On July 14th, 1946, at the dawn of the post-World War II baby
boom, Dr. Benjamin Spock published The Common Sense
Book of Baby and Child Care. It would become a foundational
work on the topic of parenting, transforming how generations
of children were raised.

The book, which has sold more than 50 million copies and
been translated into more than 50 languages, stands as one
of the best-selling nonfiction works of the 20th century.

The book’s premise told mothers, "You know more than you
think you do."

Benjamin McLane Spock (May 2, 1903 – March 15, 1998)

On June 30, 1905, Albert Einstein published “Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper (On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies),”
a paper that sets out his theory of special relativity, in the
German physics journal Annalen der Physik. Einstein’s
groundbreaking work shattered the foundations of physics.

George Orwell’s novel of a dystopian future, 1984, was
published on June 8, 1949. The novel’s all-seeing leader,
known as “Big Brother,” became a universal symbol for
intrusive government and oppressive bureaucracy.

George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair)
(25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950)    
    

Cover of the first issue of Good Housekeeping.

On May 2, 1885, Good Housekeeping magazine debuted in
Holyoke, Massachusetts with this bold stated mission: “To
produce and perpetuate perfection—or as near unto
perfection as may be attained in the household.” And
an American institution begins, with a place in the
Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

Clark W. Bryan (1824 – 1899) Publisher

Cover from August 1908.

The title page to the 1611 first edition of the authorized
version of the Bible.

The King James Bible, the most famous version of the world’s
most influential book, was published on this day in history,
May 2, 1611.         

"The King James, or Authorized, Version of the Bible remains
the most widely published text in the English language,"
according to the British Library. 

Commissioned by King James I of England in 1604, it is famed
for its artfully written versions of Old and New Testament tales;
its success bringing the Word of God to English-speaking
commoners; and its influence on the American colonies. 

The 80 books of the King James Version include 39 books of
the Old Testament, 14 books of Apocrypha, and the 27 books
of the New Testament.

Portrait of King James I of England (1566-1625). Found in the collection of National Museum Stockholm.