November 17, 2009

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Gordon Lightfoot!

2,000 years ago
9

Born on this date
Vespasian. Roman emperor, 69-79. Vespasian was a legate who subjugated Judaea during the Jewish rebellion in 66, and was declared Emperor by the Senate on December 21, 69. He survived several conspiracies against him, and died on June 23, 79 at the age of 69 after a short illness which culminated in severe diarrhea. Vespasian was succeeded as Emperor by his son Titus, establishing the Flavian dynasty.

170 years ago
1839

Opera
Oberto, the first opera by Giuseppe Verdi, opened at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

140 years ago
1869

Transportation
The Suez Canal opened in Egypt.

110 years ago
1899

Born on this date
Douglas Shearer. Canadian-born U.S. engineer. Mr. Shearer, a native of Westmount, Quebec, was the older brother of actress Norma Shearer. He moved to Hollywood in 1924 and went to work at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios as a sound engineer, becoming a pioneer in the use of sound in films. Mr. Shearer was nominated for 21 Academy Awards for sound, visual effects, and special effects from 1930-1951, winning five Oscars for sound and two for visual effects. He died on January 5, 1971 at the age of 71.

80 years ago
1929

Died on this date
Herman Hollerith, 69. U.S. engineer. Dr. Hollerith developed an electromechanical punched card tabulator to assist in summarizing information and, later, accounting. He founded the Tabulating Machine Company in 1896, which amalgamated with three other companies in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company; it was renamed International Business Machines in 1924. Dr. Hollerith died of a heart attack.

Football
NFL
Buffalo (0-7-1) 7 @ Boston (4-3) 12
Chicago Bears (4-5-1) 0 @ New York (8-0-1) 34
Minneapolis (1-7) 16 @ Providence (3-5-2) 19
Frankford (8-2-3) 0 @ Orange (2-3-4) 0
Green Bay (9-0) 12 @ Chicago Cardinals (3-5-1) 0

75 years ago
1934

At the movies
The President Vanishes, directed by William A. Wellman, and starring Edward Arnold, Arthur Byron, and others, received its premiere screening.



Married on this date
Future U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson married Claudia Alta Taylor, better known as "Lady Bird."

Football
CRU
Eastern Final
Sarnia (ORFU) 11 @ Hamilton (IRFU) 4

70 years ago
1939

Abominations
Nine Czechoslovakian university students were executed on orders Reichsprotektor Konstanin von Neurath for participating in protests against the German occupation of Czechoslovakia and the killing of student Jan Opletal on November 11. Baron Neurath had responded to the protests by closing all Czechoslovakian universities and colleges and sending 1,200 students to concentration camps.

60 years ago
1949

Defense
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Chairman David Lilienthal urged the dispersal of vital government and industrial facilities in order to prevent national paralysis in the event of an atomic attack.

Politics and government
The International Democratic Women's Federation met in Moscow with delegates from 46 nations, including Eslanda Robeson of the United States and Dolores Ibarruri (La Passionara) of Spain.

Crime
The second perjury trial of former U.S. State Department official Alger Hiss opened in New York before Judge Henry Goddard.

Law
U.S. Senator Raymond Baldwin (Republican--Connecticut) resigned his seat in order to serve on the Connecticut Supreme Court.

Economics and finance
The East German government announced plans for total integration of the country's economy into the Eastern European economic zone.

50 years ago
1959

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, hosted by John Newland, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Forked Lightning, starring Ralph Nelson, Frank Maxwell, and Roberta Haynes



Died on this date
Heitor Villa-Lobos, 72. Brazilian composer. Perhaps the best-known of Brazilian composers, the native of Rio de Janeiro first attracted attention in North America when recordings of his works were sold at the world’s fair in New York in 1939. Mr. Villa-Lobos composed 12 symphonies, and numerous concertos and works for solo piano and guitar. Perhaps is most famous compositions were the Bachianas Brasileiras (1930-1945).

Space
Physicist Valerian Krassovsky of the Soviet Academy of Sciences told an American Rocket Society convention in Washington that the lunar magnetic field did not exceed 5% of the Earth's "effective magnetization."

Diplomacy
In the first day of talks with British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer agreed to consideration of the Berlin question at an East-West summit on condition that it be discussed as an integral part of the entire German question.

Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Huang Chen protested to Indonesian Foreign Minister Subandrio against regulations barring aliens--principally Chinese--from trading and doing business in Indonesia's rural areas.

Academia
Harvard and Yale Universities withdrew from the federally-funded student loan program, objecting to provisions of the National Defense Education Act of 1958 that required loyalty oaths from students receiving aid.

Boxing
George Chuvalo (17-3-1) retained his Canadian heavyweight title by knocking out Yvon Durelle (83-22-2) at 1:01 of the 12th round at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.



Baseball
The Baseball Writers Association of America named San Francisco Giants' first baseman Willie McCovey as the Rookie of the Year in the National League for 1959. Called up from the Phoenix Giants of the Pacific Coast League in late July, he batted .354 with 13 home runs and 38 runs batted in in 52 games with San Francisco.

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Kuroneko no Tango--Osamu Minagawa (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Sugar, Sugar--The Archies

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

Defense
The long-postponed Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) between the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. opened at the Finnish government’s banquet hall in Helsinki in an atmosphere of cordiality and with public pledges not to put each other at a military disadvantage.

30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Zimbabwe Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): I Don't Like Mondays--The Boomtown Rats (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Remi, Le Sue Avventure--Ragazzi Di Remi

#1 single in Ireland: When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman--Dr. Hook

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman--Dr. Hook

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 We Belong to the Night--Ellen Foley (3rd week at #1)
2 Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A man after midnight)--ABBA
3 Message in a Bottle--The Police
4 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
5 Sure Know Something--Kiss
6 We Got the Whole World in Our Hands--Nottingham Forest with Paper Lace
7 Whatever You Want--Status Quo
8 Knock on Wood--Amii Stewart
9 Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough--Michael Jackson
10 Tusk--Fleetwood Mac

Singles entering the chart were The Devil Went Down to Georgia by the Charlie Daniels Band (#30); Spacer by Sheila & B. Devotion (#34); Making Plans for Nigel by XTC (#35); and Dream Police by Cheap Trick (#38).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Still--Commodores
2 Dim All the Lights--Donna Summer
3 No More Tears/Enough is Enough--Barbra Streisand/Donna Summer
4 Babe--Styx
5 Heartache Tonight--Eagles
6 Rise--Herb Alpert
7 You Decorated My Life--Kenny Rogers
8 Tusk--Fleetwood Mac
9 Please Don't Go--KC and the Sunshine Band
10 Pop Muzik--M

Singles entering the chart were Coward of the County by Kenny Rogers (#63); Don't Do Me Like That by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (#71); Third Time Lucky (First Time I was a Fool) by Foghat (#73); Rotation by Herb Alpert (#82); I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love by Rita Coolidge (#83); Savannah Nights by Tom Johnston (#86); Since You Been Gone by Rainbow (#87); Yes, I'm Ready by Teri DeSario with K.C. (#90); and What's a Matter Baby by Ellen Foley (#92).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Still--Commodores
2 Heartache Tonight--Eagles
3 Dim All the Lights--Donna Summer
4 Babe--Styx
5 No More Tears/Enough is Enough--Barbra Streisand/Donna Summer
6 Pop Muzik--M
7 You Decorated My Life--Kenny Rogers
8 Rise--Herb Alpert
9 Please Don't Go--KC and the Sunshine Band
10 Tusk--Fleetwood Mac

Singles entering the chart were Coward of the County by Kenny Rogers (#64); Don't Do Me Like That by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (#69); I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love by Rita Coolidge (#82); Deja Vu by Dionne Warwick (#84); Yes, I'm Ready by Teri DeSario with K.C. (#88); Do You Love What I Feel by Rufus & Chaka (#90); (Bringing Out) The Girl in Me by Maxine Nightingale (#95); I Do Believe in You by the Pages (#97); Message in a Bottle by the Police (#98); and She's Got a Whole Number by Keith Herman (#100).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Heartache Tonight--Eagles
2 Good Girls Don't--The Knack
3 Lead Me On--Maxine Nightingale
4 Sail On--Commodores
5 Rise--Herb Alpert
6 Babe--Styx
7 I'll Never Love this Way Again--Dionne Warwick
8 Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough--Michael Jackson
9 Pop Muzik--M
10 Tusk--Fleetwood Mac

Singles entering the chart were Lay it on the Line by Triumph (#89); Jealousy by Amii Stewart (#92); Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes (95); Please Don't Leave by Lauren Wood (#96); Switchboard Susan by Nick Lowe (#99); and I Want You Tonight by Pablo Cruise (#100).

Politics and government
In a straw poll of potential 1980 U.S. presidential candidates at the Florida Republican Convention, Ronald Reagan received 36% of the vote to 27% for John Connally and 21% for George Bush.

Transportation
The first stage of Brisbane Suburban Railway Electrification, from Ferny Grove to Darra, was commissioned.

Football
CFL
Eastern Final
Ottawa 6 @ Montreal 17

In one of the most boring playoff games ever played, the Alouettes were leading the Rough Riders 7-6 before 35,103 fans at Olympic Stadium when Larry Uteck intercepted a Condredge Holloway pass and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown with just 2:02 remaining in regulation time for the game’s only touchdown. Don Sweet converted and added 3 field goals and a single. Gerry Organ kicked 2 field goals in the second quarter to account for the Rough Riders’ scoring. The Montreal defense held Ottawa to just 5 first downs and 59 yards in net offense. The Alouette offense wasn’t much better, accumulating 15 first downs and 193 yards in net offense. Mr. Uteck’s interception was one of four off Mr. Holloway and Jimmy Jones. It was the last game of Mr. Jones' 7-year CFL career.

CIAU
Canadian College Bowl @ Varsity Stadium, Toronto
Acadia 34 Western Ontario 12

Mike Cosgrove completed 14 of 17 passes for 278 yards and a touchdown to lead the Axemen to an upset victory over the Mustangs for their first Vanier Cup championship. Jed Palmaci rushed 14 times for 81 yards and a touchdown; Henry Sareault carried 16 times for 76 yards and a touchdown; and Hubert Walsh rushed for another Acadia major. Don Ross caught 6 of Mr. Cosgrove’s passes for 172 yards and a touchdown, while Bob Stracina caught 4 for 85. Mr. Stracina converted all 4 touchdowns and kicked field goals of 17 and 41 yards. An indication of Acadia’s ability to make big plays was that they amassed 436 yards in net offense while recording just 8 first downs. Greg Marshall, who led the Mustangs with 10 carries for 96 yards, ran 17 yards for Western Ontario’s only touchdown on the game’s opening drive. Quarterback Paul Ford, who completed just 10 of 22 passes for 146 yards, converted and kicked a 37-yard field goal. Tom Arnott punted for 2 singles to complete UWO’s scoring. 19,397 fans, most of them rooting for Western Ontario, were in attendance. John Huard, who had replaced Bob Vespaziani for the season as head coach of the Axemen while Mr. Vespaziani was on sabbatical, expressed his reluctance to stay on as an assistant coach: "I certainly won’t be back as an assistant to some guy who got them to the final twice and lost. I’ve been here once and won it." Losing head coach Darwin Semotiuk wasn’t impressed by the Axemen running a fake field goal late in the fourth quarter when the game appeared to be out of reach. Listeners to CBC radio heard the familiar voice of Fred Sgambati calling the play-by-play. Just days later, Mr. Sgambati died of cancer.

Hockey
NHL
Boston 2 @ Toronto 0

25 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): I Just Called To Say I Love You--Stevie Wonder (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT Top 30): Purple Rain--Prince and the Revolution

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Purple Rain--Prince and the Revolution (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): I Feel for You--Chaka Khan

#1 single in the U.K.: I Feel for You--Chaka Khan (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Wake Me Up Before You Go Go--Wham!

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Purple Rain--Prince and the Revolution (2nd week at #1)
2 Wake Me Up Before You Go Go--Wham!
3 Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)--Billy Ocean
4 I Just Called to Say I Love You--Stevie Wonder
5 I Feel for You--Chaka Khan
6 Blue Jean--David Bowie
7 Strut--Sheena Easton
8 Out of Touch--Daryl Hall John Oates
9 Better Be Good to Me--Tina Turner
10 Hard Habit to Break--Chicago

Singles entering the chart were Like a Virgin by Madonna (#44); Jamie by Ray Parker, Jr. (#59); You're the Inspiration by Chicago (#65); Bruce by Rick Springfield (#78); Ti Amo by Laura Branigan (#84); Taxi Dancing by Rick Springfield and Randy Crawford (#86); Sunshine in the Shade by the Fixx (#87); Tenderness by General Public (#88); Amnesia by Shalamar (#89); and Solid by Ashford and Simpson (#90).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Wake Me Up Before You Go Go--Wham! (2nd week at #1)
2 I Just Called to Say I Love You--Stevie Wonder
3 Purple Rain--Prince and the Revolution
4 The Glamorous Life--Sheila E.
5 Hard Habit to Break--Chicago
6 Missing You--John Waite
7 Dynamite--Jermaine Jackson
8 Lucky Star--Madonna
9 The War Song--Culture Club
10 Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)--Billy Ocean

Singles entering the chart were Sex Crime (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by Eurythmics (#87); I Do Wanna Know by REO Speedwagon (#90); Hot for Teacher by Van Halen (#91); Understanding by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band (#96); and The Belle of St. Mark by Sheila E. (#99). Sex Crime (Nineteen Eighty-Four) was from the movie Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984).

Died on this date
Jan Novák, 63. Czechoslovakian composer. Mr. Novák was mainly known for instrumental and choral works, as well as scores for animated films.

Football
CFL
The Athletes in Action Grey Cup breakfast was held at the Convention Inn in Edmonton. This blogger was in attendance and helped with the setup. The Grey Cup parade took place downtown in the afternoon, and I was able to meet several of the participants, including Miss Montreal Concorde, Terry Girouart, which was one of my goals for Grey Cup week.

CIAU
Atlantic Bowl @ Halifax
Queen’s 17 Mount Allison 29

WIFL-OUAA Vanier Cup Semi-Final
Calgary 7 @ Guelph 12

The Mounties forced 9 turnovers and scored touchdowns off the last 2 during the last 3 minutes as they upset the Golden Gaels. Scott Cameron scored on a 10-yard fumble return, converted by Terry Baker, at 12:12 of the fourth quarter. Mr. Baker scored a single on the subsequent kickoff, and Queen’s fumbled on their next possession. Peter Hess ran for a Mount Allison touchdown 2 plays later; Mr. Baker converted and added a single with less than 30 seconds remaining.



Darrell Skuse ran 15 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter as the Gryphons upset the defending Vanier Cup champion Dinosaurs before 8,511 fans at University of Guelph Stadium. Tim Quirke converted Mr. Skuse’s touchdown and added a 40-yard field goal and 2 singles off missed field goals. Brian DeMug kicked 2 field goals in the second quarter and a single off a missed field goal in the third quarter. The Guelph defense stopped the Calgary offense twice on third-down gambles in the final 7 minutes of play to preserve the win.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Lambada--Kaoma (9th week at #1)

Died on this date
Costabile "Gus" Farace, 29. U.S. criminal. Mr. Farace was a homosexual prostitute who murdered another teenage homosexual prostitute in 1979, but was convicted only of manslaughter. Paroled in 1988, he joined the Bonnano crime family in New York, and added drug dealing to his repertoire. Mr. Farace murdered U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency undercover agent Everett Hatcher on February 28, 1989. A nationwide manhunt ensued until Mr. Farace was gunned down in Brooklyn by Bonnano gangsters James Galione and Mario Gallo.

Protest
Police used clubs, tear gas, and dogs to break up a demonstration by more than 15,000 university students in Prague. The event is considered by many to have been the beginning of the "Velvet Revolution" which resulted in the downfall of Czechoslovakia’s Communist government.

Politics and government
Members of the United States Senate voted themselves an increase in salary from $89,500 per year to $98,400 in 1990.

10 years ago
1999

Protest
10,000 people marched to the United States embassy in Athens while U.S. President Bill Clinton was visiting Turkey.

Disasters
The Egyptian government criticized as premature the suggestion that a crew member had caused the October 31 crash of EgyptAir flight 990, which killed all 217 aboard. The government of Egypt argued that suicide was forbidden by Islamic law.

Law
The Supreme Court of Canada, in R.v. Marshall (No. 2), ruled that Indians who claimed broad treaty rights under its September 17 ruling were reading too much into that decision, giving the government power to regulate resource use.