Kentucky Trivia ● Kentucky Tweets

I Never Met A Kentuckian Who Wasn’t Either Thinking About Going Home Or Actually Going Home.  Happy Chandler

On September 4, 1832, John Breathitt became Kentucky’s 11^th governor.  He was the 1^st Democrat to hold this office and the 2^nd governor to die in office.  Shortly after his death, Breathitt County came into existence.

September 4, 1844, William Owsley became Kentucky’s 16^th governor.  He would never run for public office again, after his term.

September 4, 1855, Charles Slaughter Morehead became the 20^th governor of Kentucky.  He was the only governor from the “No Nothing Party” which arose in response to an influx of migrants.  Candidates promised to “purify” American politics by limiting or ending the influence of immigrants.

September 4, 1876, locals dedicated Centennial Park in Lexington.  Two years later the park was incorporated and the name changed to Benjamin Gratz Park; it is surrounded by a high iron fence and elaborate arched gates.  Benjamin Gratz came from one of Philadelphia’s most distinguished mercantile families.

September 4, 1920, one other horse was entered to face Man o’ War in the 1 5/8 mile Lawrence Realization, a stakes race held at Belmont.  He beat Hoodwink by 100 lengths, to set a new American time of 2:40 4/5.  This was his 18^th race and he would run three more times.

September 4, 1950, Army PFC Finley Grills from Harlan County, Army SGT Stanley W. Bear from Greenup County, Army PFC Charles W. Bragg from Jefferson County, Army SFC Hoe D. Carter from Allen County, Army SGT Orvel J. Johnson from Boyd County, Army SFC Ed F. Mercer from Wayne County, Army PFC William Spradlin from McCreary County, Army PFC Cleve R. Stevens from McCreary County, and Army CPL Mathew Tuttle from Knott County, all died in the Korean War.

September 4, 1951, Army PFC Felix G. Sharp from Breckinridge County, died in the Korean War.

September 4, 1956, Governor A. Chandler called out 900 guardsmen and several M47 Patton tanks to disperse a crowd at Sturgis High School in Union County.  The crowd came when nine black students attempted to enter the all-white High School, and 500 opponents of integration blocked the doors.  The confrontation lasted a total of 18 days.

September 4, 1959, Kelso started his historical career.  Owned by the Bohemia Stable of Mrs. Allaire du Pont, the homebred son of “Your Host” was gelded before his first start, which resulted in a victory in an Atlantic City maiden race at 6-1 odds – the highest odds of his 63-race career.

September 4, 1967, Air Force CAPT Virgil K. Kelley, Jr. from Junction City in Boyle County and Army PFC Manford D. Stewart from Owensboro, both died in the Vietnam War.

September 4, 1990, Louisville native Irene Dunne passed away.  Irene was an actress and singer who appeared in Hollywood films during its golden age.  She is best known for her comedic roles, but acted in varied genres.  She is also known as one of the most notorious Academy Award snubs.

September 4, 1999, Kentucky opened up its newly renovated and expanded Commonwealth Stadium, with a loss to Louisville 56-28, in front of a record crowd of 70,692.  UK Quarterback Dusty Bonner tied a school record with 74 offensive plays and passed for 446 yards in his first career start.  Hal Mumme and John Smith were in the middle of their coaching stints.  The series record now stood at 9-3.

September 4, 2003, State Senator Dan Seum from Louisville filed a bill that would overturn Lexington’s smoking ban in workplaces, including bars and restaurants. 

Sunday, September 4, 2005, Michael Bush rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns, and Elvis Dumervil added a school-record six sacks as #12 Louisville held off Kentucky 31-24 in Lexington.  It was Louisville’s 1^st season in the Big East, and the Cardinals moved within two games of tying the series which stood at 10-8.

September 4, 2010, Columbia native and magician William Lance Burton performed his last show at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino.

September 4, 2010, Derrick Locke and Randell Cobb got their TDs and Kentucky held off Louisville 23-16 keeping the Governor’s Cup for the 4^th straight season.  Joker Phillips and Charlie Strong, longtime friends, made their debuts as head coaches.  The series record stood at 14-9 in Kentucky’s favor.

September 4, 2010, a Keeneland graduate $2.00 exacta paid $14.00 in the GI $750,000 Woodward Stakes at the Spa.

September 4, 2017, Justin Thomas cruised to a 5-under 66 to secure a three-shot victory in the Dell Technologies Championship over Jordan Spieth.  The win came less than a month after he captured the PGA Championship for his first major title.

September 4, 2019, Papa John’s founder John Schnatter donated $1 million to Simmons College of Kentucky, a historically black college.  He spent the last year battling racist perceptions and the loss of his company title.

Kentucky Trivia: Papa John’s was the first national pizza chain to offer online ordering.

September 4, 2020, Kentucky suffered through the deadliest week for the coronavirus with 66 deaths; therefore the state extended the mask mandate for another 30 days.

Positives:  809 / 51,677
Deaths:  11 / 987 – 1st death March 16, 2020
50&over:  950 / 49-30: 27 / 29&under: 1

September 4, 2021, Kentucky opened up their season with a 45-10 crushing of Louisiana-Monroe.  The Cats would win on New Year’s Day in the Citrus Bowl against #17 Iowa 20-17, ending the season 10-3 ranked #18.