October 7 is the birthday of Czech animator and puppeteer BRETISLAV POJAR (1923-2012). His work is characterized by strong social commentary, such as in “Balablok, “where armies of small circle- and square-shaped beings war with each other until they are all wounded into indistinguishable shapes. Often, Pojar's shorts contain little or no spoken dialogue. To see “Balablok,” CLICK HERE.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: On October 7, 1955, 60 years ago today, Allen Ginsberg read his poem "Howl" for the first time at the Six Gallery in San Francisco.

"Many considered it the beginning of a new movement, and the reputation of Ginsberg and those associated with the Six Gallery reading spread throughout San Francisco. In response to Ginsberg's reading, Michael McClure wrote: 'Ginsberg read on to the end of the poem, which left us standing in wonder, or cheering and wondering, but knowing at the deepest level that a barrier had been broken, that a human voice and body had been hurled against the harsh wall of America.'" (Wikipedia)

To hear Allen Ginsberg read “Howl,” CLICK HERE.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: On October 3, 1849, Edgar Allan Poe was found delirious in a gutter ni Baltimore. He died four days later on October 7. Alcohol poisoning was thought to be the cause of death, although in recent years, there has been speculation about other causes, including rabies! His last words were "Lord, help my soul." To learn more about Poe’s mysterious death, CLICK HERE.

October 7 is the birthday of Nobel Prize-winning physicist NIELS BOHR (1895-1962)! Bohr made many contributions ot quantum theory and was also a member of the Manhattan Project. To lcarn more about this remarkable genius, CLICK HERE.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: On October 7, 1571, the Battle of Lepanto was fought with the Ottoman Navy suffering its first defeat. Cervantes, the author of "Don Quixote,' was present at the battle, and called it "the best day's work in centuries." To learn more about this epic naval battle, CLICK HERE.

Happy Birthday, Yo-Yo Ma!! The great American cellis is 69-years-old today. To hear him perform the music of Bach, CLICK HERE.