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MILESTONES: May 16, birthdays for Pierce Brosnan, Janet Jackson, Jim Sturgess

May 16, 2019 Brooklyn Eagle
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NOTABLE PEOPLE born on this day include actor David Boreanaz, who was born in 1969; actor Pierce Brosnan, who was born in 1953; Director of National Intelligence Daniel R. Coats, who was born in 1943; former hockey player Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who was born in 1977; actress Tracey Gold, who was born in 1969; singer Janet Jackson, who was born in 1966; Olympic gymnast Olga Korbut, who was born in 1955; tennis player Gabriela Sabatini, who was born in 1970; Olympic runner Joan Samuelson, who was born in 1957; actor Bill Smitrovich, who was born in 1947; TV personality and actress Tori Spelling, who was born in 1973; actor Jim Sturgess, who was born in 1978; and actress Mare Winningham, who was born in 1959.

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STUDS TERKEL WAS BORN ON THIS DAY IN 1912. The Chicago-based radio interviewer-turned-oral historian was a self-described “guerrilla journalist” who authored dozens of books, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Good War: An Oral History of World War II,” as well as the similarly structured “Working.” Terkel died in 2008 in Illinois.

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JUNKO TABEI CLIMBED MOUNT EVEREST ON THIS DAY IN 1975. The Japanese climber led an all-female expedition to Mount Everest and became the first woman to reach the summit. Taking the South-East Ridge route, Tabei was delayed by an avalanche before her last leg up the mountain.

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MARGRET REY WAS BORN ON THIS DAY IN 1906.  The children’s author, together with her illustrator husband H.A. Rey, produced the “Curious George” series. She died in Massachusetts in 1996.

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THE FIRST ACADEMY AWARD CEREMONY WAS HELD ON THIS DAY IN 1929. About 270 people attended a dinner at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel at which the first Academy Awards were given in 12 categories. The silent film “Wings” won Best Picture. A committee of only 20 members selected the winners that year. By the third year, the entire membership of the Academy voted. The Academy Awards were first televised in 1953.

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WOODY HERMAN WAS BORN ON THIS DAY IN 1913. The legendary jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer and bandleader formed his first band in 1936. For 50 years, he continued to form and front talented ensembles that played in a variety of jazz styles — from blues and improvisation to bop and jazz-rock. Herman died in 1987 in California.

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

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“In complete darkness, it is only knowledge and wisdom that separates us.” — Janet Jackson, who was born on this day in 1966

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