Revisionist History (5/21): World Meditation Day ... what's your mantra?
Also: Fats Waller, Mr. T and Notorious B.I.G.
On this day in 1908, the silent film widely regarded as the first horror movie, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” premiered in Chicago. Its success led to multiple spinoffs, including the very real “Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
On this day in 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, starting with just three band-aids, a pint of used blood and a stethoscope made from some twine attached to a Dixie cup.
On this day in 1927, Charles Lindbergh landed to a hero’s welcome in Paris as he completed his historic first solo, nonstop trans-Atlantic flight. The only glitch: Lindbergh’s luggage somehow ended up in Cleveland.
Today is World Meditation Day, traditionally celebrated by closing one’s eyes, breathing deeply and reciting one’s mantra. Common mantras include “Om,” “Namaste” and “Fuhgeddaboudit.”
Today’s Birthdays:
Fats Waller (1904-1943): jazz pioneer whose 1929 composition "Ain't Misbehavin'" has been covered by a Who’s Who of artists from (real) Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday and Willie Nelson to (fake) the Sex Pistols, Pee-Wee Herman and Notorious B.I.G.
Notorious B.I.G. (1972-1997): legendary rapper, widely considered one of the greatest ever; died tragically at age 24 of early-onset DBMS (Drive-By Murder Syndrome).
Lisa Edelstein, 58: actress, best known for playing Dr. Cuddy on the Fox medical drama “House” and the A.A. Milne-inspired spinoff “House at Pooh Corner.”
Mr. T, 72: actor, starred in the 1980s action-comedy “The A-Team” and its imaginary sequel about a crew of drunken soldiers of fortune, “The AA Team.”