Brooklyn Boro

MILESTONES: December 16 birthdays for Krysten Ritter, Anna Popplewell, Benjamin Bratt

December 16, 2020 Brooklyn Eagle History
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NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include “Battlestar Galactica” star Terry Carter, who was born in Brooklyn in 1928; actress and author Joyce Bulifant, who was born in 1937; “Face to Face” star Liv Ullmann, who was born in 1938; journalist Lesley Stahl, who was born in 1941; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tony Hicks (The Hollies), who was born in 1945; “The Walking Dead” star Xander Berkeley, who was born in 1955; former N.Y. Giants center Bart Oates, who was born in 1958; former NFL tackle William “Refrigerator” Perry, who was born in 1962; “Law & Order” star Benjamin Bratt, who was born in 1963; “Ford v Ferrari” director James Mangold, who was born in 1963; “Jessica Jones” star Krysten Ritter, who was born in 1981; former N.Y Giants defensive back Antrel Rolle, who was born in 1982; and “The Chronicles of Narnia” star Anna Popplewell, who was born in 1988.  

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I HEAR A SYMPHONY: Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Germany 250 years ago today. Regarded by many as the greatest orchestral composer of all time, he began to lose his hearing at age 30, but even total deafness did not halt his composing and conducting. He last appeared on a concert stage to conduct the premiere of his Ninth Symphony, at Vienna, Austria on May 7, 1824. He was unable to hear either the orchestra or the applause. Often in love, he never married. Of a stormy temperament, he is said to have died during a violent thunderstorm on March 26, 1827.

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HARBORING A GRUDGE: The Boston Tea Party took place on this day in 1773 when the Sons of Liberty boarded three British vessels at anchor at Griffin’s Wharf in Boston Harbor. The contents of 342 chests of tea — the entire East India Company shipment — were dumped into the harbor as a protest by the American colonists against the Tea Act of 1773.

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JUST THE FACTS: “Dragnet” premiered on this day in 1951. The famous crime show stressed authenticity, and episodes were supposedly based on real cases. It starred Jack Webb as stoic and determined Sgt. Joe Friday, a man whose life was investigative police work and who was recognized by his recurring line, “Just the facts, ma’am.” The show is also known for its theme music and its narrative epilogue describing the fate of the bad guys.

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

 

Quotable:

“Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.”

— Ludwig van Beethoven, who was born on this day in 1770

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