A bootlegger’s fine & 4,990 sweatbands — Today in Triangle history
A daily look at some of The News & Observer headlines on this date in past years.
On this day in 2018, the Durham Bulls pulled a publicity stunt aimed at latching onto the “Stranger Things” mania that swept Netflix viewers especially hard in the Bull City, where the Duffer brothers, the creators of the throwback sci-fi series, grew up.
The Bulls aimed to set the world record for most fans wearing sweatbands, a nod to “Stranger Things” and its retro ’80s costume style.
Did they do it? Easily, bringing in 4,990 fans.
Other notable July 13 entries from the pages of history:
2000: Neighborhood flag dispute
A Cary man removed the American flag from his porch after receiving national attention for violating the no-flag rules in his Williamsburg Commons neighborhood.
1979: Happy birthday, Rufus
Nearly 1,000 people showed up to wish then-N.C. Attorney General Rufus Edmisten a happy 38th birthday, a celebration awash in barbecue, bluegrass and cold beer.
“We’re not gonna file any reports on this thing because it’s not political,” Edmisten joked. He is now 84.
And 100 years ago today in Raleigh …
In 1926, with Prohibition raging, a Wake County judge fined Raleigh man H.B. Dollar $40 for possession of a pint of liquor.
Today, that fine equals roughly $750 — enough to buy two cases of good bourbon.
What headlines should we look up on upcoming dates? Send your ideas to metroeds@newsobserver.com.