ON THIS DAY IN 1901, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “Madison Square Garden will be the mecca of the bicycle racers this summer. Arrangements have been just completed by P. T. Powers and James C. Kennedy to conduct meets throughout the season. A track will be laid that will permit a speed as great as that obtainable on any outdoor course and races will be held at least twice a week during the next three months. A night meet will take place once a week, probably on Monday nights, while a matinee of races will be scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Provision has been made for the comfort of the spectators. The glass roof of the vast amphitheater will be removed. While the races are on, every window in the building will be opened and several hundred immense whizzing electric fans will keep the atmosphere as cool as that of a seaside resort.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1906, the Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON — Characterizing the conditions in the packing houses as ‘revolting,’ ‘unclean’ and ‘dangerous to health,’ the President today, in a special message to Congress, endeavored to break down the opposition to the passage of the Beveridge meat inspection bill. With the message was the Neill-Reynolds report of the horrors they observed in Packingtown, the discussion of which has convulsed the country for the past week. The President plainly stated that his message was sent to force immediate action, it being imperative for the sake of decency that a radical change be ordered at once in the methods of handling meat products. There is a threat, also, in the communication that if the object of this inspection is defeated by the enemies of the public, the President will withdraw government inspection of meats for export, thereby destroying the foreign trade of the packers. The reading of the President’s message proceeded in profound silence, and there was no demonstration of any kind at its conclusion.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1922, the Eagle reported, “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in explanation of his performance at the magicians’ dinner Friday, sent the following letter to Harry Houdini: ‘My Dear Houdini — My cinema interlude upon the occasion of the magicians’ dinner should, I think, be explained, now that its purpose was fulfilled. The purpose was, simply, to provide a little mystification to those who have so often and so successfully mystified others. In presenting my moving dinosaurs I had to walk very warily in my speech, so as to preserve the clamor and yet say nothing which I could not justify as literally true. But I was emphatic that it was not occult and only psychic, in so far as all things human come from a man’s spirit. It was pre-natural in the sense that it was not nature as we know it; all my others were, as I think you will agree, within the actual facts. The dinosaurs and other monsters have been constructed by pure cinema, but of the highest kind, and are being used for the ‘Lost World’ picture, which represents pre-historic life upon a South American plateau. Having such material at hand and being allowed by the courtesy of Mr. Watterson Rothendres to use it, I could not resist the temptation to surprise your associates and guests. I am sure they will forgive me if for a few short hours I had them guessing. And now, Mr. Chairman, confidence begets confidence, and I want to know how you got out of that trunk.’”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1932, the Eagle reported, “PHILADELPHIA — Yesterday’s game in which the Yankees trimmed the Athletics 20 to 13 was memorable in more ways than one. Its most striking feature was the havoc that Lou Gehrig played with the Athletic pitching talent when he hit four consecutive homers, tying the all-time record for home runs made in one game. Only Bobby Lowe and Ed Delahanty had accomplished such a feat and that was years ago.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1944, the Eagle reported, “Pensive failed, Platter broke down — and Bounding Home was the winner! In 2:23.1, the slowest time since 1933. There’s the outcome of the historic Belmont Stakes, the big race for the three-year-olds. Given the smoothest of all possible rides by Gayle Smith, William Zeigler Jr.’s son of Epino out of Marching Home by John P. Grier beat Pensive by three quarters of a length with the absolute outsider Bull Dandy in third place and the winner of the Withers, Who Goes There, a distant fourth. Bounding Home paid $34.70 for $2.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1950, the Eagle reported, “‘The Asphalt Jungle,’ John Huston’s new film, opens Thursday at the Capitol with Marilyn Monroe and Louis Calhern among the principals.”
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Horatio Sanz. Photo: Rich Fury/Invision/AP
NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include “Coming Home” star Bruce Dern, who was born in 1936; former Daily News publisher Mortimer Zuckerman, who was born in 1937; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Michelle Phillips (The Mamas and the Papas), who was born in 1944; former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, who was born in 1953; “Greenleaf” star Keith David, who was born in 1956; “Nite and Day” singer Al B. Sure!, who was born in 1968; “Party of Five” star Scott Wolf, who was born in 1968; former “Saturday Night Live” star Horatio Sanz, who was born in 1969; “ER” star
Bar Refaeli. Photo: Joel Ryan/Invision/AP
Noah Wyle, who was born in 1971; Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie, who was born in 1975; “Gotham” star Robin Lord Taylor, who was born in 1978; model and actress Bar Refaeli, who was born in 1985; Paramore drummer Zac Farro, who was born in 1990; and “Total Eclipse” star Mackenzie Ziegler, who was born in 2004.
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DIRECT HIT: The Battle of Midway began on this day in 1942. A Japanese task force attempted to capture Midway Island in the Central Pacific, but American bombers from the island and from two nearby aircraft carriers sent the enemy into retreat. The Japanese lost four carriers, two large cruisers and three destroyers. Midway was one of the most decisive naval battles of World War II. Japan never regained its margin in carrier strength, and the Central Pacific was made safe for American troops.
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Angelina Jolie. Photo: Joel C. Ryan/Invision/AP
ROME FREE:Rome was liberated on this day in 1944. The U.S. 9th Army, commanded by General Mark Clark, entered the southern suburbs of Rome as the last of the German rear guard retreated from Mussolini’s former capital. Fearful of a last-ditch effort by the Germans to hold the city, the populace remained behind closed doors as Clark’s forces entered the Eternal City.
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Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.
Quotable:
“A lesson taught with humor is a lesson retained.” — Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who was born on this day in 1928.
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.
