August 16: ON THIS DAY IN 1935, Will Rogers killed in plane crash
ON THIS DAY IN 1935, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “Seattle, Aug. 16 (AP) — Will Rogers, cowboy philosopher, actor and air travel enthusiast and Wiley Post, who circled the earth alone in a plane, were killed last night when their plane crashed 15 miles south of Point Barrow in northernmost Alaska … Post and Rogers had been entertained in Fairbanks for several days while their plane was being serviced.” President [Franklin] Roosevelt said, “I was shocked to hear of the tragedy which has taken Will Rogers and Wiley Post from us. Will was an old friend of mine, a humorist and philosopher beloved by all. I had the pleasure of greeting Mr. Post on his return from his round-the-world flight. He leaves behind a splendid contribution to the science of aviation. Both were outstanding Americans and will be greatly missed.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1903, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “Joseph Pulitzer has provided the sum of $2,000,000 to establish a school of journalism at Columbia University, this city. A new building will be erected on Morningside Heights, Manhattan, at a cost of $500,000 for the school, which will hold toward the university a relation similar to that of the other professional schools, such as the law school, the school of medicine and the school of mines, and like them will be national in scope.” It was also reported, “Both Mr. Pulitzer and Columbia University recognize that with the establishment of a school of journalism of university grade a new academic field is entered upon.’”
Brooklyn Boro
View MoreNew York City’s most populous borough, Brooklyn, is home to nearly 2.6 million residents. If Brooklyn were an independent city it would be the fourth largest city in the United States. While Brooklyn has become the epitome of ‘cool and hip’ in recent years, for those that were born here, raised families here and improved communities over the years, Brooklyn has never been ‘uncool’.