January 1, 2008

200 years ago
1808

World events
Legislation banning the importation of slaves into the United States came into effect.

150 years ago
1858

Economics and finance
The dollar became the currency of Canada, as public accounts were put on the decimal system at midnight. Figures were now kept in dollars and sense instead of pounds and pence.

80 years ago
1928

World events
250,000 slaves in Sierra Leone were declared free by decree of the British government. This was in the good old days when there was still a British Empire. The slaves were owned by blacks and the government that freed them was composed of white males.

50 years ago
1958

World events
The European Economic Community officially came into existence.

40 years ago
1968

Football
Led by the rushing of O.J. Simpson, the University of Southern California Trojans defeated the Indiana University Fightin' Hoosiers 14-3 in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena.

Auto racing
Jim Clark of Scotland won the South African Grand Prix.

30 years ago
1978

Football
NFL
The National Football League conference championship games were played. At Irving, Texas, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-6 for the National Football Conference title.

In Denver, the Broncos won their first American Football Conference title with a controversial 20-17 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Oakland Raiders. With the Broncos leading 7-3 in the third quarter and driving for more points, Bronco fullback Rob Lytle fumbled near the Raiders' goal line, but the play was whistled dead as Oakland's Mike McCoy was returning the ball. The officials gave the ball back to the Broncos, and Jon Keyworth ran in from the 1 on the next play to give Denver a 14-3 lead after the convert. Ken Stabler came back with two touchdown passes to Dave Casper, sandwiching the second TD reception of the day for the Broncos' Haven Moses, both on passes from Craig Morton. The Broncos were able to run out the clock in the last few minutes to send 75,004 fans home happy from Mile High Stadium.

25 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Maneater--Daryl Hall and John Oates (3rd week at #1)

10 years ago
1998

Died on this date
Helen Wills Moody, 92. U.S. tennis player. She won 31 major championships, including 8 at Wimbledon. She popularized the wearing of eyeshades in competition.