9 th June

1791 John Howard Payne was born.

1892 Cole Porter was born.

1935 The Jonkers Diamond was sent by transatlantic mail.

This is the day when, in 1935, the fabulous, 700-plus-carat Jonkers Diamond was safely transported across the Atlantic. It was mailed from England to the United States for thir - ty-five cents postage.

This is John Howard Payne’s birthday. He was born on this date in 1791 in New York City. Payne was the author of dozens of plays and an actor of some repute, but most people only remember his one claim to fame. Payne wrote the song “Home Sweet Home.”

Cole Porter was born on this date in 1893 in Pern, Indiana. His Broadway hits were innumerable: his lyrics were sophisticated; his music was catchy and clever. Merely reciting the titles of some of his songs provides an upbeat rhythm of its own: “Anything Goes,” “Just One of Those Things,” “Don’t Fence Me In,” “Wake Up and Dream,” and “You’re the Top.”