Today In History
Historical Events
911 – During a siege in Constantinople, the Theotokos (Mary, the mother of Jesus) appears at the church in Blachernae, holding her veil over the praying faithful, among them St. Andrew of Constantinople
1791 – First session of the new French legislative assembly
1939 – Winston Churchill calls Russia a “riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma”
1995 – The NY Yankees (AL) and Colorado Rockies (NL) become the first wild-card teams in the new MLB playoff system; the Rockies are the first team to reach the postseason before their 7th year and post the best-ever record for a 3rd-year team, 10 games over .500 (77-67)
1998 – LA’s Mauricio Cienfuegos and Martin Machon equal the MLS playoff record of three assists each as the Galaxy roll to a 6-1 win over the Dallas Burn at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
Famous Birthdays
1847 – Annie Besant, English social reformer and supporter of Indian independence, born in London (d. 1933)
1878 – Othmar Spann, Austrian economist and sociologist (Geschichtsfilosofie), born in Vienna (d. 1950)
1910 – Bonnie Parker, American outlaw of Bonnie and Clyde fame, born in Rowena, Texas (d. 1934)
1960 – Elizabeth Dennehy, American actress (Guiding Light, Start Trek: The Next Generation), born in Jacksonville, North Carolina
1963 – Mark McGwire, American MLB first baseman, coach (12-time All Star, Oakland A’s, St. Louis Cardinals), born in Pomona, California
Famous Deaths
540 – Vedastus St Vaast, 1st bishop of Atrecht/saint, dies
1500 – John Alcock, English bishop and chancellor (founded Jesus College, Cambridge), dies at about 70
1943 – Johan Kalshoven, resistance fighter, executed at 20
2002 – Walter Annenberg, American publisher (Triangle-TV Guide) and philanthropist, dies at 94
2007 – Ned Sherrin, English broadcaster, author and stage director (b. 1931)
Historical Events
1871 – General Dutch Werkliedenverbond (ANWV) forms in Utrecht
1890 – Germany’s anti-socialist laws lapse
1953 – Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine sets a World Series record with 14 strikeouts in a 3-2 Game 3 win against the New York Yankees at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn
1960 – Nigeria gains independence from the United Kingdom and becomes the 99th member of the United Nations
1979 – The US returns the Canal Zone (but not the canal) to Panama after 75 years
1979 – Shehu Shagari becomes the first and only President of Nigeria’s Second Republic
1989 – Thousands of East Germans flee to West Germany
2000 – NBA stars Ray Allen and Vince Carter each score 13 points as the US beats France 85-75 to win the men’s basketball gold medal at the Sydney Olympics
Famous Birthdays
1808 – Eduard Sobolewski, Polish-American violinist and composer, born in Königsberg, Kingdom of Prussia (d. 1872)
1932 – Albert Collins, American blues guitarist (Ice Pickin’; Don’t Lose Your Cool; Showdown!), born in Leona, Texas (d. 1993)
1935 – Julie Andrews, British Grammy, Emmy, and Academy Award-winning stage and screen singer and actress (My Fair Lady (Broadway); Mary Poppins; The Sound Of Music; The Princess Diaries), born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
1936 – Edward Villella, American ballet dancer (NYC Ballet, 1957-79), and artistic director (Miami City Ballet, 1985-2012), born in Bayside, Queens, New York City
1943 – Jerry Martini [Gerald L. Martini], American saxophonist (Sly and the Family Stone – “Everyday People”), born in Denver, Colorado
1961 – Robert Rey, Brazilian-American plastic surgeon and television personality, known for “Dr. 90210”, born in São Paulo, Brazil
1965 – Ted King, American actor (General Hospital, The Bold and the Beautiful), born in Hollywood, California
1976 – Antonio Roybal, American painter and sculptor, born in Santa Fe, New Mexico
1982 – Carly Hughes, American actress (American Housewife), born in St. Louis, Missouri
1986 – Jurnee Smollett-Bell, American actress (Lovecraft Country), born in New York City
Famous Deaths
1310 – Beatrice of Burgundy, Lady of Bourbon (b. 1257)
1633 – Filaret Romanov, patriarch of Moscow, dies (b. 1550)
1904 – William Harcourt, British Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer, dies at 76
1930 – Ricacrdo Drigo, Italian composer of opera and ballet music, (Le Réveil de Flore; “La Flûte magique), conductor (Imperial Mariinsky Ballet, 1886- 1917). and pianist, dies at 84
1943 – John Charles Boissevain, resistance fighter, executed at 23
1970 – Hans Poser, German composer, dies at 52
1975 – Larry MacPhail, American Baseball Hall of Fame executive (Cincinnati Reds, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees), dies at 85
1988 – Sacheverell Sitwell, English writer (People’s Palace), dies at 90
2004 – Joyce Jillson, American newspaper columnist, author, astrologer and actress (Superchick, Jill Smith in “Peyton Place”), dies at 58
2017 – Samuel Irving Newhouse Jr., American magazine publisher (Parade, Vogue, Vanity Fair), dies at 89