Rita Mae Brown, Jean-Baptiste Lully, Rita Hester, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
Born: Rita Mae Brown (1944), Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632)
Died: Rita Hester (1998), Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (1794)
Born on this day
28NovBorn 194482nd birthday
Rita Mae Brown
Her novel “Rubyfruit Jungle” gave lesbian literature a cheeky, unapologetic heroine – and she helped confront homophobia in the women’s movement.
28NovBorn 1632394th birthdayJean-Baptiste Lully
The son of a Florentine miller became the most powerful musician at the court of Louis XIV – and fell from favour over an affair with a page.
Died on this day
28NovDied 199828th anniversary of death
Rita Hester
Her unsolved murder in Boston in 1998 gave rise to the Transgender Day of Remembrance, observed around the world every 20 November.
28NovDied 1794232nd anniversary of deathFriedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
A Prussian officer who helped train the Continental Army and left an enduring place in American military history.