MILESTONES: May 1 birthdays for Curtis Martin, Wes Anderson, Julie Benz
NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include “Both Sides Now” singer Judy Collins, who was born in 1939; “We’re All Alone” singer Rita Coolidge, who was born in 1945; “Absolutely Fabulous” star Joanna Lumley, who was born in 1946; “Law and Order” star Dann Florek, who was born in 1950; “Ghostbusters” singer Ray Parker, Jr., who was born in 1954; jockey and National Racing Hall of Famer Steve Cauthen, who was born in 1960; country superstar Tim McGraw, who was born in 1967; former Smashing Pumpkins bassist D’arcy Wretzky, who was born in 1968; “The Grand Budapest Hotel” director Wes Anderson, who was born in 1969; “Dexter” star Julie Benz, who was born in 1972; Jets legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Curtis Martin, who was born in 1973; and Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman, who was born in 1991.
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HIGH HOPES: Construction of the first skyscraper began on this day in 1884. The 10-story Home Insurance Company building in Chicago was completed in 1885. Designed by William Le Baron Jenney, it had a steel frame that carried the weight of the building. The walls provided no support but hung like curtains on the metal frame. This method of construction revolutionized American architecture and allowed architects to build taller and taller buildings. The structure was demolished in 1931, the same year the 102-story Empire State Building was completed.
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’.