In the mood for a good movie? Some toe-tapping music? A thrilling book? ON THIS DAY will lead you to new possibilities every day, tied to interesting moments from history and popular culture. Whether it’s streamable and downloadable music and film, e-books and e-audio, or physical books and DVDs, we hope you’ll find something to enjoy as you pick up a few bits of history each day.

	On this day in 1850, Guy de Maupassant was born. The French author wrote six novels and three books of travel writing, but is best known as a master of the short story. Maupassant wrote more than 300 stories, many of them set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s, focused on the impact of war on civilians. He was known for clever plotting, surprise endings, and the realistic psychological depth of his characters. Many of his best stories are collected in The Necklace and Other Stories, available as an e-book from OverDrive.
	On this day in 1906, John Huston was born. Huston was a major director and screenwriter for nearly fifty years, directing such classics as The Maltese Falcon, The African Queen, The Man Who Would Be King, and Prizzi's Honor. Huston directed more than a dozen actors in Oscar-winning performances, including his father, Walter, and his daughter, Anjelica. In the last half of his career, he also turned to acting, delivering fine performances in (among others) The Cardinal and Chinatown. Enjoy both halves of Huston's career with movies available for streaming at Hoopla. He directs The Unforgiven, starring Burt Lancaster and Audrey Hepburn; and stars with Jeff Bridges and Anthony Perkins in Winter Kills.
	And for nearly a decade, drinkers and brewers have celebrated the first Friday in August as International Beer Day. It's a day to thank your favorite brewers and bartenders, and perhaps to try a variety you've never sampled before. Dane Huckelbridge looks at the history of beer in America in The United States of Beer; it's available as an e-book or e-audio from OverDrive.