January 16, 2008

150 years ago
1858

Born on this date
Carter Glass. U.S. politician. Mr. Glass, a Democrat, represented Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1899-1918 and in the Senate from 1920 until his death on May 28, 1946 at the age of 88. He was Secretary of the Treasury in the administration of President Woodrow Wilson from 1918-1920.

80 years ago
1928

Diplomacy
U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, speaking at the opening of the sixth Pan American Conference at Havana, declared that the sovereignty of small nations was respected in this hemisphere, and all were on terms of absolute equality. He pleaded for friendship and understanding.

Politics and government
It was reported that the Soviet government, under Josef Stalin, had banished its opponents: Leon Trotsky to Vierny on the China-Turkestan frontier; Leon Kamenev to Pensa; Gregory Zinoviev to Tambov; Christian Rakovsky to Astrakhan; Karl Radek to the Urals, etc.

Aviation
French aviators Dieudonne Costes and Joseph Lebrix, continuing their transatlantic flight, flew from Panama City, Panama, to Caracas, Venezuela.

50 years ago
1958

Politics and government
Lester B. Pearson, former Secretary of State for External Affairs, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 (for his role in resolving the Suez crisis in 1956), was chosen as leader of Canada's federal Liberal party, succeeding Louis St. Laurent, at the party's convention at Ottawa Coliseum. Mr. Pearson defeated former Health and Welfare minister Paul Martin on the first ballot by a margin of 1,074 votes to 305. The Liberals were then in opposition, having resigned the government after losing a narrow plurality to the Progressive Conservatives in the election of June 10, 1957. The evening included a farewell speech from former cabinet minister C.D. Howe, whose political career had ended with his defeat in the 1957 election. Mr. Howe had been in cabinet from 1936-1957, presiding over departments such as transport, munitions and supply, reconstruction, and Trade and commerce. He helped to create Trans-Canada Airlines, ran the nation's war production program, and presided over a successful transition to the post-war economy.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Monja--Roland W. (3rd week at #1)

On television tonight
The Invaders, starring Roy Thinnes, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Pit

Wojeck, starring John Vernon, on CBC
Tonight's episode: After All, Who's Art Morrison Anyway?



Space
The U.S.S.R. launched its first satellite of the year, Cosmos 199, which was probably intended to be a spy satellite.

30 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Mull of Kintyre--Wings (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): UFO--Pink Lady (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Credo--Elsa Baeza (3rd week at #1)

Football
NFL
Rogers Lehew resigned as vice president and assistant general manager of the Detroit Lions to pursue private business opportunities. Mr. Lehew had spent many year's with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders: chief scout, minor football coordinator, and assistant coach from 1960-1964, then general manager through the 1973 season. His Stampeder teams won western titles in 1968 and 1970, and finally won the Grey Cup in 1971.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: La Bamba--Los Lobos (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): When I Fall in Love--Rick Astley (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): China in Your Hand--T'Pau (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Étienne--Guesch Patti (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Heaven is a Place on Earth--Belinda Carlisle

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Heaven is a Place on Earth--Belinda Carlisle

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Got My Mind Set on You--George Harrison