July 21: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
ON THIS DAY IN 1933, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “With the Socialists definitely cutting loose from the Fusionist movement, leaders of anti-Tammany forces were to meet today in the office of former Gov. Charles S. Whitman in an attempt to reach an agreement on a candidate. The situation prior to the meeting indicated a commanding lead for former Representative Fiorello H. LaGuardia, but there was considerable, and mysterious, talk about dark horses. A new name injected in the Fusion field is that of former State Senator Nathan Straus Jr., to whom the Republicans are reported to be only lukewarm. The Socialist party, according to an announcement, will nominate a complete ticket at its convention to be held tomorrow at the People’s House, 7 E. 15th St., Manhattan. Norman Thomas is expected to be the nominee.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1935, the Eagle reported, “Four persons were killed and four others injured by lightning yesterday as two severe electrical storms burst upon a sun-baked Brooklyn and Long Island. A slashing rain shot the temperature down 16 degrees from a peak of 87 at 2 o’clock, flooding streets and cellars and disrupting trolley and bus service. The victims of lightning were all on the sands of Brighton Beach when the bolts hurled down upon them … Police reserves were called to handle the tremendous throng, estimated at 600,000, in the Coney Island section. No report of injuries was received in this mad rush. The storm, terrific while it lasted, was of short duration, lasting less than an hour, but was instrumental in bringing welcome relief to a sweltering populace. Today’s weather report smacks of yesterday’s, for fair, smiling skies are predicted for the day, with thunderstorms due late in the afternoon.”
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