Good day, readers. Today is June 29th, the 181st day of the year 2024, with 185 days remaining.
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1613, the Globe Theatre, associated with William Shakespeare, burned down. The Globe was a hub of Elizabethan theater and the site of many of Shakespeare’s premieres. Its destruction marked the end of an era in English drama, though it was later rebuilt.
Notable Birthdays:
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, born on June 29, 1900, was a French writer and aviator best known for his novella The Little Prince. This beloved story, which combines fantasy with profound observations on life and human nature, remains a classic of world literature.
Today’s Readings:
From Moby-Dick by Herman Melville: “Call me Ishmael.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 29th, 1956, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, leading to the creation of the Interstate Highway System in the United States. This development profoundly influenced American life and literature, symbolizing freedom, mobility, and the open road.
Poem of the Day:
“Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth:
I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.
To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.
Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And ’tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.
The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure:
But the least motion which they made,
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.
The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.
If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature’s holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man?
William Wordsworth’s poem reflects on the harmony of nature and the sorrowful contrast of human conflict and suffering. Its contemplative tone and vivid imagery make it a beautiful meditation on the natural world and humanity’s place within it.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote, think about how you can blaze new trails in your writing. Challenge yourself to explore uncharted territories, whether through innovative narrative structures, unique characters, or bold themes.
Wishing you a day of adventurous reading and writing, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary paths be exciting and unbounded.
I’d forgotten that Shakespeare was still alive when the Globe burned down. I can’t even imagine how awful that would have been for him.
Thank you, Suzanne. The fundamental aim of my blog has always been to document, educate, and inspire. I am profoundly grateful that the research involved in crafting and disseminating my posts has led to the discovery of numerous fascinating side curiosities.