April 8, birthdays for Patricia Arquette, Robin Wright, Kofi Annan

Brooklyn Today

April 8, 2015 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Actress Patricia Arquette celebrates her birthday today. AP photo

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ON THIS DAY in 1914, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article titled “John McNamee Dies; A Subway Builder.”

The article focused on a well-known Brooklyn engineer passing away.

“John McNamee, prominent through his educational and charitable activities, as well as by his reputation as a subway builder and engineer, died last night at his home … at the age of 72,” the Eagle reported. “His death was caused by stomach trouble.”

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NOTABLE PEOPLE born on this day include former U.N. Secretary General KOFI ANNAN, who was born in 1938; “Medium” actress PATRICIA ARQUETTE, who was born in 1968; librarian and chronicler of contemporary civilization WILLIAM D. CHASE, who was born in 1922; comedian SHECKY GREENE, who was born in 1925; Hall of Fame basketball player JOHN J. HAVLICEK, who was born in 1940; journalist SEYMOUR HERSH, who was born in 1937; “The Bean Trees” author BARBARA KINGSOLVER, who was born in 1955; musician and singer JULIAN LENNON (son of John Lennon), who was born in 1963; “Arachnophobia” actor STUART PANKIN, who was born in 1946; “Battlestar Galactica” actress KATEE SACKHOFF, who was born in 1980; “Smallville” actor JOHN SCHNEIDER, who was born in 1960; designer VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, who was born in 1941; and “The Princess Bride” and “Forrest Gump” actress ROBIN WRIGHT, who was born in 1966.

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THE 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on this day in 1913. Prior to the 17th Amendment, members of the Senate were elected by each state’s respective legislature. This change led to the direct popular election of senators.

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CONGRESSMAN John Lewis will participate in a book signing at noon today at the Brooklyn Music School (126 St. Felix St.). Lewis’ book, “March,” details how young people can change the world through nonviolence. Each student in attendance will receive a free copy. Lewis will additionally appear at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Dweck Center tonight at 7 p.m.

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