Today in History for Nov. 28, 2017

Col. Gilbert Christian Russell Sr.

Nov. 28, 1520 – After navigating through a strait at the southern end of South America, three ships under the command of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan reached the Pacific Ocean, becoming the first European ships to sail from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific.

Nov. 28, 1640 – Flemish captain and explorer Willem de Vlamingh was born in Oost-Vlieland.

Nov. 28, 1757 – Poet and artist William Blake was born in London.

Nov. 28, 1777 - After the judgment and loyalty of Silas Deane was called into question, Congress appointed John Adams to succeed Deane as the commissioner to France.

Nov. 28, 1805 – American archeologist and explorer John Lloyd Stephens was born in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. Stephens was a pivotal figure in the rediscovery of Maya civilization throughout Middle America and in the planning of the Panama railroad.

Nov. 28, 1813 – Col. Gilbert Christian Russell Sr., the 31-year-old commander at Mount Vernon, arrived at Fort Claiborne, with the Third Regiment of the U.S. Infantry. Born on May 18, 1782 in Abingdon, Washington County, Va., Russell passed away at the age of 78 on Jan. 23, 1861 in Mobile and was buried in the Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile. Russell County, Ala. was named in his honor. Russell was also responsible for getting his wife Margaret Hollinger Russell's uncle, David Moniac into West Point Military Academy, and he went on to become its first Native American graduate. Russell’s father was Battle of Kings Mountain, N.C., Capt. Andrew Russell Jr., of Augusta County, Va. His brother-in-law was U.S. Senator George Washington Owen, the Mayor of Mobile. As commanding officer of Ft. Pickering in Memphis, Russell investigated and reported on the death of his friend, Capt. Meriweather Lewis.

Nov. 28, 1814 – “The Times” newspaper in London was for the first time printed by automatic, steam-powered presses built by the German inventors Friedrich Koenig and Andreas Friedrich Bauer, signaling the beginning of the availability of newspapers to a mass audience.

Nov. 28, 1820 – Philosopher and writer Friedrich Engles was born in Barmen, Prussia (now Germany).

Nov. 28, 1861 – During the Civil War, Missouri was admitted as a member of the Confederate State of America.

Nov. 28, 1862 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at the confluence of the Coldwater and Tallahatchie Rivers in Mississippi; along the Carthage Road near Hartsville and Rome in Tennessee; and at Hartwood Church, Va. Multiple skirmishes were also fought in the vicinity of Holly Springs, Miss. as Federal forces built up supplies and munitions preparatory to their advance down central Mississippi along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad toward Vicksburg.

Nov. 28, 1862 – During the Civil War, Federal reconnaissance was conducted from Chantilly to Snicker’s Ferry and Berryville in Virginia.

Nov. 28, 1862 – In the Battle of Cane Hill, Union troops under General John Blunt drove Confederates under General John Marmaduke back into the Boston Mountains in northwestern Arkansas. The battle was part of a Confederate attempt to push the Yankees back into Missouri and recapture ground lost during the Pea Ridge campaign of early 1862, when Union forces secured parts of northern Arkansas. The Yankees suffered 41 men killed or wounded, while the Confederates lost 45.

Nov. 28, 1863 - Confederate reinforcements arrived at Knoxville, Tennessee. Confederate General James Longstreet continued his siege in order to draw Union troops away from Chattanooga. Ultimately, Longstreet retreated back to Virginia.

Nov. 28, 1863 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought near Molino, Miss., on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad; and along Mine Run, Va.

Nov. 28, 1863 – During the Civil War, a 13-day Confederate cavalry operation began against the Memphis & Charleston Railroad in West Tennessee, under the command of Confederate Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Nov. 28, 1864 – During the Civil War, an 11-day Federal expedition from Brownsville to Fairview in Arkansas began; a five-day Federal expedition from Kernstown to Moorefield in West Virginia began; and a six-day Federal expedition from Winchester into Faquier and Loudoun Counties in Virginia began.

Nov. 28, 1864 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Buck Head Creek (or Reynold’s Plantation,) Davisborough and Waynesboro in Georgia; on Cow Creek, Kansas; and at Goresville, Stoney Creek Station, in Virginia. Multiple skirmishes were also fought at crossings of the Duck River in Tennessee. and at Shelbyville, Tenn.

Nov. 28, 1864 - The steamer Greyhound was heading up the James River from Bermuda Hundred, Va. It was the headquarters ship of Gen. Benjamin Butler, one of the most hated men in the Confederacy, and he had just taken aboard several other high Union commanders, including Adm. David D. Porter. After steaming five or six miles, the unexpected occurred. “The furnace door blew open,” Butler wrote, “and scattered coals throughout the room.” Porter suspected immediately the source: a Confederate “coal torpedo.” These metal devices were stuffed with explosive, then machined and painted to look like a lump of coal. Porter sounded almost envious when he said “In devices for blowing up vessels the Confederates were far ahead of us, putting Yankee ingenuity to shame.” Although no one was killed, and after managing to get ashore or to other ships, the Greyhound was destroyed.

Nov. 28, 1881 – In a letter to Alabama Gov. R.W. Cobb, Covington County Probate Judge Malachi Riley recommended Joseph Tarpley Peacock (Lewis Lavon Peacock’s father) for appointment as constable for Beat 12 (Red Level, Ala.) – apparently to fill a vacancy, since regular elections were held in August. He would be elected to the position on Jan. 9, 1882.

Nov. 28, 1888 – Thomasville, Ala. was officially incorporated as a municipality, according to the Alabama League of Municipalities.

Nov. 28, 1894 – Young Madison Rabb, the author of “The Early History of What is Known as the Evergreen Beat,” passed away in Brewton, Ala. at the age of 68. He was buried in the Old Evergreen Cemetery.

Nov. 28, 1895 – The Monroe Journal announced the candidacy of and endorsed W.S. “Sam” Bowden for the office of Monroe County (Ala.) Sheriff.

Nov. 28, 1904 – Novelist, biographer and essayist Nancy Mitford was born in London.

Nov. 28, 1909 – Sergei Rachmaninoff made the debut performance of his Piano Concerto No. 3, considered to be one of the most technically challenging piano concertos in the standard classical repertoire.

Nov. 28, 1910 – Brit Nelson allegedly murdered Manuel Rankin, who lived a short distance from Evergreen, Ala. A $100 reward was offered for Nelson’s capture.

Nov. 28, 1914 – During World War I, following a war-induced closure in July, the New York Stock Exchange re-opened for bond trading, after nearly four months, the longest stoppage in the exchange’s history.

Nov. 28, 1915 – On this Sunday afternoon, a sizeable crowd attended the dedication service at the “New Church” at Old Town. The Rev. J.G. Dickinson conducted a scripture reading and sermon, and the event also included singing and other music.

Nov. 28, 1925 – The Grand Ole Opry made its radio debut when it began broadcasting on new radio station WSM in Nashville, Tenn. as the “WSM Barn Dance.”

Nov. 28, 1929 – Music producer Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of Motown Records, was born in Detroit, Mich.

Nov. 28, 1929 - Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals set a NFL record when he scored 40 points in a game. He scored six touchdowns and kicked four extra points.

Nov. 28, 1932 - The Monroe County High School Association met in Excel on this Monday night at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Moore was the leader of the program, and the subject was “Character Education Through Health.”

Nov. 28, 1932 - R.G. Bozeman and J. Lamar Kelly of Evergreen were business visitors to Monroeville on this Monday afternoon.

Nov. 28, 1942 – Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfield was born in Warren Ohio. He would go on to play for the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Nov. 28, 1944 – During World War II, PFC Edward C. Ballard, 22, of Belleville, Ala. was killed in action in Germany while serving with the 119^th Infantry, 30^th Infantry Division. His father was Fred Ballard of Belleville. Born on Dec. 8, 1922, he was buried in the Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Repton, Ala.

Nov. 28, 1944 – Novelist Rita Mae Brown was born in Hanover, Pa.

Nov. 28, 1946 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Jim Atwell of Panama City, Fla. attended the funeral of his cousin John Rountree last week. Atwell had last seen the Rountree family in October 1891 when he and his brother John Atwell walked over 100 miles from Houston County to Mt. Union in 3-1/2 days.

Nov. 28, 1947 – American journalist, novelist and poet Gustav Hasford was born in Russellville, Ala. His semi-autobiographical novel “The Short-Timers” (1979) was the basis of the film “Full Metal Jacket” (1987). He was also a United States Marine Corps veteran, who served during the Vietnam War.

Nov. 28, 1948 – NFL defensive end Vern Den Herder was born in Le Mars, Iowa. He would play for the Miami Dolphins from 1971 through 1982.

Nov. 28, 1948 - Dippy Evans of the Chicago Bears became the first NFL player to score two touchdowns on recovered fumbles in a game.

Nov. 28, 1948 – Astrophysicist and author Alan Lightman was born in Nashville.

Nov. 28, 1949 - Alabama author John Bensko was born in Birmingham, Ala.

Nov. 28, 1950 – During the Korean War, Marine PFC Carl Hubert Lloyd, 19, of Monroe County, Ala. was killed in action in North Korean and was listed as missing in action. Born on April 25, 1931, Lloyd was serving with Co. C, 1^st Battalion, 7^th Marines, 1^st Marine Division when he was killed in action. His remains were not recovered. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

Nov. 28, 1950 – During the Korean War, Army Cpl. Leonard Watson, 21, of Escambia County, Ala. was killed in action while serving with the 560^th Medial Ambulance Co. in Korea. Born on Sept. 7, 1929, he was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Brewton.

Nov. 28, 1950 – During the Korean War, Army PFC Joseph Dile Chancery, 20, of Escambia County, Ala. was killed in action and his remains were not recovered. Born on June 26, 1930, Chancery was a member of Battery A, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. A memorial marker in Chancery’s memory can be found in the Lottie United Methodist Church Cemetery in Baldwin County.

Nov. 28, 1953 - New York City began 11 days without newspapers due to a strike of photoengravers.

Nov. 28, 1954 - Alabama author Lex Williford was born in El Paso, Texas.

Nov. 28, 1961 – Conecuh County High School, under Coach Wayne Pope, was scheduled to tip off the 1961-62 basketball season against T.R. Miller in Brewton, Ala. Returning lettermen on the team included senior Haskew Page and junior Henry Foster. Other players on the team included Larry Janes, Theo Ryals, Wayne Sims, Donnie Kast, Lester Warren, Dudley Jones and Thomas Shipp.

Nov. 28, 1962 – Comedian Jon Stewart was born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz in New York City.

Nov. 28, 1964 - The U.S. spacecraft Mariner 4 was launched on a flyby mission of Mars, providing the first ever close-up images of another planet. Many credit Mariner 4's images and data for altering the course of science fiction, shifting the home of intelligent aliens from Mars (or other planets in our solar system) to planets circling distant stars.

Nov. 28, 1964 – During the Vietnam War, National Security Council members agreed to recommend that U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson adopt a plan for a two-stage escalation of bombing in North Vietnam.

Nov. 28, 1965 – During the Vietnam War, in response to U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson's call for "more flags" in Vietnam, Philippine President-elect Ferdinand Marcos announced he would send troops to help fight in South Vietnam.

Nov. 28, 1968 – Alabama Highway Director Robert G. Kendall Jr. issued an advisory urging motorists not to travel on the unfinished sections of Interstate Highway 65 between Montgomery and Georgiana due to safety concerns and the presence of workers.

Nov. 28, 1969 – Excel High School won the 1A state football title by beating Sweet Water, 30-6, in Linden, Ala. Excel quarterback Jimmy Dale Dawson ran for two touchdowns and kicked two extra points. Tony Narrimore also ran for two touchdowns. Mike Ledkins and Danny Wiggins scored on PAT attempts each.

Nov. 28, 1974 – In Monroe Academy’s “fifth quarter” state championship win over Hooper Academy, three Vols scored touchdowns in the game – Ray Atkins, Keith Pugh and Fella Owens.

Nov. 28, 1977 – The newest addition to the McDonald’s fast food restaurant chain was officially opened in Monroeville, Ala. on this Monday with a special “money ribbon” cutting. Owners John and Nancy Rice of Monroeville reported that the 50 one-dollar bills that made up the ribbon were to be donated to the Monroe Activity Center. Officially cutting the ribbon were the Rices’ sons, Billy, Johnny and Kevin. Also there were Mr. Rice’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Rice Sr., County Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs, Monroeville Mayor B.C. Hornady and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Harhai.

Nov. 28, 1980 – During the Iran–Iraq War’s Operation Morvarid, the bulk of the Iraqi Navy was destroyed by the Iranian Navy in the Persian Gulf. (Commemorated in Iran as Navy Day.)

Nov. 28, 1981 – Herman Regusters, an aerospace engineer from South Pasadena, and his wife Kia claimed to have seen and to have photographed a dinosaur-like animal in a remote African lake. Mrs. Regusters said that the gigantic reptile was a dark red with a long, thick neck, and longer than two hippopotamuses. Unfortunately, the photograph taken by the Regusters was rather fuzzy, and their tape recording of the “roaring trumpeting noise” heard frequently around Lake Tele was impossible to identify.

Nov. 28, 1989 – The Monroe County (Ala.) Commission, led by Commissioner Silas G. Tucker, proclaimed the week of Nov. 27-Dec. 2, 1989 as “Excel Panther Week” to mark the school’s participation in the 1A state championship football game.

Nov. 28, 2002 - LeAnne Rimes performed at the half time show at the Dallas Cowboys-Washington Redskins Thanksgiving Day game.