ON THIS DAY IN 1904, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “It is one of the anomalies of civilization that the progressive methods of the West, having been the real cause of the decline of the Ottoman Empire, should now be called into action to rehabilitate and protect it from annihilation by the great powers of Europe. Yet this is exactly what has happened in Turkey. Abdul Hamid is making the fight of his life to bolster up his tottering empire by the use of modern machinery. He is pushing forward, with the greatest haste — turning his soldiers into workmen — the completion of the Damascus-Mecca railroad, which will run through the heart of the Holy Land for a distance of 1,000 miles. One-half the road has been built and the work on the remainder is progressing rapidly, under the direct supervision of the Sultan, who follows every foot of construction from plans that are submitted to him in the imperial palace, and chafes with feverish anxiety at any delay.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1904, the Eagle reported, “Past Commander Noah Tebbetts, chairman of the Memorial and Executive Committee of Grant Post No. 327, announces that services will be held at the tomb of General U.S. Grant at Riverside Park, on Memorial Day, Monday May 30 … Abraham Lincoln War Veterans Association held a meeting at headquarters, Templars Hall, Tompkins and Park avenues, last night, when arrangements were perfected for Memorial Day. The association will assemble at headquarters, with white gloves and the ribbon badge, on Memorial Sunday, May 29, and proceed to decorate the Lincoln Monument in the Flower Garden, Prospect Park.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1927, the Eagle reported, “The Keith-Albee circuit has adopted an air-cooling and air-conditioning system for its theaters it hopes will solve all atmospheric and temperature problems in the modern playhouse with the highest degree of comfort and hygiene for patrons. At an average cost of $100,000 the Palace, E.F. Albee, Fordham and the new 86th Street Theater and the Palace Theater, in Cleveland, are being equipped with this new auxiliary to the completely modern theater. These installations will be ready in June and in operation thereafter through the entire season. Pure air at a uniform, even temperature of 70 degrees will be maintained the year round. No matter how hot, blistering and stifling the weather, no matter how damp, rainy and close it is outdoors, the air and its temperature will always be perfectly and entirely comfortable.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1951, Eagle columnist Ray Tucker said, “Eisenhower can be nominated as the Democratic candidate if President Truman decides that party success requires the selection of the commander of Western Europe’s defense army. But influential Democratic leaders are making strong anti-Eisenhower arguments around the White House these days. They point out to Mr. Truman and to other ‘pro-Ike’ sympathizers that he never has been a Democrat. His present assignment, especially in view of the decree concerning [Gen. Douglas] MacArthur that military commanders cannot discuss public or political questions, acts as a bar to any pre-convention build-up. Both his private and public statements show that he has no sympathy with the general philosophy of the Roosevelt-Truman brand. Last, many GIs have said they will not vote for a soldier in the White House, whether it be an Eisenhower or a MacArthur.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1954, the Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON (U.P.) — The Administration today abandoned, at least for this year, President Eisenhower’s proposal to let 18-year-olds vote after the measure received a crushing Senate defeat. Only 34 senators lined up for the proposed Constitutional amendment yesterday against 24 opposed — far short of the necessary two-thirds vote. State rights-minded Southerners voted heavily against the measure. New York’s senators, Herbert H. Lehman (D.) and Irving H. Ives (R.) voted for the measure. Senate Republican Leader William F. Knowland said he did not plan an effort to get the vote reconsidered and knew of no plans by other members. Knowland said he did not think the result would be changed by absentees from yesterday’s vote. A solid bloc of 24 Democrats, led by Senator Richard B. Russell (D., Ga.), defeated the proposal. It was supported by 27 Republicans and only seven Democrats.”
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Apolo Ohno Richard Drew/APMaggie Q Jeff Christensen/AP
NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include pianist and conductor Peter Nero, who was born in Brooklyn in 1934; “Westworld” star Richard Benjamin, who was born in 1938; “Peyton Place” star Barbara Parkins, who was born in 1942; former N.Y. Yankees pitcher Tommy John, who was born in 1943; Songwriters Hall of Famer Bernie Taupin, who was born in 1950; U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who was born in 1957; The Smiths founder Morrissey, who was born in 1959; New Edition member Johnny Gill, who was born in 1966; supermodel Naomi Campbell, who was born in 1970; “World War Z” author Max Brooks, who was born in 1972; “Big Love” star Ginnifer Goodwin, who was born in 1978; “Nikita” star Maggie Q, who was born in 1979; speed skater and Olympic gold medalist Apolo Ohno, who was born in 1982; Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, who was born in 1984; and “Gotham” star Camren Bicondova, who was born in 1999.
Camren Bicondova Arthur Mola/Invision/AP
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ELEMENTARY: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born on this day in 1859. The British physician is best remembered as a mystery writer and the creator of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. He was knighted by King Edward VII in 1902 and died in 1930.
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A BEAUTIFUL DAY: “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” premiered on PBS on this day in 1967. Presbyterian minister Fred Rogers hosted the long-running children’s program on which puppets and human characters interacted in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Rogers voiced many of the puppets and educated young viewers on a variety of important subjects. More than 900 episodes were produced before the show ended in 2001. Rogers died in 2003.
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Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.
Quotable:
“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.”
— writer Arthur Conan Doyle, who was born on this day in 1859
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
