10 December-Playboy

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Playboy Magazine was founded by Hugh Hefner. The magazine is famous for its centrefolds of nude and semi-nude models who are called Playmates. Hefner founded Playboy Magazine on October 1st 1953. Today it is a global publication with a circulation of almost 700,000.

Hugh Marston Hefner was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 9^th 1926. He was educated locally and served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. Following military service he studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. He graduated with a BA in psychology and creative writing in 1949. Following graduation he worked for a time with Esquire Magazine.

In 1953 Hefner raised almost $8,000, which included $1,000 from his mother, to establish Playboy Magazine. The first issue had Marilyn Monroe as a centrefold. The publication was a success and today Playboy is one of the world’s best known brands.

The first issue of Playboy went on sale in the year 1953 On This Day

Photo by tobiashm

Playboy

02 January-Gucci

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Guccio Gucci was a fashion designer who was a native of Italy. In 1920 he founded the Fashion House of Gucci in Florence. Today Gucci is one of the ‘Top Global 100 Brands’ with over 550 outlets around the world.

Guccio Gucci was born in Florence, Italy on March 26^th 1881. Having worked with his father, who was a leather craftsman, Guccio moved to London in 1898. He worked at the Savoy Hotel where he was impressed by the bags and accessories of the guests. He returned to Florence where he helped his father make saddles and leather travel bags.

With the advent of the automobile the demand for saddles decreased. Gucci diversified into the manufacture and sale of other accessories. He employed only the best craftsmen and became known for the manufacture of quality leather goods and fine craftsmanship. He opened shops in Milan and Rome and in 1952 in New York.

Guccio Gucci, Italian businessman, fashion designer and founder of the Gucci fashion house, died aged 71 in the year 1953 On This Day.

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09 November-Dylan Thomas

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Dylan Thomas was a poet and writer who was a native of Wales. He is famous for such works as ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’ and ‘Under Milkwood’. Dylan, who became a very popular poet during his lifetime, died in 1953 at the age of 39.

Dylan Marlais Thomas was born in Swansea, Wales on October 27^th 1914. He left school at sixteen in 1931 to become a journalist. He left his job in 1932 to concentrate on writing poetry. He had his first literary success with ‘Light breaks where no sun shines’ in 1934. Thomas lived in London for a period of time, where he met and married Caitlin Macnamara. He spent the summer of 1935 in Donegal before returning to settle in Wales.

Dylan Thomas, poet and writer who was a native of Wales died in New York City in the year 1953 On This Day.

Photo by Paulo Madeira Photography

Dylan Thomas

08 August-Chester Beatty Library

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The Chester Beatty Library is located in the Clock Tower building in the grounds of Dublin Castle, Ireland. The Library, which was originally located on Shrewsbury Road in Dublin, moved to its present location in 2000. It has on display collections from the great cultures and traditions of the world.

Chester Beatty was a native of the USA. He was a successful mining engineer, businessman and philanthropist. He moved to Ireland in 1950 where he established his Library. He bequeathed his collection to the people of Ireland in his will. Today the Library is a designated National Cultural Institution. It attracts over 300,000 visitors annually from Ireland and around the world.

The Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, was first opened to the public in the year 1953 On This Day.

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Chester Beatty Library

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26 September-Dolores Keane

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Dolores Keane is a folk singer who is a native of Co Galway Ireland. She has had a successful career both as a member of the group De Dannan and as a solo performer. Internationally acclaimed as a singer, Dolores Keane has also performed the lead female role in Brendan Behan’s ‘The Hostage’ and Synge’s Playboy of the Western World.

Dolores Keane was born near Caherlistrane, Co. Galway in 1953. Born into a musical family she made her first recording at the age of five. In 1975 she was a founding member of De Dannan which became a successful band during the 1970’s. Keane moved to London where for a time she pursued a solo career.

Though Keane returned to perform with De Dannan she also did solo performances. She performed with other Irish artists such as Mary Black and Sharon Shannon. She has also recorded with international musicians such as Emmylou Harris.

Dolores Keane, folk singer and actress, was born in the year 1953 On This Day.

Photo by candyschwartz

De Dannan