What Happened On
Joan Rivers Dies After Throat Surgery
September 4, 2014
Talk-show host Joan Rivers dies after complications from a minor throat procedure. During a scheduled minor throat procedure at an outpatient clinic a week earlier, she stopped breathing. She was resuscitated an hour later and transferred to a hospital where she was put on life support and placed in a medically induced coma. She never regained consciousness and eventually died of the brain damage she suffered from the lack of oxygen while she had stopped breathing.
She had the procedure to investigate the cause of changes in her voice and acid reflux. During the procedure, her personal doctor Gwen Korovin (an ear, nose and throat specialist) performed a transnasal laryngoscopy on Rivers. Korovin was not licensed to operate in that clinic and that procedure had not been authorized. During the procedure, Rivers' vital signs deteriorated and she stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. While they were trying to revive her, Korovin left the room.
Photo Credit: Richard Giles
Photo Credit: Richard Giles
Crocodile Hunter Killed by Stingray
September 4, 2006
Steve Irwin, the Australian naturalist and wildlife expert, known as "The Crocodile Hunter," dies after being fatally pierced in the heart by a stingray barb off Queensland's Great Barrier Reef. He was filming a shallow-water segment for the documentary Ocean's Deadliest.
Abbot pitching for the Calgary Cannons minor league team
Photo Credit: John Traub / Albuquerque Isotopes Baseball Club
Abbot pitching for the Calgary Cannons minor league teamPhoto Credit: John Traub / Albuquerque Isotopes Baseball Club
One-Handed Pitcher Throws a No-Hitter
September 4, 1993
Despite being born missing his right hand, Jim Abbott pitches a no-hitter for the New York Yankees against Cleveland (4-0).
Mark Spitz
September 4, 1972
Swimmer Mark Spitz wins his seventh gold medal in the 1972 Olympics. Seven was the most Olympic gold medals ever won by a single athlete in a single Olympiad up to that time. That record was broken by Michael Phelps in 2008.
Soldiers from the 101st Airborne escort the black students into Central High School in Little Rock
Soldiers from the 101st Airborne escort the black students into Central High School in Little Rock
Little Rock Crisis
September 4, 1957
Under orders from Governor Orval Faubus, the Arkansas National Guard was called in to prevent nine blacks from entering all-white Central High School in Little Rock, in what became known as the Little Rock Crisis. Three weeks later, President Dwight D. Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard removing them from Faubus' control and then sent in elements of the 101st Airborne Division to protect the black students. In retaliation, Faubus shut down all four Little Rock public high schools for the 1958-59 school year, in what is referred to as "The Lost Year."
The students became known as "The Little Rock Nine," and in 1999 were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by U.S. President Bill Clinton.
First Transcontinental U.S. TV Broadcast
September 4, 1951
U.S. President Harry S. Truman's address at the signing of the Japanese Peace Treaty is broadcast across the nation. It was the first time a television program was broadcast from coast to coast.
Beetle Bailey
September 4, 1950
Mort Walker's Beetle Bailey comic strip debuts. It would eventually have a circulation of 1,800 newspapers in more than 50 countries for a combined readership of 200 million daily.
Typhoid Mary
September 4, 1900
First known case of typhoid attributed to Typhoid Mary (Mary Mallon). Mallon was the first recorded U.S. case of a healthy carrier of typhoid. She is suspected of directly infecting 51 people, three of whom died, with typhoid while working as a cook. She herself remained healthy. Outbreaks of typhoid followed her wherever she worked. She was put in quarantine for three years, but released when she promised not to work as a cook. However, after release she resumed working as a cook causing several more typhoid outbreaks. She was then put in quarantine for the remainder of her life.
Peter Rabbit Created
September 4, 1893
The fictional foe of Mr. McGregor is created when Beatrix Potter writes a letter to a friend about four little rabbits named Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter. She later expanded the letter into the book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, which was rejected by several publishers. It has now become one of the best-selling books of all time.
Geronimo Surrenders
September 4, 1886
Apache Indian Chief Geronimo surrenders to General Nelson A. Miles in Arizona after fighting for his homeland for almost 30 years. He was the last Indian warrior to formally surrender to U.S. forces, thereby signaling the end of the Indian Wars in the Southwest. Geronimo and the Chiricahua Apaches were then forced to resettle in Florida until 1888 when they were relocated to Alabama until 1894 when they were relocated to Oklahoma.
Massachusetts Bans Drinking Toasts
September 4, 1639
Massachusetts bans drinking toasts as it was deemed a useless ceremony, stating, "The common custom of drinking to one another is a mere useless ceremony, and draweth on the abominable practice of drinking healths."
Authorities were unable to enforce the law and it was repealed in 1645.
American Idol
September 4, 2002
Kelly Clarkson becomes the first winner of the hit American TV show.
Photo Credit: Michael Kistinger
Photo Credit: Michael Kistinger
Edsel
September 4, 1957
E-Day, the official release of the automobile that would come to symbolize failure in popular culture.
Richard Webb as Captain Midnight
Richard Webb as Captain Midnight
Captain Midnight/Jackson, Flying Commando
September 4, 1954
The TV show Captain Midnight debuts on CBS, starring Richard Webb. Captain Midnight led a mysterious secret squadron that traveled the globe fighting evil. Viewers could become members of the secret squadron and receive a decoder device by sending in the inner wax seal from a jar of Ovaltine.
The show was renamed Jet Jackson, Flying Commando when it went into syndication in 1958.
Los Angeles
September 4, 1781
The city of Los Angeles is founded.
Birthdays
Convicted Killer Electrocutes Himself
Michael Anderson Godwin
Born September 4, 1960 d. 1989
American criminal. He accidentally electrocuted himself to death while sitting naked on a metal toilet repairing a set of earphones connected to a plugged-in TV set. He was electrocuted when he bit into the electric cord.
Sentenced to the electric chair for murder, Godwin got his sentence overturned on appeal and commuted to life imprisonment.
Paul Harvey (Paul Harvey Aurandt)
Born September 4, 1918 d. 2009
American radio commentator. "Hello Americans, I'm Paul Harvey… And now for the rest of the story" (1952-2008). Known for his conservative views, Harvey was a friend and supporter of J. Edgar Hoover and Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Tom Watson
Born September 4, 1949
American golfer. Winner of the British Open (1975, 77, 80, 82-83), Masters (1977, 81), U.S. Open (1982), and six-time PGA Player of the Year (1977-80, 82, 84).
Jennifer Salt
Born September 4, 1944
American actress. TV: Soap (1977-81, Eunice Tate-Leitner). Film: Midnight Cowboy (1969, Joe Buck's hometown lover Crazy Annie).
Merald Knight
Born September 4, 1942
American-Canadian singer, one of Gladys Knight's Pips. Music: Midnight Train to Georgia (1973, #1).
Bob May as the Robot
Bob May as the Robot
Bob May
Born September 4, 1939 d. 2009
American actor, stuntman. TV: Lost in Space (1965-68, wore the robot costume - The voice of the robot was done by Dick Tufeld, who was also the show's announcer).
Dawn Fraser
Born September 4, 1937
Australian swimmer. Olympic gold medal winner in the 100-meter freestyle (1956, 60, 64), first woman to break the 1-minute barrier at 100 meters (1962).
Mitzi Gaynor (Mitzi Gerber)
Born September 4, 1931
American actress. Film: Anything Goes (1956) and The Joker is Wild (1957).
Dick York (Richard Allen York)
Born September 4, 1928 d. 1992
American actor. TV: Bewitched (1964-69, the first Darrin). Film: Inherit the Wind (1960, school teacher Bertram Cates). Radio: That Brewster Boy (the third person to play the title role and where he met his wife, who played his older sister).
York suffered a back injury while filming the movie They Came to Cordura (1959), which led to prolonged back pain and an addiction to painkillers that ultimately cost him his roll on Bewitched.
Howard Morris as Ernest T. Bass
Howard Morris as Ernest T. Bass
Howard Morris
Born September 4, 1919 d. 2005
American comedian, voice actor. TV: Your Show of Shows (1950-54, Sid Caesar's sidekick and Uncle Goopy), The Andy Griffith Show (1963-65, rock-throwing Ernest T. Bass and voice of the Mount Pilot radio station host, and director of six episodes), and The Archies (1968-77, voice of Jughead).
Father of the Submarine
Simon Lake
Born September 4, 1866 d. 1945
American engineer, father of the modern submarine. He built his first sub in 1894.
Deaths
Scott as Ronald McDonald (1963)
Scott as Ronald McDonald (1963)
Willard Scott (Willard Herman Scott Jr.)
Died September 4, 2021 b. 1934
American TV personality. He created and was the original Ronald McDonald (1963-66). TV: The Hogan Family (1987-89, Mr. Poole), Today (1980-2015, weatherman), and as Bozo the Clown for the Washington D.C. TV show (1959-62).
Jean Darling (Dorothy Jean LeVake)
Died September 4, 2015 b. 1922
American actress, one of the Little Rascals. She appeared in 35 Our Gang films. Film: Bride of Frankenstein (1935, a mermaid), Babes in Toyland (1934, Curly Locks).
Joan Rivers (Joan Alexandra Molinsky)
Died September 4, 2014 b. 1933
American Emmy-Grammy-winning comedienne, talk-show host. She was the first woman to host a late night network television talk show (1986, The Late Show with Joan Rivers).
Rivers died after complications from a minor throat procedure at an outpatient clinic.
Photo Credit: Richard Giles
Photo Credit: Richard Giles
Steve Irwin (Stephen Robert Irwin)
Died September 4, 2006 b. 1962
Australian naturalist, wildlife expert. TV: The Crocodile Hunter (1996-2006, title role). Film: The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002). He died after being fatally pierced in the heart by a stingray barb off Queensland's Great Barrier Reef. He was filming a shallow-water segment for the documentary Ocean's Deadliest.
Hervé Villechaize
Died September 4, 1993 b. 1943
3-foot, 10-inch tall French actor. He played Tatoo on TV's Fantasy Island (1977-84, with his famous opening "Boss, ze plane! Ze plane!") and Nick Nack in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). He also played the legs for Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street when they were sticking out of the bottom of the trash can for scenes where Oscar was mobile.
At 16 years old, he began studying art at the École des Beaux-Arts and in 1961 became the youngest artist ever to have his work displayed in the Museum of Paris.
Villechaize committed suicide, stating in his suicide note that he was despondent over health issues related to his dwarfism.
Irene Dunne
Died September 4, 1990 b. 1898
American actress. Film: Show Boat (1936) and I Remember Mama (1948).
Albert Schweitzer
Died September 4, 1965 b. 1875
German Nobel-winning medical missionary, philosopher.
Saint Boniface I
Died September 4, 422 b. ????
Italian religious leader, 42nd Pope (418-422).