June 16, 2009

870 years ago
1139

Born on this date
Konoe. Emperor of Japan, 1142-1155. Konoe, born Narihito-shinnō, the son of Emperor Toba, acceded to the throne at the age of 3, following the abdication of his elder brother Sutoku. Because of Konoe's youth, Japan was under a regency, but Toba, who had abdicated and had become a Buddhist monk, still directed government affairs. Emperor Konoe died on August 22, 1155 at the age of 16, and was succeeded by his younger brother Go-Shirakawa.

230 years ago
1779

Died on this date
Francis Bernard, 76. U.K. politician. Baronet Bernard was Governor of the Province of New Jersey (1758-1760) and Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay (1760-1771). In the latter office he became unpopular through taxes and other measures used to enforce British colonial policy, and church bells rang in Boston when he left for England in 1769. The colonial petition against him was rejected, but Sir Francis resigned in 1771. He died of an epileptic seizure after a period of declining health.

War
Spain declared war on the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Great Siege of Gibraltar began eight days later.

190 years ago
1819

Disasters
A major earthquake struck the Kutch district of western India, killing over 1,543 people and raising a ridge 6 metres high, 6 kilometres wide, extending for at least 80 kilometres (50 miles), that was known as the Allah Bund ("Dam of God").

180 years ago
1829

Born on this date
Geronimo. U.S. Indian leader. Geronimo was an Apache leader from New Mexico who carried out numerous raids against U.S. authorities from 1850-1886. He escaped from custody three times, but surrendered for the final time in 1886. Geronimo became a celebrity in his later years but died of pneumonia as a prisoner of war in Oklahoma on February 17, 1919 at the age of 79, reportedly regretting that he had ever surrendered.

110 years ago
1899

Baseball
Umpire Tom Burns‚ ridden mercilessly by the New York Giants after questionable calls‚ got as mad as hell and wouldn’t take it anymore, and forfeited the game to the Brooklyn Superbas by a 9-0 score at the Polo Grounds in New York.

The Louisville Colonels scored 6 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to tie the score and a run in the bottom of the 10th to defeat the St. Louis Perfectos 13-12 at Eclipse Park in Louisville. Louisville shortstop Rudy Hulswitt made a sacrifice bunt in his only plate appearance, while making 1 putout, 1 assist, and 4 errors in his first major league game..

100 years ago
1909

Baseball
Jim Thorpe made his baseball pitching debut for Rocky Mount (Eastern Carolina League) with a 4-2 win over Raleigh. It was the professional play in this year that caused him to lose the medals he won in the 1912 Olympic Games.

80 years ago
1929

Died on this date
V.L. Parrington, 57. U.S. historian and football coach. Vernon Louis Parrington taught English at the University of Oklahoma (1897-1908) and was head coach of the university's football team (1897-1900), compiling a record of 9-2-1. He moved to the University of Washington in 1908, and was known for his radical anti-capitalist views and as the founder of the American Studies movement with the publication of his three-volume Main Currents in American Thought (1927), which won the 1928 Pulitzer Prize for History. Mr. Parrington's progressive view of American history was heavily influential upon historians from the late 1920s through the 1930s, but came under heavy criticism in the '40s, and he was largely forgotten by 1950.

70 years ago
1939

Died on this date
Chick Webb, 34. U.S. musician. William Henry Webb was a jazz drummer who was afflicted with Pott's disease (tuberculosis of the spine) in childhood, giving him the appearance of a hunchback. He led the house band at the Savoy Ballroom in New York City, and added a teenaged Ella Fitzgerald as a vocalist in 1935. Mr. Webb's health began declining in November 1938, and he died of Pott's disease.

60 years ago
1949

On television tonight
Volume One, written, directed, and hosted by Wyllis Cooper, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Number One: The Bellhop Story, starring Jack Lescoulie, Frank Thomas, and Nancy Sheridan

Politics and government
U.S. President Harry Truman attacked current spy trials and loyalty checks for producing a nationwide hysteria. U.S. singer Paul Robeson, returning from a 10-day tour of the U.S.S.R., denounced the New York trial of 11 U.S. Communist leaders as "a type of domestic fascism."

Both houses of the United States Congress passed a measure giving President Truman authority to reorganize executive agencies in line with the recommendations of the Hoover Commission, but reserving a congressional veto over proposed changes.

Labour
The Congress of Industrial Organizations Textile Workers Union in the United States decided to forego a wage increase this year because of poor business conditions.

Boxing
Jake La Motta (73-13-3) won the National Boxing Association world middleweight title at Briggs Stadium in Detroit when defending champion Marcel Cerdan (110-4), who had injured his left shoulder in a fall in the 1st round, was unable to come out for the 10th round.



50 years ago
1959

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Riddle, starring Warren Stevens, Bethel Leslie, and Barry Atwater



This was the last episode of the season.

Died on this date
George Reeves, 45. U.S. actor. Mr. Reeves, born George Brewer, became famous as the star of the television series Adventures of Superman (1951-1958). On the night of his death, he was trying to sleep in his bedroom in his house while his girlfriend was hosting a party downstairs. In the wee hours of June 16, the party guests heard a single gunshot, and went upstairs to find Mr. Reeves naked on his bed, dead of an apparently self-inflicted wound. The official verdict of suicide has often been questioned.

Diplomacy
Western foreign ministers presented U.S.S.R. Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko with a draft of their final terms for a Berlin settlement, offering to accept East German supervision of traffic to West Berlin in return for reaffirmation of freedom of movement between East and West Berlin.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Senate approved a bill authorizing an additional $100 million in government housing loans to veterans unable to get mortgages through private sources.

Labour
The Japanese Council of Trade Unions announced that it would cooperate with the Japanese Communist Party in a campaign to prevent revision and broadening of the Japanese-American security treaty.

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Minatomachi Blues--Shinichi Mori (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Mama--Jean Jacques (5th week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Get Back--The Beatles with Billy Preston (5th week at #1)
2 In the Ghetto--Elvis Presley
3 Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet--Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus
4 The River is Wide--The Grassroots
5 Bad Moon Rising--Creedence Clearwater Revival
6 Morning Girl--Neon Philharmonic
7 Good Morning Starshine--Oliver
8 One--Three Dog Night
9 See--The Rascals
10 Everyday with You Girl--Classics IV

Singles entering the chart were The Ballad of John and Yoko by the Beatles (#44); The Prophecy of Daniel & John the Divine (Six-Six-Six) by the Cowsills (#46); The Days of Sand and Shovels by Bobby Vinton (#48); The Feeling is Right by Clarence Carter (#53); Tell All the People by the Doors (#67); Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition (#68); Don't Wake Me Up in the Morning, Michael by Peppermint Rainbow (#69); Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) by Neil Diamond (#72); Quentin's Theme by the Charles Randolph Grean Sounde (#74); With Pen in Hand by Vikki Carr (#77); I Want to Take You Higher by Sly & the Family Stone (#79); Rainy Jane by Neil Sedaka (#80); Mother Popcorn (You Got To Have A Mother For Me) (Part 1) by James Brown (#83); Put a Little Love in Your Heart by Jackie DeShannon (#85); Doggone Right by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (#87); I'm Just a Struggling Man by Edwin Starr (#88); Didn't We by Richard Harris (#91); Memphis Underground by Herbie Mann (#92); Lollipop (I Like You) by the Intruders (#93); Stay and Love Me All Summer by Brian Hyland (#95); And She's Mine by Spanky and Our Gang (#96); Moonflight by Vik Venus alias: Your Main Moon Man (#98); Galveston by Roger Williams (#99); and Let's Dance by Ole and Jan Guera (#100).

On the radio
The Challenge of Space, on Springbok Radio
Tonight's episode: Women in Orbit

Died on this date
Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis, 77. U.K. military commander; Governor General of Canada, 1946-1952. General Alexander conducted the British evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940, then presided over victories in Africa at El Alamein and Tripoli. He was considered to be the best military strategist since the Duke of Wellington in the early 19th Century. Viscount Alexander was a popular viceroy as Governor General of Canada. Alexander Circle in Edmonton, a street where this blogger spent his earliest years, is named in his honour.

World events
The military regime of Brazil arrested hundreds of political dissidents to prevent demonstrations as New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller arrived in Brazil.

Law
The United States Supreme Court ruled that the House of Representatives had violated the Constitution in preventing Adam Clayton Powell of Harlem from taking his seat in the 90th Congress.

30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Zimbabwe Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Save Me--Clout

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Knock on Wood--Amii Stewart (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Sunday Girl--Blondie (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Ring My Bell--Anita Ward

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Bright Eyes--Art Garfunkel (3rd week at #1)
2 When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman--Dr. Hook
3 Pop Muzik--M
4 Love's What I Want--Cashmere
5 Reunited--Peaches & Herb
6 Happiness--Pointer Sisters
7 I Want You to Want Me--Cheap Trick
8 Boogie Wonderland--Earth, Wind & Fire with the Emotions
9 Never Be Clever--Herman Brood & his Wild Romance
10 Sing for the Day--George Baker

Singles entering the chart were Theme from 'The Deer Hunter' (Cavatina) by the Shadows (#15); Lavender Blue by Mac Kissoon (#27); IntroDisco by Discothèque (#32); As Long as it's Love by Theo Vaness (#37); and Sweet Lui-Louise by Ironhorse (#38).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Hot Stuff--Donna Summer (2nd week at #1)
2 We are Family--Sister Sledge
3 Ring My Bell--Anita Ward
4 Just When I Needed You Most--Randy Vanwarmer
5 Love You Inside Out--Bee Gees
6 The Logical Song--Supertramp
7 Chuck E.'s in Love--Rickie Lee Jones
8 She Believes in Me--Kenny Rogers
9 Reunited--Peaches & Herb
10 Boogie Wonderland--Earth, Wind & Fire with the Emotions

Singles entering the chart were Getting Closer by Wings (#64); Good Times by Chic (#72); The Main Event/Fight by Barbra Streisand (#75); Feel that You're Feelin' by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly (#82); Morning Dance by Spyro Gyra (#84); (You Really) Rock Me by Nick Gilder (#86); Hold On by Triumph (#88); Heaven Must Have Sent You by Bonnie Pointer (#89); and You Angel You by Manfred Mann's Earth Band (#90). The Main Event/Fight was from the movie The Main Event (1979), which starred Miss Streisand.

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Hot Stuff--Donna Summer (3rd week at #1)
2 Love You Inside Out--Bee Gees
3 We are Family--Sister Sledge
4 The Logical Song--Supertramp
5 Just When I Needed You Most--Randy Vanwarmer
6 Chuck E.'s in Love--Rickie Lee Jones
7 Reunited--Peaches & Herb
8 You Take My Breath Away--Rex Smith
9 She Believes in Me--Kenny Rogers
10 Ring My Bell--Anita Ward

Singles entering the chart were Getting Closer by Wings (#66); The Main Event/Fight by Barbra Streisand (#79); Good Times by Chic (#82); Do You Wanna Go Party by K.C. and the Sunshine Band (#85); Feel that You're Feelin' by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly (#86); Hold On by Triumph (#95); and Easy Way Out by Roy Orbison (#97).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Hot Stuff--Donna Summer (2nd week at #1)
2 Love You Inside Out--Bee Gees
3 Reunited--Peaches & Herb
4 Goodnight Tonight--Wings
5 Heart of Glass--Blondie
6 The Logical Song--Supertramp
7 Dancer--Gino Soccio
8 Disco Nights (Rock-Freak)--G.Q.
9 Knock on Wood--Amii Stewart
10 Renegade--Styx

Singles entering the chart were Ring My Bell by Anita Ward (#72); Days Gone Down (Still Got the Light in Your Eyes) by Gerry Rafferty (#90); Gold by John Stewart (#91); Can't Sleep by the Rockets (#92); One Way or Another by Blondie (#93); (You Really) Rock Me by Nick Gilder (#94); Church by Bob Welch (#95); Let Me Take You Dancing by Bryan Adams (#96); Bustin' Out by Rick James (#97); Wasn't it Good by Cher (#99); and Trojan Horse by Luv' (#100).

Died on this date
Nicholas Ray, 67. U.S. movie director. Mr. Ray, born Raymond Nicholas Kienzle Jr., is best remembered for directing Rebel Without a Cause (1955). His other films included They Live By Night (1949); Johnny Guitar (1954); and 55 Days at Peking (1963). Mr. Ray died of lung cancer.

Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, 47. Head of state of Ghana, 1972-1978. General Acheampong, who led a bloodless coup that seized power in 1972, was executed by a firing squad after a military tribunal convicted him of squandering government funds. It’s too bad similar measures can’t be used on crooked politicians everywhere.

Golf
Hale Irwin was leading the field after three round of the U.S. Open at Toledo, Ohio.

Baseball
The Philadelphia Phillies released pitcher Jim Lonborg, ending his 15-year major league career. He played with the Boston Red Sox (1965-1971) and Milwaukee Brewers (1972) before joining the Phillies in 1973, compiling a career record of 157-137 with an earned run average of 3.86 in 425 games. Mr. Lonborg's best season was 1967, when he was 22-9 with a 3.16 ERA, winning the American League Cy Young Award and helping the Red Sox win the AL pennant. A serious knee injury suffered in a skiing accident after that season impeded his career for the next several seasons.

Ellis Valentine's 2-run home run in the bottom of the 2nd inning gave the Montreal Expos a 2-1 lead, and they went on to defeat the Houston Astros 4-2 before 24,336 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal in a Saturday night Expos Baseball telecast on CBC. Ross Grimsley allowed 8 hits in 7+ innings and singled in the final Montreal run to win the pitchers' duel over J.R. Richard, who allowed 8 hits and struck out 11 in pitching a complete game.

Kevin Kobel pitched a 3-hitter for the New York Mets as they shut out the Atlanta Braves 2-0 before 28,313 fans at Shea Stadium in New York. Doug Flynn opened the scoring with a solo home run in the bottom of the 6th inning, and singled and scored the other run in the 8th. Losing pitcher Mickey Mahler allowed just 2 hits and 1 earned run in 7 innings.

Doug Bair walked Pete Rose with the bases loaded and none out in the bottom of the 9th inning to force Manny Trillo home with the winning run to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds before 50,224 fans at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. Home plate umpire Eric Gregg ejected Cincinnati catcher Johnny Bench at the end of the game for arguing the ball and strike calls.

Pinch hitter Ted Cox singled home Toby Harrah with the bases loaded and 1 out in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Cleveland Indians a 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners before 22,835 fans at Cleveland Stadium.

Willie Randolph singled home Bucky Dent with 1 out in the top of the 10th inning to break a 2-2 tie as the New York Yankees edged the Texas Rangers 3-2 before 41,097 fans at Arlington Stadium.

25 years ago
1984

Politics and government
John Turner was chosen on the second ballot to replace the retiring Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau as the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Mr. Turner defeated his former cabinet colleague Jean Chretien.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): The Look--Roxette (4th week at #1)

World events
With the approval of the Communist regime in Hungary, a memorial service for Imre Nagy and four aides, who had been executed after the Soviets crushed the uprising of 1956, was held in Budapest. At least 100,000 attended the ceremony, in which six flag-draped coffins were displayed. The sixth coffin, which was empty, represented all of the hundreds of other Hungarians were executed after the uprising. Mr. Nagy and his aides, who had been buried in an unmarked mass grave, were then reburied in marked graves.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that consumer prices had risen 0.6% in May.

Business
Time, Inc. rejected Paramount Communications Corporation’s takeover offer, sued Paramount in an attempt to block the takeover offer, completed a stock swap with Warner Communications to discourage prospective suitors, and agreed to acquire Warner for $14 billion in order to further discourage buyers.

Academia
The University of Alberta held a party for Myer Horowitz, who was retiring after 10 years as President of the university. This blogger was in attendance and paid his respects.

10 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Screaming Lord Sutch, 58. U.K. singer and political activist. David Edward Sutch was a rock and roll singer in the 1960s who used a horror-themed stage act to attract attention, since he lacked singing ability. He released several singles, the most successful of which was Jack the Ripper (1963). Mr. Sutch ran unsuccessfully in British general elections for many years, first as a candidate with the National Teenage Party, and then as founder and leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, losing more than 40 elections and never winning. He reportedly suffered from manic depression, and committed suicide by hanging himself.

Politics and government
United States Vice President Al Gore announced his candidacy for the Democratic Party presidential nomination for 2000. Speaking in Carthage, Tennessee, Mr. Gore said that he knew how to keep the economic boom rolling, and he reaffirmed his support for abortion. In an interview, Mr. Gore said that President Bill Clinton’s behaviour in the Monica Lewinsky matter was "inexcusable."

Basketball
NBA
Finals
New York 77 @ San Antonio 89 (San Antonio led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Tim Duncan scored 33 points and added 16 rebounds and 2 assists to lead the Spurs over the Knickerbockers before 35,514 fans at the Alamodome. New York led 27-21 after the 1st quarter, but San Antonio came back to take a 45-37 halftime lead.