Friday Basics
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter Saint of the Day: St. Ignatius of Laconi, OFMCap Today in Catholic History: 330 Roman emperor Constantine (ca. 280–337), the first Christian emperor, inaugurated Constantinople as his capital on the site of the Greek city of Byzantium and dedicated it as a Christian city. 1610 Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci , the first Catholic missionary to China, died (b. 6 October 1552). History Highlight of the Day: 1960 - The first contraceptive pill is made available on the market. Birthdays: 1888 - Irving Berlin , American composer, ("God Bless America", "White Christmas") (d. 1989) 1904 - Salvador Dalí , Spanish painter, ("Christ of St. John of the Cross"), (d. 1989) 1911 - Phil Silvers, American actor and comedian, comedian ("The Beverly Hillbillies") (d. 1985) 1946 - Robert Jarvik , physician, invented the artificial heart 1963 - Natasha Richardson , English-born actress (The Parent Trap (98), Maid in Manhattan)