James Joyce

James Joyce, one of the greatest Irish novelists, was born on February 2nd, 1882.

Joyce’s birthday is also Candlemas Day and Ground Hog Day, making his birthday part religious festival, part popular festival. Due to these coincidences, Joyce considered his birthday to be an auspicious day, and he often contrived to make it particularly special.

From New Amsterdam to New York

2nd February 1665: British forces capture New Amsterdam, the centre of the Dutch colony in North America. The trading settlement on the island of Manhattan is to be renamed New York in honour of the Duke of York, its new governor