Role-playing games often use a common set of creatures that are easily recognizeable and have pre-determined traits. Most are based on mythology in some form or other. The Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual contains many of these as well.
... second Summer Olympic Games are held in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Births:
January 5 - Jeane Dixon[?], astrologer (+ 1997)
January 10 - Ray Bolger, actor, singer, ...