Cartoonist Al Capp, creator of the Li’l Abner cartoon strip, conceived of a day in fictitious Dogpatch, USA, when all unmarried ladies (including the character Sadie Hawkins) could pursue their men. If the men were caught, marriage was unavoidable. The idea took off in real life—and in November 1938, the first recorded “girls-ask-boys” Sadie Hawkins Day dance was held. Today, this quirky holiday is usually celebrated in November. The Almanac uses the first Saturday in November but the date can vary by state. Learn more about Sadie Hawkins Day.

Will Rogers, a great American humorist, was born on November 4, 1879 in the Cooweescoowee District of the Cherokee Nation—in what would become Oklahoma. Starting life on a large ranch in Indian territory, Rogers was part Cherokee. He was taught by a former slave how to use a lasso as a tool to work Texas longhorn cattle. He became a rope-tricking cowboy and all-around entertainer and his rope tricks eventually led to a career on Broadway and in the movies. Rogers later became a popular broadcaster and syndicated newspaper columnist. Rogers died in a plane crash in Point Barrow, Alaska, on August 15, 1935. Will Rogers had a folksy persona and some of his best quotes are still timeless. Here’s a few that you should enjoy: “I don’t make jokes, I just watch the government and report the facts.” “Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.” “We can’t all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the curb and applaud when they go by.” “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”