ON THIS DAY IN 1912, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “At Pratt Field, New Haven, tomorrow afternoon, Yale and the University of Pennsylvania will meet on the Soccer football gridiron, to decide the inter-collegiate championship of 1912 and the custody of the Milnes trophy donated for competition among the American colleges by Fred Milnes, the captain of the Pilgrim Football Club of England. Yale, with a record of four straight victories to her credit, is a fair favorite, inasmuch as Pennsylvania is charged with one defeat, which was administered by Haverford early in the season, the score on that occasion being two goals to one.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1926, the Eagle reported, “TEHERAN, PERSIA (AP) — A one-time hostler in the stable of the Persian Cossacks now is the ruler of the country. He is Reza Khan Pahlavi and he has been crowned Shah amid scenes of Oriental splendor. Soldier of fortune and bon vivant when he had money, Reza Khan was ambitious. In 1923 he carried out a coup d’etat and ordered the deposition of Shah Ahmed Kajar, who at the time was in Paris, and assumed the role of Premier-Dictator. The new Shah’s father was master of ceremonies under two Shahs. Reza is described as a charming conversationalist, pianist of fine technique, and a witty and well-informed man. At the coronation, Reza’s young son, the Crown Prince, stood at the right side of the peacock throne as the Pahlavi crown was placed upon the head of his father. On the left were arranged the diplomatic corps and ladies of foreign countries. The Shah delivered brief speech and afterward, accompanied by the Crown Prince, drove in state through cheering throngs in the street to his country palace. The city was beautifully decorated for the occasion. Festivities will continue throughout the week. The former Shah, Ahmed Kajar, still is in Paris. He was reported some time ago to have declared that he still remained the legitimate and constitutional sovereign of Persia.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1939, Eagle sports editor Jimmy Wood said, “The Wood Memorial, due at Jamaica Saturday, will prompt many casual racegoers to start their annual calculations on the Kentucky Derby, a week later. Many who don’t know a horse from a hand organ and care less about racing make their one bet of the year on the historic Blue Grass classic. Of course, many who know more about horses than an Arabian horse thief (or think they do) also bet on the Derby. They, too, get busy with their statistics, and the running of the Wood Memorial often enters into their calculations. It might be mentioned that those who don’t know horses and those who think they do frequently wind up with some startling sets of miscalculations.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1953, the Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON, APRIL 25 (U.P.) — The White House today told Russian leaders the free world wants an honorable armistice in Korea and other ‘definite steps’ toward peace and not just Moscow editorials. The White House took note of the official Pravda newspaper ‘Peace’ editorial by saying it may be a ‘first step toward something concrete.’ But the statement then added pointedly: ‘Of course, the Pravda editorial cannot be considered a substitute for an official action by the Soviet leaders.’ Officials said deeds, not words, still are wanted and the Administration’s primary interest centers on Communist willingness to settle the Korean war during new Communist-Allied truce talks opening tomorrow in Korea.”
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Aaron Judge. Photo: Chris O’Meara/AP
NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include actress and comedian Carol Burnett, who was born in 1933; “Father of Disco” Giorgio Moroder, who was born in 1940; “Better Call Saul” star Giancarlo Esposito, who was born in 1958; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Roger Taylor (Duran Duran), who was born in 1960; “The Last Emperor” star Joan Chen, who was born in 1961; “Mad TV” star Debra Wilson, who was born in 1962; “The King of Queens” star Kevin James, who was born in 1965; First Lady Melania Trump, who was born in 1970; “Smallville” star Tom Welling, who
Giancarlo Esposito. Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
was born in 1977; “Castle” star Stana Katic, who was born in 1978; “The Fast and the Furious” star Jordana Brewster, who was born in 1980; “G.I. Joe” star Channing Tatum, who was born in 1980; N.Y. Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who was born in 1992; and “Prey” star Amber Midthunder, who was born in 1997.
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IF YOU BUILD IT: Frederick Law Olmsted was born in Connecticut on this day in 1822. Known as “the father of landscape architecture in America,” he participated in the designing of Yosemite National Park, Central Park, Prospect Park and many others. He died in 1903.
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Melania Trump. Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP
THE NATURAL WORLD:Bernard Malamud was born in Brooklyn on this day in 1914. The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist’s best known works include “The Natural” (1952) and “The Fixer” (1966). The screen version of “The Natural” (1984) is considered one of the best baseball movies ever made. Malamud died in 1986.
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Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.
Quotable:
“It’s almost impossible to be funnier than the people in Washington.” — actress and comedian Carol Burnett, who was born on this day in 1933.
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.
