Brooklyn Boro

MILESTONES: December 8 birthdays for Nicki Minaj, AnnaSophia Robb, Mike Mussina

December 8, 2020 Brooklyn Eagle History
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NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Butler (The Impressions), who was born in 1939; Oscar-winner Kim Basinger, who was born in 1953; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Phil Collen (Def Leppard), who was born in 1957; political commentator Ann Coulter, who was born in 1961; “Desperate Housewives” star Teri Hatcher, who was born in 1964; “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer Sinead O’Connor, who was born in 1966; former N.Y. Yankees pitcher and Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Mussina, who was born in 1968; “Lost” star Dominic Monaghan, who was born in 1976; “Lost” star Ian Somerhalder, who was born in 1978; singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, who was born in 1979; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers, who was born in 1981; rapper and actress Nicki Minaj, who was born in 1982; eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard, who was born in 1985; and “Soul Surfer” star AnnaSophia Robb, who was born in 1993.

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WILD CHILD: Jim Morrison was born on this day in 1943. As the lead singer of the Doors, he is considered one of the fathers of contemporary rock. Known as “the Lizard King,” he brought avant-garde theatrics to his musical performances and mystical influences to his songs. He died of a drug overdose on July 3, 1971.

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THE END: John Lennon died 40 years ago today. The rock and roll legend was murdered outside his Manhattan apartment building by deranged gunman Mark David Chapman. The death of the international peace activist and former Beatle shocked the world. In 1985, New York City dedicated an area of Central Park frequented by Lennon as “Strawberry Fields.” 

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THE ASH HEAP OF HISTORY: The Soviet Union ceased to exist on this day in 1991 when the republics of Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine signed an agreement creating the Commonwealth of Independent States. The remaining republics, with the exception of Georgia, joined in the new commonwealth as it began the slow and arduous process of removing the yoke of Communism and dealing with strong separatist and nationalistic movements within the various republics.

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

 

Quotable:

 

“Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.”

—Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Lennon, who died on this day in 1980

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