History

August 11, ‘Mayor’s Doctors Give 2 p.m. Bulletin in Order to Allay Alarming Rumors’

Brooklyn Today

August 11, 2014 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Actress Viola Davis, seen here in the new film "Get On Up," celebrates her birthday today

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Good morning, Brooklyn. Today is the 223rd day of the year.

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ON THIS DAY in 1910, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article titled “Mayor’s Doctors Give 2 p.m. Bulletin in Order to Allay Alarming Rumors.” The article focused on the then-Mayor Gaynor coming down with a serious illness.
“Because of alarming rumors regarding Mayor Gaynor’s condition, which were in circulation this afternoon, Dr. Arlitz, who was in charge of the patient at the time, issued the following bulletin shortly after 2 o’clock: ‘Pulse, temperature and respiration remain unchanged since 8:30. Everything is satisfactory,’” the article reported.

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NOTABLE PEOPLE born on this day include children’s author Joanna Coles, who was born in 1944; “One Life to Live” actress Arlene Dahl, who was born in 1928; “The Help” actress Viola Davis, who was born in 1965; “Boy Meets World” actor Will Friedle, who was born in 1976; “Thor” actor Chris Hemsworth, who was born in 1983; wrestler and actor Hulk Hogan, who was born in 1953; musician and songwriter Joe Jackson, who was born in 1955; “Ugly Betty” actress Ashley Jensen, who was born in 1969; New York City-born “The Newsroom” actor Chris Messina, who was born in 1974; columnist and the person who claims the world’s highest IQ, Marilyn vos Savant, who was born in 1946; and Apple computer co-founder Stephen Wozniak, who was born in 1950.

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ELVIS WEEK begins today. The week is recognized to celebrate the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. The holiday is primarily celebrated in Memphis, Tenn.

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THE ANNUAL MAE WEST Birthday Gala begins today. The week-long celebration is meant to celebrate the Brooklyn-born entertainer Mae West. Mae-themed events are scheduled throughout New York City. For more information, see MaeWest.blogspot.com.

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PRESIDENTIAL JOKE DAY is today. This holiday recognizes the 30th anniversary of when former President Ronald Reagan made his famous joke in 1984 during a thought-to-be-off-the-record broadcast voice-test. Instead of preparing for a live broadcast with the normal countdown, Reagan said: “My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes.” The statement was picked up by live television cameras and heard nationwide.

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THIS WEEK’S Books Beneath the Bridge event is hosted by BookCourt and features Sackett Street Writers’ Workshop members Marie-Helene Bertino, Scott Cheshire, Robin Black, Courtney Elizabeth Mauk and Julia Fierro. The event is at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Granite Prospect and begins at 7 p.m.

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