Shirley Temple was probably the most popular and beloved American child star of all time, and she held the title of top box office draw from 1935 through 1938 all by herself. Single-handedly, this adorable, mop-topped, singing and dancing bundle of energy lifted the spirits of a Depression- worn population and gave them joy in the present and hope for the future. Little Shirley was apparently as cute and likeable off screen as on, and was given a sheltered and loving home life by her parents. She didn’t make the transition to adult stardom, and very wisely retired in 1950. After a short marriage to the actor John Agar, with whom she had a daughter, Shirley went on to marry California businessman Charles Black in 1950, with whom she had two children, and to whom she remained married until his death in 2005. Our Little Shirley was a Republican, a politician and a foreign ambassador, but she will always be remembered as the little darling who danced with Bill Robinson and who exhorted us to join her “On The Good Ship Lollipop”. This lovely 85 year old woman will always be about five years old in our hearts.

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Estella.

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Estelle.

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Phaedra.

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Phyllis.

Leif Ericson is believed to have been born in Greenland as a son of Erik the Red. Following in his dad’s exploring footsteps, Leif Erickson discovered a part of modern North America about 500 years before Columbus’ journey. He is also credited with having introduced Christianity to Greenland after having been converted during a trip to Norway. Leif was described in contemporary accounts as a strong and handsome man, as well as a wise and good chieftain. He is fondly regarded by legions of Scandinavian Americans as the “true” discoverer of the land we live in; many monuments and statues have been erected in his honor.

Queen Mary I of England was the only surviving child of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon; she succeeded her half-brother, Edward VI, to the throne. She restored the establishment of Roman Catholicism and was known as “Bloody Mary” for her cruel prosecution of Protestant dissenters, including the burning at the stake of hundreds. The divorce of Mary’s parents essentially deemed her illegitimate at the age of 17, and she was stripped of her title and goods and right to the throne. Upon Edward VI’s early death, their cousin, Lady Jane Grey, was briefly installed as queen, however, popular sentiment for Mary assured her own ascension to the throne (as well as the execution of poor Lady Jane). Then the rampage began and the forcible restoration of Catholicism as the religion of the land was begun. In 1554, Mary married Philip II of Spain, a union which failed to produce a child. She seemed to be in love with him, but such was not the case with him. Upon her death at age 42, he wrote, damningly: “I felt a reasonable regret for her death.” Others did not. Elizabeth I became queen and Protestantism was swiftly reintroduced to the land.

Mary Queen of Scots was the only living (legitimate) child of King James V of Scotland when he died, leaving the throne to her at the ripe old age of 6 days – talk about a steep learning curb! Spending her childhood and girlhood mostly in France while Scotland was under regent rule, Mary married the Dauphin Francis of France and was briefly Queen Consort of France until his death. Returning to Scotland as widow and being installed as Catholic queen of a largely Protestant Scotland in 1561, Mary married Lord Darnley in 1565. This, however, was an unhappy marriage (producing one son, James), and Darnley was found murdered in the garden of his home after it was destroyed by an explosion in 1567. Suspicion fell on Mary, especially after she married the Earl of Bothwell shortly afterward, who was largely believed to have been responsible for Darnley’s murder. Mary was then imprisoned by the Protestant lords and forced to abdicate her throne to her son, who, not quite as precocious as his mother at these things, was an old guy of one year. Seeking refuge from her cousin, Elizabeth I of England, Mary was shuttled from castle to castle while in custody until, at the age of 44, she was executed for the crime of plotting to assassinate Elizabeth.

Zoë was a Roman noblewoman, married to a high court official of the then-pagan Roman Empire (Christianity was outlawed and punishable by death). However, Zoë converted to Christianity and became deeply devoted to St. Peter. One day while praying at Peter’s tomb, Zoë’s criminal secret was revealed. She was promptly apprehended and jailed for her impropriety, and given a rather harsh sentence (even by 3rd century standards). Zoë was to meet one of the cruelest deaths under the Emperor Diocletian. She was hung from a tree by her hair and then lit on fire at her feet. She was martyred c. 286 A.D. on July 5, her Feast Day.

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Ursula.