Today In History
Historical Events
1072 – Former Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes blinded by rivals and exiled
1863 – Confederate General Robert Lee orders his forces to concentrate near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
1900 – The Imperial Chinese Court issues what is essentially a declaration of war against foreigners in China, blaming them for hostilities and giving license to the Boxers for even greater ferocity
1969 – US Open Women’s Golf, Scenic Hills CC: Donna Caponi wins first of 4 major titles; beat Peggy Wilson by 1 stroke
2017 – Mihai Tudose confirmed as Romanian Prime Minister, by parliament, succeeding Sorin Grindeanu
Famous Birthdays
1805 – Hiram Powers, American sculptor (Greek Slave), born in Woodstock, Vermont (d. 1873)
1885 – André Gailhard, French classical music composer, born in Paris, France (d. 1966)
1919 – Slim Pickens [Louis Burton Lindley Jr], American rodeo performer and actor (Dr Strangelove; Blazing Saddles), born in Kingsburg, California (d. 1983)
1964 – Stedman Pearson, English pop vocalist (Five Star – “Rain or Shine”; “The Slightest Touch”), born in Islington, London
1978 – Nicole Scherzinger, American singer (Pussycat Dolls), born in Honolulu, Hawaii
Famous Deaths
1953 – Jules van Nuffel, Belgian composer, priest, and musicologist (Nova Organi Harmonia), dies at 70
1967 – Oskar Maria Graf, German-American writer (Wir sind Gefangene (We Are Prisoners)), dies at 72
1999 – Allan Carr, American film producer and director (Grease, Happiest Millionaire), dies at 62
2000 – Coen Flink, Dutch actor (Pastorale 1943, Havinck, Honneponnetje), dies at 68
2018 – Irina Szewińska, Polish athlete, administrator (Olympic various sprint gold 1964, 68, 76), dies of cancer at 72
Historical Events
1945 – Ruthenia, formerly in Czechoslovakia, annexed by Soviet Union, becomes Ukrainian SSR
1957 – US Open Women’s Golf, Winged Foot GC: Betsy Rawls wins when apparent champion, Jackie Pung at 298 (+6) is disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard kept by playing partner Betty Jameson
1963 – The Beatles’ first number one single, “From Me to You,” hits the UK charts
1964 – Civil Rights Act of 1964 passes the US Senate after a 60-working-day filibuster by Southern senators
1976 – Seychelles gains independence from the United Kingdom
1992 – Algerian head of state, Mohamed Boudiaf, is assassinated by military officers during a public speech at the opening of a cultural center in Annaba
1994 – 128°F (53°C) Lake Havasu City, Arizona (state record, breaking previous set in 1905)
2015 – Beijing Times reports 30% of the Great Wall of China has disappeared due to natural forces and stealing of bricks
Famous Birthdays
1861 – William James Mayo, American surgeon and co-founder (Mayo Clinic in Minnesota), born in Le Sueur, Minnesota (d. 1939)
1864 – Wilbert Robinson, American Baseball HOF catcher (Philadelphia A’s, Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals) and manager (Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Robins), born in Bolton, Massachusetts (d. 1934)
1886 – Robert Schuman, Luxembourg-born French statesman and Prime Minister of France (1947-48), born in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg (d. 1963)
1905 – Alphaeus Hamilton Zulu, Anglican bishop of Zululand and Swaziland, born in South Africa (d. 1988)
1911 – Bernhard, German Prince (Consort to Queen Juliana of Netherlands), born in Jena, Germany (d. 2004)
1929 – Alexandre Lagoya, Greek-Italian-French classical guitarist and composer, born in Alexandria, Egypt (d. 1999)
1948 – Ian Paice, British hard rock drummer (White Snake; Deep Purple – “Smoke On The Water”), born in Nottingham, England
1963 – Anne-Sophie Mutter, German Grammy Award-winning concert violinist (Berlin Philharmonic debut at age 13), born in Rheinfelden, West Germany
1969 – Erik Tammer, American soccer player (SC Heerenveen, Go Ahead Eagles), born in Utrecht, Netherlands
1978 – Luke Kirby, Canadian-American actor (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), born in Hamilton, Ontario
Famous Deaths
1784 – Caesar Rodney, American judge and Founding Father (signed US Declaration of Independence), dies at 55
1852 – Henry Clay, American politician known as “the Great Compromiser”, Speaker of the House, Senator and Secretary of State (1825-29), dies of tuberculosis at 75
1969 – Moïse Tshombe, Congolese politician (President of the Democratic Republic of Congo 1964-5), dies at 49
1976 – Christos Papakyriakopoulos, Greek mathematician, dies at 62
1986 – John P. East, American politician (Sen-R-NC), dies at 55
1989 – Keith Chapman, American organist (Wanamaker Grand Court, 1966-89), dies in a plane crash at 43
1992 – Pierre Billotte, French military officer (Battle for France WWII), dies at 86
1996 – Bobby Keetch, English footballer and entrepreneur, dies at 54
2011 – R. C. Alston, British bibliographer, dies at 78
2018 – Steve Ditko, American comic artist and co-creator of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, dies at 90