Rogers Day

Rogers (Will) Day

November 4The birthday of America's "cowboy philosopher" is observed in Oklahoma, where he was born on November 4, 1879, when it was still the Indian Territory ( see Oklahoma Day). After his first appearance as a vaudeville entertainer in 1905 at Madison Square Garden, he developed a widespread reputation as a humorist. He went on to become a writer, a radio performer, and a motion-picture star, best loved for his gum-chewing, homespun image.
Will Rogers died in a plane crash on August 15, 1935, while flying with the well-known aviator, Wiley Post. A monument to the two men was erected at the site of the crash near Point Barrow, Alaska. Rogers's birthday was first observed in 1947, with a celebration at the Will Rogers Memorial near the town of Claremore where he was born. Beneath the statue of Rogers at the memorial is printed the statement for which he is best remembered: "I never met a man I didn't like."
CONTACTS:
Will Rogers Museum
1720 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
P.O. Box 157
Claremore, OK 74017
800-324-9455 or 918-341-0719; fax: 918-343-8119
www.willrogers.com
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 752