MILESTONES: January 16, birthdays for Lin-Manuel Miranda, Albert Pujols, Joe Flacco

January 16, 2018 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Lin-Manuel Miranda. Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

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Greetings, Brooklyn. Today is the 16th day of the year.

On this day in 1861, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle front page reported in length on the grand opening of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), including transcriptions of speeches that some of the city’s leading citizens made that night. Calling BAM an opera house, the speakers emphasized its mission to promote music. The opening program was billed as a two-night event, with tickets being honored both nights. Repertoire included opera excerpts by Mozart, Verdi, Donizetti, Bellini, Flotow and Weber. The BAM opera house was built at 176-94 Montague St., on the south side of this four-block stretch where an apartment building, the Fresh Start supermarket and banks sit today. After a 1903 fire burned down the original BAM, a new building was proposed for Fort Greene, which opened in 1908.

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On this day in 1919, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle front page reported on the ratification of the 18th Amendment that began Prohibition (see below). The 18th Amendment, which Congress had passed in December 1917, prohibited the “manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes.” Several states’ legislatures had also voted themselves dry. Later that year, Congress passed the Volstead Act, which stepped up enforcement of Prohibition, even creating a special department within the Treasury Department. However, they proved ineffectual, not only failing to stop the distribution of liquor but actually giving rise to organized crime. Prohibition was eventually repealed with the 21st Amendment in 1933.

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On this day in 1920, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle front page reported on the opening meeting of the League of Nations in Paris. Conspicuously absent was the man who had conceived of this association of sovereign states that would work to prevent future wars. The League of Nations had been U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s brainchild, but Congress defeated any participation by the United States. Also on that front page was the defeat of French Premier Georges Clemenceau in his country’s elections by a joint caucus and the expulsion of Brooklynite Charles Solomon from the New York State Assembly, on the grounds that he was a socialist. He denied that he was under influence of Socialist Party dictatorship or that he was a radical who advocated for violence.

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On this day in 1955, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle front page reported on the proposed construction of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to connect Brooklyn and Staten Island. Described as a $220,000,000 12-lane colossus,” the span was at the time called only the Narrows Bridge. A large space on the front page was dedicated to a map showing the approaches and connections to the bridge. The proposed completion date was Jan. 1, 1960. However, construction didn’t actually begin until 1959, and the bridge’s upper level finally opened in November 1964. The lower level opened 4 1/2 years later. The structure was named for Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, but was missing the second “z” of his name. It was considered one of city planner Robert Moses’ major achievements.

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NOTABLE PEOPLE born on this day include dancer, singer, actress and choreographer DEBBIE ALLEN, who was born in 1950; director JOHN CARPENTER, who was born in 1948; football player JOE FLACCO, who was born in 1985; former auto racer A.J. FOYT JR., who was born in 1935; opera singer MARILYN HORNE, who was born in 1934; author WILLIAM KENNEDY, who was born in 1928; TV personality JAMES MAY, who was born in 1963; former baseball player JACK McDOWELL, who was born in 1966; country singer RONNIE MILSAP, who was born in 1944; composer, lyricist and performer LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, who was born in 1980; model and designer KATE MOSS, who was born in 1974; and baseball player ALBERT PUJOLS, who was born in 1980.

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DIZZY DEAN WAS BORN ON THIS DAY IN 1911. The major league pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and Hall of Fame member was born in Lucas, Arizona. Following his baseball career, Dean established himself as a radio and TV sports announcer and commentator, becoming famous for his innovative delivery. “He slud into third,” reported Dizzy, who on another occasion explained that “Me and Paul [baseball player brother Paul “Daffy” Dean] … didn’t get much education.” He died in Nevada in 1974.

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TODAY IS APPRECIATE A DRAGON DAY. It is a day to celebrate the many dragons in popular literature. It is a great opportunity for libraries — public and school — to create activities where children can share their enthusiasm for the dragon of their choice.

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GEN. DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER ASSUMED COMMAND ON THIS DAY IN 1944. Eisenhower arrived in London to assume command of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe. Having demonstrated his organizational abilities in North Africa as well as his strength as an arbitrator of inter-Allied rivalries, Eisenhower was charged with the most far-reaching push of the war: the invasion of France.

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TODAY IS NATIONAL NOTHING DAY. Created by newspaperman Harold Pullman Coffin in 1973, it was developed “to provide Americans with one national day when they can just sit without celebrating, observing or honoring anything.”

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THE GULF WAR BEGAN ON THIS DAY IN 1991. Allied forces launched a major air offensive against Iraq to begin the Gulf War. The strike was designed to destroy Iraqi air defenses and command, control and communication centers. As Desert Shield became Desert Storm, the world was able to see and hear for the first time an initial engagement of war as CNN broadcasters, stationed at Baghdad, covered the attack live.

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TODAY IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 18TH AMENDMENT. When Nebraska became the 36th state to ratify the Prohibition amendment, the 18th Amendment became part of the U.S. Constitution in 1919. Exactly one year later the 18th Amendment took effect and the sale of alcoholic beverages became illegal in the U.S., with the Volstead Act providing for enforcement. This was the first time that an amendment to the Constitution dealt with a social issue.

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Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.

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“It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out; it’s the grain of sand in your shoe.” — poet Robert W. Service, who was born on this day in 1874