September 3, 2008

1,390 years ago
618

Died on this date
Xue Ju. Emperor of Qin, 617-618. Xue Ju founded the state of Qin in 617, but died of illness and was succeeded by his son Xue Rengao. Xue Rengao was subsequently defeated in battle and killed by the Tang general Li Shimin, ending the state of Qin.

350 years ago
1658

Died on this date
Oliver Cromwell, 59. Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, 1653-1658. Mr. Cromwell was the Member of Parliament for Huntington (1628-1629) and Cambridge (1640-1649), and entered the English Civil War on the side of the "Roundheads," or Parliamentarians. He was a devout independent Puritan, and believed that God was guiding his military victories. Mr. Cromwell signed King Charles I's death warrant in 1949 and then led the "Rump Parliament" from 1649-1653 before dismissing it and accepting the invitation of fellow leaders to serve as Lord Protector. Mr. Cromwell was tolerant of Protestant sects, but not of Roman Catholics, and he remains the subject of divided opinion. He died of a possible kidney or urinary infection, and was succeeded as Lord Protector by his son Richard.

210 years ago
1798

War
The week-long Battle of St. George's Caye began between Spain and Britain off the coast of Belize.

170 years ago
1838

Society
U.S. abolitionist Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery in Baltimore, eventually making his way to New York.

130 years ago
1878

Born on this date
Dorothea Douglass Lambert Chambers. U.K. tennis player. Mrs. Lambert Chambers won the women's singles title at Wimbledon seven times from 1903-1914, and won a gold medal in the women's singles competition at the 1908 Olympic Games in London. She competed until the late 1920s, and then became a coach. Mrs. Lambert Chambers died on January 7, 1960 at the age of 81, and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1981.

Disasters
Over 640 people died when the crowded pleasure boat Princess Alice collided with the Bywell Castle in the River Thames.

125 years ago
1883

Died on this date
Ivan Turgenev, 64. Russian novelist and playwright. Mr. Turgenev's best-known works were the short story collection A Sportsman's Sketches (1852) and the novel Fathers and Sons (1862).

90 years ago
1918

Abominations
The Bolshevik government of Russia published the first official announcement of the Red Terror, a period of repression against political opponents.

80 years ago
1928

Died on this date
Theodore Kucick, 15. U.S. accident victim. Master Kucick, a schoolboy from Queens, New York City, was killed when a home-made bomb exploded in his trousers pocket as he was walking through the yard of his home.

Health
Dengue fever was reported to be epidemic in Greece, Yugoslavia, and Macedonia.

75 years ago
1933

Adventure
Yevgeniy Abalakov became the first man to reach the highest point in the Soviet Union, Communism Peak (now called Ismoil Somoni Peak and situated in Tajikistan) at 24,590 feet (7,495 metres).

60 years ago
1948

At the movies
Larceny, directed by George Sherman, and starring John Payne, Joan Caulfield, Dan Duryea, and Shelley Winters, opened in theatres.



Died on this date
Edvard Beneš, 64. 2nd President of Czechoslovakia, 1935-1938; President of Czechoslovakia in exile, 1939-1945; 4th President of Czechoslaovakia, 1945-1948. Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia, 1921-1922. Mr. Beneš, a member of the Realist Party and then the National Social Party, was Czechoslovakia's Foreign Minister from 1918-1935, and was known as a skilled diplomat. He was forced to resign the presidency under German pressure in October 1938, several days after the Munich agreement, allowing for German annexation and occupation of the Sudetenland. Mr. Beneš soon went into exile in England, remaining there until the end of World War II, when he returned to Prague to lead a coalition government. He was in failing health by 1948, and gave into bullying by Prime Minister Klement Gottwald, a Communist, resulting in a Communist-dominated government. Mr. Beneš refused to sign the Ninth-of-May Constitution and resigned as President on June 7. He died from a stroke.

Politics and government
The Chilean Congress passed a measure outlawing the Communist Party.

Polish Deputy Premier and Communist Party Secretary Wladislaw Gomulka announced his decision to remain at his posts despite his opposition to the party's new policy of nationalizing agriculture and "suppressing" rich peasants.

The U.S. Democratic National Committee asked States' Rights Party U.S. presidential candidate Strom Thurmond to resign as South Carolina Democratic national committeeman.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars concluded a five-day conference in St. Louis after rejecting a resolution by Negro delegates barring future conventions from cities that practiced racial segregation. The convention also endorsed the Mundt-Nixon Communist control bill and refused to support U.S. President Harry Truman's civil rights program.

Protest
Communists in Berlin began occupying City Hall, announcing that they would hold regular meetings and act on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Assembly.

Football
WIFU
Calgary (3-0) 10 @ Winnipeg (1-3) 5

Keith Spaith connected with a pass to Woody Strode for 35 yards on the last play of the game for the only touchdown as the Stampeders beat the Blue Bombers at Osborne Stadium. Bill Wusyk converted the touchdown, and Mr. Spaith added 4 singles. Don Hiney kicked a field goal and Bob Sandberg punted for 2 singles for the Blue Bombers.

50 years ago
1958

Music
The first Miramichi Folksong Festival, founded by Louise Manny, took place in Newcastle, New Brunswick; it continues to be the longest-running festival of its kind in Canada.

Space
U.S. delegate to the United Nations Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. disclosed that U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower had ordered him to begin work on a program for placing space projects under United Nations authority.

Politics and government
U.S. Republican and Democratic national chairmen signed a fair campaign code in Washington, calling on candidates in the November 1958 elections to "condemn the use of personal vilification" and appeals "to prejudice based on race, creed or national origin."

Crime
Bandits killed 20 passengers in a gun and bomb attack on a bus and car near Armenia, Colombia.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Commerce Department ordered the lifting of trade restrictions affecting Communist countries on some strategic materials, but added infrared military equipment and metal parts for shells to the embargo list.

Labour
Testifying before the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Improper Labor-Management Activities, Teamsters union Vice President Harold Gibbons, chief aide to Teamsters President James Hoffa, denied that he had "bought" St. Louis Teamsters Local 688 in 1949 or that he ran unions with the aid of "goons."

50 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Heavenly Club--Les Sauterelles (6th week at #1)

Music
The single A Little Less Conversation/Almost in Love by Elvis Presley was released on RCA Victor Records. Both songs were from the movie Live a Little, Love a Little (1968).

Personal
This blogger began Grade 2 in Miss Whiting's class at Yellowknife Public School.

Boxing
George Chuvalo (50-14-2) knocked Levi Forte (19-21-2) down 3 times and scored a technical knockout in the 2nd round of a heavyweight bout at Miami Beach Auditorium.

30 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Rivers of Babylon--Boney M. (9th week at #1)

Space
Soviet cosmonauts Valery Bykovsky and Sigmund Jähn, who had begun the Soyuz 31 mission on August 26, 1978, landed in Kazakhstan to complete the Soyuz 29 mission. The original Soyuz 29 crew of Vladimir Kovalyonok and Sigmund Jähn had lifted off on June 15 to dock with the Salyut 6 space station. The mission of Soyuz 31 was to provide the Soyuz 29 crew with a fresh spacecraft for their return to Earth, which happened on November 2, 1978.

Terrorism
An Air Rhodesia commercial jet liner was shot down by a surface-to-air missile launched by Zimbabwean African People's Union (ZAPU) guerrillas, killing 38 passengers. ZAPU denied Rhodesian claims that guerrillas massacred 10 of the 18 survivors at the site.

Religion
Albino Cardinal Luciani was consecrated as Pope John Paul I at a mass in St. Peter's Square in Rome before a crowd of 200,000 people and a worldwide television audience. He was the first pope not to be crowned.

Golf
Tom Kite won the B.C. Open in Endicott, New York with a total score of 267. First prize money was $45,000.

25 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in France: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)--Eurythmics (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Dolce Vita--Ryan Paris

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Wings of a Dove--Madness

#1 single in the U.K.: Red Red Wine--UB40

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)--Eurythmics

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)--Eurythmics
2 Every Breath You Take--The Police
3 Maniac--Michael Sembello
4 Puttin' on the Ritz--Taco
5 She Works Hard for the Money--Donna Summer
6 The Safety Dance--Men Without Hats
7 (Keep Feeling) Fascination--The Human League
8 I'll Tumble 4 Ya--Culture Club
9 China Girl--David Bowie
10 Tell Her About It--Billy Joel

Singles entering the chart were Sitting at the Wheel by the Moody Blues (#66); Suddenly Last Summer by the Motels (#72); Delirious by Prince (#74); Unconditional Love by Donna Summer (#83); This Time by Bryan Adams (#85); Take Away by Big Ric (#89); and All I Need to Know by Bette Midler (#90).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Our House--Madness (2nd week at #1)
2 Total Eclipse of the Heart--Bonnie Tyler
3 Every Breath You Take--The Police
4 Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)--Eurythmics
5 Never Gonna Let You Go--Sergio Mendes
6 China Girl--David Bowie
7 Maniac--Michael Sembello
8 She Works Hard for the Money--Donna Summer
9 1999--Prince
10 Electric Avenue--Eddy Grant

Singles entering the chart were Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair) by Sheena Easton (#45); One Thing Leads to Another by the Fixx (#47); and True by Spandau Ballet (#50).

Personal
This blogger and Michael Martin teamed up to play in the Edmonton Trivial Pursuit championships at West Edmonton Mall. In view of time constraints, the rules wre altered so that a team was eliminated with one wrong answer. We had a good run for a while, but were finally tripped up by a question I've long since forgotten. It was still an enjoyable experience.

Defense
Israel began deploying troops behind a fortified line in southern Lebanon and completed the maneuver the next day.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Gimme Five 2--Jovanotti

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Tribute (Right On)--The Pasadenas (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Tribute (Right On)--The Pasadenas (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Nuit de folie--Début de Soirée (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): The Harder I Try--Brother Beyond

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): The Only Way is Up--Yazz and the Plastic Population (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Monkey--George Michael (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Monkey--George Michael (2nd week at #1)
2 I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That--Elton John
3 Sweet Child o' Mine--Guns 'N' Roses
4 Fast Car--Tracy Chapman
5 Simply Irresistible--Robert Palmer
6 Perfect World--Huey Lewis and the News
7 I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love--Chicago
8 Roll With It--Steve Winwood
9 Hands to Heaven--Breathe
10 If it Isn't Love--New Edition

Singles entering the chart were A Groovy Kind of Love by Phil Collins (#56); It Takes Two by Rob Base and D.J. E-Z Rock (#85); Powerful Stuff by the Fabulous Thunderbirds (#86); Waiting for a Star to Fall by Boy Meets Girl (#87); and Heart Don't Fail Me Now by Holy Knight (#88). A Groovy Kind of Love was from the movie Buster (1988). Powerful Stuff was from the movie Cocktail (1988).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Fast Car--Tracy Chapman
2 Simply Irresistible--Robert Palmer
3 Perfect World--Huey Lewis and the News
4 I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That--Elton John
5 Hands to Heaven--Breathe
6 Monkey--George Michael
7 Make Me Lose Control--Eric Carmen
8 Better Be Home Soon--Crowded House
9 Love Will Save the Day--Whitney Houston
10 1-2-3--Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine

Singles entering the chart were A Groovy Kind of Love by Phil Collins (#71); Don't Be Afraid of the Dark by the Robert Cray Band (#73); When I Fall in Love by Natalie Cole (#74); If it Isn't Love by New Edition (#76); Fallen Angel by Poison; Dream On by Blvd. (#79); Staying Together by Debbie Gibson (#81); (He's A) Shape in a Drape by Joe Jackson (#86); When You Put Your Heart in It by Kenny Rogers (#87); Don't Go by Hothouse Flowers (#88); Love and Mercy by Brian Wilson (#89); Spot You in a Coalmine by Corey Hart (#92); Levity by Ian Thomas (#93); My Girl by Myles Goodwyn (#94); and It's Saturday Night by the Razorbacks (#96).

Died on this date
Ferit Melen, 82. Prime Minister of Turkey, 1972-1973. Mr. Melen was a member of various political parties and held various cabinet posts, including Minister of Finance (1962-1965) and Minister of National Defense (1971-1972, 1975-1977) in addition to serving as Prime Minister of a military-approved coalition government.

War
Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz said that the rebellion by Kurds in the northern part of the country had collapsed, but denied that chemical weapons had been used. The Iraqi regime of President Saddam Hussein had been accused of using poison gas against the Kurds, an estimated 100,000 of whom had fled to Turkey.

Football
CIAU
Alberta (0-1) 3 @ British Columbia (1-0) 17

10 years ago
1998

Law
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that people with dangerous sexually transmitted diseases could not have unprotected sex without telling their partner about their condition; violators could be prosecuted.

Labour
A three-week lockout of Ontario Roman Catholic school system teachers began.