Catrina figures have been a staple of Mexican imagery since printmaker José Guadalupe Posada created a zinc etching called La Calavera Catrina (The Elegant Skull) in 1913. His skeletal parody of a Mexican upper-class woman is often incorporated into artistic manifestations of the Day of the Dead, such as altars and calavera costumes.
Note: Today is also All Saints’ Day.
A fictional character from the Land of Oz book series by L. Frank Baum. Jack was made by a little boy to scare his guardian, an old witch named Mombi. She then brought him to life using the Powder of Life. Jack has a jack-o’-lantern for a head and his tall figure is made from tree limbs and jointed with wooden pegs.
P.S. Happy Halloween!
A fictional monster that first appeared in Frankenstein, the 1818 novel by Mary Shelley. The creature is often erroneously referred to as “Frankenstein,” but in the novel the creature has no name. Frankenstein includes elements of the Gothic novel and the Romantic movement and is also considered to be one of the earliest examples of science fiction.
The fictional antagonist of Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror novel Dracula and archetypal vampire. Some aspects of his character have been inspired by the 15th century Romanian general Vlad the Impaler. In the U.S., the character is in the public domain and frequently appears in all manner of popular culture, from films to animated media to breakfast cereals.
An American business magnate, investor and philanthropist. He is the former CEO and current chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen. With a net worth of $56 billion, he ranks among the world’s wealthiest people. Born on this day in 1955, Gates is one of the best-known entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution.
The 26th President of the United States (1901-1909). He is noted for his “cowboy” persona. Roosevelt declined to run for re-election in 1908. After leaving office, he embarked on a safari to Africa and a tour of Europe. Roosevelt’s lasting popular legacy is the teddy bear, named after him following an incident on a hunting trip. He was born on this day in 1858.
A humanoid robot created by Honda. The robot resembles a small astronaut wearing a backpack and can walk or run on two feet. ASIMO made many public appearances during the 2000s, including several amusingly awkward incidents on stairs (as you can see in this short video compilation). On October 31, ASIMO will celebrate its 11th anniversary.
A Spanish painter and sculptor who lived most of his life in France. He is one of the best-known figures in 20th century art and co-founded the Cubist movement. Among his most famous works are the proto-Cubist The Young Ladies of Avignon (1907) and Guernica (1937). He was born on this day in 1881.
P.S. “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso
The blue cartoon ghost mascot of Boo Berry breakfast cereal. Introduced in 1973, it is one of three currently distributed General Mills monster-themed breakfast cereals. This sugary variety features blueberry-flavored corn cereal bits and marshmallows. Beginning in 2011, these cereals are only sold during the fall/Halloween season.
The cartoon Frankenstein’s monster mascot of Franken Berry breakfast cereal. Introduced in 1971, it is one of three currently distributed General Mills monster-themed breakfast cereals. This sugary variety features strawberry-flavored corn cereal bits and marshmallows. Beginning in 2011, these cereals are only sold during the fall/Halloween season.
The cartoon vampire mascot of Count Chocula breakfast cereal. Introduced in 1971, it is one of three currently distributed General Mills monster-themed breakfast cereals. This sugary variety features chocolate-flavored corn cereal bits and marshmallows. Beginning in 2011, these cereals are only sold during the fall/Halloween season.
Best known by his nickname Pelé, this man is the greatest soccer player of all time. In his native Brazil, he is hailed as a national hero. In addition to his contributions to the game of football, he is known for his support of policies to improve the social conditions of the poor. Celebrated as “The King of Football,” he was born on this day in 1940.
The cartoon mascot of Cap’n Crunch, a product line of sweetened corn and oat breakfast cereals introduced in 1963 and manufactured by the Quaker Oats Company. The sea cap’n’s full name is Horatio Magellan Crunch. Jay Ward Productions created the trademark character and Hanna-Barbera provided the cartoon animation for the original TV commercials.
An anthropomorphic cartoon rabbit and mascot of Trix breakfast cereal. He debuted in a 1959 Trix television commercial. He continually attempts to trick children into giving him a bowl of Trix cereal. “Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids!” is what this pathetic, begging rabbit is told every time.
The advertising cartoon mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes (also known as Frosties) breakfast cereal, appearing on its packaging and advertising. Since his debut in the 1950s, Tony has become a breakfast cereal icon. More recently, he started serving as mascot for Tony’s Cinnamon Krunchers and Tiger Power (whatever that is). “They’re grrreat!”
An American gangster who led a Prohibition-era crime syndicate. The Chicago Outfit, which subsequently became known as the “Capones,” was dedicated to smuggling and bootlegging liquor, and other illegal activities such as prostitution, in Chicago from the early 1920s to 1931. Capone was convicted of tax evasion and spent years in Alcatraz.
An archduchess of Austria and the queen consort of France and of Navarre. At the height of the French Revolution, her husband Louis XVI of France was deposed and the monarchy abolished in 1792. The royal family was subsequently imprisoned at the Temple. On this day in 1793, Marie Antoinette was tried, convicted of treason and executed by guillotine.
P.S. “Let them eat cake.”
A fictional British artificial intelligence, known for his wit and stuttering, distorted, electronically sampled voice. The character, portrayed by Matt Frewer, was featured in a music video TV show, a British cyberpunk film, a television drama series and commercials. In 1986, he was the spokesman for the New Coke advertising campaign (after the return of Coke Classic).
The 32nd President of the United States (1933-1945) and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the U.S. during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war. FDR was the only American president elected to more than two terms. Despite being bound to a wheelchair, the extent of his paralytic illness was kept from public view.
A former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who served from 1979 to 1990. Her political philosophy emphasized deregulation. Thatcher survived an assassination attempt in 1984, and her hard line against trade unions and tough rhetoric in opposition to the Soviet Union earned her the “Iron Lady” nickname. She was born on this day in 1925.
