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Harry Belafonte (Harold George Bellanfanti, Jr.) was born in
Harlem, New York.

Singer Harry Belafonte is known as the King of Calypso. He popularized the
calypso genre and famously sang "The Banana Boat Song."

He joined the Navy during World War II. After he was discharged, he worked
as a janitor in New York City. His boss gave him tickets to the American Negro
Theatre, which got him interested in performing.

Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting, is the first day of Lent in Western
Christianity and occurs 46 days before Easter and can fall as early as
February 4 or as late as March 10. Ash Wednesday is observed by many
Western Christians, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Roman
Catholics and Presbyterians. 

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made
from palm branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday, and
placing them on the heads of participants.

MIKE GRACIA

On this day in 1961, the Peace Corps was formally authorized by Congress. President John F. Kennedy (seated) signs legislation
creating the organization.

Ronald William "Ron" Howard is 63 years old today.

Ron Howard studied film at the University of Southern California,
but dropped out before graduating.