For those who took a quick glance, yes, today is my birthday.  Thanks for the good wishes.

Here are a few more who came into the world on the 9th of January.  Since I'm writing this from work, sorry, no photos.

Lady "Jennie" Jerome Churchill (b. 1854) - Mother of Winston to whom she gave birth in 1874, less than eight months after her marriage [I report, not speculate].  Considered one of the famous beauties of her time, Lady Churchill possessed great wit and charm.  Alexandra of Denmark, the Queen consort of the United Kingdom, wife of Edward VII found Jennie to be wonderful company -- despite knowing that Jennie had an affair with her husband, King Ed.  Lady Churchill had a few trists while married, including King Milan I of Serbia and -- ready for this? -- Karl, 8th Prince Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau.  After the death of Lord Churchill, Jennie married George Cornwallis-West, who was the same age as her son Winston.  They divorced after a few years.  Jennie's third marriage was to Montague Phippen Porch, who was three years younger than Winston [Rock on, Jennie].  Jennie died June 9, 1921 after slipping on a staircase while wearing new high-heeled shoes.  She broke her ankle.  Gangrene set in leading to her leg being amputated above the knee.  An artery in the amputated leg hemorrhaged, causing death.

Ida Rosenthal (b. 1886) -- Russian-born dressmaker/businesswoman, credited with the invention of the brassiere.  Originally developed as an accessory to help with the fit of the dresses, the Maidenform bra became a bestselling product on its own.  The Maidenform supported the breast rather than flattening it, as was the previous "style."  Ms. Rosenthal is also credited with standardizing cup sizes.  "Nature has made women with a bosom, so nature thought it was important. Who am I to argue with nature?"

Simone de Beauvior (b. 1908) -- French intellectual and writer, author of The Second Sex, the treatise upon which the modern feminist movement began.  A photo of, and a measuring tape next to, Jean-Paul Sartre proves that de Beauvior's taste in men was not limited to tall and handsome.  Or for that matter, limited to men.  Her 1943 novel She Came to Stay is a fictionalized account of Sartre's and Beauvior's affairs with two sisters, one of whom was a student of Beauvior's during her teaching days in Rouen.  Beauvior combined the sisters into one character.  Sartre wound up supporting both sisters.  One until his death, the other until she married  -- one of Beauvior's lovers [seriously, the French, mon dieu].  Later in life, Beauvior's novel, The Mandarins, won France's highest literary award, the Prix Goncourt.  The novel is a thinly veiled account of hers and Sartre's inner circle of philosophers and writers.  The book was dedicated to Chicago writer, Nelson Algren.  Algren was outraged by how much Beauvior revealed about their sex life.  Since her death in 1986, Beauvior's reputation as a philosopher has grown.  Considering their life-long friendship and that neither published without the other reading the manuscript, there can be no doubt that Sartre and Beauvior heavily influenced each other's writing.  They are buried next to each other.

Richard Nixon (b. 1913) -- Not proud of this one.  Commie-baiter, anti-semetic, member of the House Un-American Activities Committee, "Tricky Dick," , the Checkers speech, the Kennedy-Nixon debate that redefined presidential campaigns, sweaty upper lip, bomb Cambodia, went to China [for those of us in 1972, that was a real "Holy crap!" moment] "I am not a crook," Watergate, only President to resign the office, "If the President does it that means it's not illegal."  For all of his many, many, many, many, many flaws, and there were many of them, Nixon was a really intelligent man.  He was known to give an hour+ long talk on foreign affairs without referring to notes.

Lee Van Cleef (b. 1925) -- "Angel Eyes" in the Sergio Leone/Clint Eastwood classic The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.  And many other roles.

Judith Krantz (b. 1928) -- Writer.  Of sorts.  Went to high school with Barbara Walters.

Bart Starr (b. 1934) -- Hall of Fame quarterback of the Green Bay Packers [that's my team].  During the 1960s, with coach Vince Lombardi, led the Packers to five NFL championships in seven years, including the first two Super Bowls.  December 31, 1967, the NFL Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys, on the final play* of what became known as the Ice Bowl (game-time temperature was -15 degrees F), Starr scored the winning touchdown on the most famous play in NFL history -- a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 16 seconds left and no timeouts.  We will not speak of Starr's days as the head coach of the Packers.

*alright, it wasn't THE final play.  The Cowboys downed the kickoff and threw two incomplete passes.  That was the game.

Bob Denver (b. 1935) -- played TV icons Maynard G. Krebs and Gilligan.

Joan Baez (b. 1941) -- Folk singer and activist.  Numerous hits mostly written by other people (not that there's anything wrong with that).  Most notably helped bring Bob Dylan's music to a larger audience.  Has recorded albums in six different languages.  Dated Steve Jobs during the late 70s - early 80s.

Jimmy Page OBE (b. 1944) [That's right, Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire] -- Legendary rock guitarist and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer with the Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin.  Best known for scalding riffs and bedding 14-year old groupies.

Crystal Gayle (b. 1951) -- Country singer with 18 No. 1 country songs, including crossover hit "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue."  Besides her singing, best known for her good looks, near floor-length hair and being the sister of Loretta Lynn.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and future queen consort of the sixteen thrones of the Commonwealth realms, thank you very much (b. 1982) -- the lovely former Kate Middleton has ... made wearing stockings fashionable again in jolly ol' England.  Must be given props for choosing the right college in which to meet a future king.  Best known for ... ok, having a great chance of being Queen of England, but outside of that, best known for being the older sister of Pippa Middleton.  And it's true, one can buy styled underpants that will make your tush look more like Pippa's celebrated derriere.  Setting all this aside, I like Kate because (depending on which rumors you believe) she broke up with Prince Willy for a few months during their courtship.  She broke up with a future King of England.  She broke up with a future King of England because (again the rumors) he was paying too much attention to other young women.  And Willy apparently learned his lesson.  Bravo, Kate.  And Happy 30th Birthday.