Nikola Tesla and the writer behind the Nancy Drew series share a birthday.  In today’s poem, William Blake ponders a fading rose blossom.Listen HEREJuly 10th, Wednesday | Tesla’s youth

An enchantress of Gothic fiction and inventor of the sewing machine share a birthday. Plus, a summer poem of longing by Christina Rossetti.Listen HEREJuly 9th, Tuesday | A Gothic Enchantress & an Inventor

An injury to the stomach and addition to morphine led John Pemberton to invent Coca-Cola. Plus, a hopeful bite-sized poem by Emily Dickinson.Listen HEREJuly 8th, Monday | The Man who invented Coca-Cola

Silhouette, before it was word, was a last name! A birthday celebration for the English journalist who revolutionized the field. Poem by Longfellow.Listen HEREJuly 5th, Friday | Who was “de Silhouette”?

Today is a national holiday in America. As such, we’re keeping it brief with a little background and a long poem. Happy 4th!Listen HEREJuly 4th, Thursday | The Star-Spangled Banner (poem)

Welsh poet W.H. Davies celebrates a birthday and so does Québec City! Today’s poem might make you say, “Oh I know this one!”Listen HEREJuly 3rd, Wednesday | W.H. Davies & Québec City

It’s the birthday of Thurgood Marshall, first African American Supreme Court Justice. A Total Solar Eclipse in South America. Plus, a sleepy poem.Listen HEREJuly 2nd, Tuesday | Thurgood Marshall & an Eclipse

A French aviator, American poet, and the only Olympic Medalist from Ecuador share a birthday. “The Morning Glory” starts off the new month.Listen HEREJuly 1st, Monday | Before Lindbergh, there was Blériot

Jean-Jacques Rousseau went from idyllic childhood to turbulent teen years. His work, The Social Contract, would influence countless independence movements in the West.Listen HEREJune 28th, Friday | Rousseau, Peaceful Child & Turbulent Teen

Paul Laurence Dunbar seemed to impress everyone he met. An early African-American writer, he’s best remembered for his poems, which we feature today.Listen HEREJune 27th, Thursday | Paul Laurence Dunbar, elevator poet