Today In History
Historical Events
1874 – First cartoon depicting an elephant as the Republican Party symbol is published by Thomas Nast
1921 – Ed Wynn’s musical revue “The Perfect Fool” premieres in NYC
1941 – British air attacks on Berlin, Mannheim and Ruhrgebied
1954 – US spy plane shot down North of Japan
2021 – Kyle Larson holds off Martin Truex Jr in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway to earn his 10th win of the season and claim his first Cup Series championship
Famous Birthdays
1856 – Semyon Alapin, Russian chess master, born in St. Petersburg, Russian Empire (d. 1923)
1906 – Margaret Lambert, British historian (Saar), born in Devon, England (d. 1995)
1922 – Al Hirt, jazz trumpeter (Greatest Horn in the World), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1999)
1939 – Dudu, Brazilian soccer midfielder (13 caps; Palmeiras 134 games) and manager (Palmeiras), born in Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil (d. 2024)
1943 – Michael Spence, Canadian-American economist (Nobel 2001 – dynamics of information flows and market development), born in Montclair, New Jersey
Famous Deaths
1560 – Peter Lotichius Secundus [Peter Lotz], Neo latin poet (Opera omnia), dies at 32
1581 – Richard Davies, Welsh bishop and scholar
1974 – Sandra Rivett, English nanny to John Bingham, 7th Earl of Lucan, allegedly bludgeoned to death by Mr Lucan at 29 before he mysteriously disappeared
1981 – Will Durant, American author and historian (The Story of Philosophy, The Story of Civilization), dies at 96
1982 – Salvador Contreras, Mexican composer (Grupo de los cuatro), dies at 71
Historical Events
1492 – Ensisheim Meteorite strikes a wheat field near the village of Ensisheim in Alsace, France. Oldest meteorite with a known date of impact.
1742 – Empress Elizabeth of Russia proclaims her nephew Peter of Holstein-Gottorp (later Peter III) her heir
1811 – Battle of Tippecanoe: General William Henry Harrison defeats the Native Americans of the Tecumesh Confederation
1820 – James Monroe re-elected US president
1831 – State of Gran Colombia disbands
1893 – US State Colorado accepts female suffrage
1960 – KNRR TV channel 12 in Pembina, ND (IND) begins broadcasting
2017 – Singer Aretha Franklin gives her final public performance during Elton John’s 25th anniversary gala for the Elton John AIDS Foundation at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC
Famous Birthdays
1650 – John Robinson, English diplomat and prelate, born in Cleasby, North Yorkshire (d. 1723)
1915 – Philip Morrison, American physicist, born in Somerville, New Jersey (d. 2005)
1935 – Willibrordus S. Rendra, Indonesian poet (Ballad orang-orang tertjina), born in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia (d. 2009)
1936 – Guido Carlesi, Italian road cyclist (Tour de France 1961 runner-up), born in Vicarello di Collesalvetti, Italy (d. 2024)
1955 – René Marie, American jazz singer (Sound of Red), born in Warrenton, Virginia
1964 – Dana Plato, American actress (Kimberly-Diff’rent Strokes), born in Maywood, California (d. 1999)
1968 – Russ Springer, American MLB pitcher (Philadelphia Phillies), born in Alexandria, Louisiana
1973 – Martín Palermo, Argentine footballer, born in La Plata, Argentina
1974 – Chris Summers, Norwegian drummer (Turbonegro), born in Oslo, Norway
1990 – Matt Corby, Australian singer and songwriter (Into The Flame), born in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Famous Deaths
1608 – Adolf, Count of Nassau-Siegen, third son of ruling Count John VII, dies in battle at 22
1713 – Elizabeth Barry, English actress of the restoration period, dies at 55
1817 – Francesco Pasquale Ricci, Italian composer, dies at 85
1944 – Richard Sorge, German spy for the Soviet Union in Tokyo during World War II, hanged in Tokyo at 49
1957 – Roy Worters, Canadian Hockey HOF goaltender (Hart Memorial Trophy 1929; Vezina Trophy 1931; NY Americans), dies at 57
1959 – Victor McLaglen, English actor (The Informer – Academy Award 1935), dies of a heart attack at 72
1994 – Charles Mathiesen, Norwegian speed skater (Olympic gold 1936), dies at 83
2006 – Bryan Pata, American football defensive tackle (University of Miami) (murdered) (b. 1981)
2019 – Maria Perego, Italian puppeteer and creator of Topo Gigio, dies at 95
2023 – Elizabeth Moynihan [née Brennan], American architectural historian credited with discovering Babur’s Garden, dies at 94