January 12, 2009

490 years ago
1519

Died on this date
Maximilian I, 59. Holy Roman Emperor, 1493-1519. Maximilian I was the son of Emperor Frederick III, and co-reigned with his father from 1483-1493, reigning alone after his father's death in 1493. Emperor Maximilian I extended the influence of the House of Habsburg; engaged in wars against Italy and France; took measures against Jews; and eventually instituted imperial reforms. He was succeeded by Charles V.

110 years ago
1899

Born on this date
Punch Dickins. Canadian aviator. Clennell Haggerston Dickins, a native of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, moved to Edmonton at the age of 10. He served with the U.K. Royal Flying Corps during World War I as a 2nd Lieutenant, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He played football with the Edmonton Eskimos (1920) and served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (1924-1927), but became known as a pioneering bush pilot in western and northern Canada from the late 1920s through the '30s, travelling more than a million miles. Mr. Dickins returned to military service in World War II as head of the Atlantic Ferry Command and a major exponent of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. He was vice president of Canadian Pacific Airlines, and managed six flight training schools. Mr. Dickins left CP and joined de Havilland Aircraft Canada as a consultant after the war, and greatly influenced the design of the de Havilland short takeoff and landing aircraft that became standard bush planes throughout the world. He was de Havilland Canada's chief sales agent for many years, and flew until he was 78. Mr. Dickins died in Toronto on August 2, 1995 at the age of 96.

Died on this date
Hiram Walker, 72. U.S. distiller. Mr. Walker lived in Detroit, but the Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery distillery in 1858 in what is now Walkerville, Ontario, manufacturing what became known as Canadian Club whiskey. Mr. Walker lived in Windsor, Canada West (now Ontario) from 1859-1864, eventually returning to Detroit, and died after years of failing health. The Hiram Walker Museum is a tourist attraction in downtown Windsor.

Disasters
During a storm, the crew of the Lynmouth Lifeboat Station transported their 10-ton lifeboat 15 miles overland in order to rescue the damaged schooner Forrest Hall, which had 13 crewmen and 5 apprentices aboard.

60 years ago
1949

Died on this date
Willie Howard, 65. Silesian-born U.S. comedian. Mr. Howard, born Wilhelm Levkowitz, and his brother Eugene (born Isidore Levkowitz) were billed as the Howard Brothers, and were popular in vaudeville on Broadway in New York from the 1910s through the 1930s. Eugene was the straight man and Willie the comedian, speaking in a Yiddish dialect and using various ethnic accents. Eugene retired in 1940, and Willie continued as a solo performer. Willie Howard fell ill during a Philadelphia tryout of the show Along Fifth Avenue, and died the day before its Broadway opening.

War
Acting U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lovett met with Israeli, British, and Transjordanian diplomats in Washington in an effort to prevent the extension of Palestine fighting.

Politics and government
The Chinese Nationalist cabinet urged all important officials to leave Nanking for Canton or Taiwan.

U.S. Senator Hubert Humphrey (Democrat-Farm-Labor--Minnesota) succeeded Leon Henderson as chairman of Americans for Democratic Action.

Scandal
Radio commentator Fulton Lewis, Jr. accused the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission of giving secret nuclear information to University of North Carolina President Frank Porter Graham after Mr. Graham had been declared a security risk by the AEC security advisory board.

Economics and finance
U.S.S.R. authorities issued stringent penalties for economic offenses in their zone of Germany, including 10 years' imprisonment for violation of price laws.

The French cabinet froze prices and wages at their levels of December 31, 1948.

50 years ago
1959

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Las Chicas De La Cruz Roja--Ana María Parra (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 The Chipmunk Song--The Chipmunks with David Seville (4th week at #1)
2 Smoke Gets in Your Eyes--The Platters
3 My Happiness--Connie Francis
4 Gotta Travel On--Billy Grammer
5 To Know Him, Is to Love Him--The Teddy Bears
6 Whole Lotta Loving--Fats Domino
7 A Lover's Question--Clyde McPhatter
8 One Night--Elvis Presley
9 Problems--The Everly Brothers
10 Lonesome Town--Ricky Nelson

Singles entering the chart were The Children's Marching Song (Nick Nack Paddy Whack) by Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra (#69); The Children's Marching Song (Nick Nack Paddy Whack) by Mitch Miller and his Orchestra (#73); I'm a Man by Fabian (#79); Trust in Me by Patti Page (#83); Petite Fleur (Little Flower) by Chris Barber's Jazz Band (#90); Good Rockin' Tonight (#92)/With the Wind and the Rain in Your Hair (#97) by Pat Boone; O' Falling Star by the Four Knights (#95); Nola by Billy Williams (#96); Raspberries, Strawberries by the Kingston Trio (#98); You Can't Get to Heaven on Roller Skates by Betty Johnson (#99); and It's Only the Beginning by the Kalin Twins (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 Gotta Travel On--Billy Grammer
2 The Chipmunk Song--The Chipmunks with David Seville
3 Smoke Gets in Your Eyes--The Platters
4 To Know Him is to Love Him--The Teddy Bears
5 I Got Stung/One Night--Elvis Presley
6 Donna/La Bamba--Ritchie Valens
7 Queen of the Hop--Bobby Darin
8 My Happiness--Connie Francis
9 I Got a Feeling/Lonesome Town--Ricky Nelson
10 A Lover's Question--Clyde McPhatter

Singles entering the chart were La Bamba; Good Rockin' Tonight by Pat Boone (#42, charting with its other side, With the Wind and the Rain in Your Hair); Petite Fleur (Little Flower) by Chris Barber's Jazz Band (#46); Wiggle Wiggle by the Accents (#53); Voice in My Heart by Eydie Gorme (#54); Peter Gunn by Ray Anthony (#56); My Man/Alright, Okay, You Win by Peggy Lee (#57); Gazachstahagen by the Wild-Cats (#59); and Tom Thumb's Tune by Patience and Prudence (#60).

Space
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced that it had chosen McDonnell Aircraft Corporation of St. Louis to design and build a Project Mercury space capsule to carry a man into orbit.

Defense
Chief U.S.S.R. nuclear test ban negotiator Semyon Tsarapkin agreed to revise a Soviet draft article on control posts to meet Western objections against specifying the number of such posts to be set up in each participating country.

Politics and government
Willy Brandt was re-elected to a four-year term as Mayor of West Berlin.

Alabama Circuit Court Judge George Wallace refused a federal district court order to turn over county voter registration records to the Federal Civil Rights Commission, saying that he was "willing to take the consequences."

World events
Irish Prime Minister Eamon de Valera rejected appeals for the release of 110 Irish Republican Army members detained in the Curragh military internment camp.

Economics and finance
The Arab Financial Institution for Economic Development came into existence with Libyan acceptance of its charter.

Argentina placed the peso on the free market for the first time in almost 20 years.

Business
Berry Gordy, Jr. founded Motown Records (originally Tamla Records) in Detroit.

40 years ago
1969

Space
The U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 263, the first of some 50 satellites launched by the Soviet Union in 1969 as part of their catch-all satellite series, including weather-watchers, weapons tests, scientific probes, and unmanned checkouts of manned spacecraft.

Golf
Charlie Sifford won a playoff to take the $20,000 first-prize purse in winning the Los Angeles Open. Dick Lotz won the Alameda Open, taking home $10,000.

Football
AFL-NFL
Super Bowl III @ Orange Bowl, Miami
New York Jets 16 Baltimore 7

Quarterback Joe Namath, who had "guaranteed" a win, made good on his boast as he led his Jets to their upset win over the Colts before 75,389 fans. Mr. Namath completed 17 of 28 passes for 206 yards in becoming the only quarterback in Super Bowl history to be chosen as the game's Most Valuable Player without throwing a touchdown pass. However, he surprised the Colts with a ball-control offense. Fullback Matt Snell carried 30 times for 121 yards and rushed 4 yards for the Jets' only touchdown in the second quarter. Mr. Snell also caught 4 passes for 40 yards, while George Sauer led the receivers with 8 for 133. The Colts dominated the first half, but failed to finish their drives. A 58-yard run by Tom Matte led to an interception, while a fumble recovery on the Jets' 12-yard line resulted in a missed field goal attempt by Lou Michaels. Mr. Snell's touchdown, which culminated an 80-yard, 12-play drive, gave the Jets a 7-0 halftime lead. The Jets continued to grind out the yardage in the second half, settling for three field goals by Jim Turner to stretch the lead to 16-0 early in the fourth quarter. Earl Morrall, who had quarterbacked the Colts to a 13-1 regular season record, had a dismal game, completing just 6 of 17 passes for 71 yards and 3 interceptions. Veteran legend Johnny Unitas, who had played very little during the season because of a sore arm, came off the bench in the fourth quarter. He succeeded in finally getting Baltimore on the scoreboard as Jerry Hill scored on a 1-yard rush, converted by Mr. Michaels, with just 3:19 remaining. Super Bowl III made history as the first one in which the American Football League champions had defeated the National Football League champions. Weeb Ewbank, who had coached the Colts to the NFL title in 1958 and 1959, triumphed over his old team, who were led by Don Shula. Mr. Matte led the Colts' attack with 11 carries for 116 yards, and 2 receptions for 30. Mr. Unitas completed 11 of 24 passes for 110 yards and 1 interception.





30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Mary's Boy Child--Boney M.

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Y.M.C.A.--Village People (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Y.M.C.A.--Village People (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Pete Smith, 86. U.S. movie producer, screenwriter, and narrator. Mr. Smith, born Peter Schmidt, was head of the publicity department at Paramount Pictures in the 1920s, then held the same position at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for several years. In the 1930s he began producing, directing, and, in a distinctive voice, narrating short films under the heading of A Pete Smith Specialty. His movies can be seen today on Turner Classic Movies, usually as filler between features; the reader should frequently check the TCM schedule to see when they'll be shown. Most of Mr. Smith's films were humourous, and two of them won Academy Awards: Penny Wisdom (1937--Short Subject, Color) and Quicker'n a Wink (1940--Short Subject, one reel). 14 more of Mr. Smith's "specialties" were nominated for Oscars from 1933 to 1950, including the motivational World War II films Army Champions (1941); Marines in the Making (1942); and Seeing Hands (1943). Mr. Smith was given an honourary Academy Award in 1954 "for his witty and pungent observations on the American scene in his series of Pete Smith Specialties'. The last Pete Smith specialties were released in 1955. Mr. Smith was plagued by poor health in his later years, and committed suicide by jumping to his death from either his ninth-floor room or the roof of the convalescent home where he lived.

Calgariana
The Nickle Arts Museum opened. Alberta oil pioneer Samuel C. Nickle gave the University of Calgary $1 million to start the museum in 1970, to celebrate his 81st birthday; Dr. Carl O. Nickle also donated his 10,000-item coin collection, and the Nickle Family Foundation gave several works of art to the new Museum.

Politics and government
U.S. President Jimmy Carter dismissed former Congresswoman Bella Abzug as co-chairwoman of his National Advisory Committee on Women after its first meeting with him. According to a White House official, "Mrs. Abzug attempted to lecture the President on the duties of the committee and its role in serving the needs of its constituents." The committee was set up after the National Women's Conference in November 1977 to advise the President on women's issues. On January 13 it was announced that more than half of the committee had resigned in protest against the dismissal of Mrs. Abzug.

Disasters
A blizzard struck the midwestern United States, dropping 20 inches of snow in two days and causing at least 100 deaths.

25 years ago
1984

Diplomacy
In Washington, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang signed accords on industrial cooperation, science and technology.

Health
The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute issues a report establishing a relationship between heart attacks and high levels of cholesterol. The study of 3,806 middle-aged men, which had taken 10 years and cost $150 million, showed that diet and medication reduced cholesterol levels, but the researchers emphasized that a change in diet, by itself, could reduce the threat of heart disease. High consumption of saturated fats found in meats and dairy products was identified as a source of high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Economics and finance
A commission appointed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan to find ways to eliminate waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary spending issued its report. The commission, headed by W.R. Grace & Company chairman J. Peter Grace, called for a revision of the federal pension system and cutbacks in a wide range of programs, including food stamps, Medicare, housing subsidies, and loans to farmers. The proposals would allegedly save $424.4 billion over three years. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader said that the commission's proposals reflected the bias of the corporate executives who comprised most of the commission's membership.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Finnish Singles Chart): Back to the Stone Age--Stone (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Especially for You--Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
The comedy program The Kids in the Hall debuted on CBC.

Politics and government
U.S. Vice President and President-elect George Bush named Admiral James Watkins (retired) as Secretary of Energy and former Education Secretary William Bennett as the nation's first "drug czar" in his forthcoming administration.

Business
The South Korean automaker Hyundai produced its first Sonata automobile at its Bromont, Quebec factory.

10 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Lionel Hitchman, 67. Canadian hockey player. Mr. Hitchman, a native of Toronto, was a defenceman with the Ottawa Senators (1922-25) and Boston Bruins (1925-34), scoring 62 points on 28 goals and 34 assists in 417 regular season games and 2 goals and 2 assists in 35 playoff games. He played on Stanley Cup championship teams in 1926 and 1929, and was regarded as one of the best defensive defencemen of his era. His jersey #3 was the first to be retired by the Bruins. Mr. Hitchman worked as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer during off-seasons, and continued that work after his playing career.

Doug Wickenheiser, 37. Canadian-born hockey player. Mr. Wickenheiser, a native of Regina, was a centre who had an outstanding career with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League from 1977-80, scoring 89 goals in his last season and earning the Canadian Hockey League award for Player of the Year. He was the first overall draft choice in the National Hockey League in 1980, being selected by the Montreal Canadiens. The selection of Mr. Wickenheiser was unpopular with Montreal fans, as they wanted the Canadiens to select Denis Savard of the Montreal Juniors. The selection of Mr. Wickenheiser became more unpopular with Montreal fans in subsequent years when Mr. Savard became one of the NHL's best players with the Chicago Blackhawks, while Mr. Wickenheiser was a disappointment with the Canadiens. Mr. Wickenheiser played with the Canadiens (1980-83); St. Louis Blues (1983-87); Vancouver Canucks (1987-88); New York Rangers (1988); and Washington Capitals (1988-90), scoring 276 points on 111 goals and 165 assists in 556 regular season games, and 4 goals and 7 assists in 41 playoff games. He suffered a serious knee injury in an off-ice accident that shortened his NHL career, and he ended his playing days in the minor leagues and European leagues from 1990-94. Mr. Wickenheiser developed a rare form of cancer in the mid-1990s, which eventually killed him. His cousin Hayley Wickenheiser played with the Canadian national women's team for 23 years, and is widely acknowledged as the greatest female hockey player in history.