March 8, 2009

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Linda and Diane Woodhams!

210 years ago
1799

Born on this date
Simon Cameron. U.S. politician. Mr. Cameron was a journalist, railroad executive, and banker before entering politics. As a Democrat, he represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate from 1845-1849. Mr. Cameron was then a member of the American Party before joining the Republican Party in 1856. He represented Pennsylvania in the Senate again from 1857-1861, and served as U.S. Secretary of War in the administration of President Abraham Lincoln from 1861-1862, resigning amid accusations of corruption. Mr. Cameron served as U.S. Minister to Russia from June-September 1862, and returned to the Senate in 1867, representing Pennsylvania until 1877. He died on June 26, 1889 at the age of 90.

170 years ago
1839

Born on this date
Josephine Cochrane. U.S. inventor. Mrs. Cochrane designed, and built, with the assistance of mechanic George Butters, the first successful automatic dishwasher. She received the patent for her invention late in 1886, but it didn't become popular until it was exhibited at the Columbian World's Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Mrs. Cochrane died of a stroke or exhaustion on August 14, 1913 at the age of 74; she was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006.

150 years ago
1859

Born on this date
Kenneth Grahame. U.K. author. Mr. Grahame was best known for the novel The Wind in the Willows (1908), a classic of children's literature. He died on July 6, 1932 at the age of 73.

140 years ago
1869

Died on this date
Hector Berlioz, 65. French composer. Mr. Berlioz wrote three operas and other works, but remains best known for Symphonie fantastique (1830). He died after a period of declining health.

130 years ago
1879

Born on this date
Otto Hahn. German chemist. Dr. Hahn was known as the "father of nuclear chemistry," and was a pioneer in the fields of radioactivity and radiochemistry. He was awarded the 1944 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for his discovery of the fission of heavy atomic nuclei." When element number 105 was first synthesized in 1970, it was originally called hahnium, but the name was never official, and the element was eventually named dubnium. Dr. Hahn died on July 28, 1968 at the age of 89.

110 years ago
1899

Born on this date
Elmer Keith. U.S. gun designer and author. Mr. Keith was a rancher in Idaho who was instrumental in designing Magnum cartridges and the .357 Magnum and other Magnum pistols. He also designed bullets that are still used today, and was a regular columnist for Guns & Ammo and American Rifleman magazines. Mr. Keith died on February 14, 1984, 23 days before his 85th birthday.

90 years ago
1919

World events
During the Egyptian Revolution of 1919, British authorities arrested rebel leader Saad Zaghloul, exiling him to Malta.

75 years ago
1934

Space
In India, U.S. astronomer Edwin Hubble released a photograph showing the extent of the universe, with as many galaxies as the Milky Way has stars.

60 years ago
1949

On the radio
The Casebook of Gregory Hood, starring Elliott Lewis, on MBS

World events
A court in Sofia convicted and sentenced four Bulgarian Protestant ministers to life imprisonment on charges of treason and black market dealings. 11 other defendants were given lesser prison sentences.

Defense
U.S. Republican Party foreign affairs adviser John Foster Dulles, addressing a meeting of the Federal Council of Churches in Cleveland, warned that Scandinavian participation in the North Atlantic security pact might unnecessarily alarm the U.S.S.R. and "carry an offensive threat that is disproportionate to [its] defensive value."

Politics and government
French President Vincent Auriol and former Annamese Emperor Bảo Đại signed the Élysée Accords in Paris, giving Vietnam greater independence from France and creating the State of Vietnam to oppose the Viet Minh-led Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Chinese Nationalist Premier Sun Fo resigned in favour of General Ho Ying-chin, a strong peace advocate.

Japan's Democratic Party, the nation's second-largest political group, split into leftist and conservative factions.

Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion announced his first cabinet, a four-party coalition dominated by his Mapai Party. Mr. Ben-Gurion also presented his government's program to the Israeli Constituent Assembly, proposing a policy of neutrality in the Cold War and vigorous economic expansion.

U.S. Senators Karl Mundt (Republican--South Dakota) and Homer Ferguson (Republican--Michigan) and Representative Richard Nixon (Republican--California) introduced Communist-control measures requiring Communist and "front" organizations to register with the government and label their statements as propaganda. The measures also denied passports to Communists; barred them from federal jobs; and provided fines and prison sentences for conspiring to establish a totalitarian dictatorship in the United States. The New York State Assembly passed a bill barring Communists from civil service and teaching positions.

Americana
The U.S. House of Representatives Public Lands Committee approved bills granting statehood to Hawaii and Alaska.

Labour
Railway Express Agency employees in New York began a series of slowdowns and work stoppages in a dispute over wages and work hours.

50 years ago
1959

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Guitare et tambourin--Dalida (4th week at #1)

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Right Price, starring Eddie Foy, Jr., Allyn Joslyn, and Jane Dulo

Died on this date
Max Gerson, 77. German-born physician. Dr. Gerson began his career in his native Germany, specializing in the treatment of tuberculosis. He fled Germany when the Nazis came to power in 1933, and ended up in the United States in 1936, becoming an American citizen in 1942. Dr. Gerson developed the Gerson Therapy, a dietary-based alternative cancer treatment that he claimed could cure cancer and most chronic, degenerative diseases. He died of pneumonia. The National Cancer Institute has concluded that the data didn't support Dr. Gerson's claims, and may lead to significant health problems.

World events
Iraqi armed forces commanded by Colonel Abdel Wahab Shawaf rebelled against the leftist regime of Prime Minister Abdul Karim Kassem.

Defense
The Iranian Parliament overwhelmingly approved the U.S.-Iranian bilateral defense agreement.

The U.S. Panel on Seismic Improvement completed studies aimed at the development of an effective system for detection of underground nuclear tests.

Politics and government
The Somali Youth League won 83 of 90 seats in the Legislative Council in the Italian Somaliland general election. The Somali Independent Constitutional Party won 5 seats, despite boycotting the election, with the Liberal Party taking the remaining 2 seats. The Greater Somalia League also boycotted the election.

Irish Prime Minister Eamon de Valera called on the United Kingdom to apply principles used in settling the Cyprus dispute to end the partition of Ireland.

50 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da/While My Guitar Gently Weeps--The Beatles

#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Eloise--Barry Ryan with the Majority (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France: Casatchok--Dimitri Dourakine and his Orchestra (10th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Ma che freddo fa--Nada

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da--The Beatles (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Lonely Woods of Upton--Sean Dunphy (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?--Peter Sarstedt

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Atlantis--Donovan (2nd week at #1)
2 Spooky's Day Off--Swinging Soul Machine
3 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
4 Ring of Fire--Eric Burdon and the Animals
5 Ain't Got No--I Got Life--Nina Simone
6 Hair--Zen
7 Keep in Touch--The Free
8 Frank Mills--Bojoura
9 Albatross--Fleetwood Mac
10 Baby Won't You Leave Me Alone--The Web (with John L. Watson)

Singles entering the chart were To Love Somebody by Nina Simone (#32); Long and Lonesome Road by Shocking Blue (#35); Oma'tje Lief by Heintje (#37); Time of the Season by the Zombies (#38); Je N'aurai Pas le Temps (Thema Uit De T.V. Serie "Mens Durf Te Leven") by Franck Pourcel (#39); and Mary is My Sweetheart Again by Short'66 (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Everyday People--Sly & the Family Stone (4th week at #1)
2 Proud Mary--Creedence Clearwater Revival
3 Build Me Up Buttercup--The Foundations
4 Dizzy--Tommy Roe
5 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
6 This Magic Moment--Jay and the Americans
7 This Girl's in Love with You--Dionne Warwick
8 Baby, Baby Don't Cry--Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
9 Touch Me--The Doors
10 Indian Giver--1910 Fruitgum Co.

Singles entering the chart were Blessed is the Rain by the Brooklyn Bridge (#67); Shotgun by the Vanilla Fudge (#81); No, Not Much by the Vogues (#84); I Can Hear Music by the Beach Boys (#86); Didn't You Know (You'd Have to Cry Sometime) by Gladys Knight and the Pips (#88); Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) by the 5th Dimension (#89); Sing a Simple Song by Sly & the Family Stone (#90); Don't Touch Me by Bettye Swan (#91); Nothing But a Heartache by the Flirtations (#93); Playgirl by Thee Prophets (#96); Hallways of My Mind by the Dells (#97); The Wedding Cake by Connie Francis (#98); Only You (And You Alone) by Bobby Hatfield (#99); and Hawaii Five-O by the Ventures (#100). Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In was a medley of two songs originally from Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. Sing a Simple Song was the B-side of Everyday People. Hawaii Five-O was a version of the theme from the television series.

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Build Me Up Buttercup--The Foundations (2nd week at #1)
2 Everyday People--Sly & the Family Stone
3 Proud Mary--Creedence Clearwater Revival
4 You Showed Me--The Turtles
5 This Magic Moment--Jay and the Americans
6 Dizzy--Tommy Roe
7 Touch Me--The Doors
8 Indian Giver--1910 Fruitgum Co.
9 Baby, Baby Don't Cry--Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
10 Games People Play--Joe South

Singles entering the chart were Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) by the 5th Dimension (#64); Blessed is the Rain by the Brooklyn Bridge (#72); Time Was by Canned Heat (#78); Didn't You Know (You'd Have to Cry Sometime) by Gladys Knight and the Pips (#80); I Can Hear Music by the Beach Boys (#87); Give it Away by the Chi-Lites (#89); Nothing But a Heartache by the Flirtations (#98); God Knows I Love You by Nancy Sinatra (#99); and Playgirl by Thee Prophets (#100).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Build Me Up Buttercup--The Foundations
2 Indian Giver--1910 Fruitgum Co.
3 Condition Red--The Goodees
4 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
5 Dizzy--Tommy Roe
6 Star Crossed Lovers--Neil Sedaka
7 Bears--Quicksilver Messenger Service
8 Johnny One Time--Brenda Lee
9 Touch Me--The Doors
10 Games People Play--Joe South
Pick hit of the week: Tear Drop City--The Monkees

War
After weeks of sporadic gunfire along the Suez Canal, the biggest Egyptian-Israeli duel across the canal in 4 1/2 months took place. Egyptian oil storage installations in the city of Suez were severely damaged.

Communist gunners increased their shelling in South Vietnam, concentrating on military targets.

Disasters
At least 600 were reported missing and believed dead following an earthquake on the west coast of Celebes Island, Indonesia.

Boxing
Lionel Rose (33-2) retained his world bantamweight title and won the Commonwealth title with a 15-round split decision over Alan Rudkin (36-5) at Kooyong Tennis Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

30 years ago
1979

On television tonight
Family, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Competition

Diplomacy
U.S. President Jimmy Carter conferred with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in Cairo, but the meeting failed to resolve issues blocking a peace accord with Israel.

Politics and government
The United States Senate voted to postpone until 1983 a rule limiting Senators' outside incomes over and above their annual $57,500 salary to $8,625, which had taken effect January 1.

25 years ago
1984

Hit parade
Edmonton's top 30 (CHED)
1 Thriller--Michael Jackson
2 Jump--Van Halen
3 Girls Just Want to Have Fun--Cyndi Lauper
4 99 Red Ballons--Nena
5 Here Comes the Rain Again--Eurythmics
6 Footloose--Kenny Loggins
7 I Want a New Drug--Huey Lewis and the News
8 Got a Hold on Me--Christine McVie
9 Somebody's Watching Me--Rockwell
10 Nobody Told Me--John Lennon
11 Red Red Wine--UB40
12 Heaven--Bryan Adams
13 Runner--Manfred Mann's Earth Band
14 Karma Chameleon--Culture Club
15 Dont Bite--Pretty Rough
16 Joanna--Kool & the Gang
17 Come Back and Stay--Paul Young
18 This Could Be the Right One--April Wine
19 Radio Ga Ga--Queen
20 Wrapped Around Your Finger--The Police
21 Hold Me Now--Thompson Twins
22 The Language of Love--Dan Fogelberg
23 Middle of the Road--The Pretenders
24 Adult Education--Daryl Hall and John Oates
25 Miss Me Blind--Culture Club
26 New Moon on Monday--Duran Duran
27 Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)--Phil Collins
28 Yah Mo B There--James Ingram and Michael McDonald
29 Rebel Yell--Billy Idol
30 Almost Over You--Sheena Easton

Defense
At Primrose Lake Alberta, the first U.S. cruise missile test over western Canada took place; the unarmed missile stayed attached to B-52 bomber.

Oil
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the government of Canada owned the oil resources of the Hibernia field, off Newfoundland.

Protest
The day after 400 students at Stanislaw Staszic Agricultural College in Poland had conducted a sit-in to protest the removal of crucifixes from their classrooms, parents of the students refused to sign statements approving the removal of the crucifixes. The protest spread to three other schools.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Bring Me Edelweiss--Edelweiss (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Did I Tell You--Jerry Williams (3rd week at #1)

Scandal
In the trial of former U.S. National Security Council member Oliver North, who was facing charges related to his involvement in the mid-1980s' Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages scandal, former Contra fundraiser Carl Channell testified that he had heard Mr. North say that he was prepared to deceive Congress and go to jail, if he had to.

Disasters
Up to 130 Vietnamese refugees drowned when their fishing boat collided with a Japanese supertanker in the South China Sea off Malaysia

Hockey
NHL
Hartford 7 Edmonton 3

10 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Joe DiMaggio, 84. U.S. baseball player. The second of three brothers who were outstanding major league outfielders, "The Yankee Clipper" represented grace and glamour as he played center field for the New York Yankees from 1936-1942 and 1946-1951 (he played for service teams during the World War II years of 1943-1945). He led the American League in hitting in 1939 and 1940, and in home runs in 1937 and 1948. As late as 1950 Mr. DiMaggio led the league in slugging percentage. He appeared in 11 All-Star games and 10 World Series (9 of them won by the Yankees), and was Al Most Valuable Player in 1941, 1945, and 1948. In 1941 Mr. DiMaggio hit safely in 56 straight games, a major league record that still stands. He also holds the minor league record with a 61-game streak accomplished with the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League in 1933. Mr. DiMaggio finished his career with a .325 batting average, and 361 home runs. Yankee Stadium in those days had very deep outfield dimensions (461 feet to straightaway center, 415' to left center, 407' to right center), and Joe DiMaggio probably lost as many or more home runs to the dimensions of his ballpark as any player in history. In the New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract (2001), Joe DiMaggio is rated the 5th best center fielder in major league history. According to Mr. James' Win Shares method, the top four defensive outfielders whose careers were centred in the 1940s were, in order: Dom DiMaggio; Terry Moore; Joe DiMaggio; and Vince DiMaggio. Non-baseball fans may remember Joe DiMaggio best for his 9-month marriage to actress Marilyn Monroe in 1954.

Peggy Cass, 74. U.S. actress. Miss Cass was nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting performance in Auntie Mame (1958), but was perhaps better known as a panelist on various television game shows in the 1960s and '70s. She died of heart failure.

Scandal
In the midst of a burgeoning investigation of the possible theft of U.S. nuclear secrets by China, the United States Department of Energy fired Wen Ho Lee, a computer scientist who worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Mr. Lee was officially ousted for having failed to "properly guard classified material" and for not telling his employers of his contacts with a "sensitive country." The investigation, conducted by the Energy Department and the FBI, sought to determine if secrets obtained from the United States had permitted China to make smaller nuclear warheads that could be carried in a cluster on a single missile.

Disasters
U.S. President Bill Clinton began a tour of four Central American countries, two of which had suffered heavy damage when hit by Hurricane Mitch in October 1998. In Nicaragua, Mr. Clinton announced $120 million in hurricane-recovery aid for that country.