The NameDay Project

In today’s episode, we celebrate the birthday of James Naismith, the innovator of basketball. A Canadian-American physical education, physician, chaplain, and sports coach, James invented the game of basketball in 1891, penning the first basketball rulebook and establishing the basketball program at the University of Kansas. Today, basketball is one of the most popular sports, with over 300 million players worldwide. Happy birthday, James!

If YOU want a birthday shoutout, email us at [email protected] with your name, and any other information you want us to share!

In today’s episode, we celebrate the birthday of Shakuntala Devi, who was known as the “Human Calculator.” An Indian writer and feminist, Devi earned her notoriety through her genius talents of mental calculations, earning her the Guinness World Record for “Fastest Human Computation.” Not only did she strive to simplify numerical calculations for students, but she was also a pioneer for her feminist works and studies on homosexuality. Happy birthday, Shakuntala!

If YOU want a birthday shoutout, email us at [email protected] with your name, and any other information you want us to share!

Today we’re putting the “history” into the “history podcast genre” and going all the way back to 1755 to celebrate Marie Antoinette. Although she may not have said “Let them eat cake,” Marie was the last queen of France before the French Revolution, and was an vital part in the Austrian-French alliance. Her ending is tragic, but her life is truly fascinating! Happy birthday, Marie!

If YOU want a birthday shoutout, email us at [email protected] with your name and some information you’d like us to share!

Tomorrow is your LAST DAY TO VOTE!!! Get your voice heard! Go to vote.org for polling locations. 

In today’s episode, we’re celebrating Georges Gilles de la Tourette, the French neurologist who is the namesake of Tourette syndrome. Georges was the first person to realize that Tourette’s syndrome was a neurological condition, rather than a psychiatric one, and was a major influencer in neurological studies at the time. Happy birthday, Georges!

If YOU want a birthday shoutout, email us at [email protected] with your name and a little bit of information about yourself!

There are only 5 days left to vote! If you haven’t mailed in an absentee ballot - DON’T! Make sure to take your ballot to a polling place in person to ensure that it’s counted. For locations and more information, go to vote.org 

Today we’re getting science-y and celebrating the man behind the first successful polio vaccine, Jonas Salk! An American virologist and medical researcher, Salk is known as a hero for his development of the Polio vaccine in 1955. He was also the founder and director of the Salk Institute of Biological Studies in California, which is still a prominent research facility. Happy birthday, Jonas!

If YOU want a birthday shoutout, email us at [email protected] with your name and any other details you want us to include. 

There is less than a week left to vote in the Presidential Election! By now, it’s too late to mail in your ballot, but there are still ways to get your voice heard! Go to Vote.org for more information. 

Today we’re celebrating one of our heroes, Hillary Rodham Clinton. Hillary has dedicated her life to public service, working as a diplomat, lawyer, public speaker, Senator, and United States Secretary of State. But despite her incredible work, her reputation has often been shrouded by public opinion on her appearance and personality. In today’s episode, we celebrate her life, work, and contributions to society in a hope to highlight the good that she has done. Happy birthday, Hillary!

If YOU would like a birthday shoutout, email us at [email protected]

Do you regret the 2016 election? Then you need to vote next week! Go to vote.org to get your plan together. 

Today we’re talking about the mind behind one of our favorite films - Michael Crichton! Michael was an American author, filmmaker, and medical doctor, who used fiction with fact to create thrilling literary works and movies, including Jurassic Park. Talented in both science and writing, Crichton was the mind behind not only Jurassic Park, but Westworld and the TV show E.R. Happy birthday, Michael!

If YOU want a birthday shoutout, email us at [email protected]

There are only 10 days left to vote! Make sure you have a plan set - for more information, go to Vote.org

Buckle in, because in today’s episode, we’re discussing the tragic life of George Stinney. At fourteen years old, George was wrongfully convicted of a crime, and after an injustice by the court, was sentenced to death. Seventy years later, his conviction was overturned, but George still suffered the consequences of a broken criminal justice system. Although it’s not a happy episode, we honor George on what would have been his ninety-first birthday. 

If YOU want your birthday celebrated, email us at [email protected]

Only two more weeks to vote! If you live in the United States, now is the time to plan! Go to vote.org for more information. 

Today we’re celebrating the birthday of Annie Smith Peck, and American mountaineer, suffragette, and all-around amazing woman. She was one of the first women in America to become a college professor, and in her forties, pursued her passion for mountain climbing. Among her many achievements, she became the first mountaineer, man or woman, to ever conquer Mount Huascaran in Peru. Happy birthday, Annie!

If YOU want a birthday shoutout, email us at [email protected]

We’re two weeks away from the November election, so now is the time to get your voting plan together! Go to Vote.org for more information. 

Today we’re celebrating Oscar Wilde’s birthday! Known for his poems, plays, and novels, Oscar was a spokesman for the 19th Century Aesthetic movement, and appreciated life for its beauty and splendor. His life ended too short, but today we celebrate! Happy birthday, Oscar!

If YOU want a birthday shoutout, email us at [email protected]

And as always, we really want you to VOTE! Go to vote.org for more information