ON THIS DAY IN 1926, Brooklyn Daily Eagle columnist Frederick Boyd Stevenson said, “Col. Robert Starr Allyn and other members of the Army Reserve Corps residing in New York City are very sincere in their offer to augment the police force by giving their services free of any cost whatsoever. While that is an entirely new proposition in this country, it has been successfully carried out in countries of Europe. After the close of the Great War a notable example of reserve army officers aiding the police in maintaining order was given in Budapest, Hungary. The lawless element predominated in that city and 6,000 trained soldiers of the Reserve Corps were called into service and quickly brought order out of disorder. A former officer of the Hungarian Army who served in Budapest in the capacity just mentioned informs me that the plan worked out in a very satisfactory manner. Why don’t we give it a trial here?”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1926, the Eagle reported, “The thud of the booted pigskin. There’s a thrill in the sound. Already it is being heard on the college practice gridirons. Where practice is under official ban until September, when college opens, there is nothing to prevent the ambitious youngster from getting the feel of the pigskin. Football is in the air, August though it still be, and in scarcely a month the first gridiron battle will be staged. Sept. 18 is the official opening day, but to the football fan the season is not truly opened until 2 weeks later. Then comes Saturday, Oct. 2. Harvard plays little Geneva on this date; Princeton tackles Amherst, no easy assignment for the Tiger, and Yale plays Boston U. It is on this day that the dyed-in-the-wool fan gets down the coonskin coat, carries a protective slicker on one arm, his best girl on the other, and off they go to the football game.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1945, the Eagle reported, “Brooklyn led all boroughs in enlistments, inductions and percentage of city personnel supplied to the world’s mightiest fighting force, a report of Col. Arthur V. McDermott, city director of Selective Service, disclosed today. Up to July 1, the report said, the borough had contributed 91,707 enlistments and 232,328 inductions, representing 36.3 percent of the 891,923 men joining the armed forces from the entire city. While fourth in total standing, Queens was first in percentage of population in service with 12.2 percent. Queens enlistments were 55,681 and inductions 103,215, a total of 158,896.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1946, the Eagle reported, “Beside a bed in the army’s Halloran General Hospital, Staten Island, today, a Brooklyn teacher sat asking questions and writing out replies. In the bed lay a Brooklyn youth, answering the queries in a steady, confident voice. Sgt. William C. Wayne, of Sterling Place, was taking his English regents examination, completing the high school education he thought he had left behind forever when he joined the army three years ago. He was one of more than 200 soldiers, both GIs and officers, enrolled in the Board of Education’s unique new high school for wounded and injured war heroes still under treatment at the hospital. Like the others, he was enthusiastic about going back to school. ‘This school is the best thing they could have over here,’ he said. ‘It keeps your mind occupied ― and you can never get enough education. A high school diploma means a hell of a lot when you’re looking for a job these days.’ Sergeant Wayne is among 50 percent of the school’s soldier students who have classes and examinations brought to their bedsides. He served in India, Iran and Italy, and was safely on his way home last April when injured in a shipboard accident. At Halloran he is waiting for the results of a spinal operation which he hopes will restore full use of his legs, partially impaired by the accident.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1950, the Eagle reported, “City Council President Vincent R. Impellitteri will begin his new Mayoralty duties unofficially today when he takes over Mayor O’Dwyer’s desk at City Hall under the latter’s guidance. O’Dwyer said he expects to confer daily for the next week or so with Impellitteri, who will take over as Acting Mayor on Sept. 1 ― the day following O’Dwyer’s scheduled exit to become American Ambassador to Mexico. The retiring Mayor yesterday told reporters he will give Impellitteri any information he desires, particularly about various city programs under way. ‘That will be Mr. Impellitteri’s desk from now on,’ said O’Dwyer, pointing to the desk he himself has occupied since Jan. 1, 1946.”
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Kristen Wiig Evan Agostini/Invision/APDua Lipa Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Annie Proulx, who was born in 1935; Baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, who was born in 1939; Pro Football Hall of Famer Bill Parcells, who was born in 1941; “The Sopranos” creator David Chase, who was born in 1945; Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, who was born in 1956; Living Colour founder Vernon Reid, who was born in 1958; Tears for Fears co-founder Roland Orzabal, who was born in 1961; “Crucify” singer Tori Amos, who was born in 1963; Wu-Tang Clan co-founder GZA, who was born in Brooklyn in 1966; “Modern Family” star Ty Burrell, who was born in 1967; National Review editor-in-chief Rich Lowry, who was born in 1968; chef and TV personality Giada De Laurentiis, who was born in 1970; former “Saturday Night Live” star Kristen Wiig, who was born in 1973; and “Don’t Start Now” singer Dua Lipa, who was born in 1995.
GZA Amy Harris/Invision/AP
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OUR WITS ABOUT US: Dorothy Parker was born on this day in 1893. The acclaimed poet, critic and author was known as “the wittiest woman in America.” Parker wrote for Vanity Fair, The New Yorker and other top periodicals, and was one of the founders of the elite literary group the Algonquin Round Table. Strong but subtle critiques of sexism were prevailing themes in her works, along with critiques of other forms of social inequality. She died in 1967.
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FACE THE FUTURE: Ray Bradbury was born on this day in 1920. The Illinois native was one of the preeminent science fiction/fantasy writers of the 20th century. His body of work, which critiqued social mores and depicted the consequences of unfettered technology, is considered timeless and transcends generations. Notable works include “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” “The Body Electric” and “Fahrenheit 451.” He died in 2012.
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Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.
Quotable:
“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”
— writer Ray Bradbury, who was born on this day in 1920
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
