Historical Events
1743 – Coordinated scientific observations of the transit of Mercury were organized by Joseph-Nicolas Delisle
1964 – US launches Mariner 3 toward Mars; no data returned
1976 – Balt Jim Palmer wins AL Cy Young Award
1985 – “News” opens at Helen Hayes Theater NYC for 4 performances
1988 – 1st NBA game at Palace of Auburn Hills, Pistons beat Hornets 94-85
2010 – Breeders’ Cup Horse Racing, Churchill Downs; Day 1 winners: Eldaafer, More Than Real, Dubai Majesty, Awesome Feather, Shared Account, Unrivaled Belle
Famous Birthdays
1818 – Benjamin Franklin Butler, American Major General (Union Army), born in Deerfield, New Hampshire (d. 1893)
1917 – Jacqueline Auriol, French aviatrix (d. 2000)
1948 – Pepper LaBeija [William Jackson], American drag queen and fashion designer, born in The Bronx, New York (d. 2003)
1950 – Debbie Massey, American golfer (3-time LPGA Tour winner), born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan
1963 – Tatum O’Neal, Los Aangeles California, actress (Paper Moon, Little Darlings) and ex-wife of John McEnroe
1984 – Tobias Enstrom, Swedish hockey player, born in Nordingrå, Sweden
Famous Deaths
1854 – Soimonov, Russian general, dies in battle of Inkermann
1942 – George M Cohan, father of musical comedy, dies of cancer at 64
1960 – Ward Bond, American actor (Wagon Train, It’s a Wonderful Life), dies of a heart attack at 57
1982 – Gerarda “Gerda” Brautigam, Dutch journalist and politician (PvdA), dies
1986 – Claude Jutra, Québécois actor and film director (b. 1930)
2005 – Virginia MacWatters, American soprano (b. 1912)