August 18, ‘Five Killed in Trolley Crash’

August 18, 2014 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Braves catcher Evan Gattis celebrates his birthday today. AP photo

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Good morning, Brooklyn. Today is the 230th day of the year.

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ON THIS DAY in 1901, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article titled “Five Killed in Trolley Crash.” The article focused on a trolley collision.
“By a collision on the old Culver road late last night five people were killed and at least forty-five injured,” the article reported. “The accident occurred just before midnight, at the time when thousands of people were returning home from Coney Island and the adjoining beaches.” The collision wound up blocking both tracks for nearing a mile in both directions.

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NOTABLE PEOPLE born on this day include Brooklyn-born comedienne Elayne Boosler, who was born in 1952; former President of Mexico Felipe Calderon Hinojosa, who was born in 1962; Atlanta Braves catcher Evan Gattis, who was born in 1986; U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), who was born in 1950; virologist and the man who discovered the AIDS virus Luc Montagnier, who was born in 1932; “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” actor Martin Mull, who was born in 1943; “The Incredible Hulk” actor Edward Norton, who was born in 1969; “The Ghost Writer” filmmaker Roman Polanski, who was born in 1933; “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” actor Robert Redford, who was born in 1937; comedian and actor Andy Samberg, who was born in 1978; “Heathers” actor Christian Slater, who was born in New York City in 1969; “The Last of the Mohicans” actress Madeleine Stowe, who was born in 1958; and “The Cosby Show” actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who was born in 1970.

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ROBERTO CLEMENTE was born on this day in 1934. Clemente was a National League baseball player born in Carolina, Puerto Rico. He died in a plane crash in 1972 while on a mission to deliver supplies to Nicaragua. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.

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BIRTH CONTROL PILLS were first sold on this day in 1960. The pill was marketed by G.D. Searle Company of Illinois.

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SERENDIPITY DAY is today. Serendipity is the making valuable or a “fortunate happenstance.” This holiday encourages others to bring serendipity into their lives.

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JC MYSTERY BOOK GROUP will focus on “The Spellman Files: Document #1” by Lisa Lutz today at 6 p.m. at WORD bookstore.

JAZZMOBILE will take place at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Harbor View Lawn today at 7 p.m. The event is a free performance by Arturo O’Farrill, who is a pianist, composer and educator. He additionally founded Afro Latin Jazz Alliance.

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