MILESTONES: January 16, birthdays for Kate Moss, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Debbie Allen

January 16, 2019 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Kate Moss. Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP

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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 US 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. The 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th, went into effect in 1933.

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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