January 7: ON THIS DAY in 1933, stock market closes in tribute to late Calvin Coolidge

January 7, 2019 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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ON THIS DAY IN 1933, the Eagle reported, “The New York Stock Exchange, the Curb and other exchanges in the city were closed today as a mark of respect for former President Calvin Coolidge, whose funeral began in Northampton, Mass., at 10:30 a.m. Business firms, including the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey and its subsidiaries, were similarly closed. In courts, in public offices as well as in factories, business offices, theaters and even homes, a period of silence was observed as the Northampton funeral began. At sunrise, 7:20 a.m., one cannon salute was fired at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. At 8 o’clock one of the five ships in the harbor responded and at 8:30 a.m. a gun from another of the ships boomed out. By order of the Navy Yard commandant, the ships in the Navy Yard will take turns, firing their big guns at half-hour intervals until sunset. Similarly guns were to be fired at half-hour intervals at the Naval Air Station at Lakehurst, N.J., and by Navy ships at sea. At the Navy Yard, at Lakehurst and at Naval and Coast Guard posts all along the coast and throughout the country flags were at half-mast. These were the outward marks of a 30-day period of mourning ordered by President [Herbert] Hoover.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1850, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “Our old friend and fellow citizen, Signor [Antonio] Blitz commences his surprising performances this evening at the [Brooklyn Institute]. Blitz is an artists of no common order; his skill is the most consummate; all he does is elegantly done; and so adroitly that, watch him as you may, you cannot detect any of his tricks; and yet, the very simplicity by which he accomplishes his deceptions would create an equal astonishment when explained. The canary birds are certainly the best trained little creatures we ever saw; and their performances alone are well worth the admission money. There will, no doubt, be a full house.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1873, the Eagle reported, “In the New York Court of Oyer and Terminer, before Judge Davis, this morning, the case of The People against William M. Tweed came up for trial. The counsel for the defense moved for a further postponement, but this was denied. Mr. Graham, one of Tweed’s counsel, then moved that the prosecution be required to say upon which of the 220 counts in the indictment they proposed to go to trial. In arguing this question Mr. Graham made a very learned, very long and dreadfully dry speech, to which, in a production of less length but equal dryness the Hon. Mr. Peckham replied. The Court yielded against Mr. Graham, and an adjournment was then taken until Monday next, when the actual work of the trial will in all probability commence. Among the people of note in the court room this morning were Mrs. [Victoria] Woodhull and her gallant escort, Col. [James] Blood.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1920, the Eagle reported, “The Republican machine, in control of the State Assembly, moved today to deny seats to the five Socialist members elected last fall on the ground that they were unqualified to sit because they were bound in their actions by a party that is ‘un-American in its ideals and is dangerous to the best interests of the government.’ … All five were summoned before the bar of the House this afternoon by the direction of Speaker [Thaddeus] Sweet, and a resolution offered denying them the right to take their seats pending ‘an investigation by the Assembly Judiciary Committee of their qualifications to sit as members.’ The resolution was passed by the Assembly, Democrats and Republicans voting for it … The effect of the resolution is to suspend the five members pending the inquiry.”