Today’s WOTD – 17 October 2012

bereft

adjective

1. deprived of or lacking (something). For example: her room was stark and bereft of colour.

2. (of a person) sad and lonely, especially through someone’s death or departure. For example: His death in 1990 left her bereft.

Origin: late 16th century; archaic past-tense of bereave.

Today’s aphorism

‘To me business isn’t about wearing suits or pleasing stockholders. It’s about being true to yourself, your ideas and focusing on the essentials’.

Sir Richard Branson

On this day

17 October 1901 – U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues an Executive Order changing name of the ‘Executive Mansion’ to the ‘White House’.

17 October 1989 – Mother Teresa awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

17 October 2010 – Mary McKillop is canonised by Pope Benedict XVI, becoming Australia’s first saint.

17 October 2011 – Richard Branson, of Virgin Group, opens the world’s first commercial space-port, which he has based in Mexico. The first commercial launch is expected in 2013.