March 24: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

March 24, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle History

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ON THIS DAY IN 1864, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “The infant son of the Prince and Princess of Wales was christened on the 10th, at Buckingham Palace. Vast numbers of persons assembled in the Park early in the morning, for the purpose of catching a glimpse of the Queen, who was expected to arrive shortly after eleven o’clock, and also the Prince and Princess of Wales, who were expected to leave Marlborough House about the same time for Buckingham Palace. The King of the Belgians was the first to arrive, and was greeted by loud cheers. Her Majesty arrived shortly before twelve o’clock, and was loudly cheered. The crowd then moved toward Marlborough House; and when the Prince and Princess left in their carriage they were greeted with the heartiest applause.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1912, the Eagle reported, “PORTLAND, ME., MARCH 23 — The collapse of the speakers’ platform in the auditorium where Colonel [Theodore] Roosevelt spoke tonight created some excitement, although Colonel Roosevelt was uninjured. The platform, which was elevated about three feet from the floor, was crowded with about thirty persons. As Colonel Roosevelt ascended the platform on entering the hall, it gave way with a crash. The middle portion sank to the floor. Colonel Roosevelt stepped quickly to the front of the structure which did not give way, and waved his hand at the crowd to show that he was uninjured. A chair was placed on the edge of the platform, and during the remainder of the evening Colonel Roosevelt remained placidly at the very front of the weakened stage. As Colonel Roosevelt entered the hall the people rose to their feet with a cheer. For two minutes the applause continued. When Walter H. Brown, president of the Roosevelt committee of Maine, introduced the Colonel, there was another outburst of handclapping. Colonel Roosevelt’s opening remarks, in which he referred to the collapse of the platform, brought a laugh from his hearers. ‘The platform broke down,’ he said, ‘but it wasn’t our platform. Our platform won’t break down. In the end the servants of the people will have to stand on that platform or the American democracy will be a confessed failure.’”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1913, the Eagle reported, “Synagogues and Hebrew organizations throughout the city united yesterday in the celebration of Purim, the Feast of Lots, a holiday having much in common with our modern Thanksgiving. The day is recognized throughout the world by the children of Israel as one of the leading feast days of the Hebrew calendar, and is marked by much rejoicing and merriment.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1921, the Eagle reported, “ATHENS (AP) — Greek troops numbering 120,000 are participating in the Greek offensive against the Turkish Nationalist forces in Asia Minor, it is reported here. The Turkish Nationalists are believed to have about 90,000 effectives in the field, but have smaller supplies upon which to draw. The most careful preparations were made by the Greeks in connection with the offensive, which began yesterday, and it is anticipated here that the Greeks will win important positions with their first drive. Apprehension is felt here that the advance of Greek forces east of the Smyrna hinterland will throw the Turks into the arms of the Russian Soviet government of Moscow. The objective of the offensive is the Bagdad railway, although Greek commanders have planned to reach the city of Eski-Shehr. It is affirmed that British, French and Italian armies in the Near East will not participate in the campaign. For the past two weeks the Greeks have been landing at Smyrna motor trucks, artillery and munitions, which have been stored at Saloniki.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1929, Eagle columnist Martin Dickstein said, “One of the most significant developments in the screen’s reckless pursuit of dialogue and sound is that so many picture players without previous experience in speaking roles are making good in the talkies. It was not so long ago that people (and movie critics are people) were heralding the speedy and lasting doom of Hollywood’s leading citizens and citizenesses on the ground that the talking pictures would have little use for mere physiognomic pulchritude when it was not combined with an ability for acting out loud — or even acting. Imaginary graves were being made ready all over California’s scenic landscape for the professional careers of the Gloria Swansons and Mary Pickfords, the John Gilberts and the Ramon Novarros. It was confidently believed that these and such as these would fall by the wayside at the cinema’s first infantile mouthings. It was assumed that their places, inevitably, would be taken by ‘legitimate’ actors and actresses who were more familiar with the requirements of the spoken drama. But, to the surprise of Hollywood’s most pessimistic alarmists, nothing much of the sort has taken place. With a few exceptions, the stars of the erstwhile silent drama have adapted themselves to the new medium with an unsuspected alacrity, and in almost no instance have they fallen to less exalted levels in the public’s favor.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1929, the Eagle reported, “Special services and music of religious character will be featured on many air programs during the coming week, in remembrance of the character of the Easter season. Roxy’s contribution to the music of Palm Sunday will be a performance of Handel’s ‘The Messiah,’ to be broadcast from the studio of the Roxy Theater at 2 o’clock this afternoon over station WJZ. It will be presented by the Roxy Symphony Orchestra, soloists, and the chorus of 75 voices.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1961, the Brooklyn Record reported, “Borough President John Cashmore today issued a proclamation declaring Tuesday, March 28th as Forsythia Day in Brooklyn. Robert Moses, President of the World’s Fair Corporation and former Parks Commissioner of New York City, was named recipient of the 1961 Forsythia Award of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Forsythia is the official flower of the Borough of Brooklyn, symbolizing brotherhood, unity and understanding. The Forsythia Award is made each year to the person whose accomplishments in the interest of his fellow men best express the ideals symbolized by Forsythia. The award will be presented at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 28th, in the auditorium of the Botanic Garden administration building, 1000 Washington Ave. Forsythia was named the official flower in 1940 by Borough President John Cashmore at the suggestion of the late Mrs. Edward C. Blum, long-time friend and benefactor of the Garden and a leader for several decades in philanthropic activities in the city. In her will, Mrs. Blum provided a bequest, the income from which is used to further the ideals of Forsythia Day.”

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Jessica Chastain
Grant Pollard/Invision/AP

Annabella Sciorra
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include fashion designer Bob Mackie, who was born in 1939; paleontologist Robert T. Bakker, who was born in 1945; World Golf Hall of Famer Pat Bradley, who was born in 1951; fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, who was born in 1951; former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who was born in 1956; animator Bill Wray, who was born in 1956; former N.Y. Knicks coach Mike Woodson, who was born in 1958; “Weird Science” star Kelly LeBrock, who was born in 1960; “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” star Annabella Sciorra, who was born in Brooklyn in 1960; “Twin Peaks” star Lara Flynn Boyle, who was born in 1970; “Big Bang Theory” star Jim Parsons, who was born in 1973; “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Alyson Hannigan, who was born in 1974; Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, who was born in 1976; “It” star Jessica Chastain, who was born in 1977; “Boston Legal” star Lake Bell, who was born in 1979; and Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Bosh, who was born in 1984.