June 28, 2009

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, James Remnant and Minnie de Ramos!

620 years ago
1389

Died on this date
Murad I, 62. Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, 1362-1389. Murad I acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Orhan. He expanded the Ottoman Empire, but was killed leading his forces against a pan-Christian army commanded by Lazar Hrebeljanović in the Battle of Kosovo, two weeks short of his 63rd birthday. Sultan Murad I was succeeded on the throne by his son Bayezid I.

Lazar Hrebeljanović, 60 (?). Lord of Serbs, 1373-1389. Prince Lazar created a powerful state out of the ruins of the Serbian Empire, and was killed while leading a pan-Christian army against Ottoman Empire forces in the Battle of Kosovo. He was succeeded as "Autocrator of all Serbs" by his son Stefan Lazarević.

War
Ottoman forces recorded a decisive victory over pan-Christian forces in the Battle of Kosovo, but also suffered heavy losses.

490 years ago
1519

Europeana
Charles V was elected Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

290 years ago
1719

Born on this date
Étienne François, duc de Choiseul. Chief Minister of France, 1758-1770. The duc de Choiseul had a successful career before serving as Chief Minister, doubling as Foreign Minister (1758-1761, 1766-1770), and thus controlling French foreign and military policy during the Seven Years' War. His desire for military intervention in a dispute between Britain and France over the Falkland Islands led to his dismissal by King Louis XV, and the duc de Choiseul lived in retirement until his death on May 8, 1785 at the age of 65.

240 years ago
1769

Politics and government
An Order-in-Council set up a separate Prince Edward Island government as "St. John Island," from the original French "Ile Saint-Jean."

150 years ago
1859

Popular culture
The first conformation dog show was held in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

100 years ago
1909

Born on this date
Eric Ambler. U.K. author and screenwriter. Mr. Ambler was known for spy thriller novels such as The Mask of Dimitrios (1939) and Journey Into Fear (1940). He was nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay for The Cruel Sea (1953). Mr. Ambler died on October 22, 1998 at the age of 89.

Politics and government
10 members were elected, two from each of five districts, in the Yukon territorial election. It was the first all-elected Yukon Territorial Council.

90 years ago
1919

Married on this date
Future U.S. President Harry S. Truman married Elizabeth Virginia "Bess" Wallace in Independence, Missouri.

War
Germany and the Allies signed the Treaty of Versailles, formally ending Germany’s involvement in World War I (see also here and here). Canada insisted on separate representation at the signing.

Baseball
Carl Mays pitched both games of a doubleheader for the Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees before 28,000 fans at the Polo Grounds in New York. Mr. Mays won the first game 2-0, but lost the second 4-1. Babe Ruth, playing first base for the Red Sox in relief for injured Stuffy McInnis, had 2 hits in each game.

80 years ago
1929

At the movies
Behind That Curtain, directed by Irving Cummings, and starring Warner Baxter, Lois Moran, Gilbert Emery, and Claude King, received its premiere screening as the first film to be shown at the Fox Theatre in San Francisco. It was loosely based on the novel by Earl Derr Biggers, and marked the first cinematic appearance of Charlie Chan, played by E.L. Park.



70 years ago
1939

Boxing
Joe Louis (39-1) retained his world heavyweight title with a technical knockout of Tony Galento (76-24-5) at 2:29 of the 4th round at Yankee Stadium in New York. "Two-Ton" Tony provided some excitement in the 3rd round when he knocked the champion down.



Baseball
The New York Yankees set a major league record with 13 home runs in a doubleheader as they swept a pair from the Philadelphia Athletics, 23-2 and 10-0 before 21,612 fans at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. In the opener, the home runs came from Babe Dahlgren (2); Joe DiMaggio (2); Bill Dickey; Joe Gordon; Tommy Henrich; and George Selkirk. Homers in the second game were hit by Joe Gordon (2); Frank Crosetti; Mr. DiMaggio; and Mr. Dahlgren. The Athletics hit no home runs in the two games. Monty Pearson won the first game, Lefty Gomez the second. New York captain Lou Gehrig, recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, took the lineup card to home plate before the second game and received a standing ovation from the fans. Philadelphia manager Connie Mack, who seldom left the dugout, walked to home plate to shake Mr. Gehrig's hand.

60 years ago
1949

On the radio
Philo Vance, starring Jackson Beck
Tonight's episode: The Motor Murder Case

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Hands of Mr. Ottermole , starring Ralph Bell

This was the last episode of the season.

Died on this date
William Griffin, 51. U.S. journalist. Mr. Griffin, a protege of William Randolph Hearst, founded the New York Enquirer in 1926. The paper adopted an isolationist policy in the 1930s and '40s, and Mr. Griffin was indicted under the Smith Act in 1942 for subverting the morale of American troops for opposing U.S. involvement in World War II. Mr. Smith was one of several dozen people indicted and tried in a mass trial, which dragged on for two years until the judge died in 1944, and the case was abandoned. The New York Enquirer was renamed The National Enquirer in 1957.

War
The U.S.A. refused to recognize the Nationalist blockade of Communist-held Chinese ports.

Defense
Speaking at the Armed Forces Industrial College in Washington, U.S. financier and adviser Bernard Baruch accused the administration of U.S. President Harry Truman of "vacillation and neglect" for failing to enact a war resources mobilization plan.

Politics and government
Alexandros Diomidis took office as Prime Minister of Greece, succeeding Themistoklis Sophoulis, who had died in office four days earlier.

U.S. Senator Robert Wagner (Democrat--New York) resigned his seat because of illness.

Society
Alabama Governor Jim Folsom (Democrat) signed a bill banning the public wearing of masks or hoods.

Economics and finance
Attempting to counteract the deflationary economic trend, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board announced plans to make more credit available to businesses in the purchase, sale, and exchange of government securities.

Labour
The Berlin railway strike ended after 38 days, as 15,000 Western-sector workers returned to their jobs.

Baseball
After missing the first 69 games of the season because of a foot injury, Joe DiMaggio returned to the New York Yankees' lineup, and batted 2 for 3 with a base on balls, home run, 2 runs, and 2 runs batted in to help the Yankees to defeat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 at Fenway Park in Boston. The attendance of 36,228 was the largest for a night game in Fenway Park history. Hank Bauer got the Yankees' scoring started with a 3-run home run in the 2nd inning off Red Sox' rookie Mickey McDermott, who pitched an 8-hit complete game in taking the loss. Allie Reynolds allowed 11 hits and 4 earned runs in 8+ innings to get the win, improving his 1949 record to 8-1.

Jerry Priddy singled home John Sullivan with 1 out in the top of the 12th inning to break a 6-6 tie as the St. Louis Browns edged the Chicago White Sox 7-6 before 9,456 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Bill Kennedy, the last of three St. Louis pitchers, allowed just 1 hit in 6 scoreless innings and was rewarded with his first win of the season after 5 losses. Howie Judson, the last of three Chicago pitchers, allowed 3 hits and 1 earned run in 3 innings, dropping to 1-10 for 1949. George Yankowski flied out as a pinch hitter for the White Sox to end the 9th inning in the 18th and last game of his 2-year major league career.

50 years ago
1959

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Ce serait dommage--Sacha Distel (3rd week at #1)

Diplomacy
U.S.S.R. Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko declared that the Geneva foreign ministers conference had forced the Western powers to give "de facto recognition" to the East German government.

Politics and government
Indian Communist Party leaders meeting in Kerala rejected Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's suggestion that new elections be called for Kerala State on the grounds that it would sanction illegal opposition efforts to overthrow the government.

Economics and finance
The West German government announced that it accepted responsibility for both East and West Germany in the indemnification of victims of Nazi persecution.

U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower released an interim report of his Cabinet Committee on Price Stability, warning that "our economy is now at a critical juncture requiring action to forestall inflation and insure sustained economic growth and progress."

Disasters
Two butane tank cars exploded on a railroad trestle over the Ogeechee River near Meldrin, Georgia, killing 19 people swimming and picnicking below.

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Hair--The Cowsills

#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Get Back--The Beatles with Billy Preston (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France: Oh Happy Day--The Edwin Hawkins Singers (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Storia d'amore--Adriano Celentano (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Israelites--Desmond Dekker and the Aces

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): The Ballad of John and Yoko--The Beatles (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): The Ballad of John and Yoko--The Beatles

Australia's top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Get Back/Don't Let Me Down--The Beatles with Billy Preston (4th week at #1)
2 Hair--The Cowsills
3 The Real Thing--Russell Morris
4 Gitarzan--Ray Stevens
5 Israelites--Desmond Dekker and the Aces
6 Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)--The 5th Dimension
7 Love Me Tonight--Tom Jones
8 The Boxer/Baby Driver--Simon & Garfunkel
9 Bad Moon Rising/Lodi--Creedence Clearwater Revival
10 Goodbye--Mary Hopkin

Singles entering the chart were Oh Happy Day by the Edwin Hawins Singers (#25); Where's the Playground Susie by Glen Campbell (#32); Tear Drop City by the Monkees (#33); La La by the Flying Circus (#36); Get a Little Dirt on Your Hands by Love Machine (#38); and Lady Scorpio by the Strangers (#39).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 The Ballad of John and Yoko--The Beatles (2nd week at #1)
2 Je t'aime...mon non plus--Jane Birkin avec Serge Gainsbourg
3 Tomorrow Tomorrow--The Bee Gees
4 Oh Happy Day--The Edwin Hawkins Singers
5 Big Bamboo--The Merrymen
6 Stop the Machine--Swinging Soul Machine
7 Time is Tight--Booker T. & the M.G.'s
8 Pretty Belinda--Chris Andrews
9 Suzanne--Herman Van Veen
10 Israelites--Desmond Dekker and the Aces

Singles entering the chart were Where Will I Be by Golden Earrings (#27); Tomaatje/Tante Nel by De Specials (#29); Hippe Mamma Hé by Confetti Combo (#31); What is a Man by the Four Tops (#34); Loekie Loekie by Zoef Zoef en De Beevers (#35); Spinning Wheel by Blood, Sweat & Tears (#36); and Catarina Baby by the Buffoons (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet--Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus
2 Bad Moon Rising--Creedence Clearwater Revival
3 Get Back--The Beatles with Billy Preston
4 Too Busy Thinking About My Baby--Marvin Gaye
5 One--Three Dog Night
6 Spinning Wheel--Blood, Sweat & Tears
7 In the Ghetto--Elvis Presley
8 Good Morning Starshine--Oliver
9 Israelites--Desmond Dekker and the Aces
10 Grazing in the Grass--The Friends of Distinction

Singles entering the chart were Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) by Neil Diamond (#59); Good Old Rock 'n Roll by Cat Mother and the All Night News Boys (#61); Reconsider Me by Johnny Adams (#72); Choice of Colors by the Impressions (#77); I'm Still a Struggling Man by Edwin Starr (#80); Put a Little Love in Your Heart by Jackie DeShannon (#85); Forever by Mercy (#87); On Campus by Dickie Goodman (#88); Abraham, Martin and John by Moms Mabley (#89); While You're Out Looking for Sugar? by the Honey Cone (#90); Never Comes the Day by the Moody Blues (#92); Get Together by the Youngbloods (#93); Along Came Jones by Ray Stevens (#94); Don't Tell Your Mama (Where You've Been) by Eddie Floyd (#95); Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On) by Lee Dorsey (#96); Muddy River by Johnny Rivers (#97); (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (#98); and Theme from 'A Summer Place' by the Ventures (#100). On Campus was a "break-in" record, with an interviewer asking questions, and the "answers" consisting of clips of recent hit singles by various artists. Get Together had previously spent 8 weeks on the chart in the fall of 1967; he 1969 release of the single on RCA Victor records was in stereo, while the 1967 release was in mono.

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 In the Ghetto--Elvis Presley
2 Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet--Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus
3 Bad Moon Rising--Creedence Clearwater Revival
4 Get Back--The Beatles with Billy Preston
5 One--Three Dog Night
6 Too Busy Thinking About My Baby--Marvin Gaye
7 Good Morning Starshine--Oliver
8 Spinning Wheel--Blood, Sweat & Tears
9 Israelites--Desmond Dekker and the Aces
10 Grazing in the Grass--The Friends of Distinction

Singles entering the chart were Reconsider Me by Johnny Adams (#79); Along Came Jones by Ray Stevens (#83); Break Away by the Beach Boys (#85); Abraham, Martin and John by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (#87); Where Do I Go/Be-in (Hare Krishna) by the Happenings (#88); Get Together by the Youngbloods (#89); Gotta Get to Know You by Bobby Bland (#91); Nothing Can Take the Place of You by Brook Benton (#92); (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (#93); Forever by Mercy (#95); Twenty-Five Miles by Mongo Santamaria (#99); and Till You Get Enough by the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (#100). Where Do I Go/Be-in (Hare Krishna) was a medley of songs originally from the musical Hair. Get Together had previously spent 6 weeks on the chart in the fall of 1967.

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 The Ballad of John and Yoko--The Beatles
2 Bad Moon Rising--Creedence Clearwater Revival
3 Get Back--The Beatles with Billy Preston
4 Medicine Man (Part I)--Buchanan Brothers
5 In the Ghetto--Elvis Presley
6 Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet--Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus
7 Love (Can Make You Happy)--Mercy
8 Goodbye--Mary Hopkin
9 See--The Rascals
10 Israelites--Desmond Dekker and the Aces
Pick hit of the week: Crosswalk--The Stampeders

Space
The United States launched Biosatellite 3, a heavily instrumented biomedical research capsule, carrying a male macaque monkey named Bonny. The satellite’s 30-day mission was to evaluate animal responses to long stays in space.

War
Honduras and El Salvador accepted mediation offers from Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica in an effort to end the Soccer War.

Politics and government
The vice president and eight other members of Greece’s Council of State resigned in a protest against the military regime’s attempt to assert authority over the nation’s judiciary.

Protest
Police and sodomites clashed at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The incident, which occurred in the wee hours, was instigated by a concern on the part of the police that the sodomite hangout was controlled by organized crime. When the perverts fought back, it was regarded as the beginning of the sodomite rights movement, which has plagued the world for the last 40 years.

30 years ago
1979

Oil
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to raise the base price of oil 24% to a minimum price of $18 per barrel. A complex new price system was agreed upon that would allow a maximum price of $23.50 per barrel.

A summit meeting of the world’s seven leading industrial democracies (G7) opened in Tokyo. The nations hoped to reach agreement on freezing oil imports and reduce energy consumption and western reliance on OPEC.

25 years ago
1984

Diplomacy
Rev. Jesse Jackson, in Nicaragua, praised the Sandanista regime and predicted that it would win a "final victory" over insurgents supported by the United States. He then returned to Havana and then returned to the United States, accompanied by the 22 American prisoners who had been freed the previous day after negotiations with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Rev. Jackson repudiated the comments of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who four days earlier, had said that Judaism was a "gutter religion" and that Israel was an "outlaw" state.

In a prisoner exchange, Syria delivered to Israel 3 soldiers captured in Lebanon and 3 diplomats seized May 1 after they drove into Syrian-controlled territory in Lebanon. Israel returned 291 Syrian soldiers.

Crime
A number of archival documents were stolen from the regional history collection at D.B. Weldon Library at the University of Western Ontario. The thief had asked to see certain documents, and while the staff weren't looking, had stuffed them into his briefcase and departed. Regional history curator Ed Phelps became aware of the theft when a local coin and stamp dealer called him to report that someone had attempted to sell the documents to him, and a foot chase then took place on the streets of downtown London at lunchtime. Police commandeered a truck, but the chase ended when the truck driver was reluctant to pursue the thief down the wrong way of a one-way street. The London Free Press reported, "Phelps regretted that he was not in better shape so that he could continue the chase. 'I stood there jumping up and down with my glasses flapping.'" The documents were recovered several months later when they were found in a locker at the downtown train station (or was it the bus depot?), and the thief was nabbed in the United States when he tried to pull a similar caper. In 1987 Mr. Phelps was kind enough to show this blogger the regional history collection's file on the case, and Mr. Phelps remarked that it may have been the first time that a police report form was used as an archival finding aid.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Minä olen muistanut--Kim Lönnholm (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Eternal Flame--Bangles (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Mike Sebastian, 79. U.S. football player and coach. Mr. Sebastian was a fullback with the University of Pittsburgh (1931-1933), helping the Panthers win a share of the national championship in 1931, and earning All-American honours in his last two seasons after moving to halfback. He played professionally for 10 teams from 1934-1938. Mr. Sebastian was forced to retire as a player because of knee and hip injuries, and went on to a long and successful career as a high school teacher and football coach. He died three weeks after his 79th birthday, from hepatitis contracted during hip replacement surgery.

Politics and government
On the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo, Serbian President Slobodan Milošević delivered the Gazimestan speech at the site of the historic battle, in which he described the possibility of "armed battles" in the future of Serbia's national development.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Ottawa (0-1) 7 @ Hamilton (1-0) 41
Edmonton (0-1) 24 @ Saskatchewan (2-0) 28

The Roughriders' win over the Eskimos at Taylor Field in Regina was the last game for Edmonton receiver James Hood, who was playing for his fifth Canadian Football League team in as many years. He began his career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1985, then went to the Montreal Alouettes in 1986, where he was chosen the Eastern Division’s Most Outstanding Player. When the Alouettes folded in 1987, Mr. Hood was picked up by the Ottawa Rough Riders. In 1988 he played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and joined the Eskimos in the off-season.

10 years ago
1999

Economics and finance
U.S. President Bill Clinton announced that new projections showed federal budget surpluses totalling nearly $3 trillion through 2009.