January 27, 2009

150 years ago
1859

Born on this date
Wilhelm II. Kaiser of Germany and King of Prussia, 1888-1918. Kaiser Wilhelm II was the eldest grandchild of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, and was related to many other European monarchs. He succeeded his father Friedrich III on the throne on June 15, 1988; Friedrich III had succeeded his father Wilhelm I just 99 days earlier, but Friedrich was already dying of throat cancer. Wilhelm II dismissed Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in 1890 and launched Germany on an aggressive foreign policy, contributing to the beginning of World War I. The Kaiser eventually lost the support of his military and was forced to abdicate on November 9, 1918, two days before the armistice was signed to end the fighting. The former Kaiser Wilhelm II lived the remainder of his life in exile in Doorn, Netherlands, and died on June 4, 1941 at the age of 82.

Canadiana
George-Étienne Cartier proclaimed Ottawa the capital of the Canadas; as co-Premier, he had strenuously lobbied for Ottawa as Queen Victoria's choice against Montréal, Kingston and Toronto, as a place where French Canadians could feel at home.

140 years ago
1869

Born on this date
Will Marion Cook. U.S. songwriter. Mr. Cook began his musical career as a violinist, but soon became known for writing the music for Negro musicals such as Clorindy, or The Origin of the Cake Walk (1898); In Dahomey (1903); and In Darkeydom (1914). He died of pancreatic cancer on July 19, 1944 at the age of 75.

Japanica
Tokugawa rebels established the Ezo Republic in Hokkaidō.

70 years ago
1939

Aviation
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter plane, piloted by Ben Kelsey, made its first flight.

60 years ago
1949

War
Greek Communist guerrillas offered to discuss peace if the government agreed to a cease-fire and promised to release political prisoners and stop taking U.S. aid.

Politics and government
U.S. President Harry Truman nominated Export-Import Bank Chairman William M. Martin, Jr. as assistant Treasury Secretary. The U.S. Senate confirmed Lewis Hershey as Selective Service director. U.S. Representative Hugh Scott, Jr. (Republican--Pennsylvania) narrowly retained his position as Republican National Committee chairman, defeating challenges by Harold Stassen, Robert McCormick, and Robert Taft. The U.S. House of Representatives Republican conference replaced the House Republican Steering Committee with a Policy Committee chosen on a geographical basis; the measure reduced the policy-making influence of senior Republicans and gave greater weight to "progressives" within the party.

Religion
Athenagoras I was installed in Istanbul as Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Crime
Sam Carr, wanted in Canada on charges of spying for the U.S.S.R., was arrested in New York by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and taken to Ellis Island for deportation.

Society
U.S. Senator Richard Russell (Democrat--Georgia) introduced a measure providing federal aid to encourage the migration of Southern Negroes to northern states.

Economics and finance
The U.S.S.R. and Romania signed a commercial agreement providing for a 150% increase in trade between the two countries.

Business
Former U.S. Postmaster General Robert Hannegan sold his interest in the St. Louis Cardinals baseball club to Fred Saigh, Jr. for about $1 million.

Disasters
A collision between the Chinese ship Taiping and the collier Kienyuan near Shanghai killed 600.

U.S. President Truman allotted $300,000 in disaster funds to snowbound west central and mountain states.

50 years ago
1959

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Night of April 14th, starring Barbara Lord, Isabel Elsom, and Patrick Macnee



Died on this date
Frances Williams, 57. U.S. actress and dancer. Miss Williams starred in musical stage comedies, and has been credited with introducing the Charleston dance. She played herself in the original Broadway productions of The Cocoanuts (1925); George White's Scandals (1926); and George White's Scandals (1928).

Politics and government
U.S.S.R. Premier Nikita Khrushchev told delegates to the 21st Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union that the U.S.S.R. would continue to press for German reunification "by the Germans themselves" through talks between the East and West German governments.

Moroccan National Consultative Assembly President Mehdi Ben Barka proclaimed the formation of a leftist "party of the masses," to be called the Democratic Istiqial (Independence) Party.

Education
U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge (Democrat--Georgia) and seven other Democratic Senators from Southern states introduced a proposed constitutional amendment giving states and localities full power to decide whether to desegregate their schools.

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Kanashiki Tenshi (Those Were the Days)--Mary Hopkin

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Eloise--Barry Ryan (2nd week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 I Started a Joke--The Bee Gees (2nd week at #1)
2 I'm Gonna Make You Love Me--Diana Ross and the Supremes & the Temptations
3 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
4 Worst that Could Happen--Brooklyn Bridge
5 Touch Me--The Doors
6 If I Can Dream--Elvis Presley
7 Hooked on a Feeling--B.J. Thomas
8 Everyday People--Sly & the Family Stone
9 Soulful Strut--Young-Holt Unlimited
10 Wichita Lineman--Glen Campbell

Singles entering the chart were Crossroads by Cream (#69); Hey! Baby by Jose Feliciano (#70); River Deep--Mountain High by Deep Purple (#81); Take Care of Your Homework by Johnnie Taylor (#83); Light My Fire by Rhetta Hughes (#86); I Got a Line on You by Spirit (#87); I'm Gonna Hold on as Long as I Can by the Marvelettes (#89); Getting the Corners by the T.S.U. Tornadoes (#91); Witchi Tai To by Everything is Everything (#92); Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#93); He Called Me Baby by Ella Washington (#94); You Gave Me a Mountain by Frankie Laine (#95); Someday Soon by Judy Collins (#96); Me About You by the Lovin' Spoonful (#98); Cruel War by Sugar n' Spice (#99); and Almost Persuaded by Etta James (#100).

On television tonight
Dragnet 1966, starring Jack Webb and Harry Morgan, on NBC

This made-for-television movie was the pilot for the Dragnet 1967 series, but wasn't shown until this night.



World events
Iraq hanged 14 Iraqis (including 9 Jews), convicted of spying for Israel, stirring a new crisis in the Middle East. Israel denounced the action, and the United States cautioned Israel against retaliatory military action.

Protest
Students protesting against the closure of the London School of Economics seized control of the University of London Union building, saying that they wanted to establish an LSE-in-exile until their own college was reopened. The occupation ended the next day when medical students and others opposed to the occupation removed the protesters.

Northern Ireland Protestant leader Rev. Ian Paisley and his aide Ronald Bunting were each sentenced to three months in prison in Armagh for participating in an unlawful assembly during a Roman Catholic civil rights march there.

Disasters
Nine days of torrential rain in southern California left 91 dead.

Golf
George Archer won the Bing Crosby pro-am at Pebble Beach, California. First prize money was $25,000.

30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): I Can't Stop Loving You (Though I Try)--Leo Sayer

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Too Much Heaven--Bee Gees (2nd week at #1)

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

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick--Ian Dury and The Blockheads

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Y.M.C.A.--Village People (2nd week at #1)
2 Paradise by the Dashboard Light--Meat Loaf
3 Stumblin' In--Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman
4 Le Freak--Chic
5 A Little More Love--Olivia
6 (You Gotta Walk) Don't Look Back--Peter Tosh (support vocals: Mick Jagger)
7 Blame it on the Boogie--The Jacksons
8 Song for Guy--Elton John
9 Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick--Ian Dury and the Blockheads
10 Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?--Rod Stewart

Singles entering the chart were Chiquitita by ABBA (#16); You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) by Meat Loaf (#20); 'k Heb Hele Grote Bloemkoole by André Van Duin (als Meneer De Bok) (#22); Every Time I Think of You by the Babys (#29); Anyway You Do It by Liquid Gold (#34); and Late Night Show by Tiffany (#35).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Le Freak--Chic (5th week at #1)
2 Too Much Heaven--Bee Gees
3 Y.M.C.A.--Village People
4 Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?--Rod Stewart
5 My Life--Billy Joel
6 A Little More Love--Olivia Newton-John
7 Ooh Baby Baby--Linda Ronstadt
8 Hold the Line--Toto
9 Every 1's a Winner--Hot Chocolate
10 September--Earth, Wind & Fire

Singles entering the chart were I Just Fall in Love Again by Anne Murray (#57); Song on the Radio by Al Stewart (#60); Forever in Blue Jeans by Neil Diamond (#66); Baby, I Need Your Lovin' by Eric Carmen (#75); Maybe I'm a Fool by Eddie Money (#81); Music Box Dancer by Frank Mills (#84); Knock on Wood by Amii Stewart (#85); Theme from Superman (Main Title) by John Williams/London Symphony Orchestra (#86); Bad Brakes by Cat Stevens (#87); Livin' it Up (Friday Night) by Bell & James (#88); Stumblin' In by Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman (#89); Fancy Dancer by Frankie Valli (#90); and Shoot Me (With Your Love) by Tasha Thomas (#97).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Le Freak--Chic (7th week at #1)
2 Too Much Heaven--Bee Gees
3 Y.M.C.A.--Village People
4 Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?--Rod Stewart
5 Hold the Line--Toto
6 September--Earth, Wind & Fire
7 Ooh Baby Baby--Linda Ronstadt
8 A Little More Love--Olivia Newton-John
9 Every 1's a Winner--Hot Chocolate
10 Fire--Pointer Sisters

Singles entering the chart were What a Fool Believes by the Doobie Brothers (#54); Song on the Radio by Al Stewart (#77); Forever in Blue Jeans by Neil Diamond (#78); Maybe I'm a Fool by Eddie Money (#82); Knock on Wood by Amii Stewart (#83); Music Box Dancer by Frank Mills (#84); Baby, I Need Your Lovin' by Eric Carmen (#85); Livin' it Up (Friday Night) by Bell & James (#88); Stumblin' In by Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman (#89); Call Out My Name by Zwol (#97); Oh Honey by Delegation (#98); and Superman by Herbie Mann (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Y.M.C.A.--Village People
2 Too Much Heaven--Bee Gees
3 My Life--Billy Joel
4 Le Freak--Chic
5 Sharing the Night Together--Dr. Hook
6 Hold the Line--Toto
7 Promises--Eric Clapton and his Band
8 I Just Wanna Stop--Gino Vannelli
9 Ooh Baby Baby--Linda Ronstadt
10 (Our Love) Don't Throw it All Away--Andy Gibb

Singles entering the chart were Dancin' Shoes by Nigel Olsson (#88); Shake Your Groove Thing by Peaches & Herb (#90); Give You That Love by Rich Dodson (#92); Heaven Knows by Donna Summer (#93); What You Won't Do for Love by Bobby Caldwell (#95); You Stepped Into My Life by Melba Moore (#99); and Crazy Love by Poco (#100).

Religion
Pope John Paul II continued his Latin American visit in Mexico City, greeting Mexico's Polish community, and calling for a more traditional direction for the hemisphere's Roman Catholics.

Hockey
NHL
Boston 1 @ Montreal 3

25 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Come Back and Stay--Paul Young

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Jenseits von Eden--Nino de Angelo (5th week at #1)

Weather
It was 46 degrees F. in Edmonton, the most beautiful day of the year so far.

Popular culture
U.S. pop singer Michael Jackson suffered second-degree burns to his scalp during the filming of a Pepsi commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Economics and finance
The United States Commerce Department reported that the U.S. merchandise trade deficit had totalled $69.4 billion in 1983, breaking the record of $42.7 billion reported in 1982.

Hockey
NHL
Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers registered an assist in the first period of a game against the New Jersey Devils at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, extending his point-scoring streak to a record 51 games.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): First Time--Robin Beck (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Thomas Sopwith, 101. U.K. aviator. Mr. Sopwith began flying in 1910 and in 1912 co-founded the Sopwith Aviation Company, which manufactured more than 18,000 aircraft for Allied forces in World War I, including the Sopwith Camel single-seat fighter plane.

Scandal
Two former executives of Unisys Corporation, a major U.S. defense contractor, pled guilty to making illegal campaign donations to members of Congress.

A civilian employee of the U.S. Marine Corps pled guilty to accepting $43,500 in bribes from a defense consultant to whom he had provided confidential information.

Religion
As part of Christian Awareness Week at the University of Alberta, Regent College professor Loren Wilkinson delivered a talk about the environment.

Economics and finance
The United States Commerce Department reported that the gross national product had grown at an annual rate of 2% in the fourth quarter of 1988, reflecting the impact of the summer of 1988 drought on farm output. For the year as a whole, the economy grew 3.8%, its strongest showing in four years.

10 years ago
1999

Scandal
The United States Senate voted 56-44 to approve a slimmed-down list of just three witnesses to appear at the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. The three witnesses were former White House intern Monica Lewinsky; Vernon Jordan, a friend and adviser to Mr. Clinton; and White House advisor Sidney Blumenthal.

Religion
Pope John Paul II concluded his five-day visit to Mexico and St. Louis with a mass at the Trans World Dome in St. Louis before departing for Rome.