This Day In History

[The Poet]

Today in 1804, not too far from here, Aaron Burr fatally shot Alexander Hamilton on the dueling grounds near Weehawken NJ, following a heated feud between them which had grown over nearly a decade. Though charged with murder in both New York and New Jersey, Vice-President (!!) Burr avoided prosecution due to his immunity . . . just like he avoided charges of treason a few years later. Meanwhile Hamilton, a key contributor to the US Constitution and the Federalist Papers, and George Washington's choice as the first Secretary of the Treasury, ended up as the face on the ten-dollar bill . . . for now, anyway.

In 1914 George Herman "Babe" Ruth made his MLB debut, pitching 7 strong innings against the Cleveland Indians for a 4-3 win by the Red Sox. He also went 0 for 2 at the plate.

In 1922 the Hollywood Bowl opened, hosting the LA Philharmonic. Speaking of Hollywood, in 1960 the novelty song Alley Oop, recorded by a fictitious group named for the intersection of the studio's address, became a #1 hit on the charts, and the Hollywood Argyles entered the lists as one-hit wonders.