December 3: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

December 3, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle History

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ON THIS DAY IN 1867, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “Dickens read ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘The Trial Scene from Pickwick,’ in Tremont Temple, Boston, last night. The large hall was crowded, and the audience included the most distinguished people of Boston — and therefore of course the foremost men of all this world. A correspondent describes Dickens’ personality and the peculiarities of his style of acting-reading at some length. The novelist wears a white carnation in his button-hole, a pink rosebud on his shirt front, a gold stud, much watch chain, and a diamond ring. He does not confine himself to the text, either as originally printed or as condensed for the readings, but ‘gags’ freely, and in a measure adapts his matter to the new locality. The reading last night occupied two hours, and was received with every expression of satisfaction.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1875, the Eagle reported, “The Centennial Committee on the opening ceremonies has selected as orator Mr. William M. Evarts, H.W. Longfellow as poet, and a grandson of Richard Henry Lee, of Virgina, as reader of the Declaration of Independence.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1933, the Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON, DEC. 2 (AP) — Farmers in 32 of the 48 States are faced with a drought which the Weather Bureau describes as the most general need for rain since the great drought of 1930. This lack of moisture has been accumulating for the last five or six months, Weather Bureau records show, until the dryness has become acute in many States and in other large areas is a handicap to Fall farming operations and is causing a shortage of water for both man and beast.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1940, the Eagle reported, “The Regional Plan Association announced today that it is undertaking a comprehensive traffic and parking survey of the three central business districts of midtown and lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn which will be a new approach to the city’s traffic problems. The association has arranged for the cooperation of all interested and informed public and private agencies so that its study will indicate not only problems but specific and practical solutions. A continued effort after completion of the survey will be directed toward putting the association’s recommendations into effect, it was stated. All phases of the problem will be covered including moving vehicles, loading, parking garaging and pedestrian facilities. According to the group, Mayor LaGuardia has made available the full cooperation of all city departments concerned. George McAneny is president of the association.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1941, the Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON (U.P.) — Basic differences in the national policies of the United States and Japan were emphasized today by Secretary of State Hull in a press conference discussion, during which he charged Japan with setting up military despotism in conquered countries. Hull pictured a Japan which depended on force and conquest and oppression of conquered people. He said the months-long exploratory conversations had never reached a stage where actual negotiations toward a peaceful settlement of United States-Japanese issues could be undertaken. Hull’s remarks were interpreted as representing a pessimistic official view of the outcome of the present tense situation involving the two countries. He spoke as the United States awaited a prompt reply to President Roosevelt’s request for an explanation of heavy Japanese troop concentrations in French Indo-China, exceeding the 25,000 agreed upon between Tokyo and Vichy France. Mr. Roosevelt’s request was made yesterday.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1953, the Eagle reported, “TUCKER’S TOWN, BERMUDA (UP) — Premier Joseph Laniel of France arrived today to join Prime Minister Winston Churchill in pressing for an affirmative answer to Moscow’s bid to a Big Four Foreign Ministers conference. Indications are that the U.S. position on that issue will be one of the major items discussed when the two sit down with President Eisenhower tomorrow to begin shaping the West’s strategy in the continuing cold war. Both Sir Winston, who arrived here yesterday to complete preparations for the historic twice-postponed conference, and Premier Laniel favor an early meeting with Russia. President Eisenhower, who will fly here from Washington tomorrow morning, has made no advance commitments. There was speculation here that the United States may agree conditionally to the meeting in Berlin. The U.S. State Department has indicated those conditions would include assurances that Germany and Austria be on the agenda of the proposed Foreign Ministers conference. It also appeared almost certain that a Big Four meeting, if held, could not be called before mid-January because of the French political situation and France’s mid-December Presidential election.”

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NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath), who was born in 1948; Jefferson Starship singer Mickey Thomas, who was born in 1949; Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore, who was born in 1960; hockey player and Olympic gold medalist Mike Ramsey, who was born in 1960; N.Y. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, who was born in 1969; “Charmed” star Holly Marie Combs, who was born in 1973; former N.Y. Giants defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, who was born in 1976; “Veep” star Anna Chlumsky, who was born in 1980; actress and former Sunset Park resident Dascha Polanco, who was born in 1982; and “Mean Girls” star Amanda Seyfried, who was born in 1985.

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THE GIFT OF LIFE: Dr. Christiaan Barnard of South Africa performed the first successful heart transplant on this day in 1967. The donor was 25-year-old Denise Darvall, who died in a car accident. The recipient was 53-year-old Louis Washkansky, who lived for 18 days with his new heart before dying of pneumonia.

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BOXING DAY: “Rocky” was released in theaters on this day in 1976. Sylvester Stallone, who wrote the script, starred as underdog fighter Rocky Balboa, who gets his shot at fame and fortune. Made on a budget of only $1 million, the film was a huge financial success and won three Oscars, including Best Picture, and spawned a number of sequels, the most recent being 2023’s “Creed III.”

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

Quotable:

“I got rabies shots for biting the head off a bat, but that’s OK — the bat had to get Ozzy shots.”

— Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ozzy Osbourne, who was born on this day in 1948