I am a lifelong admirer of Ben Franklin who was born on his birthday January 17, 1949 in Philadelphia. My lucky number is therefore 17 and am a fan of all Philly teams, particularly the Sixers and their mascot Franklin the Dog. Imagine how surprised I was, as an adult chaperone on a trip to the Franklin Institute, to learn from a plaque on the wall that Franklin was NOT really born on January 17. The change in the colonies from the Julian to Gregorian calendar in 1752 gave him the birthdate of January 17, but he was really born 6 days, I believe, earlier!!!! England’s reluctance to make that change is a story in itself. But never mind, I still feel lucky with 17, and only wish our schools and country gave more attention to the brilliant person that Franklin was. Thank you for this course, Dr Emanuel!
I am a lifelong admirer of Ben Franklin who was born on his birthday January 17, 1949 in Philadelphia. My lucky number is therefore 17 and am a fan of all Philly teams, particularly the Sixers and their mascot Franklin the Dog. Imagine how surprised I was, as an adult chaperone on a trip to the Franklin Institute, to learn from a plaque on the wall that Franklin was NOT really born on January 17. The change in the colonies from the Julian to Gregorian calendar in 1752 gave him the birthdate of January 17, but he was really born 6 days, I believe, earlier!!!! England’s reluctance to make that change is a story in itself. But never mind, I still feel lucky with 17, and only wish our schools and country gave more attention to the brilliant person that Franklin was. Thank you for this course, Dr Emanuel!