April 8: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

April 8, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle History

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ON THIS DAY IN 1878, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “A total eclipse of the sun will occur on the 29th of July next. The pathway of totality of this eclipse runs diagonally across the center of the United States, from Montana to Texas, and is between 120 and 150 miles wide.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1920, the Eagle reported, “Calling upon the people of Brooklyn to aid the thousands of children of the rural sections of Tennessee, whose education is being entirely neglected because there are no schools, Sgt. Alvin C. York, war hero, who distinguished himself by capturing 132 German prisoners with the assistance of seven doughboys and putting out of business a nest of German machine guns, told the congregation of the New York Avenue M.E. Church, last night, ‘that the children of his home town, Nashville, are yearning for an education but are kept in ignorance because there are no schools.’ Sgt. York was to have spoken on his war experiences, but the sad plight of the children in his home town, coupled with the great desire to forget the horrors of war, made him sidetrack his subject and appeal to the Brooklynites to support the Alvin C. York Foundation drive throughout the country to raise funds by popular subscription for schools in the mountainous regions of Tennessee. Following Sgt. York’s talk the members of the congregation responded generously to the war hero’s appeal.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1948, the Eagle reported, “Reprinted from yesterday’s late editions — William Henry of E. 4th St., chairman of the department of astronomy at the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, and one of the city’s leading commercial photographers, died yesterday in Beekman Hospital, Manhattan, after a brief illness. Although regarded as an authority on astronomy, Mr. Henry, who had made a study of stars and planets for many years, insisted on maintaining an amateur status in that field. For many years he had made a systematic observation of sun spots and was credited with having the largest collection of sun spot drawings and photographs in the world. His photographs of total and partial eclipses of the sun and moon, taken in various parts of the world, and those of Mars and other heavenly bodies, have appeared in various magazines and newspapers. Born in Dryburg, Scotland, Mr. Henry came to the United States from Scotland when he was 15 and was a graduate of Pratt Institute, where he majored in art.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1949, the Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON (U.P.) — Eight nations of Western Europe today formally asked the United States for arms to defend themselves against aggression and to ensure the democratic world’s peace and security. It was a you-help-us and we’ll-help-you request under the principles of the freshly signed North Atlantic Treaty for common defense. Secretary of State Dean Acheson disclosed the requests. They were from the five Brussels pact nations — Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg — in a joint request, and from Norway, Denmark and Italy. Acheson said he could give no figure ‘or an informed guess’ as to the probable cost of the military assistance program to put muscle in the North Atlantic Treaty. He declared the program will be sent to Congress when finally worked out. Unofficially, it has been estimated at $1,800,000,000 and that has aroused the opposition of many congressmen who will decide whether to authorize and put up the money for such a program. President Truman ‘very likely’ will send the Atlantic Treaty to the Senate Monday with a short presidential message asking that it be ratified, the White House said.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1952, the Eagle reported, “WINDSOR, ENGLAND (U.P.) – Prince Charles went to church here Sunday for the first time and like many children his age he had trouble keeping quiet, it was disclosed today.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1954, the Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON — Representative Francis E. Dorn (R., Brooklyn) has given his support to a resolution introduced in Congress which asks that the words ‘Under God’ be inserted in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States. Mr. Dorn addressed the House of Representatives after participating in ceremonies which introduced the first regular postage stamp bearing the inscription ‘In God We Trust.’ It is a red, white and blue 8-cent stamp showing the Statue of Liberty. ‘I believe passage of this resolution would be an added assurance to those of our friends in foreign lands that we do truly look to God for inspiration and guidance, and that our acts of friendship are directed by Him, and not by materialistic concepts of power,’ he said. ‘The stamp will carry the message and the flag will uphold it.’”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1963, the Eagle reported, “LONDON (UPI) — President Kennedy’s family was the target of ribbing yesterday in connection with Russia’s acceptance of the ‘hot line’ proposal for a telephone link between Moscow and Washington. A front-page cartoon in the Sunday Express showed Soviet Premier Khrushchev on a telephone, saying to two bemedaled Soviet officers, ‘Relax. It’s only Caroline.’”

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NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steve Howe (Yes), who was born in 1947; “Piano in the Dark” singer Brenda Russell, who was born in Brooklyn in 1949; “The Dukes of Hazzard” star John Schneider, who was born in 1960; “Valotte” singer Julian Lennon, who was born in 1963; L7 co-founder Donita Sparks, who was born in 1963; “The Princess Bride” star Robin Wright, who was born in 1966; Oscar-winning actress Patricia Arquette, who was born in 1968; “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Emma Caulfield, who was born in 1973; former N.Y. Mets outfielder Timo Perez, who was born in 1975; “Battlestar Galactica” star Katee Sackhoff, who was born in 1980; and “Jessie” star Skai Jackson, who was born in 2002.