June 1

June 1 in the history of the Birmingham District:

• 2020: The Confederate Soldiers & Sailors Memorial at Linn Park was dismantled.
• 2017: Southeastern Bible College suspended operations.
• 2008: 2nd annual Preserve Jazz Festival was held in Hoover.
• 2007: The Alabama Symphony Orchestra performed "The Orchestra Strikes Back: Music from the Star Wars Saga" for Sounds for Summer at Caldwell Park.
• 2006: Andrew Westmoreland became president of Samford University.
• 2002: The grand opening of Aldridge Gardens Phase I was held.
• 1963: The salary for Mayor of Birmingham was raised from $15,000 to $25,000.
• 1956: The Skyview Drive-In opened on Decatur Highway in Fultondale.
• 1948: Hoyt Ayers was named chief of the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service.
• 1945: Veterans Day founder Raymond Weeks was discharged from the U.S. Navy.
• 1926: Construction of the original 24th Street Viaduct began.
• 1924: Municipal Auditorium was dedicated.
• 1911: The Edgewood Electric Railway made its first run, celebrated by ceremonies and a barbecue feast on Broadway Street.
• 1903: A mass meeting was held at Jefferson Theatre to protest the massacre of Jewish residents of Kishineff, Russia.
• 1899: An Anti-Spitting Law went into effect in Birmingham.
• 1892: The DeBardeleben Coal and Iron Company was sold to the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company.
• 1871: The Elyton Land Company began selling lots in the newly-created city of Birmingham. Frank O'Brien settled in the new city as one of its first full-time residents.

William Bell, born June 1, 1949

Births

• 1973: Birmingham City Councilor Jay Roberson was born in Birmingham.
• 1960: Artist Chris Lawson was born.
• 1949: Mayor of Birmingham William Bell was born in Birmingham.
• 1942: Hotel developer Chiman Patel was born in Gujarat, India.
• 1937: Interior designer Ellen Simonton was born.
• 1928: Art collector Paul R. Jones was born in Bessemer.
• 1922: Salesian monk Charles Todel was born.
• 1921: Motion Industries co-founder Caldwell Marks was born in Birmingham.
• 1912: Little Man Popwell was born.
• 1909: Birmingham Public Library director Fant Thornley was born in Pickens, South Carolina.
• 1887: Baseball player Ewart "Dixie" Walker was born in Pennsylvania.

Deaths

• 2023: Former ABC News executive George Watson (ABC News) died in Bethesda, Maryland.
• 2020: Former Auburn Tigers football coach Pat Dye died.
• 2013: Singer and preacher's wife Dorothy Porter died.
• 1981: Rockabilly singer-songwriter Jimmy Murphy died.
• 1926: Former mayor Mel Drennen died in Birmingham.

Sports

• 2015: UAB president Ray Watts announced the planned reinstatement of the Blazers football, women's bowling and rifle teams.
• 2011: The Barons won the 2011 Rickwood Classic in 11 innings in 98° temperatures.
• 2007: Victor Mercedes made his debut with the Birmingham Barons.
• 2002: Birmingham Steeldogs 47 - Bossier City Battle Wings 35.