On this day in 1907, poet W.H. Auden was born

On this day in 1907, poet W.H. Auden was born in York, England.

From 1953-1972, the Pulitzer prize-winning author lived in a "notoriously disheveled" apartment at 77 St. Marks Place -- in the same building Leon Trotsky worked as a journalist for Novy Mir (The New World) magazine in 1917.

Auden, a devout Episcopalian, was a frequent patron of St. Mark’s Church.

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On this day in 1971, Black Sabbath headlined at the Fillmore East

On this day in 1971, Black Sabbath headlined at the Fillmore East, in support of their second album, Paranoid. Tickets cost $3.50 - $5.50.

They sold out two nights, Feb 19 and 20, and were joined by Pig Light Show, J. Geils Band, and Sir Lord Baltimore.

This was the band's second stint at the Fillmore; the first time was on November 10, 1970, oddly opening for Rod Stewart & The Faces.

On this day in 1955, Irving Berlin received a gold medal from President Eisenhower

On this day in 1955, President Eisenhower presented LES-raised songwriter Irving Berlin a gold medal for penning such patriotic hits as "God Bless America."

During World War II, Berlin wrote the musical This is the Army, which raised $10 million for the Army Emergency Relief and later dedicated the copyright for "God Bless America" to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, which has since raised millions of dollars for those organizations.

By the age of eight, Berlin sold newspapers on The Bowery and became a singing waiter at some of the district's rowdiest saloons. During his 60+ year career, he composed over 1000 songs, including the scores for 19 Broadway shows and 18 Hollywood films, earning him eight Academy Award nominations -- making him arguably the most successful songwriter in American history.

On this day in 1968, Janis Joplin made her NYC debut at the Anderson Theater

On this day in 1968, Janis Joplin made her NYC debut at the Anderson Theater at 66 Second Avenue, opening for B.B. King.

The 25 year old singer of Big Brother & the Holding Company was terrified to perform with such a legend, according to a biographer, nervously stating, "I ain't so sure we're ready for New York... We're just a sloppy group of street freaks."

A couple of weeks later, the band singed a contract with Columbia Records.

On this day in 1884, comedian Joe Smith was born

On this day in 1884, comedian Joe Smith, one half of the Vaudeville team Smith & Dale, was born on the Lower East Side.

Known as the longest partnership in show-business history, Smith & Dale performed together for over 70 years on stage, radio, nightclubs, film and television and was a partial inspiration for Neil Simon's play and movie, The Sunshine Boys.

In this youtube video of a 1950 Cavalcade of Stars sketch, Smith & Dale are joined by Art Carney: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz5MWj8n-dI

On this day 2000, 31 protestors were arrested on E. 7th Street

On this day 2000, 31 protestors were arrested on E. 7th Street, as the El Jardin de la Esperanza ("Garden of Hope") was bulldozed.

Dozens of activists had barricaded themselves inside the community garden, which was founded 22 years prior by neighbor Alecia Torres.

Here is a video of the incident: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apo1-ZvFKJQ

On this day in 1975, Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye make their debut at CBGB.

On this day in 1975, Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye make their debut at CBGB.

On this day in 1859, two factions of the Dead Rabbits gang brawled outside of 27 Mulberry Street

On this day in 1859, two factions of the Dead Rabbits gang brawled outside of 27 Mulberry Street. Thomas "Fatty" Welch, leader of one of the factions, was shot in the neck, but survived.

Welch was considered to be one of the primary instigators in the bloody three-day Five Points riot of 1857, where he was shot in the leg.

Read the NY Times report here (.PDF): http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf…

On this day in 1791, Peter Cooper was born

On this day in 1791, inventor, philanthropist and Cooper Union founder Peter Cooper was born.

In 1816, Cooper purchased six lots along Boston Post Road (The Bowery) at today's Astor Place, and opened a grocery store. On that site, the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art was erected between 1853 and 1859.

Ever wonder how the term "East Village" came about?

It started when the Third Avenue Elevated Train line -- which ran from Chatham Square to The Bronx up Bowery and 3rd Avenue -- was demolished in the late 1950s. By 1960, savvy real estate companies and building owners began promoting the district as the "Village East" or "East Village," capitalizing on its proximity to the more fashionable Greenwich Village.

Though traditionally part of the greater Lower East Side, the term "East Village" stuck, and is today, considered by many, to be a separate neighborhood.

On this day in 1831, John Morrissey was born

John Morrissey was born on this day in 1831. The pro-boxing champion and Dead Rabbit gang leader went on to become State Senator, US Congressman, casino operator and co-founder of Saratoga Spring Racetrack.

On this day in 1821, Elizabeth Blackwell was born

Elizabeth Blackwell, first female doctor in the US, was born on this day in 1821. She founded a women & child dispensary at 207 E. 7th Street in 1853 -- which evolved into New York Downtown Hospital.

More about Dr. Blackwell: http://69.8.250.210/dr-blackwell-our-founder