This day in history: 31 Aug

1939: A small German force led by SS-Sturmbannfuehrer Alfred Naujocks staged an attack on the radio station at Gleiwitz, Oberschlesien (now part of Poland). This was one of 21 incidents carried out that night along the German-Polish border, all intended to make it look as if Poland had attacked Germany.

And happy birthday to Amilcare Ponchielli (1834-1886), Alma Mahler Gropius Werfel (1879-1964) - a name well known to Tom Lehrer fans - and James Coburn (1928-2002).