June 15, 2008

130 years ago
1878

Movies
Eadweard Muybridge took a series of photographs to prove that all four feet of a horse leave the ground when it runs; the study became the basis of motion pictures.

120 years ago
1888

Died on this date
Friedrich III, 56. Kaiser of Germany and King of Prussia, March 9-June 15, 1888. Friedrich III succeeded to the throne upon the death of his father, Wilhelm I, but was already suffering from terminal cancer of the larynx and died after just 99 days on the throne. He was succeeded by his son Wilhelm II.

Transportation
Fredericton, New Brunswick's first railway bridge, spanning the Saint John River, was completed, and the first train engine made an inaugural crossing.

80 years ago
1928

Politics and government
The U.S. Republican National Convention concluded at Convention Hall in Kansas City with the election of U.S. Senator Charles Curtis (Kansas) on the first ballot as the party's U.S. vice presidential nominee, the day after electing Herbert Hoover as the presidential candidate.



Communications
A U.S. Army dirigible descended over a railway track near Belleville, Illinois as a train came into view. The airship crew, regulating the speed to correspond with that of the train, maneuvered into position over the mail coach. The dirigible was then brought down over the train so that the control car rested on top of the coach for a moment while a member of the crew handed a sack of mail to a clerk standing in the doorway of the coach.

75 years ago
1933

Baseball
Jim Peterson pitched a complete game victory for the Philadelphia Athletics as they defeated the Savitt Gems 6-1 in an exhibition game at Bulkeley Stadium in Hartford.



70 years ago
1938

Died on this date
E.L. Kirchner, 58. German artist. Ernst Ludwig Kirchner was an Expressionist painter and one of the founders of Die Brücke (The Bridge), a key group leading to the foundation of Expressionism. He suffered a nervous breakdown during World War I and was discharged from service. Mr. Kirchner became a drunkard and drug addict, but recovered after several years, and was productive in the 1920s. He experienced difficulty selling his paintings after the Nazis came to power in Germany; when they held the Degenerate Art Exhibition in 1937, 639 of Mr. Kirchner's works were taken out of museums, and 25 were put on display. Mr. Kirchner committed suicide by shooting himself outside his house in Frauenkirch-Wildboden, Switzerland.

Baseball
Johnny Vander Meer of the Cincinnati Reds, who had pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Bees four days earlier, became the first--and so far only--man to pitch two consecutive major league no-hitters as the Reds blanked the Brooklyn Dodgers 6-0 before 38,748 fans in the first night game ever played at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.

The St. Louis Cardinals scored 3 runs in the top of the 9th inning to break a 6-6 tie and held on to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-7 before 1,500 fans at Baker Bowl in Philadelphia. The Phillies scored a run in the bottom of the 9th and had runners on second and third bases with 2 out, but George Scharein struck out to end the game.

Danny MacFayden pitched a 5-hitter to win the pitcher's duel over Clay Bryant as the Boston Bees shut out the Chicago Cubs 2-0 before 3,165 fans at National League Park in Boston. Mr. Bryant allowed 5 hits and 2 earned runs in 7 innings.

Jim Tobin pitched a 5-hitter to win the pitchers' duel over Rube Melton as the Pittsburgh Pirates shut out the New York Giants 2-0 before 5,874 fans at the Polo Grounds in New York. Mr. Melton allowed 5 hits and 1 run--earned--in 8 innings.

The Philadelphia Athletics scored a run in the 9th inning and withstood a 1-run rally in the bottom of the 9th as they edged the Detroit Tigers 7-6 before 5,400 fans at Briggs Stadium in Detroit.

Odell Hale hit a run-scoring single, Moose Solters scored him with a triple, and Earl Averill followed with a single to drive home Mr. Solters as the Cleveland Indians scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning and held on to defeat the Washington Nationals 6-4 at League Park in Cleveland.

The Boston Red Sox scord 5 runs in the last 2 innings and withstood a 2-run 9th-inning rally as they defeated the St. Louis Browns 7-4 before 962 fans at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. Joe Cronin and Jimmie Foxx hit home runs for the Red Sox, while Harlond Clift hit a 2-run homer for the Browns with 2 out in the 9th.

The New York Yankees scored 3 runs in the top of the 8th inning and held on to defeat the Chicago White Sox 6-4 before 5,000 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Jake Powell had 2 singles, a double, and 2 runs for the Yankees, while Lou Gehrig added a solo home run. Rip Radcliff hit a 2-run homer for the White Sox in the bottom of the 6th, and pinch hitter Larry Rosenthal hit a 2-run homer in the 7th.

60 years ago
1948

On the radio
The Casebook of Gregory Hood, starring Elliott Lewis, on MBS

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. accepted a U.S. proposal for a conference on Danube River navigation.

Politics and government
The Zionist terrorist organization Irgun Zvai Leumi established itself as a political party in Israel--the Jewish Freedom Movement--under the leadership of Menachem Begin.

Aviation
U.S. Air Force Captain Charles Yeager received the 1947 Mackay Air Trophy for his sound barrier-breaking flights in the Bell X-1 rocket plane.

50 years ago
1958

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Canary Sedan, starring Jessica Tandy and Murray Matheson

War
Druze forces attacked positions near Beirut International Airport, coming within artillery range of the only airfield capable of being used by Lebanese Air Force jets.

Diplomacy
Yugoslavian President Marshal Josip Broz Tito denounced Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and Communist Chinese leaders for their attacks on Yugoslavia, and hailed the United States for its aid.

Baseball
The day after his 32nd birthday, pitcher Don Newcombe was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Cincinnati Redlegs for first baseman Steve Bilko, pitcher Johnny Klippstein, and cash. Mr. Newcombe, who was in his 10th season with the Dodgers, was 0-6 with an earned run average of 7.94, and was batting .417 (5 for 12) with no home runs or runs batted in in 11 games with Los Angeles in 1958. Mr. Bilko was batting .264 with 4 home runs and 17 runs batted in in 31 games with Cincinnati in 1958, while Mr. Klippstein was 3-2 with a 4.91 ERA in 12 games with the Redlegs.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): The Unicorn--The Irish Rovers (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France: Rain and Tears--Aphrodite's Child

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): La bambola--Patty Pravo (7th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Delilah--Tom Jones (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Honey--Bobby Goldsboro

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Young Girl--The Union Gap (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Mrs. Robinson--Simon and Garfunkel (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Lazy Sunday--Small Faces (4th week at #1)
2 Summertime Blues--Blue Cheer
3 If I Only Had Time--John Rowles
4 Jumpin' Jack Flash--The Rolling Stones
5 I Can't Let Maggie Go--The Honeybus
6 Young Girl--The Union Gap
7 Ich Bau' Dir Ein Schloss--Heintje
8 La Felicidad/Pa Wil Niet in Bad (La Felicidad)/Felicidad, de Roddel Van de Stad--Digno Garcia
--Johnny & Rijk
--Eddie Becker
9 A Man Without Love (Quando M'innamora)--Engelbert Humperdinck
10 Il Est Cinq Heures, Paris S'éveille--Jacques Dutronc

Singles entering the chart were Camp by Sir Henry and his Butlers (#29); You Don't Know What You Mean to Me by Sam & Dave (#35); The Unknown Soldier by the Doors (#37); and Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and his Comets (#38).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Mrs. Robinson--Simon and Garfunkel (4th week at #1)
2 This Guy's in Love with You--Herb Alpert
3 MacArthur Park--Richard Harris
4 Mony Mony--Tommy James and the Shondells
5 Yummy Yummy Yummy--Ohio Express
6 Tighten Up--Archie Bell & the Drells
7 Think--Aretha Franklin
8 Angel of the Morning--Merrilee Rush & the Turnabouts
9 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly--Hugo Montenegro, his Orchestra and Chorus
10 A Beautiful Morning--The Rascals

Singles entering the chart were D.W. Washburn (#47)/It's Nice to Be with You (#79) by the Monkees; People Sure Act Funny by Arthur Conley (#69); The Story of Rock and Roll by the Turtles (#71); Let Yourself Go (#75)/Your Time Hasn't Come Yet, Baby (#83) by Elvis Presley; Eleanor Rigby by Ray Charles (#77); Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan (#80); Here Comes the Judge by Pigmeat Markham (#87); Lovin' Season by Gene and Debbe (#88); (The Puppet Song) Whiskey on a Sunday by the Irish Rovers (#89); America is My Home (Part 1) by James Brown and the Famous Flames (#91); Sweet Memories by Andy Williams (#92); Yes Sir, That's My Baby by Julius Wechter and the Baja Marimba Band (#93); With Pen in Hand by Billy Vera (#96); Sealed with a Kiss by Gary Lewis and the Playboys (#99); and You Got Style by Jon & Robin (#100). Let Yourself Go and Your Time Hasn't Come Yet, Baby were both from the movie Speedway (1968).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Yummy Yummy Yummy--Ohio Express
2 Master Jack--Four Jacks and a Jill
3 Mrs. Robinson--Simon and Garfunkel
4 Mony Mony--Tommy James and the Shondells
5 Like to Get to Know You--Spanky & Our Gang
6 MacArthur Park--Richard Harris
7 Tighten Up--Archie Bell & the Drells
8 My Girl/Hey Girl--Bobby Vee
9 Think--Aretha Franklin
10 Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing--Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Singles entering the chart were D.W. Washburn by the Monkees (#76); Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash (#78); Grazing in the Grass by Hugh Masakela (#82); Some Things You Never Get Used To by Diana Ross and the Supremes (#85); Let Me Be Lonely by Dionne Warwick (#87); Eyes of a New York Woman by B.J. Thomas (#88); (The Puppet Song) Whiskey on a Sunday by the Irish Rovers (#89); The Story of Rock and Roll by the Turtles (#90); Competition Ain't Nothing by Little Carl Carlton (#91); Baby You Come Rollin' Across My Mind by Peppermint Trolley (#92); Don't Take it So Hard by Paul Revere and the Raiders (#93); 2+2=? by the Bob Seger System (#96); The Lights of Night by Mitch Ryder (#98); Can't See Me Cry by the New Colony Six (#99); and You Got Style by Jon & Robin (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 I Wanna Live--Glen Campbell
2 MacArthur Park--Richard Harris
3 This Guy's in Love with You--Herb Alpert
4 Jumpin' Jack Flash--The Rolling Stones
5 Mrs. Robinson--Simon and Garfunkel
6 You Ain't Goin' Nowhere--The Byrds
7 Master Jack--Four Jacks and a Jill
8 Time for Livin'--The Association
9 The Happy Song (Dum-Dum)--Otis Redding
10 Yummy Yummy Yummy--Ohio Express

Singles entering the chart were Lydia Purple by the Collectors (#24); I Love You by People (#25); San Francisco Girls (Return of the Native) by Fever Tree (#26); Lady Willpower by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (#28); Stoned Soul Picnic by the 5th Dimension (#29); and The Look of Love by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (#30).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Mrs. Robinson--Simon and Garfunkel (2nd week at #1)
2 Master Jack--Four Jacks and a Jill
3 Mony Mony--Tommy James and the Shondells
4 Sunshine of Your Love--Cream
5 Blue Bonnie Blue--49th Parallel
6 Delilah--Tom Jones
7 Jumpin' Jack Flash--The Rolling Stones
8 Yummy Yummy Yummy--Ohio Express
9 Angel of the Morning--Merrilee Rush
10 MacArthur Park--Richard Harris
Pick hit of the week: Nights in White Satin--The Moody Blues

Died on this date
Sam Crawford, 88. U.S. baseball player. "Wahoo Sam," a native of Wahoo, Nebraska was a right fielder with the Cincinnati Reds (1899-1902) and Detroit Tigers (1903-1917), batting .309 with 2,961 hits, 97 home runs and 1,525 runs batted in in 2,517 games. His 309 triples remains the major league career record, and 51 of his home runs were hit inside-the-park. Mr. Crawford led the National League in home runs with 16 in 1901, and led the American League in 1908 with 7. He led the AL in RBIs in 1910, 1914, and 1915. Mr. Crawford and Ty Cobb played next to each other in the outfield from 1905-1917, but were not on good terms personally. Mr. Crawford was just 39 hits short of 3,000 when he was released by the Tigers, but he never played in the major leagues again; he did, however, continue his career, playing with the Los Angeles Angels of the AA Pacific Coast League from 1918-1921, amassing another 781 hits. Mr. Crawford coached the University of Southern California Trojans from 1924-1929, compiling a record of 59-46-3. He umpired in the PCL from 1935-1938. Mr. Crawford was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957.

Wes Montgomery, 45. U.S. musician. Mr. Montgomery was one of the most influential jazz guitarists in history, reaching the peak of his popularity in the early-mid 1960s. He branched out into pop music in 1967-1968, increasing his commercial success. Mr. Montgomery had just returned home to Indianapolis from a tour with his quintet when he died of a heart attack.

Boxing
World welterweight champion Curtis Cokes (51-9-3) knocked out Joe N'Gidi (63-11-1) in 4 rounds in a non-title bout at Wembley Stadium in Johannesburg.

30 years ago
1978

On television tonight
James at 16, starring Lance Kerwin, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Hunter Country

Died on this date
Ali Yasin. Kuwaiti terrorist. Mr. Yasin was a leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization was killed in factional Palestinian fighting.

Married on this date
King Hussein of Jordan, 42 and Elizabeth Halaby, 26. Miss Halaby, an American who had converted to Islam, was proclaimed Queen Noor al-Hussein. It was the fourth marriage for King Hussein.

Space
The U.S.S.R. mission Soyuz 29, with a crew of Commander Vladimir Kovalyonok and Flight Engineer Aleksandr Ivanchenkov, lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to dock with the Salyut 6 space station.

Politics and government
Italian President Giovanni Leone resigned from office, hours after the Communist Party called for his resignation because of charges involving him in the Lockheed bribery scandal.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Only One Woman--Alien (4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Anna Malenfant, 85. Canadian singer. Miss Malenfant, a native of Shediac, New Brunswick, was a contralto who was a leading lady in Canadian opera throughout the 1930’s and 40’s. She performed in recitals and taught after 1944, and wrote several songs inspired by the area where she was born. Miss Malenfant died in Montreal.

Terrorism
The Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for a bomb that killed 6 British soldiers when it exploded in their car in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, location of an army headquarters. 10 civilians were injured.

World events
The parliament of the Soviet republic of Armenia passed a resolution calling for reunification of the Armenian Republic with a disputed region of the Azerbaijan Republic. The resolution expressed hope that Azerbaijan would accept reunification.

Diplomacy
Canada expelled eight Soviet diplomats for industrial espionage. The action wasn't made public until June 21.

Economics and finance
The United States Commerce Department reported that the balance of payments on current accounts had risen in the first quarter of 1988 to $39.75 billion from a revised $33.52 billion in the fourth quarter of 1987.

10 years ago
1998

Died on this date
Lew Chudd, 86. Canadian-born U.S. music executive. Mr. Chudd, born Lewis Chudnofsky in Toronto, grew up in Harlem, New York, and worked at the National Broadcasting Company and the U.S. Office of War Information before moving to Los Angeles, where he founded Imperial Records in 1947. The label's artists included Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, Rick Nelson, and Sandy Nelson, who recorded numerous hits through the early 1960s. After Mr. Domino and Mr. Nelson moved to rival record companies in 1963, Mr. Chudd sold Imperial Records to United Artists. He bought several radio stations after leaving the record business, and died in Los Angeles, 26 days before his 87th birthday.