The Writer's Almanac

Today is the birthday of Irish author Edna O'Brien (1930). Six of her novels were banned in Catholic Ireland for content about the sex lives and subjugation of women.

Today is the birthday of Norman Maclean (1902), a fisherman, firefighter, scholar, and teacher, and author of the novel A River Runs Through It.

Today is the birthday of Walter Mosley (1952), author of the Easy Rawlins detective stories, the first of which is “Devil in a Blue Dress.”

On this day in 1843 "A Christmas Carol" was published by Charles Dickens, introducing the world to the characters of Scrooge and Tiny Tim.

Elizabeth I held England’s first recorded state lottery on this date in 1569 in order to raise funds for public projects including rebuilding some harbors.

Today is the birthday of Michael Bond (1926), author of “Paddington Bear,” who wrote, “One of the nice things about writing for children is their total acceptance of the fantastic.”

On this date in 1979, the smallpox virus was declared eradicated. It remains the only disease eliminated by science.

Today is the feast day of St. Nicholas. In many parts of the world, children put out their shoes last night to receive chocolates and gifts from St. Nick.