March 4, 2008

330 years ago
1678

Born on this date
Antonio Vivaldi, 63. Italian composer. Mr. Vivaldi was one of the most prominent composers of the Baroque era. His best-known work was The Four Seasons (1725). Mr. Vivaldi died on July 28, 1741 at the age of 63.

175 years ago
1833

Politics and government
Andrew Jackson was inaugurated into his second term as 7th President of the United Statesof America. Because of cold weather and the president's poor health, the ceremony took place indoors, in the hall of the House of Representatives. Chief Justice John Marshall administered the oath of office for the ninth and final time.

Mr. Jackson's inaugural address included the following comments:

In the domestic policy of this Government there are two objects which especially deserve the attention of the people and their representatives, and which have been and will continue to be the subjects of my increasing solicitude. They are the preservation of the rights of the several States and the integrity of the Union... My experience in public concerns and the observation of a life somewhat advanced confirm the opinions long since imbibed by me, that the destruction of our State governments or the annihilation of their control over the local concerns of the people would lead directly to revolution and anarchy, and finally to despotism and military domination...
I shall continue to exert all my faculties to maintain the just powers of the Constitution and to transmit unimpaired to posterity the blessings of our Federal Union. At the same time, it will be my aim to inculcate by my official acts the necessity of exercising by the General Government those powers only that are clearly delegated; to encourage simplicity and economy in the expenditures of the Government; to raise no more money from the people than may be requisite for these objects, and in a manner that will best promote the interests of all classes of the community and of all portions of the Union.

125 years ago
1883

Born on this date
Maude Fealy. U.S. actress. Miss Fealy, born Maude Mary Hawk, began her career on stage in 1896, and toured in the United States and United Kingdom through the 1900s. She appeared in more than 20 movies from 1911-1917, and in minor roles in several movies from 1931-1958, including several directed by Cecil B. DeMille. Miss Fealy taught acting, and wrote several plays that were produced. She died on November 9, 1971 at the age of 88.

Died on this date
Alexander Stephens, 71. U.S. and C.S. politician. Mr. Stephens was Vice-President of the Confederate States of America from 1861-1865. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia from 1845-1859 and 1873-1882. He was elected Governor of Georgia in 1882 and died four months after taking office.

100 years ago
1908

Disasters
Fire killed 174 at a school in Collinwood, Ohio.

75 years ago
1933

Politics and government
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd President of the United States; it was the last presidential inauguration to take place on March 4. Mr. Roosevelt was sworn in by Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes at the east portico of the Capitol. In his inaugural address, Mr. Roosevelt said: "This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

60 years ago
1948

At the movies
The Naked City, produced by Mark Hellinger, directed by Jules Dassin, and starring Barry Fitzgerald and Howard Duff, opened in theatres.





Died on this date
Antonin Artaud, 51. French actor, writer, and director. Mr. Artaud was a major figure of European avant-garde theatre, who battled an addiction to opiates for most of his life, and was in and out of sanatoriums until his death from colorectal cancer.

Diplomacy
The International Maritime Conference in Geneva established the 35-nation Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization to advise on technical problems in international shipping.

Argentina and Chile agreed to act jointly in their dispute with the United Kingdom over territory in Antarctica.

World events
Former King Michael I of Romania issued a statement in London repudiating his abdication, which he claimed was "imposed on me by force" by Communist leaders.

Society
The U.S. Insterstate Commerce Commission dismissed a $15,000 suit brought by three Negroes against the Southern Railway Company for maintaining segregated passenger accommodations, stating that the cars reserved for Negroes were "not substantially different" from others.

Education
The Southern Regional Council on Education, meeting in Gainesville, Florida, approved the participation of Negroes in educational policy planning, and asked all Southern U.S. governors to assign a Negro educator to work with the Council.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Koi no Shizuku--Yukari Itō (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Cállate Niña--Pic-Nic (9th week at #1)

Space
The United States launched OGO 5, the fifth in NASA's most complicated satellite series. The satellite was supposed to study a wide variety of characteristics of the space surrounding our world. All but one of its two dozen experiments were successful.

Diplomacy
Canada suspended diplomatic relations with Gabon.

Boxing
At Madison Square Garden in New York, Joe Frazier (20-0) scored a technical knockout of Buster Mathis (23-1) at 2:33 of the 11th round to win recognition as world heavyweight champion by the state athletic commissions of New York, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas, as well as Mexico and South America.



On the undercard, Nino Benvenuti (74-2) won a 15-round decision over Emile Griffith (54-9) to regain the world middleweight title that he'd lost to Mr. Griffith just over five months earlier.



40 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): E Dirsi Ciao--Matia Bazar (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Mull of Kintyre--Wings (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: The Rare Auld Times--Danny Doyle

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Take a Chance on Me--ABBA (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): (Love Is) Thicker than Water--Andy Gibb

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 If I Had Words--Scott Fitzgerald and Yvonne Keeley with the St. Thomas More School Choir (6th week at #1)
2 She's Not There--Santana
3 Big City--Tol Hansse
4 Black Betty--Ram Jam
5 Denis--Blondie
6 I Can't Stand the Rain--Eruption featuring Precious Wilson
7 Daddy Cool - The Girl Can't Help It--The Darts
8 Take a Chance on Me--ABBA
9 Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees
10 Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll--Ian Dury

Singles entering the chart were Winter in America by Doug Ashdown (#25); A Piece of the Action by the Babys (#27); Spread Your Wings by Queen (#28); Figaro by the Brotherhood of Man (#31); (Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again by L.T.D. (#35); and Here You Come Again by Dolly Parton (#38).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 (Love Is) Thicker than Water--Andy Gibb
2 Emotion--Samantha Sang
3 Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees
4 Just the Way You Are--Billy Joel
5 Sometimes When We Touch--Dan Hill
6 Night Fever--Bee Gees
7 What's Your Name--Lynyrd Skynyrd
8 Peg--Steely Dan
9 Lay Down Sally--Eric Clapton
10 Short People--Randy Newman

Singles entering the chart were Imaginary Lover by Atlanta Rhythm Section (#81); Rocket Ride by Kiss (#83); Honey Don't Leave L.A. by James Taylor (#84); Bootzilla by Bootsy’s Rubber Band (#92); Reaching for the Sky by Peabo Bryson (#93); You'll Love Again by Hotel (#94); That's Your Secret by Sea Level (#96); Your Love is So Good for Me by Diana Ross (#97); Let's Live Together by Cazz (#98); and A Lover's Question by Jacky Ward (#99).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees (3rd week at #1)
2 Just the Way You Are--Billy Joel
3 Sometimes When We Touch--Dan Hill
4 (Love Is) Thicker than Water--Andy Gibb
5 Emotion--Samantha Sang
6 Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)--Chic
7 Short People--Randy Newman
8 What's Your Name--Styx
9 We are the Champions--Queen
10 Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood--Santa Esmeralda

Singles entering the chart were Sweet Talkin' Woman by Electric Light Orchestra (#75); Little One by Chicago (#89); Honey Don't Leave L.A. by James Taylor (#90); Baby, Baby My Love's All for You by Deniece Williams (#91); Black Magic Woman by Santana (#94); Down the Road by Doucette (#95); Le Spank by Le Pamplemousse (#96); Playing Your Game by Barry White (#97); Never Had a Love by Pablo Cruise (#98); Dream Away by the Lavender Hill Mob (#99); and Starry Night by Bugatti and Musker (#100). Black Magic Woman was a live version of the song that had been a major hit for Santana in a studio version in late 1970-early 1971.

Hockey
NHL
Philadelphia 1 @ Montreal 7

CHL
Salt Lake City 2 @ Dallas 3
Kansas City 2 @ Fort Worth 4

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Tell it to My Heart--Taylor Dayne

At the movies
The House on Carroll Street, produced and directed by Peter Yates and starring Kelly McGillis, Jeff Daniels, and Mandy Patinkin, opened in theatres.





Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz, in an attempt to stimulate the Middle East peace process, met with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres in Jerusalem; with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in Damascus; and with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo. Mr. Shultz was unable to report any progress.

Economics and finance
Panama ordered the nation's banks to close "until the supply of dollar bills can be regularized." Although a general strike against the regime of Gen. Manuel Noriega had ended, the bank closing devastated the economy again.

March 3, 2008

Happy Birthday, Sherry!

170 years ago
1838

War
John Maitland and regulars of the 32nd and 83rd Regiments and the Essex Militia crossed the ice of Lake Erie with cavalry from St. Thomas under Captain James Ermatinger; they routed Stephen Van Rensselaer and his 1,000 American supporters of the Upper Canadian rebels, who had captured Pelee Island on February 26; 11 Americans were killed, and several captured.

160 years ago
1848

Politics and government
The Canadian government of Premier Henry Sherwood and Deputy Premier Denis-Benjamin Papineau was defeated 54-20 in a vote of non-confidence; Governor Lord Elgin called on Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine to form a government on March 10.

140 years ago
1868

Born on this date
Émile-Auguste Chartier. French philosopher and journalist. Mr. Chartier, who wrote under the name Alain and was the author of more than 50 books, was a leading theorist of radicalism who stressed the rights of individuals against the state, and warned against all forms of power. Privately, Mr. Chartier expressed right-wing views in his diary during World War II. He died on June 3, 1951 at the age of 83.

130 years ago
1878

War
The Russo-Turkish War ended with Bulgaria regaining its independence from the Ottoman Empire according to the Treaty of San Stefano. A few months later, the Congress of Berlin stripped its status to a vassal principality of the Ottoman Empire.

110 years ago
1898

Born on this date
La Argentinita. Argentine-born dancer and singer. La Argentinita, whose real name was Encarnación López Júlvez, moved with her family to Spain at the age of 3. She and her sister Pilar learned flamenco dancing; Encarnación became internationally popular on her own and as a team with Pilar, performing on stage and making recordings in a career of more than 30 years. Encarnación López died of an abdominal tumour at the age of 47 on September 24, 1945.

100 years ago
1908

Politics and government
The Conservative Party, led by Douglas Hazen, ended 25 years of Liberal Party rule, winning the New Brunswick provincial election. The Conservatives won 31 of 45 seats in the Legislative Assembly, while the Liberals, led by Premier Clifford Robinson, were reduced to 12 seats. Two neutral members were elected in the first New Brunswick election in which party labels were used.

90 years ago
1918

War
The Russian Bolsheviks signed a peace treaty at Brest-Litovsk with Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

50 years ago
1958

Hit parade
#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): #1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Don't/I Beg of You--Elvis Presley (Best Seller--4th week at #1); Sugartime--The McGuire Sisters (Disc Jockey--3rd week at #1); Get a Job--The Silhouettes (Top 100--2nd week at #1)

At the movies
The True Story of Lynn Stuart, directed by Lewis Seiler, and starring Betsy Palmer, Jack Lord, and Barry Atwater, opened in theatres.



War
Celebes insurgent leader Colonel Ventje Sumual announced that his forces had retaken Gerontalo, the centre for 250,000 Gerontalese Muslims, from Indonesian government troops.

United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold named General Carl Carlsson von Horn of Sweden to succeed Gen. E.L.M. Burns of Canada as UN Truce Supervisory Organization chief in Palestine.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles met at the White House with U.S.S.R. Ambassador to the U.S.A. Mikhail Menshikov, reportedly telling Mr. Menshikov that the U.S. would not agree to new Soviet terms for a summit conference unless preparatory meetings were permitted to discuss in detail the questions to be placed on the summit agenda.

World events
1,700 Muslim refugees crossed into the Kasserine area of Tunisia in the wake of a French military sweep of Algeria's Bekkaria region.

Defense
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Army must reverse its actions in giving less than honorable discharges to soldiers because they had allegedly engaged in subversive activities prior to induction.

Politics and government
King Paul of Greece named Constantine Georgakopoulos to head a caretaker cabinet charged with the dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies and preparation of new general elections.

Nuri al-Said took office as Prime Minister of Iraq for the eighth time.

The White House made public the terms of an agreement between U.S. President Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon under which Mr. Nixon was to take over the President's duties temporarily as acting President should Mr. Eisenhower become disabled. The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, covering such a situtation, wasn't ratified until 1967.

Scandal
Richard Mack resigned as a member of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission after admitting to the House of Representatives Special Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight that he had received loans and gifts of stock from a friend who was interested in the FCC award of a valuable television channel in Miami.

Boxing
Former middleweight champion Gene Fullmer (44-4) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Milo Savage (42-40-9) at Fairgrounds Coliseum in Salt Lake City.



40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann (2nd week at #1

Hockey
NHL
Montreal 2 @ Detroit 5

Montreal centre and captain Jean Beliveau scored his 25th goal of the season in the first period, becoming the second player in NHL history to score 1,000 career points, as the Canadiens lost to the Red Wings at Olympia Stadium. Gordie Howe of the Red Wings, who played that night, was the first player to accomplish the feat, in 1960. Norm Ullman, playing his last game in a Detroit uniform, led the Red Wings with 2 goals (his 29th and 30th of the season) and an assist. Paul Henderson scored his 13th of the season, and Nick Libett scored his first NHL goal to aid the Red Wing cause. Floyd Smith, in his Red Wing finale, added 2 assists. After the game, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings effected a 7-player trade. The Maple Leafs traded left wing Frank Mahovlich, centre Pete Stemkowski, center Garry Unger, and the rights to defenceman Carl Brewer to the Red Wings for centre Norm Ullman, left wing Paul Henderson, and right wing Floyd Smith. Mr. Mahovlich, in his 12th season with the Maple Leafs, had 19 goals and 17 assists in 50 games in Toronto in 1967-68, but the pressure of playing in Toronto had led to him requiring psychiatric treatment, causing him to miss some games. Mr. Stemkowski had 7 goals and 15 assists in 60 games with Toronto in 1967-68, while Mr. Unger had 1 goal and 1 assist in 15 games with Toronto, 1 goal and 3 assists in 5 games with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League, and 3 goals and 5 assists in 9 games with the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Professional Hockey League. Mr. Brewer had retired after the 1964-65 season, and had played with the Canadian National Team before joining the Muskegon Mohawks of the International Hockey League for 1967-68. Mr. Ullman, in his 13th season with the Red Wings, had 30 goals and 25 assists in 58 games with Detroit in 1967-68. Mr. Henderson had 13 goals and 20 assists in 50 games with Detroit, while Mr. Smith had 18 goals and 21 assists in 57 games with Detroit in 1967-68. The trade turned out to be a good trade for both teams, at least for the individual players involved. The scoring productivity of all six of the current players improved over the final weeks of the season. The defending Stanley Cup champion Maple Leafs made the trade in a desperate effort to avoid missing the playoffs in the first season of NHL expansion. The player who benefited most from the change of scenery was probably Mr. Mahovlich. The presence in the Detroit organization of his brother Pete was probably another factor helping the Big M's peace of mind; in 13 games as a Red Wing that year, he scored 7 goals and 9 assists. As it turned out, the trade came too late to save the season for the Maple Leafs; they finished 4 points out of the last playoff spot. The Red Wings finished sixth and last in the Eastern Division, 10 points behind the Maple Leafs.

30 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Ti amo--Umberto Tozzi (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Mull of Kintyre--Wings (8th week at #1)

#1 single in France: Ça plane pour moi--Plastic Bertrand (2nd week at #1)

25 years ago
1983

Hit parade
Canada's Top 30

1 Goody Two Shoes--Adam Ant
2 We've Got Tonight--Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton
3 You Are--Lionel Richie
4 Shame on the Moon--Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
5 Allentown--Billy Joel
6 Stray Cat Strut--The Stray Cats
7 Separate Ways--Journey
8 Billie Jean--Michael Jackson
9 When I'm With You--Sheriff
10 One on One--Daryl Hall and John Oates
11 Mr. Roboto--Styx
12 Back on the Chain Gang--Pretenders
13 All Right--Christopher Cross
14 Hungry Like the Wolf--Duran Duran
15 Baby Come to Me--Patti Austin
16 Do You Really Want to Hurt Me--Culture Club
17 Crazy--Supertramp
18 Breaking Us in Two--Joe Jackson
19 All of My Heart--ABC
20 Cuts Like a Knife--Bryan Adams
21 Shy Boy--Bananarama
22 Everytime I See Your Picture--Luba
23 I've Got a Rock & Roll Heart--Eric Clapton
24 Comin' True--Streetheart
25 I Don't Care Anymore--Phil Collins
26 Who Knows How to Make Love Stay--Doug and the Slugs
27 Make Love Stay--Dan Fogelberg
28 Jeopardy--Greg Kihn Band
29 Change of Heart--Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
30 Human Race--Red Rider

Died on this date
Arthur Koestler, 77. Hungarian-born U.K. writer. Mr. Koestler joined the German Communist party in 1931, but left the party seven years later, and became an outspoken anti-Communist. His most famous book, Darkness at Noon, published in 1940, was a novel about the great purge in the Soviet Union under Josef Stalin in the late 1930s. Mr. Koestler was of Jewish ancestry, but disavowed his heritage and became an atheist. His 1976 book The Thirteenth Tribe advanced the idea that Ashkenazi Jews (those of eastern European descent, such as Mr. Koestler) are not descended from the ancient Israelites, but from the Khazars, a Turkish tribe from the Caucasus that converted to Judaism in the 8th Century and later moved into present-day Russia, Ukraine, and Poland. Recent genetic research has contradicted this idea (the reader is encouraged to look it up for himself). Arthur Koestler, a promoter of euthanasia, was suffering from Parkinson's Disease and leukemia, and committed joint suicide with his wife Cynthia by means of a drug overdose.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Sleepy Sleepers--Nykäsen Matti

Died on this date
Henryk Szeryng, 69. Polish-born musician and diplomat. Mr. Szeryng was a concert violinist who served as liaison officer and interpreter to General Wladyslaw Sikorski, Prime Minister of the Polish government-in-exile during World War II. Mr. Szeryng was so impressed by Mexico's response to his plea to accept 4,000 Polish refugees in 1941 that he moved to Mexico and became a Mexican citizen in 1946. Mr. Szeryng and pianist Arthur Rubinstein collaborated in concerts and recordings from the 1950s through the 1970s. Mr. Szeryng lived in France for 20 years, and his last five years in Monaco; he died in Germany of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz met with King Hussein of Jordan for the second time in three days in an attempt to stimulate the Middle East peace process. 30 U.S. senators wrote Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, criticizing his rejection of the idea of trading land for peace--giving up the occupied territories--as supported by United Nations Security Council Resolution 242.

Economics and finance
U.S. federal district courts restrained four banks from transferring funds to the Panamanian government.

The United States House of Representatives rejected by a vote of 216-208 a plan advanced by House Speaker Jim Wright for $30.8 million in non-lethal aid to the Contras in Nicaragua.

10 years ago
1998

Died on this date
Fred Friendly, 82. U.S. broadcast executive. Mr. Friendly was President of CBS News in the 1950s and 1960s, and was particularly known for his collaborative efforts with broadcaster Edward R. Murrow. A series of Columbia record albums titled I Can Hear it Now, beginning in 1948, was followed by the radio series Hear it Now in 1951, which soon moved to television as See it Now. Probably the most famous See it Now broadcast was that of March 9, 1954, a critical examination of Senator Joseph McCarthy. The broadcast has been credited by some with helping to turn public opinion against the Wisconsin anti-Communist activist (although a number of anti-McCarthy commentators criticized See it Now the broadcast as unfair and distorted. The circumstances surrounding this broadcast inspired the 2005 movie Good Night and Good Luck; George Clooney played Mr. Friendly. After See it Now ended its run in 1958, Mr. Friendly and Mr. Murrow collaborated on a number of projects for the series CBS Reports; the most famous of these, Harvest of Shame, broadcast in November 1960, concerned the plight of migrant farm workers and is still considered a high point in the history of television journalism. Mr. Friendly produced a number of other programs for CBS Reports in the 1960s, but became increasingly disenchanted with the network brass. He reached his breaking point and resigned from CBS in 1966 when the network ran a scheduled episode of The Lucy Show instead of the first United States Senate hearings investigating American involvement in Vietnam. After leaving CBS, Mr. Friendly worked at the Ford Foundation, taught journalism at Columbia University, and played a major role in the creation of the Public Broadcasting Service.

March 2, 2008

80 years ago
1928

Music
Paul Whiteman and his Concert Orchestra were at Liederkranz Hall in New York, where they recorded A Study in Blue.

60 years ago
1948

Died on this date
Louis de Vogue, 80. French businessman. Marquis de Vogue was President of the Suez Canal Company.

Abraham Brill, 73. Austro-Hungarian born U.S. psychiatrist. Dr. Brill, who moved to America when he was 15, was the first psychoanalyst to practice in the United States, and the first to translate Sigmund Freud's works into English. Dr. Brill founded the New York Psychoanalytic Society (or Institute) in 1911, and later helped to found the American Psychoanalytic Association.

Diplomacy
U.S. delegate Warren Austin and U.S.S.R. delegate Andrei Gromyko informed the United Nations Security Council that their governments favoured the partition of Palestine, but disliked forcing the plan on the Arabs.

Politics and government
Christian Democrat Hermann Puender, Mayor of Cologne, was elected head of the Executive Committee, the highest organ of the German bizonal administration in Frankfurt.

Law
The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee passed an anti-lynching measure, bringing Southern warnings that the Republican Party-dominated Congress had lost its first chance to "make friends with the South."

Scandal
Christine Johnston asked a circuit court in Cullman, Alabama to declare Alabama Governor Jim Folsom her common-law husband and father of her 22-month-old son, charging that Gov. Folsom had broken a promise to marry her.

Labour
The New York State Congress of Industrial Organizations executive board approved the creation of a statewide political action committee to oppose the third-party U.S. presidential candidacy of former U.S. Vice President Henry Wallace.

50 years ago
1958

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Return of the Hero, starring Jacques Bergerac, Susan Kohner, Marcel Dalio, and Vladimir Sokoloff

Exploration
Vivian Fuchs and his U.K.-N.Z. party, accompanied near the end of the trip by Sir Edmund Hillary, reached Scott Base on McMurdo Sound to complete the first overland crossing of Antarctica.

Politics and government
Greek Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis resigned, following the defection of government supporters protesting his introduction of an election law designed to reduce the Greek Chamber of Deputies from 300 to 250 seats and introduce proportional representation.

United Arab Republic President Gamal Nasser and Crown Prince Saif al-Islam Mohammed al-Badr of Yemen announced in Cairo that Yemen would federate with the U.A.R. but retain its absolutist monarchy under the Iman Ahmed.

General Miguel Ysidoras Fuentes took office to begin a six-year term as President of Guatemala.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band

#1 single in France: Nights in White Satin--The Moody Blues (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): La tramontana--Antoine

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (4th week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Words--The Bee Gees
2 Mien Waar Is M'n Feestneus?--Toon
3 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann
4 Nights in White Satin--The Moody Blues
5 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde--Georgie Fame
6 It's the End--The Buffoons
7 Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band
8 Bend Me, Shape Me--The American Breed
9 Green Tambourine--The Lemon Pipers
10 Pictures of Matchstick Men--The Status Quo

Singles entering the chart were Sunshine of Your Love by Cream (#33); Monterey by Eric Burdon & the Animals (#35); De Kat Van Ome Willem by Wim Sonneveld with Hetty Blok, Leen Jongewaard, De Jonkies, and the Orchestra of Harry Bannink (#38); I Thank You by Sam & Dave (#39); and The Legend of Xanadu by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (4th week at #1)
2 I Wish it Would Rain--The Temptations
3 Spooky--The Classics IV
4 (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls--Dionne Warwick
5 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company
6 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
7 I Wonder What She's Doing Tonite--Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
8 Green Tambourine--The Lemon Pipers
9 Walk Away Renee--Four Tops
10 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs

Singles entering the chart were (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone by Aretha Franklin (#35); Young Girl by the Union Gap (#48); Green Light by the American Breed (#61); Cry Like a Baby by the Box Tops (#62); Sound Asleep by the Turtles (#72); Security by Etta James (#75); The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo) by Manfred Mann (#77); Scarborough Fair (Canticle) by Simon & Garfunkel (#81); The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp by O.C. Smith (#91); Something I'll Remember by Sandy Posey (#93); I Need You by the Rationals (#96); Can't Find the Time by Orpheus (#98); (Mama Come Quick, And Bring Your) Lickin' Stick by George Torrence and the Naturals (#99); and (You Can’t Let the Boy Overpower) The Man in You by Chuck Jackson (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 I Can Take or Leave Your Loving--Herman's Hermits
2 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
3 Spooky--The Classics IV
4 We Can Fly--The Cowsills
5 Words--The Bee Gees
6 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs
7 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company
8 Zabadak!--Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich
9 (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls--Dionne Warwick
10 Walk Away Renee--Four Tops

Singles entering the chart were A Question of Temperature by Balloon Farm (#63); If You Can Want by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (#64); La-La - Means I Love You by the Delfonics (#73); Jealous Love by Wilson Pickett (#75); Will You Love Me Tomorrow by the 4 Seasons (#80); The Radio Song by the Parade (#82); The Unicorn by the Irish Rovers (#89); The Ten Commandments of Love by Peaches and Herb (#90); Little Green Apples by Roger Miller (#91); L. David Sloane by Michele Lee (#94); Sister Marie by Nilsson (#95); Burning Spear by Soulful Strings (#96); Sookie Sookie by Steppenwolf (#97); Looking for a Fox by Clarence Carter (#99); and Young Girl by the Union Gap (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Words--The Bee Gees
2 (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls--Dionne Warwick
3 Everything that Touches You--The Association
4 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
5 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition
6 Walk Away Renee--Four Tops
7 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde--Georgie Fame
8 Nobody But Me--The Human Beinz
9 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
10 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company

Singles entering the chart were Bottle of Wine by the Fireballs (#23); Carpet Man by the 5th Dimension (#26); Too Much Talk by Paul Revere and the Raiders (#28); (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone by Aretha Franklin (#29); and The End of Our Road by Gladys Knight & the Pips (#30).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Itchycoo Park--Small Faces
2 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition
3 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
4 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly--Hugo Montenegro, his Orchestra and Chorus
5 My, What a Shame--Dino, Desi and Billy
6 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company
7 Words--The Bee Gees
8 Green Tambourine--The Lemon Pipers
9 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs
10 Bend Me, Shape Me--The American Breed
Pick hit of the week: Too Much Talk--Paul Revere and the Raiders

Space
The U.S.S.R. launched Zond 4, a probe apparently intended to visit the Moon. It was successfully launched outward after first parking in earth orbit, but never made it to the moon.

30 years ago
1978

On television tonight
James at 16, starring Lance Kerwin, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Champions

Crime
Extortionists stole the coffin of Charlie Chaplin from a Swiss cemetery. Police recovered the body in a cornfield on May 17, and arrested a Pole and a Bulgarian. Apparently nobody told the criminals that they stood a better chance of obtaining ransom from kidnapping a live person than a dead man.

20 years ago
1988

War
For the first time, Iraqi missiles struck the holy city of Qom in Iran.

Economics and finance
The United States State Department advised American banks not to disburse funds to Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.

March 1, 2008

130 years ago
1878

Edmontonia
Edmonton's first official post office, Fort Edmonton station, opened, with Richard Hardisty as postmaster. Previously, the Northwest Mounted Police handled the mail.

90 years ago
1918

Politics and government
Former President Rodrigo Alves, candidate of the Republican Party of São Paulo, won the Brazilian presidential election, taking 99.1% of the vote. Mr. Alves had previously served as President of Brazil from 1902-1906. Delfim Moreira was elected Vice President.

75 years ago
1933

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Adventure of the Missing Dancer

At the movies
Murders in the Zoo, directed by A. Edward Sutherland, and starring Charlie Ruggles, Lionel Atwill, Kathleen Burke, and Randolph Scott, received its premiere screening (see film).

50 years ago
1958

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): April Love--Pat Boone (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Der lachende Vagabund--Fred Bertelmann (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Gondolier--Dalida (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Magic Moments/Catch a Falling Star--Perry Como

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Don't--Elvis Presley
2 Get a Job--The Silhouettes
3 Short Shorts--The Royal Teens
4 Catch a Falling Star--Perry Como
5 Sail Along Silvery Moon--Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra
6 Oh Julie--The Crescendos
7 At the Hop--Danny and the Juniors
8 The Stroll--The Diamonds
9 You are My Destiny--Paul Anka
10 26 Miles (Santa Catalina)--The Four Preps

Singles entering the chart were Sweet Elizabeth by Will Glahe and his Orchestra (#48); Yes, My Darling by Fats Domino (#53); Movin' n' Groovin' by Duane Eddy (#54); Arrividerci, Roma by Roger Williams (#55); Breathless by Jerry Lee Lewis (#56); Your Graduation Means Goodbye by the Cardigans (#59); and College Man by Bill Justis and his Orchestra (#60).

Religion
Samuel Stritch was appointed Pro-Prefect of the Propagation of Faith, and thus became the first U.S. member of the Roman Curia.

Disasters
More than 350 people were killed when the Turkish ferry Uskudar sank in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
Edmonton's top 10 (CJCA)
1 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (4th week at #1)
2 Words--The Bee Gees
3 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
4 Green Tambourine--The Lemon Pipers
5 Itchycoo Park--Small Faces
6 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company
7 he Unicorn--The Irish Rovers
8 I Can Take or Leave Your Loving--Herman's Hermits
9 Spooky--The Classics IV
10 Do What You Gotta Do--Al Wilson
Pick of the Week: Will You Love Me Tomorrow--The 4 Seasons
New this week: Summertime Blues--Blue Cheer
Whisper You Love Me Boy--Chris Clark
Up From the Skies--The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Paper Crown of Gold--The Collection
Ways--The Candymen

At the movies
Day of the Evil Gun, produced and directed by Jerry Thorpe and starring Glenn Ford, Arthur Kennedy, and Dean Jagger, opened in theatres.

Married on this date
U.S. country musician Johnny Cash married singer June Carter.

Politics and government
King Baudouin I of Belgium dissolved his country's parliament in anticipation of new elections after several attempts to form a new government had failed, following the February 7 resignation of the administration of Premier Paul Vanden Boeynant.

Disasters
In Philadelphia, high winds blew off a portion of the covering of the roof off of The Spectrum during a performance of the Ice Capades, closing the arena for a month, and forcing the Flyers, in their first season in the NHL, to play their remaining regular season "home" games on the road. After one game in New York and another in Toronto, the Flyers played at Le Colisee, home of their AHL farm team, the Quebec Aces. The roof was repaired in time for the Flyers to begin the Stanley Cup playoffs in April. The 76ers of the NBA were able to play their home games that month in Convention Hall or the Palestra, but neither facility had an ice rink.

Curling
Hazel Jamieson of Edmonton won the Canadian women's curling championship, her second title in three years.

30 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Take a Chance on Me--ABBA (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Paul Scott, 57. U.K. author, poet, and playwright. Mr. Scott served with the British Army in India in the 1940s, and he drew on his experiences for The Raj Quartet, a series of four novels published from 1969-1975. Mr. Scott died 24 days before his 58th birthday.

Politics and government
The Canadian Parliament revised the Canada Elections Act, ending political party status for seven groups; 12 parties remained officially registered.

Hockey
NHL
Chicago 2 @ Vancouver 3

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Canada (The Record): Pump Up the Volume--M/A//R/R/S (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Joe Besser, 80. U.S. comedian and actor. Mr. Besser was best known as a member of The Three Stooges; he joined the team in the spring of 1956, shortly after the death of Shemp Howard, and left shortly after Columbia Pictures shut down its comedy shorts department on December 20, 1957. Mr. Besser's comic persona was that of a childish, whiny sissy. He played this type of character ("Stinky") in the Abbott and Costello TV show in the early 1950s. By the mid-1950s, Mr. Besser was one of the few performers still making shorts at Columbia, which is why studio executives insisted on his being added to The Three Stooges. His sissy character didn't fit in well with the Stooges' brand of humour (Mr. Besser actually had a clause in his contract that prevented him from being hit too much), and the 16 shorts that The Three Stooges made during this period aren't regarded as being among their best. The films were released between January 31, 1957 (Hoofs and Goofs) and June 4, 1959 (Sappy Bull Fighters). His last "official" appearance as a Stooge came when the team was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in August 1983. Mr. Besser was a regular on The Joey Bishop Show from 1961-1965, and made occasional appearances on Mr. Bishop's late-night show from 1967-1969.

Politics and government
Panama's new President, Manuel Solis Palma, named a new cabinet that was sworn in. The ousted President, Eric Arturo Delvalle, claimed from hiding that he was still head of the government, and issued a proclamation freezing all Panamanian assets outside Panama.

Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz met with King Hussein of Jordan in London in an attempt to restart the Middle East peace process.

War
Iran protested to the Soviet Union for allegedly supplying Iraq with missiles.

Hockey
NHL
Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers picked up career assist number 1,050 in a game-winning goal against the Los Angeles Kings, becoming the National Hockey League's career assist leader. He broke the 26-year mark of Gordie Howe in only 681 games, vs. Mr. Howe's 1,767 games.

February 29, 2008

540 years ago
1468

Born on this date
Paul III. Roman Catholic Pope, 1534-1549. Paul III, born Alessandro Farnese, was appointed a cardinal in 1493, and acceded to the papacy following the death of Clement VII. Pope Paul apparently had difficulty living up to his vow of celibacy, as he had a mistress by whom he had five children. Pope Paul III initiated the Counter-Reformation with the Council of Trent in 1545, recognized new religious orders such as the Jesuits and Barnabites, and patronized the arts and sciences, while using nepotism to advance his family interests. He died on November 10, 1549 at the age of 81, and was succeeded by Julius III.

100 years ago
1908

Died on this date
Pat Garrett, 57. U.S. lawman. Mr. Garrett was the sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico, who was credited with fatally shooting Billy the Kid in 1881. Mr. Garrett was killed near Las Cruces, N.M. while was travelling with another man to a meeting to discuss a land dispute. Mr. Garrett was fatally shot when he stopped in the desert for a few minutes to urinate.

60 years ago
1948

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring John Stanley and Alfred Shirley, on MBS
Tonight's episode: King Philip's Golden Salver

Religion
Richard Wurmbrand, pastor of an underground church in Romania, was arrested by secret police as he walked to church, was taken to their headquarters and later put in a solitary cell where he was designated as Prisoner Number 1. He remained imprisoned for his faith for the next 8 1/2 years. His wife Sabrina, who served 3 years in prison herself during this period, was told a number of times that her husband had died. She was suspicious of these reports, and rightly so. The two were reunited when Richard was released in 1956. Upon Richard's release, he and Sabrina resumed their activities; Richard was returned to prison, and wasn't released until 1964. He survived brutality that many did not, and told his story in a best-selling memoir titled Tortured for Christ. In 1965, western churches ransomed Richard for $10,000. He and Sabrina (and son Mihai) came to America, where Richard testified about his experiences before the U.S. Senate. The Wurmbrands devoted themselves to speaking out on behalf of Christians being persecuted behind the Iron Curtain. In 1969 Pastor Wurmbrand founded Jesus to the Communist World, an organization which is known today as Voice of the Martyrs. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, VOM has broadened its ministry to aiding the cause of persecuted Christians around the world, not just those in Communist countries. URLs for international VOM sites can be found at http://www.persecution.com/internationalOffice/index.cfm. Sabrina Wurmbrand died in 2000; Richard died in Whittier, California on February 17, 2001 at the age of 91. He was undoubtedly met by the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

40 years ago
1968

At the movies
The Secret War of Harry Frigg, directed by Jack Smight and starring Paul Newman, opened in theatres.

Music
Up, Up and Away won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. It had been a hit for The Fifth Dimension. Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, by the Beatles, won the Grammy for Album of the Year.

Society
The President’s National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, an 11-member body headed by Illinois Governor Otto Kerner, released a summary of its 1,400-page report on the summer riots of 1967. The commission was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson on July 27, 1967 to investigate the nature of the riots, discover the causes, and determine how future riots could be avoided. In the summer of 1967, 164 "civil disorders" were reported in 128 American cities. The most notorious took place in Newark, New Jersey and Detroit, Michigan. In Newark, 23 people were killed and $10 million in property damage occurred from July 14-17. The Detroit riots resulted in 43 deaths, 7,231 arrests, 2,500 businesses burned or looted, and $22 million in property damage from July 23-28. Other cities affected by violence that summer included Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Buffalo and Syracuse, New York. This blogger passed through downtown Syracuse with his family in August, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. It seems the Summer of Love was restricted to San Francisco. The commission’s major findings were:
--The U.S. "is moving toward 2 societies, one black, one white--separate and unequal," but it is still possible to head off the division.
--White racism is the chief cause of the Negro violence and riots.
--To reverse the situation calls for unprecedented levels of "funding and performance" but "there can be no higher priority for national action and no higher claim on the nation’s conscience." The commission found that the riots were not organized or part of any conspiracy, but happened because of an accumulation of social ills such as unemployment, inadequate housing, discriminatory police practices, and various complex social processes. The underlying factor in the cause of the riots was found to be "...the racial attitude and behavior of white Americans toward black Americans." The commission made more than 150 specific recommendations for removing the causes of racial unrest, including:
--Creation of 2 million new jobs in the next 3 years.
--Decentralization of city governments to make them more responsive to the needs of their people.
--A national system of income supplements based on need.
--New low- and moderate-income housing.
The commission report received the backing of most of the civil rights leaders in the United States, but there was much adverse reaction, especially to the central finding of the commission that white racism was the root cause of the riots. In short, the report reflected typical liberal American views of the 1960s, still believed by some today: Whitey is the cause of all evil; black people are basically just children who shouldn’t be held morally accountable for their behaviour, and need the help of white liberals in order to improve their lot in life; and social problems can best be solved by throwing money at them.

20 years ago
1988

World events
A strike against the regime of Gen. Manuel Noriega began in Panama. It was widely supported, at least in Panama City.

War
Iran and Iraq began firing missiles at each other's capital.

February 28, 2008

150 years ago
1858

Born on this date
Tore Svennberg. Swedish actor and director. Mr. Svennberg was best known in his native country for acting in and directing plays, and was known internationally for his co-starring role in the movie A Woman's Face (1938). He died on May 8, 1941 at the age of 83.

80 years ago
1928

At the movies
The Crowd, directed and co-written by King Vidor, and starring James Murray and Eleanor Boardman, received its premiere screening in New York City.

50 years ago
1958

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Magic Moments--Perry Como

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Cinderella Rockefella--Esther and Abi Ofarim

Australia's top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)--Johnny Farnham (5th week at #1)
2 Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band
3 Tin Soldier/I Feel Much Better--Small Faces
4 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs
5 Daydream Believer--The Monkees
6 Hello Goodbye/I Am the Walrus--The Beatles
7 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde--Georgie Fame
8 You Only Live Twice/Oh Lonesome Me--Nancy Sinatra/Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood
9 Monterey--Eric Burdon & the Animals
10 She (EP)--The Monkees

Singles entering the chart were Green Tambourine by the Lemon Pipers (#23); Words/Sinking Ships by the Bee Gees (#33); and Darlin' by the Beach Boys (#39).

Died on this date
Juanita Hall, 66. U.S. actress. Mrs. Hall was best known for playing Bloody Mary in the stage musical (1949) and movie (1958) South Pacific, winning both a Tony Award and a Donaldson Award for her supporting performance in the former. She played Madam Liang in the stage musical (1958) and movie (1961) Flower Drum Song. Mrs. Hall developed diabetes in later years, which resulted in blindness, and eventually caused her death.

Politics and government
In Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson's Liberal government survived a non-confidence motion by a vote of 138-119, nine days after a major Liberal tax measure had been defeated in the House of Commons.

Michigan Governor George Romney, speaking in Washington, surprised observers by announcing he was withdrawing from the race for the Republican Party U.S. presidential nomination, just 12 days before the New Hampshire primary. Mr. Romney said that he'd failed to achieve the broad support that he needed. There was speculation that private polls indicated that he would do poorly in N.H., and New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller's announcement four days earlier that he would be available for a draft was also thought to be a factor in Mr. Romney's decision.

U.S. President Lyndon Johnson presented the Medal of Freedom to outgoing Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara in a White House ceremony. Mr. McNamara had been named to head the World Bank.

30 years ago
1978

Died on this date
Zara Cully, 86. U.S. actress. Miss Cully was best known as Mother Jefferson on the television situation comedy series The Jeffersons, a role she originated on All in the Family in 1974, and continued when the spinoff series was created in 1975. She played the role until a few months before her death from cancer. Miss Cully appeared in several movies, including The Liberation of L.B. Jones and WUSA, both from 1970.

25 years ago
1983

On television tonight
Goodbye, Farewell and Amen, the 251st and final episode of MASH, aired on CBS and attracted 77% of the American viewing audience. The 2 1/2-hour finale remains the single most-watched episode of any series in the history of television. I didn't care for the final show (especially the preachy parts written by Alan Alda), but it was better than the dismal, now-forgotten followup series AfterMASH.

20 years ago
1988

War
Iran bombed the city of Basra in southern Iraq.

Abominations
At least 32--Armenians claimed as many as 300--Armenians were killed during disorders in the city of Sumgait, Azerbaijan.

Politics and government
In the contest for the U. S. presidential nominations, Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis won the Democratic caucuses in Maine, while Vice President George Bush won the Republican caucuses.

Olympics
Closing ceremonies for the Winter Olympics were held at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

February 27, 2008

80 years ago
1928

World events
In Nicaragua, U.S. Marines were ambushed by Sandanista rebels. Five marines were killed, and eight wounded.

Crime
A report made to the National Crime Commission stated that the vastness of the crime problem in the United States was due largely to the inefficiency of the police, and that their inefficiency was due largely to "the lack of average intelligence in the police force, particularly in the supervisory branches."

Oil
U.S. President Calvin Coolidge signed a bill transferring to the Secretary of the Navy jurisdiction over oil and gas leases issued by the Secretary of the Interior on lands in naval petroleum reserves. This was a result of the Teapot Dome scandal of 1923, the trials from which were still taking place in 1928. Albert B. Fall had been the Secretary of the Interior in 1923, and had become the first member of a U.S. cabinet to go to prison.

Disasters
Commander Theodore G. Ellyson, executive officer of the new aircraft carrier Lexington, and two other naval airmen, Lieutenant Commander Hugo Schmidt and Lt. Rogers S. Ransehouse, disappeared while making a flight from Hampton Roads to Annapolis, where Cdr. Ellison's daughter was ill.

75 years ago
1933

World events
In Berlin, the German Reichstag burned down that night. A Dutch Communist named Marinus van der Lubbe, a recent arrival in Germany, was arrested inside the building. Three Bulgarians were subsequently arrested and charged as part of the conspiracy to burn the Reichstag. Mr. van der Lubbe was the only one convicted, and he was beheaded on January 10, 1934. The extent to which others may have been involved is still debated by historians. The most significant result of the fire was a dramatic increase in the political power of Adolf Hitler, who had become Chancellor of Germany less than a month earlier. With elections coming up on March 5, Mr. Hitler asked for, and received from President Paul von Hindenburg, the Reichstag Fire Decree, which Mr. Hindenburg signed into law under section 48 of the Weimar constitution. The decree suspended most civil liberties in Germany, and was used by the Nazis in banning "unfriendly" publications. Thousands of Communists were arrested in the next several days. The Nazis, with their allies in the German National People's Party were able to obtain a majority in the Reichstag, and pass the Enabling Act, giving Mr. Hitler the right to rule by decree. A month after the fire, Mr. Hitler had achieved dictatorial power. You may have noticed that this wasn't the last time that a terrorist act was used as a pretext for suspending civil liberties and giving dictatorial powers to the executive branch of government in a Western "democracy." And of course, those liberties didn't come back anytime soon.

50 years ago
1958

Theatre
Blue Denim, written by James Leo Herlihy and William Noble, directed by Joshua Logan, and starring Warren Berlinger, Carol Lynley, Burt Brinckerhoff, and Chester Morris, opened at the Playhouse Theatre on Broadway in New York.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band (4th week at #1)

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

Wojeck, starring John Vernon, on CBC
Tonight's episode: The Names of the Games People Play

This episode, about an injured football player, was written by former Toronto Argonaut Gerry O'Flanagan, and featured footage of the Continental Football League's Toronto Rifles, who folded in September 1967, five months before the episode was broadcast.



Died on this date
Frankie Lymon, 25. U.S. singer. Mr. Lymon, lead singer of the Teenagers, was the first teenage rock and roll star, and one of that lifestyle's first casualties. At the age of 13, his soprano lead vocal propelled Why Do Fools Fall in Love to #1 on the U.S. rhythm and blues chart and #6 on the pop chart in the first half of 1956. The follow-up single, I Want You to Be My Girl, hit #13 on the pop chart. The group hit the R&B chart a few more times before splitting up in 1957. Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000. Mr. Lymon had a sporadic and commercially unsuccessful recording career, which wasn't helped when his voice changed with puberty. He became a heroin addict at the age of 15; he eventually kicked the habit, but had a relapse and died of an overdose just as he was resuming his recording career. His final single, I'm Sorry/Seabreeze, recorded shortly before his death, was released later in 1968.

War
U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, speaking in Dallas, declared that the North Vietnamese Tet offensive had failed, and told his audience: "There must be no weakening of will that would encourage the enemy and prolong the bloody conflict." The President said that U.S. and South Vietnamese forces had "answered aggression's onslaught with one strong voice," declaring "'No retreat.'" "That must be our answer, too, here at home. No retreat from the responsibility of the hour and the day."

Boxing
Lionel Rose (28-2), an Australian aborigine, won a 15-round unanimous decision over Fighting Harada (50-4) at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo to win the world bantamweight title.



30 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): It's a Heartache--Bonnie Tyler

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Canada Kara no Tegami--Masaaki Hirao & Yōko Hatanaka

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Te Amo--Umberto Tozzi

Died on this date
Robert Sobukwe, 53. South African political activist. An opponent of Apartheid, Mr. Sobukwe formed the Pan Africanist Congress, and was elected its first president in 1959. On March 21, 1960, Mr. Sobukwe led a march to the local police station at Orlando, Soweto in protest against the Pass Law, which required blacks to carry a pass book at all times. Mr. Sobukwe deliberately made himself guilty under the law by being in a place that wasn't allowed for in his papers. The same day in Sharpeville, 69 PAC supporters were killed in what became known as the Sharpeville Massacre. Mr. Sobukwe was convicted of incitement and sentenced to three years in prison. After serving his sentence, he was kept in prison, without trial, on Robben Island. The new General Law Amendment Act, popularly known as the "Sobukwe clause," was passed, allowing the Minister of Justice to renew Mr. Sobukwe's imprisonment annually at his discretion. Mr. Sobukwe was the only person ever imprisoned under this clause. Mr. Sobukwe was released to house arrest (and banned from political activity) in 1969, but was able to complete a law degree in 1975 and begin practicing. He died of lung cancer.

Hockey
CHL
Tulsa 2 @ Salt Lake City 5

25 years ago
1983

On the radio
The Stories of Sherlock Holmes, on Springbok Radio
Tonight's episode: Tragedy at Nettlebed

Track and field
Eamonn Coghlan of Ireland set a world record for the indoor mile at 3:49.78 at the Vitalis/U.S. Olympic Invitational meet in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Mr. Coghlan's record stood until 1997.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: Sì, la vita è tutta un quiz--Renzo Arbore (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): (I've Had) The Time of My Life--Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): (I've Had) The Time of My Life--Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Boys (Summertime Love)--Sabrina (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): I Should Be So Lucky--Kylie Minogue

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): I Should Be So Lucky--Kylie Minogue (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): I Should Be So Lucky--Kylie Minogue (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Father Figure--George Michael

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Father Figure--George Michael
2 What Have I Done to Deserve This?--Pet Shop Boys (with Dusty Springfield)
3 Could've Been--Tiffany
4 She's Like the Wind--Patrick Swayze (featuring Wendy Fraser)
5 Seasons Change--Exposé
6 Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley
7 Hungry Eyes--Eric Carmen
8 I Get Weak--Belinda Carlisle
9 Need You Tonight--INXS
10 Don't Shed a Tear--Paul Carrack

Singles entering the chart were Where Do Broken Hearts Go by Whitney Houston (#49); I Saw Him Standing There by Tiffany (#61); One Step Up by Bruce Springsteen (#67); Are You Sure by So (#82); Wait by White Lion (#86); Kiss and Tell by Bryan Ferry (#87); Naughty Girls (Need Love Too) by Samantha Fox (#89); and Don't Make a Fool of Yourself by Stacey Q (#90).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Pump Up the Volume--M/A/R/R/S
2 Crying--Roy Orbison and k.d. lang
3 Could've Been--Tiffany
4 Need You Tonight--INXS
5 Hazy Shade of Winter--Bangles
6 When a Man Loves a Woman--Luba
7 Candle in the Wind--Elton John
8 The Way You Make Me Feel--Michael Jackson
9 Tell it to My Heart--Taylor Dayne
10 She's Like the Wind--Patrick Swayze (featuring Wendy Fraser)

Singles entering the chart were Out of the Blue by Debbie Gibson (#90); Heaven Knows by Robert Plant (#93); Breakfast at the Circus by David Wilcox (#97); and Big Big World by Parachute Club (#98).

Abominations
In the seaside town of Sumgait in the Soviet republic of Azerbaijan, ethnic Azeris attacked and killed Armenians in what became known as the Sumgait Massacre or Sumgait Pogrom.

War
Iraqi jets bombed Iranian oil refineries.

Olympics
Elizabeth Manley of Ottawa, representing Canada, became the latest woman to become "Canada's Sweetheart" when she surprised everyone with the performance of her life in the long program in the women's figure skating event at the Olympic Saddledome in Calgary. Miss Manley won the long program, and almost won the overall title. The favourite, Katarina Witt of East Germany, held on to win the gold medal; Miss Manley won the silver, and American Debi Thomas won the bronze, becoming the first black athlete ever to win a medal in the Winter Olympics.







10 years ago
1998

Died on this date
J.T. Walsh, 54. U.S. actor. Mr. Walsh was a versatile character actor who appeared in nearly 60 movies. He played John Ehrlichman in Oliver Stone's film Nixon (1995).

February 26, 2008

170 years ago
1838

World events
Hundreds of Americans sympathetic with the rebels in Upper Canada captured Pelee Island in Lake Erie.

100 years ago
1908

Born on this date
Tex Avery. U.S. animator. Mr. Avery was credited with the creation of Daffy Duck, and played a key role in the development of the characters of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. He died of lung cancer at the age of 72 on August 26, 1980.

90 years ago
1918

Disasters
An estimated 604 spectators were killed when the grandstand of the Hong Kong Jockey Club collapsed and burned. It was the deadliest disaster in sports history.

80 years ago
1928

Born on this date
Happy 80th birthday, Fats Domino!
One of the major figures in the early years of rock and roll, Antoine Domino has lived his entire life (except for time on the road, of course) in New Orleans. By the time rock and roll started to become popular in 1955, Fats had already accumulated an impressive string of hits on the rhythm and blues charts. His first hit, The Fat Man, sold over 800,000 copies and hit #2 on the Billboard R&B chart in early 1950. Rock historian Michael Ochs commented that when you hear this song, it's as though you're hearing it live through some time warp from antiquity. The first single of Mr. Domino's to make it onto the pop chart was Goin' Home in 1952. Mr. Domino continued his chart run with songs such as Goin' to the River and Please Don't Leave Me, both from 1953. By the time Fats performed at a festival at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles in 1954, he was introduced by Louis Armstrong as someone fully deserving of inclusion in the hall of fame. Ain't That a Shame, released in the summer of 1955, was the first single of Mr. Domino's to hit the top 10 on the pop chart, and was the first of ten top 10 pop hits from 1955-1960. In the 6-year period from the spring of 1956 to the spring of 1962, Fats had 34 entries on the U.S. top 40 pop chart, many of them being two-sided hits.
Oddly, he never had a #1 pop hit; his biggest hit, Blueberry Hill, spent three weeks at #2 in the fall of 1956. Mr. Domino's original compositions, many written with trumpeter Dave Bartholomew, included such hits as I'm in Love Again; Blue Monday; I'm Walkin'; Valley of Tears; Whole Lotta Loving; Be My Guest; Walkin' to New Orleans; and Let the Four Winds Blow. In addition to Blueberry Hill, Mr. Domino had hits with his versions of other old songs, such as My Blue Heaven; When My Dreamboat Comes Home; I'm in the Mood for Love; Jambalaya; and You Win Again. His records in the 1950s and '60s sold an estimated 65 million copies. Fats also appeared in several movies, including The Girl Can't Help It (1956--performing Blue Monday); Jamboree (1957); and The Big Beat (1958--performing the title song, and I'm Walkin'). Mr. Domino was the major artist on New Orleans-based Imperial Records before Ricky Nelson joined the label in 1958. In 1963, with his popularity diminishing, Mr. Domino signed with ABC Paramount; his last top 40 pop single, Red Sails in the Sunset, hit #36 in October 1963. In 1965 Fats signed with the Mercury label; no hits resulted, but he gave I Left My Heart in San Francisco the treatment it deserved. After a couple of obscure singles on the New Orleans-based Broadmoor label, Mr. Domino went to Reprise in 1968. He made Lady Madonna sound as though it had been written for him, and it deserved better than its #100 chart position. He also covered Lovely Rita and Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except for Me and My Monkey, but they failed to chart. Mr. Domino settled into a life of occasional road trips and television appearances in later years. He was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1998 he was also awarded the American National Medal of the Arts by the National Endowment for the Arts. Fats made headlines in 2005 when he was reported missing in the early days after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. He's attempted to brave the storm at home, but his home was destroyed, and he was nowhere to be found. It turned out that he'd finally abandoned his house, and had been rescued by a passing Coast Guard helicopter.
Fats Domino and his wife Rosemary will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on August 6, 2008. They have eight children, all of whose names begin with the letter A. My favourite Fats Domino records are the two-sided hits of The Big Beat/I Want You to Know (late 1957-early 1958); I Want to Walk You Home/I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday (late summer-early fall of 1959); and Natural Born Lover/My Girl Josephine (late 1960).

Aviation
The United States Navy dirigible Los Angeles left Lakehurst, New Jersey at 6:15 A.M., flew over New York City, then headed south.

Disasters
A transcontinental air mail plane from New York to San Francisco, carrying 29 sacks of mail and one passenger, was wrecked at daylight near Marquette, Nebraska. The passenger, S.N. Craig of Beaver, Pennsylvania, was killed.

75 years ago
1933

Born on this date
Godfrey Cambridge. U.S. actor and comedian. Mr. Cambridge was born in New York to parents who emigrated to from British Guiana, but spent some of his school years in Nova Scotia before returning to New York to finish his education. He received a scholarship to study medicine, but opted for an acting career instead. Mr. Cambridge made his Broadway debut in 1957 in Nature's Way. His other Broadway appearances came in Ossie Davis's Purlie Victorious (1961-1962) (where his co-stars included Alan Alda); and How To Be a Jewish Mother (1967-1968), which closed after just 20 performances. An off-Broadway appearance in The Blacks earned him an Obie award in 1961. During these years he began to appear on television, often as a guest on Tonight, when Jack Paar was the host. Mr. Cambridge made guest appearances in such series as Car 54, Where Are You?; The Dick Van Dyke Show; and I Spy. Among Mr. Cambridge's movie credits were The President's Analyst (1967); Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970); and his best-known role, as star of Watermelon Man, where he played a white bigot who woke up one day to discover that he'd turned black. Mr. Cambridge was cast as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the made-for-television movie Victory at Entebbe, but suffered a fatal heart attack on the set on November 29, 1976. Mr. Amin declared that Mr. Cambridge's act was punishment from God; a more prosaic explanation is that his death was caused more by overeating and yo-yo dieting.

20 years ago
1988

Politics and government
The Panamanian National Assembly ousted President Eric Arturo Delvalle from office, a day after Mr. Delvalle had sought to fire dictator Gen. Manuel Noriega. The pro-Noriega majority installed Education Minister Manuel Solis Palma as minister in charge of the presidency. Mr. Delvalle denounced the assembly's actions, and called for a general strike. He then responded to a military ultimatum to leave the country by going into hiding. The main anti-Noriega newspaper in Panama was shut down. The United States said that it supported Mr. Delvalle, but had no plans to intervene militarily.

February 25, 2008

140 years ago
1868

Politics and government
The Earl of Derby retired as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Conservative Party leader on the advice of his doctor, and was succeeded by Benjamin Disraeli.

100 years ago
1908

Born on this date
Frank G. Slaughter. U.S. surgeon and novelist. Dr. Slaughter was practicing at Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida when he began writing novels that drew on his medical experience. His novels, which sold 60 million copies, included That None Should Die; Surgeon, U.S.A.; and The Scarlet Cord. Several of Dr. Slaughter's novels were made into movies, including The Warrior (released on film as Seminole in 1953); Sangaree; and Doctors' Wives. Dr. Slaughter's last novel, No Greater Love, was published in 1985. He died on May 17, 2001 at the age of 93.

80 years ago
1928

Died on this date
Harry Brooks. U.S. aviator. Mr. Brooks, from Detroit, was flying a Ford one-man airplane from Titusville, Florida to Miami when he fell into the sea off Melbourne, Florida, and was drowned.

Crime
Mail robbers got away with $133,000 in currency when they blew open the door of a Grand Trunk Railway car at Evergreen Park in Chicago.

40 years ago
1968

Politics and government
Archbishop Makarios was re-elected to a second five-year term as President of Cyprus.

Golf
George Knudson won the Tucson Open with a score of 273; first prize money was $20,000.

30 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): E Dirsi Ciao--Matia Bazar

#1 single in Switzerland: Mull of Kintyre--Wings (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Take a Chance on Me--ABBA

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Take a Chance on Me--ABBA (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees (4th week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 If I Had Words--Scott Fitzgerald and Yvonne Keeley with the St. Thomas More School Choir (5th week at #1)
2 Take a Chance on Me--ABBA
3 She's Not There--Santana
4 Black Betty--Ram Jam
5 It's a Heartache--Bonnie Tyler
6 Mull of Kintyre--Wings
7 Big City--Tol Hansse
8 I Can't Stand the Rain--Eruption featuring Precious Wilson
9 Daddy Cool - The Girl Can't Help It--The Darts
10 Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees

Singles entering the chart were Denis by Blondie (#14); Fantasy by Earth, Wind & Fire (#28); City to City by Gerry Rafferty (#33); and It's Only a Matter of Time by Breeze (#34).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees (4th week at #1)
2 Emotion--Samantha Sang
3 (Love Is) Thicker than Water--Andy Gibb
4 Just the Way You Are--Billy Joel
5 Sometimes When We Touch--Dan Hill
6 Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)--Chic
7 Short People--Randy Newman
8 What's Your Name--Lynyrd Skynyrd
9 We are the Champions--Queen
10 Peg--Steely Dan

Singles entering the chart were We'll Never have to Say Goodbye Again by England Dan & John Ford Coley (#73); Love is Like Oxygen by Sweet (#85); Put Your Head on My Shoulder by Leif Garrett (#86); Fantasy by Earth, Wind & Fire (#87); Let's All Chant by the Michael Zager Band (#88); and It Amazes Me by John Denver (#100).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees (2nd week at #1)
2 Short People--Randy Newman
3 We are the Champions--Queen
4 Sometimes When We Touch--Dan Hill
5 Just the Way You Are--Billy Joel
6 (Love Is) Thicker than Water--Andy Gibb
7 Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)--Chic
8 Baby Come Back--Player
9 Emotion--Samantha Sang
10 Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood--Santa Esmeralda

Singles entering the chart were Hot Legs by Rod Stewart (#86); California by Debby Boone (#87); The Closer I Get to You by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (#91); Thank You for Being a Friend by Andrew Gold (#92); Running on Empty by Jackson Browne (#93); Fooling Yourself by Styx (#94); Baby Hold On by Eddie Money (#98); You Really Got Me by Van Halen (#99); and Disco Inferno by the Trammps (#100).

Hockey
NHL
New York Rangers 6 @ Montreal 3

Hardy Astrom was in goal for the Rangers as they upset the Canadiens at the Montreal Forum on the national Hockey Night in Canada telecast to end the Canadiens' league-record 28-game unbeaten streak. The game proved to be the high point in the NHL career of Mr. Astrom, whose play for the Colorado Rockies two years later led Colorado head coach Don Cherry to dub Mr. Astrom "The Swedish Sieve," and helped to end Mr. Cherry's coaching career.

CHL
Dallas 3 @ Fort Worth 2
Tulsa 6 @ Salt Lake City 5

25 years ago
1983

Died on this date
Tennessee Williams, 71. U.S. playwright. Mr. Williams was one of the best-known playwrights of the 20th century. A Streetcar Named Desire (1947) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955) each won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Rose Tattoo (1951) won the Tony for Best Play, and The Glass Menagerie (1944) and The Night of the Iguana (1961) each won awards from the New York Drama Critics' Circle. Many of his works, including all of those mentioned above, were made into movies. These included Summer and Smoke; Suddenly, Last Summer; Sweet Bird of Youth; Period of Adjustment; and Orpheus Descending (released on film as The Fugitive Kind). Mr. Williams wrote the screenplay for Baby Doll (1956), and his novella The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone was made into a movie in 1961. Mr. Williams went into a long decline after the early 1960s, and was never able to recapture his earlier success. For example, The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore (1963) closed after just 69 performances on Broadway, and a reworked version a year later lasted just 5 nights. The movie version, titled Boom!, was one of the biggest critical and box office flops of 1968. Mr. Williams died from choking on a plastic bottle cap in his room at the Hotel Elysee in New York. He was apparently in the habit of putting the cap in his mouth while he tilted his head back to put drops in his eyes.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Heatseeker--AC/DC (3rd week at #1)

Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz began a week of meetings with leaders in Middle Eastern capitals.

Politics and government
Roe Tae-woo took office as President of South Korea.

10 years ago
1998

Died on this date
W.O. Mitchell, 83. Canadian writer. His best-known works were the novels Who Has Seen the Wind and Jake and the Kid. The former was made into a movie in 1977, while the latter was a successful radio series on CBC in the 1960s.

February 24, 2008

470 years ago
1538

Diplomacy
Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I and John Zápolya, King of Hungary, signed the Treaty of Nagyvárad in Grosswardein/Várad (modern-day Oradea, Romania), dividing the medieval Kingdom of Hungary.

140 years ago
1868

Politics and government
The United States House of Representatives voted 128-47 to impeach President Andrew Johnson on 11 counts, mainly related to his refusal to implement the Tenure of Office Act, a law passed in 1867 which forbade the president to remove civil officials, including members of his cabinet, without the consent of the Senate. Mr. Johnson had suspended Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, intending to secure a test case of the law in the Supreme Court. The larger issue surrounding the impeachment was Mr. Johnson's opposition to the attempt by radical Republicans to impose their agenda of Reconstruction on the southern states in the years following the Civil War.

50 years ago
1958

Hit parade
#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): #1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Don't/I Beg of You--Elvis Presley (Best Seller--3rd week at #1); Sugartime--The McGuire Sisters (Disc Jockey--2nd week at #1); Get a Job--The Silhouettes (Top 100--1st week at #1)

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)--Johnny Farnham (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France: Riquita--Georgette Plana (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Canzone--Don Backy

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Mary from Dungloe--Emmet Spiceland

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Everlasting Love--The Love Affair (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Mien Waar Is M'n Feestneus?--Toon (4th week at #1)
2 Words--The Bee Gees
3 Nights in White Satin--The Moody Blues
4 Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band
5 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde--Georgie Fame
6 Bend Me, Shape Me--The American Breed
7 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann
8 Baby, Come Back--The Equals
9 It's the End--The Buffoons
10 Tin Soldier--Small Faces

Singles entering the chart were Pictures of Matchstick Men by the Status Quo (#21); I Get So Excited by the Equals (#33); Turn Around and Start Again by the Cats (#34); (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding (#38); Don't Stop the Carnival by the Alan Price Set (#39); and Back on My Feet Again by the Foundations (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (3rd week at #1)
2 Spooky--The Classics IV
3 I Wish it Would Rain--The Temptations
4 Green Tambourine--The Lemon Pipers
5 Nobody But Me--The Human Beinz
6 (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls--Dionne Warwick
7 I Wonder What She's Doing Tonite--Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
8 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
9 Baby, Now that I've Found You--The Foundations
10 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs

Singles entering the chart were If You Can Want by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (#55); Jealous Love by Wilson Pickett (#57); Will You Love Me Tomorrow by the 4 Seasons (#59); Hey, Hey Bunny by John Fred and his Playboy Band (#78); The Ten Commandments of Love by Peaches and Herb (#79); That's a Lie by Ray Charles (#83); Unchain My Heart by Herbie Mann (#84); Dottie I Like It by Tommy Roe (#88); Looking for a Fox by Clarence Carter (#91); Suddenly You Love Me by the Tremeloes (#92); Little Green Apples by Roger Miller (#96); I Say Love by the Royal Guardsmen (#98); Show Time by the Detroit Emeralds (#99); and L. David Sloane by Michele Lee (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Spooky--The Classics IV
2 Zabadak!--Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich
3 I Can Take or Leave Your Loving--Herman's Hermits
4 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
5 Baby, Now that I've Found You--The Foundations
6 We Can Fly--The Cowsills
7 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs
8 Words--The Bee Gees
9 Nobody But Me--The Human Beinz
10 Strawberry Shortcake--Jay and the Techniques

Singles entering the chart were Maybe Just Today by Bobby Vee and the Strangers (#67); The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo) by Manfred Mann (#69); I Say Love by the Royal Guardsmen (#71); I'm Gonna Make You Love Me by Madeline Bell (#74); Love is All Around by the Troggs (#79); Playboy by Gene and Debbe (#83); Lovey Dovey by Otis and Carla (#85); Dance to the Music by Sly and the Family Stone (#87); Walker Street by the Staccatos (#90); Cab Driver by the Mills Brothers (#92); Dr. Lollipop by the Magic Cycle (#93); Summertime Blues by Blue Cheer (#94); People World by Jim and Jean (#96); At the Top of the Stairs by the Formations (#97); Unchain My Heart by Herbie Mann (#98); For Your Precious Love by Jackie Wilson and Count Basie (#99); and (Mama Come Quick, and Bring Your) Lickin' Stick by George Torrence and the Naturals (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Everything that Touches You--The Association
2 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition
3 Nobody But Me--The Human Beinz
4 Words--The Bee Gees
5 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
6 (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls--Dionne Warwick
7 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
8 1941--Tom Northcott
9 Mr. Soul Satisfaction--Timmi Willis
10 Walk Away Renee--Four Tops

Singles entering the chart were Simon Says by the 1910 Fruitgum Company (#23); Country Girl--City Man by Billy Vera and Judy Clay (#24); Kiss Me Goodbye by Petula Clark (#28); Springfield Plane by Kenny O'Dell (#29); and There Is by the Dells (#30).

Politics and government
New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller announced that he would be available for a draft for the Republican Party U.S. presidential nomination for 1968.

40 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Ti amo--Umberto Tozzi

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Mull of Kintyre--Wings (7th week at #1)

#1 single in France: Ça plane pour moi--Plastic Bertrand

Hockey
CHL
Tulsa 3 @ Fort Worth 4
Dallas 4 @ Salt Lake City 1

25 years ago
1983

Hit parade
Canada's top 10
1 Goody Two Shoes--Adam Ant
2 Shame on the Moon--Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
3 Allentown--Billy Joel
4 We've Got Tonight--Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton
5 When I'm With You--Sheriff
6 Stray Cat Strut--The Stray Cats
7 You Are--Lionel Richie
8 Baby, Come to Me--Patti Austin (with James Ingram)
9 Crazy--Supertramp
10 Do You Really Want to Hurt Me--Culture Club

Football
CFL
Pete Kettela was hired as head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos. He came to the Canadian Football League with a rather thin resume (most recently as offensive backfield coach with the NFL's Green Bay Packers), but Hugh Campbell had left such big shoes to fill after winning 5 straight Grey Cups that nobody else wanted the job.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Allt som jag känner--Tone Norum & Tommy Nilsson (2nd week at #1)

World events
The South African government of President P.W. Botha took sweeping actions against its black opponents, curtailing the activities of 17 groups and barring the country's largest labour federation from any political involvement. The government also restricted the activities and movements of 18 anti-apartheid leaders. The moves came a week in advance of state elections in Transvaal, where right-wing opponents of Mr. Botha accused his government of coddling opposition blacks. Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu denounced the measures as "rule with the jackboot."

Olympics
Matti Nykanen of Finland became the first person to win three gold medals in ski jumping in a single Winter Olympic games when Finland won the 90-metre men's team event. Mr. Nykanen had previously won the 70-metre and 90-metre men's events at Lake Louise, Alberta.

10 years ago
1998

Died on this date
Henny Youngman, 91. U.S. comedian. The "King of the One-Liners" was known for delivering one-line jokes, punctuated with interludes of violin playing. His most famous line was "Take my wife--please!" When the New York Telephone Company started its Dial-a-Joke line in 1974, over three million people called in one month to hear 30 seconds of Mr. Youngman's material—the most ever for a comedian.