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.