January 5: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

ON THIS DAY IN 1902, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “It is said that Herbert C. Hoover is one of the highest salaried men of his years in the industrial world. At the age of 27 he is in receipt of $33,000 annually for his services as a mining expert.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1925, the Eagle reported, “CHEYENNE, WYO. (AP) — Mrs. Nellie Tayloe Ross, who today became America’s first woman Governor when she took the oath as Chief Executive of Wyoming, dedicated her efforts to the State, ‘relying upon Divine help for strength and guidance.’ Her first statement was short and simple, in keeping with the atmosphere of the ceremonies she requested prevail because of her mourning for her husband, Governor William Bradford Ross, who died suddenly three months ago while campaigning for re-election. Mrs. Ross addressed the assemblage in the Senate chamber as ‘My Friends’ and continued: ‘Owning to the tragic and unprecedented circumstances which surround my induction into office, I have felt it not only unnecessary but inappropriate for me now to enter into such discussion of policies as usually constitute an inaugural address. This occasion does not mark the beginning of a new administration, but rather the resumption of that which was inaugurated in this chamber two years ago. It is well understood, I am sure, that it is my purpose to continue, as I am convinced it is the desire of my State that I should, insofar as changing conditions will permit, the program and policies then launched.’”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1930, the Eagle reported, “BERLIN, DEC. 26 (By Mail) — Two German scientists are conducting some highly interesting experiments on the summit of the famous Monte Generoso, which towers 5,590 feet above the Lake of Lugano, in Switzerland. The purpose of these experiments is to split the atom by the use of a high tension electric current. The original members of the party were Herr Arno Brasch, Dr. Fritz Lange and Herr C. Urban. The latter met with a tragic death, having slipped and fallen over a precipice. His companions have returned to Berlin for a short stay, and while here are continuing their laboratory experiments and are also lecturing on the general subject of what they hope to accomplish. Both men are still very young to be engaged in such elaborate experimental work.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1933, the Eagle reported, “NORTHAMPTON, MASS. (AP) — Calvin Coolidge, former President of the United States, was found dead in his home by Mrs. Coolidge this noon. The only surviving ex-President of the United States would have been 61 years old July 4. Death was said to have been due to heart disease. His body was discovered by Mrs. Coolidge when she returned from a shopping tour. Mr. Coolidge was believed to have been dead about 15 minutes. Mr. Coolidge went to his office this morning but returned home accompanied by his secretary about 10 o’clock. Mr. Coolidge had complained of indigestion during the past two or three weeks but had not consulted a physician during the past month. Harry Ross, secretary to Mr. Coolidge, said there was nothing today to indicate the former President felt indisposed. They sat talking for some time, he said. Then Mr. Coolidge went upstairs. Ross waited for Mr. Coolidge to come down and dismiss him for luncheon as was his custom. He was still waiting when Mrs. Coolidge came home from a shopping tour, went upstairs and found him dead.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1942, the Eagle reported, “The Government filed a declaration today in the clerk’s office of the Federal Court, Brooklyn, giving notice that it has taken title to 51 acres of land at the easterly end of Barren Island, Brooklyn, for an extension of the military airport at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn. Congress recently authorized the acquisition of the property by the Government and appropriated $286,000 to pay for it. A Treasury Department check for that amount was filed with Percy G.B. Gilkes, clerk of the court, along with the Government’s declaration vesting title. The Federal Court will hold a series of hearings to determine the actual amount to be paid by the Government for the property. The owners as scheduled in the Government’s petition are: Thomas F. White Company, Barile Development Corporation, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and the New York Sanitary Utilization Company, which formerly operated the sanitary plant at Barren Island, which ceased operation some years ago.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1951, Eagle columnist Constantine Brown said, “When will Washington become realistic and give the green light to the Chinese Nationalist forces in Formosa to move across to the Chinese mainland? This question is being asked anxiously by those who are aware of the risks we are running in Korea. Unless the Administration awakens quickly, it may soon be too late and the Nationalists may lose their ability to make a worthwhile diversion. The American front is shuddering under the blows of a numerically superior enemy provided with the best equipment Russian factories have been able to produce. Whatever the gentle diplomats call the present fighting, which involves more than 100,000 Americans, in plain GI language it is real war between the United States and China.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1954, the Eagle reported, “All past records for attendance have been broken at the Brooklyn Fox Theater since the opening last week of Warner Brothers’ ‘Hondo,’ starring John Wayne. It will be held for a second week starting tomorrow. The associate feature, ‘Royal African Rifles,’ with Louis Hayward and Veronica Hurst, also remains. Both are in color. The first ‘Bugs Bunny’ 3-D cartoon, third attraction, remains too.”

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Carrie Ann InabaRichard Shotwell/Invision/AP Bradley CooperEvan Agostini/Invision/AP

NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall, who was born in 1931; former talk show host Charlie Rose, who was born in 1942; former U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, who was born in Brooklyn in 1944; Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton, who was born in 1946; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chris Stein (Blondie), who was born in Brooklyn in 1950; “Dynasty” star Pamela Sue Martin, who was born in 1953; former CIA Director George Tenet, who was born in 1953; “Our Town” singer Iris DeMent, who was born in 1961; actress and model Suzy Amis Cameron, who was born in 1962; “Dancing with the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who was born in 1968; “American Sniper” star Bradley Cooper, who was born in 1975; former NFL running back Warrick Dunn, who was born in 1975; “Mad Men” star January Jones, who was born in 1978; and model and actress Suki Waterhouse, who was born in 1992.

Robert DuvallBrent N. Clarke/Invision/AP

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Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.

Quotable:

“The creative process is not controlled by a switch you can simply turn on or off; it’s with you all the time.”

— choreographer Alvin Ailey, who was born on this day in 1931

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