1. Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own.

    — 

    Carol Burnett

    Cheers to the incomparable Carol Burnett as she celebrates her 80th birthday today! Born in San Antonio in 1933, Burnett is best known for her long-running sketch-comedy/variety show, The Carol Burnett Show. Having starred on Broadway, in movies and on television, Burnett is a six-time Emmy Award winner and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. Considered one of the funnest women in show business, Carol Burnett has paved the way for countless performance actors and remains one of America’s most beloved entertainers. Check out one of Carol’s books or movies at your local branch today!

  2. We’re celebrating Shakespeare’s birthday today with a lovely image depicting his First Folio, which the Library is honored to have in its collection! It’s a great day to enjoy one of his sonnets, read MacBeth (that’s one of our favorites), or delve into the mysterious life of the master author. May your day be “as merry as the day is long.” (Much Ado About Nothing)

    We’re celebrating Shakespeare’s birthday today with a lovely image depicting his First Folio, which the Library is honored to have in its collection! It’s a great day to enjoy one of his sonnets, read MacBeth (that’s one of our favorites), or delve into the mysterious life of the master author. May your day be “as merry as the day is long.” (Much Ado About Nothing)

  3. Today would have been the 77th birthday for music icon and legend Roy Orbison. You want to read about Roy’s life? You want to listen to his solo albums? Or how about checking out the great Traveling Wilbury’s album that Roy was a part of? Well as Roy would say, YOU GOT IT! Or in this case, the NYPL has all of your Roy Orbison materials available at your local branch. Happy birthday Roy!  

    Today would have been the 77th birthday for music icon and legend Roy Orbison. You want to read about Roy’s life? You want to listen to his solo albums? Or how about checking out the great Traveling Wilbury’s album that Roy was a part of? Well as Roy would say, YOU GOT IT! Or in this case, the NYPL has all of your Roy Orbison materials available at your local branch. Happy birthday Roy!  

  4. Happy 70th Birthday to the great Christopher Walken! In celebration our amazing librarian at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jeremy Megraw, wrote an awesome blog about Walken. Jeremy also uncovered some rarely seen photos of a VERY YOUNG Walken from The Library’s incredible Billy Rose Theatre Collection. The photo above is from Ronnie Walken’s (his birth name) 1955 acting resume. Our friends at Gothamist also shared some of these photos as well as some that they found as well…

    Happy 70th Birthday to the great Christopher Walken! In celebration our amazing librarian at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jeremy Megraw, wrote an awesome blog about Walken. Jeremy also uncovered some rarely seen photos of a VERY YOUNG Walken from The Library’s incredible Billy Rose Theatre Collection. The photo above is from Ronnie Walken’s (his birth name) 1955 acting resume. Our friends at Gothamist also shared some of these photos as well as some that they found as well…

  5. Happy 208th birthday, Hans Christian Andersen! 

    Born in Denmark in 1805, Andersen is best known as the author of numerous children’s tales including The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, and The Little Mermaid, among others. 

    Stop by your local branch and check out your favorite books by and about Hans Christian Andersen today!

  6. Before we sign off for the day, we want to celebrate the birthday of Tennessee Williams! The prolific American writer was born on March 26, 1911. What’s your favorite Tennessee Williams play? We can’t pick just one!

    Before we sign off for the day, we want to celebrate the birthday of Tennessee Williams! The prolific American writer was born on March 26, 1911. What’s your favorite Tennessee Williams play? We can’t pick just one!

  7. Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.

    — To close out our day of Dr. Seuss quotes to mark his birthday, here is a classic from One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Check it out from NYPL, along with other Seuss books.

  8. You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

    — Even more wise words from Dr. Seuss (noticing a pattern today) in honor of his birthday. This one is from Oh, The Places You’ll Go, so check it out from NYPL today (or check out another Seuss book). Happy birthday, Seuss!

  9. I meant what I said and I said what I meant.

    — More wise words from Dr. Seuss to mark his birthday. Check out Horton Hatches The Egg or any other Seuss book from NYPL in his honor (totally free, of course). Can’t get to the Library? Download a Seuss e-book or audio book from us!

  10. “I do not like green eggs and ham! I do not like them, Sam I Am!”

    Happy Birthday Theodor Seuss Geisel!

    Geisel was born in 1904 and throughout his career brought to life many Dr. Seuss characters. Today, some of those adventures are even being made into motion pictures!

    Check out NYPL’s collection of Dr. Seuss books.

    What was your favorite Dr. Seuss book as a kid?