November 18, 2009

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Veronica Vamosi, Patty Werbicki, Tommy-Joe Coffey, Warren Moon, and Darren Flutie!

1,300 years ago
709

Born on this date
Kōnin. Emperor of Japan, 770-781. Kōnin, born Shirakabe, the grandson of Emperor Tenji, succeeded his sister-in-law Empress Shōtoku on the throne. He abdicated in favour of his son Kanmu, and died on January 11, 782 at the age of 71.

200 years ago
1809

War
In a naval action during the Napoleonic Wars, French frigates defeated British East Indiamen in the Bay of Bengal.

120 years ago
1889

Born on this date
Stanislav Kosior. Polish-born U.S.S.R. politician. Mr. Kosior joined the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party in 1907 and organized Communist cells in Ukraine from 1913-1915 before being exiled to Siberia. He returned to Russia in 1917, and worked for the Bolsheviks in Ukraine after the October Revolution. He was First Secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine (1919, 1920, 1928-1938). Mr. Kosior was appointed head of the Soviet Control Office and Deputy Prime Minister in January 1938, but was arrested by the secret police NKVD and stripped of all party posts just over three months later. On February 26, 1939, at the age of 49, he was sentenced to death, and was shot the same day by General Vasili Blokhin. On January 13, 2010, the Court of Appeals of Ukraine officially condemned Mr. Kosior as a political criminal for organizing mass famine in Ukraine in 1932–1933, but quashed criminal proceedings because of his death.

110 years ago
1899

Born on this date
Howard Thurman. U.S. clergyman and author. Rev. Thurman was a Baptist minister who served as dean of Rankin Chapel at Howard University (1932-1944) and Marsh Chapel at Boston University (1953-1965), and in 1944 co-founded, with Alfred Fisk, the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco, the first major interracial interdenominational church in the United States. He wrote more than 20 books, the best-known of which was Jesus and the Disinherited (1949), in which he advocated a non-violent approach to civil rights, greatly influencing later civil rights leaders such as Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rev. Thurman died on April 10, 1981 at the age of 81.

Eugene Ormandy. Austro-Hungarian born U.S. musician and orchestra conductor. Mr. Ormandy, born Jenő Blau in Budapest, was a violinist who moved to the United States in 1921. He eventually turned to conducting, leading the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra from 1931-1936, and achieving fame as conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1936-1980. Mr. Ormandy died on March 12, 1985 at the age of 85.

Football
CRU
ORFU
Kingston (5-1) 16 @ Toronto (2-4) 9
Ottawa (5-1) 8 @ Hamilton (0-6) 5

100 years ago
1909

Born on this date
Johnny Mercer. U.S. songwriter and singer. Mr. Mercer was successful for more than three decades, especially in writing lyrics for songs from movies, resulting in four Academy Awards. His collaborators included Hoagy Carmichael, Richard Whiting, Harold Arlen, and Henry Mancini. Mr. Mercer also had some success as a singer, with hit singles such as One for My Baby (and One More for the Road) (1943) and Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive (1944). He died of a brain tumour on June 25, 1976 at the age of 66.

War
Two U.S. warships were sent to Nicaragua after 500 revolutionaries (including two Americans) were executed by order of José Santos Zelaya.

80 years ago
1929

Disasters
In the Atlantic Ocean off the south coast of Newfoundland, a Richter magnitude 7.2 submarine earthquake, centred on the Grand Banks, broke 12 submarine transatlantic telegraph cables and triggered a tsunami that destroyed many south coast communities in the Burin Peninsula.

75 years ago
1934

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Louis Hector and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Today's episode: The Case of the Lost Special

This was another episode based on one of A. Conan Doyle's non-Sherlock Holmes stories.

70 years ago
1939

Married on this date
New York Yankees' center fielder Joe DiMaggio, the American League's Most Valuable Player of 1939, married aspiring actress Dorothy Arnold.

Football
CRU
IRFU
Finals
Toronto 0 @ Ottawa 11 (First game of 2-game, total points series)

WIFU
Finals
Winnipeg 28 @ Calgary 7 (Winnipeg won 2-game, total points series 35-20)

ORFU
Finals
Montreal 1 @ Sarnia 13 (First game of 2-game, total points series)

Orville Burke completed a 45-yard pass to Tommy Daley in the 1st quarter for the winning touchdown as the Rough Riders shut out the Argonauts before 12,000 fans at Lansdowne Park. Tony Golab scored the other touchdown on a short rush after Toronto's Bill Stukus fumbled a punt, and Ottawa's Leo Seguin recovered. Tiny Herman converted Mr. Golab's touchdown.

Fritz Hanson rushed 18 times for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns--including a TD run of 69 yards--as the Blue Bombers defeated the Bronks before 5,000 fans at Mewata Stadium to win their third straight Western title. Winnipeg, trailing ther series 13-7 after the first game, tied the series on the first play from scrimmage when Calgary's Jimmy Gilkes fumbled and Winnipeg's Bill Ceretti returned the ball 16 yards for a touchdown, converted by Ches McCance. Bizz Bisbing scored the only Calgary touchdown on a 4-yard rush late in the game.

60 years ago
1949

At the movies
Adam's Rib, directed by George Cukor, and starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, opened in theatres.

Died on this date
Maurice Golay, 58. Swiss banker. Mr. Golay was president of the Swiss Bank Corporation during World War II.

Married on this date
A week before his 72nd birthday, Alben W. Barkley, a widower, became the first U.S. Vice President to marry while in office when he married Jane Hadley, a 38-year-old widow. The ceremony took place at St. John's Methodist Church in St. Louis. The couple had met at a party in Washington in May 1949.

World events
The Iva Valley Shooting occurred after the coal miners of Enugu in Nigeria went on strike over withheld wages. 21 miners were shot dead and 51 wounded by police under the supervision of the British colonial administration of Nigeria.

War
The United Nations General Assembly approved a worldwide arms embargo against Albania and Bulgaria for aiding Greek Communist guerrillas.

Diplomacy
Yugoslavia expelled three Soviet diplomats in retaliation for Soviet expulsion of the Yugoslavian Ambassador to the U.S.S.R.

Israel recalled its Minister to Romania in protest against Romanian refusal to permit the emigration of Jews.

Defense
The North Atlantic Council in Washington established a financial and economic committee to keep defense planning of member states in line with economic and budgetary goals.

In a letter to Chief of Naval Operations Forrest Sherman, U.S. Navy Captain John Crommelin demanded a court martial or withdrawal of his reprimand, and renewed his charges that Army and Air Force leaders were attempting to usurp civilian control of the armed forces.

The U.S. Navy announced plans to decommission 480 aircraft--one-fifth of its air combat strength--due to budget cuts.

The U.S. Air Force grounded all B-29s that had not been modified to withstand special stress after six recent crashes.

Crime
U.S. Federal Judge Sylvester Ryan ruled in New York that the scheduled espionage trial of Judith Coplon and Valentin Gubitchev would take place despite defense objections that a new trial would place Ms. Coplon in double jeopardy.

Scandal
Panamanian President Daniel Chanis fired National Police Chief Jose Remon for operating illegal monopolies in the meat-packing and bus transit industries.

Economics and finance
The United Nations Economic Survey Mission issued a report urging the creation of a UN-sponsored relief and public works program in Arab countries for Palestinian Arab refugees.

Labour
Crucible Steel became the last of 19 major steel producers in the United States to sign a contract with the United Steel Workers of America establishing workers' pension and insurance funds.

50 years ago
1959

At the movies
Ben-Hur, directed by William Wyler, and starring Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith, and Sam Jaffe, received its premiere screening at Loew's State Theatre in New York City.



Died on this date
Harry W. Anderson. U.S. automobile executive. Mr. Anderson was vice president of General Motors. After his retirement, he and retired GM President Harlow Curtice went on a hunting trip to Ste. Anne's Island, near Wallaceburg, Ontario, where Mr. Curtice accidentally shot and killed Mr. Anderson.

Space
American and Soviet scientists attending an American Rocket Society meeting in Washington began preliminary talks on proposals for a joint U.S.A.-U.S.S.R. space exploration program.

War
General Amkha Sukhavong, commander of northern Laotian forces, told newsmen in Vientiane that Communist Chinese troops formed the bulk of a force that had recently attacked and occupied a Laotian Army post at Longhai.

Diplomacy
The Organization of American States Council in Washington elected Vincente Sanchez Gavito of Mexico to replace Gonzalod Escudero of Ecuador as Council president.

Defense
U.S.S.R. First Deputy Foreign Minister Vasily Kuznetsov told the United Nations General Assembly Political Committee that "all the prerequisites are at hand" for an agreement to ban all nuclear tests.

A U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services subcommittee released a report questioning the ability of existing "obsolete" transport facilities to provide adequate service during a defense emergency of long duration.

Boxing
Zora Folley (49-3-2) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Alonzo Johnson (16-4) in a nationally-televised heavyweight bout at the Caravan Inn East in Phoenix. The referee was former world heavyweight champion Max Baer, who grasped the ropes and vaulted out of the ring at the end of the fight to the applause of the crowd, and joined fight fans in a cocktail bar after the fight. The next day, he went to Hollywood, California to film some commercials, but died of a heart attack on November 21 at the age of 50.

Baseball
The Baseball Writers Association of America named Washington Senators' outfielder Bob Allison as the Rookie of the Year in the American League for 1959. He batted .261 with 30 home runs and 85 runs batted in in 150 games.

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Grüezi wohl, Frau Stirnimaa--Die Minstrels (4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Joseph P. Kennedy, 81. U.S. diplomat and political figure. Mr. Kennedy was a stock and commodity investor who also owned parts of several movie studios and distilleries, and served as United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1938-1940, was the father of Joe, Jr., who was being groomed to run for President of the United States until his death in a 1944 plane crash. It was left to surviving sons Jack, Bobby, and Teddy to carry on their father's political ambitions. Joe, Sr. outlived all of his sons except Teddy, the Senator from Chappaquiddick.

Ted Heath, 67. U.K. musician. George Edward Heath was a jazz trombonist with various bands from the 1920s through the mid-1940s. He formed the band Ted Heath and His Music in 1944, and they were Britain's most popular big band through the 1950s, achieving international popularity in live performances and recordings. Mr. Heath cut back his workload after suffering a cerebral thrombosis and collapsing on stage on his 62nd birthday in 1964. The band broke up after Mr. Heath's death, but was reorganized in 1976, and carried on under his name until 2000.

War
Testimony released by a U.S. Senate foreign relations subcommittee disclosed that the U.S.A. spent almost $39 million over three years to equip, support, and finance a battalion of the Philippine army in Vietnam, attempting to show widespread allied support for the war, according to Senators.

Diplomacy
West Germany formally signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough--Michael Jackson (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: We Don't Talk Anymore--Cliff Richard (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Freddie Fitzsimmons, 78. U.S. baseball pitcher, coach, and manager. "Fat Freddie" played with the New York Giants (1925-1937) and Brooklyn Dodgers (1937-1943), compiling a record of 217-146 with an earned run average of 3.51, and batting .200 with 14 home runs and 103 runs batted in in 513 games. He won 20 games in 1928, and led the National League in winning percentage in 1930 (19-7, .731) and 1940 (16-2, .889). Mr. Fitzsimmons helped the Giants win the World Series in 1933 and played on three other NL championship teams (1936, 1937, 1941), but was 0-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 4 career World Series games. He was also one of the best-fielding pitchers of his time, and held the major league career record for double plays for pitchers from 1938-1964. Mr. Fitzsimmons was released by the Dodgers in late July 1943, and as promptly hired by the Philadelphia Phillies as their non-playing manager, leading the team, renamed the Blue Jays in 1944, through the 1945 season, compiling a record of 105-181. He was a pitching coach with the Dodgers in 1940, and with four other major league teams from 1948-1960 and 1966, helping the Giants win the World Series in 1954. Mr. Fitzsimmons died of a heart attack.

World events
Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini threatened that some of the embassy personnel being held hostage at the U.S. embassy in Tehran would be tried as spies.

Thailand agreed to open its borders to a large flow of Cambodian refugees from among as many as 560,000 camped on the Cambodian side of the border.

Science
It was announced that a scientific team led by Drs. Anna Behrensmeyer and Leo LaPorte had found seven footprints that might be the oldest made by a direct ancestor of man along the northeastern shore of Lake Turkana, Kenya. The 1.5 million-year-old prints were the oldest recorded from the period when Homo Erectus existed.

Football
CFL
Western Final
Calgary 7 @ Edmonton 19

Warren Moon, who relieved starting quarterback Tom Wilkinson early in the second quarter, threw touchdown passes to John Konihowski and Brian Kelly late in the second quarter to lead the Eskimos to their third straight Western title and 6th in the last 7 years. Mr. Wilkinson was 0 for 6 in passing when Edmonton head coach Hugh Campbell made the switch. The score was 0-0 until late in the second quarter, but the Stampeders nearly scored a touchdown in the first quarter. Quarterback Ken Johnson completed a bomb to Willie Armstead, who fumbled after a 68-yard gain when he was hit by Edmonton defensive back Gregg Butler. Pete Lavorato recovered for the Eskimos at the 1-yard line, but the Stampeders argued (correctly) that Mr. Butler should have been penalized for illegal interference for holding onto Mr. Armstead while the ball was loose, preventing him from getting to the ball. The Stampeders hit the scoreboard first when J.T. Hay kicked a 37-yard field goal at 12:20 of the second quarter to take a 3-0 lead. Four plays and 27 seconds later, Mr. Moon completed a 32-yard touchdown pass to John Konihowski, who made a great play to drag one foot in bounds as he caught the ball on his way out of the end zone. The Edmonton defense quickly stopped the Calgary offense, and at 14:20 Mr. Moon completed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Brian Kelly, who made a tremendous catch in the end zone while being covered closely by Terry Irvin and Al Burleson. Neither team accomplished much offensively in the second half. The Eskimos ended up making 4 interceptions, including the first career interception for rookie Emilio Fraietta. Two all-star middle linebackers combined on the last interception late in the game when Dan Kepley intercepted and lateralled to Carl Crennel. Mr. Johnson went the distance at quarterback for the Stampeders, completing just 20 of 48 passes for 251 yards. The Eskimos’ defense shut down the Calgary rushing attack; James Sykes picked up just 20 yards on 8 carries and was stopped on a third-down gamble in the first quarter, while Willie Burden gained just 12 yards on 6 carries. 43,033, a Commonwealth Stadium record at the time, were in attendance on a sunny but crisp day.



25 years ago
1984

Football
CFL
Grey Cup @ Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Winnipeg 47 Hamilton 17

The Blue Bombers overcame early 14-0 and 17-3 deficits to rout the Tiger-Cats before 60,081 freezing fans (including this blogger and a lovely female companion) in the first Grey Cup ever played in Edmonton. It was Winnipeg’s first Grey Cup win in 22 years. Trailing 17-3 early in the second quarter, the Blue Bombers scored 27 straight points to take a 30-17 halftime lead, and cruised from there. Winnipeg quarterback Tom Clements, the game’s outstanding offensive player, completed 20 of 29 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown to Joe Poplawski. Mr. Clements handed off to Willard Reaves for 2 touchdowns, and backup quarterback John Hufnagel completed a touchdown pass to Jeff Boyd. Defensive end Stan Mikawos scored the other Winnipeg touchdown on a 22-yard fumble return when Hamilton quarterback Dieter Brock was sacked in the second quarter. Trevor Kennerd converted all 5 touchdowns and was successful on all 4 of his field goal attempts. Mr. Poplawski, Mr. Kennerd, and Sean Kehoe, Edmonton natives and University of Alberta alumni, all had big games. Mr. Kehoe was voted the game’s outstanding Canadian; he rushed 12 times for 89 yards, caught 5 passes for 47, and returned 2 punts for 31. Tyrone Jones of the Blue Bombers sacked Mr. Brock 4 times and was chosen the outstanding defensive player. Mr. Brock, playing his final CFL game and his only Grey Cup, surprised the Blue Bombers with a 15-yard run for the game’s first touchdown, and completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Rocky DiPietro for the Tiger-Cats’ other touchdown in the first quarter. Mr. Brock, who was relieved by Jeff Tedford for the final few plays, completed 21 of 42 passes for 198 yards. Bernie Ruoff converted both Hamilton touchdowns and added a field goal. Despite the fact that the field had been covered by a tarp for several days, there were still icy patches that affected the play.



20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Lambada--Kaoma (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): If Only I Could--Sydney Youngblood (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Girl I'm Gonna Miss You--Milli Vanilli (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Swing the Mood--Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 When I See You Smile--Bad English (2nd week at #1)
2 Blame it on the Rain--Milli Vanilli
3 Love Shack--The B-52's
4 (It's Just) The Way that You Love Me--Paula Abdul
5 Listen to Your Heart--Roxette
6 We Didn't Start the Fire--Billy Joel
7 Angelia--Richard Marx
8 Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)--New Kids on the Block
9 Poison--Alice Cooper
10 Back to Life--Soul II Soul

Singles entering the chart were I Remember You by Skid Row (#63); Pretending by Eric Clapton (#83); Tender Lover by Babyface (#85); I'll Be Good to You by Qunicy Jones featuring Ray Charles and Chaka Khan (#86); and No More Lies by Michel'le (#92).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 When I See You Smile--Bad English
2 Blame it on the Rain--Milli Vanilli
3 (It's Just) The Way that You Love Me--Paula Abdul
4 Listen to Your Heart--Roxette
5 Angelia--Richard Marx
6 Love Shack--The B-52's
7 Sowing the Seeds of Love--Tears for Fears
8 We Didn't Start the Fire--Billy Joel
9 Cover Girl--New Kids on the Block
10 Get on Your Feet--Gloria Estefan

Singles entering the chart were This One's for the Children by New Kids on the Block (#63); I'll Be Good to You by Quincy Jones featuring Ray Charles and Chaka Khan (#70); New Thing by Enuff Z’Nuff (#76); Two to Make it Right by Seduction (#80); Swing the Mood by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers (#82); and Don't Take it Personal by Jermaine Jackson (#90).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Sowing the Seeds of Love--Tears for Fears (3rd week at #1)
2 Miss You Much--Janet Jackson
3 Listen to Your Heart--Roxette
4 No Souvenirs--Melissa Etheridge
5 Angelia--Richard Marx
6 Cover Girl--New Kids on the Block
7 When I See You Smile--Bad English
8 The Best--Tina Turner
9 Healing Hands--Elton John
10 Another Day in Paradise--Phil Collins

Singles entering the chart were Pretending by Eric Clapton (#74); Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson (#76); Swing the Mood by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers (#78); Woman's Work by Sheree (#82); Let Me Go by Melissa Etheridge (#84); Rescue Me by Sass Jordan (#87); Sunshine by Dino (#89); and Licence to Chill by Billy Ocean (#91).

Society
Pennsylvania Governor Bob Casey signed a law restricting abortions, making Pennsylvania the first state to restrict abortions after a U.S. Supreme Court decision in July giving states the right to do so. The Pennsylvania law banned most abortions at public hospitals and almost all abortions after 24 weeks of gestation. For abortions that were permitted, prior notification of the spouse and a 24-hour waiting period were required.

Protest
More than 50,000 people took to the streets of Sofia to demand political reform in Bulgaria.

Football
CIAU
Vanier Cup @ SkyDome, Toronto
Western Ontario 35 Saskatchewan 10

Quarterback Chris Gaffney completed 8 of 18 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 3 touchdowns himself to lead the Mustangs over the Huskies in the first Vanier Cup to be played indoors, before a crowd of 32,877. It was the Mustangs’ sixth national championship, but first since 1977, while it was the Huskies’ first appearance in the Vanier Cup. Tyrone Williams, who caught Mr. Gaffney’s touchdown pass in the third quarter, caught 5 passes for 157 yards and was named the game’s most valuable player. Mike Clawson scored the other UWO touchdown on a 5-yard run with 29 seconds remaining in the first half after Saskatchewan running back Terry Eisler was stopped on a third down- and-2 gamble on their own 42-yard line. Steve McCann converted all 5 Western Ontario touchdowns. Saskatchewan slotback Dan Farthing scored the Huskies’ touchdown on a 14-yard rush in the second quarter. Phil Guebert converted and added a field goal, also in the second quarter. UWO linebacker Darryl Forde, whose first-quarter interception set up Mr. Gaffney’s first touchdown, was named the game’s outstanding defensive player, while his brother Duane was the game’s leading rusher with 13 carries for 58 yards.



Hockey
NHL
Montreal 4 Toronto 3 (OT)

10 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Paul Bowles, 88. U.S. author and composer. Mr. Bowles wrote poetry, short stories, and novels, and was best known for the novel The Sheltering Sky (1949). He composed works for piano and incidental music for the theatre.

Doug Sahm, 58. U.S. musician. Mr. Sahm was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter from San Antonio who began his career in country music, moved into rock and roll, and was a major figure in Tex-Mex music. He founded and led the Sir Douglas Quintet in the 1960s, and co-founded the Texas Tornados in 1989. This blogger saw him perform live in 1988 when he came on stage at for the encore of Bob Dylan's concert at the Edmonton Coliseum, performing the Sir Douglas Qunitet song She's About a Mover with Mr. Dylan and opening act Tracy Chapman. Mr. Sahm died of a heart attack in his sleep in a motel room in Taos, New Mexico, 12 days after his 58th birthday.

World events
Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was handed over to police as the military government widened its crackdown on corruption. Mr. Sharif was accused of conspiracy, hijacking, kidnapping, and attempted murder.

Diplomacy
At the meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, U.S. President Bill Clinton and Russian President Boris Yeltsin exchanged sharp words over the Russian assault on the rebellious province of Chechnya.

Crime
Shawn Allen Berry became the third white man to be convicted in the 1998 death by dragging from an automobile of James Byrd, a Negro. Mr. Berry, convicted on murder charges in Jasper, Texas, was spared the death penalty, which had been imposed on both of his co-defendants. Mr. Berry was sentenced to life in prison the same day.

Disasters
12 people were killed and 27 injured when a 40-foot tower of logs being constructed for a bonfire as part of a rally by students before the annual Texas A&M University Thanksgiving football game collapsed at 2:28 A.M.