January 28, 2009

940 years ago
1069

Died on this date
Robert de Comines, Earl of Northumbria. English nobleman. The Earl of Northumbria was burned to death in a house fire set by rebels in Durham, after many of his 700-man army had been killed in the streets. The incident led to the Harrying of the North by King William the Conqueror.

150 years ago
1859

Died on this date
Frederick J. Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich, 76. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1827-1828. Mr. Robinson, a Tory, entered the House of Commons in 1806, and gradually rose through the ranks, serving as President of the Board of Trade (1818-1823) and Chancellor of the Exchequer (1823-1827) before being elevated to the peerage in 1827. When Prime Minister George Canning died in office, King George IV appointed Viscount Goderich to succeed him. However, Viscount Goderich had difficulty holding together Mr. Canning's coalition of Tories and Whigs. He was also troubled by his wife's precarious health, and King George mocked the Prime Minister as someone who was always crying in his presence. Viscount Goderich resigned on January 8, 1828 after just four months in office, and was succeeded by the Duke of Wellington. Viscount Goderich joined the Whig Party in 1830 and served as Colonial Secretary from 1830-1833, working for the emancipation of slaves within the British Empire. He again served as President of the Board of Trade from 1841-1843.

William H. Prescott, 62. U.S. historian. Mr. Prescott, credited as America's first scientific historian, specialized in political and military history of late Renaissance Spain and the early Spanish Empire. His books included The History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic (1837); The History of the Conquest of Mexico (1843); A History of the Conquest of Peru (1847); and the unfinished History of the Reign of Phillip II (1856–1858). Mr. Prescott died from a stroke.

110 years ago
1899

Hockey
CAHL
Ottawa (2-1) 1 @ Montreal (3-2) 5
Montreal Victorias (2-1) 5 @ Quebec (0-4) 4

100 years ago
1909

Born on this date
John Thomson. U.K. soccer goalkeeper. Mr. Thomson played 164 games for Celtic (1926-1931), and played on Scottish Cup championship teams in 1927 and 1931. He also played for the Scottish national team in 1930 and 1931. On September 5, 1931, Celtic played Old Firm rival Rangers at Ibrox Park in Glasgow. Early in the 2nd half, Mr. Thomson and Sam English of the Rangers dove for the ball; Mr. English's knee hit Mr. Thomson's skull, causing severe injuries to the goalkeeper. He was taken off on a stretcher, but died at the age of 22 in hospital hours later, after surgery to relieve swelling resulting from a fractured skull. Mr. Thomson was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Defense
The United States ended direct control over Cuba, as American troops left the country with the exception of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, after being there since the Spanish–American War.

80 years ago
1929

Disasters
The bridge spanning Surprise Creek on the Canadian Pacific Railway Mainline at Golden, British Columbia collapseds at 7:45 am.

70 years ago
1939

Died on this date
William Butler Yeats, 73. Irish poet. Mr. Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923 for "inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation." His most frequently-quoted poem is probably The Second Coming (1920).

60 years ago
1949

On television tonight
Your Show Time, hosted and narrated by Arthur Shields, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Sire de Maletroit's Door, starring Morris Carnovsky, Dan O'Herlihy, and Allene Roberts

At the movies
Un homme et son péché (A Man and His Sin), directed by Paul Gury, and starring Hector Charland, Nicole Germain, and Guy Provost, opened in theatres in Quebec. The story of a greedy old man and those he influences in rural Quebec in 1889, Un homme et son péché is considered a classic example of French-Canadian cinema.



Died on this date
Jean-Pierre Wimille, 40. French auto racing driver. Mr. Wimille won 20 Grand Prix races before and after World War II, while serving in the French Resistance during the war. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1937 and 1939. Mr. Wimille was killed while practicing for the 1949 Buenos Aires Grand Prix, a month before his 41st birthday.

Diplomacy
The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg concluded a conference in London by announcing plans to form a Council of Europe as the political basis of a European federation. The organization was to consist of a committee of ministers delegated by member states and an advisory parliament which would consider matters referred to it by the ministerial committee.

Defense
General Bryant Moore succeeded General Maxwell Taylor as superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Journalism
The New York Star ceased publication after seven months. The Star had published its first edition on June 23, 1948, succeeding the liberal-leaning PM, which had begun publication in June 1940 and published its final edition on June 22, 1948.

50 years ago
1959

Died on this date
Walter Beall, 59. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Beall played with the New York Yankees (1924-1927) and Washington Nationals (1929), compiling a record of 5-5 with an earned run average of 4.43 and 1 save in 36 games. The Yankees purchased him from the Rochester Tribe of the AA International League, where he was 25-8 with a 2.76 ERA in 41 games in 1924. Mr. Beall played at least 7 seasons in the minor leagues from 1920-1931, with a record of 59-46. He was said to have an outstanding curveball, but poor control limited his success.

Diplomacy
Cambodian Prime Minister Norodom Sihanouk agreed to renew diplomatic relations with Thailand, following United Nations mediation efforts by Sweden's Baron Johann Beck Friis.

Defense
The Baghdad Pact Ministerial Council ended a three-day meeting in Karachi, Pakistan after failing to solve the problem of Iraq's dormant membership or to end members' fears that the United States would not support them in the event of an attack.

U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles told a closed session of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that the U.S.A. and her allies were in "complete agreement" on "standing firm in Berlin and, if need be, risking war, rather than being taken out of Berlin."

Protest
Colonial troops led by Belgian officers quelled renewed rioting in Leopoldville, Belgian Congo.

Law
Virginia Governor J. Lindsay Almond, Jr. told the state legislature that Virginia must bow to court decisions upholding desegregation, and that he would not use state troops or police to resist them.

Economics and finance
The U.S.S.R. and Yugoslavia signed a trade pact in Moscow calling for the exchange of $108 million worth of goods in 1959, down from 1958's figure of $124 million.

Labour
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent Congress a 20-point message requesting legislation to protect union members and the public from corrupt labour leaders.

Football
NFL
Vince Lombardi, the offensive assistant coach with the New York Giants since 1954 and one of Fordham University's "Seven Blocks of Granite" in the 1930's, was named head coach of the Green Bay Packers. He had helped the Giants win the National Football League championship in 1956.

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da--The Beatles

Disasters
Iran reported 20 people killed, 50 villages inundated, and 30,000 people homeless after the worst floods to hit Khuzistan in more than a century.

Football
AFL-NFL
The American and National Football Leagues held a joint draft of college players. The AFL's Buffalo Bills had the first choice, and selected University of Southern California running back O.J. Simpson. The NFL's Atlanta Falcons had the second choice, and selected University of Notre Dame offensive tackle George Kunz.

30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Le Freak--Chic

#1 single in Switzerland: Y.M.C.A.--Village People (2nd week at #1)

Diplomacy
Senior Communist Party Deputy Chairman Deng Xiaoping arrived in Washington to begin the first official visit to the United States by a top Chinese Communist leader.

Religion
Pope John Paul II continued his Latin American visit in Puebla, Mexico, opening a Latin American bishops' conference.

Hockey
Toronto 2 @ Washington 2

25 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): La Donna Cannone--Francesco De Gregori (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT Top 30): Thriller--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Love of the Common People--Paul Young

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Pipes of Peace--Paul McCartney (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Relax--Frankie Goes to Hollywood

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Owner of a Lonely Heart--Yes (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Owner of a Lonely Heart--Yes (2nd week at #1)
2 Break My Stride--Matthew Wilder
3 Karma Chameleon--Culture Club
4 Talking in Your Sleep--The Romantics
5 Twist of Fate--Olivia Newton-John
6 I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues--Elton John
7 Say Say Say--Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
8 Joanna--Kool & The Gang
9 The Curly Shuffle--Jump 'n The Saddle
10 Running with the Night--Lionel Richie

Singles entering the chart were Got a Hold on Me by Christine McVie (#49); Footloose by Kenny Loggins (#63); Here Comes the Rain Again by Eurythmics (#66); Somebody's Watching Me by Rockwell (#77); Automatic by the Pointer Sisters (#83); Rebel Yell by Billy Idol (#85); Body Talk by Deele (#88); Vitamin L. by the B.E. Taylor Group (#90); and Looks That Kill by Motley Crue (#95). Footloose was the title song of the movie.

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Karma Chameleon--Culture Club (2nd week at #1)
2 Owner of a Lonely Heart--Yes
3 Major Tom (Coming Home)--Peter Schilling
4 Talking in Your Sleep--The Romantics
5 Twist of Fate--Olivia Newton-John
6 Say Say Say--Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
7 Union of the Snake--Duran Duran
8 Red Red Wine--UB40
9 Cum On Feel the Noize--Quiet Riot
10 I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues--Elton John

Singles entering the chart were Send Me an Angel by Real Life (#42); New Moon on Monday by Duran Duran (#43); Here Comes the Rain Again by Eurythmics (#47); I Want a New Drug by Huey Lewis and the News (#48); and I Still Can't Get Over Loving You by Ray Parker, Jr. (#50).

Disasters
Tropical Storm Domoina made landfall in southern Mozambique, eventually causing 214 deaths and some of the most severe flooding so far recorded in the region.

Hockey
NHL
Los Angeles 4 @ Edmonton 2

In their win over the Oilers at Northlands Coliseum, the Kings held Edmonton centre Wayne Gretzky off the scoresheet, ending his record streak at 51 games with at least one point. During the scoring streak, which started October 5, 1983, Mr. Gretzky amassed 153 points on 61 goals and 92 assists.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): C'è da spostare una macchina--Francesco Salvi (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): First Time--Robin Beck (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Tonight--Tina Turner and David Bowie

#1 single in France (SNEP): High--David Hallyday (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart--Marc Almond featuring Gene Pitney

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Two Hearts--Phil Collins (2nd week at #1)
2 When I'm with You--Sheriff
3 Armageddon It--Def Leppard
4 Don't Rush Me--Taylor Dayne
5 When the Children Cry--White Lion
6 Straight Up--Paula Abdul
7 Born to Be My Baby--Bon Jovi
8 The Way You Love Me--Karyn White
9 Wild Thing--Tone Loc
10 All This Time--Tiffany

Singles entering the chart were She Won't Talk to Me by Luther Vandross (#73); Walk the Dinosaur by Was (Not Was) (#74); Feels So Good by Van Halen (#79); Bring Down the Moon by Boy Meets Girl (#82); Cryin' by Vixen (#86); Superwoman by Karyn White (#87); Left to My Own Devices by Pet Shop Boys (#92); Into You by Giant Steps (#96); and She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals (#97).

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Don't Rush Me--Taylor Dayne
2 Armageddon It--Def Leppard
3 Two Hearts--Phil Collins
4 When I'm with You--Sheriff
5 Straight Up--Paula Abdul
6 Born to Be My Baby--Bon Jovi
7 The Way You Love Me--Karyn White
8 When the Children Cry--White Lion
9 I Remember Holding You--Boys Club
10 All This Time--Tiffany

Singles entering the chart were Cryin' by Vixen (#75); Dreamin' by Vanessa Williams (#77); Walk the Dinosaur by Was (Not Was) (#78); She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals (#80); Orinoco Flow by Enya (#82); Tell Her by Kenny Loggins (#85); Left to My Own Devices by Pet Shop Boys (#87); Heaven Knows by When in Rome (#89); and Got it Made by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (#92).

Died on this date
Choekyi Gyaltsen, 50. Tibetan religious leader. Mr. Gyaltsen was the 10th Panchen Lama--the highest-ranking member of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism--after the Dalai Lama. Mr. Gyaltsen supported China's claim to Tibet, but later expressed criticism of China's treatment of Tibet, and was imprisoned from 1964-1977. He was visiting Tibet when he died, reportedly of a heart attack. Conspiracy theories abound.

10 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Valery Gavrilin, 59. U.S.S.R. composer. Mr. Gavrilin composed works in various genres, but was perhaps best known for choral works and film scores. His work was characterized by melodies inspired by Russian folk songs. Mr. Gavrilin died after two severe heart attacks.

Crime
Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan, honoring a personal request for mercy from Pope John Paul II, spared a triple murderer from execution.