ON THIS DAY IN 1926, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “WASHINGTON (AP) — Further authorizations for the coinage of special commemorative or memorial coins is opposed by Secretary Mellon. In a letter to Congress, the Secretary has protested that Government money should not be commercialized by non-Government agencies who have been allowed to sell the special coins at increased prices. Two new coins will appear this year, one memorializing the Sesqui-Centennial Exposition to be held at Philadelphia and one for the celebration of the Bennington, Vt., Battle. The former will bear a design of President Coolidge. This is the first time that a coin will be made bearing the likeness of a living President. In all instances where non-Government organizations have been allowed special coins, the enterprise has resulted in failure from a commercial point, Mr. Mellon told Congress.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1951, the Eagle reported, “TOKYO (UP) — The first phase of the Communist Spring offensive in Korea has ended in a ‘great victory for the United Nations,’ Lt. Gen. James A. Van Fleet said today. Van Fleet, commander of the 8th Army, spoke as UN task forces probed as much as five miles ahead of the main Allied line seeking contact with the elusive Red armies. The Communists, bloodied by the loss of 70,000 men in the first round of their offensive, have pulled back up to 20 miles in some sectors to regroup for the second round. They are expected to resume the attack in three to five days. ‘We have punished the Communist forces severely,’ Van Fleet told newsmen in Korea after paying a flying visit to 10th Corps advance headquarters. ‘The enemy has failed in the first phase of his offensive. He has paid a heavy price. The first part of the battle has ended in a great victory for the United Nations.’ Van Fleet said he believed the Red offensive was designed to gain a quick military decision in Korea. ‘Certainly it is part of his announced plan to destroy us or force us into the sea,’ he said.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1952, Eagle sports columnist Tommy Holmes said, “So you’re going to see the Kentucky Derby for the first time. Well, you have company. There are millions like you, including thousands who showed up at Churchill Downs for the big day in other years and were rewarded by a fleeting glimpse of a jockey’s cap on the parade to the post. You’ll want to observe the amenities, no doubt, before sitting down in front of the old video set. Don’t worry about ‘My Old Kentucky Home.’ Television will take care of that. There’s the mint julep, though. Start preparations well in advance. You really ought to have a silver julep cup. If you haven’t, you’ll just have to get along with a 12-ounce glass. Pluck from the stems and place in the cup or glass four or five mint leaves. Muddle with one teaspoon of water plus one teaspoon of powdered sugar. Fill cup or glass with crushed ice and pour in one large jigger of bourbon. Stir and keep stirring until the ice has dropped two inches and frost begins to appear on the outside of the glass. Then fill again with crushed ice and pour in another large jigger of bourbon. Then decorate with sprigs of mint dusted with powdered sugar. Keep the completed julep in the refrigerator for half an hour before post time, which brings the big moment. The procedure from this point is optional. You may (1) feed it to a goat, or (2) live dangerously and drink this spiked vegetable salad. If the latter, inhale through short straws. If the straws reach the bottom, where the corn juice settles, results are likely to be electrifying. It is a matter of cold scientific observation that this may cause the horses to run backward across the finish line. Hill Gail, therefore, will appear to be winning the 78th Kentucky Derby by a tail instead of the conventional neck.”

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Dwayne Johnson. Photo: Chris Pizzello/AP

NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include “After the Lovin’” singer Engelbert Humperdinck, who was born in 1936; model and actress Bianca Jagger, who was born in 1945; “Agatha Christie’s Poirot” star David Suchet, who was born in 1946; Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Larry Gatlin, who was born in 1948; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Lou Gramm (Foreigner), who was born in 1950; “Cybil” star Christine Baranski, who was born in 1952; fashion designer Donatella Versace, who was born in 1955; “Amadeus” star Elizabeth Berridge, who was born in 1962; political commentator Mika Brzezinski, who was born in 1967; “Fast & Furious” star Dwayne Johnson, who was born in 1972; “Blossom” star Jenna von Oy, who was born in 1977; “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” star Ellie Kemper, who was born in 1980; stock car driver Kyle Busch, who was born in 1985; Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Sarah Hughes, who was

Kyle Busch. Photo: Mark Humphrey/AP

born in 1985; 2010 American League Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz, who was born in 1988; and nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George, who was born in 1990.

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IT IS WRITTEN: The King James Bible was published on this day in 1611. King James I had appointed a committee of learned men to produce a new translation of the Bible in English. In England it’s known as the Authorized Version.

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Sarah Hughes. Photo: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

FROM FIRST TO LAST: Lou Gehrig benched himself on this day in 1939. The N.Y. Yankees first baseman asked manager Joe McCarthy to take him out of the lineup against the Detroit Tigers, ending a streak of 2,130 consecutive games that began in 1925. Gehrig was soon diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He died at age 37 on June 2, 1941.

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Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.

Quotable:

“All success begins with self-discipline. It starts with you.” — actor Dwayne Johnson, who was born on this day in 1972.