Brooklyn Today for May 9

May 9, 2013 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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Good morning. Today is the 129th day of the year. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle of May 9, 1871, reported that the Brooklyn caisson, or retaining structure, for the western tower of the Brooklyn Bridge had been implanted in the bed of the East River. “The Huge Monster Is Successfully Implanted in Deep Water,” read the headline. A short ceremony was held, but Col. Washington Roebling, who was supervising work on the bridge, refused to make a speech. At that time, the bridge was described as the “East River Bridge” – the name “Brooklyn Bridge” had not officially been adopted.

Well-known people who were born today include actress Candice Bergen, actor Albert Finney, singer-songwriter Billy Joel (“Piano Man,” “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” “Just the Way Your Are”), Hall of Fame baseball player Tony Gwynn, hockey player Steve Yzerman and actress Glenda Jackson.