ON THIS DAY IN 1876, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle said, “On the Fourth of July there will be more marriages than on any one day in the last hundred years. The time has been set apart for a long period, and anxious grooms and pretty brides have denied themselves an earlier union simply because of the fact that the day which is to be celebrated so soon is a day too full of memories and likely to be too notable to be missed. Patriotism will well up in every heart and make generous every nature. It will stir the breasts of the clergy as it will the souls of the most hardened among laymen, and the marriage bells will cost less than at any other time because there will be no need of any extra ringing.”
✰✰✰
ON THIS DAY IN 1914, the Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON, JUNE 27 — Action on President Wilson’s nominations for the Federal Reserve Board will be taken by the Banking and Currency Committee next Thursday, and Senator Hitchcock, acting head of the committee, hopes a vote can be obtained on the five names at that time. Sub-committees appointed to examine the qualifications of each of the five nominees are expected to conclude their labors before the Thursday meeting. It is believed the nominees will be approved by the committee and later confirmed by the Senate.”
✰✰✰
ON THIS DAY IN 1926, the Eagle reported, “The nation at the behest of President Coolidge rang in Independence Week at exactly 11:11 o’clock this morning. When the President set the bell tolling in the White House, it was echoed throughout the country by the ringing of bells on churches and city buildings. The din of thousands of motorists, sounding their horns, added to the celebration, which will continue until July 4, the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. At Boro Hall, Boro President Guider pushed a button on his desk and the crowd on the steps removed their hats and stood silently while the band played the National Anthem. Then Mr. Guider and Surrogate Wingate stepped into the flag-draped box and addressed the audience.”
✰✰✰
ON THIS DAY IN 1927, the Eagle reported, “LONDON, JUNE 10 (AP) — An eighth of an inch has been chopped off British cigarettes since Winston Churchill tacked a few pence on to the tobacco tax as an aid in budget balancing. Popular brands are still sold at 20 for a shilling, and the fact that they had been shortened was not known generally until revelations were made in the House of Commons by Labor members, who have opposed the tobacco levy in their fight for a free breakfast table.”
✰✰✰
ON THIS DAY IN 1931, the Eagle reported, “The old Bedford section, now described as Central Brooklyn, is on the verge of a strong real estate revival, according to prominent realty men and bankers of the borough, who have watched the trend of the real estate market in the city for many years. Operation of the upper Fulton St. subway, but a few months away, and expected success of the transit unification plan, say the realtors, will strengthen land values, create a demand for modern business buildings and apartment houses, and transform a large area of the district into one of the busiest and most prosperous sections of the city.”
✰✰✰
ON THIS DAY IN 1939, the Eagle reported, “Thirteen members of the Yankees’ 1927 championship team, called by many the greatest baseball team of all time, have accepted invitations to participate in ‘Lou Gehrig Day’ on July 4 at Yankee Stadium. They are Wally Pipp, first baseman whom Gehrig replaced; Bob Shawkey, Tony Lazzeri, Mark Koenig, Joe Dugan, Bob Meusel, Wally Schang, Waite Hoyt, Herb Pennock, Babe Ruth, Benny Bengough, Earle Combs and Everett Scott.”
✰✰✰
ON THIS DAY IN 1950, the Eagle reported, “Ed McIlveney, star halfback for the Philadelphia Nationals and at present playing with the U.S. World Cup in Brazil, will offer some consolation to the Manchester United for the desertion of [Charlie] Mitten. He has signed with the English club and will join it on his return from Rio de Janeiro. The U.S. team, after suffering a far from humiliating 3-1 defeat by Spain in the opening rounds of the World Cup, will face the great All-England team tomorrow and Sunday will play Chile.”
✰✰✰
Mel Brooks. Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include Oscar-winning filmmaker Mel Brooks, who was born in Brooklyn in 1926; Super Bowl V MVP Chuck Howley, who was born in 1936; actor and impressionist John Byner, who was born in 1938; former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who was born in 1938; former N.Y. Yankees pitcher Al Downing, who was born in 1941; “X-Men” star Bruce Davison, who was born in 1946; Oscar-winning actress Kathy Bates, who was born in
Kathy Bates. Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
1948; “Star Trek: First Contact” star Alice Krige, who was born in 1954; Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway, who was born in 1960; former major league first baseman Mark Grace, who was born in 1964; “Some Kind of Wonderful” star Mary Stuart Masterson, who was born in 1966; “Ally McBeal” star Gil Bellows, who was born in 1967; “All in the Family” star Danielle Brisebois, who was born in Brooklyn in 1969; entrepreneur Elon Musk, who was born in 1971; singer and actress Kellie Pickler, who was born in 1986; and L.A. Clippers guard Bradley Beal, who was born in 1993.
✰✰✰
A WORLD IN CRISIS:Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo on this day in 1914. The assassination is considered the immediate cause of World War
Elon Musk. Photo: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
I. The Treaty of Versailles, which ended the war, was signed in 1919 on the fifth anniversary of their deaths.
✰✰✰
FIGHTING BACK: The Stonewall riot began on this day in 1969. Early in the morning, the clientele of a Manhattan gay bar, the Stonewall Inn, rioted after the club was raided by police. The riot was followed by several days of demonstrations. It is recognized today as the start of the gay liberation movement.
✰✰✰
Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.
Quotable:
“Humor is just another defense against the universe.” — filmmaker Mel Brooks, who was born on this day in 1926.
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.
