January 24, 2009
Dictionary.com’s Word of the Day
talisman \TAL-is-muhn, TAL-iz-muhn\, noun:
1. an object, such as a ring, engraved with figures supposed to have magic power; charm
2. anything that seems to produce extraordinary results
In the news:
The number of unique internet users reached one billion in December of 2008.
Today in History, according to Wikipedia:
41 – Gaius Caesar (Caligula) is assassinated by his Praetorian Guard.
1848 – James W. Marshall discovers gold at Sutter’s Mill, sparking the California Gold Rush.
1984 – The first Apple Macintosh goes on sale.
2003 – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (seal pictured) officially begins operation.
Today’s Famous Births:
76 – Hadrian, Roman Emperor
1705 – Farinelli, Italian castrati
1862 – Edith Whaton, American writer, The Age of Innocence
1917 – Ernest Borgnine (pictured), American actor, McHale’s Navy
1918 – Oral Roberts, American evangelist
1939 – Ray Stevens, American musician, “The Streak” and “The Mississippi Squirrel Revival“
1941 – Neil Diamond, American musician, “Sweet Caroline“
1949 – John Belushi, American actor, Animal House and “Saturday Night Live“
1951 – Yakov Smirnoff, Ukranian-American comedian
1968 – Mary Lou Retton, American gymnast, 1984 Olympic gold medalist
