Today in History for 4th June 2025
Historical Events
1824 – First free press (without government approval) founded in Australia – the Hobart Town Gazette by ex-convict Andrew Bent
1850 – Empire Engine Company No. 1 organized, in San Francisco, California
1928 – French Championships Men’s Tennis: Henri Cochet wins his 2nd of 4 home titles; beats countryman René Lacoste 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3
1963 – First broadcast of “Pop Go the Beatles” on BBC radio
2024 – US President Joe Biden introduces immediate restrictions on the southern border, limiting illegal migrant crossings to 2,500 a day
Famous Birthdays
1922 – Irwin Bazelon, American composer (Duo for Viola), born in Evanston, Illinois (d. 1995)
1928 – Lloyd Lambert, American bassist (Guitar Slim), born in Thilbodaux, Louisiana (d. 1995)
1929 – Karolos Papoulias, President of Greece (2005-15), born in Ioannina, Greece (d. 2021)
1970 – Gary Lynagh, Australian rower (World C’ship gold Lwt quad scull 1991, Lwt double scull 1992, 93), born in Brisbane, Australia
1972 – Derian Hatcher, American ice hockey defenseman (NHL All Star 1997 Dallas Stars), born in Sterling Heights, Michigan
Famous Deaths
1809 – Nicolai Arbraham Abildgaard, Danish painter/architect, dies at 65
1997 – Johnny “Hammond” Smith, American jazz and bop organist (Wild Horses Rock Steady), dies of cancer at 63
2007 – Freddie Scott, American singer and songwriter (“Cry To Me”), dies at 74
2013 – Cornelius “Nini” Harp, American doo-wop singer (The Marcels – “Blue Moon”), dies at 73
2018 – Georgann Johnson, American actress (Marge-Mr Peepers, Star Trek, Midnight Cowboy), dies at 91
