This Day…

1848 – US President James K. Polk triggers gold rush of 1849 by confirming a gold discovery in California

1933 – Jack Kirkland’s play “Tobacco Road” premieres in NYC, became the longest-running play of its time

1903 – “The Great Train Robbery” the 1st Western film, released starring Justus D. Barnes and G. M. Anderson

1864 – Sand Creek Massacre, Colorado militia kills about 150 peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians including Cheyenne chief One-Eye

1942 – “Casablanca” directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman premieres at Hollywood Theater, NYC (Academy Awards Best Picture 1943)

1950 – Frank Loesser‘s musical “Guys & Dolls”, starring Robert Alda, Vivian Blaine, and Sam Levene, opens at 46th St Theater, NYC; runs for 1200 performances, winning 5 Tony Awards

1920 – Silent film “The Last of the Mohicans” released, adapted from James Fenimore Cooper‘s novel, starring Wallace Beery, Barbara Bedford

1886 – Sherlock Holmes’s first story “A Study in Scarlet” is accepted by publisher Ward and Lock with payment of £25

1889 – Union Pacific begins daily through service, Chicago-Portland & San Francisco

1935 – “A Night at the Opera”, directed by Sam Wood, starring the Marx Brothers, is released