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Island Events in History



2013 Event - Japan set Patriot missiles in central Tokyo and Okinawa Island and sent two warships to patrol the Sea of Japan

2013 Event - Falkland Island residents complete the first day of a two day sovereignty referendum, determining whether the islands should remain a British overseas territory

2013 Event - A 6.2 earthquake occurs near the Philippine island of Mindanao, with no immediate reports of damage or injuries

2012 Event - For the second time in four months, New Zealand's Mount Tongariro volano erupts; the volcano is located on the country's North Island

2012 Event - The winner of U.S. PGA Championship at Kiawah Island is Northern Ireland's professional golfer, Rory McIlroy

2012 Event - After a century of silence, Mount Tongariro in New Zealand erupts, spreading volcanic ash across the country's central North Island and affecting airports

2012 Event - Liliane Bettencourt, French L'Oreal heiress, sells D'Arros Island to pay tax bills for $60 million

2012 Event - The last known Pinta Island Tortoise, Lonesome George, is found dead in the Galapagos Islands

2012 Event - U.S. CEO of Oracle Corp, Larry Ellison, agrees to purchase 98 percent of Hawaii's island of Lanai

2012 Event - A 6.8 magnitude earthquake causes a small tsunami to hit the coast of Aomori prefecture on the Japanese island of Hokkaido

2012 Event - With over 42% of the vote, the island nation of Kiribati re-elects President Anote Tong to a third and final term

2011 Event - Typhoon Muifa approaches Japan's island of Okinawa; the typhoon is expected to be one of the most powerful storms to hit China in recent years

2011 Event - The General Assembly of Rhode Island passes legislation allowing same-sex couples to enter civil unions

2011 Event - A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia's southeastern island of Sulawesi

2011 Event - According to the Catholic Church on the island, Cuba plans free to two more dissidents

2010 Event - At least 32 people are dead and 68 injured from floods and mudslides on the island of Madeira, Portugal

2009 Death - Claiborne Pell, dies in Newport, Rhode Island, of Parkinson's disease, at 90

2005 Event - Magnitude 7 earthquake strikes west of Kyushu Island, Japan

2003 Event - Fire at the Station rock club in Rhode Island kills nearly 100

1999 Death - John Chafee, senator, Rhode Island senator, dies at 77

1997 Event - Northville Long Island Senior Golf Classic

1996 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1995 Event - Mount Ruapehu Volcano, North Island, New Zealand erupts

1995 Event - Fire that wipes 6,000 acres begins in Hamptons on Long Island

1993 Death - Herve Villechaize, actor (Fantasy Island), shoots self to death at 50

1992 Event - 6.8-7.5 earthquake strikes Flores Island (tsunami kills 3,000)

1992 Event - 1964 "Gilligan's Island" TV pilot 1st shown on TV (TBS)

1992 Event - 5 New York City cops arrested in Hauppauge Long Island for selling cocaine

1992 Event - Alex Haley, (Roots), wins 1992 Ellis Island Award, posthumously

1991 Event - "Once on this Island" closes at Booth Theater New York City after 469 performances

1991 Event - 1st International flight from Long Island's MacArthur Airport (to Mexico)

1991 Death - Don Dubbins, actor (Enchanted Island, DI), dies at 63

1991 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1991 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1991 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1991 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1991 Death - Natalie Schafer, actress (Gilligan's Island), dies at 90 from cancer

1990 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1990 Event - "Once on this Island" opens at Booth Theater New York City for 469 performances

1990 Event - Ellis Island reopens as a museum

1990 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1990 Death - Alan Hale, Jr., Skipper on Gilligan's Island, dies of cancer at 71

1989 Death - Peggy Thorpe-Bates, actress (Alcatraz Island), dies

1989 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1989 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1989 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1989 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1989 Death - Jim Backus, actor (Magoo, Gilligan's Island), dies at 76 of pneumonia

1989 Event - N.Y. State Legislature passes Staten Island secession bill

1989 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1988 Event - Lori Davis of Long Island sues Mike Tyson for grabbing her buttocks

1988 Event - France performs nuclear test at Fangataufa Island

1988 Event - Staten Island ferry gets 1st pay phones

1988 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1988 Event - Largest house (130 rooms) on Long Island sold for $22 million

1987 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1987 Event - Iceberg twice size of Rhode Island sighted in Antarctic

1987 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1987 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1986 Death - Mamo Clark, actor (1 Million BC, Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island), dies

1986 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1986 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1986 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1986 Event - Aruba becomes independent from neighbor island Curaeao

1985 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1985 Event - Shelley Taylor of Australia makes fastest swim ever around Manhattan Island, doing it in 6 hours 12 minutes 29 seconds

1985 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1985 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1984 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1984 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1984 Event - Dolphin rocket launched off San Clemente Island

1984 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1984 Birthday - Ashley Peldon, born in Staten Island, New York, actress, Marsha-Guilding Light, Deceived

1983 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1983 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1983 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1983 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1982 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1982 Event - Argentina surrenders to Britain on S Georgia near Falkland Island

1982 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1981 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1981 Event - "Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island" airs

1981 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1981 Birthday - Tommy Michaels, born in Staten Island, New York, actor, Timmy Hutton-All My Children

1980 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1980 Birthday - Kelly Dutra, Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 1996

1980 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1980 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1979 Birthday - Lauren Alviti, Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 1997

1979 Event - Major nuclear accident at 3 Mile Island, Middletown, Pennsylvania (no deaths)

1979 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1979 Birthday - Mena Suvari, born in Newport, Rhode Island, actress, fashion designer, movies include: 'American Beauty', 'American Pie', 'Day of the Dead'

1978 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1978 Death - Linda Scott, actress (Escape from Hell Island), dies at 28

1978 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1978 Event - 1st TV movie from a TV series - "Rescue from Gilligan's Island"

1978 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1978 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1978 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1978 Event - "Fantasy Island" starring Ricardo Montalban premieres on ABC TV

1977 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1977 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1977 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1977 Death - Ralph Truman, actor (Henry V, Treasure Island), dies at 77

1977 Event - Debbie Austin wins LPGA Long Island Charity Golf Classic

1977 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1977 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1977 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1976 Event - Britain gives Gilbert Island (Kiribati) self rule

1976 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1976 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1976 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1976 Birthday - Jennifer Capriati, born in Long Island, New York, tennis pro, 1992 Olympics gold

1976 Birthday - Karen Bradley, Miss Rhode Island USA 1996

1975 Event - France performs nuclear test at Fangataufa Island

1975 Event - Reunion Island stops printing stamps, France takes over production

1975 Event - 104 degrees F (40 degrees C) at Providence, Rhode Island (state record)

1975 Event - U.S. forces raid Cambodian island of Koh Tang to free Mayaguez ship

1975 Birthday - Elana Eve Chomiszak, born in Providence, Rhode Island, Miss America-Rhode Island 1997

1974 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1974 Birthday - Amy Fisher, born in Long Island, New York, shot Mary Jo Buttafucco

1974 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1974 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1974 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1974 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1974 Event - Discovery Island opens

1974 Birthday - Irina Spirlea, born in Bucharest, Romania, tennis star, 1996 Amelia Island

1973 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1973 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1973 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1973 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1973 Birthday - Claudia Jordan, Miss USA-Rhode Island, 1997, top 10

1973 Birthday - Robert Pipkins, Staten Island, New York, luger 1994 Olympics

1973 Event - 83m wide gas tank on Staten Island explodes, 40 die

1973 Event - Helgafell, island of Heimaey Iceland erupts for 1st time in 7,000 yrs

1973 Event - Gas tank on Staten Island explodes, 40 die

1972 Event - Convair 990A charter crashes in Tenerife Canary Island, 155 die

1972 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1972 Event - Wake Island becomes unincorporated territory of U.S., U.S. Air Force

1972 Event - Iberian Airlines crashes into 800' peak on island of Ibiza, 104 die

1971 Event - Long Island NHL franchise purchased (New York Islanders)

1971 Event - U.S. performs underground nuclear test at Amchitka Island Aleutians

1971 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1971 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1971 Event - 29 pilot whales beach themselves and die at San Clemente Island, California

1970 Birthday - Elizabeth Patricia Reilly, North Providence, Rhode Island, Miss America-RI 1996

1970 Birthday - Dawn Ponte, born in Kent, Rhode Island, dance skater, & Frey-1995 Eastern, Jr. champ

1970 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1970 Event - France performs nuclear test at Fangataufa Island

1970 Birthday - Steve Wojciechowski, born in Blue Island, Illinois, pitcher for the Oakland A's

1970 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1970 Birthday - Kengy Gardiner, born in Providence, Rhode Island, WPVA volleyballer, U.S. Open-5th-1994

1970 Event - 30,000 attend Randall's Island Rock Festival, New York City

1970 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1970 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1970 Birthday - Ben Weir, born in Rock Island, Illinois, Canadian Tour golfer, 1993 Bogey Hills-2nd

1969 Event - Alcatraz Island off SF, is seized by militant Native Americans

1969 Event - New York Nets move from Comack to Island Garden, Hempstead NY

1969 Event - U.S. performs underground nuclear test at Amchitka Island Aleutians

1969 Birthday - Jamie Walter, actor, Pirate Island

1969 Event - 78,000 attend Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, Rhode Island

1969 Death - Charles Winninger, actor (Cafe Metropole, Coney Island), dies at 84

1968 Event - Jaqueline Kennedy marries Aristotle Onassis on the island of Scorpios

1968 Birthday - Ken Ryan, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies

1968 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1968 Birthday - Griffin Drew, Hazelhurst Georgia, actress, Dinosaur Island

1968 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1968 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Muruora Island

1968 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1968 Birthday - Sandra Bacher, Long Island, New York, half-heavyweight judoka, 1992, 1996 Olympics

1968 Birthday - Susan Emily Savastano, E Providence, Rhode Island, Miss RI-America 1991

1968 Birthday - Gianna Amore, born in Warwick, Rhode Island, playmate, August, 1989

1968 Birthday - Marq Mellor, born in Long Island, New York, field hockey forward, 1996 Olympics

1968 Event - Nauru (formerly Pleasant Island) declares independence from Australia

1966 Birthday - Grant Kenny, Norfolk Island NSW, Australasia golfer

1966 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1966 Event - "Staten Island," 1st icebreaker to enter San Francisco bay

1966 Event - France performs nuclear test at Fangataufa Island

1966 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1966 Event - France performs nuclear Test at Fangataufa Island

1966 Event - France performs nuclear test at Muruora Island

1966 Event - BBC opens a relay radio station on Ascension Island

1965 Event - U.S. performs underground nuclear test at Amchitka Island Aleutians

1965 Birthday - Steve Decker, Rock Island, Illinois, catcher for the San Francisco Giants

1965 Death - Dorothy Danridge, actress (Island in the Sun), dies at 41 in Hollywood

1965 Birthday - Glenn Scarpelli, born in Staten Island, New York, actor, Alex-One Day At a Time, Fantasy

1965 Birthday - John "Chip" McKibben II, born in Balboa Island, California, rower 1996 Olympics

1965 Birthday - Joe Cioe, Cranston, Rhode Island, Canadian Tour golfer, New Hampshire Open - 1992, 1993

1965 Event - Ellis Island added to Statue of Liberty National monument

1963 Birthday - Pam Casale, Camden, New Jersey, tennis player, Marco Island finals 1985

1963 Event - Mickey Wright wins LPGA Sea Island Women's Golf Invitational

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Johnston Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Johnston Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Johnston Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Johnston Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Johnston Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Johnston Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Johnston Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Johnston Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Johnston Island

1962 Birthday - Eric Lutes, born in Charlestown, Rhode Island, actor, Del-Caroline in the City

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Johnston Island

1962 Event - Island Records begins

1962 Birthday - Jesse Johnson, born in Rock Island, Illinois, Jesse Woods Johnson, musician, guitarist, funk, rocky, rhythm and blues genres, original member of The Time, contributed to hit singles, 'The Bird', 'Jungle Love', on The Time's third album, 'Ice Cream Castle'

1962 Event - U.S. performs nuclear test at Christmas Island (atmospheric)

1962 Event - U.S. performs nuclear test at Christmas Island (atmospheric)

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1962 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1962 Event - U.S. resumes above ground nuclear testing, at Christmas Island

1962 Event - Mickey Wright wins LPGA Sea Island Women's Golf Invitational

1961 Event - KGIN TV channel 11 in Grand Island, NB (CBS) begins broadcasting

1961 Birthday - Pat Dufficy, born in Westerly, Rhode Island, female catcher, Colorado Silver Bullets

1961 Event - 1st all-solid-propellant rocket put in orbit, Wallops Island, Va

1961 Event - Suggs wins LPGA Sea Island Women's Golf Invitational Open

1960 Event - TWA 266 and United 826 collide over Staten Island, kills 134

1960 Birthday - Eric Martin, born in Long Island, New York, singer, hard rock genre, played with Mr. Big, rock band that produced hit song, 'To Be With You'

1960 Birthday - Jeffrey Trachta, Staten Island, New York, actor, Thorne-Bold and Beautiful

1960 Death - George Zucco, actor (Fog Island, Black Raven, Desire Me), dies at 74

1960 Birthday - Susan Cowsill, Newport, Rhode Island, rock vocalist, Cowsills-We Can Fly

1960 Birthday - John Caliri, born in Providence, Rhode Island, actor, Vinnie-Square Pegs, Double Trouble

1960 Event - Mickey Wright wins LPGA Sea Island Women's Golf Invitational

1959 Event - 1st ship firing of a Polaris missile, Observation Island

1958 Event - Britain transfers Christmas Island (south of Java) to Australia

1958 Event - Great Britain performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1958 Event - Great Britain performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1958 Event - Great Britain performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1958 Birthday - Marlene Janssen, born in Rock Island, Illinois, playmate, Nov, 1982

1958 Birthday - David H Mattheisen, Blue Island, Illinois, PhD/astronaut, STS-73 alt

1958 Event - Great Britain performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1958 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Johnston Island

1958 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear Test at Bikini Island

1958 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Bikini Island

1958 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Bikini Island

1958 Event - U.S. performs nuclear test at Bikini Island (atmospheric tests)

1958 Event - Indonesian paratroopers reconquers Morotai Island

1958 Event - U.S. performs nuclear test at Bikini Island (atmospheric tests)

1958 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Bikini Island

1958 Event - Great Britain performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1958 Birthday - Susan Molinari, born in Staten Island, New York, Representative-R-New York 1990 - 1997

1958 Event - Mickey Wright wins LPGA Sea Island Golf Open

1957 Event - Great Britain performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island

1957 Event - New volcanic island appears off Fayal Island Azores

1957 Event - Great Britain performs nuclear test at Christmas Island (atmospheric)

1957 Event - 1st British H-bomb explosion (over Christmas Island)

1957 Event - Mickey Wright wins Sea Island Golf Open

1956 Birthday - Peter Frechette, Warwick, Rhode Island, actor, Paint it Black, George-Profiler

1956 Birthday - Meg Whitman, born in Long Island, New York, formerly, CEO of eBay, billionaire, Republican, 2010 candidate for Governor of California

1956 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear Test at Bikini Island

1956 Birthday - Mark Mendoza, born in Long Island, New York, born Mark Glickman, known as Mark 'The Animal' Mendoza, bassist, songwriter, musician, member of band, Twisted Sister, also performed with The Dictators, Blackfoot, genres include hard rock, shank rock

1956 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Bikini Island

1956 Birthday - John Cowsill, born in Newport, Rhode Island, rock drummer, Cowsills-We Can Fly

1956 Event - Bauer Marlene wins LPGA Sea Island Golf Open

1955 Birthday - Chow Yun-Fat, born in Lamma Island, China, actor, appeared in 'The Killer', 'A Better Tomorrow', 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'

1955 Birthday - Michael Pollan, born in Long Island, New York, professor of journalism, U of C, Berkeley, author, columnist, activist, wrote, 'The Omnivore's Dilemma', 'The Botany of Desire', 'In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto'

1955 Event - Jackie Pung wins LPGA Sea Island Golf Open

1954 Event - Ellis Island, immigration station in New York Harbor, closed

1954 Birthday - Barry Cowsill, Newport, Rhode Island, rock bassist, Cowsills-We Can Fly

1954 Event - Hurricane Carol strikes Long Island/New England, kills 68

1954 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Bikini Island

1954 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Bikini Island atmospher

1954 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Bikini Island

1954 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Bikini Island

1954 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear test at Bikini Island

1954 Event - Suggs Louise wins LPGA Sea Island Golf Open (Cloister)

1953 Event - France closes jail on Devil Island

1952 Birthday - Paul Cowsill, Newport, Rhode Island, rock keyboardist, Cowsills-We Can Fly

1952 Birthday - Harry Anderson, Newport, Rhode Island, actor, Judge Harry Stone-Night Court

1952 Birthday - William F Readdy, Quonset Point, Rhode Island, astronaut, STS-42, 51, 79

1951 Birthday - Lane Evans, born in Rock Island, Illinois, Representative-D-Illinois 1983 - 2007

1951 Birthday - James Stephens, Mount Kisko, New York, actor, Paper Chase, Devil's Island

1950 Event - 2 self-propelled trains of Long Island RR collide, killing 77

1950 Event - U.S. troop land on Wolmi-Do island off of Seoul

1950 Birthday - Richard Cowsill, Newport, Rhode Island, rocker, Cowsills-Hair, We Can Fly

1950 Birthday - Alan Keyes, born in Long Island, New York, politician, Republican party, 16th Assistant Secretary of State for international Organization Affairs

1950 Event - WHBF TV channel 4 in Rock Island, IL (CBS) begins broadcasting

1950 Event - Nationalist China evacuates Hainan Island

1949 Birthday - Jack Reed, born in Cranston, Rhode Island, Representative-D-Rhode Island 1997 -

1949 Event - Republic of China (Taiwan) forms on island of Formosa

1948 Birthday - David Gwillim, Plymouth England, actor, Island at Top of the World

1948 Birthday - Marleen Gorris, Dutch director, Mres Dalloway, Antonia, Last Island

1948 Birthday - Ronald Machtley, born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Representative-R-Rhode Island 1989 - 1995

1948 Birthday - Allen Michael Doyle, born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, PGA golfer, 1991 Memorial-64th

1948 Birthday - Jeffrey Osborne, born in Providence, Rhode Island, rock vocalist, On the Wings of Love

1948 Birthday - Bill Cowsill, Newport, Rhode Island, rock guitarist/vocals, Cowsills-We Can Fly

1947 Birthday - Joyce Jillson, Cranston, Rhode Island, psychic/actress, Superchick

1947 Event - 1st (U.S. Navy) air squadron of jets, Quonset Point, Rhode Island

1947 Birthday - James Woods, born in Warwick, Rhode Island, actor, Salvador, Against All Odds

1947 Birthday - Claudine Schneider, born in Clairton, Pennsylvania, Representative-R-Rhode Island, 1981 - 1991

1946 Event - U.S. performs atmospheric nuclear Test at Bikini Island

1945 Birthday - Laura Dean, Staten Island New York City, composer/choreographer, Drumming

1945 Birthday - Robert J. Mrazek, born in Newport, Rhode Island, Representative-D-New York 1983 - 1993

1945 Birthday - Melba Moore, Beatrice, New York City, singer and actress, Ellis Island

1945 Event - U.S. regains possession of Wake Island from Japan

1945 Birthday - Ron Dante, Staten Island, New York, rock vocalist, Archies-Sugar, Sugar

1945 Event - German island of Helgoland in North Sea surrenders to British

1945 Event - British troops take Ramree Island, Burma

1944 Event - Tholen Island freed

1944 Birthday - Martha Rockwell, born in Providence, Rhode Island, skier, Mount Washington

1944 Event - U.S. takes Eniwetok Island

1943 Event - U.S. forces take control of Tarawa, Gilbert Island and Makin from Japanese

1943 Event - U.S. troops land on Abemada, Gilbert Island

1943 Event - U.S. forces land on Tarawa and Makin Atoll in Gilbert Island

1943 Event - U.S. troops land on Bougainville Island on Solomon Island

1943 Event - U.S. bombing of Bougainville, Solomon Island

1943 Event - Battle at Vella Lavella, Solomon Island

1943 Event - Japanse troops leave Kolombangara, Solomon Island

1943 Event - Arundel (Solomon Island) in U.S. hands

1943 Event - Last German Q/pirate ship sinks near Easter Island

1943 Event - 1st battle of Essex/new Yorktown: U.S. assault on Marcus Island

1943 Event - Dutch submarine attacks Island Hertenbeest in NW Bali

1943 Event - Joint Chiefs of Staff question Admiral Nimitz (landing Gilbert Island)

1943 Event - British invades Pantelleria, tiny island south of Sicily

1943 Birthday - Herve Villechaize, France, "Da Plane! Da Plane!", Fantasy Island

1943 Birthday - Elmer R. Wilsoe, Island mayor, Curacao

1943 Event - -60 degrees F (-51 degrees C), Island Park Dam, Idaho (state record)

1942 Event - Vice-Admiral Mikawa lands at Guadalcanal, Solomon Island

1942 Event - FBI captures 8 Nazi saboteurs from a sub off New York's Long Island

1942 Event - Admiral Ernest King orders Tulagi (Solomon Island) reconquered

1942 Event - Germany puts 4 saboteurs on Long Island

1942 Event - USS Yorktown sinks near Midway Island

1942 Event - Battle of Midway Island begins

1942 Event - King George VI awards George Cross to Island of Malta

1942 Birthday - Bill Conti, born in Providence, Rhode Island, composer, For Your Eyes Only, Rocky IV

1942 Birthday - Carol Lynley, New York City, actress, Night Stalker, Fantasy Island, Immortal

1942 Event - 1st broadcast of Roy Plomley's "Desert Island Discs" on BBC

1942 Event - -23 degrees F (-31 degrees C), Kingston, Rhode Island (state record)

1941 Event - American forces on Wake Island surrender to Japanese

1941 Event - Japanese attack Wake Island (only failed WW II-landing)

1941 Birthday - Spalding Gray, Rhode Island, actor, Beaches, Clara's Heart, Heavy Petting

1941 Event - Navy takes over Treasure Island, in San Francisco Bay

1941 Birthday - David Blue, Cohen, born in Providence, Rhode Island, rocker, Cupid's Arrow

1941 Birthday - Joan Baez, Staten Island, folk singer/human rights advocate

1940 Birthday - Jim Albus, born in Staten Island, New York, PGA golfer, 1991 Mazda Senior Players

1940 Event - Soviet armies conquer Tuppura Island Finland

1940 Event - Russian troops conquer Lasi Island

1940 Event - Finnish troops vacate Koivisto island

1939 Birthday - Wendy, Walter, Carlos, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, composer, Switched on Bach

1939 Event - U.S. and U.K. agree on joint control of Canton and Enderbury Island in the Pacific

1939 Event - Golden Gate International Exposition opens on Treasure Island

1939 Birthday - Mike Hill, born in Jackson, Michigan, PGA golfer, 1977 Ohio Kings Island Open

1938 Birthday - Alvin Curran, born in Providence, Rhode Island, composer, professor at Mills College, co-founder of Musica Elettronica Viva, using electronic and environmental found sounds

1938 Birthday - Don Dolan, Staten Island, New York, actor, Guy Lewis- General Hospital

1937 Event - Pumping to build Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay is finished

1937 Event - Stapleton, Staten Island becomes a customs-free port

1936 Birthday - Ruth Buzzi, Westerly, Rhode Island, comedienne, Laugh-In, Margie-That Girl

1936 Event - Pumping begins to build Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay

1935 Birthday - David Hartman, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, TV personality, Good Morning America

1935 Birthday - Bob Denver, born in New Rochelle, New York, actor, Dobie Gillis, Gilligan's Island

1934 Birthday - J. Carter Brown, Providence Rhode Island, art director, Washington National Gallery

1934 Event - Typhoon strikes Honshu Island Japan, kills 4,000

1934 Event - U.S. Disciplinary Barracks on Alcatraz Island abandoned

1934 Event - Max Baer KO's Primo Carnera in 11 for HW box champ in Long Island City

1934 Birthday - Tina Louise, New York City, actress, Ginger-Gilligan's Island, Julie-Dallas

1933 Event - Peter I Island incorporated as a Norwegian dependency

1932 Event - 30.8 cm rainfall at Westerly, Rhode Island (state record)

1931 Birthday - Richard Devon, born in Glendale California, actor, Battle of Blood Island

1931 Birthday - Raoul Pleskow, born in Vienna, Austria, composer, studied with Otto Luenig, served on music faculty at C.W. Post College, Long Island University

1931 Event - Norway claims Peter I Island

1931 Birthday - Norman F. Lent, born in Oceanside, Long Island, Representative-R-New York 1971 - 1993

1930 Birthday - Barry Unsworth, novelist, Pascali's Island

1930 Birthday - John Bartholomew Tucker, born in Pennsylvania, TV host, Candid Camera, Treasure Island

1930 Event - Bouvet Island declared a Norwegian dependency

1930 Birthday - Robert Loggia, Staten Island, actor, Officer and a Gentleman, THE Cat

1929 Birthday - Don Dubbins, born in Brooklyn, actor, Enchanted Island, Fix

1929 Event - Jan Mayen island, 500 km NNE of Iceland, incorporated into Norway

1929 Birthday - Francesco Scavullo, Staten Island, New York, celebrity photographer

1928 Birthday - Gerald Arpino, Staten Island, New York, choreographer

1928 Birthday - Fernand St. Germain, born in Blackstone, Massachusetts, Representative-D-Rhode Island, 1961 - 1989

1927 Birthday - Galway Kinnell, born in Providence, Rhode Island, author, Body Rags, Book of Nightmares

1926 Birthday - June Haver, Rock Island, actress, Dolly Sisters, Girl Next Door

1926 Birthday - Robert Creeley, Massachusetts, poet and novelist, Island

1926 Birthday - David Hedison, born in Providence, Rhode Island, actor, Colbys, Voyage to Bottom of Sea

1926 Birthday - Frank Aletter, Long Island, New York, actor, Mac-It's About Time, Tom-Nancy

1925 Birthday - Silvana Pampanini, Rome, Italy, actress, Day in Court, Island Sinner

1925 Event - Meteorite falls on Ellemeet, Schouwen, Devil Island

1925 Birthday - Ernst Jandl, born in Vienna, Austria, writer, poet, influenced by Dada, translated Gertrude Stein, Robert Creeley's The Island and John Cage's Silence

1925 Event - Swain's Island (near American Samoa) annexed by U.S.

1925 Event - Moving picture of a solar eclipse taken from dirigible over Long Island

1924 Birthday - Russell Johnson, actor, professor-Gilligan's Island

1924 Birthday - Nicholas Colasanto, born in Providence, Rhode Island, actor, Coach Ernie-Cheers

1923 Birthday - Roy Dotrice, Guernsey Channel Island, actor, Wizard

1922 Birthday - John Chafee, born in Providence, Rhode Island, Senator-R-Rhode Island 1976 - 1999

1921 Event - Jim Conzelman takes over as coach of Rock Island Independents from Frank Coughlin-only mid-game coaching change in NFL history

1921 Birthday - William L. Bergsma, born in Oakland, California, composer, Fortunate Island

1920 Birthday - Ricardo Montalban, born in Mexico, American radio, television, film actor, Mr. Roarke in 'Fantasy Island' television show

1919 Birthday - Frank Middlemass, actor, Island, Oliver Twist

1919 Birthday - Lawrence Ferlinghetti, author, Coney Island of the Mind

1919 Birthday - Lawrence Ferlinghetti, U.S., beat poet, Coney Island of the Mind

1918 Birthday - Claiborne Pell, born in New York, sponsor of the Pell Grant, U.S. State Senator from Rhode Island

1918 Birthday - Peggy Moran, actress, Double Date, Horror Island

1918 Birthday - Isabel Dean, England, actress, 5 Days one Summer, Virgin Island, Ransom

1918 Birthday - Alan Hale [MacKahan], Jr., born in Los Angeles, California, actor, Skipper-Gilligan's Island

1917 Birthday - Ruth Hussey, born in Providence, Rhode Island, actress, Another Thin Man, Philadelphia Story

1916 Birthday - Van Johnson, Newport, Rhode Island, actor, Brigadoon, always wore red socks

1916 Event - German saboteurs blow up a munitions plant on Black Tom Island, New Jersey

1916 Birthday - Edward Platt, Staten Island, New York, actor, Chief-Get Smart

1915 Birthday - Yul Brynner, born in Sakhalin Island, Japan, actor, King and I, 10 Commandments

1915 Birthday - Bobby Hackett, born in Providence, Rhode Island, trumpeteer/orchestral leader, Air Time '57

1914 Event - British and German fleets battle at Falkland Island

1914 Birthday - Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Jr., born in Campobello Island, Canada,Representative-D-New York 1949 - 1955, son of Franklin Delano Roosevelt

1914 Death - John Murray, piloted HMS Challenger to Christmas Island, dies

1914 Birthday - Morton DaCosta, born in Philadelphia, director, Island of Love, Music Man

1913 Birthday - Axel Stordahl, born in Staten Island, New York, orchestra leader, Frank Sinatra Show

1912 Birthday - Natalie Schaeffer, Rumson, New Jersey, actress, Lovey Howell-Gilligan's Island

1912 Event - Italian mariners occupy Turkish Island of Rhodes

1912 Birthday - Martin Denny, rocker and actor, Forbidden Island

1910 Birthday - Douglas Spencer, actor, Thing, This Island Earth, River of No Return

1909 Event - 1st U.S. monoplane flown (Henry W Walden, Long Island, New York)

1908 Birthday - Eddie Albert, born in Rock Island, Illinois, actor, Oliver-Green Acres

1907 Event - Ellis Island, New York - 11,745 immigrants arrive

1907 Event - Passenger ship Larchmont sinks by Block Island, estimated 150 died

1906 Birthday - James Brooks, U.S. mural painter, Acquisition of Long Island

1906 Birthday - Ken Strong, NFL, AFL halfback, Staten Island, New York Yankees, New York Giants

1906 Birthday - Aileen Riggin, Newport, Rhode Island, springboard diver, Gold Medal 1920, 1924 Olympics

1905 Event - Part of Angel Island allocated for Immigration Detention Center

1905 Birthday - Denis O'Dea, born in Dublin, actor, Esther and the King, Treasure Island

1904 Event - George Bernard Shaws "John Bull's Other Island," premieres in London

1904 Event - 1st Vanderbilt Cup auto race (Hicksville, Long Island, New York)

1904 Birthday - John Farrow, born in Sydney, Australia, director/actor, Botany Bay, Wake Island

1903 Birthday - Glenna Collett Vare, born in Rhode Island, National Am Golf champ, 1922, 25, 28-30, 35

1903 Event - Long Island's Jamaica Race Track opens

1903 Birthday - Frankie Carle, born in Providence, Rhode Island, orchestra leader, Golden Touch

1901 Birthday - Nelson Eddy, born in Providence, Rhode Island, baritone, Duets with Jeanette MacDonald

1901 Event - 55 die as Rock Island train derailed near Marshalltown Iowa

1901 Birthday - Brian Donlevy, Ireland, actor, Barbary Coast, Glass Key, Wake Island

1900 Event - New Ellis Island Immigration station completed costing $1.5 million

1900 Birthday - Allen Jenkins, born in Staten Island, actor, Hey Jeannie, Top Cop, Girl Habit

1900 Birthday - William Heinesen, Faroes Island, writer, Noatun

1899 Birthday - George Macready, born in Providence, Rhode Island, actor, Martin Peyton-Peyton Place

1899 Birthday - Johan J Fabricius, Dutch novelist, Island of Demons

1899 Birthday - Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, born in Long Island, New York, founder, Pan Am Airways

1899 Event - U.S. takes possession of Wake Island in Pacific

1898 Birthday - Alec Waugh, London, novelist, Island in the Sun, brother of Evelyn

1898 Event - U.S. flag hoisted over Wake Island (Spanish-American War)

1898 Event - American troops captured deserted Wake Island

1898 Event - Army transfers Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay to Navy

1897 Event - Solomon Andrees baloon/polar expedition reaches White Island

1897 Birthday - John Laurie, born in Dumfries, Scotland, actor, Jericho, Island of Desire

1896 Event - A. H. Whiting wins 1st automobile race held on a track in Cranston, Rhode Island

1896 Death - Wyatt Eaton, artist, painter, portraitist, one of the founders of the Society of American Artists, dies from tuberculosis in Newport, Rhode Island

1896 Birthday - Arthur Shields, Dublin Ireland, actor, River, Enchanted Island

1895 Event - 1st U.S. Golf Open: Horace Rawlins shoots a 173 at Newport Golf Club Rhode Island

1894 Birthday - Ed Healey, NFL tackle, Rock Island Independents, Chicago Bears

1894 Birthday - Eddie Dowling, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, actor, Anywhere USA

1894 Birthday - Sammy White, Rhode Island, actor, 711 Ocean Drive, Sound Off

1894 Event - U.S. warship Kearsarge wrecked on Roncador Reef, near Solomon Island

1893 Birthday - August Defresne, Dutch playwright/director, Uninhabited Island

1892 Event - U.S. Quarantine Station opens on Angel Island, San Francisco Bay

1892 Event - Ellis Island becomes reception center for new immigrants

1890 Event - Ellis Island, in New York City, opens as a U.S. immigration depot

1890 Event - Ellis Island designated as an immigration station

1888 Birthday - Robert Moses, power broker, built Long Island and New York City parks and roads

1888 Birthday - Leadbelly, Louisiana, blues 12 string guitarist, Rock Island Line

1886 Event - Eruption of Tarawera volcano destroys famous pink and white calcium carbonate hot-spring terraces (North Island, New Zealand)

1884 Event - Cornerstone for Statue of Liberty laid on Bedloe's Island (New York City)

1884 Event - On Coney Island, the 1st roller coaster begins operating

1883 Birthday - Hubert Harrison, born in St. Croix, Virgin Island, writer/freedom fighter

1881 Event - U.S. Quarantine Station authorized for Angel Island, San Francisco Bay

1880 Death - Ole Bull, famous violinist, virtuoso, compared to Niccolo Paganini, co-founder, Den Nationale Scene theater, dies of cancer, at home on Lysoen island, extensive funeral procession had 15 steamers, other vessels, transporting his body

1880 Event - League of American Wheelmen (1st U.S. bicycle association), forms in Newport, Rhode Island

1879 Event - Kirland Warbler discovered on Andros Island in Bahamas

1878 Birthday - Grace Abbott, Grand Island, Nebraska, social worker, US Children Bureau

1876 Event - Batholdi visits Bedloe Island, future home of his Statue of Liberty

1875 Birthday - Napoleon "Larry" Lajoie, Rhode Island, hall of fame shortstop, .426 in 1901

1874 Event - Barracks on Alcatraz Island destroyed in fire

1873 Event - Prince Edward Island becomes 7th Canadian province

1873 Event - Prince Edward Island joins Canada

1871 Birthday - Joseph McGinnity, born in Rock Island, Illinois, baseball pitcher for the New York Giants

1870 Event - Staten Island ferry "Westfield" burns, killing 100

1864 Event - Naval Engagement at Reynoldsburg Island

1863 Event - Fortifications built on Angel Island (SF Bay) by troops

1863 Event - Battle of Buffington's Island (St. George Creek), Ohio

1862 Event - U.S. Naval Academy relocated from Annapolis Maryland to Newport, Rhode Island

1862 Event - Grant defeats Confederates at Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, Island #10 falls

1862 Event - Civil War action at Island #10 on Mississippi River

1862 Event - Battle of Roanoke Island NC, Federals gain control of Pamlico Sound

1862 Event - Federal fleet attack on Roanoke Island NC

1861 Event - Battle of Balls Bluff, Virginia (Leesburg, Harrison's Island)

1861 Event - Battle of Vienna, Virginia and Secessionville, South Carolina, James Island

1861 Event - MS troops take Ft. Massachusetts an Ship Island

1858 Event - Dutch government decides to vacate Schokland Island

1858 Event - Hudson's Bay Co rights to Vancouver Island revoked

1856 Event - Hurricane washes away 2-300 revelers at Last Island, Louisiana

1856 Event - Pitcairn Islanders arrive on Norfolk Island

1855 Event - 1st train crosses Mississippi River's 1st bridge, Rock Island, Illinois to Davenport Iowa

1854 Event - Lighthouse forms on Alcatraz Island

1851 Event - John F. Loudon discovers tin on East Indian Island of Billiton

1850 Birthday - Robert Louis Stevenson, Scotland, author, Treasure Island

1850 Event - Airship Elizabeth leaves in storm for Fire Island, crashes (42 die)

1849 Event - British seize Tigre Island in Gulf of Fonseca from Honduras

1849 Event - Vancouver Island granted to Hudson's Bay Co

1838 Event - Rebellion at Pelee Island, Ontario Canada

1835 Event - HMS Beagle and Charles Darwin reache James Island, Galapagos archipelago

1835 Event - HMS Beagle sails to Charles Island in Galapagos archipelago

1830 Birthday - William Sprague, governor of Rhode Island, 1859-63

1821 Event - Bellingshausen discovers Alexander Island off Antarctica

1818 Birthday - Maria Mitchell, 1st U.S. woman astronomer on Nantucket Island

1815 Event - Napoleon Bonaparte exiled on Island of St. Helena

1813 Birthday - James Jesse Strang, King of Mormons on Beaver Island, Michigan, 1850 - 1856

1813 Event - David Melville, Newport, Rhode Island, patents apparatus for making coal gas

1798 Event - David Wilkinson of Rhode Island patents a nut and bolt machine

1794 Event - New York City formally declares coast of Ellis Island publically owned, so they can build forts to protect New York City from British

1793 Event - Curacao Island Council forbids criticism on House of Orange

1793 Event - Netherlands captures French island of St. Maarten (held until 1795)

1785 Event - Samuel Ellis advertises to sell Oyster Island (Ellis Island), no takers

1784 Event - Russian trappers established a colony on Kodiak Island, AK

1781 Event - Dutch West Indies island of St. Eustatia taken by British

1781 Event - Battle of Jersey (Island in UK)

1778 Event - Rhode Island General Assembly authorizes enlistment of slaves

1776 Event - Rhode Island establishes wage and price controls to curb inflation: Limit is 70 cents a day for carpenters, 42 cents for tailors

1776 Event - U.S. Army evacuates Long Island/falls back to Manhattan, New York City

1776 Event - British defeat Americans in Battle of Long Island

1776 Event - Rhode Island declares independence from England

1774 Event - Rhode Island becomes 1st colony to prohibit importation of slaves

1761 Event - Puritan version of "Othello" opens in Newport Rhode Island

1745 Event - Charles Stuart, the Younger, lands at Eriskay Island, Hebrides

1742 Event - Battle of Bloody Marsh-Spanish assault on Simons Island, Georgia

1739 Event - J B C Bouvet de Lozier discovers Bouvet Island, near Antarctica

1728 Birthday - Samuel Wallis, explorer, Wallis Island

1722 Event - Jacob Roggeveen discovers Easter Island

1709 Event - Alexander Selkirk, Scottish seaman is rescued after 4+ years from Fernandez Island (inspiration for Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe")

1709 Event - British sailor Alexander Selkirk is rescued after being marooned on a desert island for 5 years, his story inspires "Robinson Crusoe"

1707 Birthday - Stephen Hopkins, Governor of Rhode Island signed Declaration of Independence

1700 Event - Pacific Island of New Britain discovered

1697 Death - Sjoucke Gabbes, Frisian sailor, dies/buried on Dirk-Hartog Island

1686 Event - Robinson Crusoe leaves his island after 28 years (as per Defoe)

1664 Event - Roger Williams is granted a charter to colonize Rhode Island

1663 Event - King Charles II of England grants a charter to Rhode Island

1659 Birthday - Jacob Roggeveen, Dutch Swiss lawyer/navigator, Easter Island

1652 Event - Rhode Island enacts 1st law declaring slavery illegal

1644 Event - England grants patent for Providence Plantations (now Rhode Island)

1639 Event - William Coddington founds Newport, Rhode Island

1636 Event - City of Providence, Rhode Island form

1634 Event - Beach Island in North sea destroyed by a heavy storm flood

1631 Event - Rhode Island, founder, Roger Williams arrives in Boston from England

1630 Event - New Amsterdam's governor buys Gull Island from Indians for cargo, renames it Oyster Island, it is later known as Ellis Island

1626 Event - Indians sell Manhattan Island for $24 in cloth and buttons

1610 Event - 1st Dutch settlers arrive, from New Jersey, to colonize Manhattan Island

1595 Event - Alvara Mendana discovers Marquesas Island

1587 Event - 2nd English colony forms on Roanoke Island off NC

1586 Event - English colonists sailed from Roanoke Island, North Carolina

1576 Event - Tycho Brahe given Hveen Island to build Uraniborg Observatory

1575 Event - King Frederick of Denmark offers island of Hveen to Tycho Brahe

1542 Event - Explorer Cabrillo discovered Catalina Island off California coast

1522 Event - Portuguese Antonio de Brita signs treaty island of Ternate Molukkas

1499 Event - Alonso dhe Ojeda discovers Curacao Island

1498 Event - Christopher Columbus discovers island of Trinidad

1498 Event - Vasco da Gama's fleet visits Mozambique Island

1493 Event - Christopher Columbus discovers island of Dominica

1493 Event - Christopher Columbus discovers island of Dominica

1492 Event - Columbus' fleet anchors on Ragged Island Range, Bahamas

1492 Event - Columbus' fleet sites "Zandislands" (Ragged Island Range, Bahamas)

1492 Event - Columbus lands on San Salvador Island

1492 Event - Columbus sites "Isabela" (Fortune Island, Bahamas)

1492 Event - Columbus sights isle of San Salvador (Watling Island, Bahamas)

1492 Event - Columbus' fleet anchors at "Fernandina" (Long Island, Bahamas)

794 Event - Vikings attacked Lindisfarne Island













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