pop culture continues to be disrupted and how that can affect the mindset of those in it from the perspective of a social media star, Bo Burnham.

Today is August 1, 2020.

This is the Librarian’s Almanac.

Feel free to check out more from the Librarian's Almanac on their website: http://www.librariansalmanac.com/

I'd also love to hear from you directly. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

On this day in 1990 (or 1991, depending on who you believe on HP lore), Hagrid tells Harry Potter he’s a wizard on Harry’s 11th birthday.

Listen to the passage where Hagrid tells Harry in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and feel the secondhand embarrassment as an American tries to read Hagrid’s dialogue.

Today is July 31, 2020.

This is the Librarian’s Almanac.

Feel free to check out more from the Librarian's Almanac on their website: http://www.librariansalmanac.com/

I'd also love to hear from you directly. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

On this day in 1818, Emily Brontë was born in the town of Thornton in the United Kingdom.

Learn how her most famous work, Wuthering Heights, is less of a romance and meant to be a terrifying ghost story.

Today is July 30, 2020.

This is the Librarian’s Almanac.

Feel free to check out more from the Librarian's Almanac on their website: http://www.librariansalmanac.com/

I'd also love to hear from you directly. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

On this day in 1958, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Learn about the dreams of Carl Sagan to make understanding space science accessible to everyday Americans.

Today is July 29, 2020.

This is the Librarian’s Almanac.

Feel free to check out more from the Librarian's Almanac on their website: http://www.librariansalmanac.com/

I'd also love to hear from you directly. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

On this day in 1866, Beatrix Potter, is born in Kensington, a London borough.

Listen to the whole of one of her most notable works, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Today is July 28, 2020.

This is the Librarian’s Almanac.

Feel free to check out more from the Librarian's Almanac on their website: http://www.librariansalmanac.com/

I'd also love to hear from you directly. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

On this day in 1995, the Korean War Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. in West Potomac Park, southeast of the Lincoln Memorial. July 27 is also recognized as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.

Learn about how the Korean War and Vietnam War influenced war commentary in pop culture including the black comedy film MASH and its soundtrack.

Today is July 27, 2020.

This is the Librarian’s Almanac.

Feel free to check out more from the Librarian's Almanac on their website: http://www.librariansalmanac.com/

I'd also love to hear from you directly. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

On this day in 1928 Stanley Kubrick, the famed American filmmaker, is born in New York City.

Learn about his everyday correspondences with his Hollywood colleagues as he made film history.

Today is July 26, 2020.

This is the Librarian’s Almanac.

Feel free to check out more from the Librarian's Almanac on their website: http://www.librariansalmanac.com/

I'd also love to hear from you directly. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

On this day in 2010, an organization called WikiLeaks published classified documents about the War in Afghanistan.

Learn about the aftermath of one of the largest leaks in U.S. military history and how affected American involvement in the Middle East.

Today is July 25, 2020.

This is the Librarian’s Almanac.

Feel free to check out more from the Librarian's Almanac on their website: http://www.librariansalmanac.com/

I'd also love to hear from you directly. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

On this day in 1802, Alexandre Dumas, French novelist, was born in Villers-Cotterêts, France.

Learn about Dumas’s experiences with racial prejudice through reports about his life and also his masterpiece about revenge, The Count of Monte Cristo.

Today is July 24, 2020.

This is the Librarian’s Almanac.

Feel free to check out more from the Librarian's Almanac on their website: http://www.librariansalmanac.com/

I'd also love to hear from you directly. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]