MILESTONES: June 23 birthdays for Clarence Thomas, Selma Blair, Joss Whedon

June 23, 2020 Brooklyn Eagle History

Clarence Thomas. Scott Applewhite/AP

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NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” author Richard Bach, who was born in 1936; “Knots Landing” star Ted Shackelford, who was born in 1946; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who was born in 1948; Misfits founder Glenn Danzig, who was born in 1955; Journey bassist and “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson, who was born in 1956; Oscar-winner Frances McDormand, who was born in 1957; “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” producer Joss Whedon, who was born in 1964; “Cruel Intentions” star Selma Blair, who was born in 1972; “I’m Yours” singer Jason Mraz, who was born in 1977; former New York Giants center Shaun O’Hara, who was born in 1977; Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, who was born in 1979; and “The Big Bang Theory” star Melissa Rauch, who was born in 1980.

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CASH AND PRIZES: June Carter Cash was born on this day in 1929. As a member of the Carter Family, a group that included her mother, sisters and cousins, she toured as a performer from childhood. She met Johnny Cash on the road in 1961. She cowrote his hit song “Ring of Fire” and they began recording together. They married in 1968 and won two Grammys for their duets. She died in 2004.

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GOLD STANDARD: Wilma Rudolph was born on this day in 1940. The Tennessee native won the 100-, 200- and 400-meter relays at the 1960 Rome games, becoming the first woman to win three gold medals at the same Olympics. She overcame polio as a child and went on to Tennessee State University to become an athlete. She won the Sullivan Award for most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States in 1961. She died in 1994.

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

Quotable:

“The triumph can’t be had without the struggle.”

— Wilma Rudolph, who was born on this day in 1940