This Day in History – 15 Elul/September 10

In 5445/1685, the Jews of New York were denied the right to worship publicly.

In 5587/1827, Russia decreed the draft of Jewish boys from the age of 12; these youngsters were subsequently known as the Cantonists. During this horrible period, thousands of young boys were snatched away from Yiddishkeit and forever lost to our people.

Yahrtzeiten

5302/1542 (or 5295/1535), Harav Moshe Alshakar, zt”l, author of Maharam Alshakar and Geon Yaakov

5487/1727, Harav Yosef Kovo, zt”l, Rav in Salonika, Greece

5547/1787,Harav Yaakov Koppel Chassid, zt”l

5601/1841, Harav Meir Horowitz of Lebertov, zt”l

5518/1758,Harav Akiva Eiger (the first), zt”l, mechaber of Mishnas Reb Akiva

5701/1941, Harav Chanoch Henich Eiges of Vilna, Hy”d, the Marcheshes

5702/1942, Harav Avraham Yaakov Horowitz of Provizna, zt”l, mechaber of Tzur Yaakov

September 10

In 1608, John Smith was elected president of the Jamestown colony council in Virginia.

In 1813, an American naval force commanded by Oliver H. Perry defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. (Afterward  Perry sent out the message, “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”)

In 1919, New York City welcomed home Gen. John J. Pershing and 25,000 soldiers who served in the U.S. First Division during World War I.

In 1935, Sen. Huey P. Long died in Baton Rouge two days after being shot in the Louisiana state Capitol, allegedly by Dr. Carl Weiss.

In 1939, Canada declared war on Germany.

In 1945, Vidkun Quisling was sentenced to death in Norway for collaborating with the Nazis (he was executed by firing squad in October 1945).

In 1963, 20 black students entered Alabama public schools following a standoff between federal authorities and Gov. George C. Wallace.

In 1974, the West African country of Guinea-Bissau became fully independent of Portugal.

In 1979, four Puerto Rican nationalists imprisoned for a 1954 attack on the U.S. House of Representatives and a 1950 attempt on the life of President Harry S. Truman were freed from prison after being granted clemency by President Jimmy Carter.