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The Writer’s Almanac for Thursday, October 15, 2026

Posted on October 15, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

Today is the birthday of the poet Virgil, born Publius Vergilius Maro near Mantua, Italy (70 B.C.), who became famous for writing poems about the beauty and simplicity of farm life at a time when Rome was being torn apart by civil wars.

The Writer’s Almanac for Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Posted on October 14, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of the 34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower born in Denison, Texas (1890). He grew up in a poor family that was very religious. His mother was a pacifist.

The Writer’s Almanac for Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Posted on October 13, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of cookbook author Mollie Katzen, born in Rochester, New York (1950). She grew up in a Jewish home, where she learned to love food.

The Writer’s Almanac for Monday, October 12, 2026

Posted on October 12, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It was on this day in 1892 that the Pledge of Allegiance was recited en masse for the first time, by more than 2 million students.

The Writer’s Almanac for Sunday, October 11, 2026

Posted on October 11, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of the longest-serving First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, born in New York City (1884) who said, “A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.”

The Writer’s Almanac for Saturday, October 10, 2026

Posted on October 10, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of Giuseppe Verdi, born in a village in Parma, Italy (1813). His parents owned a tavern and were not very well off. But his father recognized musical talent in Giuseppe and bought him a spinet (an upright harpsichord), which he kept for the rest of his life.

The Writer’s Almanac for Friday, October 9, 2026

Posted on October 9, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of composer Camille Saint-Saens, born in Paris (1835). He was a child prodigy, with perfect pitch and a fantastic memory. He learned the piano and organ, and played the music of Beethoven, Bach and Mozart in recitals.

The Writer’s Almanac for Thursday, October 8, 2026

Posted on October 8, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of the comic book writer and essayist Harvey Pekar, born in Cleveland, Ohio (1939). He is the creator of American Splendor, one of the first-ever autobiographical comic book series, which was eventually made into a movie starring Paul Giamatti.

The Writer’s Almanac for Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Posted on October 7, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of poet and author Diane Ackerman, born Diane Fink in Waukegan, Illinois (1948) (books by this author). She has a knack for blending science and literary art; she wrote her first book of poetry entirely about astronomy.

The Writer’s Almanac for Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Posted on October 6, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

Today is the birthday of spy novelist Joseph Finder (1958). He was born in Chicago, but spent his childhood living in a variety of locations all over the world. His first language was Farsi, which he learned as a small boy in Kabul, Afghanistan.

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