By Cynthia Charlene Greason
FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
Jeffrey Jacob Abrams (born June 27, 1966) is an American filmmaker and composer. He is best known for his works in the genres of action, drama, and science fiction. Abrams wrote and produced such films as Regarding Henry (1991), Forever Young (1992), Armageddon (1998), Cloverfield (2008), Star Trek (2009), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Abrams’ films have grossed over $4 billion worldwide, making him the eighth-highest-grossing film director of all time.
Abrams has created numerous television series, including Felicity (co-creator, 1998–2002), Alias (creator, 2001–2006), Lost (co-creator, 2004–2010), and Fringe (co-creator, 2008–2013). He won two Emmy Awards for Lost – Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series.
His directorial film work includes Mission: Impossible III (2006), Star Trek (2009), Super 8 (2011), and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). He also directed, co-produced and co-wrote The Force Awakens, the seventh episode of the Star Wars Skywalker Saga and the first film of the sequel trilogy. The film is his highest-grossing, the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time not adjusted for inflation, as well as the most expensive film ever made. He returned to Star Wars by executive producing The Last Jedi (2017), and directing and co-writing The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
TODAY’S ALMANAC
Question of the Day
Advice of the Day
Home Hint of the Day
Word of the Day
Puzzle of the Day
A crystalline substance and a tear. (Use these clues to find the two words that, when combined, form the name of a flower.)
Answer: Snowdrop
Died
- James Smithson (English chemist died willing $550,000 to the US for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men) –
- Joseph Smith (religious leader; organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) –
- Jack Lemmon (actor) –
- John Entwistle (musician) –
- Shelby Foote (Civil War historian and novelist) –
- Don Grady (actor) –
- Michael Bond (children’s writer) –
Born
- Mildred J. Hill (composer of song Happy Birthday to You”“) –
- Paul Laurence Dunbar (American poet) –
- Helen Keller (author, lecturer) –
- Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) –
- Ross Perot (businessman) –
- Vera Wang (designer) –
- J. J. Abrams (television writer & producer) –
- Tobey Maguire (actor) –
- Drake Bell (actor) –
- Madylin Sweeten (actress) –
Events
- First traffic law in U.S. passed, New Amsterdam (N.Y.C.)–
- Liberty Bell returned from Allentown to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania–
- First flight of XB-19 bomber–
- First state law requiring that cars be equipped with seat belts passed in Illinois–
- Chlorophyll-A first synthesized, Cambridge, Massachusetts–
- Joseph Walker flew X-15 at Mach 5.92 (4,104 mph)–
- Kmart trademark registered–
- Entertainment duo Sonny and Cher called it quits as husband and wife (divorce final this day)–
- Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing–
- Bill passed making O Canada national anthem of Canada–
Weather
- It rained fish at Tiller’s Ferry, South Carolina, after a heavy shower–
- Fort Yukon, Alaska, reached 100 degrees F–
- Hurricane Audrey smashed ashore at Cameron Parish, Louisiana, 390 drowned in storm tide–
COURTESY www.almanac.com
