January 18: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

January 18, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle History

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ON THIS DAY IN 1893, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison are the only men living who have filled the office of President of the United States. They were the two candidates voted for at the last two general elections. The Indiana statesman succeeded the New York statesman in 1889 and will be succeeded by him this year. The mortality predictable of occupants of the chief magistracy is suggested by these facts which themselves are emphasized by the death of General Rutherford Birchard Hayes, who ceased from the earth at 11 o’clock last night.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1901, the Eagle reported, “WICHITA, KAN. — The county attorney has dismissed the charge against Mrs. Carrie Nation of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, who was in jail here nearly a month for breaking saloon fixtures in a temperance crusade. In dismissing the case the county attorney said: ‘The defendant labors under a delusion to such an extent as to be practically irresponsible. Further confinement in jail would not improve her condition of mind.’”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1904, the Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON — Extensive improvements, involving the expenditure of more than $1,000,000, are desired in the immigrant station at Ellis Island. Secretary [George B.] Cortelyou has sent to Congress a special request for the appropriation of this money, in order to provide the additional accommodations at Ellis Island demanded by the unprecedented rush of aliens to that station. It is proposed to spend $300,000 in constructing wings to the present main building, and also to provide special medical offices and extra waiting rooms. A water purification plant is wanted, as well as a tug boat, to cost $75,000. One of the biggest items in the list of proposed improvements is $450,000 for better hospital arrangements. Secretary Cortelyou wants to construct a new hospital in the vicinity of the existing hospital, to cost $200,000. In addition, he wants a contagious disease hospital on the artificial island that the government is to construct, near Ellis Island.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1914, the Eagle reported, “COPENHAGEN, JAN. 10 — There is a great rejoicing in Iceland today because at length a much-valued concession to Icelandic national pride has been made by King Christian of Denmark. For some years the Islanders have been agitating to be allowed the use of their own flag — which is blue and white, as distinguished from Danish colors, red and white — and they have at last gained their wish. Hannes Hafstein, the Minister for Iceland, visits Denmark several times yearly, in order to get the signature of the King to the laws passed by the Althing. On the last occasion he carried with him a petition for the use of the flag of Iceland, and this has now been granted by royal resolution, which permits the blue and white flag to be hoisted together with the Danish flag on public buildings on official occasions. It also allows the use of the special flag on the territorial waters of Iceland.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1946, the Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON (U.P.) — U.S. Steel Corporation today rejected President Truman’s compromise proposal for a settlement of the steel wage dispute, although the union accepted it. Mr. Truman, the White House announced, proposed a general wage increase of 18½ cents per hour, retroactive to Jan. 1. It appeared most likely that the union’s 700,000 men would go on strike next Monday in the light of the corporation’s rejection. White House Secretary Charles G. Ross was asked whether Mr. Truman had any further plans for action to avert a strike. ‘No,’ Ross replied.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1948, the Eagle reported, “ALBANY, JAN. 17 (U.P.) — The first group of New York State delegates to the Republican National Convention were nominated today and immediately were pledged to the support of Governor [Thomas] Dewey for the party’s 1948 presidential nomination. Governor Dewey, who openly entered the presidential nomination race yesterday, also received the public indorsement of the State Association of Young Republican Clubs. The organization claims 250,000 potential votes in the state. Republican county chairmen of the 33rd Congressional District, meeting at Glens Falls, selected Senate Majority Leader Benjamin F. Feinberg of Plattsburg, and Saratoga County party leader William E. Benton as convention delegates. Both are strong Dewey men. The entire N.Y. State bloc is expected to support the governor. The 33rd is the first congressional district in the State in which Mr. Dewey has received formal party support since becoming an avowed candidate.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1948, the Eagle reported, “LONDON, JAN. 17 (U.P.) — The Daily Mirror’s columnist Noel Whitcomb said today Princess Elizabeth is telling her closest friends she hopes to have a baby this year. A Buckingham Palace spokesmen commented, ‘We know nothing about it.’”

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NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include “Deliverance” director John Boorman, who was born in 1933; Oscar-winning filmmaker Kevin Costner, who was born in 1955; Oscar-winner Mark Rylance, who was born in 1960; Hockey Hall of Famer and former N.Y. Rangers center Mark Messier, who was born in 1961; “Little House on the Prairie” star Alison Arngrim, who was born in 1962; former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who was born in 1963; International Boxing Hall of Famer Virgil Hill, who was born in 1964; “Absolutely Fabulous” star Jane Horrocks, who was born in 1964; “Law & Order” star Jesse L. Martin, who was born in 1969; former NAACP President Benjamin Jealous, who was born in 1973; former N.J. Devils right winger Brian Gionta, who was born in 1979; singer-songwriter Estelle, who was born in 1980; former NFL defensive end Julius Peppers, who was born in 1980; “How I Met Your Mother” star Jason Segel, who was born in 1980; and Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried, who was born in 1994.