Dancing Mattress Productions: The Midday Distraction #43: Oum Kalthoum

Today's episode features an Arab Egyptian singer, actress and songwriter who lived from about 1900 to 1975.

Here's what you'll hear today (right-click to download MP3 or to open in a new tab or window):

Oum Kalthoum: "Ala Baladi El Mahoub"
Oum Kalthoum: "Kont Khale"

(Total play time: 12:54)

Learn more about the artist at her Wikipedia entry. The music in today's show comes courtesy of the IODA Promonet and may be downloaded below for free as long as the promotions last.

Today is celebrated as Lincoln's Birthday, Darwin Day and National Freedom to Marry Day in the United States, as Union Day in Burma, plus Red Hand Day internationally (to draw attention to the plight of child soldiers).

Explorer Vasco da Gama set sail out of Portugal on this day in 1502 for his second voyage to India. The city of Santiago, Chile, was founded by Pedro de Valdivia on this day in 1541. American patriot and atheist-in-foxhole Ethan Allen died this day in 1789. German philosopher Immanuel Kant died this day in 1804. English naturalist Charles Darwin and American President Abraham Lincoln were both born this day in 1809. Europe's oldest working opera house, the Teatro di San Carlo, was destroyed by fire this day in 1816. Ecuador annexed the Galápagos Islands this day in 1832. Michigan State University was founded this day in 1855. Women received the vote in Utah Territory this day in 1870. North America's first artificial ice rink opened at Gilmore's Park in New York City this day in 1879. The NAACP was formed this day in 1909. The first stone of the Lincoln Memorial was laid this day in 1914 in Washington, D.C. Canadian actor Lorne Greene was born this day in 1915. Children's author Judy Blume was born this day in 1938. Keyboardist Ray Manzarek of The Doors was born this day in 1939.

*catches breath*

Canadian actor Michael Ironside was born this day in 1950. Actor and once red-hot talk show host Arsenio Hall -- now in the Where Are They Now? Hall of Fame -- was born this day in 1955. Australian musician Grant McLennan (best known for his work with The Go-Betweens, though he's appeared on the Mental Nomad Podcast with the group Jack Frost) was born this day in 1958. American singer Chynna Phillips and Into the Wild biography subject Christopher McCandless were both born this day in 1968. Film writer and director Darren Aronofsky was born this day in 1969. Barenaked Ladies bassist Jim Creeggan and comic book writer-artist Judd Winick were both born this day in 1970. Canadian voice actress Tara Strong -- who's gorgeous enough to be in front of cameras -- was born this day in 1973. American actor Sal Mineo died on this day in 1976. Australian actor Jesse Spencer (of House fame) was born this day in 1979. Celebrity crush Sarah Lancaster and actress Christina Ricci were both born this day in 1980. The U.S. Senate acquitted President Bill Clinton this day in 1999 after his bullshit impeachment trial over lying in response to questions that never should have been asked. Musician Screamin' Jay Hawkins and cartoonist Charles Schulz both died this day in 2000 -- the latter dying on the evening before his final Peanuts comic strip (a Sunday edition) saw print.

*must. finish. list.*

City officials in San Francisco started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples this day in 2004 under instructions from Mayor Gavin Newsom. And a plane crash on this day in 2009 killed both Alison Des Forges (an American expert on the Rwanda genocide) and Beverly Eckert, a co-chair of the 9/11 Family Steering Committee.