Russell Harvard was born on this day (April 16, 1981) in Pasadena. Harvard has made his mark in both film and stage. The Austin, Texas native grew up deaf, communicating in ASL and lip-reading. Harvard’s mother was born deaf and did not learn sign until she was six years old. After playing roles in stage productions at Gallaudet University such as Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing , Harvard has had parts in CBS’ CSI: New York  with Marlee Matlin and in Deaf West Theatre’s

It was on this day (April 15) in 1817 that the American School for the Deaf, the oldest permanent public school for the deaf, opened its doors. Founded by Laurent Clerc and Thomas Gallaudet, the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut is more than 200 years old. Read more about the school here . Meanwhile, the New York School for the Deaf also was established that day on April 15, 1817. They open its doors in 1818.

It was on this date, April 8, 1864, that President Abraham Lincoln signed the charter to establish what became Gallaudet University.