#OnThisDay in 1881, #WSGilbert and #ArthurSullivan's comic opera "Patience" premieres at The Opera Comique, London.

#OnThisDay in 1925, 1st London performance of #FranzLehár’s operetta "Frasquita" staged.

Today in 1941, 84 years ago: World War II: The Greek government and King George II evacuate Athens before the invading Wehrmacht.

#OnThisDay in 1964, #JamesBaldwin's stage drama "Blues for Mister Charlie", directed by #BurgessMeredith, opens at the ANTA Playhouse, NYC; runs for 148 performances.

_The Evening Post_, 24 April 1925:
BUSES FOR THE CITY
MACHINES TO BE BOUGHT
SOME BRITISH, SOME AMERICAN
REASONS FOR THE CHOICE
It was decided by the City Council after a long discussion in committee last evening to purchase three #Daimler machines, one complete #Mack bus, and five Mack bus chassis. The Daimler is a British machine which is considered to be very suitable for hilly country such as will be met with on several of Wellington’s proposed bus runs. The Daimlers are to cost £873 [ca. $110K today] each, the Mack bus £2467 [ca. $312K], and the five Mack chassis £6485 [ca. $820K]. The Macks are American.
…
COMPETITION LIKELY.
“There is every indication that the Corporation in the immediate future will be face to face with severe competition from privately-owned machines, and it may be taken for granted that competitors will not use British machines.…
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19250424.2.69

#OnThisDay in 1891, #SergeiProkofiev, Russian #composer (Peter and the Wolf; Alexander Nevsky), born in Sontsovka, Russian Empire (now Sontsivka, Ukraine) (d. 1953).
#RIP

#OnThisDay, April 23, 1985, Coca-Cola changes its formula and releases New Coke. Public reaction was negative and the original formula was back on the market within three months (depicted in Stranger Things, s03e07 “The Bite”, 2016)

#OnThisDay in 1936, #RoyOrbison, American rock #singer-#songwriter ("Pretty Woman"; "Only The Lonely"; Traveling Wilburys - "Handle With Care"), born in Vernon, Texas (d. 1988).
#RIP

#OnThisDay in 1939, #RayPeterson, American singer ("Tell Laura I Love Her"), born in Denton, Texas (d. 2005).
#RIP

#OnThisDay in 1961, Singer #JudyGarland appears in concert at Carnegie Hall, NYC; event is recorded for a double live album, wins Grammy Award for Album of the Year (the first such win by a female artist).

Today in 1977, 48 years ago: trade unions are legalized in Spain, banned by the Franco dictatorship.

#OnThisDay in 1965, "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" single released by the Four Tops (Billboard Song of the Year 1965).

#OnThisDay in 1977, #JohnCena, American #professionalwrestler, rapper and #actor (The Marine), born in West Newbury, Massachusetts. ⃝ ⃝
#HappyBirthday #48

Which pop star became a playable character in the Fortnite online video game on 23 April 2024? #quiz #onthisday

#OnThisDay, 23 Apr 2015, Loretta Lynch is confirmed as Attorney General of the US – the first Black woman to hold the post. It's exactly 143 years after Charlotte E Ray became the first Black woman lawyer in the US.

Read more: https://carvehername.org.uk/charlotte-e-ray-and-143-years-of-progress/

#OnThisDay in 1986, #HaroldArlen, American popular song #composer ("Over the Rainbow"; "It's Only A Paper Moon"; "Stormy Weather"), died of #cancer at 81.
#RIP

#OnThisDay, 23 Apr 1872, Charlotte E Ray was admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia (USA). She is the first Black woman to be certified as a lawyer in the USA.

Read more: https://carvehername.org.uk/charlotte-e-ray-and-143-years-of-progress/

Today in 1968, 57 years ago: Vietnam War: Student protesters at Columbia University in New York City take over administration buildings and shut down the university.

#OnThisDay Von Jean Paul an Emanuel. Bayreuth, 23. April 1809. Zum #Brief in der #JeanPaulEdition: https://www.jeanpaul-edition.de/brief.html?num=VI_79 #JeanPaulToday

#OnThisDay in 1997, 32nd Academy of Country Music Awards: Brooks & Dunn, #GeorgeStrait, and Patty Loveless win.