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Births on September 12

1916Sep, 12

Tony Bettenhausen

Tony Bettenhausen, American race car driver (d. 1961)
Melvin Eugene "Tony" Bettenhausen (September 12, 1916 – May 12, 1961) was an American racing driver, who won the National Championship in 1951 and 1958.

Bettenhausen was nicknamed the "Tinley Park Express" in honor of his hometown. He was nicknamed "Tunney" after heavyweight boxing champion Gene Tunney. "Tunney" later became "Tony."Bettenhausen was part of the midget car "Chicago Gang" with Emil Andres, Cowboy O'Rourke, Paul Russo, Jimmy Snyder, and Wally Zale. They toured tracks in the Midwest and East Coast of the United States.

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Events on 1916

  • 9Jan

    Gallipoli Campaign

    World War I: The Battle of Gallipoli concludes with an Ottoman Empire victory when the last Allied forces are evacuated from the peninsula.
  • 21Feb

    Battle of Verdun

    World War I: In France, the Battle of Verdun begins.
  • 25Feb

    Battle of Verdun

    World War I: The Germans capture Fort Douaumont during the Battle of Verdun.
  • 9Apr

    Battle of Verdun

    World War I: The Battle of Verdun: German forces launch their third offensive of the battle.
  • 31May

    Battle of Jutland

    World War I: Battle of Jutland: The British Grand Fleet under the command of John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe and David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty engage the Imperial German Navy under the command of Reinhard Scheer and Franz von Hipper in the largest naval battle of the war, which proves indecisive.