Today in history
Today is Thursday, January 11, the 11th day of 2018 and the 22nd day of winter.
On this date in the SCV: In 1945, The Signal published a talk given by Bill Hart at the dedication of the Bill Hart West Hollywood Park, which began: “I should like to say in all the sincerity of which I am capable that in donating this beautiful spot, my former home, to the City of Los Angeles, I am only trying to do an act of justice; I am only trying to give back to the American public some part of what the American public has already given to me. Without the aid, without the loyal support of the American people I should never have been able to accomplish anything. I had my own studio, my own company. I made my own pictures over a period of years. The expenses were heavy, very heavy. It was a heavy load to carry but the American people gave me their nickles, their dimes, their quarters, and all the love and affection of their hearts, and I won out. All I gave them, all I had to give them in return, was the West—the West that I knew as a boy and that my training as an actor had taught me how to present.”
Today’s Highlights in History: In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared the Grand Canyon a national monument. In 1922, insulin was administered to a diabetic patient for the first time; the extract would require further improvement before achieving success. In 1964, the U.S. surgeon general issued the first U.S. government report concluding that smoking could be hazardous to health.
In 2003, departing Illinois Gov. George Ryan commuted the sentences of an unprecedented 156 death row inmates.
Today’s fact: Alexander Hamilton was born to a poor family on the Caribbean island of Nevis. Conflicting sets of records leave it unclear whether he was born in 1755 or 1757.
Today’s sports: In 1973, Major League Baseball owners voted in approval of a 10th lineup position for American League rosters, allowing a “designated pinch-hitter” to bat for the pitcher while allowing the pitcher to stay in the game.
Today’s number: 155,870 – estimated number of American lung cancer deaths in 2017.
Today’s moon: Between last quarter moon (Jan. 8) and new moon (Jan. 16).