On this day, May 4, 1958, artist and illustrator Keith Haring was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. Trained at the School of Visual Arts in New York, Haring was also influenced by his father, a cartoonist. Influenced by popular culture and graffiti, Haring also created illustrations for advertising and for the promotion of causes he felt important. As his work caught on, Haring opened a retail store selling merchandise decorated with his iconic characters. He also created advertising images for Swatch watches and for Absolut vodka.