November 2, 2008

140 years ago
1868

New Zealandiana
New Zealand officially adopted a standard time to be observed nationally.

80 years ago
1928

Died on this date
E.B. McIntosh. U.S. military aviator. Mr. McIntosh, Chief Aviation Pilot of the U.S. Navy, was killed in an airplane collision at Pensacola, Florida.

Crime
José de León Toral and Mother Superior Maria Copncepcion Acevedo y de la Liata went on trial in Mexico City for the July 17, 1928 assassination of Mexican President-elect General Álvaro Obregón.

Scandal
Prison terms and fines were imposed upon a Republican Party ward leader, two police captains, and three district detectives in Philadelphia who had either been convicted of or had pleaded guilty to extortion, bribery, and conspiracy to extort money from saloon keepers. They were the first sentences growing out of the investigation by the special grand jury, which three days earlier had recommended the dismissal of 18 captains and 3 inspectors, representing nearly half of the commanders of the Philadelphia Police Bureau. The grand jury was investigating gangsters and bootleggers and their reported alliance with police and politicians.

75 years ago
1933

Politics and government
Thomas Pattullo led the Liberal Party to victory in the British Columbia provincial election, taking 34 of 47 seats in the Legislative Assembly with the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation winning 7 seats to form the Opposition.

60 years ago
1948

Politics and government
In a stunning upset, President Harry Truman, who had succeeded to the office upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, was elected to a term as President of the United States in his own right, with running mate Alben W. Barkley winning election as Vice President. Pre-election public opinion polls had long predicted victory for Republican Party candidate Thomas Dewey, whose running mate was California Governor Earl Warren. Mr. Truman earned 303 electoral votes (49.5% of the popular vote) to 189 electoral votes (45.1% of the popular vote) for Mr. Dewey. States' Rights Party candidate Strom Thurmond, who campaigned solely in southern states, took 39 electoral votes (2.4% of the popular vote). Progressive Party candidate Henry Wallace also received 2.4% of the popular vote, but it was spread across the country, and he won no states. In elections for the Senate, the Democrats gained 9 seats to obtain a majority of 54, while the Republicans lost 9 seats to drop to 42. The Democrats also gained a majority in the House of Representatives, gaining 75 seats to increase to 263, while the Republicans lost 75 seats to drop to 171. Congressional candidates elected for the first time included Democratic Senators Hubert Humphrey (Minnesota), Lyndon Johnson (Texas), and Paul Douglas (Illinois), and Representatives Abraham Ribicoff (Democrat--Connecticut) and Gerald Ford (Republican--Michigan). Democrats also posted a net gain of six gubernatorial races, including newcomers Adlai Stevenson (Illinois) and Chester Bowles (Connecticut). Puerto Rico's first gubernatorial election resulted in a victory for Popular Democratic Party candidate Luis Munoz Marin; the Popular Democrats also gained control over both houses of the territory's legislature. It was the first U.S. election to be broadcast live on network television, with John Cameron Swayze, Sid Olson, and Ben Grauer at the anchor desk for NBC in New York.







Society
Massachusetts voters rejected a measure legalizing distribution of birth control information, while Kansas repealed its 68-year-old prohibition statute and Washington approved the sale of liquor in bars and restaurants.

Labour
Measures banning the union shop were defeated in Massachusetts and New Mexico, but won in Arizona.

50 years ago
1958

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The $2,000,000 Defense, starring Barry Sullivan and Leslie Nielsen

Abominations
The Israeli cabinet ordered an inquiry into military responsibility for the 1956 massacre of 43 Kafr Kasim Arabs.

Defense
The U.S.S.R. protested Italian plans for the installation of Jupiter and Thor missiles at American bases in Italy.

World events
Former Pakistani President Iskander Mirza left Karachi for exile in the United Kingdom.

Business
Trans World, Eastern, American, Capital, Pan American, and United Airlines announced a mutual aid agreement in Washington under which lines profiting by strikes against other members of the pact would turn over increased revenues to the struck lines.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Hey Jude/Revolution--The Beatles (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France: Monia--Peter Holm (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Applausi--I Camaleonti

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Heidschi Bumbeidschi--Heintje

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Those were the Days--Mary Hopkin (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Those were the Days--Mary Hopkin (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Hey Jude--The Beatles (6th week at #1)

Italy's Top 10 (Hit Parade Italia)
1 Applausi--Camaleonti
2 Simon says--1910 Fruitgum Co.
3 Sentimento--Patty Pravo
4 Il giocattolo--Gianni Morandi
5 Rain and tears--Aphrodite's Child
6 Azzurro--Adriano Celentano
7 Hey Jude--Beatles
8 Un angelo blu--Equipe 84
9 Il ballo di Simone--Giuliano e i Notturni
10 Il ragazzo che sorride--Al Bano

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Heidschi Bumbeidschi--Heintje
2 Hey Jude--The Beatles
3 Those were the Days--Mary Hopkin
--Sandie Shaw
4 Only One Woman--Marbles
5 My Little Lady--The Tremeloes
6 With a Little Help from My Friends--Joe Cocker
7 Need Your Love So Bad--Fleetwood Mac
8 I Say a Little Prayer--Aretha Franklin
9 I've Got Dreams to Remember--Otis Redding
10 La Bambola--Patty Pravo

Singles entering the chart were White Room by Cream (#20); All Along the Watchtower by the Jimi Hendrix Experience (#23); The Music Box by the Hep Stars (#31); Heintje (Baue Ein Schloss Für Mich) by Wilma (#34); Jezamine by the Casuals (#35); Feelin' Alright? by Traffic (#36); Marianne by Cliff Richard (#37); My Way of Life by Frank Sinatra (#39); and Soul Party by the Free (#40).

U.S.A. Top Ten (Billboard)
1 Hey Jude--The Beatles (6th week at #1)
2 Those were the Days--Mary Hopkin
3 Little Green Apples--O.C. Smith
4 Fire--The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
5 Midnight Confessions--The Grass Roots
6 Elenore--The Turtles
7 Over You--Gary Puckett and the Union Gap
8 Hold Me Tight--Johnny Nash
9 Love Child--Diana Ross and the Supremes
10 White Room--Cream

Singles entering the chart were I Love How You Love Me by Bobby Vinton (#64); Promises, Promises by Dionne Warwick (#66); Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell (#75); For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder (#79); For Once in My Life by Jackie Wilson (#80); Everybody Got to Believe in Somebody by Sam & Dave (#81); Sweet Darlin' by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (#86); Fire by Five by Five (#87); The Star-Spangled Banner by Jose Feliciano (#89); Crown of Creation by Jefferson Airplane (#91); Billy You're My Friend by Gene Pitney (#92); Not Enough Indians by Dean Martin (#93); California Earthquake by Mama Cass (#95); Talking About My Baby by Gloria Walker (#96); The Yard Went on Forever by Richard Harris (#97); and Come On, React by the Fireballs (#100). Promises, Promises was a version of the title song of the Broadway musical. The Star-Spangled Banner was a recording of the version that Mr. Feliciano performed at Tiger Stadium in Detroit prior to the fifth game of the World Series on October 7, 1968.

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Hey Jude--The Beatles (7th week at #1)
2 Those were the Days--Mary Hopkin
3 Little Green Apples--O.C. Smith
4 Fire--The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
5 Over You--Gary Puckett and the Union Gap
6 Elenore--The Turtles
7 Girl Watcher--The O'Kaysions
8 Midnight Confessions--The Grass Roots
9 I've Gotta Get a Message to You--The Bee Gees
10 White Room--Cream

Singles entering the chart were Promises, Promises by Dionne Warwick (#57); Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell (#65); Kentucky Woman by Deep Purple (#67); The Yard Went on Forever by Richard Harris (#69); The Star-Spangled Banner by Jose Feliciano (#73); Main Street by Gary Lewis and the Playboys (#74); Battle Hymn of the Republic by Andy Williams with the St. Charles Borromeo Choir (#77); For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder (#83); California Earthquake by Mama Cass (#85); Too Weak to Fight by Clarence Carter (#86); For Once in My Life by Jackie Wilson (#87); The Ol' Race Track by the Mills Brothers (#88); Both Sides Now by Judy Collins (#91); On the Way Home by Buffalo Springfield (#92); Sweet Darlin' by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (#93); Everybody Got to Believe in Somebody by Sam & Dave (#94); Jesse Brady by the McCoys (#96); Rockin' in the Same Old Boat by Bobby Bland (#99); and Peace Brother Peace by Bill Medley (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Those were the Days--Mary Hopkin (2nd week at #1)
2 Little Green Apples--O.C. Smith
3 Fire--The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
4 Midnight Confessions--The Grass Roots
5 Hey Jude--The Beatles
6 Over You--Gary Puckett and the Union Gap
7 White Room--Cream
8 Elenore--The Turtles
9 Girl Watcher--The O'Kaysions
10 Hold Me Tight--Johnny Nash

Singles entering the chart were Cycles by Frank Sinatra (#72); I Love How You Love Me by Bobby Vinton (#75); Goody Goody Gumdrop by 1910 Fruitgum Co. (#76); You Brought About a Change in Me/For Once in My Life by Jackie Wilson (#81); Let's Make a Promise by Peaches & Herb (#82); Aunt Dora's Love Soul Shack by Arthur Conley (#84); Talking About My Baby by Gloria Walker (#85); Too Weak to Fight by Clarence Carter (#86); Promises, Promises by Dionne Warwick (#87); Everybody Got to Believe in Somebody by Sam & Dave (#89); Harper Valley P.T.A. (Later That Same Day) by Ben Colder (#90); The Yard Went on Forever by Richard Harris (#91); Hooked on a Feeling by B.J. Thomas (#92); Battle Hymn of the Republic by Andy Williams with the St. Charles Borromeo Choir (#93); Do Your Own Thing by Brook Benton (#94); Both Sides Now by the Johnstons (#96); Slow Drag by the Intruders (#98); You're So Young by Shane Martin (#99); and Jesse Brady by the McCoys (#100). Harper Valley P.T.A. (Later That Same Day) was an "answer" to Harper Valley P.T.A. by Jeannie C. Riley, charting at #21.

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Revolution/Hey Jude--The Beatles (7th/1st week at #1)
2 Those were the Days--Mary Hopkin
3 Milk Train--The Everly Brothers
4 Little Arrows--Leapy Lee
5 Over You--Gary Puckett and the Union Gap
6 Fire--Arthur Brown
7 Elenore--The Turtles
8 San Francisco Girls (Return of the Native)--Fever Tree
9 Shoot 'em Up, Baby--Andy Kim
10 All Along the Watchtower--The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Pick hit of the week: Cinnamon--Derek

Football
CFL
Hamilton (6-7-1) 21 @ Montreal (3-9-2) 21
Saskatchewan (12-3-1) 12 @ British Columbia (4-11-1) 6

Dave Fleming scored 2 touchdowns and Tommy-Joe Coffey added 2 converts, 2 field goals, and a single for the Tiger-Cats as they tied the Alouettes before 7,000 fans at Autostade. Carroll Williams, Dennis Duncan, and Mike Gray scored Montreal touchdowns, all converted by David Ray, who played his eighth and last CFL game. The tie was the second straight for the Alouettes.

Bob Kosid returned an interception for the game's only touchdown to help the Roughriders defeat the Lions before 22,645 fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. Saskatchewan fullback George Reed rushed for 5 yards on the final play of the game to win the Eddie James Memorial Trophy as the Western Conference's rushing leader. Mr. Reed finished with 1,222 yards on the season, 2 yards ahead of rookie Jim Evenson of the Lions. It was the fifth straight win for the Roughriders.

CIAU
WCIAA
Alberta (5-1) 8 @ Manitoba (5-1) 25
Saskatchewan (0-6) 17 @ Calgary (2-4) 21

Graham Kinley and Dennis Hrycaiko each scored 2 touchdowns to help the Bisons defeat the Golden Bears before 4,000 fans at Pan-Am Stadium in Winnipeg, forcing a sudden-death playoff in Edmonton a week later to decide the conference championship. With the Golden Bears leading 1-0 early in the 2nd quarter, Alberta punt returner attempted to draw the Bisons into a no yards penalty and lunged at the ball, knocking it into the hands of a Manitoba player at the Alberta 1-yard line. No penalty was called, and the Bisons took possession, with Mr. Kinley scoring on the next play. The Bisons scored 25 straight points until John McManus, who caught 6 passes for 97 yards, scored the only Manitoba touchdown. Kirk Kuppers started at quarterback for Manitoba, but was relieved after the 1st quarter by Bob Kraemer, who did a much better job.

30 years ago
1978

Space
U.S.S.R. cosmonauts Vladimir Kovalyonok and Aleksandr Ivanchenkov, who had gone to the Salyut 6 space station aboard Soyuz 29 on June 15, 1978, returned to Earth to complete Soyuz 31, which had lifted off on August 26 with a crew consisting of Valery Bykovsky and Sigmund Jähn. Cosmonauts Kovalyonok and Ivanchenkov had spent 139 consecutive days in space, a record at the time.

Hockey
NHL
Montreal 4 Washington 2

25 years ago
1983

Society
The U.S. Justice Department sued in federal district court in Brooklyn, New York to obtain medical records of a girl known as "Baby Doe," who had been born on Long Island on October 20 with three major birth defects: an abnormally small head; excess fluid on the brain; and incomplete closure of the spine. Her parents had decided on a limited treatment, including antibiotics. Doctors had advised them that without surgery the girl would die within two years, but that ever with surgery she would be severely mentally retarded and bedridden. In the suit, Justice Department attorneys argued that the hospital's refusal to provide medical records to government investigators constituted violation of the law guaranteeing equal rights to disabled persons. An October 20 court order that the girl undergo surgery had been blocked the same day by a New York state appeals court, which in turn was upheld by a state appellate court.

Politics and government
By a 2-1 margin, white voters in South Africa approved a new constitution granting limited powers to "coloreds" (people of mixed race) and Asians. The plan, supported by Prime Minister P.W. Botha, provided for a tricameral legislature, one branch each for whites, coloreds, and Asians, most of whom were of Indian descent. The office of prime minister was replaced by a strong presidency, with the president to be chosen by an electoral college consisting of 50 whites, 25 coloreds, and 13 Asians. Many supporters of South Africa's apartheid policy of racial separation opposed the reforms, fearing they would be the first steps toward the loss of power by whites. Supporters of rights for the country's black majority also opposed the constitution, which made no provision for participation by blacks in the nation's affairs.

U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed a bill designating the third Monday in January as a national holiday in honour of civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., who had been assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the age of 39. The bill had been passed by the House of Representatives in August and the Senate in October.

Terrorism
General Paul X. Kelley, U.S. Marine Corps commandant at the base in Tripoli, Lebanon, completed three days of testimony before U.S. Senate and House of Representatives committees, conceding that security at the Marine base in Beirut had not been adequate to stop the speeding truck that had delivered the bomb that had destroyed the headquarters building on October 23, with the loss of 241 lives. The House voted 274-153 to reject a motion to cut off funding for the Marines in Lebanon by March 1984.

Defense
A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir said that the United States and Israel would soon step up their strategic cooperation.

Diplomacy
Grenada began returning Cubans who had been captured in the recent invasion of their country to Cuba, where they were hailed as heroes by Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

Football
CFL
The Edmonton Eskimos hosted the last "Fan Fun Section" party at the Kinsmen Field House. The parties, which allowed fans in the chosen sections to meet the players, were held in the 1982 and 1983 seasons. This blogger sat in Section L of Commonwealth Stadium in those days, and this was the only time that our section was chosen for the occasion. The Eskimos had finished the regular season three days earlier with a loss to the Toronto Argonauts to drop to 8-8, and their only chance of making the Western Division playoffs was to have the 4-11 Saskatchewan Roughriders win in Calgary four days later against the 8-7 Stampeders.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Hand in Hand--Koreana (5th week at #1)

Politics and government
In the Israeli general election, no party was able to win a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The Labour Party, led by Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister Shimon Peres, won 49 seats to 47 for the Likud Party, led by Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir. Religious parties won 18 seats and the Arab bloc won 6 seats. Labour and Likud had governed in a coalition since the 1984 election. Labour favoured an international peace conference where the idea of trading "land for peace" would be considered, while Likud favoured taking a harder line against Palestinians.

Diplomacy
The day before British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was to arrive in Poland, Polish leader General Wojciech Jaruzelski warned that she must not meddle in Polish affairs.

Technology
The Morris worm, the first Internet-distributed computer worm to gain significant mainstream media attention, was launched from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.