February 5: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

"ON THIS DAY IN 1877, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, "The Woman's Centennial Chorus, whose singing was a special feature at the opening and closing ceremonies of the International Exhibition, has been permanently organized, under the title of the Thomas Choral Society. A series of concerts will be given in Philadelphia by the Society, with Mr. Thomas as leader, and in conjunction with his renowned orchestra.""

"ON THIS DAY IN 1913, the Eagle reported, "General Cipriano Castro, ex-president of Venezuela, announced today that he had accepted an invitation to take luncheon with Governor Sulzer at Albany tomorrow. He will leave here in the morning and return Thursday night in order to be in New York on Friday when argument comes up on a writ of habeas corpus obtained in his behalf after the immigration authorities had refused to admit him to the United States.""

"ON THIS DAY IN 1934, the Eagle reported, "Old Man Winter began to relax his icy grip on the city yesterday and today, and the Weather Bureau predicts a retreat of the cold army with a forecast of fair today and tomorrow, with rising temperatures tomorrow. At 9 a.m. today the mercury stood at 21, two degrees higher than at midnight. Mayor LaGuardia continued his battle against the cold by ordering the opening of the 165th Regiment Armory, Lexington Ave. and 26th St., Manhattan, as a haven for the homeless.""

The Woman's Centennial Chorus was permanently organized as the Thomas Choral Society and planned a series of Philadelphia concerts under Mr. Thomas with his orchestra. General Cipriano Castro accepted an invitation to luncheon with Governor Sulzer at Albany and planned travel to be present in New York for a habeas corpus argument after immigration authorities initially refused him admission. A 1934 snowstorm began to relent as temperatures rose; Mayor LaGuardia opened the 165th Regiment Armory as a shelter where about 2,000 men found refuge and engaged in indoor activities. Snow removal cost the city about $750,000, with major streets largely cleared and cleanup ongoing.

Read at Brooklyn Eagle