July 29, 2008

1,770 years ago
238

Died on this date
Balbinus, 73 (?); Pupienus, 60 (?).Roman Emperors, April 22-July 29, 238. Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus and Decimus Caelius Calvinus Balbinus were co-Emperors of Rome, elected by the Senate on April 22, 238 after the failure of Gordian I and Gordian II to defeat the usurper Maximinus Thrax. They were reportedly in the middle of an argument when the Praetorian Guard stormed the palace and captured them. They were dragged through the streets of Rome and executed. On the same day, Gordian III, age 13, was proclaimed emperor.

990 years ago
1018

War
Count Dirk III of Holland defeated an army sent by Holy Roman Emperor Henry II in the Battle of Vlaardingen.

900 years ago
1108

Died on this date
Philip I, 56. King of the Franks, 1059-1108. Philip I co-reigned with his father Henry I from 1059-1060, and reigned alone until his death. He was succeeded on the throne by his son Louis VI.

860 years ago
1148

War
The Siege of Damascus ended in a decisive crusader defeat, leading to the disintegration of the Second Crusade.

420 years ago
1588

War
English naval forces under the command of Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake defeated the Spanish Armada off the coast of Gravelines, France.

190 years ago
1818

Science
French physicist Augustin Fresnel submitted his Memoir on the Diffraction of Light, providing strong support for the wave theory of light.

150 years ago
1858

Economics and finance
United States and Japan signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, better known as the Harris Treaty, on the deck of USS Powhatan in Edo (now Tokyo) Bay. Its provisions included the opening of five Japanese ports to trade and granting extraterritoriality to foreigners.

120 years ago
1888

Born on this date
Vladimir K. Zworykin. Russian-born U.S. scientist. Dr. Zworykin, a native of St. Petersburg who moved to the United States in 1918, was one of the pioneers in the development of television, beginning with the invention of a transmitting and receiving system using cathode ray tubes. He died on his 94th birthday on July 29, 1982.

80 years ago
1928

Americana
U.S. President Calvin Coolidge spoke in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, where his wife Grace unveiled a statue of Colonel William Colvill, who had served in the Union Army during the American Civil War and led the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.

Disasters
An explosion at a chemical factory in Lodz, Poland killed 40 people, injured 120, and drove 50,000 from their homes.

70 years ago
1938

Died on this date
Nikolai Krylenko, 53. U.S.S.R. politician. Mr. Krylenko was a Bolshevik who served as Prosecutor General of the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic from 1929-1931 and People's Commissar for Justice from 1936-1938. He participated in show trials and supported punishment based on political considerations rather than evidence, but ran afoul of higher authorities, confessed under duress to anti-Soviet agitation, and was summarily executed after being convicted in a trial that lasted 20 minutes.

60 years ago
1948

At the movies
The Amazing Mr. X, directed by Bernard Vorhaus, and starring Turhan Bey, Lynn Bari, and Cathy O'Donnell, opened in theatres.



Died on this date
James E. Watson, 83. U.S. politician. Mr. Watson, a Republican, represented Indiana in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1895-1897 and 1899-1909 and in the Senate from 1916-1933. He was Senate Majority Leader from 1929-1933, and chairman of five different committees. Sen. Watson was popular with both Republicans and Democrats as a speaker and poker player, and was credited with originating the saying, "If you can't lick 'em, jine 'em."

War
A U.S. tribunal in Nuremberg acquitted 23 officials of the German chemical firm I.G. Farben of committing crimes against peace and conspiring to wage aggressive war, but convicted four defendants of using slave labour from the Auschwitz concentration camp and nine others of plundering property in occupied territories.

Politics and government
Finnish Social Democratic Party leader Karl Fagerholm formed an all-socialist cabinet, excluding Communists.

Yugoslavian Communists ended their party congress in Belgrade after re-electing President Marshal Josip Broz Tito as head of the party and rejecting Cominform charges against the government.

Communist delegates walked out of the Berlin City Assembly as it prepared to pass a resolution condemning the Soviet blockade of the city.

U.S. Senator John Stennis (Democrat--Mississippi) and other southern Senators began a filibuster to prevent passage of anti-poll tax legislation sponsored by the administration of U.S. President Harry Truman.

Olympics
The Summer Olympic Games, the first since 1936, were opened in London by King George VI.

50 years ago
1958

Space
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act into law, creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

World events
Haitian President Francois Duvalier personally led a counterattack on the Dessaline barracks, killing seven rebels who sought his overthrow.

Politics and government
French Prime Minister Charles de Gaulle presented a draft constitution designed to create a new French federation under a Fifth Republic with a strong presidency.

Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus won the Democratic Party gubernatorial primary, virtually assuring him of election to a record third term.

Protest
All-India Congress Party members and Praja Socialists staged a general strike in the Indian state of Kerala to protest policies of the state's Communist administration.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Winnipeg (0-1) 7 @ Montreal (1-0) 40

21,347 fans at Molson Stadium saw the Alouettes rout the Blue Bombers.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): C C C--The Tigers (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Delilah--Tom Jones (8th week at #1)

Died on this date
Bill Hart, 55. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Hart was a third baseman and shortstop with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1943-1945), batting .207 with 3 home runs and 35 runs batted in in 95 games. He played 17 seasons in the minor leagues from 1935-1952, batting .284 with 214 homers in 1,956 games.

Religion
Pope Paul VI publicized his encyclical--promulgated four days earlier--Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life), upholding Pope Pius XI's declaration in 1930 that "each and every marriage act (of sexual intercourse) must remain open to the transmission of life," i.e., upholding the Roman Catholic Church's ban on the use of contraceptives.

Baseball
George Culver pitched a no-hitter for the Cincinnati Reds as they beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 to complete a doubleheader sweep before 14,083 fans at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. The Phillies scored an unearned run in the 2nd inning on 2 errors, a ground out, and a sacrifice fly. In the first game, Pete Rose tripled to lead off the 9th and scored on a sacrifice fly by Vada Pinson to break a 6-6 tie as the Reds won 7-6.

Mike Cuellar pitched a 4-hitter and drove in the winning run when he grounded into a force play in the 2nd inning as the Houston Astros shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 before 16,757 fans at the Astrodome. Losing pitcher Mike Kekich allowed 5 hits and 1 earned run in 7 innings. Los Angeles third baseman Bob Bailey doubled with 2 out in the 9th, but Ron Fairly grounded out to first base to end the game.

Jose Tartabull doubled with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th inning and Mike Andrews followed with a double to drive him home with the winning run as the Boston Red Sox edged the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 before 20,539 fans at Fenway Park in Boston.

The Chicago White Sox erupted for 5 runs in the top of the 13th inning to break a 2-2 tie and defeat the Oakland Athletics 7-2 before 5,413 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Winning pitcher Wilbur Wood pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief and singled in the last 2 runs. Blue Moon Odom allowed 13 hits and 4 runs--all earned--with 13 strikeouts and only 1 base on balls in 12 1/3 innings to take the loss.

30 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Tu--Umberto Tozzi (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Tu--Umberto Tozzi (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: You're the One that I Want--John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): You're the One that I Want--John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (7th week at #1)

Rhodesia's Top 10 (Lyons Maid)
1 Rivers of Babylon--Boney M. (5th week at #1)
2 Take a Chance on Me--ABBA
3 I Can't Stand the Rain--Eruption
4 Make Love to Me--Kelly Marie
5 If You Can't Give Me Love--Suzie
6 Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees
7 Don't it Make My Brown Eyes Blue--Crystal Gayle
8 You're the One that I Want--John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
9 Figaro--The Brotherhood of Man
10 Sweet, Sweet Smile--Carpenters

The only single entering the chart was For a Few Dollars More by Richard Dean (#20).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 You're the One that I Want--John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (5th week at #1)
2 Windsurfin'--The Surfers
3 Miss You--The Rolling Stones
4 Too Much, Too Little, Too Late--Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams
5 Let's All Chant--Michael Zager Band
6 Copacabana (At the Copa)--Barry Manilow
7 Oh Darling--Theo Diepenbrock
8 Whole Lotta Rosie--AC/DC
9 Last Dance--Donna Summer
10 I've Had Enough/Deliver Your Children--Wings

Singles entering the chart were Wet Day in September by Pussycat (#17); You're the Greatest Lover by Luv' (#25); Lay Love on You by Luisa Fernandez (#27); Use Ta Be My Girl by the O'Jays (#32); and Summerwine by Barry & Eileen (#33).

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Shadow Dancing--Andy Gibb (7th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Miss You--The Rolling Stones
2 Grease--Frankie Valli
3 Shadow Dancing--Andy Gibb
4 Baker Street--Gerry Rafferty
5 Last Dance--Donna Summer
6 Three Times a Lady--Commodores
7 Use Ta Be My Girl--The O'Jays
8 Still the Same--Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
9 Love Will Find a Way--Pablo Cruise
10 Bluer than Blue--Michael Johnson

Singles entering the chart were Love Theme from "Eyes of Laura Mars" (Prisoner) by Barbra Streisand (#80); Whenever I Call You "Friend" by Kenny Loggins (#83); Steppin' in a Slide Zone by the Moody Blues (#85); I Will Still Love You by Stonebolt (#87); You Never Done it Like That by Captain & Tennille (#88); Get Off by Foxy (#89); She Loves to Be in Love by Charlie (#90); He's So Fine by Kristy and Jimmy McNichol (#96); and Shake and Dance with Me by Con Funk Shun (#97). Love Theme from "Eyes of Laura Mars" (Prisoner) was, as the title implies, from the movie.

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Baker Street--Gerry Rafferty (3rd week at #1)
2 Miss You--The Rolling Stones
3 Shadow Dancing--Andy Gibb
4 Still the Same--Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
5 You Belong to Me--Carly Simon
6 Bluer than Blue--Michael Johnson
7 Last Dance--Donna Summer
8 You're the Love--Seals and Crofts
9 Take a Chance on Me--ABBA
10 Grease--Frankie Valli

Singles entering the chart were An Everlasting Love by Andy Gibb (#84); Hopelessly Devoted to You by Olivia Newton-John (#90); Music Box Dancer by Frank Mills (#92); Rock & Roll Cowboys by the Cooper Brothers (#94); You're All I Need to Get By by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams (#95); You and I by Rick James (#96); Boogie Oogie Oogie by A Taste of Honey (#97); Fiddler's Green by Malcolm Tomlinson (#98); Shaker Song by Spyro Gyra (#99); and It's Really You by the Tarney/Spencer Band (#100). Hopelessly Devoted to You was from the movie Grease (1978).

Adventure
An attempt by British balloonists Don Cameron and Christopher Davey to cross the Atlantic Ocean ended in failure when a storm ripped a gash in their balloon, and they abandoned it 110 miles from Brest, three days after leaving St. John's, Newfoundland. The men were rescued by a trawler.

25 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Flashdance...What a Feeling--Irene Cara

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Baby Jane--Rod Stewart (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Raymond Massey, 86. Canadian-born U.S. actor. Mr. Massey, a native of Toronto, was perhaps best known for starring in the movie Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940). His other films included The Speckled Band (1931); Things to Come (1936); The Prisoner of Zenda (1937); Arsenic and Old Lace (1944); A Matter of Life and Death (1946); and East of Eden (1955). He co-starred as Dr. Gillespie in the television series Dr. Kildare (1961-1966).

Luis Buñuel, 83. Spanish-born Mexican film director. Mr. Buñuel was the most famous director to be associated with the surrealist movement. His films included Un Chien Andalou (1929); L'Age d'Or (1930); Las Hurdes: Tierra Sin Pan (1933); Los olvidados (1950); Belle de Jour (1967); The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972); and That Obscure Object of Desire (1977).

David Niven, 73. U.K. actor. Mr. Niven won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Separate Tables (1958). His other movies included The Prisoner of Zenda (1937); The Dawn Patrol (1938); Wuthering Heights (1939); Raffles (1939); A Matter of Life and Death (1946); The Moon is Blue (1953); Around the World in 80 Days (1956); The Pink Panther (1963); and Casino Royale (1967).

Economics and finance
The United States, seeking to stabilize world currency markets, began selling U.S. dollars. The dollar had reached historically high levels against other currencies, creating problems for many nations, including the U.S.A.

The United States Commerce Department reported that the index of leading economic indicators had risen 1.0% in June, the 10th straight monthly increase. The department also announced that the U.S. trade deficit in June had fallen to $4.96 billion from its record high in May.

Disasters
About 160 workers at a dam site near Bogota, Colombia were killed when tons of mud and rocks slid down a mountainside during a driving rain.

Football
CFL
Toronto (4-0) 40 @ Saskatchewan (1-3) 21

Saskatchewan quarterback Joe Adams set a CFL record for a single game with 62 passes, surpassing the record of 54 set by Toronto's Tobin Rote in 1960 and tied by Mr. Adams in 1982.



20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Im Nin'Alu--Ofra Haza (7th week at #1)

At the movies
Cocktail, directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown, and Elizabeth Shue, opened in theatres.



Diplomacy
Canadian External Affairs Minister Joe Clark announced that Canada would deny visas to all South African athletes, amateur and professional, wishing to compete in events in Canada. The action was consistent with the 1977 Gleneagles agreement which encouraged Commonwealth countries to combat the South African policy of apartheid in this way.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (1-2) 18 @ Saskatchewan (3-0) 46



10 years ago
1998

Died on this date
Jerome Robbins, 79. American director, producer, and choreographer. Mr. Robbins, born Jerome Rabinowitz, worked in theatre, film, and television. He won five Tony Awards and two Academy Awards, both for West Side Story (1961), for co-direction of the film with Robert Wise, and for his choreography. Mr. Robbins died shortly after suffering a stroke.

Labour
A Canadian federal human rights tribunal ruled that Canadian public servants in female-dominated job categories deserved compensation for unequal pay; payment was to be retroactive to March 1985 and would range from $10,000-$20,000.