TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

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September 5, 1804, Christopher Greenup’s inauguration as Kentucky’s 3rd governor occurred under an elm tree on the south lawn of the Old Capitol.  Greenup was the first lawyer to be governor, and he held the first inaugural ball, which took place at Weisinger’s Tavern in Frankfort on August 28.

On September 5, 1816, George Madison became the 6th governor of Kentucky and the first to die in office.  Immediately after the election, Madison traveled to Blue Lick Springs for his health but was too weak to return to Frankfort for the inauguration.  Instead, a Bourbon County justice of the peace administered the oath of office.  Madison’s only official act of office was the appointment of Colonel Charles S. Todd as Secretary of State.

Localtonians wishes a Happy Birthday to John G. Carlisle, born in Campbell County, now Kenton County, in 1834.

September 5, 1862, Confederate forces under the command of General Braxton Bragg enter Kentucky.

September 5, 1878, the mayor of Hickman telegraphed the state board of health, informing Frankfort that yellow fever had reached epidemic levels in the city and requesting that Governor Dr. Blackburn be sent to them as soon as possible.  The governor arrived in two days to find that roughly 20% of the town’s population was ill with yellow fever.  He organized cleanup crews to disinfect the town.

September 5, 1883, Raywick native James Proctor Knott became Kentucky’s 29th governor.

September 5, 1931, the historic Paramount Theatre opened with the Paramount ‘talkie’ documentary movie “The Silent Enemy.”  The grand theatre in Ashland had 1,309 seats.

810px Paramount Arts Center

September 5, 1950, Army SGT James T. Preece from Lawrence County, Army CPL Kenneth Ralph from Daviess County, and Army PVT Clarence H. Thompson from Lincoln County, all died in the Korean War.

September 5, 1958, WKPC TV (PBS) channel 15 in Louisville begins broadcasting.

September 5, 1960, Muhammad Ali won his Olympic light-heavyweight gold medal in Rome.  Despite being only 18, he won all four of his fights easily.

September 5, 1965, Marine Corps GYSGT Lee R. James from Louisville died in the Vietnam War.

September 5, 1967, Marine Corps LCPL Martin W. Prather from Louisville and Air Force A1C David G. Woodruff from Cynthiana, died in the Vietnam War.

September 5, 1969, Army CPL Michael L. Litsey from Muldraugh in Meade County died in the Vietnam War.

September 5, 1970, Marine Corps LCPL Thomas M. Crisp from Hopkinsville in Christian County died in the Vietnam War.

September 5, 1974, President Ford announced that the first ambassador to East Germany would be Somerset native John Sherman Cooper.

September 5, 1981, singer Chubby Checker performed at the Breeding-Season Auction Charity at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington.  The breeding seasons of 14 stallions were auctioned off and proceeds went to the Ephraim McDowell Cancer Research Foundation.

September 5, 1998, Kentucky betas Louisville 68-34 in Lexington.  Louisville’s Coach Smith losses in his debut as head coach.  The rivalry after this game stood at 9-2.

September 5, 2001, after a long illness, Harlan County native Cawood Ledford passes at his home in his hometown.  A planned tribute at Rupp Arena was canceled following the “9/11” terrorists attacks.

Sunday, September 5, 2004, Lionel Gates ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns, and Louisville earned its first shutout in four years with a 28-0 victory over Kentucky.  The Cardinals won the traditional opener for the fifth time in six years.  It was their most lopsided win over the Wildcats since a 56-28 victory in 1999.  The Governor’s Cup record stands at 10-7, advantage Kentucky.

September 5, 2009, Rachel Alexandra ends her three-year-old season, 8 for 8, undefeated, by winning the Woodford (GI).  For the first time all year a few boys came close, but she put them away to be the first female of any age to win the historic Woodford Stakes.

September 5, 2013, Richie Farmer, 44, pleaded guilty to charges that he misused state resources during his tenure as Agriculture Commissioner.  Federal and state prosecutors also ordered him to pay a $125,000 fine. Richie’s sister also received charges, but she resigned from state government.

Kentucky Trivia:  The 42 ethics charges against the former basketball player are the most Kentucky has ever levied against one individual.  They included misuse of state employees, misuse of state resources, improper use of grants, and misuse of Kentucky proud marketing funds. 

September 6, 2014, nine high school bands across Kentucky joined the 300 member UK band at halftime to revive a long-dormant tradition: Band Day.

September 5, 2020, for the first time in 146 years, the Kentucky Derby raced with no fans in the stands, and My Old Kentucky Home played with no lyrics, only by longtime bugler Steve Buttleman.  The card included 14 races.