On this day in 1875, author and poet Hans Christian Andersen died in a house called Rolighed (calmness), near Copenhagen, the home of his close friend Moritz Melchior, at the age of 70. Born on 2 April 1805 in Odense, Denmark. Perhaps best known for his children’s stories including; “The Princess and the Pea” (1835), “Thumbelina” (1835), “The Little Mermaid” (1836), “The Emperor’s New Clothes” (1837), “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” (1838), “The Nightingale” (1844), “The Snow Queen” (1844), “The Ugly Duckling” (1844) and “The Little Match Girl” (1848). Andersen was apparently frustrated in love and may have channeled his romantic grief into his stories. At one point he wrote in his diary: “Almighty God, thee only have I; thou steerest my fate, I must give myself up to thee! Give me a livelihood! Give me a bride! My blood wants love, as my heart does!” His unrequited loves included a girl named Riborg Voigt from his youth, Sophie Ørsted, Louise Collin and the opera soprano Jenny Lind, the inspiration for his story “The Nightingale”. Andersen never married. I have read many of his stories to my children. Thank you HCA.
The Final Footprint – Andersen is interred in Assistens Cemetery in Copenhagen. His grave is marked by a large upright individual stone monument. Inscribed at the the top of the monument is the word DIGTEREN (poet). At the bottom is inscribed the last lines of Andersen’s poem “Oldingen” (The Old Man);
His stories have inspired many films, plays and ballets. In the Copenhagen harbor there is a statue of The Little Mermaid, placed in honor of Andersen. April 2, Andersen’s birthday, is celebrated as International Children’s Book Day. In the United States, statues of Andersen may be found in Central Park, New York, and in Solvang, California. The city of Bratislava, Slovakia features a statue of Andersen in memory of his visit in 1841. The city of Funabashi, Japan has a children’s theme park named after Andersen. A theme park based on Andersen’s tales and life opened in Shanghai at the end of 2006.
On this day in 1962, actress, singer and model, American Icon, Marilyn Monroe died at her Brentwood, Los Angeles home at the age of 36. She apparently died from acute barbiturate poisoning. Theories abound about how the drugs got in her system. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on 1 June 1926 in Los Angeles. She was baptized and raised as Norma Jeane Baker. Remembered and loved for her beauty, charm and personality. My favorite Monore film roles include: as Lorelei Lee in Howard Hawks‘ Gentleman Prefer Blondes (1953) with Jane Russell and Charles Coburn; as Evelyn Keyes in Billy Wilder’s The Seven Year Itch (1955); as Sugar Kane in Wilder’s Some Like It Hot (1959) with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon; as Roslyn Tabor in John Huston’s The Misfits (1961) with Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift and Eli Wallach. The Misfits would prove to be the final film for both Monroe and Gable. Her picture appeared on the cover of the first issue of Playboy magazine in December 1953. Monroe married three times; James Dougherty (1942-1946 divorce), Joe DiMaggio (1954-1954 divorce) and Arthur Miller (1956-1961 divorce). She may have had affairs with Marlon Brando, Tony Curtis, JFK and RFK. More questions than answers surround Monroe. Was her death accidental, suicide or homicide? Was JFK the last person she talked to? Was she in love with him? Was RFK the last person she saw?
The Final Footprint – Monroe is entombed in Westwood Memorial Park (a Dignity Memorial property) in Los Angeles. Notice how her marble crypt front is discolored compared to the surrounding crypts. This is caused by the many people who visit her crypt and touch the marble. Also note the lipstick kisses. DiMaggio had a half-dozen red roses delivered three times a week to her crypt for 20 years. A memorial bench is located near her crypt dedicated to her In Loving Memory. Other notable final footprints at Westwood include; Ray Bradbury, Sammy Cahn, Truman Capote, James Coburn, Rodney Dangerfield, Janet Leigh, Farrah Fawcett, Hugh Hefner, Brian Keith, Don Knotts, Burt Lancaster, Peter Lawford, Peggy Lee, Jack Lemmon, Karl Malden, Dean Martin, Walter Mathau, Carroll O’Connor, Roy Orbison, George C. Scott, Dorothy Stratten, Natalie Wood, and Frank Zappa.
#RIP #OTD in 2005 blues singer (We’re Gonna Make It; Baby, I Love You; Who’s Cheating Who?; Grits Ain’t Groceries), guitarist, Little Milton died from a stroke in Memphis aged 70. Palm Memorial Park, Las Vegas
#RIP #OTD in 2007 songwriter (“These Boots are Made for Walkin'”, “Summer Wine”, “Houston”, “Somethin’ Stupid”, “This Town”) singer, record produce Lee Hazlewood died of renal cancer in Henderson, Nevada aged 78. Cremation
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