October 8, 2009

220 years ago
1789

Born on this date
John Ruggles. U.S. politician. Mr. Ruggles held a number of offices in Maine and represented the state in the United States Senate from 1835-1841. He died on June 20, 1874 at the age of 84.

210 years ago
1799

Religion
Joseph Crandall became the first ordained Baptist minister in New Brunswick after being confirmed Pastor by Edward Manning in Sackville. He established a church at Salisbury the following year, and remained part of the congregation until his death in 1858.

140 years ago
1869

Died on this date
Franklin Pierce, 64. 14th President of the United States of America, 1853-1857. Mr. Pierce, a lawyer from New Hampshire, served two terms in the United States House of Representatives before being elected to the Senate. He enlisted in the Mexican War as a private and quickly advanced to brigadier general, although his drinking led him to be labelled "the hero of many a well-fought bottle." In 1852 Mr. Pierce was nominated as the Democratic Party’s candidate for President on the convention’s 49th ballot, although he hadn’t received a vote until the 35th ballot. He was considered an acceptable compromise candidate as the country became increasingly divided over slavery. Mr. Pierce, who was regarded as a northerner with southern sympathies, defeated Winfield Scott of the Whigs in the election. As President, Mr. Pierce pursued an expansionist foreign policy, but his attempts to acquire Hawaii, Alaska, and Cuba were unsuccessful. More successful was a treaty with Japan in 1854 opening that country to American trade. On the domestic front, Mr. Pierce’s use of federal troops to support the pro-slavery governor of Kansas against a rebellious free-soil group had the effect of identifying the Democrats with slavery. Mr. Pierce attempted to win re-nomination in 1856, but the Democrats rebuffed him, and chose James Buchanan instead. Mr. Pierce spent the civil war years criticizing the leadership of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Pierce's views made him increasingly unpopular, and his death was almost unnoticed.

130 years ago
1879

Born on this date
Huntley Gordon. Canadian-born U.S. actor. Mr. Gordon, a native of Montreal, appeared in numerous movies from 1918-1940, and appeared in network radio programs in later years. He died on December 7, 1956 at the age of 69.

Died on this date
Miguel Grau Seminario, 45. Peruvian military officer. Almirante (Admiral) Grau was the most famous naval officer in Peruvian history, and was known as "el Caballero de los Mare" ("Gentleman of the Seas") for his chivalrous treatment of enemies. He was killed by a shell in the Battle of Angamos.

War
The Chilean Navy defeated the Peruvian Navy in the Battle of Angamos.

125 years ago
1884

Born on this date
Walter von Reichenau. German military officer. Generalfeldmarschall Reichenau joined the Prussian Army in 1903, and served with the German Army in both World Wars. He commanded the 10th Army during the invasion of Poland and the 6th Army during the invasions of Belgium and France, and as part of Army Group South during the invasion of the Soviet Union. Generalfeldmarschall Reichenau was an outspoken supporter of Adolf Hitler and a member of the Nazi Party, and in October 1941 issued the Severity Order, which led to the mass murder of 33,000 Jews by the SS Einsatzgruppen at Babi Yar in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. Generalfeldmarschall Reichenau reportedly suffered a heart attack after his daily cross-country run in cold weather on January 14, 1942, and died on January 17 at the age of 57 while being flown to a hospital in Leipzig, although there are differing accounts of his death.



120 years ago
1889

Born on this date
Collett E. Woolman. U.S. aviation executive. Mr. Woolman co-founded Delta Air Lines in 1929. He died on September 11, 1966 at the age of 76.

Philippe Thys. Belgian cyclist. Mr. Thys won the Tour de France (1913, 1914, 1920); Paris-Tours (1917-1918); and Giro de Lombardia (1917). He died on January 16, 1971 at the age of 81.

100 years ago
1909

Baseball
World Series
Detroit Tigers 1 @ Pittsburg Pirates 4 (Pittsburg led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Babe Adams pitched a 6-hitter in outduelling George Mullin as the Pirates defeated the Tigers before 29,264 fans at Forbes Field. Pittsburg manager and left fielder Fred Clarke hit the game’s only home run.

90 years ago
1919

Crime
As German Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany (USPD) chairman Hugo Haase was walking into the Reichstag with the intention of exposing an alliance between German President Friedrich Ebert and Rüdiger Von der Goltz, a Freikorps general active in the Baltic, Johann Voss shot Mr. Haase. Mr. Voss was declared insane two days later and committed to an asylum. Mr. Haase died of his wounds on November 7, 1919 at the age of 56.

Baseball
World Series
Chicago White Sox 4 @ Cincinnati Reds 1 (Cincinnati led best-of-nine series 4-3)

The Reds made 4 errors and Ed Cicotte scattered 7 hits as the White Sox won before 32,006 fans at Redland Field. The fans paid a total of $101,768, a World Series single-game record at the time.

80 years ago
1929

Baseball
World Series
Philadelphia Athletics 3 @ Chicago Cubs 1 (Philadelphia led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Howard Ehmke, who had pitched only 55 innings all season, was a surprise starter for the Athletics against the Cubs before 50,740 fans at Wrigley Field. Mr. Ehmke, who had been sent by manager Connie Mack to scout the Cubs in the final weeks of the season, went the distance and set a World Series record with 13 strikeouts as the Athletics won 3-1. Philadelphia’s Jimmie Foxx hit a home run in the 7th inning for the game’s first run, and Bing Miller’s 2-run single in the 9th inning provided the winning margin. Charlie Root took the loss.



75 years ago
1934

Crime
Bruno Richard Hauptmann was indicted for the 1932 murder of Charles Lindbergh, Jr.

Football
CRU
ARU
University of Alberta (2-0) 6 @ Calgary 1

Baseball
World Series
St. Louis Cardinals 4 @ Detroit Tigers 3 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

Daffy Dean went the distance and singled in the winning run in the 7th inning as the Cardinals defeated the Tigers 4-3 before 44,551 fans at Navin Field. Schoolboy Rowe also pitched 9 innings in taking the loss. For Mr. Dean, it was his second win of the series. Leo Durocher had 3 hits for the Cardinals, a total that was matched by Mickey Cochrane of the Tigers.

70 years ago
1939

At the movies
Hitler--Beast of Berlin, directed by Sherman Scott (Sam Newfield), and starring Roland Drew, Steffi Duna, Greta Granstedt, Alan Ladd, and Lucian Preval, opened in theatres.

World events
Germany annexed western Poland.

Baseball
World Series
New York Yankees 7 @ Cincinnati Reds 3 (10 innings) (New York won best-of-seven series 4-0)

The Reds made 3 errors in the 10th inning, leading to 3 runs, as the Yankees completed the sweep before 32,794 fans at Crosley Field to win their fourth straight World Series. The most memorable moment came when Charlie Keller of the Yankees bowled over Cincinnati catcher Ernie Lombardi as he scored in the 10th inning. As Mr. Lombardi laid there stunned, Joe DiMaggio followed Mr. Keller across the plate. The Reds led 4-2 after 8 innings, but an error by Reds’ shortstop Billy Myers on a potential double-play ball allowed a run to score, and led to the tying run. Charlie Keller and Bill Dickey hit home runs for the Yankees; for Mr. Keller, it was his third home run in the last 2 games. Cincinnati starting pitcher Paul Derringer retired the first 14 batters he faced.

60 years ago
1949

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): It's a Big, Wide, Wonderful World--Buddy Clark; Larry Green

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard) (Best Seller): That Lucky Old Sun--Frankie Laine (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 You're Breaking My Heart--Vic Damone (4th week at #1)
--The Ink Spots
--Buddy Clark
2 Some Enchanted Evening--Perry Como
--Bing Crosby
3 Someday (You’ll Want Me to Want You)--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--The Mills Brothers
4 That Lucky Old Sun--Frankie Laine
--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
5 Jealous Heart--Al Morgan
6 Room Full of Roses--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
--Dick Haymes
7 The Huckle-Buck--Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
--Frank Sinatra
8 Maybe it's Because--Dick Haymes
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
9 Let's Take an Old-Fashioned Walk--Perry Como
10 Whispering Hope--Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae

The only single entering the chart was Don't Cry, Joe (Let Her Go, Let Her Go, Let Her Go) by Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra (#35).

Died on this date
W.L. Mellon, 81. U.S. oil magnate. William Larimer Mellon, son of family patriarch Thomas Mellon, founded Gulf Oil Corporation in 1907. He was chairman of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania from 1926-1928.

Bert Miller, 72. U.S. politician and judge. Mr. Miller, a Democrat, was Attorney General of Idaho (1933-1937, 1941-1945) and a Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court (1945-1948) before representing the state in the U.S. Senate from January 3, 1949 until his death from a heart attack.

Defense
U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Vinson (Democrat--Georgia) accused President Harry Truman and Defense Secretary Louis Johnson of secretly ordering that Naval and Marine aviation strength be reduced by half.

Technology
The U.S. Army announced the development of a lightweight "radiac" (radioactivity detection) set, for use in determining areas that could be safely entered after an atomic explosion.

Reed Research Company announced the development of a portable earth shock detector capable of measuring earthquakes and powerful explosions from a distance of 10,000 mils.

Economics and finance
East and West German trade organizations signed a trade agreement for the exchange of $112.8 million in industrial goods over the next year.

Football
CRU
IRFU
Montreal (3-3) 20 @ Ottawa (6-1) 19
Toronto (4-3) 11 @ Hamilton (0-6) 10

WIFU
Edmonton (2-6) 6 @ Winnipeg (2-7) 8
Calgary (8-0) 10 @ Saskatchewan (5-4) 3

ORFU
Toronto (0-6) 1 @ Sarnia (5-1) 19
Hamilton (4-2) 13 @ Windsor (3-3) 6

4,000 fans at Osborne Stadium saw the Blue Bombers end a 7-game losing streak with their win over the Eskimos. Chuck Fenenboch scored the Edmonton touchdown, converted by Andy Marefos.

Baseball
World Series
New York Yankees 6 @ Brooklyn Dodgers 4 (New York led best-of-seven series 3-1)

The Yankees, leading 6-0 after 5½ innings, gave up 4 runs to the Dodgers in the bottom of the 6th when manager Casey Stengel called on Allie Reynolds to relieve starting pitcher Ed Lopat. The Dodgers had runners on first and third bases with 2 out, but Mr. Reynolds retired the last 10 batters he faced to get the save.

60 years ago
1959

On television tonight
The Lawless Years, starring James Gregory, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Big Greeny Story



Politics and government
Prime Minister Harold Macmillan led his governing Conservative Party to a majority of seats in the House of Commons in the U.K. general election. Running on the slogan "Life is better with the Conservatives, don't let Labour ruin it," the Conservatives took 365 seats (49.4% of the vote) for their third consecutive victory. The Labour Party, led by Hugh Gaitskell, won 258 seats (43.8% of the vote), with the Liberal Party, led by Jo Grimond, third, with 6 seats (5.9% of the vote). It was the first election since Mr. Macmillan had replaced Anthony Eden as Prime Minister in 1957. Future Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was elected to the House of Commons for the first time, as a Conservative candidate in the north London suburb of Finchley. Future Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe was also elected for the first time, in North Devon. Former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill was elected for the last time, representing Woodford.









Economics and finance
Former Indonesian Vice President Mohammed Hatta attacked President Sukarno's financial policies, including devaluation of all large-denomination banknotes and the freezing of all bank accounts of over 25,000 rupias.

Labour
U.S. Federal Judge Irving Kaufman issued an order in New York suspending the eight-day-old dock strike, following U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower's invocation of the Taft-Hartley Act.

The U.S.A. and Mexico concluded an agreement in Washington authorizing Mexicans to work as ranch hands on U.S. farms instead of doing only crop work, as required under previous agreements.

Baseball
World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers 8 @ Chicago White Sox 2 (Los Angeles won best-of-seven series 4-2)

The Dodgers jumped out to an 8-0 lead after 3½ innings and cruised over the White Sox at Comiskey Park to win their first World Series championship since moving from Brooklyn a year earlier. Duke Snider and Wally Moon each hit 2-run home runs for the Dodgers, who knocked White Sox’ starter Early Wynn out of the box after 3 1/3 innings. Chuck Essegian added a home run for the Dodgers, his second pinch homer of the series. The White Sox’ runs came on a 3-run home run in the bottom of the 4th inning by Ted Kluszewski, his third home run of the series; the blow cut the lead to 8-3 and knocked Dodgers’ starter Johnny Podres out of the game. Larry Sherry came on to relieve, and he pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his second win of the series to go with 2 saves.



40 years ago
1969

On television tonight
Then Came Bronson, starring Michael Parks, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Circle of Time

Protest
Demonstrations organized by the Weather Underground, known as the Days of Rage, began in Chicago, aimed at ending U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Politics and government
It was reported that hundreds of scientists, most of whom had opposed the war in Vietnam, had been members of left-wing political organizations, or had had brushes with U.S. Congressional investigating committees, were blacklisted from advisory panels in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare that guided research efforts and funds. Some of the scientists had Justice, Defense, or State Department security clearances, yet were unacceptable to HEW, the operation of which contained little of a secret nature.

Disasters
Tunisia reported that 10 days of floods had resulted in the deaths of at least 500 people and the destruction of 50,000 homes.

12 South Korean seamen were missing and 8 were rescued after their freighter sank northwest of Japan’s Cape Shiona.

Football
CFL
Calgary (7-5) 25 @ Toronto (7-3) 31

Baseball
The Cincinnati Reds fired manager Dave Bristol. In 3½ seasons with the Reds, Mr. Bristol had compiled a record of 298-265, .529. In 1969 the Reds had posted a record of 89-73, 4 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League West Division.

Joe Gordon resigned after managing the Kansas City Royals in their first season. The Royals finished fourth in the American League West Division with a record of 69-93, .426. Charlie Metro replaced Mr. Gordon.

30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Born to Be Alive--Patrick Hernandez

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Sexual Violet No. 1--Masahiro Kuwana

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Lady Laura--Roberto Carlos (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Nur Muhammad Taraki, 62. Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council (President) of Afghanistan, 1978-1979. Mr. Taraki became involved with Communism in the 1930s, and became General Secretary of the Central Committee of the People's Democratic (i.e., Communist) Party in 1965. He took the presidency as one of the leaders of the Saur Revolution in 1978. Mr. Taraki's government was characterized by a cult of personality around himself, and was plagued with factional disputes. He was assassinated on the orders of his former revolutionary colleague Hafizullah Amin, who became the new President.

Religion
Pope John Paul II arrived back in Rome from his tour of the United States.

Football
CFL
Toronto (4-8) 3 @ Hamilton (4-9) 42
Calgary (9-3) 18 @ Winnipeg (3-10) 13
Montreal (8-4-1) 6 @ Edmonton (10-1-2) 47

Tom Clements completed 23 of 31 passes for 433 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Tiger-Cats’ rout of the Argonauts in front of 27,293 at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Neil Lumsden scored 3 touchdowns--2 on short runs and 1 on a pass from Mr. Clements--to lead the scoring parade. Kerry Smith and Gord Paterson caught the other touchdown passes. Zenon Andrusyshyn contributed 5 converts, 2 field goals, and a single. Leif Pettersen caught 6 passes for 185 yards to lead the Hamilton receivers. Ron Rowland was the leading rusher with 19 carries for 76 yards.

Calgary defensive back Robert Sparks knocked the ball loose from Winnipeg receiver Brian Gervais in the Stampeder end zone on the final play to preserve the win for the Stampeders before 22,449 fans at Winnipeg Stadium. The Blue Bombers had scrimmaged from the Calgary 3-yard line, and would have won the game if Mr. Gervais had held on to the pass from Dieter Brock. The only Stampeder touchdown was scored by linebacker Doug Battershill on a 35-yard interception return. J.. Hay converted and added 3 field goals. Mr. Gervais scored Winnipeg’s touchdown on a 5-yard pass from Mr. Brock in the third quarter. Bernie Ruoff converted and added 2 field goals. Willie Burden carried 11 times for 73 yards for the Stampeders, while James Sykes added 41 yards on 6 carries. The Stampeder defense was able to stifle the Winnipeg running game, as Jim Washington was held to 40 yards on 11 carries, and Richard Holmes picked up just 24 yards on 11 rushes.

With Tom Wilkinson starting at quarterback, the Eskimos rolled up a 38-0 halftime lead before 42,778 fans on a sunny Thanksgiving Day at Commonwealth Stadium. The team coasted in the second half with Warren Moon at quarterback. Mr. Wilkinson threw touchdown passes to Brian Kelly and Waddell Smith, and Mr. Moon threw one to John Konihowski. Mr. Smith scored another touchdown on a 26-yard rush on a reverse, Jim Germany rushed 38 yards for a major score, and Larry Highbaugh scored an Eskimo touchdown on a 55-yard interception return. The Edmonton defense held CFL rushing leader David Green to 68 yards on 16 carries, but Mr. Green broke the shutout with a 4-yard touchdown run on the first play of the 4th quarter. Mr. Germany carried 15 times for 89 yards, while Mr. Kelly caught 4 passes for 123 yards. At halftime, Marni Fullerton was announced as Miss Edmonton Eskimo for 1979.

25 years ago
1984

Weather
It was a beautiful Thanksgiving Day in Edmonton. This blogger was raking leaves in 81 F. sunshine.

Space
The crew of the U.S. space shuttle Challenger lost much of their communications when cosmic radiation disabled a relay satellite, but an alternative network was activated to permit resumption of human messages and transmittal of scientific data.

Football
CFL
Calgary (5-9) 8 @ Winnipeg (10-3-1) 46

Willard Reaves scored 3 touchdowns, rushing 29 times for 118 yards and catching 4 passes for 41 more in the Blue Bombers’ rout at Winnipeg Stadium before 28,025 fans. Mr. Reaves' total gave him 1,585 yards rushing for the season, eclipsing the old team record of 1,527 by Mack Herron in 1972. Jeff Boyd caught 3 passes for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns, and James Murphy caught 11 for 190 and 1 touchdown. The Blue Bombers, who led 28-7 after the first quarter, rolled up 31 first downs to just 8 for the Stampeders, and 595 yards in net offense to 186 for Calgary. Bernard Quarles, who entered the game for the Stampeders early in the first quarter when starting quarterback Greg Vavra was injured, completed just 8 of 124 passes for 171 yards and 2 interceptions, with one of his completions going for a 72-yard touchdown to Michael Harper. Calgary wide receiver Michael Wade, playing his first CFL game, saw his day come to an early end after just a few plays. According to the designated import rule then in place, when Mr. Vavra, a Canadian, was replaced by Mr. Quarles, an import, another import player had to leave for the balance of the game, and Mr. Wade was the player selected.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Swing the Mood--Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers

#1 single in Switzerland: Lambada--Kaoma (7th week at #1)

Protest
Protesters calling for more freedom and chanting, "Gorby, Gorby" filled the streets of cities throughout East Germany. U.S.S.R. President Mikhail Gorbachev was visiting the country on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the German Democratic Republic.

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (7-7) 39 @ Calgary (8-6) 26

Kent Austin completed 29 of 37 passes for a team-record 492 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Roughriders rolled up a 32-6 lead in the third quarter before weathering a Calgary comeback. Rob Bresciani caught 6 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown for Saskatchewan, and Don Narcisse added 4 catches for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. Milson Jones added to the attack with 19 rushes for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Roughriders amassed 656 yards in net offense to 374 for the Stampeders. Lorenzo Graham rushed for 1 Calgary touchdown and caught a pass from backup quarterback Danny Barrett for another. Starting quarterback Terrence Jones scored a Stampeder touchdown on a 1-yard run in the first quarter. Marshall Toner led Calgary receivers with 3 receptions for 111 yards.

Baseball
American League Championship Series
Oakland 4 @ Toronto 3 (Oakland won best-of-seven series 4-1)

The Blue Jays scored a run in the 8th and 2 in the 9th, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Athletics winning their second straight American League pennant before 50,024 fans at SkyDome. Dave Stewart won his second game of the Series, leaving in favour of Dennis Eckersley after giving up a home run to George Bell to lead off the bottom of the 9th inning.



National League Championship Series
Chicago 4 @ San Francisco 6 (San Francisco led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Matt Williams’ home run in the 5th inning broke a 4-4 tie, and the Giants held on to beat the Cubs before 62,078 fans at Candlestick Park. The Cubs loaded the bases in the 9th inning with 2 out, but in the fashion that so characterized his overrated career, Andre Dawson struck out on 3 pitches against Steve Bedrosian to end the game.



10 years ago
1999

Died on this date
John McLendon, 84. U.S. basketball coach. Mr. McLendon coached at the North Carolina College for Negroes (1941-52); Hampton Institute (1952-54); and Tennessee State A&I (1955-59), leading the latter to three consecutive NAIA championships. He was named coach of the Cleveland Pipers of the American Basketball League in 1961, becoming the first Negro to coach a professional basketball team in the United States. Mr. McLendon was fired or resigned in mid-season, and the Pipers won the ABL title without him. He then coached at Kentucky State (1964-66) and Cleveland State Universities (1966-69) before returning to the professional ranks with the Denver Rockets of the American Basketball Association. Mr. McLendon was fired 28 games into the 1969-70 season after compiling a 9-19 record, and never coached again. He was credited with innovations such as the fast break, full-court press, and four corners offense. Mr. McLendon was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame twice: in 1979 as a "contributor," and in 2016 as a coach. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

War
The U.S. military arrived in force in East Timor when the amphibious assault ship Belieau Wood arrived in the harbour of Dili, the capital.

Valery Manilov, a Russian general, said that 20 to 30 Russian soldiers had been killed in the fighting in the breakaway republic of Chechnya.

Football
CIAU
Bishop's (1-4) 10 @ McGill (1-4) 11

Baseball
National League Division Series
Atlanta 5 @ Houston 3 (12 innings) (Atlanta led best-of-five series 2-1)

Brian Jordan hit a 3-run home run for the Braves in the 6th inning and then hit a 2-run double in the 12th to break a 3-3 tie as they defeated the Astros before 48,625 fans at the Astrodome.



Arizona 2 @ New York 9 (New York led best-of-five series 2-1)

The Mets scored 6 runs in the 6th inning of their win over the Diamondbacks before 56,180 fans at Shea Stadium.