The Daily News - Serving Galveston County since 1842

Today in History

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Kyle A. Shaw, right, speaks to assembled guests and Coast Guard personnel July 17, 1986, while Capt. Robert W. Mason listens. Mason assumed command of the USCG Marine Safety Office, a post previously held by Shaw.

From the archives of The Daily News for May 23:

In 1912, farmers who were building a fence found the partly decomposed right arm and hand of a white female buried in a small wooden box. Authorities did not know to whom the appendage belonged.

In 1962, Galveston beaches again were plagued by tons of seaweed.

In 1987, two loggerhead turtles were released after two years recuperating at Sea-Arama Marineworld.

In 1911, bids for remodeling the boulevard from 27th to 39th streets were opened at a county commissioners meeting.

In 1961, an area-wide campaign to “Shop Galveston County First” was instituted in the Galveston Chamber of Commerce offices. Representatives of chambers of commerce in the county discussed the proposed program.

In 1986, the Galveston City Council appointed four of its members mdash; Mayor Pro Tem Don Brooks and council members Steve Greenberg, John Sullivan and Sonny Nelson mdash; to the Park Board of Trustees. But some questioned the legality of the appointments since the city charter, in Article XIV/Section ll, states, “No person shall serve as a member of any board who holds an elective public office unless he is a member ex officio of such board.”

Today In Texas City History:

In 1928, Texas City Independent School District Superintendent Levi Fry assisted the Rotary Club in establishing a fund to encourage college education.

Compiled by the Texas City Centennial Celebration Committee

— Explore the history of Galveston County at The Newspaper Archive.

Today in History

Today in History: Wednesday, May 23, 2012

AP Highlight in History:
On May 23, 1934, bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were shot to death in a police ambush in Bienville Parish, La.

AP Photo/Lacy Atkins

On this date in:

1430

Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians, who sold her to the English.

1533

The marriage of England's King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon was declared null and void.

1701

Captain William Kidd was hanged in London after being convicted of piracy and murder.

1788

South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

1873

Canada's North West Mounted Police force was established.

1915

Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary in World War I.

1937

Industrialist John D. Rockefeller died at age 97.

1945

Nazi official and SS chief Heinrich Himmler committed suicide while imprisoned in Luneburg, Germany.

1949

The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) was established.

AP Photo

1960

Israel announced it had captured former Nazi official Adolf Eichmann in Argentina.

1997

Iranians elected a moderate president, Mohammad Khatami, over hard-liners in the ruling Muslim clergy.

2003

Congress sent President George W. Bush a $330 billion package of tax cuts - the third of his presidency.

2005

Actor Tom Cruise jumped on the couch while declaring his love for actress Katie Holmes on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

2006

ABC named Charles Gibson to replace Elizabeth Vargas as anchor of its "World News Tonight" evening newscast.

2010

The final episode of the supernatural castaway drama "Lost" aired on ABC.

2011

The European Union imposed sanctions on Syrian President Bashar Assad over the continuing crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Video

Highlights of This Day in History

Today's Birthdays:

Boxing Hall of Famer Marvin Hagler turns 60 years old today.

AP Photo/Nousha Salimi

Name

Profession

Age

Barbara Barrie

Actress

Charles Kimbrough

Actor ("Murphy Brown")

John Newcombe

Tennis Hall of Famer

Lauren Chapin

Actress ("Father Knows Best")

Misty Morgan

Country singer

Drew Carey

Actor,, game show host

Laurel Holloman

Actress ("The L Word")

Maxwell

R&B singer

Jewel

Singer

Actress Joan Collins ("Dynasty") turns 79 years old today.

AP Photo/Dan Steinberg