Born Richard Walter Jenkins on November 10, 1925, in Pontrhydfen, South Wales, Richard Burton became an acclaimed actor of stage and screen, appearing in over 40 films. He earned seven Oscar nominations for films including Equus, The Robe, Becket and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. He married Elizabeth Taylor in 1964, a stormy relationship that resulted in marriage, remarriage and two divorces. Burton died in Switzerland, on August 5, 1984. 

He was the son of a coal miner, a twelfth child whose mother died when he was two years old. A local teacher, Philip Burton, became his guardian and encouraged the boy into acting and the theatre. Jenkins adopted Burton as his surname, won an Oxford scholarship and served in the Air Force during WWII. After leaving the forces in 1947, he resumed his stage acting career, appearing in The Lady’s Not for Burning with Sir John Gielgud. Burton made his film debut in 1949 in The Last Days of Dolwyn. He married actress Sybil Williams and had two daughters. 

 Burton met Elizabeth Taylor on the set of Cleopatra (1963), and although each was married at the time, they began a tempestuous relationship that was to provide ample media interest in the years to come. They made 11 films together, including Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) and The Taming of the Shrew (1967). Burton appeared in Hamlet on Broadway in a 1964 production directed by Gielgud and continued to appear in films.

After a divorce, remarriage and a second divorce from Taylor, Burton married model Suzy Hunt in 1976. During the 1970s, Burton continued to make films, including Brief Encounter (1975) and was nominated for his seventh Oscar for his role in the 1977 drama Equus. 

In 1983, he and Taylor returned to working together for the Noel Coward theatrical work Private Lives. Burton's last film was an adaptation of George Orwell's 1984. Burton died from a brain haemorrhage in his Swiss home onAugust 5, 1984, at the age of 58.   

   "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" the now-famous greeting, was allegedly uttered by Henry Morton Stanley on 10th November 1871, upon finding missionary and explorer David Livingstone. 

Born as John Rowlands in Denbigh (28 January 1841 – 10 May 1904), Stanley was a journalist and explorer famous for his exploration of central Africa and his search for Livingstone. He was knighted in 1899. 

After a period in St. Asaph Union Workhouse for the poor, he travelled to the United States in 1859 where he was befriended by Henry Hope Stanley, a wealthy trader whose name he eventually adopted. During the American Civil War, he fought first for the Confederate Army in the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. After being taken prisoner, he joined the Union Army, then served on several merchant ships before joining the Navy in July 1864.

 When the war ended, Stanley became a journalist, organising an abortive expedition to the Ottoman Empire during which Stanley was imprisoned. He talked his way out of jail and was even compensated for damage to expedition equipment.

He travelled widely in Asia as an overseas correspondent for the newly-established New York Herald and in 1869, Stanley was given the task of finding the Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone, who had travelled to Africa but had not been heard from for some time. 

Stanley travelled to Zanzibar and kitted an expedition accompanied by 200 porters. During the 700-mile expedition through the tropical forest, his horse died after a bite from a tsetse fly, many of his porters abandoned him and most who remained were stricken with tropical diseases. On 10th November 1871, Stanley came across Livingstone near Lake Tanganyika in what is now Tanzania, greeting him, reputedly, with "Doctor Livingstone, I presume?"  Stanley joined Livingstone's exploration of the region, and wrote a book about his adventures on his return, entitled "How I Found Livingstone; travels, adventures, and discoveries in Central Africa".

Giro City, is a November 1982 film which was written and directed by Karl Francis, the renowned former journalist and film-maker from Bedwas, near Caerphilly. 

 Also known by the title And Nothing But the Truth, the film is a blistering indictment of government-sanctioned corruption, as well as the "facts of life" of the television industry.  

Today is the feast day of St Elaeth 

Elaeth (sometimes recorded as Eleth), now venerated as a saint, was a British king and poet from the 6th century. He was ousted from his lands in the north of Britain and retreated to Anglesey, where he sought refuge at the monastery run by St Seiriol at Penmon.  Some fragments of religious poetry from the period have been ascribed to him, and it is widely held that he founded St Eleth's Church near Amlwch, on Anglesey. 

Maria Jane Williams (died 10 November 1873) was a 19th-century Welsh musician and folklorist. She was born in Glynneath in 1794 at Aberpergwm House.

She received a good education, was a fervent supporter of the Welsh language and Welsh traditions and was a gifted musician. She was renowned for her singing and acquired the name ‘Llinos’ (the Welsh word for linnet).

In 1844, she published a collection of Welsh airs entitled 'The Ancient National Airs of Gwent and Morgannwg’, which has been acknowledged as a significant contribution to the knowledge of traditional Welsh music.

Robert Nicholas Jones (born 10 November 1965 at Trebanos) is a Welsh rugby union coach and former player. During his playing career, he was capped 54 times for Wales. He joins Mike Phillips, Dwayne Peel, Gareth Edwards and Rob Howley as the only scrum half players to have been awarded more than 50 caps for Wales.

Dylan Marlais Thomas died on November 9, 1953 while on a lecture tour of America. 

It had been an arduous tour, and Thomas had been liberally entertained by his hosts. He had been drinking heavily on the night he died in the White Horse pub in Greenwich Village, New York. When he eventually returned to his hotel he was in great pain and called for a doctor. He was given a large dose of morphine sulphate, after which Thomas lapsed into a coma. Apparently, his last words were: "I've had 18 straight whiskies......I think that's the record." His death, at 39 years of age, was tragically premature. He is buried in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire.  

Bryn Terfel Jones CBE (born 9 November 1965) is an internationally renowned Welsh bass-baritone opera and concert singer. 

Bryn Terfel, as he is popularly known, was born in Pant Glas, Caernarfonshire and is the son of a farmer. His first language is Welsh. Since his operatic debut in 1990 he has performed in great opera houses around the world, and is famed for his versatility and vocal range. He has won countless awards and honours, including a CBE in 2002 and was awarded the Queen's Medal for Music in 2006.

Despite international acclaim, Bryn Terfel continues to be committed to Wales, the Welsh language and Welsh culture. He is President of the Welsh homelessness charity Shelter Cymru and is Patron of Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales, a charity based in Cardiff which provides specialist  therapy to children with cerebral palsy.  

1910 Miners' Strike.

On 9th November 1910 troops were used in Porth near Pontypridd to disperse demonstrations by striking miners. Contingents were also sent to patrol Aberaman and Llwynypia. There are no verified records of casualties since most of the miners would not have reported their injuries for fear of reprisals, but it is estimated that over 500 citizens, including women and children, sustained injury. Miner Samuel Rhys died of head injuries, allegedly inflicted by a policeman's baton.   

The Battle of Holt Bridge 9th November 1643

Holt Bridge, a listed monument, is constructed of local red sandstone. The nine arched structure is on the English border, near Wrexham. The third arch has two arch rings, where a gatehouse and drawbridge were situated which defended the town of Holt. Its border location made it a strategic target during the Civil War, and a battle was fought here on 9th November 1643. The bridge and the town were taken by Parliamentarian forces, although Holt Castle was successfully defended by the Royalists.    

Rosemarie Frankland (May 17, 1943 - December 2, 2000) was a Welsh beauty pageant contestant, from Rhosllannerchrugog, Wrexham, who on 9th November 1961became the first British woman to win the Miss World title.

.....apologies for that. BUT you can still check out new content on AmeriCymru -

Phil Rowlands:-

When Our Characters Confront Us

Huw Llywelyn Rees:-

8th November

And don't forget the latest addition to the Welsh American Bookstore:-

Of all the great international tries scored by Wales, which is the best?

Artfinder have chosen one of my paintings to feature in their Art of the Day , hope you like it.

Every major city in the world is haunted by an unwanted underclass largely ignored by the rest of us like some secret shame.They are shadows in a dark room passing their days in a twilight world that exists somewhere between the living and the dead.

The great Victorian novelist Charles Dickens was one of the first authors to focus the light of his literary genius on their miserable existence. His social conscience would not allow him to pass by on the other side.

However it is one thing to wax lyrical about the homeless and destitute but quite another to be confronted with their plight first hand as I was to discover on my recent visit to Portland, Oregon. It was my first visit to America and during the drive from the airport I caught sight of an individual staggering from a store clutching a paper bag. Gaabriel, my host, explained that homelessness was a problem within most American cities and Portland was no exception. Where Portland stood in stark contrast to many others was the liberal stance it took towards this unfortunate section of society. Many States employ aggressive measures to clear their streets of the Great Unwanted and although there is no Government or State support for these individuals at least Portland has a Mission where fortunate individuals can get a bed and a roof for the night.

It is human nature to pass judgement on others. Most of us cannot help wonder how anyone gets to end up living on the streets. Hopefully very few of us hold the same views as those expressed by one of my characters, Ebenezer Clinton Scrooge III. Arriving at the steps of his Manhattan headquarters he is confronted by a less affluent member of New York City society.

" Scroogesmiled, this was no hired assassin sent on a mission to destroy only a common beggar chancing his arm, or what remained of it. A diseased symptom of the times. New York was infested with such hopelessindividuals seeking solace and oblivion in alcohol or drugs, authors of their own destruction, and as such deserving of no sympathy or special favours. Still they never usually surfaced in this district preferring insteadto haunt the more stagnant cess-pits of the city. Perhaps the fact it was Christmas Eve had emboldened this particular specimen into venturing further afield in the false hope that honest citizens would be moreinclined to lunatic displays of charity many being so imbued with festive spirits they would carelessly part with their hard earned dollars." ( A Christmas Carol Revisited ).

This is the dark side of the American Dream. Every good Doctor Jekyll has his own Mr Hyde to some degree or another. Perhaps it is how we react to the darkness that defines us as individuals and nations. Or is it if we are even prepared to confront that darkness in our society and in our selves? The 'hopeless individual' in the story is called Stephen, the 'hopeless individual' who confronted me on the streets of Portland was called Arnold.

We were down town waiting for a bus when Arnold approached. He was obviously distressed. Apparently he had been attempting to gain access to one of the toilets in the city precincts. It was locked and from what we could understand Arnold had been forcibly removed because he kept complaining that someone had hurt his arm. I learnt later that it was common practice to lock the toilets as they were in constant danger of being commandeered by the likes of Arnold on the lookout for somewhere dry and secure to sleep. It was also obvious Arnold had significant mental health issues. He insisted we call the cops otherwise he would kill someone.

I don't think anyone felt threatened but we all felt uncomfortable. I pretended to phone the cops but Arnold wasn't fooled for a second. Eventually the bus arrived and we got on board. Arnold followed. It soon became obvious Arnold was going nowhere until someone called the cops. As he became more distressed so his threats became more extravagant to the point he was now prepared to kill everyone on the bus. People began to get off not because they felt threatened but because they realised it would probably be quicker to walk home. Throughout the whole incident the lady bus driver spoke soothingly to Arnold and even provided him with a drink. Her compassionate attitude had a marked impact upon Arnold who became an increasingly less threatening yet more tragic figure by the minute. Eventually Arnold got his wish and the cops arrived.

'Street Roots' is a paper sold by the homeless on the streets and is Portland's version of the 'Big Issue'. The lead story the week I was there was regarding the way certain States were dealing with the problem of homeless people with mental health issues. Their solution was to provide these vulnerable individuals with enough food and money for a few days and a bus ticket to some place else. There they would duly arrive with no contacts or support and whatever provision they had left. Problem solved. It staggers me that large sections of American society still oppose ObamaCare.

It was with a sense of relief that we watched Arnold being escorted away. He was obviously known to the local police who dealt with him courteously and gently. Whether he got a nice dry, warm cell for the night is another matter. My thoughts often return to Arnold and I wonder how he possibly survives life on the streets. Could I have done more to help? There is a gulf between feeling compassion at some general esoteric level and acting upon that compassion at the subjective level of reality. If I am honest, Arnold was a burden I did not want to bear. He was not my responsibility after all. Like the Pharisee I shuffled by on the other side. It is not always a comfortable experience when our characters turn up on our doorstep.

The Tonypandy riots started on 7th November 1910 and continued unabated for almost two days. They involved violent clashes between striking miners and the Glamorgan Constabulary, reinforced by both the Bristol and Metropolitan police forces. Home Secretary Winston Churchill also sent in troops to the area to reinforce the police shortly after the riot, a decision that caused ill feeling towards him in south Wales.

The strike ground on for several months although the violence of the initial riots in Tonypandy was rarely repeated and finally ended in August 1911. It left bitter scars in the Rhondda, particularly as the miners were forced to return to work after agreeing to a paltry sum for the coal extracted. Churchill was, until his dying day, reviled by many as "the man who sent in the troops", and remains unpopular in the South Wales valleys to this day.

"Big Ben" is named after a Welshman.

Born on this day 1802, Sir Benjamin Hall, 1st Baron Llanover, a politician who as First Commissioner of Works was responsible for Government building projects. This included the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament and the installation of the hour bell, "Big Ben", in the clock tower. The nickname "Big Ben" was given to the Great Bell in honour of Sir Benjamin, whose name is inscribed on it.

As MP for Monmouth, Sir Benjamin campaigned to have religious services in Welsh. He was also outspoken on the issue of the state of the Anglican church in Wales and deplored the exploitation of church revenues. He was married to Augusta Waddington, better known as Lady Llanover, the well known patron of the Welsh arts.

Born on this day 1986 in Newport.

The Welsh connection to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid;

On 7th November 1908, Robert Leroy Parker and Harry Alonzo Longabaugh, better known as the notorious train and bank robbers, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, were killed, following a shootout in Bolivia.

After pursuing a career in crime for several years in the United States, the pressures of being pursued forced them to flee with Longabaugh's girlfriend, Etta Place, to Welsh speaking Patagonia in Argentina.  They purchased a ranch on the east bank of the Rio Blanco near Cholila, Chubut province and lived there amongst Welsh settlers, breeding horses. 

However, they had not abandoned their lawbreaking lifestyle, as it is reported that they tried to rob a general store owned by Mihangel ap Iwan and Llywelyn ap Iwan (sons of Michael D Jones, founder of the Welsh settlement in Patagonia) in Esquel, Patagonia.  The story goes that Llywelyn was armed and refused to give up the takings, so that night, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid returned and set light to the curtains of Llywelyn's home, who badly burned his hands putting out the fire.  The next day they returned to the store, shot Llywelyn dead (as he was unable to reach for his gun because of his burns) and ran off with the takings.

By 1905, they had outstayed their welcome and sold the Cholila ranch.  They were however aided in their escape to Bolivia by Sheriff Edward Humphreys, a Welsh settler who was friendly with Cassidy and enamoured of Etta Place.

Born on this day 1927 in Margam, near Port Talbot.

Ivor Emmanuel - singer and actor.

He is fondly remembered for his rousing rendition of the battle hymn Men of Harlech in the 1964 film Zulu, where his character, Private Owen, leads his fellow soldiers in song, drowning the war chants of the Zulu forces surrounding the besieged fort at Rorke's Drift in 1879.

Emmanuel was orphaned during the second World War when a stray bomb hit the village of Pontrhydyfen. He was taken in by his Aunt Flossie and later became a miner. He was passionately musical, joining the local operatic society and listening to Enrico Caruso on a wind-up gramophone. Disheartened by his rejection by The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1947, he took to drinking heavily with an old friend, Richard Burton. Burton arranged an audition for him at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where he was cast in the musical Oklahoma. His dark good looks and fine baritone voice earned him roles in many other musicals, such as South Pacific and The King and I.

Emmanuel also had a successful television career; between 1958 and 1964, he ledthe Welsh television show, Gwlad y Gan ('Land of Song') and in 1960, he performed in the first televised edition of the Royal Variety Performance.

Born on this day 1934 in Ystrad Rhondda

Mel Hopkins - former Wales soccer international full back. 

The son of a miner, he was signed by Tottenham Hotspur at the age of 15 after just one trial, going on to win the League and FA Cup double with them in 1961.  Hopkins played for Wales 34 times, including the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden, where they lost narrowly to Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Born on this day 1980 in Pontypridd

Michael Owen is a former Wales and Lions captain who became the 1,000th player to play for his country when he gained his first international cap in the Test against South Africa in June 2002. He captained Wales, replacing the injured Gareth Thomas, during the 2005 Six Nations, the year in which Wales won its first Grand Slam in 27 years.

Now retired, he joined the team of match commentators during the 2011 World Cup.

Today is the feast day of Saint Cynfarwy.

Saint Cynfarwy - Born c.610, was an active Christian on Anglesey, after whom the parish of Llechgynfarwy (pictured) and St Cynfarwy's Church are named. In a neighbouring field stands a nine foot high upright stone supposedly commemorating the saint. It is locally known as Maen Llechgynfarwy.  

  Born on 7th November 1528, probably at the family seat of Haroldston near Haverfordwest. 

Sir John Perrot was claimed to have been the illegitimate son of Henry VIII, whom he indeed resembled both physically and temperamentally. 

He was favoured by Edward VI, but as a Protestant during the reign of Mary I (1553–58), he was charged with sheltering heretics and imprisoned. His fortunes improved under Queen Elizabeth, and he was entrusted with the naval defence of South Wales.

Perrot was created Lord President of Munster at a time of rebellion in Ireland and over a two year period laid waste the province to procure peace, killing and decimating the homes of those who opposed him. He returned to Wales in 1578 as Vice Admiral of the Welsh seas and was named Commissioner for Piracy in Pembrokeshire.

In 1584 he was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland. He occupied Ulster and vigorously opposed Roman Catholicism. He then undertook the plantation of the province of Munster. This involved the distribution of 600,000 acres of land confiscated from Catholic estates to anyone willing to employ English labourers and farmers to work the land and build towns. This was an onerous undertaking and Perrot eventually asked to be recalled.

It was inevitable that Perrot had made many enemies during his time in Ireland, and on his return, they plotted his downfall. He was accused of treason and plotting against Elizabeth. He was  imprisoned in the Tower of London where he died in September 1592 while awaiting execution.   

  On 7th November 1916,  Charles Evans Hughes lost narrowly to Woodrow Wilson in the United States presidential election, when he failed to win California. 

Hughes was the Welsh speaking son of a minister who had emigrated to the US from Tredegar. He was widely regarded as honest and was respected for his intellect. He became Secretary of State in 1920 and was one of the most distinguished Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of the USA. 

Elaine Morgan OBE FRSL (7 November 1920 – 12 July 2013) was born and brought up in Hopkinstown, near Pontypridd. She wrote for television and is the author of several volumes on anthropology and evolution, notably the 'aquatic ape hypothesis'. They include The Descent of Woman, The Aquatic Ape, The Scars of Evolution, The Descent of the Child, The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis, and The Naked Darwinist (2008),

Morgan's screenwriting credits include several dramatic adaptations of books, including Richard Llewellyn's 1939 novel How Green Was My Valley (1975), Testament of Youth (1979); and a mini-series on the Liberal prime minister from the middle of the first world war, The Life and Times of David Lloyd George (1981).

Today is the feast day of St Illtud

The Church of St Illtud at Llanilltud Fawr (Llantwit Major)  was established by Illtud in about AD 520 and contains a superb array of early Christian memorial stones, including, The Houelt Cross, which is a fine example of a Celtic wheel cross.  It is a memorial to King Rhys ap Arthfael of Morgannwg who died around AD 850. 

Born in Brittany from a military background, Illtyd began his career by crossing to Britain, it is said, as a skilled warrior serving Arthur in the defence of Britain. Illtyd's war band raided Llancarfan Abbey but the monks pursued them into a bog where "the earth swallowed all of them except Illtyd".  St Cadog reminded Illtud of his religion and the humbled warrior took up a monastic life, founding the abbey at Llanilltud Fawr (Llantwit Major) where in 508, he re-established the monastery school known as Cor Tewdus which was reputedly burnt down by Irish pirates in 446. This monastic complex became a centre of learning, with students studying the Bible, philosophy, science, geometry, rhetoric, grammar and arithmetic. It reputedly had seven halls, 400 houses and more than 2000 students, which included St David, St Patrick, Paul Aurelian, Taliesin, Gildas and Samson.

Illtud himself is said to have been a disciple of Germanus of Auxerre who visited Llanilltud on his mission to Britain. Apart from Llanilltud, there are churches dedicated to him in Breconshire, Glamorgan, Carmarthenshire, Dolgellau, Brittany and on the Gower.  In Merthyr, there are also Holy Wells dedicated to him and the legendary place of his burial is Bedd Gwyl Illtud, Breconshire.  

The final campaign of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd

Victory at The Battle of Moel-y-don on 6th November 1282, delayed Edward I's eventual conquest of Wales.  

In 1272 Edward I had acceded to the throne of England and Llywelyn had consistently refused to pay him tribute. The result was that in 1276, Edward declared Llywelyn a rebel and took prisoner Llywelyn's betrothed wife, Eleanor de Montfort.  Edward marched a huge army into North Wales, aided by Llywelyn's own brother, Dafydd ap Gruffydd. By the summer of 1277, Edward's forces had reached the centre of Gwynedd, where they confiscated the harvest in Anglesey.  Unable to feed his army, Llywelyn was forced to negotiate, resulting in the Treaty of Aberconwy. This treaty guaranteed peace in return for several difficult concessions for Llywelyn;

*  Llywelyn was forced to acknowledge the English king as his sovereign.

*  Llywelyn continued to rule  Gwynedd Uwch Conwy, west of the River Conwy (indicated in green).

*  The Perfeddwlad, east of the Conwy, was divided between Dafydd ap Gruffudd (shown in gold) and areas ceded to the English Crown (shown in red).

*  Eleanor was released and she and Llywelyn were formally married in Worcester in 1278, on the Feast Day of St Edward.

Following the treaty, Dafydd turned against the English and was reconciled with Llywelyn.  The brothers then rebelled, fighting to keep Wales independent, but Edward continued to send armies into Wales and in 1282, a force consisting of 2000 infantrymen and 200 cavalrymen under the former constable of Gascony, Luke de Tany, succeeded in capturing Anglesey. de Tany's men then constructed a bridge of boats across the Menai Strait, to attack Llywelyn from the north.  However as the English crossed, Llywelyn emerged with a large army to meet them and as they attempted to retreat, the English were cut off by the rising tide, with many knights drowning, dragged down by their heavy armour, along with 300 infantrymen.

This military success, coupled with victory at the battle of Llandeilo Fawr in South Wales during which another English army was routed, inflated Welsh morale and delayed Edward's plans. However, Welsh hopes were dashed a few weeks later when Llywelyn was killed at Cilmeri, after leading a foray into mid-Wales to gather support.  

On 6th November 1918, Captain John Fox-Russell from Holyhead was killed in action, serving as a medical officer at Tel-el-Khuwwilfeh, Palestine and subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross. His citation reads;

"For most conspicuous bravery displayed in action until he was killed. Captain Russell repeatedly went out to attend the wounded under murderous fire from snipers and machine-guns, and in many cases, when no other means were at hand, carried them in himself, although almost exhausted. He showed the greatest possible degree of valour."

He had previously been awarded the Military Cross at the First Battle of Gaza.  

Born on this day 1923 in Tonypandy.

Donald Houston - actor, whose first two films The Blue Lagoon (1949) with Jean Simmons and A Run for Your Money (1949) with Sir Alec Guinness, were highly successful.  He would often indulge his Welsh accent, but could also conceal it behind an English public school veneer when required.  His other prominent roles included The Longest Day (1962), Where Eagles Dare (1968) and The Sea Wolves (1981).  Later in his career he appeared in comedies such as the Doctor and Carry On series.  

Born on this day 1528 in Ruthin.

Gabriel Goodman – Dean of Westminster and re-founder of Ruthin School.

He was of wealthy parentage and attended Cambridge University in 1549, later becoming chaplain to Sir William Cecil,  and tutor to William's eldest son Thomas Cecil, Earl of Exeter. He became a senior clergyman in 1559 of St Paul's Cathedral, and in 1562,  when the old Westminster Abbey was reinstituted by Queen Elizabeth I, Goodman was made Dean. During this period, William Morgan who was supervising the printing of the Welsh Bible stayed with Goodman at the Deanery.

In 1574 Goodman returned to Ruthin where he rehoused Ruthin School in a new School-house to the north of St Peter's Church.