Wishing a joyful 69th birthday to the remarkable folk music icon, Loreena McKennitt! Hailing from Manitoba and enriched by her Irish-Scottish heritage, McKennitt discovered her passion for Celtic music during a transformative trip to Ireland. She embraced the enchanting sounds of the Celtic harp, using it to busk for funds to record her debut album. With over 14 million records sold globally, her discography showcases a beautiful blend of various folk music traditions. In the 1990s, her albums The Visit and Book of Secrets achieved quadruple platinum status in Canada, while The Mask and Mirror reached triple platinum. Her contributions to music have earned her numerous accolades from industry awards and recognition from her home country, Canada.
Before McKennitt begins composing her music, she immerses herself in extensive research related to a specific theme that will shape her album. For instance, prior to creating Elemental and Parallel Dreams, she journeyed to Ireland to draw inspiration from its rich history, folklore, geography, and culture. Her album The Mask and Mirror was influenced by her explorations in Spain, where she delved into the Celtic region of Galicia and its deep Arabic influences, resulting in a unique fusion of Celtic and Arabic sounds. Additionally, her work An Ancient Muse was inspired by her travels and studies of the diverse cultures along the Silk Road.
On this uplifting date, we also celebrate some historical milestones:
One hundred and one years ago, the legendary actor, director, and writer Hal Holbrook was born. He garnered immense acclaim for his portrayal of Mark Twain in his original one-man stage production, winning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1966, along with five Emmys during his illustrious career. Holbrook became widely recognized for his role as ‘Deep Throat’ in the film All the President’s Men, which explored the Nixon scandal. He also portrayed Lincoln in a TV miniseries and appeared in notable films such as Wall Street, The Firm, and Men of Honor. His performance in Sean Penn’s Into the Wild earned him a SAG and Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
In 2017, after penning his memoir, Harold: The Boy Who Became Mark Twain, Holbrook announced his retirement from portraying Twain after six decades but made a memorable appearance in the final season of Bones at the age of 92. He left us in January 2021, but his legacy continues to inspire. Enjoy a glimpse of his humorous take on various topics as Mark Twain!
Additionally, we remember a significant historical event from 163 years ago, when a group of visionary individuals, including businessman and activist Henry Dunant, Swiss public health commissioner Théodore Maunoir, lawyer Gustave Moynier, field surgeon Louis Appia, and Swiss General Guillaume-Henri Dufour, convened in Geneva. Together, they established the “International Committee for Relief of Wounded in the event of War,” laying the foundation for what would eventually become the Geneva Conventions, a crucial development in humanitarian law.
