Welcome to Spooktacular Night, where every tale is a journey into the unknown.

This Day in History

Explore significant literary events, births, and milestones that occurred throughout history on each day of the month.

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
						1 Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri... February 1 Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri. Hughes moved to New York to attend Columbia University, but dropped out because of the racial prejudice he felt from his peers and teachers. Hughes was repeatedly drawn to the village of Harlem and its bursting arts scene and he began contributing his own style of poetry. Today he is known as one of the most important and talented African American voices in contemporary literature. (February 01, 1902)
2 Author James Joyce was born in Dublin, Ireland... February 2 Author James Joyce was born in Dublin, Ireland Author James Joyce was born in Dublin, Ireland. Joyce’s novels and short stories shaped the Avant-garde literature movement and secured him as one of the most prominent writers of the 20th century. (February 02, 1882)	3 Samuel Clemens used his pen name “Mark Twain” for the …... February 3 Samuel Clemens used his pen name “Mark Twain” for the first time in the Virginia newspaper, Territorial Enterprise Samuel Clemens used his pen name “Mark Twain” for the first time in the Virginia newspaper, Territorial Enterprise. (February 03, 1863)	4 Thornton Wilder’s play Our Town premiered on Broadway... February 4 Thornton Wilder’s play Our Town premiered on Broadway Thornton Wilder’s play Our Town premiered on Broadway. The play went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in drama. (February 04, 1938)	5 Australian poet and journalist Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson died of …... February 5 Australian poet and journalist Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson died of a heart attack at the age of 76 Australian poet and journalist Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson died of a heart attack at the age of 76. Banjo Paterson is best remembered for his poem “Waltzing Matilda,” which today is known as Australia’s unofficial national anthem. (February 05, 1941)	6 Poet Džore Držić, considered the father of Croatian literature, was …... February 6 Poet Džore Držić, considered the father of Croatian literature, was born in Dubrovnik Poet Džore Držić, considered the father of Croatian literature, was born in Dubrovnik. (February 06, 1461)	7 is a big birthday for several writers! Charles Dickens was …... February 7 is a big birthday for several writers! Charles Dickens was born in 1812, Laura Ingalls Wilder in 1867, and Sinclair Lewis in 1885 is a big birthday for several writers! Charles Dickens was born in 1812, Laura Ingalls Wilder in 1867, and Sinclair Lewis in 1885. (February 07, 1900)	8 Author Jules Verne was born in Nantes, France... February 8 Author Jules Verne was born in Nantes, France Author Jules Verne was born in Nantes, France. Verne is remembered for his well-researched adventure novels including Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in 80 Days, and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. To this day, Jules Verne is the second-most translated author in the world, behind Agatha Christie. (February 08, 1828) American novelist John Grisham was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas... February 8 American novelist John Grisham was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas American novelist John Grisham was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Grisham’s suspenseful books are popular and realistic because of his background serving as a lawyer. He is one of only three authors to sell two million copies of a book in its first printing. (February 08, 1955)
9 American author Alice Walker was born in Putnam County, Georgia... February 9 American author Alice Walker was born in Putnam County, Georgia American author Alice Walker was born in Putnam County, Georgia. Her novel The Color Purple won the Pulitzer Prize in Literature in 1983. (February 09, 1944)	10 Charles Lamb was born in London, England... February 10 Charles Lamb was born in London, England Charles Lamb was born in London, England. Lamb was an essayist and published Tales from Shakespeare with his sister Mary Lamb. He was part of the circle of Romantic writers including Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. (February 10, 1775)	11 Oscar Wilde’s Salome premiered in Paris while Wilde was imprisoned... February 11 Oscar Wilde’s Salome premiered in Paris while Wilde was imprisoned Oscar Wilde’s Salome premiered in Paris while Wilde was imprisoned. It was also the first play Wilde composed in French, saying that the language added more color to the text. (February 11, 1896)	12 Young adult author Judy Blume was born in Elizabeth, New …... February 12 Young adult author Judy Blume was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey Young adult author Judy Blume was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Judy Blume’s books depict coming-of-age with beautiful transparency, leading to frequent challenges from school officials and parents. Despite this, her books have sold over 80 million copies and in 2004 she was awarded the National Book Foundation medal for distinguished contribution to American letters. (February 12, 1938)	13 Russian novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was deported from the Soviet Union …... February 13 Russian novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was deported from the Soviet Union for his criticism of the government Russian novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was deported from the Soviet Union for his criticism of the government. Solzhenitsyn was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his novel One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, but that led to his expulsion from his home country. Solzhenitsyn did eventually return to Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. (February 13, 1974)	14 Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest opened in London... February 14 Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest opened in London Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest opened in London. The play was a critical and commercial success, but it had to close after 86 performances due to the rising scandal brewing about Wilde’s sexuality. (February 14, 1895)	15 Poet Maya Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom …... February 15 Poet Maya Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contribution to civil rights and the arts Poet Maya Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contribution to civil rights and the arts. In the ceremony, President Barack Obama said, “By holding on even amid cruelty and loss, and then expanding to a sense of compassion, an ability to love by holding on to her humanity, she has inspired countless others who have known injustice and misfortune in their own lives.” (February 15, 2011)
16 French writer Octave Mirbeau was born in Trévières... February 16 French writer Octave Mirbeau was born in Trévières French writer Octave Mirbeau was born in Trévières. Mirbeau’s avant-garde style was popular throughout Europe and he contributed to several different genres, including novels, short stories, plays, travelogues, and social criticism. (February 16, 1848)	17 Jewish-American author Chaim Potok was born in the Bronx... February 17 Jewish-American author Chaim Potok was born in the Bronx Jewish-American author Chaim Potok was born in the Bronx. Potok worked as a professor and rabbi and his first novel The Chosen was on The New York Times‘ bestseller list for 39 weeks. (February 17, 1929)	18 American author Toni Morrison was born as Chloe Ardelia Wofford …... February 18 American author Toni Morrison was born as Chloe Ardelia Wofford in Lorain, Ohio American author Toni Morrison was born as Chloe Ardelia Wofford in Lorain, Ohio. Morrison was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her novel Beloved and in 2012 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. (February 18, 1931)	19 Norwegian writer Knut Hamsun died at the age of 92... February 19 Norwegian writer Knut Hamsun died at the age of 92 Norwegian writer Knut Hamsun died at the age of 92. Hamsun rejected the popular Realist and Naturalist styles of his time and instead created his own writing style, relying heavily on stream-of-consciousness narrative and interior monologue. Hamsun’s reputation took a serious hit when he supported the Germans during World War II, even holding private meetings with Nazi officials. Hamsun faced charges for being a war sympathizer but they were later dropped due to Hamsun’s advanced age. (February 19, 1952)	20 Abolitionist and escaped slave Frederick Douglass died of a heart …... February 20 Abolitionist and escaped slave Frederick Douglass died of a heart attack in Washington D Abolitionist and escaped slave Frederick Douglass died of a heart attack in Washington D.C. His autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, is still widely taught in American schools. (February 20, 1895)	21 British poet Wystan Hugh Auden was born in York... February 21 British poet Wystan Hugh Auden was born in York British poet Wystan Hugh Auden was born in York. Auden spent his entire life writing poems on universal themes such as friendship, religion, love, and war. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1947 and is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. (February 21, 1907)	22 Edna St... February 22 Edna St Edna St. Vincent Millay was born in Rockland, Maine. Millay contributed some of the 20th century’s most beautiful sonnets as well as a strong feminist voice, resulting in her winning the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry in 1923. She was only the third woman to win the Pulitzer for poetry. (February 22, 1892)
23 William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was born in Great Barrington, …... February 23 William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. W. E. B. Du Bois was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard and was one of the founders of the NAACP. He also contributed many well-written essays on the topics of race, capitalism, and politics. (February 23, 1868)	24 Wilhelm Grimm was born in what is now Hesse, Germany... February 24 Wilhelm Grimm was born in what is now Hesse, Germany Wilhelm Grimm was born in what is now Hesse, Germany. Wilhelm and his brother Jacob made a lasting impact on the literary world when they published their collection of Fairy Tales, written by their famous duo name: The Brothers Grimm. (February 24, 1786)	25 Anthony Burgess was born in Lancashire, England... February 25 Anthony Burgess was born in Lancashire, England Anthony Burgess was born in Lancashire, England. Burgess was a novelist, screenwriter, and musician, but he is best remembered as the author of bestseller A Clockwork Orange. (February 25, 1917)	26 Playwright Christopher Marlowe was born in Kent, England... February 26 Playwright Christopher Marlowe was born in Kent, England Playwright Christopher Marlowe was born in Kent, England. Marlowe’s poetry and plays were on the same level as his contemporary, William Shakespeare, and some conjecture that he may have had a similar legacy of Shakespeare if he hadn’t died at the young age of 29. Lingering questions surround his death to this day. (February 26, 1564)	27 It’s a double birthday today! John Steinbeck was born in …... February 27 It’s a double birthday today! John Steinbeck was born in 1902 and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in 1807 It’s a double birthday today! John Steinbeck was born in 1902 and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in 1807. (February 27, 1900)	28 Angie Thomas’ debut novel The Hate U Give was published... February 28 Angie Thomas’ debut novel The Hate U Give was published Angie Thomas’ debut novel The Hate U Give was published. The book topped the New York Times YA Best Seller’s List for 50 weeks. (February 28, 2017) Russian poet and playwright Vyacheslav Ivanov was born in Moscow... February 28 Russian poet and playwright Vyacheslav Ivanov was born in Moscow Russian poet and playwright Vyacheslav Ivanov was born in Moscow. Ivanov’s works were heavily influenced by his interest in Greek classical theater. (February 28, 1866)