A poet appointed for life as an officer of the royal household who is expected to write poems in celebration of the court and national events.
Poet laureate
Fact of the Day
The man who built the town stocks in Boston, Massachusetts charged so much that he became the first man to be put in them.
Quote of the Day
"We would often be ashamed of our finest actions if the world could see the motives behind them.
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~ La Rochefoucauld (17th century)
On This Day
1586 American colonists arrived in Plymouth with large quantities of tobacco. Smoking caught on quickly, though it was also used in tea.
1694 The Bank of England was founded by an act of parliament as a way to finance government debt by private subscription.
1943 The concentrated Allied bombing of Hamburg led to a three hour firestorm that killed approx 30,000 civilians.