#16 feb

Ethel Waters and Fredi Washington in Mamba’s Daughters, presented by Guthrie McClintic at the Empire Theatre, February 16, 1939. Written by Dorothy and DuBose Heyward from the novel by DuBose Heyward, with songs by Jerome Kern. Jose Ferrer, Canada Lee, and Alberta Hunter were also in the cast.

[The phone doesn't ring for long before it's answered. A call from Ravi in the middle of the day is not unheard of, and no cause for alarm, but given the sickeningly sweet tone of his voice, he won't be surprised if Marcus already knows something unpleasant is coming up.]

Ravi: Hi, love. My darling husband. My handsome, most greatest, most wonderful man. The one who owns my heart. I love you. How's your day going?

Rockaway Playland was open on weekends in the winter. Here, old and young alike enjoy some rides on February 16, 1953.

Sailor Ken Johnson of Buena Vista, Pa., is politely awakened and given a cup of coffee by Mrs. E. M. Keiser, supervisor of the USO lounge in Grand Central Station, on February 16, 1943. There were always a half dozen servicemen grabbing naps before train time. They curled up with, “Wake me up in time, please.” The USO ladies had a system: they pinned a time tag on the sleeping beauties, and woke them up with, “Want some coffee?”