On this day... November 2

In 1913, Burly Burt Lancaster was born in New York. At 17, he joined a circus and formed an acrobatic act with Nick Cravat, who later joined him in several swashbuckling adventures. His circus experience came in useful when he played a daring young man in “Trapeze.” And contrary to his popular image, actress Jeanne Moreau claims he is an extremely thoughtful actor. According to her, he won’t even pick up an ashtray in a scene without spending two hours discussing “Why?”

— from Today’s the Day! By Jeremy Beadle

• In 1947, the first and only flight of Howard Hughes’ “Spruce Goose” flying boat occurred in Long Beach Harbor, California. It flew about a mile at an altitude of 70 feet. Costing $25 million, the 200-ton plywood eight-engine Hercules was the world’s largest airplane, designed, built and flown by Hughes. It later became a tourist attraction alongside the Queen Mary ship at Long Beach and has since been moved to Oregon.

— from Today’s the Day! By Jeremy Beadle

In Christian history

• In 1164, Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, 45, began a six-year self-imposed exile in France. A then close friend of England’s Henry II, Thomas later became an outspoken opponent of the king’s royal policies. — www.studylight.org

In the Philippines

• In 1960, Julio Nakpil, a Filipino composer who also fought during Philippine revolution died at the age of 93. Julio served as a commander for revolutionary troops in the north of Manila under Andres Bonifacio. His experience in the battlefield earned him the task of securing, purchasing and watching over the funds and weapons of the Katipunan. Julio, who educated himself at home and eventually learned how to play the piano, made compositions which were inspired directly by the Revolution. One of his compositions ”Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan” was a candidate for the Philippine national anthem that eventually went to Julian Felipe’s “Lupang Hinirang” composition. Julio, who later became a piano teacher, composed his first short polka piece for the piano, called “Cefiro,” in 1888. This was followed with other pieces such as “Ilang-Ilang,” “Recuerdos de Capiz,” “Pahimakas,” “Pasig Pantayanin,” and “Biyak-na-Bato,” to name a few. Julio spent his remaining years in creating compositions and writing his memoirs of the Philippine Revolution. Notably, he received awards like a diploma and bronze medal from the Exposition of Hanoi in 1902, a diploma and silver medal from the St. Louis International Exposition in the U.S. in 1904, and a medal and citation from the Civic Assembly of Women in 1954. In 1963, he was given a posthumous award by the Bonifacio Centennial Commission in recognition of his patriotism. In 1964, a memoir entitled “Julio Nakpil and the Philippine Revolution” was published by his heirs. At present, the house of Julio and wife Gregoria is known as “Bahay Nakpil” in Quiapo, with Spanish style architecture, and serves as a museum. — www.kahimyang.com

In Cebu

• In1816, the Caretta Hospital, otherwise known as the Hospital de Lazarinos, was founded by Bishop Joaquin Encabo de Sopetran and put under the charge of the Recollects.

? In1835, a Bishop’s decree confirmed the establishment of Catmon, Cebu as a parish. It was thus separated from the jurisdiction of Danao. — from Cebuano Studies Center, University of San Carlos