Week in History: August 9 - 16
Events that occurred during the week of August 9th through the 16th in South Florida's history.
OTD: August 9, 1928 - WTVJ Pioneer Journalist was Born in New York
Iconic WTVJ news anchor Ralph Renick was born on August 9, 1928, in New York. Renick began his career with WTVJ in 1950 as an intern while studying journalism at the University of Miami. He enjoyed a long career with the station, from 1950 until 1985, while reporting directly to the president and founder of WTVJ, Mitchell Wolfson. Within six weeks of his retirement announcement from WTVJ, Ralph declared his candidacy for governor of Florida in 1986. After losing his bid for political office, he joined WCIX (now WFOR), to do a nightly show called 'The Ralph Renick Report', until he retried from that endeavor in September 1990.
Article: Panorama of Downtown Miami in 1926
A panorama view of part of Miami’s ever evolving skyline during the building boom decade of the 1920s. This photo was taken from the northwest corner of East First Avenue and Flagler Street and captures some of the buildings that were the product of the boom.
The structure in the foreground on the left is the First National Bank building at 101 East Flagler Street. The tall building on the right in the photograph is the Miami Bank & Trust building at 121 SE First Street, and the building to its left is the Huntington building at 168 SE First Street. The one thing each of these buildings has in common is that they are still standing and all three have local historic designation protection.
OTD: August 13, 1859 - Miami Pioneer E.A. Waddell was born in Perth, Ontario
On August 13, 1859, Miami Pioneer Edwin Alexander Waddell was born in Perth, Ontario. Waddell was living in Key West when he first arrived to Miami in 1888. He purchased land in today's Omni neighborhood and became one of the Magic City's earliest real estate agents. He constructed the first poured concrete home for himself on the corner of today's NE Third Avenue and NE Second Street. Waddell was considered one of early Miami's most persistent ambassadors and advocates.
OTD: August 15, 1945 - Japan Surrenders (VJ Day)
On August 15, 1945, the Japanese Emperor announced an unconditional surrender to the United States to end World War II. Although the official instrument of treaty was not signed until September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri, in Tokyo Bay, August 15th has been referred to V-J Day (Victory over Japan), ever since.
Attached is a photograph of US Navy service men and women celebrating on Flagler Street when the news broke. Downtown Miami was taken over by the Navy for training during WWII.
Click on the button below to listen to the podcast episode on the role South Florida played to prepare servicemen for battle during World War II.
OTD: August 16, 1965 - Dolphins Awarded to Miami by AFL
On August 16, 1965, Miami was awarded a professional football franchise by the American Football League which was ultimately named the Dolphins. The franchise was headed by entertainer Danny Thomas and Minneapolis attorney Joe Robbie.
Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book
Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the ‘Learn More’ button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.