Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox and other important dates in history

Frank is in a party mood today, what with all the things he has to celebrate today. First off, today at 9:04 this morning, the Autumnal Equinox occurred. That's when the Earth's axis is exactly parallel to its orbit around the sun. From our view down here, we see the sun rising and setting right over the equator.

Other things that Frank likes to celebrate today include these folks born on this date, going from the oldest to the most recent:

• 480 BC Euripides, who in effect created the theatre later used by Shakespeare, Ibsen, and Shaw.
• 1215 Kublai Khan, who was rumoured to have built a Pleasure Dome in Xanadu.
• 1926 John Coltrane, who could play a saxophone like nobody's business.
• 1930 Ray Charles, who also played the sax and trombone but excelled on the piano, which allowed him to sing along with his music.

But the biggest event that Frank celebrates today is that back in 1889 (yes, that does say prior to the 1900s!) the Nintendo company was formed. Of course, back then it only dealt with playing cards, but still it was the beginning of a vast empire that has influenced many. In fact Frank carries his Wii U controller around with him at work, so he can keep up on his games when he's not sitting in front of the tele at home.

Have fun, and I hope you don't get Nintendinitis!