Brooklyn Boro

April 26: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

April 26, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle History
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ON THIS DAY IN 1914, Brooklyn Daily Eagle guest columnist and Mexican War veteran Edward S. Burton wrote, “The United States is on the verge of a war with Mexico! President Wilson has repeatedly stated that this country is not at war, and does not intend to begin actual hostilities unless forced to by some overt act by Mexico. Nevertheless, Vera Cruz has been taken and Americans have been killed. The entire country has been shocked by the sacrifice of American lives. War today is a science, and for that reason the sacrifice of human lives is scientific slaughter. But in spite of the regret that is felt by every good American at these mortalities, it is well to remember that the last time the United States took Vera Cruz the city suffered a hopeless and terrific bombardment that completely overshadows what little fighting took place there during the past week. But war is always war, whether the mere mechanical means of its waging may progress or retrograde.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1923, the Eagle reported, “LONDON (AP) — Albert, Duke of York, was united in marriage with Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in solemn old Westminster Abbey at noon today with a pomp and panoply reminiscent of the days of the mid-Victorian era and amid the tumultuous demonstrations of the vast throngs that gathered under threatening skies to witness the wedding pageant. As the cortege entered the Abbey, a slight drizzle of rain fell, but soon afterward the sun broke through the clouds and as the royal pair made their exit they were greeted with brilliant sunshine, recalling the old saying ‘Happy is the bride the sun shines on.’”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1927, the Eagle reported, “Eastern District High School seniors will have mixed dancing this term, it was announced yesterday, three weeks and two days after The Eagle first called attention to the protest of seniors and alumni of the school against the rule that boys must dance with boys and girls with girls on class night. The announcement was made by James P. Warren, administrative assistant of the school, to six leaders of the seniors, who were called down to the office. ‘You are going to be given what you want this time,’ said Mr. Warren to the boys who stood in an uncomfortable group. ‘But after this term the future will have to take care of itself.’”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1954, the Eagle reported, “The outgoing rackets grand jury, which is to be disbanded Friday after four years and five months of work, handed up a presentment today blasting proposals for legalized gambling as one of its last words. The presentment, delivered to County Judge Samuel S. Leibowitz, offered lists of reasons, both ‘practical and moral,’ to uphold the jury’s contention that gambling legalization will not cure any current problem. The panel went on record as ‘unalterably opposed’ to changing present laws and said it was specious reasoning to argue that the change would eliminate racketeers. Racketeers, the presentment maintained, are among those interests pressing most strongly for legal gambling. Las Vegas, where there are no restrictions, is a Mecca for racketeers, it was pointed out.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1963, the Eagle reported, “LOS ANGELES (UPI) — Maury Wills, baseball’s base-stealing genius, is passing on his tricks in a book ‘It Pays to Steal’ — although he has been unable to use them much himself this season. The Los Angeles Dodger shortstop, who stole a record 104 bases last year, collaborated with Steve Gardner, a Los Angeles advertising man, on the book to be released Monday by publishers Prentice-Hall, Inc. ‘It’s an as-told-to book; he wrote it,’ said Wills. Wills’ much-publicized assault on Ty Cobb’s 1915 record of 96 stolen bases in a single season brought the soft-spoken player a batch of honors, including the National League’s Most Valuable Player award. But before Wednesday’s game Wills was without a theft to his credit because of a slowly healing sprained left ankle he suffered on opening day in Chicago more than two weeks ago. He was out of the starting lineup several days and has played each game with his ankle taped up. ‘It doesn’t hurt to run straight but it does when I turn the bases,’ Wills said. ‘I’m still not able to run full speed either. I’ve only tried to steal once since the injury.’”

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Giancarlo Esposito
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Aaron Judge
Chris O’Meara/AP

NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include actress and singer Carol Burnett, who was born in 1933; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Duane Eddy, who was born in 1938; “Father of Disco” Giorgio Moroder, who was born in 1940; “Better Call Saul” star Giancarlo Esposito, who was born in 1958; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Roger Taylor (Duran Duran), who was born in 1960; “The Last Emperor” star Joan Chen, who was born in 1961; “Mad TV” star Debra Wilson, who was born in 1962; “The King of Queens” star Kevin James, who was born in 1965; former First Lady Melania Trump, who was born in 1970; “Smallville” star Tom Welling, who was born in 1977; “Castle” star Stana Katic, who was born in 1978; “The Fast and the Furious” star Jordana Brewster, who was born in 1980; “G.I. Joe” star Channing Tatum, who was born in 1980; and N.Y. Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who was born in 1992.

Melania Trump
Andrew Harnik/AP

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IF YOU BUILD IT: Frederick Law Olmsted was born in Connecticut on this day in 1822. Known as “the father of landscape architecture in America,” he participated in the designing of Yosemite National Park, Central Park, Prospect Park and many others. He died in 1903.

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THE NATURAL WORLD: Bernard Malamud was born in Brooklyn on this day in 1914. The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist’s best known works include “The Natural” (1952) and “The Fixer” (1966). The screen version of “The Natural” (1984) is considered one of the best baseball movies ever made. Malamud died in 1986.

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

 

Quotable:

“God, I love baseball.”

— Roy Hobbs in “The Natural” (1984)

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