History

May 21, ‘The Great Day’

May 21, 2014 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, Councilmember Chaim Deutsch and others are holding a seminar for homeowners, renters and drivers. NYC Department of Finance experts will answer questions about property taxes and value assessments, programs for low-income seniors and people with disabilities, parking tickets and more from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Manhattan Beach Jewish Center. Call 212-669-7719 to RSVP. … PBS is celebrating the upcoming documentary “Brooklyn Best” with a THIRTEEN channel-themed trivia night at 6:30 p.m. the Brooklyn Brewery. In addition to competing, guests are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Brooklyn for an opportunity to be included in “Brooklyn Best.” … The Brooklyn Historical Society, with Brooklyn Brainery, is hosting “Pizza: The Brooklyn Story,” a talk on the history of New York’s favorite food and Brooklyn’s crucial role in its evolution. Scott Wiener, pizza historian, will start the seminar at 7 p.m.

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Notable people born on this day include “House” actress Lisa Edelstein, born in 1967; baseball player Josh Hamilton, born in 1981; “Atonement” author Ian McEwan, born in 1948; “Parenthood” actress Sarah Ramos, born in 1991; Belgian musician Gotye, born in 1980; and actor Mr. T, born in 1952.

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The American Red Cross was founded on this day in 1881. Clara Barton was the organization’s first president. The Red Cross had been founded in Switzerland in 1864 by representatives from 16 European nations. It is a nonprofit organization governed and directed by volunteers and provides disaster relief at home and abroad. Its 1.1 volunteers are involved in community services such as collecting and distributing donated blood and blood products, teaching health and safety classes and acting as a medium for emergency communication between Americans and their armed forces.

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It is the 30th annual Fleet Week this week in New York. Held nearly every year since 1984, Fleet Week is the city’s celebration of the sea services. It provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City to meet sailors, marines and coast guardsmen, as well as see, firsthand, the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. More than 6,000 service men and women from the U.S. and foreign nations will arrive aboard the ships.

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It is the United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Recognizing the need to enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development and global peaceful coexistence, the General Assembly, on Dec. 20, 2002, proclaimed May 21 to serve as this day. The Assembly acknowledged the close link between protecting cultural diversity and the larger framework of the dialogue among civilizations.

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On this day in 1883, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported on the brand new Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge, which was started in 1870, was completed that year. In an article titled “The Great Day,” the Eagle wrote that the “bridge office witnessed another busy scene to-day with its earnest, clamorous and unwearied host of applicants both for passes to cross on the last day before the opening and for invitations to the inaugural ceremonies. After this evening the great structure will be closed until Thursday afternoon next. This is done in order to give the workmen ample opportunity to prepare the bridge for the thousands of guests who will take part in the opening exercises.” The Brooklyn Bridge was designed by German immigrant John Augustus Roebling and cost $15.5 million dollars to build. Roughly 27 people died working on its construction.


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

 


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