October 6, 2008

1,390 years ago
618

War
Wang Shichong decisively defeated Li Mi in the Battle of Yanshi, a contest between two rivals contending for the succession to the Sui dynasty in China.

230 years ago
1778

Died on this date
Nathaniel Strong. U.S. military officer. Major Strong was a Patriot leader during the War of American Independence. He was robbed and murdered by one of the men led by Loyalist guerrilla leader Claudius Smith; although Mr. Smith was never known to have killed anyone, he and his two sons were eventually captured and hanged for the crime.

190 years ago
1818

War
Fort Astoria, Oregon was returned to the United States under the War of 1812 peace treaty. The fort was sold to the North West Company by starving Americans in 1813, then formally captured by a British warship. Britain lost the territories of the Pacific Northwest first explored by the Norwesters.

125 years ago
1883

Died on this date
Duc Duc, 31. Emperor of Vietnam, 1883. Duc Duc was named Emperor by three regents on July 20, 1883, but was deposed by the same regents just three days later. Reports differ as to whether he was executed or left to die in captivity.

120 years ago
1888

Born on this date
Roland Garros. French aviator. Mr. Garros set a world altitude record in 1911 of 18,410 feet, and two years later made the first nonstop flight across the Mediterranean Sea. He became a flying ace in the French army during World War I, and was killed when he was shot down on October 5, 1918, the day before his 30th birthday.

Football
ORFU
Hamilton (1-0) 8 @ London (0-1) 1

110 years ago
1898

Academia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the largest American music fraternity, was founded at the New England Conservatory of Music.

100 years ago
1908

World events
The Bosnian crisis erupted when Austria-Hungary formally annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina.

80 years ago
1928

Died on this date
Michael "Sweetheart" Abbatemarco. U.S. gangster. Mr. Abbatemarco, the alleged successor to slain Brooklyn gang leader Frankie Yale, was assassinated.

E.H. Meeks; Willard Smith. U.S. crime victims. Messrs. Meeks and Smith were grocery and drug clerks in Atlanta who were shot to death in a hold-up by two college youths who were looking for "thrills."

Labour
The 25-week textile mill strike in New Bedford, Massachusetts ended with the men agreeing to a 5% wage reduction.

Sport
The United States defeated Argentina 17-6 in the third game of their series to win the polo championship of the Americas before 40,000 fans at International Field at Meadow Brook in Westbury, New York.

Football
CRU
ARU
Edmonton (1-1) 4 @ Calgary (1-0) 18

Mr. Jones drop-kicked a 40-yard field goal and Eric Dolighan scored a rouge for the Eskimos in their loss to the Tigers at Hillhurst Park.

WCIRU
Saskatchewan (0-1) 1 @ Alberta (1-0) 8

The Golden Bears and Huskies were tied 1-1 with 8 minutes remaining in the opening game of the Western Canada Intercollegiate Rugby Union season at Varsity Stadium in Edmonton, but Alberta scored a single to take a 2-1 lead, and Mickey Timothy rushed 40 yards to set up the game's only touchdown.

75 years ago
1933

Died on this date
Orville W. Mosher, 79. U.S. politician. Mr. Mosher, a Republican, was a high school principal and school board president before sitting in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1899-1901) and representing the 10th District in the Wisconsin State Senate (1901-1905).

Baseball
World Series
New York Giants 2 @ Washington Nationals 1 (11 innings) (New York led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Blondy Ryan singled home Travis Jackson with 1 out in the top of the 11th inning as Carl Hubbell went the distance to win the pitchers' duel with Monty Weaver, who lasted 10 1/3 innings, before 26,762 fans at Griffith Stadium.

Football
CRU
ARU
Edmonton (1-1) 4 @ Calgary (1-0) 18

70 years ago
1938

Baseball
World Series
New York Yankees 6 @ Chicago Cubs 3 (New York led best-of-seven series 2-0)

The Cubs, behind the pitching of Dizzy Dean, led 3-2 after 7 innings, but Frank Crosetti hit a 2-run home run in the 8th inning, and Joe DiMaggio hit a 2-run homer off Mr. Dean with none out in the 9th before 42,108 fans at Wrigley Field. Lefty Gomez pitched 7 innings for the Yankees and was credited with the win, while Johnny Murphy pitched 2 scoreless innings to get the save.



60 years ago
1948

At the movies
Sleeping Car to Trieste, directed by John Paddy Carstairs, and starring Jean Kent, Albert Lieven, Derrick De Marney, and Paul Dupuis, opened in theatres in London.



Diplomacy
Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Shertok sent the United Nations General Assembly a memorandum stating Israel's territorial demands: the western Galilee; the new city of Jerusalem; and a land corridor connecting Jerusalem with the rest of Israel. The Arab League states reiterated their refusal to accept the partition of Palestine.

Former U.S. Postmaster General James Farley visited Spanish President Generalissimo Francisco Franco in Madrid and expressed hope for closer U.S.-Spanish relations.

Defense
Argentina and the United States agreed on a four-year U.S. military mission to advise the Argentine Army.

Scandal
The U.S. Justice Department asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate charges by columnist Drew Pearson that House of Representatives Un-American Activities Committee Chairman J. Parnell Thomas had added unnecessary employees to his congressional staff and taken kickbacks from their salaries.

Academia
The University of Oklahoma's board of regents ordered the university to teach Negro student George McLaurin on an individual basis, following a federal court ruling barring exclusion of Mr. McLaurin on racial grounds.

Energy
Westinghouse revealed that it had formed the U.S.A.'s first atomic power division to produce commercial energy from nuclear sources.

Labour
A U.S. House of Representatives Education and Labor subcommittee concluded hearings on alleged Communist domination of New York department store unions by recommending that 13 union officials and attorneys, mainly from the Congress of Industrial Organizations Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union be cited for contempt of Congress.

Baseball
World Series
Cleveland Indians 0 @ Boston Braves 1 (Boston led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Tommy Holmes singled home Phil Masi in the bottom of the 8th inning for the game's only run as the Braves edged the Indians before 40,135 fans at Braves Field. Mr. Masi was on second base and appeared to have been picked off by Cleveland pitcher Bob Feller, but umpire Bill Stewart called him safe. Mr. Feller allowed just 2 hits, while winning pitcher Johnny Sain pitched a 4-hitter.



50 years ago
1958

Hit parade
#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): It's All in the Game--Tommy Edwards (Best Seller--2nd week at #1; Hot 100--2nd week at #1)

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 It's All in the Game--Tommy Edwards (3rd week at #1)
2 Topsy II--Cozy Cole
3 Bird Dog--The Everly Brothers
4 Chantilly Lace--The Big Bopper
5 It's Only Make Believe--Conway Twitty
6 Little Star--The Elegants
7 Rockin' Robin--Bobby Day
8 Summertime Blues--Eddie Cochran
9 How the Time Flies--Jerry Wallace
10 Susie Darlin'--Robin Luke

Singles entering the chart were Come On Let's Go by Ritchie Valens (#44); Queen of the Hop by Bobby Darin (#45); Tom Dooley by the Kingston Trio (#48); Non Dimenticar by Nat "King" Cole (#49); I Got a Feeling by Ricky Nelson (#52); I Really Love You by the Danleers (#54); Poor Boy by the Royaltones (#56); Forget Me Not by the Kalin Twins (#57); and Walking Along by the Diamonds (#58).

On television tonight
Peter Gunn, starring Craig Stevens, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Vicious Dog

War
Communist Chinese Defense Minister Peng Teh-huai announced a seven-day suspension of the bombing of Quemoy "out of humanitarian considerations" to allow Nationalist supply convoys to reach the island unmolested.

Defense
The U.S. Navy's atomic-powered submarine Seawolf surfaced south of Block Island after setting a 60-day endurance record for underwater operation, logging 13,700 nautical miles.

Politics and government
U.A.R. Vice President Sabri al-Assali, the last Prime Minister of independent Syria, resigned in the wake of increasing Syrian discontent over the application of United Arab Republic restrictions in Syria, and the Egyptianization of the U.A.R. civil service.

Law
The U.S. administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced the retirement of Supreme Court Associate Justice Harold Burton.

Disasters
30 people were killed in the collapse of a bridge under the weight of a heavy truck near Corcorna, Colombia.

Football
CFL
WIFU
Winnipeg (10-2) 14 @ Saskatchewan (6-4-1) 13
Calgary (5-6) 14 @ British Columbia (1-10) 15

Leo Lewis scored a touchdown and Jim Van Pelt converted and added a convert, 2 field goals, and a single for the Blue Bombers as they edged the Roughriders at Taylor Field in Regina. The Winnipeg defense stopped Saskatchewan running back Cookie Gilchrist on a third-down gamble at the Winnipeg 2-yard line in the 4th quarter. Jack Hill scored the first Saskatchewan touchdown, but missed the convert, which proved to be the difference in the game. Bob Mulgado scored the other Saskatchewan touchdown on the last play of the game, which Mr. Hill converted.

Al Dorow, playing his first game at quarterback since being acquired from the Saskatchewan Roughriders, rushed for 2 touchdowns, while Ted Hunt added a convert and linebacker Norm Fieldgate scored a safety touch to help the Lions upset the Stampeders before 18,500 fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver for their first win in 6 games under head coach Dan Edwards. Mr. Fieldgate's safety touch was scored when he blocked a Ted Duncan punt, which the Calgary punter recovered in his own end zone. The Stampeders had taken possession after stopping B.C. running back Ed Vereb on a third-down gamble at the Calgary 1-yard line. Mr. Fieldgate also had an interception and a fumble recovery. For the second straight game, Veryl Switzer and Gene Filipski scored the Calgary touchdowns.

Baseball
World Series
Milwaukee Braves 0 @ New York Yankees 7 (Milwaukee led best-of-seven series 3-2)

Gil McDougald hit a solo home run to open the scoring in the 3rd inning and then the Yankees erupted for 6 runs in the 6th as they shut out the Braves before 65,279 fans at Yankee Stadium. Bob Turley pitched a 5-hitter for the win over Lou Burdette.





40 years ago
1968

Diplomacy
James R. Wiggins took office as U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, succeeding George Ball.

Football
CFL
Toronto (6-4) 10 @ Ottawa (6-3-1) 31
Montreal (3-6) 7 @ Saskatchewan (8-3-1) 11

Vic Washington rushed for 73 yards, caught 4 passes for 47 yards, and scored 2 touchdowns, while Margene Adkins caught 2 touchdown passes to help the Rough Riders beat the Argonauts before 25,545 fans at Lansdowne Park. Jim Mankins dressed as the designated import for Ottawa in his first CFL game and played briefly, rushing twice for -1 yard and losing a fumble.

George Reed rushed 3 yards in the 1st quarter for the game's only touchdown to help the Roughriders edge the Alouettes before 18,430 fans at Taylor Field in Regina. David Ray kicked 2 field goals and a single for the Alouettes. Montreal quarterback Carroll Williams threw 2 incomplete passes into the Saskatchewan end zone in the last minute of play.

Baseball
World Series
St. Louis Cardinals 10 @ Detroit Tigers 1 (St. Louis led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Lou Brock led off the game with a home run and later added a double and triple, driving in 4 runs to help the Cardinals rout the Tigers before 53,634 fans at Tiger Stadium in a game that was slowed by two rain delays. Bob Gibson pitched a 5-hitter with 10 strikeouts for his second win of the Series, while hitting a home run and driving in another run with a bases-loaded walk. Detroit third baseman Eddie Mathews batted 1 for 2 with a base on balls, and made an assist and an error in the last game of his 17-year Hall of Fame major league career.



30 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Summer Night City--ABBA

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Rasputin--Boney M.

#1 single in France (IFOP): You're the One that I Want--John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (4th week at #1)

Abominations
The U.S. Congress voted to extend the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment from March 22, 1979 to June 30, 1982, while the Senate rejected proposals to allow states to rescind their ratification.

Baseball
American League Championship Series
Kansas City 5 @ New York 6 (New York led best-of-five series 2-1)

Thurman Munson hit a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning to enable the Yankees to defeat the Royals before 55,445 fans at Yankee Stadium. Kansas City third baseman George Brett hit home runs his first three times at bat, all against Catfish Hunter.







National League Championship Series
Philadelphia 9 @ Los Angeles 4 (Los Angeles led best-of-five series 2-1)

Winning pitcher Steve Carlton helped his own cause with a 3-run home run in the 2nd inning and a 2-run single in the 6th as the Phillies staved off elimination before 55,043 fans at Dodger Stadium.



25 years ago
1983

Died on this date
Terence Cooke, 62. U.S. Roman Catholic cardinal. Rev. Cooke was Archbishop of New York from 1968 until his death; he was elevated to the cardinalate in 1969. Cardinal Cooke was a strong pro-life advocate, and was especially forceful in expressing such views while dying of leukemia.

Politics and government
British Columbia New Democratic Party leader and former Premier Dave Barrett was ejected from the B.C. Legislature for defying a ruling by Speaker Walter Davidson over fiscal restraint bills, becoming the first leader of a Canadian political party to be forcefully ejected from a legislature.

Baseball
American League Championship Series
Chicago 0 @ Baltimore 4 (Best-of-five series tied 1-1)

Mike Boddicker pitched a 5-hitter for the Orioles as they beat the White Sox at Memorial Stadium. Floyd Bannister started on the mound for Chicago and took the loss.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Domino Dancing--Pet Shop Boys

Baseball
American League Championship Series
Oakland 4 @ Boston 3 (Oakland led best-of-seven series 2-0)

The Athletics scored the winning run in the top of the 9th inning on consecutive singles by Ron Hassey, Tony Phillips, and Walt Weiss against Red Sox' relief pitcher Lee Smith before 34,605 fans at Fenway Park.





10 years ago
1998

Died on this date
Mark Belanger, 54. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Belanger was a shortstop with the Baltimore Orioles (1965-1981) and Los Angeles Dodgers (1982), batting .228 with 20 home runs and 389 runs batted in in 2,016 games. He was the best-fielding shortstop of his time, and won eight Gold Gloves. Mr. Belanger helped the Orioles win American League pennants from 1969-1971 and 1979 and the World Series in 1970. He was active in the Major League Baseball Players Association during his playing days, and was an executive with the union in later years. Mr. Belanger was a heavy smoker for 25 years and quit in 1991, but still died of lung cancer.

Stéphane Morin, 29. Canadian hockey player. Mr. Morin was a centre with the Québec Nordiques (1989-92) and Vancouver Canucks (1992-94), scoring 55 points on 16 goals and 39 assists in 90 games. With the Minnesota Moose in 1994-95, he led the International Hockey League in scoring with 114 points on 33 goals and 81 assists. Mr. Morin joined the Berlin Capitals of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga in 1998, and recorded 2 goals and 6 assists in 7 games. In the 2nd period of his seventh game with the Capitals, he complained in the 1st period of feeling unwell, and collapsed on the bench with heart failure in the 2nd period; attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. An autopsy revealed that Mr. Morin had undiagnosed chronic bronchitis, and had previously suffered an undiagnosed heart attack.

Baseball
American League Championship Series
Cleveland 2 @ New York 7 (New York led best-of-seven series 1-0)

The Yankees scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning and coasted to victory before 57,138 fans at Yankee Stadium.