June 7: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

June 7, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle

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ON THIS DAY IN 1865, a Brooklyn Daily Eagle editorial said, “It is semi-officially announced that President Johnson will, by proclamation, within a day or two, declare the writ of habeas corpus to be restored. Let us pray that this inestimable right may never again be interfered with, for, ‘It is liberty alone which gives the flower of life its lustre and perfume, and we are weeds without it.’”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1905, the Eagle reported, “CHRISTIANA, NORWAY — King Oscar’s refusal to sanction the bill passed by the Storthing, providing for a separate consular service for Norway, culminated today in the passage of a resolution by the Storthing declaring the dissolution of the union of Sweden and Norway, and that the King has ceased to act as King of Norway. Although the action was anticipated, it caused considerable excitement in this city, on account of the anxiety as to what action the King would take. The crisis became acute May 26 when his majesty, after three months rest, during which the regency was confided to Crown Prince Gustave, resumed the reins of office. The Council of State immediately submitted to him the consular bill, which he, May 28, refused to sanction, arguing that any action must receive the sanction of mixed council. The Norwegian Council of State thereupon resigned, and the King refused to accept their resignations, as in view of the state of public opinion it was impossible to form a new government. Demonstrations were held throughout the country, endorsing the action of the Council of State. The consular bill, while apparently of little importance, was designed to open the whole question of foreign affairs, which Norway desires to manage independently of Sweden.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1933, the Eagle reported, “Civic workers of Bay Ridge have been aroused by the action of former Congressman Fiorello H. LaGuardia at the mass meeting held Monday night at the Bay Ridge High School under the auspices of the Bay Ridge Property Owners Association. In the opinion of many, the former congressman was allowed to turn the affair into something of a political rally rather than a homeowners mass meeting as planned. Assistant Corporation Counsel Matthew J. Troy of the Bay Ridge Civic Council, an ardent worker on behalf of the small homeowners, was one of the speakers scheduled. The congressman, however, took so much of the time that there was no other speaker than himself and Asnchel E. Barshay, who presided … ‘I was invited,’ declared Troy, ‘to speak at the meeting on subjects concerning the interests of taxpayers and homeowners. I think it was unfair to invite me and others and then not allow us to speak.’ Troy also made it clear that he did not wish to be associated in any way with any political boom that may result in the section for LaGuardia. This seemed likely because of the announcement by officers of the association that the former congressman would be endorsed for mayor at their next meeting.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1944, the Eagle reported, “ALLIED SUPREME HEADQUARTERS, LONDON (U.P.) — Thousands of Allied reinforcements poured into the Normandy peninsula by ship, parachute and glider today to bolster invasion armies which encountered fierce resistance after driving the enemy from the beaches and cutting one of his main lateral supply roads. ‘Satisfactory progress has been made,’ General [Dwight] Eisenhower announced in his third communique of the invasion, but an official spokesman said very heavy fighting was in progress in some sectors. The German air force has rallied from the Allies’ initial stunning blow and has begun to resist the assault under orders to fight to the death if necessary … Front reports confirmed that American, British and Canadian assault troops and tanks — covered and supported by 11,000 planes and 600 warships — had firmly secured their beachheads along a 60-mile stretch of the Normandy coast of northern France between Cherbourg and the mouth of the Seine and were pushing inland … The first real battles of the invasion apparently were raging in the mine-strewn hills and woods behind the coast, with the Germans training artillery, mortars and machine guns on the advancing forces from camouflaged positions.”

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Emily Ratajkowski
Ashley Graham/Wikimedia Commons

NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include Oscar-winning filmmaker James Ivory, who was born in 1928; “It’s Not Unusual” singer Tom Jones, who was born in 1940; “Schindler’s List” star Liam Neeson, who was born in 1952; former Vice President Mike Pence, who was born in 1959; “Jane’s Addiction” guitarist Dave Navarro, who was born in 1967; “Man vs. Wild” star Bear Grylls, who was born in 1974; “Barry” star Bill Hader, who was born in 1978; tennis player Anna Kournikova, who was born in 1981; “Arrested Development” star Michael Cera, who was born in 1988; singer-songwriter Iggy Azalea, who was born in 1990; and model and actress Emily Ratajkowski, who was born in 1991.

Mike Pence
D. Myles Cullen/Wikimedia Commons

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BREAKING AWAY: On this day in 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia put a motion before the Second Continental Congress which said: ‘Resolved: That these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

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THE ENTERTAINER: Dean Martin was born on this day in 1917. His career was barely moving in 1946 when he met Jerry Lewis. Together they formed an unforgettable comedy act that carried them to dizzying heights of success. When the team broke up, Martin found continued success as a singer and actor. His signature songs include “Everybody Loves Somebody,” “Volare” and “That’s Amore.” He died in 1995.

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

Quotable:

“I can’t stand an actor or actress who tells me acting is hard work. It’s easy work. Anyone who says it isn’t never had to stand on his feet all day dealing blackjack.”
— entertainer Dean Martin, who was born on this day in 1917