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Writer's Almanac

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The Writer’s Almanac for Saturday, April 17, 2021

The Writer’s Almanac for Saturday, April 17, 2021

According to legend, it was on this day in 1397 that Geoffrey Chaucer recited The Canterbury Tales to the court of Richard II.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Friday, April 16, 2021

The Writer’s Almanac for Friday, April 16, 2021

Gertrude Chandler Warner, born this day in 1890, gave the world “The Boxcar Children,” a series that has continued to capture the imagination of children to this day.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Thursday, April 15, 2021

The Writer’s Almanac for Thursday, April 15, 2021

Today we feature a poem by Barbara Quick, “Conjuring Nana.” A vision of childhood, memories of family.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Wednesday, April 14, 2021

The Writer’s Almanac for Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Today is the birthday of Anne Sullivan (1866), who was the governess to Hellen Keller, teaching her to communicate.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Tuesday, April 13, 2021

The Writer’s Almanac for Tuesday, April 13, 2021

One hundred fifteen years ago today the author Samuel Becket was born. His play “Waiting for Gadot” changed the theatrical landscape.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Monday, April 12, 2021

The Writer’s Almanac for Monday, April 12, 2021

Today we remember Beverly Cleary on what would have been her 105th birthday. She died just 18 days ago. Her legacy, bringing children books about regular kids, just like them.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Sunday, April 11, 2021

The Writer’s Almanac for Sunday, April 11, 2021

Marguerite de Navarre was born in 1492. A writer of verse, prayers, plays, and religious meditations, she promoted the reformation from a privileged place, as sister to King François I of France.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Saturday, April 10, 2021

The Writer’s Almanac for Saturday, April 10, 2021

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic “The Great Gatsby” was published on this day in 1925. This year it entered the public domain, joining Fitzgeralds’ works “This Side of Paradise” and “The Beautiful and the Damned”.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Friday, April 9, 2021

The Writer’s Almanac for Friday, April 9, 2021

It’s the birthday of scientist Gregory Goodwin Pincus (1903). He co-invented the first oral contraceptive pill with Dr. Min-Chueh Chang, work supported by activist Margaret Sanger.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Thursday, April 8, 2021

The Writer’s Almanac for Thursday, April 8, 2021

“I’m not a risk-taker in life, generally speaking, but as a writer I definitely choose the fast car, the impossible rock face, the free fall.”—Barbara Kingsolver, born this day in 1955.

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