Today In History
Historical Events
1787 – English slave ship Sisters, en route from Africa to Cuba, capsizes killing hundreds
1921 – US President Warren G. Harding opens (via telephone) the 1st Valencia Orange Show in Anaheim, California
1949 – British government recognises Republic of Ireland (previously Irish Free State)
1979 – Emmy 6th Daytime Award presentation, “Ryan’s Hope” wins Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
2023 – Scientists discover comb jellies (ctenophores) are the closest relative to the very first animals that evolved half a billion years ago, by focusing on groups of genes on chromosomes
Famous Birthdays
1908 – Sigismund Toduţă, Romanian composer, born in Simeria, Romania (d. 1991)
1934 – Earl Morrall, American NFL quarterback (Super Bowl 1970, 72, 73; Pro Bowl 1957, 68; First-team All-Pro 1968, 72; NFL MVP 1968; Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins), born in Muskegon, Michigan (d. 2014)
1936 – Lars Gustafsson, Swedish poet and novelist (The Death of a Beekeeper, The Cracks in the Wall), born in Västerås, Sweden (d. 2016)
1960 – Lou DiBella, American boxing promoter
1977 – Jere Michael, American figure skater (1994 National Jr champ), born in Aspen, Colorado
Famous Deaths
1695 – Cornelis de Heem, Dutch painter, dies
1888 – Giacomo Zanella, Italian poet (b. 1820)
1986 – Lyudmila Pakhomova, Russian ice dancer (World C’ship gold x 6; Olympic gold USSR 1976; with Alexandr Gorshkov), dies from leukemia at 39
2002 – Joe Black, American baseball pitcher (NgL All-Star 1947, 48, 50 Baltimore Elite Giants; first black pitcher to win World Series game 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers), dies of prostate cancer at 78
2024 – Sid Going, New Zealand rugby union halfback (29 Tests; Northland RU), dies at 80
Historical Events
1620 – First merry-go-round is seen at a fair in Philippopolis in the Ottoman Empire
1689 – English King William III declares war on France in support of the Dutch Republic (Nine Years’ War)
1750 – -18] Tax revolt in Gorinchem
1900 – “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” is first published by L. Frank Baum with illustrations by William Wallace Denslow in Chicago
1953 – Yanks and Browns use record 41 players in a game
1955 – Dutch government of Willem Drees resigns
1958 – 83rd Preakness: Ismael Valenzuela aboard Tim Tam wins in 1:57.2
2014 – Atlético Madrid win the 2013–14 La Liga
Famous Birthdays
1758 – John St Aubyn, British fossil collector, born in Golden Square, London (d. 1839)
1821 – Sebastian Kneipp, Bavarian priest and naturopathist (known for “Kneipp Cure” form of hydrotherapy), born in Stephansried, Germany (d. 1897)
1890 – Philip James, American composer, and conductor (New Jersey Symphony, 1922-29; Bamberger Little Symphony, 1929-36), and educator (NYU, 1934-56), born in Jersey City, New Jersey (d. 1975)
1911 – Lisa Fonssagrives, Swedish supermodel, born in Västra Götaland County, Sweden (d. 1992)
1931 – Marshall Applewhite, American cult leader (Heaven’s Gate), born in Spur, Texas (d. 1997)
1952 – Howard Hampton, Canadian politician, Attorney General (1990-93), and Ontario MMP (1999-2011), born in Fort Frances, Ontario
1962 – Steven Honigberg, American classical cellist (National Symphony Orchestra; Potomac String Quartet), born in Chicago, Illinois
1964 – Menno Oosting, Dutch tennis player (7 ATP doubles titles), born in Son en Breugel, Netherlands (d. 1999)
1972 – John Burrough, NFL defensive tackle (Atlanta Falcons)
1974 – Andrea Corr, Irish Celtic folk rock singer, pianist, ukulele player (The Corrs – “What Can I Do”), and actress, born in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland
Famous Deaths
1050 – Guido of Arezzo, Italian music theorist and Benedictine monk, dies at about 59 [dates sketchy]
1464 – Thomas de Ros, 9th Baron de Ros of Helmsley, English politician, executed at 36
1807 – John Gunby, American Soldier in the American Revolutionary War, dies at 62
1978 – Selwyn Lloyd, British politician (Foreign Secretary, 1955-60; Exchequers, 1960-62; Leader of the House of Commons, 1963–64; Speaker of the House of Commons, 1971-76), dies of a brain tumor at 73
1981 – Jeannette Ridlon Piccard, 1st US woman free balloon pilot, dies
1995 – Toe Blake, Canadian Hockey HOF left wing (Stanley Cup 1935 Montreal Maroons; 1944, 46 Montreal Canadiens) and coach (Stanley Cup 1956-60, 1965-66, 68 Montreal Canadiens), dies at 82
1996 – Scott Brayton, American auto racer (4 x top 10 finishes Indianapolis 500; 2 x pole), dies in a practice accident at 37
2002 – László Kubala, Hungarian soccer striker (3 caps Hungary, 6 Czechoslovakia, 19 Spain, 4 Catalonia; FC Barcelona 186 games) and manager (Spain 1969–80), dies at 74
2009 – Mario Benedetti, Uruguayan journalist, novelist, and poet, dies from respiratory and intestinal problems at 88
2023 – “Superstar” Billy Graham [Eldridge Coleman], American pro wrestler (WWWF Heavyweight Champion 1977-78), dies of kidney, heart, and lung problems at 79