Today In History
Historical Events
1700 – Massachusetts orders priest to leave the colony
1769 – Design of Madonnina statue chosen, symbol of the city of Milan that stands atop spire of the Cathedral, designed by sculptor Giuseppe Perego
1837 – Charles Goodyear obtains his first rubber patent
1950 – 1st kidney transplant (Chicago)
1966 – Peter Green, British blues-rock guitartist joins John Mayall’s Bluebreakers
Famous Birthdays
1907 – Charles Eames, American designer and architect, born in St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1978)
1920 – Jacob H. Gilbert, American politician (US Representative 1960-1971), born in The Bronx, NYC, New York (d. 1981)
1950 – Susan Damante, American actress (The Adventure of Wilderness Family), born in Palo Alto, California
1969 – Paul Tergat, Kenyan long distance runner, born in Riwo, Baringo District, Kenya
1970 – Ron “Popeye” Jones, American NBA forward, 1992-2004 (Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, and 4 other teams), and assistant coach, 2013-present (4 teams), born in Dresden, Tennessee
Famous Deaths
1501 – John I Albert [Jan I Olbracht], Polish sovereign (King of Poland, 1492-1501; Duke of Głogów, 1491-98), dies at 41
1565 – Ashikaga Yoshiteru, 13th Japanese shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate (1545-65), dies at 29
1797 – Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, King of Iran (1794-7) and founder of the Qajar dynasty, assassinated at 55
2002 – J. Carter Brown, American art director (Washington National Gallery), dies at 67
2005 – Ronald Winans, American gospel singer (Winans), dies at 48
Historical Events
1397 – Union of Kalmar established between Denmark, Sweden and Norway
1631 – Mumtaz Mahal dies during childbirth. Her husband, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan I, then spends more than 20 years building her tomb, the Taj Mahal
1789 – French Revolution: During the meeting of the Estates-General, the Third Estate proclaims itself the ‘National Assembly’
1916 – US troops under General Pershing march into Mexico
1990 – US Open Men’s Golf, Medinah CC: Hale Irwin wins his 3rd Open title; defeats Mike Donald at the 91st hole, the first in sudden-death, after tying the 18-hole Monday playoff
2012 – US Open Men’s Golf, Olympic Club, SF: American Webb Simpson wins his first major title, 1 stroke ahead of runners-up Graeme McDowell and Michael Thompson
2020 – First major breakthrough in treating COVID-19 using steroid dexamethasone announced by Oxford University
2024 – NBA Finals: Boston Celtics beat Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in Game 5 to clinch the club’s record 18th Championship; MVP: Boston forward Jaylen Brown
Famous Birthdays
1714 – César-François Cassini de Thury, French astronomer (geodesic labor), born in Thury-sous-Clermont, Oise, France (d. 1784)
1895 – Slavko Osterc, Slovenian composer (Iz Satanovega Dnevnika (From Satan’s Diary); Illusions), and pedagogue, born in Veržej, Austria-Hungary (d. 1941)
1902 – Sammy Fain, American popular music composer, born in New York City (d. 1989)
1929 – Tigran Petrosian, Soviet Armenian World Chess Champion (1963-69), born in Tiflis, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union (d. 1984)
1940 – Bobby Bell, American College/Pro Football HOF linebacker (Uni of Minnesota; Super Bowl 1970 KC Chiefs; NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1969; First-team All-Pro 1970; Pro Bowl 1970, 71, 72), born in Shelby, North Carolina
1943 – Johann Eigenstiller, Austrian soccer defender (37 caps; FC Wacker, Rapid Wien, SSW Innsbruck), born in Steyr, Austria (d. 2025)
1945 – Ken Livingstone, English politician (Mayor of London 2000-08), born in London
1954 – Mark Linn-Baker, American actor (Perfect Strangers), born in St. Louis, Missouri
1967 – Terry Norris, American boxer and three-time light middleweight world champion, born in Lubbock, Texas
1970 – Michael Showalter, American comedian, screenwriter (Stella), and film director (The Big Sick; The Eyes of Tammy Faye), born in Princeton, New Jersey
Famous Deaths
1501 – John I Albert [Jan I Olbracht], Polish sovereign (King of Poland, 1492-1501; Duke of Głogów, 1491-98), dies at 41
1565 – Ashikaga Yoshiteru, 13th Japanese shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate (1545-65), dies at 29
1734 – Duke of Berwick, French general strategist, dies in battle
1965 – Arnold Meijer, Dutch leader of fascist Dutch National and Black Front, dies at 60
1978 – Cully Richards, actor (Don’t Call Me Charlie), dies at 68
1981 – Richard O’Connor, British general (b. 1889)
1987 – Dick Howser, American baseball shortstop (MLB All Star All-Star 1961, 61²; KC A’s) and manager (World Series 1977, 78 NY Yankees; KC Royals 1985), dies of brain cancer at 51
2002 – J. Carter Brown, American art director (Washington National Gallery), dies at 67
2007 – Paul Hodder-Williams, British publisher (Hodder and Stoughton), dies at 97
2015 – Ron Clarke, Australian athlete (17 x WRs, 5,000m, 10,000m, 20,000m; 2, 3, 6, 10 miles) and politician (mayor Gold Coast), dies from kidney failure at 78