March 21, 2008

80 years ago
1928

Died on this date
Edward Walter Maunder, 76. U.K. astronomer. Mr. Maunder worked at the Royal Observatory, where he was known for his study of sunspots and the solar magnetic cycle that led to his identification of the period from 1645-1715 that is now known as the Maunder Minimum. Mr. Maunder was one of the founders of the British Astronomical Association in 1890; he was the first editor of its journal, and was succeeded in that position by his wife and colleague Annie. Mr. Maunder died 22 days before his 77th birthday.

"Diamond Joe" Esposito, 55. U.S. politician and gangster. Mr. Esposito was a Republican Party boss of the 19th Ward in Chicago, and a political rival of Al Capone. He was gunned down at home in front of his wife and daughter in a murder contract arranged by his fellow former gang member Paul "The Waiter" Ricca.

Diplomacy
Afghan King Amanullah Khan flew over London, becoming the first royal personage to view the English capital from the air. The king described the event as the "greatest thrill the West has yet given me."

Americana
In Washington, President Calvin Coolidge presented Colonel Charles Lindbergh with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Col. Lindbergh took more Congressmen for airplane rides, and then spoke before the Military Committee of the Senate and House in support of pending bills that proposed higher pay for men and officers who would undergo the hazards of service in the Army Air Corps.

Politics and government
U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, through his secretary Everett Sanders, notified the Republican State Central Committee of Wyoming that he must decline their request of March 10 to "waive his personal preferences and continue for an additional four years that leadership which has brought honor and prosperity to this country."

In a straight party vote, the Republican-controlled New York State Senate defeated Democratic Governor Al Smith’s motion to extend the gubernatorial term to four years by a vote of 26-24.

Nicaraguan President Adolfo Diaz issued an executive decree investing the United States with full authority to supervise the Nicaraguan national elections scheduled for the following October.

Disasters
13 tourists died in an Alpine avalanche near Salzburg, Austria.

60 years ago
1948

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring John Stanley and Alfred Shirley, on MBS
Tonight's episode: Death is a Golden Arrow

50 years ago
1958

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Magic Moments--Perry Como (4th week at #1)

On television tonight
Harbor Command, starring Wendell Corey
Tonight's episode: Rendezvous at Sea

40 years ago
1968

On television tonight
Dragnet 1968, starring Jack Webb and Harry Morgan, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Big Gambler

At the movies
The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, a musical starring Walter Brennan, Buddy Ebsen, Lesley Ann Warren, and John Davidson, received its premiere screening at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Died on this date
Gerhart Eisler, 71. German-born politician and propagandist. Mr. Eisler was active in the German Communist party during the Weimar Republic before emigrating to the United States. He acted as a liaison between Communist parties of the United States and China. In 1948 he was described by Newsweek as the Number One Red Agent in the U.S. Despite being accused of espionage, Mr. Eisler was charged only with misrepresenting his Communist party affiliation on his emigration application. He fled the country by stowing away on a Polish freighter bound for London, was discovered by the crew while at sea, and was arrested at Southampton. The British authorities allowed Mr. Eisler to go to the German Democratic Republic, where he became head of East German radio and a leading propagandist on behalf of the Communist government.

War
An Israeli force of 15,000 men crossed into Jordan and wiped out guerrilla bases used in staging raids against Israel.

Politics and government
A committee of the National Assembly of Czechoslovakia unanimously recommended that President Antonin Novotny resign his post.

30 years ago
1978

War
Israeli Defense Miniser Ezer Weizman issued a unilateral ceasefire edict after Israeli forces had completed the takeover of most of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, except for the port of Tyre.

Politics and government
Bishop Abel Muzorewa, Rev. Ndabaningi Sithole, and Senator Jeremiah Chirau were sworn in as co-leaders of the provisional government of Rhodesia along with Prime Minister Ian Smith, 18 days after the four had signed an agreement to transfer power to the country’s black majority by the end of the year.

20 years ago
1988

Died on this date
Edd Roush, 94. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Roush played 18 years in the major leagues from 1913-1931, most of them (1916-1926, 1931) with the Cincinnati Reds. He led the National League in batting in 1917 (.341) and 1919 (.321), in doubles in 1923 (41) and triples in 1924 (21). Mr. Roush retired with a lifetime batting average of .323. After breaking into the major leagues with a brief stint with the Chicago White Sox in 1913, he spent two years in the Federal League with the Indianapolis Hoosiers (1914) and Newark Peppers (1915). Mr. Roush joined the New York Giants in 1916, joining the Reds later that season. He rejoined the Giants for three seasons from 1927-1929. Mr. Roush played all 8 games for the Reds in the 1919 World Series vs. the White Sox, batting just .214 as the Reds won 5 games to 3. Former teammate Heinie Groh described Mr. Roush as "far and away the best center fielder I ever saw." On June 8, 1920, Mr. Roush was ejected from a game for falling asleep in the outfield. Cincinnati manager Pat Moran got into an argument with the umpire, and the argument dragged on so long that Mr. Roush decided to have a nap. He was so difficult to wake up that he was ejected for delaying the game. Mr. Roush was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.