August 1

August 1 in the history of the Birmingham District:

• 2020: Gardendale Pickers opened in the former K-Mart at 901 Decatur Highway in Gardendale.
• 2018: Paul Erwin became the Dean of the UAB School of Public Health.
• 2013: Carrigan's Public House opened on Morris Avenue.
• 2011: Sweet Tea Restaurant opened on 3rd Avenue South.
• 2009: First Avenue Rocks, an indoor rock climbing facility, opened on 1st Avenue South.
• 2006: New Vision Television purchased WIAT 42 from Media General.
• 2006: University of Montevallo president Robert McChesney Sr retired.
• 2006: William Leggett became pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham.
• 2002: The third annual Furnace Fest began at Sloss Furnaces.
• 1997: Regal Cinemas purchased Cobb Theatres.
• 1988: Virginia Algermissen became director of UAB's Lister Hill Library.
• 1981: MTV debuted with Alan Hunter as one of its five original VJs.
• 1961: Civil Rights activist Fred Shuttlesworth moved to Cincinnati to become pastor of Revelation Baptist Church.
• 1950: Tinsley Harrison was made acting dean of the Medical College of Alabama.
• 1945: The USS Birmingham returned to service with the 5th fleet after repairs at Pearl Harbor.
• 1944: Roy Kracke assumed duties as the first dean of the Medical College of Alabama.
• 1942: The "Sgt. Gene Autry" program was broadcast live from Municipal Auditorium.
• 1937: Ed Norton and Thad Holt purchased the lease for the WAPI-AM radio station.
• 1919: The Birmingham Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta first opened in the Jefferson County Bank Building.
• 1916: The 1916 Birmingham street tax went into effect.
• 1905: Birmingham Fire Department Chief Thad Mullin resigned.

Ross Gray, born August 1, 1920

Births

• 1988: Singer-songwriter Ryan Kinder was born.
• 1988: Convicted criminal Lakendall Sims was born.
• 1980: Mortgage banker and political candidate Chris Salter was born in Houston, Texas.
• 1974: Musician Chase Lexi was born.
• 1974: Reverend Rodney Franklin was born in Chicago, Illinois.
• 1931: Rocco & Cheater's Speed Shop owner Domenic Sanfilippo was born.
• 1921: Enamel artist Heidi Bowman was born in Linz, Austria.
• 1920: Ross Gray, Medal of Honor recipient, was born in Marvel.
• 1882: Hotelier Robert Meyer was born in Montgomery.
• 1856: Physician Benjamin Wyman was born in Tuscaloosa.

Marriages

• 1940: Pat Courington Sr married Tommie Dorris Williams.

Deaths

• 2022: Vestavia Hills Police Department chief Danny Rary died.
• 2021: TV show host Tom York died.
• 2020: Author and historian J. D. Weeks died.
• 2011: Musician Chase Lexi died.
• 1987: Architect Carolyn Smith died.
• 1922: Former U.S. Senator Frank White died.
• 1920: Judge Noah Feagin died.

Buildings

• 2006: Demolition of the Homewood Gardens Apartments began for the development of Hallman Hill.
• 1903: Holt Furnace was blown in.

Sports

• 2009: Alabama Warriors defeated Panhandle Crusaders 37-7 at Warrior Stadium.
• 2009: Birmingham Wildfire defeated Pensacola Lightning 30-3 at Legion Field.
• 2000: Legion Field was announced as the home for an XFL team.
• 1941: Pitcher Satchel Paige returned to the East-West All Star Game after a 5-year absence.