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December 27: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

December 27, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle History
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ON THIS DAY IN 1933, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON (AP) — A constitutional amendment to change the method of electing a president is to be pressed at the coming session of Congress against the wishes of friends of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who hope for his re-election in 1936. As the Constitution now stands, voters choose electors. If a presidential candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes in any state, all the electoral votes of that state are cast for him. Under the projected change, a candidate who received less than a majority would be credited with those he won when the final tally was made. Had the latter method been in effect, many elections of presidents in the past would have resulted differently. Senator [George W.] Norris (R.-Neb.) is a backer of the resolution. It has been on the House calendar since the Committee of Elections of the President and Vice President approved the measure drafted by Representative [Clarence F.] Lea (D.-Cal.) at the special session last spring.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1938, the Eagle reported, “As the widow of missing Supreme Court Justice Joseph Force Crater sailed for Germany with her new husband, the will of the jurist, who dropped out of sight more than eight years ago, was filed today with the New York County Surrogate. The former Stella Crater, now Mrs. Carl Kunz, and her husband, an electrical engineer, sailed on the French liner Normandie yesterday for a belated honeymoon. They were married last April. Emil K. Ellis, lawyer for Mrs. Kunz, revealed that a note left by Justice Crater will be submitted in March when the hearing on admitting the will to probate is held. There was nothing new or mysterious in the note, Mr. Ellis insisted. It was found by the former Mrs. Crater soon after the jurist’s disappearance. In the note it was understood Justice Crater informed Mrs. Crater about money due to him and mentioned his insurances. It closed with the lines: ‘I am very tired — Joe.’”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1947, the Eagle reported, “With the health and safety of the city periled by the crippling and record-breaking snowstorm — only eight ambulances were operating in Brooklyn — the Mayor’s Emergency Committee assembled at Manhattan Police Headquarters today to devise means of moving essentials and to co-ordinate efforts of city departments in combatting the menace. ­Attending were all the borough presidents, city commissioners and department heads, representatives of public utilities and railroads, and navy, army and state guard officials. The meeting started at 9:30 a.m. and it was indicated that several hours would elapse before a report would be forthcoming. Several important city officials, however, gave reporters a definite idea of the agenda of the conference. Police Commissioner [Arthur] Wallander said the main purpose of the meeting was to find out how much manpower could be summoned to move food, fuel and other essentials. Acting Mayor [Vincent] Impellitteri described the principal objective as co-ordination by city agencies to safeguard public health. He said that first reports indicate milk and other food were starting to move.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1948, the Eagle reported, “Elia Kazan’s production of ‘Death of a Salesman,’ a new play by Arthur Miller, was placed in rehearsal today by Kermit Bloomgarden and Walter Fried in preparation for a Princeton opening Jan. 21. The play is being staged by Elia Kazan with setting and lighting by Jo Mielziner, music composed by Alex North and costumes by Julia Sze. Featured in the cast are Lee J. Cobb, who arrived today from Hollywood to begin rehearsals; Arthur Kennedy, Mildred Dunnock, Howard Smith, Thomas Chalmers and Cameron Mitchell. Supporting players include Winnifred Cushing, Michael Garrison, Tom Pedi, Don Keefer, Connie Ford, Anne Driscoll and Peggy Meredith. ‘Death of a Salesman’ reunites the playwright and director whose joint effort, ‘All My Sons,’ won the Critics’ Award two seasons ago. Kazan’s production of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ won the award last season.”

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Masi Oka
Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP
John Amos
Peter Kramer/AP

NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include “Good Times” star John Amos, who was born in 1939; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Mike Pinder (the Moody Blues), who was born in 1941; King Crimson co-founder Peter Sinfield, who was born in 1943; former N.Y. Yankees outfielder Roy White, who was born in 1943; Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones, who was born in 1944; “Green Card” star Gerard Depardieu, who was born in 1948; “The Walking Dead” star Tovah Feldshuh, who was born in 1952; Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Self, who was born in 1962; “All My Children” star Eva LaRue, who was born in 1966; former NFL fullback Lorenzo Neal, who was born in 1970; “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, who was born in 1971; Sixpence None the Richer guitarist Matt Slocum, who was born in 1972; “Heroes” star Masi Oka, who was born in 1974; former NBA shooting guard Dahntay Jones, who was born in 1980; “Lost” star Emilie de Ravin, who was born in 1981; and Paramore singer Hayley Williams, who was born in 1988.

Emilie de Ravin
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

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MUSIC OF THE SPHERES: Johannes Kepler was born in Germany on this day in 1571. Considered “the father of modern astronomy,” he is best known for his laws of planetary motion and the books “Astronomia Nova,” “Harmonice Mundi” and “Epitome Astronomiae.” He died in 1630.

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TOP FLIGHT: Sir George Cayley was born in England on this day in 1773. The aviation pioneer, scientist, inventor and theoretician designed airplanes, helicopters and gliders. He is credited as the father of aerodynamics and piloted the first manned glider flight. He died in 1857.

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

 

Quotable:

“I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses.”

— Johannes Kepler, who was born on this day in 1571

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