January 22, 2009

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Nancy Lear!

1,770 years ago
239

Died on this date
Cao Rui, 33-35. Emperor of Cao Wei, 226-239. Cao Rui, posthumously renamed Emperor Ming, succeeded his father Cao Pi. Cao Rui conducted military campaigns against rival empires, and continued his father's policy of prohibiting princes holding offices. He died after a period of illness, and was succeeded on the throne by his adopted son Cao Fang.

320 years ago
1689

Politics and government
The Convention Parliament convened to determine if James II and VII, the last Roman Catholic monarch of England, Ireland and Scotland, had vacated the thrones when he fled to France in 1688.

230 years ago
1779

Died on this date
Claudius Smith, 42 or 43. U.S. guerrilla leader. Mr. Smith was a Loyalist during the American Revolution who led a band of guerrillas in New York known as the "cowboys." He was not known to have killed anyone, but when one of his men apparently robbed and killed Patriot leader Major Nathaniel Strong on October 6, 1778, Mr. Smith was hanged for the crime.

160 years ago
1849

Born on this date
August Strindberg. Swedish writer. Mr. Strindberg wrote more than 60 plays and more than 30 works of fiction and non-fiction. His novel The Red Room (1879) is frequently called the first modern Swedish novel. He was known for his opposition to what he regarded as reactionary. In his later years, Mr. Strindberg became involved in the occult. He died of stomach cancer on May 14, 1912 at the age of 63.

War
The Siege of Multan ended after nine months when the last Sikh defenders of Multan, Punjab, surrendered to British forces.

140 years ago
1869

Born on this date
José Vicente de Freitas. Prime Minister of Portugal, 1928-1929. General de Freitas served in World War I, and supported the military coup that seized power in 1926. He served as Instruction Minister from 1927-1929. Gen. de Freitas died on September 6, 1952 at the age of 83.

130 years ago
1879

War
In the Anglo-Zulu War, the Battle of Isandlwana resulted in a British defeat, while the Battle of Rorke's Drift, 71 kilometres away from Isandlwana began, resulting in a British victory the next day.

120 years ago
1889

Born on this date
Amos Strunk. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Strunk was an outfielder with the Philadelphia Athletics (1908-1917, 1919-1920, 1924); Boston Red Sox (1918-1919); and Chicago White Sox (1920-1924), batting .284 with 15 home runs and 530 runs batted in in 1,512 games. He was a member of World Series championship teams in 1910, 1911, 1913, and 1918. His best season may have been 1916, when he batted .316 for a Philadelphia team that posted the worst record of any major league team in the 20th century. Mr. Strunk spent 50 years in the insurance business after his baseball career ended, and he died on June 22, 1979 at the age of 90.

Business
Columbia Phonograph was formed in Washington, D.C.

100 years ago
1909

Born on this date
U Thant. Burmese diplomat. Mr. Thant was 3rd Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1961-1971, dealing with world events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the independence of African colonies. He died on November 25, 1974 at the age of 65.

Ann Sothern. U.S. actress. Miss Sothern, born Harriette Arlene Lake, was known for her comic performances in numerous movies and television programs. She starred as the title character in the Maisie film series (1939-1947) and the radio program The Adventures of Maisie (1945-1953). Miss Sothern starred in the television comedy series Private Secretary (1953-1958), and The Ann Sothern Show (1958-1961). She was nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting performance in The Whales of August (1987), her final film. Miss Sothern died of heart failure on March 15, 2001 at the age of 92.

90 years ago
1919

Europeana
The Act Zluky was signed, unifying the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian National Republic.

60 years ago
1949

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Buttons and Bows--Dinah Shore and the Happy Valley Boys; Gene Autry (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard) (Best Seller): A Little Bird Told Me--Evelyn Knight and the Stardusters

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Buttons and Bows--Dinah Shore and the Happy Valley Boys (11th week at #1)
--The Dinning Sisters
2 On a Slow Boat to China--Kay Kyser Orchestra
--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
--Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
--Art Lund
3 My Darling, My Darling--Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae with the Starlighters
--Doris Day and Buddy Clark
4 A Little Bird Told Me--Evelyn Knight and the Stardusters
--Blue Lu Barker
--Paula Watson
5 Until--Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
6 You were Only Fooling (While I was Falling in Love)--Blue Barron and his Orchestra
--The Ink Spots
--Kay Starr
7 Cuanto la Gusta--Carmen Miranda and the Andrews Sisters
8 Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Dinah Shore
9 Far Away Places--Margaret Whiting and the Crew Chiefs
--Bing Crosby
--Perry Como
10 Maybe You'll Be There--Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra

Singles entering the chart were Down by the Station by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra (#35) and Here I'll Stay by Jo Stafford (#36).

On the radio
Tales of Fatima, starring Basil Rathbone, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Fires at Schuyler Square

Died on this date
William Thomas Walsh, 57. U.S. historian. Mr. Walsh several biographies of notable Roman Catholics and occasional works of fiction, expressing a Roman Catholic viewpoint, and sometimes drawing accusations of anti-Semitism.

War
Nationalist forces in Peking surrendered the city to the Communists, while acting President Li Tsung-jen appointed a five-man delegation to negotiate an end to the civil war in the Communist capital of Yenan.

Israeli-Egyptian armistice negotiations in Rhodes were suspended because of disagreement over the extent of Israeli withdrawal to be required in the Negev desert.

Dutch Foreign Minister Derek Stikker rejected United Nations Security Council demands for a cease-fire in Java and Sumatra, claiming that it would result in "chaos."

Rebellious Karen nationalists in Burma isolated Rangoon from railroad connections with the rest of the country by cutting the Rangoon-Mandalay line near Toungoo.

Diplomacy
The 19-nation Asian Conference on Indonesia, meeting in New Delhi, demanded the withdrawal of Dutch forces from Indonesia by March 15 and the creation of an independent Indonesian state. The conference also recommended the creation of regional consultative agencies for Asia and Africa.

Crime
Jules Sioui, a Huron Indian, received a two-year prison sentence in Quebec for conspiracy to incite Canadian Indians to rebellion through his activities as secretary-treasurer of the "Government of the North American Indian Nation."

Academia
The University of Washington Board of Regents dismissed Professors Herbert Phillips and Joseph Butterworth for membership in the Communist Party and Prof. Ralph Gaundlach for refusing to state his position on Communism. The three immediately asked the American Association of University Professors to intervene on their behalf.

Journalism
Detroit Police Commissioner Harry Toy ordered newspaper reporters seeking unrestricted police and fire press cards to sign an anti-Communist loyalty oath.

Track and field
Herb McKenley ran the 220-yard dash in 21 seconds in Sydney to set a world record.

50 years ago
1959

On television tonight
Playhouse 90, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Velvet Alley, starring Art Carney, Leslie Nielsen, Katherine Bard, and Jack Klugman

Rod Serling wrote this semi-autobiographical drama, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, about a writer who tries to achieve success in show business. The supporting cast included Bonita Granville, Micky Dolenz (as Micky Braddock), Dyan Cannon, and Burt Reynolds.



Died on this date
Thomas S. Gordon, 65. U.S. politician. Mr. Gordon, a Democrat, represented Illinois' 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1943-1959, serving as chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs from 1957-1959. He declined to seek re-election in 1958, and died 19 days after leaving office.

Mike Hawthorn, 29. U.K. auto racing driver. Mr. Hawthorn participated in 47 Formula One races from 1952-1958, winning three races, and in 1958 becoming the first British driver to win the world driving championship. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1955, but was involved in the crash that killed 84 spectators and another driver. Mr. Hawthorn was haunted by the death of friend and teammate Peter Collins in the 1958 German Grand Prix, and announced his retirement upon winning the championship. He was killed while apparently racing with an acquaintance on a wet highway, and was believed to be suffering from terminal kidney disease.

Diplomacy
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Carlos Romulo was recalled for consultation following the recall of U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Charles Bohlen.

Finnish President Urho Kekkonen arrived in Leningrad for talks with Soviet officials on improving bilateral trade and relations.

Journalism
An Ankara court suspended the opposition newspaper Ulus for two months and sentenced two of its officers to prison for printing articles offensive to the Turkish government.

Disasters
12 miners working in the Knox Coal Company's Port Griffith mine near Pittsburgh were trapped when flood waters entered the main shaft.

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da--The Marmalade (3rd week at #1)

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Going Up the Country--Canned Heat
2 Eloise--Barry Ryan
3 White Room--Cream
4 Love Child--Diana Ross and the Supremes
5 Chewy Chewy--Ohio Express
6 Hey Jude/Revolution--The Beatles
7 Lily the Pink--The Scaffold
8 Little Arrows--Leapy Lee
9 Scarborough Fair--Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66
10 Elenore/Surfer Dan--The Turtles

Singles entering the chart were Both Sides Now by Judy Collins (#36); Quick Joey Small (Run Joey Run) by the Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus (#39); and Build Me Up Buttercup by the Foundations (#40).

Space
The United States launched OSO 5, the fifth in the Orbiting Solar Observatory Series. The satellite carried eight experiments aimed at gathering high-resolution spectral data about the sun.

World events
U.S.S.R. Communist Party First Secretary Leonid Brezhnev survived what was seen as an assassination attempt, an incident that was not revealed to the public until after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Diplomacy
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau announced its willingness to discuss an exchange of ambassadors with the People's Republic of China.

Politics and government
11 members of U.S. President Richard Nixon's cabinet were sworn in; the only exception was Walter Hickel, Mr. Nixon's nominee for Secretary of the Interior, whose confirmation by the Senate was delayed. Mr. Hickel took office on January 24.

Music
Elvis Presley met one of his idols, Roy Hamilton, for the only time. Mr. Presley was recording at Chips Moman's studio in Memphis late at night, and heard that Mr. Hamilton was recording at the same studio in the daytime. Mr. Hamilton, whose popularity had peaked in the mid-1950s, was attempting to revitalize his career by recording at Mr. Moman's studio. Mr. Presley made sure that he met Mr. Hamilton, and he was so impressed that he offered Mr. Hamilton a song called Angelica that had been written for him by the popular team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Mr. Hamilton did record Angelica, and did an excellent job. Unfortunately, Mr. Hamilton's comeback was not to be. Angelica was one of five songs that he recorded for Mr. Moman's AGP label for an intended album, but he suffered a debilitating stroke three months later, and died on July 20, aged 40. Angelica was the second of three singles by Mr. Hamilton released on AGP, but, like the others, it failed to chart. Meanwhile, Mr. Presley's sessions resulted in Suspicious Minds, one of his most popular songs, and the last to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.



Boxing
Bob Foster (34-4) retained his world light heavyweight title with a technical knockout of Frank DePaula (19-7-3) at 2:17 of the 1st round at Madison Square Garden in New York.



30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Y.M.C.A.--Village People (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Chameleon Army--Pink Lady (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Tú--Umberto Tozzi (8th week at #1)

Politics and government
Former Manitoba Premier Ed Schreyer was installed as Governor General of Canada, succeeding Jules Leger.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Jimmy Carter submitted to Congress a budget of $532 billion for fiscal 1980, allowing for a deficit of $29 billion, as against the $37.4-billion deficit estimated for fiscal 1979. The budget included a 3% real increase in defense spending to $125.8 billion; $600 million in cuts to Social Security; allocation of $2.5 billion for Mr. Carter's anti-inflation wage insurance proposal; an increase of $900 million in foreign aid; and an emphasis on containing hospital costs.

Labour
20,000 public sector workers in the United Kingdom went on a one-day strike.

25 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in France: Flashdance...What a Feeling--Irene Cara (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: ? (Fragezeichen)--Nena (3rd week at #1)

Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz said that U.S.-Soviet talks on reducing conventional armed forces in Europe would resume March 16.

Technology
The television commercial 1984, shown during the 3rd quarter of the Super Bowl telecast on CBS, introduced the Apple Macintosh computer.

Football
Super Bowl XVIII @ Tampa Stadium, Tampa
Los Angeles Raiders 38 Washington 9

Marcus Allen rushed 20 times for a Super Bowl-record 191 yards, including touchdowns of 5 and 74 yards in the 3rd quarter, as the Raiders dethroned the defending Super Bowl champion Redskins before 72,920 fans (see video). Los Angeles opened the scoring in the 1st quarter when Derrick Jensen recovered a blocked punt in the Washington end zone. Chris Bahr converted that touchdown and Cliff Branch's 12-yard reception of a Jim Plunkett pass to give the Raiders a 14-0 lead in the 2nd quarter. Mark Mosely kicked a 24-yard field goal to get the Redskins on the scoreboard, but Jack Squirek returned an interception 5 yards for a touchdown and Mr. Bahr converted to give Los Angeles a 21-3 halftime lead. John Riggins rushed 1 yard for a Washington touchdown in the 3rd quarter to make the score 21-9, but the convert was unsuccessful, and Mr. Allen put the game away with his touchdown runs. Mr. Bahr converted them and kicked a 21-yard field goal in the 4th quarter to conclude the scoring. Mr. Plunkett completed 16 of 25 passes for 172 yards, while Washington quarterback Joe Theismann was 16 of 35 for 243 yards and 2 interceptions. Mr. Branch led all receivers with 94 yards on 6 receptions; Eddie Brown led the Redskins with 3 catches for 93 yards. The Raiders' defense held Mr. Riggins to 64 yards on 26 carries. The championship was the second for the Raiders in the previous four years--both under head coach Tom Flores--and their first since moving from Oakland to Los Angeles in 1982.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)--The Proclaimers (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Bring Me Edelweiss--Edelweiss (2nd week at #1)

Football
Super Bowl XXIII @ Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami
San Francisco 20 Cincinnati 16

Joe Montana's 10-yard touchdown pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds remaining in regulation time concluded a 92-yard drive as the 49ers edged the Bengals before 75,597 fans (see video). The game was tied 6-6 in the 3rd quarter on 2 field goals each by Jim Breech of Cincinnati and Mike Cofer of San Francisco, but after Mr. Cofer's second FG tied the game, Stanford Jennings returned the kickoff 93 yards for the Bengals' only touchdown, converted by Mr. Breech to give the Bengals a 13-6 lead after 3 quarters. Mr. Montana threw 14 yards to Jerry Rice for the 49ers' first touchdown in the 4th quarter, with Mr. Cofer's convert tying the game 13-13. Mr. Breech then kicked a 40-yard field goal to give Cincinnati a 16-13 lead. Mr. Montana completed 23 of 36 passes for 357 yards, while Cincinnati quarterback Boomer Esiason completed just 11 of 25 passes for 144 yards and an interception. Mr. Rice, who caught 11 passes for a Super Bowl-record 215 yards and rushed once for 5 yards, was named the game's most valuable player. Cincinnati's Ickey Woods led all rushers with 20 carries for 79 yards. Mr. Taylor's winning touchdown was his only reception of the game. The championship was the third for the 49ers in the previous 8 years--all under head coach Bill Walsh--including a win over the Bengals in 1982.

10 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Graham Staines, 57 or 58. Australian missionary. Mr. Staines visited India for the first time in 1965, and began a long career as a Christian missionary, particularly ministering among lepers. He and his sons Philip, 10, and Timothy, 6, were at a camp in Manoharpur in eastern India to attend an annual gathering. While asleep in their car, a mob of about 50 Hindus set fire to the car, and prevented them from leaving, allowing them to be burned alive. The trial court sentenced the ringleader of the mob to death, but the sentence was commuted by higher courts to life imprisonment.

Religion
Pope John Paul II arrived in Mexico City to begin a five day papal visit to Mexico and St. Louis.

Boxing
38-year-old Isaac Poole, weighing 256½ pounds, picked up his first win as a professional boxer after 14 straight defeats when he took a 4-round majority decision at Milander Auditorium in Hialeah, Florida over 58-year-old Levi Forte, who was coming off a 21-year layoff, and whose six most recent fights from 1969-1977 had ended in defeat. Mr. Forte, who weighed in at 238 pounds (more than 40 lbs. more than when he fought in the 1960s), retired for good after this bout with a career record of 19-28-2. Two of the judges scored the bout in favour of Mr. Poole, while the third scored it a draw. William Conners was the referee. Those who argue for the abolition of professional boxing can use as evidence the fact that this bout was allowed to take place.