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The Writer's Almanac

The Writer's Almanac is a daily podcast of poetry and historical interest pieces, usually of literary significance. Each day's offering is five minutes long and contains "on this day in history" information as well as an accessible poem.

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The Writer's Almanac - Sunday, December 15, 2019

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.

5mins

15 Dec 2019

Rank #1

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The Writer's Almanac - Monday, December 23, 2019

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

5mins

23 Dec 2019

Rank #2

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The Writer's Almanac - Sunday, January 12, 2020

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.”

5mins

12 Jan 2020

Rank #3

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The Writer's Almanac - Thursday, December 19, 2019

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

5mins

19 Dec 2019

Rank #4

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The Writer's Almanac - Saturday, January 11, 2020

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.

5mins

11 Jan 2020

Rank #5

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The Writer's Almanac - Monday, January 13, 2020

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.”

5mins

13 Jan 2020

Rank #6

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The Writer's Almanac - Monday, December 9, 2019

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

5mins

9 Dec 2019

Rank #7

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The Writer's Almanac - Friday, December 6, 2019

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.

5mins

6 Dec 2019

Rank #8