"In German folklore, Walpurgis Night was believed to be the night of a witches' meeting on the Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz mountains, a range of wooded hills in central Germany. To ward off evil and protect themselves and their livestock, people would traditionally light fires on the hillsides, a tradition that continues in some regions today. In Bavaria, the feast day is sometimes called Hexennacht (Dutch: heksennacht), literally 'Witches' Night,' on which revelers dress as witches and demons, set off fireworks, dance and play loud music, which is said to drive the witches and winter spirits away." (Wikipedia)

April 30 is the birthday of Italian painter FRANCESCO PRIMATICCIO (1504-1570).

Primaticcio "was an Italian Mannerist painter, architect and sculptor who spent most of his career in France ... He made cartoons for tapestry-weavers and, like all 16th-century court artists, was called upon to design elaborate ephemeral decorations for masques and fêtes, which survive only in preparatory drawings and, sometimes, engravings. Francis I trusted his eye and sent him back to Italy on buying trips in 1540 and again in 1545." (Wikipedia)

To see examples of Primaticcio’s art, CLICK HERE.

April 30 is the birthday of German mathematician JOHANN CARL FRIEDRICH GAUSS (1777–1855)

"God does arithmetic."

Gauss "was a German mathematician who contributed significantly to many fields, including number theory, algebra, statistics, analysis, differential geometry, geodesy, geophysics, mechanics, electrostatics, astronomy, matrix theory and optics.

Sometimes referred to as the Princeps mathematicorum ('the Prince of Mathematicians' or 'the foremost of mathematicians') and 'greatest mathematician since antiquity,' Gauss had an exceptional influence in many fields of mathematics and science and is ranked as one of history's most influential mathematicians." (Wikipedia)

April 30 is the birthday of American conductor ROBERT SHAW (1916-1999).

"I think my principle tools now are leading rather than chastising, inspiring rather than dispiriting. I am also grateful for the fact that I don’t have to feel that I am false or phony about it. The music IS worth more than I am. I don’t use inspiration as a tool. I think I am inspired, too. I hope it’s the music speaking through me."

Shaw "was an American conductor most famous for his work with his namesake Chorale, with the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. He was known for drawing public attention to choral music through his wide-ranging influence and mentoring of younger conductors, the high standard of his recordings, his support for racial integration in his choruses, and his support for modern music, winning many awards throughout his career." (Wikipedia)

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: On April 30, 1904, the LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION WORLD'S FAIR opened in St. Louis, Missouri.

"More than 60 countries and 43 of the 45 American states maintained exhibition spaces at the fair, which was attended by nearly 19.7 million people. Historians generally emphasize the prominence of themes of race and empire, and the fair's long-lasting impact on intellectuals in the fields of history, art history, architecture and anthropology. From the point of view of the memory of the average person who attended the fair, it primarily promoted entertainment, consumer goods and popular culture." (Wikipedia)

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: On April 30, 1939, NBC inaugurated its regularly scheduled television service in New York City with a broadcast of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's N.Y. World's Fair opening day ceremonial address.