November 9: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

November 9, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle History

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ON THIS DAY IN 1892, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle said, “Mr. Cleveland’s election is assured and the Democratic party has reason to pat itself on the shoulder. A grander victory for the people against monopoly and pauper labor has never been recorded. While the Republicans are still claiming Indiana and Illinois, there seems to be no possibility that Mr. Cleveland can be defeated. The latest from the close and doubtful states points to Democratic success. Even if Mr. Harrison should carry his own state and Illinois, his opponent would still have a majority of the electoral college. In the unlikely event of Democratic defeat in all the doubtful states and those named above, Mr. Cleveland’s election would still be a certainty, for he would have 230 electoral votes, seven more than necessary … In Brooklyn the joy of the Democrats is unbounded, and so is the astonishment of the Republicans. New York state gives Cleveland a plurality of 40,633; New York city 67,702; Kings county 29,342.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1899, the Eagle reported, “The New York Zoological Park, consisting of more than 260 acres in Bronx Park, was formally opened at 3:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon, in the presence of over 300 invited guests, among whom were Seth Low, Controller Coler and Park Commissioner Moebus. Very few animals are in the park at present — indeed, its entire appearance is that of being in an unfinished condition — but it is intended to stock the caves, ranges and ponds as soon as they are ready. After the speechmaking and Levi P. Morton, president of the New York Zoological Society, had declared the park opened, the visitors were conducted over the grounds and the various exhibits were explained to them. Henry F. Osborn, chairman of the executive committee, who made the opening address, said: ‘We must acknowledge today the gifts of liberal men and women of this city, who have thus far contributed about $150,000 toward the plans, buildings and animals, while the taxpayers, in the good judgment of the Mayor and the Board of Estimate, have contributed an equal amount toward the paths, drainage, fences and pavilions. Yet this third of a million already expended is only the beginning of an undertaking in which all citizens will take a direct interest and contribute according to their means. The final plan is an extensive one, befitting a great city and a generous people.’”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1918, the Eagle reported, “PARIS, 4:20 A.M. (AP) — It is probable that the German reply to the Allied terms for an armistice will be brought back by the same courier that took them to German headquarters at Spa yesterday. Under the circumstances, it is believed the reply cannot be delivered before the middle of this afternoon at the very earliest. The German government, however, may use the wireless, in which case the plenipotentiaries at Marshall Foch’s headquarters will have only to ratify the decision thus conveyed to them. It is regarded probable in well informed circles that Prince Maximilian, the German Imperial Chancellor, will today communicate the terms of the armistice to a committee of Reichstag party leaders and will himself convey their vote to authorize the plenipotentiaries to sign the armistice.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1921, the Eagle reported, “The casket in which the body of the Unknown Soldier will be buried in Arlington Cemetery, in Virginia, Friday was made in Brooklyn by the Morgan Casket Company, 572 Park Ave. The War Department selected the Brooklyn concern, which supplied several hundred caskets for soldiers brought back to this country last summer from the French battlefield graveyards, after a canvass of many such factories. The design was supplied by the Morgan Company’s designers, and it was accepted by the War Department, with the stipulation that it never be duplicated.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1939, the Eagle reported, “WALSENBURG, COLO. (AP) — Drought dropped Cuchara Dam Lake from a depth of 50 feet to 10 inches. Rather than see the fish die, Game Warden H.G. Byrne invited all comers to help themselves. They did — with tubs, baskets, buckets and barrels.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1949, the Eagle reported, “Turkey, cranberry sauce — and the Macy Thanksgiving Day parade — make up the schedule for Thursday, Nov. 24. The parade, coming up for its 23rd year, has become almost as fixed a part of the Thanksgiving celebration as the pumpkin pie and the chestnut dressing, especially for the youngsters. Bands, floats and Santa Claus, whether it rains or shines, will start moving south on Central Park West from 77th St. at 10 a.m. After reaching 59th St. the parade will move down Broadway, passing the reviewing stand at 34th St. at about 11:30 a.m. The parade, aside from its popularity among local children, has won national fame thanks to a hit movie, ‘Miracle on 34th St.,’ and to a series of spectacular incidents. In its second year, Ben Hur’s white horse disappeared just before the take-off. A couple of years later, Clarence Chamberlain, in an airplane, stole the show by trying to lasso the big balloon with a tow rope. In 1940 the Santa Claus balloon collapsed, leaving many a harassed parent the problem of convincing youthful spectators that this was not an ill omen.”

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Vanessa Lachey
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include “CSI” star Robert David Hall, who was born in 1947; Oscar-winning director Bille August, who was born in 1948; Blue Oyster Cult bassist Joe Bouchard, who was born in 1948; “The Incredible Hulk” star Lou Ferrigno, who was born in Brooklyn in 1951; L7 drummer Demetra Plakas, who was born in 1960; “Star Trek: Voyager” star Robert Duncan McNeill, who was born in 1964; rapper and actress Pepa, who was born in 1966; U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer Bill Guerin, who was born in 1970; “Grey’s Anatomy” star Eric Dane, who was born in 1972; actor and singer Nick Lachey, who was born in 1973; TV personality Vanessa Lachey, who was born in 1980; “Huge” star Nikki Blonsky, who was born in 1988; and “Crazy, Stupid, Love” star Lio Tipton, who was born in 1988.

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KING OF THE HILL: Bob Gibson was born on this day in 1935. The Omaha native broke into the major leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959 and was one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1960s and early 1970s, winning 20 or more games five times. In 1968, he had a 1.12 ERA, the lowest in major league history. He was also the MVP of the 1964 and 1967 World Series. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1981 and to the MLB All-Century Team in 1999. He died in 2020.

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LIGHTS OUT: A massive northeast blackout occurred on this day in 1965. The failure began in western New York at 5:16 p.m., cutting power to much of the northeastern U.S. as well as Ontario and Quebec in Canada. More than 30 million people in an area of 80,000 square miles were affected. The experience provoked studies of the vulnerability of 20th century technology.

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

Quotable:

“Why do I have to be an example for your kid? You be an example for your kid.”

— Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, who was born on this day in 1935