On this day, July 5
1687 Isaac Newton first published his Principia Mathematica, a three-volume work setting out his mathematical principles of natural philosophy.
1811 Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain.
1947 Larry Doby made his debut with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first Black player in the American League three months after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the National League. (In the game against the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park, Doby, pinch-hitting for Bryan Stephens, struck out in his first atbat during the seventh inning; Chicago won 6-5.)
1953 It was announced that the Wabash Building, a city landmark, was to be demolished to make way for further development in the Gateway Center.
1978 Edward Surratt of Aliquippa, wanted for two murders, was arrested in Florida.
2006 A Macquarie-led consortium announced a plan to acquire Duquesne Light Holdings for $1.59 billion.
Some items are from Stefan Lorant’s “Pittsburgh: The Story of an American City” (digital.library.pitt.edu/chronology).
— Compiled by Rick Nowlin
Today’s birthdays: Singer-musician Robbie Robertson, 79. Julie Nixon Eisenhower, 74. Rock star Huey Lewis, 72. Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and former Pirate Rich “Goose” Gossage, 71. Country musician Charles Ventre, 70. Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn, 63. Actor John Marshall Jones, 60. Actor Dorien Wilson, 60. Actor Edie Falco, 59. Actor Jillian Armenante, 58. Actor Kathryn Erbe, 57. Actor Michael Stuhlbarg, 54. Country musician Brent Flynn (Flynnville Train), 53. Rapper RZA, 53. R&B singer Joe, 49. Rock musician Bengt Lagerberg (The Cardigans), 49. Actor Dale Godboldo, 47. Rapper Bizarre, 46. Rapper Royce da 5’9”, 45. Rock singer Jason Wade (Lifehouse), 42. Actor Ryan Hansen, 41. Country musician Dave Haywood (Lady A), 40. Soccer player Megan Rapinoe, 37. Rock musician Nick O’Malley (Arctic Monkeys), 37. Actor Jason Dolley, 31. California Angels pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, 28. Thought for today: “Without promotion something terrible happens: Nothing!”
— P.T. Barnum, American showman
(1810-1891)