February 5, 2008

Weather
The phenomenon known as kiskay piskum hit Edmonton today. Kiskay piskum is a native term referring to a sudden rise in temperature occurring on or around February 5. In 2008, it occurred exactly on February 5, and lasted for one day only.

110 years ago
1898

Born on this date
Ted Pillette. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Pillette, the younger brother of major league pitcher Herman Pillette, played 12 seasons in the minor leagues from 1923-1934, mainly in the Class AA Pacific Coast League and the Class A Western League. He played in at least 293 games, winning at least 80 games and losing at least 101. Mr. Pillette died on July 27, 1981 at the age of 83.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Cállate Niña--Pic-Nic (6th week at #1)

Politics and government
A Federal-Provincial constitutional conference began in Ottawa, attended by Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson and the ten provincial premiers, for the purpose of revising the Canadian constitution.

25 years ago
1983

World events
Klaus Barbie, chief of the German Gestapo in Lyons, France during World War II, was returned to France after being expelled from Bolivia, and was put in the same prison that he had once controlled.
He had been convicted by French courts, in absentia, of various brutal crimes, including murder and torture of prisoners.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (5th week at #1)

Crime
U.S. federal grand juries in Miami and Tampa returned indictments against Panamanian dictator General Manuel Noriega, accusing him of protecting and otherwise helping international drug traffickers, and allowing the laundering of drug profits through Panamanian banks. Gen. Noriega denied the charges. He and 15 others were named in the Miami indictments, which charged that he had assisted the Medellin drug cartel, which was linked to 80% of the cocaine smuggled into the United States. Panama denounced the Florida indictments of Panamanian dictator Gen. Manuel Noriega. In news interviews, Gen. Noriega said that U.S. national security adviser Rear Admiral John Poindexter had asked him to help topple the Sandanista government of Nicaragua.