ALAIN LOCKE (d: 1954) An American writer, editor, philosopher, educator and patron of the arts was born on this date. He is best known for his writings on and about the Harlem Renaissance. He is unofficially called the "Father of the Harlem Renaissance." His philosophy served as a strong motivating force in keeping the energy and passion of the Movement at the forefront.

In classic same-sex “culture carrier” mode, Locke promoted African American artists, writers, and musicians, encouraging them to look to Africa as an inspiration for their works. He encouraged them to depict African and African American subjects, and to draw on their history for subject material. Locke edited the March 1925 issue of the periodical Survey Graphic, a special on Harlem and the Harlem Renaissance, which helped educate white readers about the flourishing culture there.

Later that year, he expanded the issue into The New Negro, a collection of writings by African Americans, which would become one of his best known and seminal works.

His philosophy of the New Negro was grounded in the concept of race-building. Its most important component is overall awareness of the potential black equality; No longer would blacks allow themselves to adjust themselves or comply with unreasonable white requests. This idea was based on self-confidence and political awareness. Although in the past the laws regarding equality had been ignored without consequence, Locke's philosophical idea of The New Negro allowed for real fair treatment. Because this was just an idea and not an actual bylaw, its power was held in the people. If they wanted this idea to flourish, they were the ones who would need to "enforce" it through their actions and overall points of view. Locke has been said to have greatly influenced and encouraged Zora Neale Hurston.

CLAUDETTE COLBERT, French-born actress born (d. 1996) Long rumored to have been one of Marlene Dietrich’s many lovers, most of Colbert's estate, estimated at $3.5 million and including her Manhattan apartment and villa in Barbados, was left to a friend, Helen O'Hagan (1931- ), a retired director of corporate relations at Saks Fifth Avenue, whom Colbert had met in 1961 on the set of the actress's last film.

 NELL CARTER, American actress, born (d. 2003) a Tony Award-winning American singer and film, stage, and television actress. She appeared alongside Bette Davis in the 1974 stage musical Miss Moffat, based on Davis' earlier film The Corn is Green. The show closed before making it to Broadway. She broke into stardom in the musical Ain't Misbehavin, for which she won a Tony Award in 1978. She also won an Emmy for the same role in a televised performance in 1982. Additional Broadway credits included Dude and Annie.

In 1979 she had a part in the Miloš Forman-directed musical film adaptation of Hair. Her famous vocal talents are showcased throughout the motion picture soundtrack. One of the more memorable moments in the film involves her rendition of the song "White Boys" where she can be seen dancing playfully as she performs the song. Carter died from heart disease complicated by diabetes and obesity on January 23, 2003. She was 54 years old.

She is survived by her two adopted sons (Joshua and Daniel) and a daughter (Tracy), conceived during a rape in her teens, as well as by her partner Ann Kaser. Sadly, her sexuality and relationship with Kaser did not become public knowledge until after her death.

SIR FRANCIS SCOTT KEY wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” on this day. We celebrate this as a moment in Gay history because the theme of the anthem is based on the then popular “Anacreon in Heaven.” Ahhhh...Anacreon. Who was Anacreon? Born in Teos, Ionia circa 570 BCE, Anacreon was one of the nine Lyric Poets of the golden age of Greek poetry. And being the good and manly Greek he was, Anacreon’s poems and odes were largely about the beautiful boys he loved or longed for or held in his arms as he cooed lyrical poetry to them. He kisses and tells; he names names: Smerdis, Leukapsis, Smialus, Eurylus and Bathyluss, probably the boy band of the day.

The structure of his poesy was so popular in its own time that others imitated the eponymously named “Anacreontics.” Anacreon was rediscovered by English poets in the 19^th century and they swooned for him like a well-oiled boy in the gymnasium. The vogue for Anacreontics in English culminated in the popular song “Anacreon in Heaven,” the famously un-singable tune for the American national anthem. There have been attempts to convince Congress to seek a new national anthem, something a tad more accessible vocally for the masses. Our bet: if you want to accelerate this movement, just whisper in the ear of the Moral Majority the story of the foreign fay and his poems about “dipping his flagpole” in young men. That ought to do the trick.