In 1938, Saudi Arabian oil was first discovered by the Americans in commercial quantities at Dammam oil well No. 7.

Born in 1931 – Mikhail Gorbachev, Russian lawyer and politician, President of the Soviet Union, Nobel Prize laureate.

Above: Gorbachev in Werner Hertzog’s 2018 film, Meeting Gorbachev.

Also: In 1961, Kennedy announced the creation of the Peace Corps in a nationally televised broadcast.

It’s Beer Day in Iceland, a celebration of the 1989 lifting of the ban on beer, which had been in place since 1915.

Previously: The poet, Robert Hass.

Born in 1736 – Ann Lee, English-American religious leader, founder of the Shakers.

“It is now spring of the year, and you have all had the privilege of being taught the way of God; and now you may all go home and be faithful with your hands. Every faithful man will go forth and put up his fences in season, and will plow his ground in season, and put his crops into the ground in season; and such a man may with confidence look for a blessing.”

Born in 1808 – Honoré Daumier, French painter, illustrator, and sculptor.

Above: The Beggars, c. 1843

Born in 1841 – Pierre-Auguste Renoir, French painter and sculptor.

Above: Renoir’s 1881 painting Luncheon of the Boating Party.

In 1997, scientists in Scotland announced the cloning of an adult mammal, producing a lamb they called Dolly.

Above: Dolly with her creator, Sir Ian Wilmut.

Born in 1900 – Luis Buñuel, Spanish-Mexican director and producer.

Two quotations:

“Nothing would disgust me more, morally, than receiving an Oscar.”

“If you were to ask me if I’d ever had the bad luck to miss my daily cocktail, I’d have to say that I doubt it; where certain things are concerned, I plan ahead.”

Also: Julius “The Doctor” Erving

Born in 1933 – Nina Simone, American singer-songwriter and pianist.

“I’ll tell you what freedom is to me: no fear. I mean really, no fear!”

Listen to Feeling Good.

Born in 1925 – Robert Altman, American director and screenwriter.

Above: Julie Christie and Warren Beatty in Altman’s 1971 film, McCabe & Mrs. Miller.

Altman: “I like audiences to crane their necks.”

Also:  Mike Leigh