April 19

April 19 in the history of the Birmingham District:

• 2001: The Lakeshore Parkway extension from Shannon Wenonah Road to Alabama State Highway 150 opened.
• 1999: Compass Bank acquired several Norwest/Wells Fargo offices in Phoenix, Arizona.
• 1996: Compass Bank acquired Post Oak Bank of Houston, Texas.
• 1973: The Lyric Theatre reopened as the Grand Bijou with a screening of "The Jazz Singer".
• 1963: 11 demonstrators were arrested at a lunch counter in the 2121 Building.
• 1953: The Birmingham Transit Company's last streetcar trip was completed on the No. 27 Ensley No. 38 South East Lake streetcar line.
• 1942: WJLD-AM began broadcasting from the Gary Hotel in Bessemer.
• 1920: Victor Hanson purchased The Birmingham Ledger and merged it with his Birmingham News.

James Saxon Childers, born April 19, 1899

Births

• 1981: NFL player Earl Cochran, Jr was born in Birmingham.
• 1976: Samford Bulldogs men's basketball team coach Scott Padgett was born in Louisville, Kentucky.
• 1963: Banjo player Wendy Holcombe was born in Alabaster.
• 1899: Novelist James Saxon Childers was born in Norwood.

Deaths

• 2003: Choreographer Cholly Atkins died in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• 1925: Edward M. Tutwiler died at sea.

Sports

• 2003: Macon Knights 49, Birmingham Steeldogs 29 at Macon, Georgia.
• 2000: Charles Barkley played in his last NBA game.
• 1990: Birmingham Barons manager Terry Francona played in his last major league game.
• 1949: Former Birmingham Barons star Walt Dropo made his major league debut for the Boston Red Sox.