Weekdays 11:01 – 11:06 am

The Writer's Almanac educates, entertains and inspires listeners with brief facts and poetry related to each day's date. It celebrates the birthdays and works of poets, writers, composers, philosophers and historical figures. The show incorporates tidbits of history trivia, for example, "On this day in 1978, the Commerce Department, which oversees the National Weather Service, announced that hurricanes would no longer be named exclusively for women." Host Garrison Keillor closes each show by reading a wildly diverse selection of poetry, from Keats and Shelley to Mother Goose.
On Today's Show
Tuesday's Poem: "My Parents' Dance Lessons, 1945" by Alison Townsend, from The Blue Dress. Tuesday's Literary Notes: It's the birthday of writer Jennifer Egan, born in Chicago (1962) and raised in San Francisco. She's the author of books including Look at Me (2001), which was a finalist for the National Book Award, and The Keep (2006), a best-seller.

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Photo Credit: Brian Velenchenko