MILESTONES: March 20, birthdays for Spike Lee, Sloane Stephens, Pat Riley
A BEAUTIFUL DAY: Fred Rogers was born on this day in 1928. The native of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, began producing television for children in 1953. His first program, “The Children’s Hour,” was the precursor to “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” which premiered in Canada in 1966 and the U.S. in 1968. The show ran on public television until Rogers’ death, and he became known worldwide for his dedication to the well-being of children and for his demonstrations of the importance of kindness, compassion and learning. He wrote a number of books for parents and children, wrote more than 200 songs and won dozens of awards, including Emmys, Peabodys and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He died on Feb. 27, 2003.
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NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include musician and actress Vera Lynn, who was born in 1917; entertainer Carl Reiner, who was born in 1922; actor and singer Hal Linden, who was born in 1931; basketball coach Pat Riley, who was born in 1945; “Star Trek” actor John de Lancie, who was born in 1948; actor William Hurt, who was born in 1950; musician Carl Palmer, who was born in 1950; radio host Mike Francesa, who was born in 1954; filmmaker Spike Lee, who was born in Brooklyn in 1957; actress Holly Hunter, who was born in 1958; basketball player Jamal Crawford, who was born in 1980; and tennis player Sloane Stephens, who was born in 1993.
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’.