2015 Event Airplane debris is found off the coast of France's Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean; officials believe the debris is from a Boeing 777 and may be part of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared over a year ago without a trace 2014 Event In a potential attempt to claim sovereignty, China is building an island in the South China Sea in an area claimed by several nations; sources speculate that the island may be used to support an airstrip and military activities 2014 Event Pahoa, a town of about 1,000 people on Hawaii's Big Island, must evacuate due to a stream of lava flowing at 20 yards per hour from the Kilauea volcano; Red Cross Hawaii is assisting residents with temporary shelter 2014 Event Fossils of a new species of giant penguin, named Palaeeudyptes klekowskii, have been found on Seymour Island in Antarctica; the penguins lived about 40 million years ago and likely weighed about 250 pounds 2014 Event Papua New Guinea is shaken by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake with an aftershock registering at 6.1 on the Richter scale; the quakes were centered off the island of Bougainville 2014 Event Indonesian volcano Mount Sinabung erupts on Sumatra Island, shooting toxic clouds of ash into the air; 15 people die, and the search continues for more victims and survivors 2013 Event In the U.S., 2.5 million minimum wage workers will get a raise January 1st in thirteen states including Colorado, Rhode Island and Connecticut 2013 Event President Barack Obama and the First Family begin their 17-day Hawaiian vacation; this is the sixth year in a row the Obama's have visited family and friends on the island of Oahu for Christmas and New Year's 2013 Event Twenty people die on the island of Madagascar from bubonic plague, which is transmitted to humans via rat fleas; chronic overcrowding and unhygienic prison conditions are identified as the root cause of the outbreak 2013 Event Yaya is a new island discovered in the Arctic Ocean's Laptev Sea 2013 Event A report from Japan's Coast Guard and earthquake experts claims that a new islet has been created; a volcanic eruption raised the new island, which is located off the coast of Nishinoshima - a small, uninhabited island in the Ogasawara chain, far south of Tokyo 2013 Event Falkland Island voters head to the polls to participate in their general election and elect Legislative Assembly members 2013 Event A boat carrying asylum seekers capsizes north of Christmas Island; Australian authorities rescue 88 people and 9 are feared dead 2013 Event Pope Francis condemns the 'global indifference' to the plight of immigrants who have drowned trying to reach Europe; he honors them in a mass held on Lampedusa, the largest island of the Italian Pelagie Islands in the Mediterranean Sea 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
