On This Day

Glenn Miller records the song "Pennsylvania 6-5000" in NYC; tune is named after phone number of the Hotel Pennsylvania i

Glenn Miller records the song "Pennsylvania 6-5000" in NYC; tune is named after phone number of the Hotel Pennsylvania in Manhattan

The Hotel Pennsylvania was a hotel at 401 Seventh Avenue (15 Penn Plaza) in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, across from Pennsylvania Station and Madison Square Garden. Opened in 1919, it was once the largest hotel in the world. It remained the city's fourth-largest until it closed permanently on April 1, 2020. After years of unsuccessful preservation battles, it was demolished in 2023. The hotel is to be replaced by 15 Penn Plaza, a 50-story tower.

The Pennsylvania Railroad announced the construction of a hotel on Seventh Avenue in 1916, six years after completing the original New York Penn Station. The Hotel Pennsylvania was formally dedicated on January 25, 1919, and was originally managed by Ellsworth M. Statler of the Statler Hotels chain.

Historical Significance

The Hotel Pennsylvania was a hotel at 401 Seventh Avenue (15 Penn Plaza) in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, across from Pennsylvania Station and Madison Square Garden.

Key People

Glenn Miller

Musician

American big band musician

Events Before

  1. Jim Bakker is born

    Jim Bakker televangelist, known for american televangelist, was born on 1939-01-02. James Orsen Bakker is an American televangelist and convicted felon.

  2. American future MLB catcher Roy Campanella (18) weds Bernice Ray; eventually divorce

    American future MLB catcher Roy Campanella (18) weds Bernice Ray; eventually divorce

  3. Adolf Hitler threatens Jews during his speech to the German Reichstag (Parliament)

    Adolf Hitler (20 April 1889 – 30 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Germany during the Nazi era, which lasted from 1933 until his suicide in 1945.

  4. American singer Frank Sinatra (23) marries 1st wife Nancy Barbato (21) at Our Lady of Sorrows catholic church in Jersey

    American singer Frank Sinatra (23) marries 1st wife Nancy Barbato (21) at Our Lady of Sorrows catholic church in Jersey City, New Jersey; divorce in 1951

  5. Mahatma Gandhi begins a fast in Bombay to protest against autocratic rule in India

    Mahatma Gandhi begins a fast in Bombay to protest against autocratic rule in India

Events After

  1. US President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his Four Freedoms speech during his State of the Union address, outlining fr

    US President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his Four Freedoms speech during his State of the Union address, outlining freedom of speech and worship and freedom from want and fear [1] [2]

  2. New Fourth Army Incident: Chinese Kuomintang forces under orders from Chiang Kai-shek fire on the surrounded Communist N

    New Fourth Army Incident: Chinese Kuomintang forces under orders from Chiang Kai-shek fire on the surrounded Communist New Fourth Army at Maolin, Anhui Province, killing or capturing about 7,000 troops

  3. Duke Ellington and his Orchestra first record "Take the 'A' Train" written by Billy Strayhorn, at RCA Studio in Hollywoo

    Duke Ellington and his Orchestra first record "Take the 'A' Train" written by Billy Strayhorn, at RCA Studio in Hollywood, California; it goes on to become his signature tune

  4. Future CIA Director William J. Casey (27) weds Sophia Kurz

    Future CIA Director William J. Casey (27) weds Sophia Kurz

  5. American Actress Hattie McDaniel (45) weds real estate salesman James Lloyd Crawford; divorced 1945

    American Actress Hattie McDaniel (45) weds real estate salesman James Lloyd Crawford; divorced 1945

More from the 1940s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 28, 1940?
The Hotel Pennsylvania was a hotel at 401 Seventh Avenue (15 Penn Plaza) in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, across from Pennsylvania Station and Madison Square Garden. Opened in 1919, it was once the largest hotel in the world. It remained the city's fourth-largest until it closed permanently on April 1, 2020.
Why is Glenn Miller records the song "Pennsylvania 6-5000" in NYC; tune is named aft... significant?
The Hotel Pennsylvania was a hotel at 401 Seventh Avenue (15 Penn Plaza) in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, across from Pennsylvania Station and Madison Square Garden.
Who was involved in Glenn Miller records the song "Pennsylvania 6-5000" in NYC; tune is named aft...?
Key figures include Glenn Miller (Musician).

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