November 11, 2008

230 years ago
1778

War
Loyalists and Seneca Indian forces attacked a fort and village in Cherry Valley in eastern New York during the American Revolutionary War, killing more than 40 civilians and soldiers.

140 years ago
1868

Track and field
The first indoor track and field meet in the United States was held at Empire State Skating Rink in Manhattan, New York City. Races began with the sound of a bass drum, not that of a starting gun, and the track was square and made of clay. William Curtis, who later helped found the New York Athletic Club, won the 75-yard dash in 9.0 seconds. He wore shoes with spikes--common in England, but a novelty in the United States.

110 years ago
1898

Born on this date
René Clair. French film director and writer. Mr. Clair, born René-Lucien Chomette, began his career in silent movies in 1924, but became known for directing some of France's earliest sound films, including Sous les toits de Paris (Under the Roofs of Paris) (1930); Le Million (1931); and À nous la liberté (1931). He worked in England in the mid-late 1930s and then in Hollywood until 1946, with his biggest success coming wih And Then There were None (1945). Mr. Clair returned to France in 1947 and directed films until 1965, but he was seen as out of touch with the times. He increasingly turned to writing, producing journal articles and the occasional work of fiction. Mr. Clair died on March 15, 1981 at the age of 82.

90 years ago
1918

Died on this date
Augustin Trébuchon, 40. French soldier. Private First Class Trébuchon was shot and killed at 10:45 A.M. at Ardenne, France, 15 minutes before the armistice went into effect, becoming the last French combat fatality of World War I.

George Ellison, 40. U.K. soldier. Private Ellison was killed while on patrol on the outskirts of Mons, Belgium at 9:45 A.M., becoming the last British combat fatality of World War I.

George Price, 25. Canadian soldier. Private Price, a native of Falmouth, Nova Scotia and a resident of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan was a member of the Canadian Army's Saskatchewan 28th Battalion. He was shot and killed by a German sniper at 10:58 A.M. at Mons, two minutes before the Armistice went into effect, becoming the British Empire's last combat fatality of World War I.

Henry Gunther, 23. U.S. soldier. Private Gunther served with the American Expeditionary Force's 313th Infantry Regiment. He arrived in France in July 1918 as a supply sergeant, but was demoted to private after a letter home complaining about conditions at the front was intercepted. Private Gunther was reportedly upset about his demotion and determined to redeem his rank, prompting his decision to disobey orders and charge toward the German lines, with just one minute remaining before the armistice went into effect. The German soldiers attempted to wave Pvt. Gunther away, but he was killed by a burst of machine gun fire, becoming the last combat casualty of World War I. His rank of sergeant was posthumously restored.

War
French Field Marshal Ferdinand Foch and the members of the German Armistice Commission signed a formal surrender to end World War I at 5 A.M. in Marshal Foch's railway car in the Forest of Compiègne, to take effect at 11 A.M., as Sir Arthur Currie's Canadian troops chased the last Germans out of Mons, Belgium, under German occupation since 1914. See also here, here, and here.

World events
Józef Piłsudski assumed supreme military power in Poland, marking the symbolic first day of Polish independence.

Emperor Charles I of Austria-Hungary relinquished power.

80 years ago
1928

On the radio
The first nationwide broadcast in the United Kingdom took place as King George V observed the 10th anniversary of the Great War armistice at the Cenotaph in London.

Died on this date
Erne J. Riley, 32. U.S. poetess. Miss Riley, whose poems were often read on radio and who spent her life in a wheelchair or in bed, burned to death in the bedroom of her home in Edgewater, New Jersey while her parents were attending church. She telephoned the fire department, but rescue efforts were too late.

Politics and government
Four days after being forced by the extreme wing of the Radical-Socialist Party to resign his Government of National Union, French Prime Minister Raymond Poincare formed a new cabinet, with the Radicals left out.

75 years ago
1933

Football
IRFU
Toronto (4-2) 11 @ Montreal (4-2) 10
Hamilton (1-5) 14 @ Ottawa (3-3) 7

70 years ago
1938

Football
ORFU
Peterborough (1-5) 0 @ Sarnia (3-1-2) 59

Joe Woodcock scored 3 touchdowns, Pat Butler and Jimmy Shanks scored 2 each, and Bummer Stirling, Pat Parsons, and Harry "Hi" Living each scored a TD for the Imperials as they routed the Orfuns at Davis Field. Mr. Living's eligibility to play was in question; the Imperials claimed that the current resident of Holly, Michigan was born in Hafford, Saskatchewan and lived in Canada until the age of 9 before moving to the United States. Mr. Living's eligibility was upheld at a league meeting two days later when vital records proved that he had been born in Saskatchewan, but the Imperials were fined $50 for having used him before his eligibility was established.

60 years ago
1948

At the movies
Joan of Arc, directed by Victor Fleming and starring Ingrid Bergman, received its premiere screening in New York City.

Football
IRFU
Finals
Ottawa 19 @ Montreal 21 (First game of 2-game total points series)

WIFU
Finals
Saskatchewan 6 @ Calgary 17 (Calgary won 2-game total points series 21-10)

Tony Golab scored 3 touchdowns for the Rough Riders, but it wasn't enough, as Virgil Wagner scored 2 touchdowns and Joey Pal added another to help the Alouettes win at Delorimier Stadium. Ches McCance kicked a field goal and 2 converts for Montreal, and Steve Nemeth added a convert. Mr. Golab returned interceptions for 2 of his touchdowns, and scored the other when he recovered his own punt in the Montreal end zone. Wilf Tremblay converted all 3 Ottawa touchdowns, and Howie Turner added a single.

Paul Rowe rushed for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter and Keith Spaith rushed for another in the 4th quarter as the Stampeders outscored the Roughriders 11-0 in the 2nd half before 10,000 fans at Mewata Stadium to win the first Western championship for a Calgary team since the Tigers in 1911. On the game's first play from scrimmage, Saskatchewan halfback Gabe Patterson, in what turned out to be his final game, rushed 78 yards for a touchdown, which he converted, to give the Roughriders a 10-4 lead in the series. The Stampeders replied when Pete Thodos rushed 34 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown rush by Mr. Spaith. Fred Wilmot converted, and the teams were tied 6-6 in the game and 10-10 in the series at halftime. Mr. Thodos set up the final touchdown with 2 rushes for 31 yards before Mr. Spaith scored, with Mr. Wilmot converting.

50 years ago
1958

War
Algerian provisional government leader Ferhat Abbas said that he was ready to accept a "temporary cease-fire in Algeria and peace negotiation with France" provided they were arranged by the United Nations.

Defense
Following lengthy talks in Moscow, Polish and Soviet leaders issued a joint statement saying that the two countries had agreed to strengthen the Warsaw Pact as a response to U.S. prevention of an East-West summit.

World events
Argentine President Arturo Frondizi declared a 30-day state of siege in the wake of widespread labour unrest.

Terrorism
Cuban guerrillas released 25 passengers and the three-man crew of a Cubana Airlines plane they had seized in Santiago de Cuba on November 5.

Football
CFL
WIFU
Semi-Finals
Saskatchewan 1 @ Edmonton 31 (Edmonton won 2-game total points series 58-12)

Johnny Bright scored 2 touchdowns and Jim Letcavits added a touchdown and a single to help the Eskimos rout the Roughriders at Clarke Stadium. Normie Kwong scored the other Edmonton touchdown, and Joe Mobra added 3 converts and a field goal. Mr. Letcavits caught 5 passes for 139 yards, with his touchdown covering 63 yards on a pass from Don Getty. Edmonton linebacker Don Stephenson made 2 interceptions and recovered a Saskatchewan fumble. Larry Isbell, playing his last game, made an interception for the Roughriders. It was the last game in a Saskatchewan uniform for running back and linebacker Cookie Gilchrist.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Koi no Kisetsu--Pinky and the Killers (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Oh Lord, Why Lord--Pop-Tops (2nd week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Hold Me Tight--Johnny Nash
2 Hey Jude--The Beatles
3 Those were the Days--Mary Hopkin
4 Elenore--The Turtles
5 White Room--Cream
6 Magic Carpet Ride--Steppenwolf
7 Sweet Blindness--The 5th Dimension
8 Midnight Confessions--The Grass Roots
9 Over You--Gary Puckett and the Union Gap
10 Hi-Heel Sneakers--Jose Feliciano

Singles entering the chart were Cycles by Frank Sinatra (#67); Let's Make a Promise by Peaches and Herb (#71); Peace Brother Peace by Bill Medley (#77); Sweet Darlin' by Martha Reeeves and the Vandellas (#78); Right Relations by Johnny Rivers (#80); Only One Woman by the Marbles (#82); Hooked on a Feeling by B.J. Thomas (#87); Goodbye My Love by James Brown (#88); On the Way Home by Buffalo Springfield (#89); Mornin' Glory by Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell (#90); Put Your Head on My Shoulder by the Lettermen (#91); Everybody Got to Believe in Somebody by Sam & Dave (#92); With a Little Help from My Friends by Joe Cocker (#94); Lo Mucho que te Quiero (The More I Love You) by Rene & Rene (#95); Billy You're My Friend by Gene Pitney (#96); King Croesus by World of Oz (#97); Jesse Brady by the McCoys (#98); and Slow Drag by the Intruders (#99).

On television tonight
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Peter Cushing and Nigel Stock, on BBC 1
Tonight's episode: The Musgrave Ritual

War
The U.S. Seventh Air Force and U.S. Navy Task Force 77 began Operation Commando Hunt in Vietnam. The goal was to interdict men and supplies on the Ho Chi Minh trail, through Laos into South Vietnam.

Africana
A new flag of Rhodesia was raised at ceremonies in Salisbury marking the third anniversary of the country's unilateral declaration of independence.

30 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Una donna per amico--Lucio Battisti (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Mama Leone--Bino (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: One Day at a Time--Gloria (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Summer Nights--John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): MacArthur Park--Donna Summer

#1 single in Canada (RPM): You Needed Me--Anne Murray (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Dreadlock Holiday--10 cc
2 Hopelessly Devoted to You--Olivia Newton-John
3 Hot Shot--Karen Young
4 Tell Me Your Plans--The Shirts
5 Summer Nights--John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John & Cast
6 Greased Lightnin'--John Travolta
7 Get Off--Foxy
8 Dear John--Teach In
9 Guust Flater En De Marsupilami--Wij Zijn Twee Vrienden
10 Kiss You All Over--Exile

Singles entering the chart were Love Don't Live Here Anymore by Rose Royce (#17); Malibu by Patricia Paay (#29); Lost in Your Love by John Paul Young (#30); You've Got All of Me by Clout (#32); and Dansa (Don't Quit Dancing) by Massada (#33).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 MacArthur Park--Donna Summer
2 Hot Child in the City--Nick Gilder
3 Kiss You All Over--Exile
4 You Needed Me--Anne Murray
5 Double Vision--Foreigner
6 How Much I Feel--Ambrosia
7 Beast of Burden--The Rolling Stones
8 Whenever I Call You "Friend"--Kenny Loggins
9 Ready to Take a Chance Again--Barry Manilow
10 You Never Done it Like That--Captain & Tennille

Singles entering the chart were Ooh Baby Baby by Linda Ronstadt (#68); Bicycle Race/Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen (#75); Every 1's a Winner by Hot Chocolate (#82); A Man I'll Never Be by Boston (#85); Fire by the Pointer Sisters (#86); Mary Jane by Rick James (#87); Your Sweetness is My Weakness by Barry White (#89); Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? by Chris Rea (#90); and Don't Cry Out Loud by Melissa Manchester (#98).

Football
CFL
Eastern Semi-Final
Hamilton 20 @ Montreal 35

David Green rushed for 3 touchdowns while quarterback Joe Barnes rushed 19 yards for a TD and passed to Bob Gaddis for another as the Alouettes cruised to an easy win over the Tiger-Cats before 37,017 fans at Olympic Stadium. The game was more lopsided than the score indicated; the first Hamilton touchdown came on a CFL playoff record 102-yard fumble return by rookie linebacker Ben Zambiasi. Hamilton backup quarterback Roy Henry mopped up with a couple of touchdown drives, and threw his only CFL touchdown pass to Leif Pettersen in the last minute. For Mr. Pettersen, it was his only touchdown of the season. It was the only CFL game for Montreal defensive lineman Will Wynn.

25 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Karma Chameleon--Culture Club (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Come Back and Stay--Paul Young

Diplomacy
U.S. President Ronald Reagan met separately in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and Emperor Hirohito. Addressing the Japanese Diet, Mr. Reagan declared his opposition to protectionism, but warned that the U.S. Congress might shift toward protectionism if America's trading partners did the same. He also said, "A nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought."

Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau concluded five days of visits to six European capitals as part of his "peace initiative."

The week-long session of the Lebanese national reconciliation talks concluded in Geneva amid signs of progress. Delegates said that the factions had discussed a formula for increasing representation in government for the nation's Muslim majority.

The U.S.S.R. told Syria that factional fighting within the Palestine Liberation Organization must be ended. PLO leader Yasser Arafat said he would not abandon Tripoli, Lebanon without guarantees of safety for his supporters.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Don't Worry Be Happy--Bobby McFerrin (2nd week at #1)

Politics and government
In an attempt to form a governing majority coalition, Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party leader Yitzhak Shamir promised leaders of religious parties that he would support their "Who is a Jew" amendment to Israel's Law of Return. The religious leaders wanted to stipulate that people converted to Judaism by Reform or Conservative (rather than Orthodox) rabbis would not be considered Jews and would therefore not automatically become eligible for citizenship.

10 years ago
1998

At the movies
This blogger, with enjoyable female company, attended a preview screening of Meet Joe Black, produced and directed by Martin Brest, and starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Claire Forlani. It went into general release two days later.

Died on this date
Frank Brimsek, 83. U.S. hockey goaltender. Mr. Brimsek, nicknamed "Mr. Zero," was a native of Eveleth, Minnesota, and became the first great American goalie, playing with the Boston Bruins (1938-43, 1945-49) and Chicago Black Hawks (1949-50), compiling a record of 252-182-80 with a goals against average of 2.70 and 40 shutouts in 514 regular season games, and 32-36 with a GAA of 2.54 with 2 shutouts in 68 games. He had six shutouts in his first seven games, setting an NHL record with a shutout streak of 231 minutes 54 seconds to earn his nickname. Mr. Brimsek won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the National Hockey League's top rookie in 1939, and backstopped the Bruins to Stanley Cup championships in 1939 and 1941. He was a First Team All-Star in 1938-39 and 1941-42, and made the Second Team in six other seasons. Mr. Brimsek was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966.

Diplomacy
The Israeli cabinet narrowly ratified a land-for-peace agreement with the Palestinians.