January 21, 2009

1,070 years ago
939

Died on this date
Yang Pu, 38 or 39. King of Wu, 920-927; Emperor of Wu, 927-937. Yang Pu, posthumously renamed Emperor Rui, was the last ruler of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period state Wu, and the only one who claimed the title of Emperor. His adoptive son Xu Zhigao forced Yang Pu to abdicate in favour of him; Xu Zhigao then founded the Southern Tang dynasty. The cause of Yang Pu's death is unknown.

260 years ago
1749

Disasters
The Teatro Filarmonico in Verona was destroyed by fire; it was rebuilt in 1754.

220 years ago
1789

Literature
The Power of Sympathy by William Hill Brown, widely considered to be the first American novel, was published in Boston by Isaiah Thomas and Company.

200 years ago
1809

Died on this date
Josiah Hornblower, 79. U.K.-born U.S. politician. Mr. Hornblower was a steam an mining engineer who moved to New Jersey in the 1750s. He sat in the New Jersey Assembly (1777-1780), serving as Speaker in 1780). Mr. Hornblow sat in the New Jersey Legislative Council (1781-1784), and was one of the state's delegates to the Continental Congress (1785-1786).

140 years ago
1869

Born on this date
Grigori Rasputin. Russian mystic and political adviser. Mr. Rasputin first met Czar Nicholas II in 1905, and appeared to possess supernatural powers, demonstrated in healing young prince Alexei, who was a hemophiliac. Mr. Rasputin acquired increasing influence at the royal court, attracting increasing opposition from parliamentary politicians. On December 30, 1916, 22 days before his 48th birthday, Mr. Rasputin was shot several times, beaten, and finally drowned, as he proved very difficult to kill. The assassins were a loyalist group led by Prince Felix Yusupov. Mr. Rasputin's body was discovered in a Moscow river three days later.

125 years ago
1884

Born on this date
Roger Baldwin. U.S. political and social activist. Mr. Baldwin was a social worker and probation officer before joining the American Union Against Militarism (AUAM), opposing U.S. participation in World War I, and registering as a conscientious objector. The AUAM created the Civil Liberties Bureau (CLB) in 1917, which became the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in 1920, with Mr. Baldwin serving as its Executive Director until 1950. He was influenced by the radical anarchism of Emma Goldman and praised the U.S.S.R. after a visit there in 1927, but became disenchanted with Communism over the next several decades, leadiing a campaign to purge the ACLU of Communists in the 1940s and condemning Communism as slavery in 1953. Mr. Baldwin died of heart failure on August 26, 1981 at the age of 97.

110 years ago
1899

Hockey
CAHL
Montreal (2-2) 1 @ Quebec (0-3) 2
Montreal Shamrocks (2-1) 5 @ Montreal Victorias (1-1) 2

The Montreal Hockey Club refused to play the last 12 minutes of their game against the Quebec Hockey Club, alleging that referee Fred Chittick was drunk. The game was scheduled to be replayed on February 14, but Quebec declined, and the game was forfeited to Montreal.

90 years ago
1919

Died on this date
Ahmed Muhtar Pasha, 79. Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire (1912). Ahmed Muhtar Pasha had a distinguished military career, rising to the rank of Field Marshal. He served as Governor of Crete (1875-1876, 1878) and took office as Grand Vizier on July 22, 1912, after an opposition group known as the Saviour Officers voided the parliamentary elections--which they regarded as corrupt--and seized power. Ahmed Muhtar Pasha resigned on October 29, 1912, after just four months in office, as a result of the government being taken by surprise at the eruption of the First Balkan War earlier in October.

Gojong, 66. King of Joseon, 1863-1897; Emperor of Korea, 1897-1907. Gojong succeeded Cheoljong as King of Joseon, with his father, the Heungseon Daewongun, serving as regent during his minority. In 1897, Gojong proclaimed the Empire of Korea, and proclaimed himself Emperor Gwangmu. He was forced to abdicate in favour of his son Sunjong in 1907, two years after Korea had lost her independence as a result of the Russo-Japanese War, and three years before Japan annexed Korea. Former Emperor Gwangmu died suddenly; many suspected that he had been poisoned by Japanese officials, and the March First Movement for Korean independence began as a result.

War
Members of the Irish Volunteers (or Irish Republican Army, IRA) ambushed Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) officers who were escorting a consignment of gelignite explosives at Soloheadbeg, County Tipperary, resulting in the deaths of two RIC officers and the seizure of their weapons. This is widely regarded as the first engagement of the Irish War of Independence.

Politics and government
The First Dáil Éireann first convened at the Mansion House in Dublin, adopting a Declaration of Independence, calling for a new sovereign state: the Irish Republic.

75 years ago
1934

Disasters
The Chinese ship Weitung burned on the Yangtze River, killing 216.

60 years ago
1949

On television tonight
Your Show Time, hosted and narrated by Arthur Shields, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Necklace, starring Stanley Andrews and Fay Baker

This was the first episode of the series, which was the first U.S. television series to be shot on film instead of being shown live. The Necklace won an Emmy Award in 1950, making Your Show Time the first series to win an Emmy Award.

Died on this date
J.H. "Jimmy" Thomas, 74. U.K. politician. Mr. Thomas was a trade unionist who was elected to the House of Commons in 1910 as a member of the Labour Party, representing Derby. He was Secretary of State for the Colonies from January-November 1924 in the government of Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. Mr. Thomas was expelled from the Labour Party in 1931 when he chose to remain in Mr. MacDonald's National Government, serving again in his cabinet post from August-November 1931 and November 1935-May 1936. Mr. Thomas was forced to resign from politics when it was revealed that he had been entertained by stock exchange speculators and had dropped heavy hints as to tax changes planned in the budget.

World events
The South Korean government reported an anti-Communist rising in the North Korean town of Haeju near the 38th parallel boundary.

Diplomacy
The U.S.A. granted recognition to the military governments of Venezuela and El Salvador, emphasizing that the action did not "imply any judgment whatsoever as to the domestic policies" of either regime.

Politics and government
Chinese President Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek resigned, turning over leadership of the Nationalist government to Vice President Li Tsung-jen. Chiang immediately left Nanking and flew to his home in Fenghwa. His brother-in-law, T.V. Soong, resigned as Governor of Kwangtung Province in southern China.

The Polish government demoted Deputy Premier Wladyslaw Gomulka to assistant budget director for deviating from the Communist Party line on farm collectivization and Yugoslavia, while Socialist leader Edward Osubka-Morawski resigned as public administration minister for opposing the recent merger of the Communist and Socialist Parties.

South Dakota became the 22nd American state to ratify a proposed constitutional amendment limiting the U.S. President to two terms.

Football
NFL
National Football League directors approved the transfer of the Boston Yanks to New York.

AAFC
Unable to reach an agreement on a merger with the National Football League, the All-America Football Conference announced plans to operate as a seven-team league in 1949.

50 years ago
1959

Died on this date
Cecil B. DeMille, 77. U.S. movie producer and director. Mr. DeMille made over 70 films from 1914-1958, and was known for making large-scale spectacles that were commercially successful. His movies included The Ten Commandments (1923); Union Pacific (1939); and The Ten Commandments (1956). Mr. DeMille won the Academy Award for Best Picture for The Greatest Show on Earth (1952). He died after a series of heart attacks.

Frances Gertrude McGill, 76. Canadian physician. Dr. McGill, a native of Minnedosa, Manitoba, became Saskatchewan's provincial bacteriologist in 1918 and provincial pathologist in 1920, serving in those capacities until 1942. She worked closely with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for many years as a forensic pathologist until her retirement in 1946.

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, 31. U.S. actor. Mr. Switzer achieved fame as Alfalfa, the kid with the cowlick in the Our Gang comedies. He found acting work hard to come by as he got older, and became a skilled hunting and fishing guide. Mr. Switzer was shot to death, in what was ruled a justifiable homicide, by an acquaintance in a dispute over $50 that Mr. Switzer said was owed to him. Mr. Switzer was romantically teamed with Elizabeth Taylor in her first movie, There's One Born Every Minute (1942). His last part was a small role in The Defiant Ones (1958).

Politics and government
Saar Premier Egon Reinert's cabinet resigned shortly before the scheduled opening of talks in Bonn on measures to begin the Saar's economic integration within West Germany under a Franco-German agreement.

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Eloise--Barry Ryan (6th week at #1)

War
A U.S. Navy patrol boat sank 45 small basket-like boats south of Danang after 125 of them had been challenged and broke for the beach. A Communist rocket killed 2 U.S. sailors and wounded 14 others.

Crime
Clay Shaw, 55, owner of the International Trade Mart in New Orleans, went on trial in New Orleans, two years after he had been arrested by New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison and charged with conspiracy in the 1963 assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

Terrorism
FLQ terrorists set off a bomb on Boulevard Crémazie in Montréal.

Boxing
Johnny Famechon (48-4-6) won the World Boxing Council world featherweight title with a 15-round decision over defending champion Jose Legra (108-6-4) at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London.



Hockey
NHL
All-Star Game @ Montreal Forum
West 3 East 3

Claude Larose of the Minnesota North Stars scored with 2:53 remaining in the game to give the West its tie against the East before 16,260 fans in the first All-Star Game played under a divisional format. Red Berenson of the St. Louis Blues scored the first Western goal in the 1st period, and St. Louis teammate Jim Roberts scored in the 2nd period. Frank Mahovlich of the Detroit Red Wings scored in the 1st and 3rd periods, and was named the game's most valuable player. Norm Ullman of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored the third Eastern goal in the 3rd period.



30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Too Much Heaven--Bee Gees

#1 single in Switzerland: Y.M.C.A.--Village People

Football
NFL
Super Bowl XIII @ Orange Bowl, Miami
Pittsburgh 35 Dallas 31

Terry Bradshaw completed 17 of 30 passes for 318 yards and 4 touchdowns to lead the Steelers over the Cowboys before 79,484 fans in the best Super Bowl played to date. Mr. Bradshaw's first 2 touchdown passes were to John Stallworth, covering 28 and 75 yards. Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach completed 17 of 30 passes for 228 yards and 3 touchdowns; he almost had a fourth TD pass in the 3rd quarter, but tight end Jackie Smith, playing the last game of his 16-year Hall of Fame career, dropped a sure touchdown pass in the Pittsburgh end zone, and the Cowboys had to settle for a field goal.



30 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): La Donna Cannone--Francesco De Gregori (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT Top 30): Thriller--Michael Jackson

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Love Me Just a Little Bit More (Totally Hooked on You)--Dolly Dots

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Pipes of Peace--Paul McCartney

#1 single in the U.K.: Pipes of Peace--Paul McCartney (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Owner of a Lonely Heart--Yes

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Owner of a Lonely Heart--Yes
2 Union of the Snake--Duran Duran
3 Break My Stride--Matthew Wilder
4 Talking in Your Sleep--The Romantics
5 Twist of Fate--Olivia Newton-John
6 Karma Chameleon--Culture Club
7 Say Say Say--Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
8 I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues--Elton John
9 The Curly Shuffle--Jump 'n The Saddle
10 Say it Isn't So--Daryl Hall-John Oates

Singles entering the chart were Nobody Told Me by John Lennon (#28); I Want a New Drug by Huey Lewis and the News (#57); Let's Stay Together by Tina Turner (#78); For a Rocker by Jackson Browne (#82); If Only You Knew by Patti LaBelle (#84); New Song by Howard Jones (#85); Over My Head by Toni Basil (#86); Love Has a Mind of its Own by Donna Summer with Matthew Ward (#88); I Will Follow by U2 (#89); and Runner by Manfred Mann's Earth Band (#90).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Karma Chameleon--Culture Club
2 Major Tom (Coming Home)--Peter Schilling
3 Say Say Say--Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
4 Owner of a Lonely Heart--Yes
5 Twist of Fate--Olivia Newton-John
6 Union of the Snake--Duran Duran
7 Love is a Battlefield--Pat Benatar
8 Cum On Feel the Noize--Quiet Riot
9 Talking in Your Sleep--The Romantics
10 All Night Long (All Night)--Lionel Richie

Singles entering the chart were Nobody Told Me by John Lennon (#37); Jump by Van Halen (#40); An Innocent Man by Billy Joel (#44); Holiday by Madonna (#48); and Doesn't Really Matter by Platinum Blonde (#50).

Died on this date
Jackie Wilson, 49. U.S. singer. Known as "Mr. Excitement," Mr. Wilson had an impressive string of singles on the U.S. pop and R&B charts from the late 1950s to the late 1960s, beginning with Reet Petite in 1957. 24 of his singles were top 40 hits in the U.S., and 6 of them hit the top 10. His biggest hit was Night, which hit #4 in the spring of 1960. Other notable hits included Lonely Teardrops (#7, 1960); Baby Workout (#5, 1963); and Higher and Higher (#6, 1967). Mr. Wilson's last U.S. top 40 hit was I Get the Sweetest Feeling, which peaked at #32 in the late summer of 1968. While performing at a Dick Clark oldies show at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, New Jersey on September 29, 1975, Mr. Wilson collapsed with a severe heart attack, falling head-first to the stage while singing Lonely Teardrops. A contributing factor may have been Mr. Wilson's practice of taking salt tablets in order to make him sweat on stage. He suffered serious brain damage, and spent the rest of his life in hospital, where, according to a 1987 report on the ABC-TV newsmagazine program 20/20, he was a victim of neglect. Dick Clark paid his hospital bills. The Commodores' 1985 hit Nightshift paid tribute to Jackie Wilson and Marvin Gaye. Mr. Wilson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): C'è da spostare una macchina--Francesco Salvi (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): First Time--Robin Beck

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Can't Stay Away from You--Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): High--David Hallyday (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Especially for You--Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Two Hearts--Phil Collins
2 Don't Rush Me--Taylor Dayne
3 Armageddon It--Def Leppard
4 My Prerogative--Bobby Brown
5 When I'm with You--Sheriff
6 Every Rose Has its Thorn--Poison
7 Smooth Criminal--Michael Jackson
8 The Way You Love Me--Karyn White
9 When the Children Cry--White Lion
10 Put a Little Love in Your Heart--Annie Lennox and Al Green

Singles entering the chart were Lost in Your Eyes by Debbie Gibson (#42); Just Because by Anita Baker (#62); You're Not Alone by Chicago (#65); Give Me the Keys (And I'll Drive You Crazy) by Huey Lewis and the News (#66); You Got It by Roy Orbison (#85); Tears Run Rings by Marc Almond (#89); Orinoco Flow by Enya (#93); Across the Miles by Survivor (#94); The Last Mile by Cinderella (#96); Stand by R.E.M. (#97); and (Believed You Were) Lucky by 'Til Tuesday (#98).

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Two Hearts--Phil Collins
2 Don't Rush Me--Taylor Dayne
3 Armageddon It--Def Leppard
4 I Remember Holding You--Boys Club
5 Put a Little Love in Your Heart--Annie Lennox and Al Green
6 Every Rose Has its Thorn--Poison
7 Smooth Criminal--Michael Jackson
8 My Prerogative--Bobby Brown
9 Born to Be My Baby--Bon Jovi
10 When I'm with You--Sheriff

Singles entering the chart were Paradise City by Guns 'N' Roses (#62); Lost in Your Eyes by Debbie Gibson (#70); Don't Tell Me Lies by Breathe (#72); The Love in Your Eyes by Eddie Money (#75); Just Because by Anita Baker (#80); Give Me the Keys (And I'll Drive You Crazy) by Huey Lewis and the News (#82); You're Not Alone by Chicago (#84); You Got It by Roy Orbison (#87); Stand by R.E.M. (#90); The Last Mile by Cinderella (#93); Across the Miles by Survivor (#94); and Let's Put the X in Sex by Kiss (#95).

Died on this date
Billy Tipton, 74. U.S. musician. Miss Tipton, born Dorothy Lucille Tipton, was a jazz pianist and saxophonist, who disguised herself as male beginning in 1933, and whose true identity wasn't revealed until after her death. She led various bands in the Pacific Northwestern United States until retiring in the 1970s because of arthritis. Miss Tipton died of a hemorrhaging peptic ulcer 23 days after her 74th birthday, and the autopsy results shocked almost everyone who knew her.

Carl Furillo, 66. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Furillo played right field with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1946-1960, batting .299 with 192 home runs and 1,058 runs bartted in in 1,806 games. In 1953 he led the National League with a .344 batting average. Mr. Furillo played in seven World Series, and was on the winning side in 1955 and 1959. If Mr. Furillo had had just one more hit, he would have finished his major league career with a .300 average.

War
As warfare between Afghan rebels and he Soviet-supported Afghan regime approached, West Germany announced that it was removing its last three envoys from the capital city of Kabul.

Politics and government
Brian Peckford announced his resignation after 10 years as Premier of Newfoundland, his resignation to take effect after the forthcoming provincial election.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by M. Karunanidhi, won 150 of 234 seats in the legislature in the Tamil Nadu state election. DMK's total was an increase of 125 from their total in the most recent election in 1984. Most of DMK's increase came at the expense of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, led by Janaki Ramachandran, who dropped from 97 seats to 2.

Hockey
NHL
Montreal 4 Toronto 3
Pittsburgh 7 Edmonton 4

10 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Susan Strasberg, 60. U.S. actress. Miss Strasberg, the daughter of acting coach Lee Strasberg, began her career on stage as a teenager, and was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as the title character in The Diary of Anne Frank (1955). She appeared in various plays, movies, and television programs, but her career never reached the heights expected after her promising beginning. Miss Strasberg died of breast cancer.

Crime
In one of the largest drug busts in American history, the United States Coast Guard intercepted a ship with over 9,500 pounds of cocaine on board.