August 27, 1908:  Birth of Lyndon B. Johnson On this day in 1908, former president Lyndon B. Johnson was born in Stonewall, Texas.  He succeeded to the presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. As president, LBJ was responsible for designing the “Great Society” legislation that included laws upholding civil rights, public broadcasting, Medicare, and Medicaid.  It was his advocacy for American involvement in the Vietnam War that eventually cost him his popularity and the possibility of reelection. Watch this American Experience documentary about the legacy of the late president Lyndon B. Johnson. Photo: Library of Congress
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August 27, 1908:  Birth of Lyndon B. Johnson

On this day in 1908, former president Lyndon B. Johnson was born in Stonewall, Texas.  He succeeded to the presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963.

As president, LBJ was responsible for designing the “Great Society” legislation that included laws upholding civil rights, public broadcasting, Medicare, and Medicaid.  It was his advocacy for American involvement in the Vietnam War that eventually cost him his popularity and the possibility of reelection.

Watch this American Experience documentary about the legacy of the late president Lyndon B. Johnson.


Photo: Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

August 23, 2012:  100th Anniversary of Gene Kelly’s Birth On this day in 1912, American performer and choreographer Eugene “Gene” Kelly was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Most known today for his starring roles in Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris, Gene Kelly is regarded as one of the greatest male stars of all time. Check out this American Masters timeline of Gene Kelly’s life and career.
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August 23, 2012:  100th Anniversary of Gene Kelly’s Birth

On this day in 1912, American performer and choreographer Eugene “Gene” Kelly was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Most known today for his starring roles in Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris, Gene Kelly is regarded as one of the greatest male stars of all time.

Check out this American Masters timeline of Gene Kelly’s life and career.

Source: to.pbs.org

August 23, 1754:  Birth of King Louis XVI On this day in 1754, the future King Louis XVI was born.  Louis XVI later rose to the throne as the last absolute monarch in France. Up until their executions during the French Revolution in 1792 and 1793, King Louis XVI and his wife Queen Marie Antoinette lived in the elaborate Palace of Versailles.  Take a guided video tour of the palace and its famous gardens to get a better sense of life in the royal family.
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August 23, 1754:  Birth of King Louis XVI

On this day in 1754, the future King Louis XVI was born.  Louis XVI later rose to the throne as the last absolute monarch in France.

Up until their executions during the French Revolution in 1792 and 1793, King Louis XVI and his wife Queen Marie Antoinette lived in the elaborate Palace of Versailles. 

Take a guided video tour of the palace and its famous gardens to get a better sense of life in the royal family.

Source: to.pbs.org

August 19, 1946:  Bill Clinton’s Birthday Former president Bill Clinton turns 66 today.  The Georgetown, Oxford, and Yale alumnus served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001.  Inaugurated at 46, Clinton was the third-youngest president and the first democrat since FDR to win a second term in the presidential office. Bill Clinton first ran for office at only 28 years old and has lived much of his life in the public eye.  This American Experience photo gallery offers a more candid look at the life and times of America’s 42nd president.
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August 19, 1946:  Bill Clinton’s Birthday

Former president Bill Clinton turns 66 today.  The Georgetown, Oxford, and Yale alumnus served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001.  Inaugurated at 46, Clinton was the third-youngest president and the first democrat since FDR to win a second term in the presidential office.

Bill Clinton first ran for office at only 28 years old and has lived much of his life in the public eye.  This American Experience photo gallery offers a more candid look at the life and times of America’s 42nd president.

August 15, 1912:  Julia Child is Born Today marks the 100th anniversary of Julia Child’s birth.  The American chef was known for introducing French cuisine to the American public with her cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her television cooking program, The French Chef. Join PBS in celebrating Julia Child’s legacy by checking out these vintage French Chef episodes or try out a recipe in her honor!
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August 15, 1912:  Julia Child is Born

Today marks the 100th anniversary of Julia Child’s birth.  The American chef was known for introducing French cuisine to the American public with her cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her television cooking program, The French Chef.

Join PBS in celebrating Julia Child’s legacy by checking out these vintage French Chef episodes or try out a recipe in her honor!

Source: to.pbs.org

August 6:  Happy Birthday Lucille Ball! On this day in 1911, loveable comedian, actress, and model Lucille Ball was born.  Her television show, I Love Lucy, was one of the most popular shows of the 1950’s. Trace the late television legend’s groundbreaking career with this timeline from American Masters.
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August 6:  Happy Birthday Lucille Ball!

On this day in 1911, loveable comedian, actress, and model Lucille Ball was born.  Her television show, I Love Lucy, was one of the most popular shows of the 1950’s.

Trace the late television legend’s groundbreaking career with this timeline from American Masters.

Source: to.pbs.org

August 5:  Happy Birthday Neil Armstrong! Space hero and American icon Neil Armstrong turns 82 today.  Armstrong, along with Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, was part of the 1969 Apollo 11 space mission.  As the first man on the moon, Armstrong has received many honors and awards, including last year’s Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Watch highlights of the 2011 ceremony here, courtesy of PBS NewsHour. Photo:  NASA.
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August 5:  Happy Birthday Neil Armstrong!

Space hero and American icon Neil Armstrong turns 82 today.  Armstrong, along with Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, was part of the 1969 Apollo 11 space mission. 

As the first man on the moon, Armstrong has received many honors and awards, including last year’s Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Watch highlights of the 2011 ceremony here, courtesy of PBS NewsHour.


Photo:  NASA.

Source: to.pbs.org

July 29, 1953:  Happy Birthday Ken Burns PBS documentary film director and producer Ken Burns turns 59 today!  His acclaimed documentaries showcase archival footage and photographs, and offer an unflinching perspective on the most important moments in American history. Burns’s much awaited film, The Dust Bowl, premieres on November 18 and 19 on PBS.  Create personalized Dust Bowl email postcards (with audio!) to remind your friends and family! Also, catch the re-airing of the The War, Ken Burns’s seven-part documentary on World War II, on your local PBS station in the coming weeks (July 31-August 2, August 5-8).  Check your local listings here.
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July 29, 1953:  Happy Birthday Ken Burns

PBS documentary film director and producer Ken Burns turns 59 today!  His acclaimed documentaries showcase archival footage and photographs, and offer an unflinching perspective on the most important moments in American history.

Burns’s much awaited film, The Dust Bowl, premieres on November 18 and 19 on PBS.  Create personalized Dust Bowl email postcards (with audio!) to remind your friends and family!

Also, catch the re-airing of the The War, Ken Burns’s seven-part documentary on World War II, on your local PBS station in the coming weeks (July 31-August 2, August 5-8).  Check your local listings here.

Source: to.pbs.org

July 28, 1929:  Happy Birthday Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis The late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady and cultural icon, was born on this day 83 years ago.  After the death of her second husband, Aristotle Onassis, Jacqueline established a career in book editing and is now remembered for her contributions to the arts, and preservation of historic architecture.  Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is also known for her style – particularly the pink Chanel suit worn on the day of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination that has become one of the lasting images of the 1960’s. Last year, a book was released containing never-released transcripts of interviews conducted with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1964.  PBS NewsHour’s Ray Suarez discussed the rare and intimate insights that “Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy” offered with editor and annotator of the book, Michael Beschloss.
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July 28, 1929:  Happy Birthday Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

The late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady and cultural icon, was born on this day 83 years ago.  After the death of her second husband, Aristotle Onassis, Jacqueline established a career in book editing and is now remembered for her contributions to the arts, and preservation of historic architecture.  Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is also known for her style – particularly the pink Chanel suit worn on the day of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination that has become one of the lasting images of the 1960’s.

Last year, a book was released containing never-released transcripts of interviews conducted with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1964. 

PBS NewsHour’s Ray Suarez discussed the rare and intimate insights that “Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy” offered with editor and annotator of the book, Michael Beschloss.

Source: to.pbs.org

Happy Birthday Sofia Vergara!

Actress, comedian, television hostess and model Sofia Vergara turns 40 today! 

Her career began with her role as co-host for two shows for Univisión, and opened up when she began to appear in English films in America, such as Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns and The Smurfs. 

Sofia is most known for her starring role in Modern Family, but you may also recognize her from her Sesame Street cameo in which she teaches Elmo about the word dance!

Source: to.pbs.org

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