February 22, 2009

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Laura Pereverzoff Ong and Maria Melania Belmar Mora!

190 years ago
1819

Born on this date
James Russell Lowell. U.S. writer and diplomat. Mr. Russell was a Romantic poet associated with the New England group known as the Fireside Poets. He was also an essayist and critic, and was the first editor of The Atlantic Monthly (1857-1861). Mr. Lowell was U.S. Minister to England from 1880-1885, and supported various social reforms, including abolition of slavery. He died on August 12, 1891 at the age of 72 after a period of declining health.

Americana
By the Adams–Onís Treaty, Spain sold Florida to the United States for $5 million.

150 years ago
1859

Born on this date
George Lansbury. U.K. politician and journalist. Mr. Lansbury was a radical Liberal in his early years, but became a sociaist in the early 1890s. As a member of the Labour Party, he represented Bow and Bromley in the House of Commons (1910-1912, 1922-1940). Mr. Lansbury resigned his seat in 1912 to support women's suffrage; he helped to establish the Daily Herald the same year, and served as its editor. Mr. Lansbury's support for the Russian Revolution in 1917 likely contributed to his failure to be elected in 1918, but he returned to Parliament in 1922. He was denied a place in the cabinet of the first Labour Party government in 1924, but served as First Commissioner of Works from 1929-1931. When Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald formed the National Government in 1931, Mr. Lansbury declined to join, and led what remained of the Labour Party from 1932-1935. He resigned the Labour Party leadership when his pacifism in the face of rising European Fascism was rejected at the party's conference in 1935. Mr. Lansbury spent his last years travelling throughout the United States and Europe promoting pacifism until his death on May 7, 1940 at the age of 81, after suffering for several months with stomach cancer.

130 years ago
1879

Business
Frank Winfield Woolworth opened a five-cent store in Utica, New York.

120 years ago
1889

Born on this date
R.G. Collingwood. U.K. philosopher, historian, and archaeologist. Robin George Collingwood was best known for his books The Principles of Art (1938) and The Idea of History (1946). He was known as an authority on Roman Britain, conducting numerous excavations. Professor Collingwood died after a series of strokes on January 9, 1943 at the age of 53.

Olave Baden-Powell. U.K. scouting leader. Lady Baden-Powell, the wife of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell, became Chief Guide in 1918, and was elected World Chief Guide in 1930, leading the Girl Guide movement for 40 years, and visiting 111 countries. She died of diabetes on June 25, 1977 at the age of 88.

Americana
President Grover Cleveland signed the Enabling Act of 1889, admitting North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington to the Union as states.

110 years ago
1899

Born on this date
George O'Hara. U.S. actor. Mr. O'Hara, born George Bolger, starred in numerous films during the silent film era in the 1920s--usually in action and adventure roles--but was reduced to bit part roles--often uncredited--in the 1930s and '40s. He died of cancer on October 16, 1966 at the age of 67.

War
Filipino forces led by General Antonio Luna launched counterattacks for the first time against U.S. forces during the Philippine–American War. The Filipinos failed to regain Manila from the Americans.

100 years ago
1909

Defense
The 16 battleships of the Great White Fleet, led by USS Connecticut, returned to the United States after a voyage around the world.

90 years ago
1919

Hockey
Stanley Cup
NHL
Finals
Ottawa 4 @ Montreal 8 (Montreal led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Joe Malone scored 3 goals in the last 5:15 of the game, and Odie Cleghorn and Newsy Lalonde added 2 goals each, as the Canadiens beat the Senators at Jubilee Arena. Jack Darragh scored 2 goals for Ottawa.

60 years ago
1949

Died on this date
Russell Porter, 77. U.S. optical engineer, astronomer, and explorer. Mr. Porter is regarded as one of the founders of amateur telescope manufacture. He served as an astronomer with several arctic expeditions in the 1890s and 1900s before helping to popularize amateur astronomy by teaching classes on how to make telescopes. Mr. Porter designed the 200-inch Hale Telescope at Mount Palomar Observatory in California. He died of a heart attack.

Politics and government
French Communist Party Secretary Maurice Thorez led off a series of loyalty statements by World Communist leaders by declaring that French workers would aid the Soviet Red Army in the event of a war between the U.S.S.R. and the West.

Speaking at a Reserve Officers Association dinner in Chicago, U.S. President Harry Truman called columnist Drew Pearson an "s.o.b." for suggesting that presidential military aid Harry Vaughn resign after accepting a military decoration from Argentine President Juan Peron.

Crime
A West German appeals court in Munich freed former German American Bund leader Fritz Kuhn after reducing his 10-year sentence as a major Nazi offender to the two years already served.

Agriculture
The Hoover Commission on Reorganization of the Executive Branch issued a report on U.S. agricultural policy, calling present levels of price supports and conservation payments unjustified, and making recommendations for the resolution of jurisdictional disputes between the Agriculture and Interior Departments.

Economics and finance
Albania joined the U.S.S.R.-sponsored Council for Economic Mutual Assistance.

50 years ago
1959

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Guitare et tambourin--Dalida (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Diamond Necklace, starring Claude Rains and Betty von Furstenberg

Society
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill liberalizing immigration laws to permit about 57,000 aliens, mostly from Southern and Eastern Europe, to join relatives in the United States.

Politics and government
The British administration in Cyprus ended a four-year state of emergency and freed 908 political prisoners.

H.B. Chipembere, African member of the Nyasaland Legislative Council, called on a meeting of the African National Congress to fight for the removal of Nyasaland from the Central African Federation.

U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy (Democrat--Massachusetts) said in a televised inerview that he was not currently a candidate for the 1960 U.S. presidential nomination.

Auto racing
The inaugural Daytona 500 was held, with Johnny Beauchamp declared by NASCAR founder Bill France the winner in a photo finish. Three days later motion pictures showed that Lee Petty had won by three feet, and the decision was reversed.

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): I Started a Joke--The Bee Gees

#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Eloise--Barry Ryan with the Majority

#1 single in France: Casatchok--Dimitri Dourakine and his Orchestra (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Zingara--Bobby Solo

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Eloise--Barry Ryan (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Lonely Woods of Upton--Sean Dunphy (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Blackberry Way--The Move

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Ain't Got No--I Got Life--Nina Simone (5th week at #1)
2 Atlantis--Donovan
3 Spooky's Day Off--Swinging Soul Machine
4 Hair--Zen
5 Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da--The Beatles
6 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
7 I Started a Joke--The Bee Gees
8 Albatross--Fleetwood Mac
9 Kiele, Kiele, Kiele...--Toon Hermans en De Driedonken Blaaskapel
10 Ring of Fire--Eric Burdon and the Animals

Singles entering the chart were Hallo, Mijnheer Den Uil Je Onderbroek is Vuil by De Uilen (#31); En We Drinken Tot We Zinken! by Johnny Hoes en De Feestneuzen (#32); One Road by the Love Affair (#36); Baby Won't You Leave Me Alone by the Web (with John L. Watson) (#38); Hallo Mijnheer de Uil by Fabeltjeskrant (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Everyday People--Sly & the Family Stone (2nd week at #1)
2 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
3 Build Me Up Buttercup--The Foundations
4 Touch Me--The Doors
5 Can I Change My Mind--Tyrone Davis
6 Worst that Could Happen--Brooklyn Bridge
7 You Showed Me--The Turtles
8 This Magic Moment--Jay and the Americans
9 Proud Mary--Creedence Clearwater Revival
10 I'm Livin' in Shame--Diana Ross and the Supremes

Singles entering the chart were The Weight by Aretha Franklin (#52); Somebody Loves You by the Delfonics (#80); Soul Experience by Iron Butterfly (#81); Apricot Brandy by Rhinoceros (#82); The Letter by the Arbors (#83); Am I the Same Girl by Barbara Acklin (#84); Tear Drop City by the Monkees (#87); Back Door Man by Derek (#90); Long Green by the Fireballs (#91); I Do Love You by Billy Stewart (#98); These are Not My People by Johnny Rivers (#99); and Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show by Neil Diamond (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Everyday People--Sly & the Family Stone (2nd week at #1)
2 Touch Me--The Doors
3 Build Me Up Buttercup--The Foundations
4 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
5 Can I Change My Mind--Tyrone Davis
6 You Showed Me--The Turtles
7 This Magic Moment--Jay and the Americans
8 I'm Livin' in Shame--Diana Ross and the Supremes
9 Worst that Could Happen--Brooklyn Bridge
10 Games People Play--Joe South

Singles entering the chart were I Don't Know Why by Stevie Wonder (#53); The Weight by Aretha Franklin (#55); Shotgun by the Vanilla Fudge (#79); Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show by Neil Diamond (#84); Who's Making Love by Young-Holt Unlimited (#85); Back Door Man by Derek (#86); Snatching it Back by Clarence Carter (#88); My Deceiving Heart by the Impressions (#89); I Like What You're Doing (To Me) by Carla Thomas (#91); Anything You Choose by Spanky and Our Gang (#92); Gimme Gimme Good Lovin' by Crazy Elephant (#93); Twenty-Five Miles by Edwin Starr (#94); Soul Experience by Iron Butterfly (#98); and Kick Out the Jams by MC5 (#99).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Build Me Up Buttercup--The Foundations
2 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
3 Cruel War--Sugar n' Spice
4 Touch Me--The Doors
5 Condition Red--The Goodees
6 Star Crossed Lovers--Neil Sedaka
7 Sweet Cream Ladies--The Box Tops
8 Games People Play--Joe South
9 Baby Let's Wait--The Royal Guardsmen
10 This Magic Moment--Jay and the Americans
Pick hit of the week: Bears--Quicksilver Messenger Service

Terrorism
A terrorist bomb exploded at the Liberal Party social club in Montreal, injuring two people, in the ninth such blast in the year so far.

Academia
A rally of 1,000 students and 200 faculty members took place at Rice University, protesting the appointment of Dr. William Masterson as university president.

Labour
The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations Executive Council, meeting in Bal Harbour, Florida, termed "black capitalism" a "dangerous, divisive delusion," and warned that any attempt to build separate economic enclaves in ghettos "is apartheid, anti-democratic nonsense."

30 years ago
1979

War
The Soviet Union began a military airlift to Vietnam. Moscow officials said they foresaw no Soviet military intervention into the Chinese-Vietnamese conflict as long as its scope remained limited.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Jimmy Carter ordered most American aid to Afghanistan cut off in the wake of the February 14 slaying of U.S. Ambassador Adolph Dubs in a government shootout with terrorists.

Labour
It was reported that at least 200 middle- and senior-management officials of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency had resigned in January in order to obtain maximum benefits under an early retirement plan. Agency sources saw the resignations as morale problems, which were brought to a head by a decision to inspect the briefcases and purses of employees leaving work and to administer lie detector tests to employees in order to find alleged security violators.

25 years ago
1984

Died on this date
David Vetter, 12. U.S, medical patient. David, whose last name was withheld until 10 years after his death to protect his family's privacy, was born with severe combined immune deficiency syndrome (SCID) and had been placed in an enclosed sterile crib within seconds of his birth. He spent almost his entire life in a plastic bubble, never experiencing the touch of another person; even a common cold could have proved fatal. After he developed fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and severe intestinal bleeding early in 1984, Dr. William Shearer, head of the Baylor University College of Medicine's pediatrics department in Houston, Texas, took David out of the bubble on February 7. David was able to kiss his mother for the first time and appeared to be responding well, but he developed fluid in his lungs and around his heart, and died from Burkitt's lymphoma.

Diplomacy
Jordan severed diplomatic relations with Libya, four days after the Jordanian embassy in Tripoli had been burned by protesters. The official Libyan news agency said that the protesters objected to the meeting in Washington on February 13-14 of U.S. President Ronald Reagan, King Hussein of Jordan, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak because it might lead to the undermining of the Palestinian cause.

War
Iraq claimed that it had crushed another Iranian offensive launched the previous day, and that Iran had sent many young boys into the battle.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Congressional Budget Office made higher deficit projections than those of the administration of President Ronald Reagan. Although the estimates for 1985 were close, the CBO said that by fiscal 1989, the deficit could be $248 billion, twice the estimate of the administration.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Bring Me Edelweiss--Edelweiss

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Did I Tell You--Jerry Williams

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that consumer prices had risen 0.6% in January, the largest monthly increase since January 1987.

Hockey
NHL
Toronto 4 Calgary 3 (OT)

10 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Bob Morgan, 82. U.S. stuntman and actor. Mr. Morgan worked as a stuntman in more than 60 movies and television programs from 1947-1962, and began appearing in minor acting roles on screen in 1944. His career in stunts ended when he lost a leg as the result of an accident during the filming of How the West was Won (1962). Mr. Morgan was able to continue his acting career, appearing in minor roles in several movies and television programs through 1985. He was married to actress Yvonne De Carlo from 1955-1973; their son Michael also became an actor, but developed drug problems, and died--perhaps murdered by a drug dealer--at the age of 39, just a week before his father's death.

War
NATO Supreme Commander General Wesley Clark sought to persuade the ethnic Albanians in the Serbian province of Kosovo to sign the draft peace plan even though it did not permit a referendum on independence for Kosovo.

Politics and government
It was reported that former California Governor Pete Wilson would not seek the Republican Party U.S. presidential nomination in 2000.