Punxsutawney Phil 2011: No Shadow

Punxsutawney Phil 2011: No Shadow

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this morning.  That means an early spring, if you believe in a groundhog’s ability to predict the weather.

Mary Shelley +160 Years

The mother of Frankenstein died 160 years ago today.It’s been closer to 200 years since she first published Frankenstein: or, the Modern Prometheus in 1818.

Egyptian News Lead of the Day

Egyptian News Lead of the Day

“Having Mohamed ElBaradei atop a million-person revolution is not unlike
having the head of your school’s debate club quarterbacking the varsity
football team in the state championships.”

Black History Month Biography: Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington and guests, about 1906. Washington is front row, center, with the watch chain. Booker T. Washington is our first featured biography for Black History Month 2011. 

Happy Anniversary, Ham the Chimp!

Happy Anniversary, Ham the Chimp!

On this day 50 years ago, Ham the Chimp blasted off in a Mercury rocket and flew 157 miles in space, just to see if it would be safe to send less hairy apes into orbit.
It was, pretty much.
LIFE magazine has a feature today where you can see rare photos of Ham the Chimp, called “In Praise of Ham the Chimp.”
Go see them.

David Axelrod Reflects

For political wonks (and Chicagoans) only: David Axelrod talks about Obama’s first two years.