May 20, 2008

360 years ago
1648

Died on this date
Wladyslaw IV, 52. King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, 1632-1648. Wladyslaw was Grand Duke of Moscow from 1610-1634, and also hereditary king of the Swedes, Goths, and Vandals. King Wladyslaw was successful in keeping the Commonwealth out of the Thirty Years’ War, and in defending the Commonwealth from invasion.

160 years ago
1848

Born on this date
Howard Vernon. Australian actor. Mr. Vernon, born John Lett, had a career spanning 48 years, and was best known for his performances in comic roles of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas with the J. C. Williamson company. He died on July 26, 1921 at the age of 73.

Politics and government
Lieutenant-Governor Sir Edmund Head formed the first “Responsible Government” in New Brunswick, selecting for his Executive Council Edward B. Chandler, Robert L. Hayes, William B. Kinnear, John R. Partelow, and reformers Lemuel A. Wilmot and Charles Fisher.

130 years ago
1878

Died on this date
Lemuel Allan Wilmot, 69. Canadian politician and judge. Mr. Wilmot, a native of Lincoln, New Brunswick, was a Reformer, and sat in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1834-1851. He was a leader in the campaign for responsible government, and was the province's Attorney General from 1848-1851. Mr. Wilmot was a judge from 1851-1868, and then served as Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick from 1868-1873. He died in Fredericton.

Baseball
Terry Larkin of the Chicago White Stockings allowed only a first-inning single by Orator Shaffer in beating the Indianapolis Hoosiers 3-1.

120 years ago
1888

Baseball
The Philadelphia Athletics tried to stage a Sunday game across the river in Gloucester‚ New Jersey‚ but the inadequate stands and field were overrun by a mob of spectators‚ and the game was called off.

100 years ago
1908

Born on this date
James Stewart. U.S. actor. One of the most popular movie actors in Hollywood history was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Princeton University in 1932. Mr. Stewart’s first movie role was in The Murder Man (1935). He didn’t have a single "breakthrough" movie, but he made a large number of pictures in a short time which accelerated his popularity. The list of Mr. Stewart’s memorable movies is too long for this blogger to recite. For those interested in seeing him in lesser-known films, try The Mortal Storm (1940); Call Northside 777 (1948); No Highway in the Sky (1951); or The Naked Spur (1953). Mr. Stewart also starred on radio, in the NBC series The Six-Shooter (1953-54). Oddly, James Stewart won just one acting Oscar, for best Actor in The Philadelphia Story (1940). Mr. Stewart was the first Hollywood star to enlist in the U.S. armed forces in World War II. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1940, a year before the U.S.A. became involved in the war; he eventually became a Colonel, and earned the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Croix de Guerre and 7 battle stars. In 1959, he served in the Air Force Reserve, before retiring as a brigadier general. Mr. Stewart was one of the veterans interviewed for the British television documentary series The World at War in the early 1970s.

90 years ago
1918

Baseball
With two out in the bottom of the 14th inning‚ Merlin Kopp of the Philadelphia Athletics stole home with the winning run as they beat the Detroit Tigers 5-4. Mr. Kopp had 2 steals in the game‚ as well as a double and triple. The Athletics’ Elmer Myers and the Tigers’ Hooks Dauss each went the distance as both teams scored runs in the 10th and 12th innings. Ty Cobb had three hits for the Tigers to run his consecutive game hitting streak against the Athletics to 23 games.

In a 5-2 loss to the Reds at Crosley Field in Cincinnati‚ Boston Braves’ third baseman Red Smith made an out after 10 straight hits over 5 games‚ a Braves franchise record (since tied). He has 3 straight hits in this game before making an out.

80 years ago
1928

Died on this date
Luis Mena. President of Nicaragua, 1910. General Mena, a conservative, was part of the coalition government which also included liberal Juan Jose Estrada and conservatives Emiliano Chamorro and Adolfo Diaz. Gen. Mena was assassinated at Ponelova.

W.H. Reddington. U.S. military aviator. Lieutenant Reddington, a U.S. Navy flier attached to the aircraft carrier Langley, was killed when his plane went into a nose dive after taking off from the deck of the ship.

Aviation
The transatlantic airplane Bremen was damaged in the attempt to take off from Greenely Island, near Newfoundland, for New York City.

Scandal
Mrs. Florence Knapp, former Secretary of State of New York, was again put on trial at Albany on the charge of larceny of census funds.

Politics and government
Parliamentary elections in Germany increased the representation of Socialists and Communists.

Disasters
A tank of phosgene (carbonylchlorid) gas exploded in the Williamsburg suburb of Hamburg, Germany, poisoning 11 to death and sending 250 to hospital.

70 years ago
1938

Labour
In Vancouver, British Columbia, 500 unemployed members of the Relief Project Worker's Union began a sit-down strike in the Hotel Georgia. They were paid $500 to leave; the strikers then stayed in the Art Gallery.

60 years ago
1948

War
The Israeli Air Force saw its first action in a victory over the Syrian army--the first victory for the newly independent state.

Baseball
At Comiskey Park in Chicago‚ Joe DiMaggio hit for the cycle and added another home run, and drove in six runs‚ as the Yanks coasted to a 13-2 win over the White Sox. Joltin’ Joe almost had a 6th extra base hit‚ but left fielder Ralph Hodgin made a spectacular catch at the wall. Johnny Lindell added a homer to back Vic Raschi's pitching over Orval Grove‚ who lasted 5 innings. Mr. DiMaggio was the first Yankee in eight years to hit for the cycle. He last cycled in 1937‚ when he also added a second home run; he was the only player to do that twice.

In a 13-4 Cleveland win‚ the Indians collected 18 bases on balls against the Red Sox to tie the American League record. Handing out the free passes were Mickey Harris and Mickey McDermott (11 in 6 2/3 innings). Bob Lemon‚ Jim Hegan‚ and Ken Keltner all collected runs batted in without benefit of a hit.

The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 13-4‚ as Stan Musial had 4 hits‚ including a home run and 2 doubles. Stan the Man was 11 for 15 in the series. Enos Slaughter chipped in with three hits as Howie Pollet won over Joe Hatten.

The Pittsburgh Pirates battered the Boston Braves 13-0 behind Elmer Riddle's 4-hitter. The Pirates tallied 8 runs in the 4th inning‚ with the scoring started by Ralph Kiner's 9th home run of the season. He added a double in the same inning.

50 years ago
1958

Defense
The United States performed an atmospheric nuclear test at Eniwetok.

Britannica
The mayor and corporation of High Wycombe were weighed in in full view of the public to see whether or not they had been getting fat at the taxpayers' expense. The annual custom dates back to medieval times and is unique to this Buckinghamshire market town.

Baseball
The St. Louis Cardinals traded shortstop Alvin Dark to the Chicago Cubs for relief pitcher Jim Brosnan. Mr. Dark was hitting .297 in 18 games that year with the Cardinals; Mr. Brosnan had won 3 and lost 4 in 8 games with the Cubs in 1958.

At Comiskey Park in Chicago, Johnny Kucks pitched the New York Yankees to a 5-1 win over the last-place White Sox to extend their winning streak to seven games. Mickey Mantle's line drive between Al Smith and Jim Rivera went for his second inside-the-park home run of the year. Mantle ended the year with three inside-the-park homers‚ and a Yankee record six during his career.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Hana no Kubikazari/Ginga no Romance--The Tigers (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Congratulations--Cliff Richard (2nd week at #1)

War
United States Ambassador-at-Large Averell Harriman denied that there was a deadlock in the Paris peace talks, but accused the North Vietnamese of using the meetings for propaganda purposes.

Baseball
California Angels’ shortstop Jim Fregosi hit for the cycle during a 5-4 11-inning win over the Boston Red Sox at Anaheim Stadium. The cycle was the second of Fregosi's career, tying him with several other players for the major league record.

30 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Rivers of Babylon--Boney M. (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Rivers of Babylon--Boney M.

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Rivers of Babylon--Boney M. (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): With a Little Luck--Wings

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Rivers of Babylon/Brown Girl in the Ring--Boney M. (4th week at #1)
2 Substitute--Clout
3 Night Fever--Bee Gees
4 Ça Plane pour Moi--Plastic Bertrand
5 Come Back My Love--Darts
6 Only a Fool--The Mighty Sparrow with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires
7 Every 1's a Winner--Hot Chocolate
8 Lady McCorey--BZN
9 Met de Vlam in de Pijp--Henk Wijngaard
10 Baker Street--Gerry Rafferty

Singles entering the chart were I'm Always Touched by Your Presence, Dear by Blondie (#20); Eagle/Thank You for the Music by ABBA (#25); Don't Ask Me Questions by Graham Parker and the Rumour (#32); and I Wonder Why by Showaddywaddy (#37).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 With a Little Luck--Wings
2 The Closer I Get to You--Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
3 Too Much, Too Little, Too Late--Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams
4 You're the One that I Want--John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
5 Night Fever--Bee Gees
6 Shadow Dancing--Andy Gibb
7 If I Can't Have You--Yvonne Elliman
8 Disco Inferno--The Trammps
9 Imaginary Lover--Atlanta Rhythm Section
10 Feels So Good--Chuck Mangione

Singles entering the chart were Only the Good Die Young by Billy Joel (#83); Stone Blue by Foghat (#87); He's So Fine by Jane Olivor (#90); This Night Won't Last Forever by Bill LaBounty (#91); Magnet and Steel by Walter Egan (#96); King Tut by Steve Martin and the Toot Uncommons (#97); Take it Off the Top by the Dixie Dregs (#98); Thank God it's Friday by Love & Kisses (#99); and Stuff Like That by Quincy Jones (#100). Thank God it's Friday was the title song of the movie.

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 The Closer I Get to You--Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
2 With a Little Luck--Wings
3 If I Can't Have You--Yvonne Elliman
4 Running on Empty--Jackson Browne
5 Night Fever--Bee Gees
6 You're the One that I Want--John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
7 Thank You for Being a Friend--Andrew Gold
8 Dust in the Wind--Kansas
9 Goodbye Girl--David Gates
10 Count on Me--Jefferson Starship

Singles entering the chart were I was Only Joking by Rod Stewart (#82); You Keep Me Dancing by Samantha Sang (#88); Even Now by Barry Manilow (#92); It's the Same Old Song by K.C. and the Sunshine Band (#93); Dance Across the Floor by Jimmy 'Bo' Horne (#95); Warm Ride by Rare Earth (#97); Feel Good by the Hometown Band (#98); You Got It by Diana Ross (#99); and Serene Serene by Greg Adams (#100).

Died on this date
Bjarne Brustad, 83. Norwegian violinist and composer. Mr. Brustad wrote nine symphonies and various other orchestral, chamber, and vocal works.

Space
The United States launched Pioneer Venus 1 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellite went on to produce the first global radar map of Venus.

World events
French and Belgian troops, sent to rescue more than 2,500 Europeans, finished dropping into the town of Kolwezi in the Zairian province of Shaba (formerly Katanga).

Terrorism
Three terrorists killed a policeman in an attack on El Al airlines at Orly Airport in Paris. The Organization of the Sons of Southern Lebanon claimed responsibility for the attack, which they said was merely the first reply to the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon.

Diplomacy
Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev began a three-day visit to China, where he briefed Chinese officials on U.S.-U.S.S.R. arms talks, in an effort to "underline the long-term strategic nature of the United States’ "relationship to China." He also said that the U.S. had "made up its mind" to move toward full diplomatic relations with China.

Horse racing
Affirmed, with Steve Cauthen up, made it two straight wins in Triple Crown races as he won the 103rd running of the Preakness Stakes before 81,261 fans at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore in 1:54 2/5, a head of Alydar, with Believe It finishing third in a seven-horse field.
Affirmed won $136,200.



Baseball
Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit a 535-foot home run off Montreal Expos’ pitcher Wayne Twitchell to highlight a 6-0 victory before 13,834 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. It was the longest home run in park history, and was also Mr. Stargell's 407th home run, tying him with Duke Snider on the major league career list. Mr. Stargell hit 2 homers in the game and drove in 5 runs, while Bert Blyleven pitched a 3-hit shutout.

The Philadelphia Phillies scored 5 runs in the top of the 11th inning to break a 4-4 tie and defeat the New York Mets 9-4 before 14,110 fans at Shea Stadium in New York. Larry Bowa and Tim McCarver each had 4 hits for the Phillies.

Randy Moffitt entered the game and promptly hit Bill Russell with 1 out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th inning to force Billy North home with the winning run to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 3-2 win over the San Francisco Giants before 51,370 fans at Dodger Stadium.

The Cincinnati Reds scored 6 runs with 2 out in the bottom of the 8th inning to defeat the San Diego Padres 10-6 before 35,429 fans at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.

J.R. Richard pitched a 4-hitter and had a hit, run, and run batted in as the Houston Astros routed the Atlanta Braves 13-0 before 24,402 fans at the Astrodome. Houston right fielder Jose Cruz batted 4 for 6 with a home run, 3 runs, and 6 runs batted in.

The Toronto Blue Jays scored 6 runs in the 6th inning as they defeated the New York Yankees 10-8 before 30,550 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. The Yankees scored 3 runs in the 9th and had runners on first and second bases with 2 out, but pinch hitter Cliff Johnson popped out to end the game.

Butch Hobson singled home Carl Yastrzemski with 1 out in the top of the 9th inning to break a 5-5 tie as the Boston Red Sox edged the Detroit Tigers 6-5 before 30,856 fans at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers had runners on first and second bases with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th, but Ron LeFlore flied out and Lou Whitaker grounded out to end the game.

Pinch hitter Jeff Newman hit a 3-run home run in the bottom of the 7th inning to tie the score and Wayne Gross led off the bottom of the 9th with a home run to give the Oakland Athletics a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox before 4,177 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

25 years ago
1983

Died on this date
Fred Schulte, 82. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Schulte, an outfielder, played from 1927-1937 with the St. Louis Browns, Washington Nationals, and Pittsburgh Pirates, batting .292 in 1,178 games. Mr. Schulte was the starting centre fielder for the Nationals in 1933, when they won the American League pennant. He hit .295 that year, with 5 home runs and 87 runs batted in, and led the AL with 433 outfield putouts. In that year’s World Series he hit .333 in 5 games, with 1 home run and 4 RBIs. His home run, the last World Series home run by a Washington player, was a 3-run shot in the 6th inning of game 5 that tied the game at 3. The Giants won 4-3 in 10 innings to win the Series 4 games to 1.

Terrorism
A car bomb exploded in Pretoria, South Africa, killing 19 and injuring 217. The blast, outside the headquarters of the air force on Church Street, killed black and white civilians as well as air force personnel, and was regarded as the worst act of terrorism so far against the white regime.

Society
Margaret Bush Wilson, chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, ordered the suspension of Benjamin Hooks, the NAACP’s executive director since 1977.

Boxing
Larry Holmes (43-0) won a 12-round split decision over Tim Witherspoon (15-1) in 12 rounds at Dunes Hotel & Casino Outdoor Arena in Las Vegas to retain the World Boxing Council heavyweight title. Meanwhile, World Boxing Association champion Michael Dokes (26-0-2) and former champion Mike Weaver (24-10-1) fought a 15-round draw in their title match. One judge decided in favour of Mr. Dokes, while another judge and the referee called the fight a draw.

Baseball
Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher Steve Carlton passed Walter Johnson to move into second place on the career strikeout list. Mr. Carlton's four strikeouts put him at 3,511, just 10 behind Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros. Mr. Ryan had bettered Mr. Johnson's record earlier in the month. The Phillies lost 5-0 to the San Diego Padres.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Ella, Elle L'a--France Gall

Protest
Students attacked the United States embassy in Seoul with homemade bombs.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Boston 2 @ Edmonton 4 (Edmonton led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Basketball
NBA
Eastern Conference
Semi-Finals
Boston 102 @ Atlanta 100 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

Baseball
In a 4-3 loss to the San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies’ third baseman Mike Schmidt hit his 535th home run to move past Jimmie Foxx into 8th place on the major league career list.

10 years ago
1998

Defense
The United States House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to ban satellite exports to China. Many in both parties feared exporting sensitive technology that could aid the accuracy of nuclear missiles.

Baseball
Behind Pedro Martinez (5-0)‚ the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 6-2‚ pinning the loss on Jaime Navarro. It was Mr. Navarro's first loss to the Red Sox following 10 straight wins‚ dating back to 1991.

The AAA Indianapolis Indians performed a feat possibly never before duplicated in professional baseball. In the 5th inning of a game against the Pawtucket Red Sox‚ Indianapolis players hit for a "Homer cycle." Pete Rose‚ Jr. opened the inning with a solo home run; Jason Williams connected for a 3-run shot; Glenn Murray slugged a grand slam; and Guillermo Garcia finished the scoring with a 2-run blast. The Indians won the American Association game 11-4.