August 4, 2009

240 years ago
1769

Politics and government
Prince Edward Island came into being as a separate colony, as the British Crown separated the Island of St. John from Nova Scotia. The new colony, population 250, was given a governor, lieutenant-governor, executive and legislative councils, a Supreme Court and civil service, and plans are made for a legislative assembly. William Patterson was appointed the first Governor of Prince Edward Island.

220 years ago
1789

Politics and government
In France, members of the National Constituent Assembly took an oath to end feudalism and abandon their privileges.

170 years ago
1839

Religion
John Strachan was appointed the first Anglican Bishop of Toronto, serving until his death in 1867.

150 years ago
1859

Born on this date
Knut Hamsun. Norwegian author. Considered by King Haakon to be Norway's soul, Mr. Hamsun was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1920 for his work Growth of the Soil. He opposed British imperialism and the Soviet Union, and admired Germany. Mr. Hamsun's support for Germany in World War II and the Norwegian regime of Vidkun Quisling led to charges of treason after the war, but the charges were dropped after a psychiatrist concluded that Mr. Hamsun had "permanently impaired mental abilities." He died on February 19, 1952 at the age of 92.

125 years ago
1884

Cycling
Thomas Stevens became the first person to bicycle across the United States.

Baseball
Pud Galvin pitched a no-hitter as the Buffalo Bisons whipped the Detroit Wolverines 18-0 in a National League game at Recreation Park in Detroit. Frank Meinke took the loss.

120 years ago
1889

Disasters
The Great Fire of Spokane Falls (now Spokane), Washington destroyed 32 blocks of the city, prompting a mass rebuilding project.



100 years ago
1909

Born on this date
Glenn Cunningham. U.S. runner. A native of Elkhart, Kansas, Mr. Cunningham suffered severe burns to his legs (and had the toes of his left foot amputated) at the age of 8 in a schoolhouse fire which killed his brother Floyd. Doctors recommended amputating his legs, but Glenn's mother wouldn't allow it. Doctors predicted he would never walk normally again; it was two years until he took his first steps, but he eventually proved the doctors wrong. Mr. Cunningham graduated from the University of Kansas, where he won two national collegiate titles and eight Amateur Athletic Union crowns, five of them in the outdoor one mile and 1,500 metres. He acquired the nicknames Kansas Flyer, Elkhart Express, and Iron Horse of Kansas. Mr. Cunningham was national collegiate and AAU champion in 1932, and placed fourth in the 1,500 metres at the Olympics in Los Angeles. In 1933 he received the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States. Also that year, his hometown of Elkhart honoured him with Glenn Cunningham Day after he returned from Europe, having won 11 straight races. On June 16, 1934, Mr. Cunningham ran the mile in 4:06.8, a world record that stood for three years. He won three straight Big Six indoor titles from 1932-1934. Mr. Cunningham made his second Olympic appearance at Berlin in 1936. He beat the world record in the final of the 1,500 metres, but Jack Lovelock of New Zealand was even faster, and Mr. Cunningham had to settle for the silver medal. Two weeks later, on August 20, Mr. Cunningham ran the 800 metres in 1:49.7, a world record that stood for 11 months. In 1938, on an oversized indoor track at Dartmouth College, he set a world record time of 4:04.4. Mr. Cunningham retired from running in 1940 after the Olympics were cancelled. In World War II he entered the Navy and established physical training programs at the Great Lakes and San Diego training stations. He later became a rancher and devoted his time to youth. Glenn Cunningham, considered by many to be the greatest miler ever, was elected to the United States Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1974. He died on March 10, 1988 at the age of 78.

80 years ago
1929

Economics and finance
The Government of Canada created the Canadian Farm Loan Board (today's Farm Credit Canada), to extend loans to farmers.

Baseball
The New York Yankees scored 6 runs in the 1st inning and 4 in the 2nd as they coasted to a 12-0 win over the Cleveland Indians in the first game of a douvbleheader at Yankee Stadium. Tom Zachary pitched a 7-hitter to improve his 1929 record to 7-0, while Cleveland starting pitcher Jake Miller faced just 6 batters, all of whom singled and scored. In the second game, the Indians, aided by 2 Yankee errors, scored 9 unearned runs with 2 out in the top of the 9th inning to win 14-6.

Harry Heilmann's 3-run home run was the big blow of a 7-run 4th inning for the Detroit Tigers as they beat the Washington Nationals 10-5 in the first game of a doubleheader at Griffith Stadium in Washington. In the second game, the Nationals took an 8-0 lead after 3 innings, but the Tigers rallied for 2 runs in the 4th, 3 in the 5th, and 8 in the 6th to win 13-11 in a game that was called because of darkness after 7 innings.

Ed Morris pitched a 2-hitter and added a single and 2 runs batted in for the Boston Red Sox shut out the Chicago White Sox 8-0 at Fenway Park in Boston. Boston center fielder Ken Williams hit a triple and a home run, scoring 3 runs.

75 years ago
1934

Baseball
The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants split a doubleheader at Baker Bowl in Philadelphia. The Phillies won the opener 5-4, but the Giants scored 11 runs in the 9th inning to complete a 21-4 rout in the second game. Giants’ outfielder Mel Ott reached base 6 times, and scored 6 runs. He hit 2 home runs, a double and a single, and drove in 4 runs. He also reached base with a base on balls, and being hit by a pitch.

The New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Athletics 5-1. Babe Ruth hit his 18th home run of the season, a 3-run shot, while Jack Saltzgaver hit a 2-run homer. Jimmy DeShong picked up his fifth straight win.

60 years ago
1949

Politics and government
Guy Gabrielson, a lawyer from New Jersey and supporter of U.S. Senator Robert Taft, was elected to succeed Representative Hugh Scott, Jr. (Pennsylvania) as chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Religion
Francis Cardinal Spellman ended his dispute with former U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt over federal aid to parochial schools by issuing a statement emphasizing that the Roman Catholic Church sought aid only for "auxiliary services" such as transportation, textbooks, and health equipment. Mrs. Roosevelt called the statement "clarifying and fair."

Economics and finance
Brazil concluded a one-year, $256.5-million trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

Italy and Yugoslavia signed a one-year, $94-million trade agreement.

Baseball
Bert Shepard, who resumed his baseball career after losing a leg in World War II, was fired as manager of Waterbury in the Class B Colonial League because the owners could no longer afford his $4000-plus salary. The players threatened to strike unless he was rehired, then started a collection to pay Mr. Shepard’s salary.

50 years ago
1959

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Carleton Hobbs and Norman Shelley, on BBC Light Programme
Tonight's episode: The Blanched Soldier

Died on this date
József Révai, 60. Hungarian politician. Mr. Révai, a Communist, was Hungary's Minister of Culture from 1949-1953, joined the Communist Party's Central Committee in 1957, and was vice president of the Presidential Committee from 1953-1958.

World events
The Laotian government of Prime Minister Phoui Sananikone proclaimed a state of emergency in five northern provinces where Communist-armed guerrillas were attacking Laotian troop positions with increasing success.

Diplomacy
The Conference of Independent African States opened in the Liberian capital of Monrovia.

Defense
The U.S. Congress completed action on a compromise $39.228-billion military appropriation bill.

Politics and government
The Venezuelan government of President Rómulo Betancourt suspended constitutional guarantees, following widespread unrest in Caracas over cancellation of a public works project.

Football
CFL
Pre-Season
Winnipeg (1-0) 39 @ Montreal (1-1) 34

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Kinjirareta Koi--Ryoko Moriyama (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): María Isabel--Los Payos (3rd week at #1)

On the radio
The Challenge of Space, on Springbok Radio
Tonight's episode: Space Station Number 1

Labour
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate increased from 3.4% to 3.6% during July. The increase primarily affected white males, both adults and teenagers.

Disasters
A bus full of pilgrims plunged into a Himalayan ravine, leaving 27 dead and 5 injured.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (1-1) 14 @ Edmonton (1-1) 13

This game might have been postponed because of torrential rain in Edmonton, but Blue Bomber head coach Joe Zaleski thought his team had a chance to win in the rain at Clarke Stadium. Former Calgary Stampeder and Saskatchewan Roughrider Bill Goods replaced rookie Dave Cutler as kicker for the Edmonton Eskimos, with disastrous consequences. Mr. Goods missed 2 converts, and salvaged just 1 single point on 3 missed field goal attempts, and that was the difference in the game. Jim Thomas and Corey Colehour scored the Edmonton touchdowns. Mr. Thomas rushed 16 times for 53 yards, while Thermus Butler carried 13 times for 103 yards for the Eskimos. Much of the action consisted of punting by Garry Lefebvre of the Eskimos and Ron Johnson of the Blue Bombers. Mr. Johnson, who was also a defensive back and backup quarterback, suffered a season-ending injury, while Mr. Lefebvre was cut by the Eskimos before their next game.

Baseball
Jim Maloney allowed 2 hits in 8 2/3 innings to win the pitchers' duel over Jerry Koosman as the Cincinnati Reds edged the New York Mets 1-0 before 13,228 fans at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. Pete Rose scored the game's only run when he drew a base on balls with 1 out in the 3rd inning, advanced to third base on a single by Bobby Tolan, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Alex Johnson.

Glenn Beckert batted 5 for 6 with 2 doubles, a run, and 2 runs batted in to help the Chicago Cubs beat the Houston Astros 9-3 before 31,722 fans at the Astrodome. Ferguson Jenkins pitched a 4-hit complete game victory to improve his 1969 record to 15-9, and added double and run of his own. The Cubs now led the Mets by 7 games in the National League East Division pennant race.

Julian Javier hit a solo home run with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers before 34,135 fans at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis. Nelson Briles pitched a 7-hit complete game victory.

Steve Hargan pitched a 4-hitter to win the pitchers' duel over Tom Phoebus, and Frank Baker and Ken Harrelson hit solo home runs as the Cleveland Indians shut out the Baltimore Orioles 2-0 before 5,034 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland.

The Minnesota Twins scored 5 runs and coasted to a 7-1 win over the Detroit Tigers before 12,040 fans at Tiger Stadium.

30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Zimbabwe Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight--Julie Covington (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Tu Sei l'Unica Donna Per Me--Alan Sorrenti (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: I Don't Like Mondays--The Boomtown Rats

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): I Don't Like Mondays--The Boomtown Rats (2nd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 I was Made for Lovin' You--Kiss
2 Theme from 'The Deer Hunter' (Cavatina)--The Shadows
3 Ring My Bell--Anita Ward
4 Lavender Blue--Mac Kissoon
5 Weekend Love--Golden Earring
6 Just When I Needed You Most--Randy Vanwarmer
7 Aan de Grens Van de Duitse Heuvelen--The Sunstreams
8 Voulez-Vous--ABBA
9 Bad Girls--Donna Summer
10 Cheek to Cheek--Lowell George

Singles entering the chart were El Lute/Gotta Go Home by Boney M. (#18); Are 'Friends' Electric? by Tubeway Army (#29); How Do You Mend a Broken Heart by Guys 'n' Dolls (#33); Hot Summer Nights by Night (#35); Agua by Conquistador (#36); and My Sharona by the Knack (#38).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Bad Girls--Donna Summer (4th week at #1)
2 Good Times--Chic
3 Ring My Bell--Anita Ward
4 The Main Event/Fight--Barbra Streisand
5 Gold--John Stewart
6 My Sharona--The Knack
7 Makin' It--David Naughton
8 When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman--Dr. Hook
9 Hot Stuff--Donna Summer
10 I Want You to Want Me--Cheap Trick

Singles entering the chart were Don't Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchestra (#41); Gone, Gone, Gone by Bad Company (#81); Ain't that a Shame by Cheap Trick (#82); Rocky II Disco by Maynard Ferguson (#85); Firecracker by Mass Production (#86); This Night Won't Last Forever by Michael Johnson (#89); and H.A.P.P.Y Radio by Edwin Starr (#90).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Bad Girls--Donna Summer (3rd week at #1)
2 Ring My Bell--Anita Ward
3 I Want You to Want Me--Cheap Trick
4 Good Times--Chic
5 Makin' It--David Naughton
6 Gold--John Stewart
7 When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman--Dr. Hook
8 My Sharona--The Knack
9 I was Made for Lovin' You--Kiss
10 The Main Event/Fight--Barbra Streisand

Singles entering the chart were What Cha Gonna Do with My Lovin' by Stephanie Mills (#82); This Night Won't Last Forever by Michael Johnson (#84); Ain't that a Shame by Cheap Trick (#86); Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye by Toby Beau (#89); and Don't Throw Our Love Away by Orleans (#95).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Ring My Bell--Anita Ward (2nd week at #1)
2 Bad Girls--Donna Summer
3 I Want You to Want Me--Cheap Trick
4 You Take My Breath Away--Rex Smith
5 The Logical Song--Supertramp
6 Shine a Little Love--Electric Light Orchestra
7 Gold--John Stewart
8 She Believes in Me--Kenny Rogers
9 When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman--Dr. Hook
10 Shadows in the Moonlight--Anne Murray

Singles entering the chart were Lady Writer by Dire Straits (#85); As Long as We Keep Believing by Paul Anka (#87); Get Up and Boogie by Freddie James (#88); Hey, St. Peter by Flash and the Pan (#95); Vengeance by Carly Simon (#97); Body Party by Gail Evers (#98); and First Time Around by Skyy (#100).

Died on this date
Hal Wagner, 64. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Wagner was a catcher with the Philadelphia Athletics (1937-1944); Boston Red Sox (1944, 1946-1947); Detroit Tigers (1947-1948); and Philadelphia Phillies (1948-1949), batting .248 with 15 home runs and 228 runs batted in in 572 games.

Politics and government
Francesco Cossiga, a Christian Democrat and former interior minister, announced that he had formed a new Italian government. A three-party coalition formed the majority of the new cabinet. Mr. Cossiga was responsible for internal security at the time of the kidnapping of Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978; he refused to negotiate with the Red Brigade kidnappers, and resigned as interior minister when Mr. Moro was found dead. Since January 1979, no party had been able to muster enough support to form a government; most recently, a month-long Socialist government had fallen.

Baseball
Pinch hitter Denny Walling singled home Enos Cabell with 1 out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Houston Astros a 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves in the first game of a doubleheader before 45,110 fans at the Astrodome. Jim Wessinger made his major league debut as a pinch runner for the Braves in the 5th. In the second game, former Brave Frank LaCorte allowed 3 hits and 2 earned runs in 5 innings to get his first win in a Houston uniform as the Astros won 6-2 to complete the sweep. Phil Niekro pitched a complete game for the Braves, allowing 8 hits and 5 earned runs, striking out 11, and throwing 6 wild pitches--4 in the 5th inning.

Pinch hitter Manny Mota singled home Joe Ferguson from second base with 1 out in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants before 44,818 fans at Dodger Stadium.

The Baltimore Orioles scored all their runs in the 8th inning as they overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat the New York Yankees 5-3 before 46,407 fans at Yankee Stadium.

25 years ago
1984

Politics and government
U.S. President Ronald Reagan said that his Democratic challenger, Walter Mondale, planned spending increases that would raise taxes by $1,500 per household. Mr. Reagan said he would propose no personal tax increases if re-elected in order "to keep the economic recovery going."

Football
CFL
Calgary (2-4) 14 @ Montreal (2-3) 28

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Das Omen (Teil I)--Mysterious Art (6th week at #1)

Diplomacy
The Sandanista government of Nicaragua reached an agreement with opposition political parties on a plan to demobilize the Contra rebels. The terms included free elections and no curbs on campaigning.

Labour
The United States Labor Department reported that unemployment held steady at 5.2% in July.

Football
CFL
British Columbia (0-4) 38 @ Hamilton (4-0) 44



Baseball
Roberto Kelly doubled with 2 out in the 9th inning to ruin Dave Stieb’s bid for a perfect game, and Mr. Stieb had to hold on to win a 2-1 2-hitter before 48,789 fans at SkyDome. It was the third time in his major league career that Mr. Stieb had lost a no-hitter with just 1 out to go.

10 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Victor Mature, 86. U.S. actor. Mr. Mature was known as a "beefcake" star of movies such as One Million B.C. (1940); Samson and Delilah (1949); and The Robe (1953). His other films included My Darling Clementine (1946); Kiss of Death (1947); and After the Fox (1966). Mr. Mature died of leukemia.