Welcome to ON THIS DAY! Each day, we'll look at a few moments from history and popular culture. We'll show you where you can rediscover classic movies and music, or read more about great moments in history. We'll point you to e-books, downloadable and streamable music and film, and e-audio; and of course, we haven't forgotten about physical books or DVDs.

	On this day in 1804, Nathaniel Hawthorne was born. In his novels and short stories, Hawthorne's theme was frequently the importance of striving for moral behavior in an attempt to overcome mankind's inherent sinfulness and evil. His characters are psychologically complex, and many critics believe that his female characters are particularly well written. His five completed novels, including The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables, are collected in a Library of America volume, available as an e-book from OverDrive, or in print.
	On this day in 1918, twin sisters Pauline Phillips and Eppie Lederer were born; they would become better known as advice columnists Dear Abby and Ann Landers. The sisters began writing their columns only a few months apart in 1955 and 1956. The competition put a strain on their personal relationship, but professionally, both were enormously successful. At their peak, each reportedly received more than 4,000 letters each week from people seeking advice. Dear Ann, Dear Abby, by Jan Pottker and Bob Speziale, is a biography of the sisters; it's available in print.
	And on this day in 1938, Bill Withers was born. Withers was a popular pop/R&B singer in the 1970s; his most successful songs include "Lean On Me," "Grandma's Hands," and "Ain't No Sunshine." Withers grew increasingly frustrated with the attempts of record company executives to direct his career and musical style, and retired from recording and touring in 1985. Withers' life and career are the subject of the 2009 documentary Still Bill; it's available for streaming at Hoopla.