ON THIS DAY IN 1890, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “The Westchester County wheelmen have invited the members of the Brooklyn bicycle club to accompany them on a ride from Glen Island to Rye Beach, on the sound. Those of the Brooklyn club who go will leave the club house at 8:30 A.M. for the Glen Island boat. They meet the Westchester county riders at New Rochelle and will leave their company at the same place on their way home several hours later. The ride to Rye Beach is sixteen miles and the entire distance will be done on wheels both ways.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1894, the Eagle reported, “ALBANY, N.Y. — The Second and the Sixth district’s contested seat cases have been closed, so far as the submission of briefs by counsel and the presentation of testimony are concerned. The closing arguments in the Second district were made last evening before the committee on privileges and elections of the constitutional convention, Lawyer George Mallory appearing for the contestants and William H. Cochran of Brooklyn, of the sitting Democratic delegation, representing himself and associates from the district Mr. Mallory elaborated the allegation about padded registry lists and illegal voting. Mr. Cochran confined his arguments mainly to answering the statements put forward by the contestants’ counsel. The committee will meet probably on Tuesday, and hope to be able to agree upon reports in both the Second and Sixth district cases at an early day.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1914, the Eagle reported, “LONDON — Glimmers of hope flickered in the darkened sky of European politics today and the wish was general that the efforts of the great European Powers to avert a clash of arms which might involve many nations would be successful. While all the powers were preparing for possible eventualities, their statesmen, with Sir Edward Grey, the British foreign secretary, at their head, were endeavoring to bring together the governments at issue with a view to mediation. At the Servian legations in London, the view was held that some improvement had taken place in the situation, and this was attributed to the influence exercised by Russia. Alexander Georgevitch, the first secretary, said: ‘We have complied with everything that does not impair our sovereign rights. We hope that Austria-Hungary, in the interests of peace, will recognize that consideration is due to an independent state and so avert war. If, however, Austria-Hungary wants war, she will have seen that we are prepared to accept it in the interests of the dignity of our state.’ The fact that Austrian ambassadors abroad were willing to discuss the controversial points with foreign governments, and especially with Russia, led to the belief that an outlet for the deadlock would be found.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1927, the Eagle reported, “Persons close to Warner Brothers Pictures are authority for the statement that Warner Brothers will show a profit this year. It is not known at this time how much the profit will be but it is quite definite that the red ink figures will not appear again this year. Improved earnings are the result of the Vitaphone development, it is said.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1939, the Eagle reported, “The New York Football Giants are being flooded with signed contracts as the date to start training draws closer. John V. Mara, president of the National Football League champions, today announced that he had received five in the past few days, bringing the total now under contract to 28 players.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1953, the Eagle reported, “COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (U.P.) — Dizzy Dean, the last major league pitcher to win 30 games in a season, and Al Simmons, a two-time American League batting champion, were officially enshrined as ‘immortals’ today in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and museum. Both were expected to make brief speeches after George M. Trautman, president of the minor leagues, unveiled their individual plaques. The entrance of Dean and Simmons increases the Hall of Fame membership to 64.”
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Maya Rudolph. Photo: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include “Ode to Billie Joe” singer Bobbie Gentry, who was born in 1942; “Knots Landing” star John Pleshette, who was born in 1942; “Hill Street Blues” star Betty Thomas, who was born in 1947; figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Peggy Fleming, who was born in 1948; “The Morning After” singer Maureen McGovern, who was born in 1949; “Chicago Hope” star Roxanne Hart, who was born in 1952; comedian and writer Carol
Max Scherzer. Photo: Aaron Doster/AP
Leifer, who was born in 1956; former “Saturday Night Live” star Maya Rudolph, who was born in 1972; former N.Y. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who was born in 1975; former N.Y. Mets pitcher Max Scherzer, who was born in 1984; “Orange is the New Black” star Taylor Schilling, who was born in 1984; and golf champion Jordan Spieth, who was born in 1993.
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ACROSS THE SEA:The Atlantic Telegraph cable was laid on this day in 1866. Having started from Valentia, Ireland, on July 7, 1866, the Great Eastern steamship successfully laid a submarine cable at Heart’s Content, Newfoundland, Canada. This cable provided transatlantic communication and followed almost-successful efforts in 1858 and 1865.
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Taylor Schilling. Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
NEVER FORGET: The Korean War Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., on this day in 1995. More than 36,000 Americans died in the war, which lasted from June 1950 to July 1953. Of these, 8,200 are listed as missing in action or lost or buried at sea.
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Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.
Quotable:
“It was Brooklyn against the world. They were not only complete fanatics, but they knew baseball like the fans of no other city. It was exciting to play there.” — Baseball Hall of Famer Leo Durocher, who was born on this day in 1905.
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.
