February 10, 2009

180 years ago
1829

Died on this date
Leo XII, 68. Roman Catholic Pope, 1823-1829. Leo XII, born Annibale Francesco Clemente Melchiorre Girolamo Nicola Sermattei della Genga, was ordained to the priesthood in 1783, became a cardinal in 1816, and succeeded Pius VII as pope in 1823. Pope Leo XII negotiated concordats that were advantageous to the papacy, and pursued a very conservative social policy, making him very unpopular with the people. He died after suddenly taking ill, and was succeeded by Pius VIII.

150 years ago
1859

Born on this date
Alexandre Millerand. Prime Minister of France, 1920; President of France, 1920-1924. Mr. Millerand, a Socialist, sat in the Chamber of Deputies from 1885-1920, serving as Prime Minister from January-September 1920 before succeeding Paul Deschanel as President. He died on April 7, 1943 at the age of 84.

110 years ago
1899

Born on this date
Cevdet Sunay. 5th President of Turkey, 1966-1973. General Sunay was Commander of the Turkish Army from June-August 1960, and then Chief of the General Staff of Turkey until he was appointed to the Senate on March 14, 1966. Two weeks later, he was elected President by the Grand National Assembly, replacing Cemal Gürsel, who had resigned because of illness. After serving his term as President, Gen. Sunay became a permanent Senator until his death on May 22, 1982 at the age of 83.

90 years ago
1919

Diplomacy
The Inter-Allied Women's Conference opened in Paris as a parallel to the Paris Peace Conference; it was convened to introduce women's issues to the peace process following the end of World War I.

70 years ago
1939

Died on this date
Pius XI, 81. Roman Catholic Pope, 1922-1939. Born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, Pius XI succeeded Benedict XV as pope in 1922. During his pontificacy, Fascists took power in Italy and Nazis took power in Germany, and Pope Pius XI signed concordats with these and other regimes. As a result of the Lateran Treaty in 1929, Vatican City became an independent state, and Pope Pius XI was its first sovereign. He embraced technology, and founded Vatican Radio, officially opening the station on December 13, 1931. Pius XI issued encyclicals on issues and social and economic justice, and was working on the encyclical Humani Generis Unitas (The Unity of the Human Race) at the time of his death, but the encyclical, which denounced racism, anti-Semitism, colonialism, and violent nationalism, was never promulgated. Pius XI was succeeded as pope by Pius XII.

War
In the Spanish Civil War, Nationalist forces concluded their conquest of Catalonia and sealed the border with France.

60 years ago
1949

Theatre
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, directed by Elia Kazan, and starring Lee J. Cobb, Mildred Dunnock, Arthur Kennedy, Howard Smith, and Cameron Mitchell, opened at the Morosco Theatre on Broadway in New York.

Diplomacy
North Korea formally applied for United Nations membership.

French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman received West Berlin Mayor Ernst Reuter in Paris in the first official visit of a leading German to France since the end of World War II.

World events
15 Protestant church leaders were indicted in Bulgaria on charges of espionage and black market dealings.

Terrorism
An Israeli military court in Acre sentenced Stern Gang leaders Nathan Yellin and Matityahu Shmulevitz to prison terms of eight and five years for terrorist activities.

Politics and government
The U.S. Federal Loyalty Review Board cleared Commerce Department official William Remington, accused by Elizabeth Bentley of participating in a Communist spy ring during the 1930s. The Board's finding permitted Mr. Remington's reinstatement in the Commerce Department.

Crime
A special court in New Delhi handed down a death sentence for Nathuram Vinayak Godse, confessed assassin of Hindu nationalist leader Mohandas Gandhi.

Scandal
U.S. tennis legend Bill Tilden was convicted in Los Angeles and sentenced to a year in prison on a morals charge involving a 14-year-old boy.

Labour
A clash between United Auto Workers of America organizers and Congress of Industrial Organizations United Farm Equipment Workers members in Moline, Illinois resulted in 22 injuries, following the UFE's refusal to merge with the UAW in accordance with CIO orders.

Basketball
BAA
Indianapolis (15-31) 87 @ Philadelphia (21-25) 108
Rochester (32-12) 90 @ Baltimore (23-22) 76
New York (22-20) 75 @ Minneapolis (30-11) 95

Joe Fulks set a Basketball Association of America single-game record with 63 points as he led the Warriors over the Jets at Philadelphia Arena. Mr. Fulks was successful on 27 of 56 field goal attempts and 9 of 14 free throws. Leo Mogus led Indianapolis with 14 points.

Arnie Risen scored 27 points and Bob Davies added 25 to help the Royals defeat the Bullets at Baltimore Coliseum. Chick Reiser led Baltimore scorers with 25 points.

George Mikan scored 21 points and Herm Schaefer added 18 to help the Lakers defeat the Knickerbockers at Minneapolis Auditorium. Bud Palmer led New York scorers with 14 points, with Lee Knorek adding 13.

50 years ago
1959

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Dark Room, starring Marcel Dalio, Cloris Leachman, and Paul Dubov



World events
Nine French technicians and five French embassy employees were arrested in Tunis and charged with espionage for tapping telephone lines to the offices of Tunisian leaders and the headquarters of the Algerian provisional government.

Defense
The annual British White Paper on Defense outlined a $4.4-billion military program for 1959-60, emphasizing missile and bomber development.

Disasters
A tornado hit a residential area of north-central St. Louis, causing 22 deaths, injuring 350, and making 5,000 people homeless. With damage estimated at $12 million, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared St. Louis a disaster area.

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Blue Light Yokohama--Ayumi Ishida

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Eloise--Barry Ryan (4th week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Touch Me--The Doors
2 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
3 Worst that Could Happen--Brooklyn Bridge
4 Everyday People--Sly & the Family Stone
5 Build Me Up Buttercup--The Foundations
6 Can I Change My Mind--Tyrone Davis
7 You Showed Me--The Turtles
8 This Magic Moment--Jay and the Americans
9 I Started a Joke--The Bee Gees
10 I've Gotta Be Me--Sammy Davis, Jr.

Singles entering the chart were Heaven by the Rascals (#72); Glad She's a Woman by Bobby Goldsboro (#76); Time of the Season by the Zombies (#78); Maybe Tomorrow by the Iveys (#79); My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me) by David Ruffin (#82); Honey (I Miss You) by O.C. Smith (#83); Sweeter than Sugar by Ohio Express (#86); Mr.Sun, Mr. Moon by Paul Revere and the Raiders (#88); Sophisticated Cissy by the Meters (#89); I Don't Want to Cry by Ruby Winters (#90); Long Line Rider by Bobby Darin (#91); All that I Love by Michael Tarry (#93); So Come with Me by Witness (#94); Grits Ain't Groceries (All Around the World) by Little Milton (#95); You've Got That Lovin' Look by A Mythical Meadow (#98); and Twilight Woman by the 49th Parallel (#99).

At the movies
The Guru, co-written and directed by James Ivory, and starring Rita Tushingham, Michael York, Utpal Dutt, and Mudhar Jaffrey, opened in theatres.



Music
The album 20/20 by the Beach Boys was released on Capitol Records.

Diplomacy
The Canadian House of Commons was told that the Canadian embassy in Stockholm had been instructed to start talks with the Communist Chinese mission there, with an eye to creating diplomatic relations between the countries.

Politics and government
The United Thai People's Party, led by Thanom Kittikachorn, won a plurality in Thailand's first general election in 11 years. The UTPP won 75 of 219 seats in the House of Representatives, with 72 independent candidates being elected, while the Democratic party, led by Seni Pramoj, won 57 seats. 30 of the 72 independents joined the UTPP, giving it a total of 105 seats, while another 24 formed the Liberal Independent Party.

Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau announced the creation of Information Canada as the federal government's printing and publicity centre, with an initial budget of $7.25 million.

30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): I Can't Stop Loving You (Though I Try)--Leo Sayer (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Mi scappa la pipì, papà--Pippo Franco

#1 single in Ireland: Chiquitita--ABBA

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Heart of Glass--Blondie (2nd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 (You Gotta Walk) Don't Look Back--Peter Tosh (support vocals: Mick Jagger)
2 Le Freak--Chic
3 Y.M.C.A.--Village People
4 Chiquitita--ABBA
5 You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)--Meat Loaf
6 Song for Guy--Elton John
7 'k Heb Hele Grote Bloemkoole--André Van Duin (als Meneer De Bok)
8 Stumblin' In--Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman
9 I Love the Night Life (Disco Round)--Alicia Bridges
10 How You Gonna See Me Now--Alice Cooper

Singles entering the chart were I was Made for Dancin' by Leif Garrett (#29); My Life by Billy Joel (#32); Contact by Edwin Starr (#33); B-A-B-Y by Rachel Sweet (#37); Kant Aan M'n Broek by Rita Corita (#38); and Ma-Di-Wo-Do by Bontjie Stars (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?--Rod Stewart
2 Y.M.C.A.--Village People
3 Le Freak--Chic
4 A Little More Love--Olivia Newton-John
5 Fire--Pointer Sisters
6 Every 1's a Winner--Hot Chocolate
7 I Will Survive--Gloria Gaynor
8 September--Earth, Wind & Fire
9 Too Much Heaven--Bee Gees
10 Lotta Love--Nicolette Larson

Singles entering the chart were Tragedy by the Bee Gees (#29); Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits (#47); Big Shot by Billy Joel (#67); He's the Greatest Dancer by Sister Sledge (#69); Take Me Home by Cher (#75); Just One Look by Linda Ronstadt (#80); Contact by Edwin Starr (#84); I'll Supply the Love by Toto (#86); Precious Love by Bob Welch (#87); I Want Your Love by Chic (#88); Now that We Found Love by Third World (#89); and Love Struck by Stonebolt (#90).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?--Rod Stewart (2nd week at #1)
2 Le Freak--Chic
3 Fire--Pointer Sisters
4 Y.M.C.A.--Village People
5 A Little More Love--Olivia Newton-John
6 Too Much Heaven--Bee Gees
7 Every 1's a Winner--Hot Chocolate
8 Lotta Love--Nicolette Larson
9 Soul Man--Blues Brothers
10 Got to Be Real--Cheryl Lynn

Singles entering the chart were Tragedy by the Bee Gees (#32); Big Shot by Billy Joel (#53); Precious Love by Bob Welch (#80); Four Strong Winds by Neil Young (#83); I'll Supply the Love by Toto (#84); Don't Stop Me Now by Queen (#86); I Want Your Love by Chic (#87); Heart of Glass by Blondie (#88); Sinner Man by Sarah Dash (#89); Take Me Home by Cher (#90); Roxanne by the Police (#98); and Nanu, Nanu (I Wanna Get Funky Wich You) by Daddy Dewdrop (#99).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Too Much Heaven--Bee Gees (2nd week at #1)
2 Y.M.C.A.--Village People
3 My Life--Billy Joel
4 Le Freak--Chic
5 Hold the Line--Toto
6 Ooh Baby Baby--Linda Ronstadt
7 A Little More Love--Olivia Newton-John
8 Sharing the Night Together--Dr. Hook
9 We've Got Tonite--Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
10 September--Earth, Wind & Fire

Singles entering the chart were What a Fool Believes by the Doobie Brothers (#88); Summer Night City by ABBA (#91); Goodbye, I Love You by Firefall (#92); Song on the Radio by Al Stewart (#93); Forever in Blue Jeans by Neil Diamond (#96); Chase by Giorgio Moroder (#97); Maybe I'm a Fool by Eddie Money (#97); Call Out My Name by Zwol (#99); and Baby I Need Your Lovin' by Eric Carmen (#100).

Died on this date
Edvard Kardelj, 69. Yugoslavian politician. Colonel General Kardelj, a Communist, served as a Slovene partisan during World War II. He held various posts in the Yugoslavian government of President Marshal Josip Broz Tito, including Deputy Prime Minister (1946-1963); Minister of Foreign Affairs (1948-1953); and member of the Presidency of Yugoslavia for Slovenia (1974-1979). Col. Gen. Kardelj died of colon cancer, two weeks after his 69th birthday.

World events
Iran moved closer to civil war after air force cadets and technicians outside Tehran defected to the opposition. More than 100 had now been killed in fighting between the military and armed civilians.

Scandal
Financial trustee Charles Kirbo gave a U.S. federal grand jury details of President Jimmy Carter's family business. A probe into possible campaign irregularities disclosed that the Carter peanut warehouse received large loans from the National Bank of Georgia in 1975 and 1976, then headed by Bert Lance. White House spokesmen denied that any of the borrowed money found its way into Mr. Carter's presidential campaign.

Hockey
NHL-U.S.S.R.
Challenge Cup @ Madison Square Garden, New York
Game 2
U.S.S.R. 5 NHL 4 (Three-game series tied 1-1)

Vladimir Golikov's goal at 1:31 of the 3rd period broke a 4-4 tie as the U.S.S.R. came back from a 4-2 deficit and held on to defeat the NHL before 17,438 fans. Sergei Kapustin opened the scoring for the Soviets in the 1st period, but linemates Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier of the New York Islanders gave the NHL a 2-1 lead after 1 period, with Gilbert Perreault of the Buffalo Sabres scoring 27 seconds into the 2nd period to make it 3-1. Mikhail Varnakov scored less than 2 minutes later to make the score 3-2, but Larry Robinson of the Montreal Canadiens scored to restore the NHL's 2-goal lead. Boris Mikhailov and Mr. Kapustin scored within a 45-second span in the last 3 minutes of the 2nd period to tie the game. Soviet goalie Vladislav Tretiak made just 12 saves, while Ken Dryden of the Canadiens made 26 saves.



25 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Waterfront--Simple Minds (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
David Von Erich, 25. U.S. wrestler. Born David Adkisson, Mr. Von Erich was a professional wrestler from 1977 until his death while on tour in Japan. His family claimed that Mr. Von Erich died from a heart attack, but other theories exist.

War
Israel resumed its bombing of suspected Palestinian guerrilla positions in Lebanon, as evacuation of U.S. and U.K. civilians from Lebanon began.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that prices paid by producers for finished goods had risen 0.6% in January. The increase was attributed to an increase in food prices.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): First Time--Robin Beck (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Dan Kelly, 52. Canadian-born sportscaster. Mr. Kelly, a native of Ottawa, broadcast football and hockey in Canada and the United States. He was best known as the radio voice of the St. Louis Blues for their first 21 seasons (1967-88). Mr. Kelly died of lung cancer, and was soon posthumously awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy for service to hockey in the United States.

Personal
This blogger attended the University of Alberta Nurses' dance at the Fantasy Nightclub at West Edmonton Mall.

Diplomacy
U.S. President George Bush made his first foreign trip as president, meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in Ottawa. The discussed trade, defense, the environment, Central America, and East-West relations. Mr. Bush said that he told Mr. Mulroney that he would introduce legislation aimed at reducing acid rain and that a bilateral accord would follow.

Politics and government
Ron Brown, a lawyer from Washington, D.C., was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee, becoming the first Negro to lead a major American political party. Mr. Brown was elected by acclamation after four other candidates withdrew. He succeeded Paul Kirk, Jr. as chairman.

Economics and finance
Leading U.S. banks raised their prime lending rate from 10.5% to 11%, the highest rate since 1984.

The United States Labor Department reported that prices paid by producers for finished goods had risen 1.0% in January.

10 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Robert Clothier, 77. Canadian actor. Mr. Clothier, a native of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, was a stage actor, artist, and sculptor in Vancouver before becoming nationally known for playing Relic in the television series The Beachcombers (1972-1990). He died in North Vancouver, three years after suffering a stroke.

War
The United Nations Security Council called on Eritrea to withdraw from the contested area in the Badme region on the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia, which Eritrea had seized in 1998, and begin to negotiate.