Today In History
Historical Events
1955 – KWEX TV channel 41 in San Antonio, TX (IND) begins broadcasting
1967 – USSR drops diplomatic relations with Israel
1973 – LPGA Championship Women’s Golf, Pleasant Valley CC: 1964 champion Mary Mills wins by 1 stroke ahead of runner-up Betty Burfeindt
2000 – Stanley Cup Final, Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX: New Jersey Devils defeat Dallas Stars, 2-1 in double OT for a 4-2 series victory
2006 – French Open Women’s Tennis: Justine Henin-Hardenne retains her title; beats Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 6-4, 6-4 for 5th Grand Slam singles crown
Famous Birthdays
1825 – Sondre Norheim, Norwegian skier and pioneer of modern skiing, born in Øverbø, Norway (d. 1897)
1840 – Theodor Philipsen, Danish painter, born in Copenhagen (d. 1920)
1911 – Terence Rattigan, British playwright (Winslow Boy, Browning Version), born in London (d. 1977)
1931 – Jim Ferree, American golfer (1 x PGA Tour win; 2 x Senior PGA Tour wins), born in Pinebluff, North Carolina (d. 2023)
1956 – Georg Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg, head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1996-present), born in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Famous Deaths
1883 – Carl Grädener, German cellist, conductor, teacher, and composer, dies at 71
1934 – Frederick Delius, British composer (A Mass of Life, Brigg Fair; In a Summer Garden), dies at 72
1970 – Earl Grant, American pop pianist, organist, and singer (“Ebb Tide”; “Winter Wonderland”), dies in a car crash in New Mexico at 39
1988 – Louis L’Amour, American western writer (Bowdrie), dies of cancer at 80
2008 – Dieuwke de Graaff-Nauta, Dutch politician (State Secretary for the Interior 1986-94), dies at 78
Historical Events
1768 – Riot breaks out in Boston after customs officials seize sloop owned by John Hancock for alleged customs violation
1876 – 10th Belmont: William Donohue aboard Algerine wins in 2:40.5
1956 – Due to Australia’s strict quarantine regulations, the XVI Summer Olympic equestrian events open in Stockholm, Sweden, five months early
1974 – Philadelphia Phillies slugger Mike Schmidt hits a ball off public address speaker hanging from Houston Astrodome roof
1981 – Seven Brothers Square in Bronx named honoring 7 Santini Bro Moving Co
1996 – Intel releases 200 MHz Pentium chip
2003 – Stephen Schwartz’ musical “Wicked”, starring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, officially opens at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, California
2007 – LPGA Championship Women’s Golf, Bulle Rock GC: Suzann Pettersen of Norway wins her first major title by 1 stroke ahead of Australian Karrie Webb
Famous Birthdays
1865 – Frederick Cook, American explorer, claimed to have 1st discovered North Pole, born in Callicoon, New York (d. 1940)
1927 – Lin Yang-kang, Taiwanese politician, born in Niitaka District, Taiwan (d. 2013)
1932 – Gardner McKay, American actor and author (Adventures in Paradise, Pleasure Seekers, Boots and Saddles), born in New York City (d. 2001)
1947 – Ken Singleton, American baseball outfielder (World Series 1983 Baltimore Orioles; MLB All-Star 1977, 79, 81), born in Mt Vernon, New York
1956 – Mickey Curry, American session and touring drummer (Bryan Adams; Hall and Oates; Sam Phillips), born in New Haven, Connecticut
1956 – Georg Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg, head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1996-present), born in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
1966 – Doug McKeon, American actor (Big Shamus Little Shamus, Centennial), born in New Jersey
1968 – Bill Burr, American comedian and podcaster (F Is for Family, I’m Sorry You Feel That Way), born in Canton, Massachusetts
1985 – Vasilis Torosidis, Greek soccer right back (101 caps; Skoda Xanthi, Olympiacos, Roma, Bologna, Olympiacos), born in Xanthi, Greece
1987 – James Maynard, English mathematician (Fields Medal 2022 for analytic number theory), born in Chelmsford, England
Famous Deaths
1424 – Duke Ernest of Austria (b. 1377)
1934 – Frederick Delius, British composer (A Mass of Life, Brigg Fair; In a Summer Garden), dies at 72
1944 – Willem Jacob van Stockum, Dutch physicist and mathematician, dies at 33
1971 – Michael Rennie, British actor (The Day the Earth Stood Still), dies at 61
2003 – Phil Williams, Welsh politician and scientist (b. 1939)
2013 – Barbara Vucanovich, American politician (1st Latina elected to the US House – (R) Nevada 1983-97), dies at 91
2016 – Gordie Howe, Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame right wing (23-time NHL All Star; NHL: Detroit Red Wings; WHA: Houston Aeros), dies of a stroke at 88
2016 – Margaret Heldt, American hairdresser who created the beehive hairstyle, dies at 98
2019 – Ib Nørholm, Danish organist, composer (Aspects of Sand and Simplicity), choral conductor, and educator, dies at 88
2022 – Jorge Spedaletti, Chilean soccer forward (5 caps; Everton Viña del Mar, Universidad de Chile Santiago, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata), dies at 74