On September 1, 1878, Emma M. Nutt became the first female telephone operator. Thus, today is Emma M. Nutt Day.

Interestingly enough, particularly for those of you who remember Rowan & Martin's Laugh In, Sunday is also the birthday of Lily Tomlin. (She turns 74 Sunday.)

Among the memorable characters created by Ms. Tomlin for Laugh In was Ernestine, the telephone operator.

Coincidence? We think not.

Now repeat after us: "One ringy-dingy... two ringy-dingies...."

Sunday is also National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day. There's no rhyme nor reason why this should be so. September 1 is also Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day, but we're not sure if this is a microminiholidayette for persons who dream up (and impose) building codes, for building inspectors, or whether this day is intended for building maintenance staff (usually called "building engineers" in these parts). Take your pick.

We are sure that, in addition to Lily Tomlin, Sunday is the birthday of singers Gloria Estefan (she turns 56) and Archie Bell (of Archie Bell and the Drells -- "we don't only sing, but we dance just as good as we want"). Archie Bell turns 69 Sunday.

Sunday is also the the anniversary of the birth of author Edgar Rice Burroughs (born September 1, 1875). You may not immediately recognize the name, even when we give you the hint that he provided inspiration for some of our most revered science fiction authors, such as Robert Heinlein, Larry Niven, and Philip José Farmer. Perhaps you'll remember John Carter, Warlord of Mars? (Or as Burroughs named it, Barsoom?) Still not registering?

Well, alright, we'll give you the reason why Burroughs' name seems vaguely familiar: He invented a character called Tarzan. Even the horrible Bo Derek movie, Tarzan the Ape Man, couldn't destroy Tarzan's place in popular culture.