Now that we’re into the cover year for the latest edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac—that would be 2021, natch!—it’s a good time to address one of the most frequently asked questions about the Almanac and its cover. And now is an even better time because today—January 17—happens to be Ben Franklin’s birthday!
The familiar yellow cover of The Old Farmer’s Almanac is based on a series of small wood carvings depicting the four seasons that appear on the cover’s four corners. In the center, you’ll notice two portraits—at the right is our founder, Robert B. Thomas, and on the left is Benjamin Franklin.
People often wonder why Franklin appears on our cover, and the answer is actually very simple: While Franklin might be best known as an inventor and respected statesman, he’s also the father of the modern almanac.
In 1732, he began to publish Poor Richard’s Almanack under the pseudonym of Richard Saunders. There were many almanacs available at the time, but his format was unique, offering weather forecasts, home remedies, household advice, humorous anecdotes, and puzzles. While Poor Richard’s Almanack ceased publication with its 1758 edition, it did inspire a host of other “farmers’ almanacs” including, in 1792, the annual periodical that would become The Old Farmer’s Almanac (we wouldn’t add the “Old” permanently until 1848, but that’s a story for another day.)
Today, Benjamin Franklin appears on the cover of The Old Farmer’s Almanac in homage to the man whose ingenuity and wit helped to pave the way for our book today. Thank you, Ben, and happy birthday!
The story of Franklin’s famous key-on-kite lightning experiment is absolutely true! Also true: Franklin’s wit and wisdom is full of timeless truths!
Speaking of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, with winter in full swing, take a look at what the Almanac is forecasting for your area.
Have you picked up your copy of The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac yet? If not, now’s the perfect time to get yours while supporting a local bookseller!
In his later years, Franklin was a vocal abolitionist, and in 1787, he became the president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. Franklin would pass away in 1790, long before the 13th Amendment was adopted in 1865. While this groundbreaking addition to the Constitution officially abolished slavery, the practice continued in different forms, under different names, for many decades.
Of course, the end of slavery—by any name—was just the beginning of the fight for civil rights and to end racism, the work on which continues today. Tomorrow—January 18, 2021—we celebrate the struggle and sacrifice of one of the movement’s original leaders, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the only person born in the United States whose birthday (January 15) is commemorated with a federal holiday.
As sure as the Sun will rise and set each day, The Old Farmer’s Almanac is here for you, now and always.
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