Today in History for 9th January 2024

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Historical Events

1493 - Christopher Columbus mistakes manatees for mermaids, describing them as "not half as beautiful as they are painted"
1957 - Dutch Newspaper Society expels communist daily paper "Truth"
1967 - "More of the Monkees" second album by The Monkees is released
1995 - Ecuador and Peru involved in boundary fight
2010 - Hopman Cup Tennis, Perth: María José Martínez Sánchez and Tommy Robredo of Spain beat British pair Laura Robson and Andy Murray 7-6, 7-5 to clinch a 2-1 win; Spain's 3rd title
2012 - "Time is Love" single released by Josh Turner (Billboard Song of the Year 2012)

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Famous Birthdays

1620 - Johann Weichmann, German organist, and sacred and secular music composer (Sorgen-Lägerin), born in Wolgast, Pomerania (d. 1652)
1829 - Thomas William Robertson, English playwright (Caste), born in Newark-on-Trent, England (d. 1871)
1910 - Dick Henry Jurgen, American swing music bandleader, born in Sacramento, California (d. 1995)
1914 - Derek Allhusen, English equestrian rider (Olympic gold team, silver Individual eventing 1968), born in London, England (d. 2000)
1956 - Imelda Staunton, British actress (Finding Your Feet, Maleficent), born in Archway, London
1967 - Dave Mcllwain, Canadian NHL center (Pitts Penguins), born in Seaforth, Canada

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Famous Deaths

1895 - Aaron Lufkin Dennison, 'Father of American watchmaking', American watch manufacturer and businessman (Tremont Watch Company), dies at 82
1964 - Frank "Big Boy" Goudie, American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist, and upholsterer, dies of cancer at 64
1975 - Pyotr Sergeyevich Novikov, Russian mathematician (group theory), dies at 73
1979 - Avery Claflin, American banker and composer ("Lament for April 15" - income tax form instructions set to music), dies at 80
2008 - William Quinn, Irish Republican Army soldier (b. 1950)
2018 - Karin von Aroldingen, German ballet dancer (NYC Ballet), dies at 76

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