CoM Moderators Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Historical Events 1854 - Britain recognises independence of Orange Free State (South Africa) 1878 - 1st telephone exchange in San Francisco, California opens with 18 phones 1916 - Sigmund Romberg, James Hanley, Harold R. Atteridge and Edgar Smith's musical "Robinson Crusoe Jr", featuring Al Jolson, opens at the Winter Garden Theatre, NYC; runs for 139 performances 1924 - American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller sets 100m world freestyle record 57.4s at Miami, Florida 1928 - American brothers, Jennison and John Heaton fight out the top placings in the cresta (now known as skeleton) at the St. Moritz Winter Olympics; Jennison takes the gold by 1.0s 2020 - Amazon boss Jeff Bezos pledges $10 billion to help fight climate change More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1850 - Anton Urspruch, German composer, born in Frankfurt (d. 1907) 1892 - Theodor Plievier, German writer (Des Kaisers Kulis [The Kaiser's Coolies]; Stalingrad), born in Berlin, German Empire (d. 1955) 1906 - Ramon Tapales, Filipino composer and conductor, born in Baybay, Philippines (d. 1995) 1934 - Alan Bates, British actor (Zorba the Greek; An Unmarried Woman; The Rose), born in Allestree, Derby, England (d. 2003) 1969 - Levon Kirkland, American NFL linebacker (Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Lamar, South Carolina 1971 - Jeremy Edwards, British actor (Holby City), born in London, England More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1609 - Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, dies at 59 1924 - Henry Bacon, American architect (Lincoln Memorial), dies at 57 1970 - Alfred Newman, American film music arranger, conductor and composer, winner of 9 Academy Awards (The Robe; How The West Was Won; Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing), dies at 69 1985 - Wanda Perry, actress (Roberta, Death of a Salesman), dies at 67 1993 - Alfredo de Leon, leader (Philippines Red Scorpio Gang), killed 2021 - Gianluigi Saccaro, Italian fencer (Olympic gold épée team 1960; silver épée team 1964; bronze épée 1968), dies at 82 More Famous Deaths » Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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