December 14, 2009

Married on this date
Happy Anniversary, Eileen and Leo Sasakamoose!

220 years ago
1789

Born on this date
Maria Szymanowska. Polish-born musician and composer. Mrs. Szymanowska was a prominent concert pianist, touring Europe from 1815 through the 1820s before settling in St. Petersburg. She wrote about 100 piano pieces, as well as songs and small chamber works. Mrs. Szymanowska died of cholera on July 25, 1831 at the age of 41, during an epidemic in St. Petersburg.

210 years ago
1799

Died on this date
George Washington, 67. 1st President of the United States, 1789-1797. Mr. Washington, the "Father of his Country," served with British colonial forces in the French and Indian War in the 1750s, and was General and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army (1775-1783). He sat in the Virginia House of Burgesses (1758-1776), and was a delegate from Virginia to the Continental Congress (1774, 1775). Mr. Washington was unanimously elected as the first President under the Constitution; he served two terms, adopting a neutral foreign policy, while dealing with infighting in his cabinet. On December 12, 1799, he went out in snow and sleet, and developed a sore throat and chest infection. In keeping with the common practice of the time, his doctors withdrew five pints of blood from Mr. Washington, and he died at his Mount Vernon, Virginia home.

190 years ago
1819

Americana
Alabama entered the Union as the 22nd state.

110 years ago
1899

Born on this date
DeFord Bailey. U.S. musician. Mr. Bailey was a country and blues harmonicist who was one of the early stars of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in the late 1920s. His signature tune was Pan American Blues (1927). Mr. Bailey's performing career ended in 1941 when he was fired from the Grand Ole Opry by radio station WSM because of a licensing conflict between the broadcast rights organizations BMI and ASCAP. Mr. Bailey made a living in later years by shining shoes and renting out rooms in his home; he died on July 2, 1982 at the age of 82.

100 years ago
1909

Born on this date
Edward Lawrie Tatum. U.S. geneticist. Dr. Tatum and George Beadle shared part of the 1958 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their discovery that genes act by regulating definite chemical events." Dr. Tatum died on November 5, 1975 at the age of 65.

Politics and government
New South Wales Premier Charles Wade signed the Seat of Government Surrender Act 1909, formally completing the transfer of State land to the Commonwealth to create the Australian Capital Territory.

80 years ago
1929

Died on this date
Henry B. Jackson, 74. U.K. military officer. Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry served in the Anglo-Zulu War (1879), and later became known as a pioneer of ship-to-ship wireless communication. He was First Sea Lord (1915-1916) and President of the Royal Naval College (1916-1919).

70 years ago
1939

Diplomacy
In its last important act, the League of Nations expelled the U.S.S.R. from its ranks because of her invasion of Finland.

War
A British observer surveyed the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, damaged in the Battle of the River Plate the day before, and now docked in Montevideo. The observer reported that the port midship 6" gun was unserviceable; the starboard anti-aircraft guns appeared out of action; rangefinders were out of action; the aircraft was wrecked; and there were shell holes in the control tower and two holes below the waterline. In total, there was evidence of 30–60 hits. British Minister Millington-Drake officially requested that the Uruguayan government intern the ship if she stayed in port longer than 24 hours, on grounds that she was still seaworthy. The Uruguayan government obliged, announcing that if the Graf Spee did not sail within 72 hours of its arrival, she would be interned.

60 years ago
1949

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Ben Wright and Eric Snowden, on ABC

At the movies
Sands of Iwo Jima, directed by Allan Dwan, and starring John Wayne, John Agar, Adele Mara, and Forrest Tucker, received its premiere screening in San Francisco.



World events
A court in Sofia convicted Traicho Kostov and 10 other former Bulgarian officials on government charges of espionage, sentencing Mr. Kostov to death and his co-defendants to prison terms of eight years to life.

Diplomacy
The U.S.A. extended diplomatic recognition to the Panamanian regime of President Arnulfo Arias.

Politics and government
Representatives of 16 Indonesian states and territories meeting in Jakarta approved a provisional constitution for the United States of Indonesia.

Defense
The U.S. Navy announced the development of the Martin P5M-1, the first two-engine flying boat for anti-submarine duty.

Crime
Former Communist Party U.S.A. member Manning Johnson, testifying at the San Francisco trial of International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union President Harry Bridges, said that Mr. Bridges had been elected to the Communist Party's Central Committee in 1936 under the name of Rossi.

50 years ago
1959

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Lonely Boy--Paul Anka (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Heartaches by the Number--Guy Mitchell
2 Mr. Blue--The Fleetwoods
3 Mack the Knife--Bobby Darin
4 In the Mood--Ernie Fields Orchestra
5 Why--Frankie Avalon
6 We Got Love--Bobby Rydell
7 Don't You Know--Della Reese
8 So Many Ways--Brook Benton
9 It's Time to Cry--Paul Anka
10 The Big Hurt--Miss Toni Fisher

Singles entering the chart were The Village of St. Bernadette by Andy Williams (#70); Not One Minute More by Della Reese (#81); Do-Re-Mi by Mitch Miller and the Sing-Along Chorus (#92); Ebb Tide by Bobby Freeman (#93); I Don't Know What it Is by the Bluenotes (#96); Candy Apple Red by Bonnie Guitar (#97); CooCoo-U by the Kingston Trio (#98); and Just Come Home by Hugo & Luigi, Their Orchestra and Chorus (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 Heartaches by the Number--Guy Mitchell (5th week at #1)
2 In the Mood--Ernie Fields Orchestra
3 Marina--Willy Alberti
--Rocco Granata and the International Quintet
4 Mack the Knife--Bobby Darin
5 Living Doll--Cliff Richard and the Drifters
--David Hill
6 Teen Beat--Sandy Nelson
7 El Paso--Marty Robbins
8 Don't You Know--Della Reese
9 The Big Hurt--Miss Toni Fisher
10 Deck of Cards--Wink Martindale

Singles entering the chart were Running Bear by Johnny Preston (#34); Smokie--Parts 1 and 2 by Bill Black's Combo (#36); What About Us by the Coasters (#42); The Village of St. Bernadette by Andy Williams (#51); Lucky Devil/In My Heart by Carl Dobkins, Jr. (#59); and Baciare, Baciare (Kissing, Kissing) by Dorothy Collins (#60).

Died on this date
Edna Wallace Hopper, 87. U.S. actress. Mrs. Hopper was a popular stage actress from the 1890s through the 1920s. Her most famous role on Broadway was as Lady Hollyrood in the musical comedy Floradora (1900). Mrs. Hopper was married to actor DeWolf Hopper from 1893-1898.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower continued his trip to Asia and Europe with a visit to Iran, later flying to Greece.



975 Koreans sailed from Japan aboard two Soviet ships for repatriation to North Korea.

World events
Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro, addressing a military tribunal in Havana, accused his former military aide Hubert Matos of counter-revolutionary activities.

Defense
French Foreign Minister Maurice Couve de Murville told the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Council that the spread of Soviet activities from Europe to other areas required the extension of NATO responsibilities to Africa and the Middle East. French President Charles de Gaulle met with political party leaders and reportedly modified his opposition to NATO military integration.

Politics and government
The Communist Party U.S.A. convention in New York elected a new 60-member National Committee, which named Midwest Secretary Gus Hall to replace Eugene Dennis as the party's general secretary.

Environment
New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller proposed a "land-use" program under which the government would "rent" 60 million acres of farmland and divert it to reforestation and recreational use.

40 years ago
1969

At the movies
John and Mary, directed by Peter Yates, and starring Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow, opened in theatres.



World events
Iran executed 10 people, including three army officers, on charges of smuggling heroin and opium. They were the first executed by firing squad under a law passed in 1969 making narcotics smuggling a capital offense. The execution capped a vigorous 14-year government crackdown against poppy growing and narcotics smuggling into the country.

Disasters
A bus on a Christmas errand to a Masonic home overturned near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, killing 7 and injuring 30.

Football
NFL
New Orleans (4-9) 14 @ Washington (7-4-2) 17
Atlanta (5-8) 27 @ Philadelphia (4-8-1) 3
Cleveland (10-2-1) 27 @ St. Louis (4-8-1) 21
New York (5-8) 21 @ Pittsburgh (1-12) 17
San Francisco (3-8-2) 7 @ Minnesota (12-1) 10
Los Angeles (11-2) 0 @ Detroit (8-4-1) 28
Green Bay (7-6) 21 @ Chicago (1-12) 3

The Redskins’ win over the Saints at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium guaranteed them their first winning season since 1955, and was the last win for head coach Vince Lombardi. The Vikings' win over the 49ers at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington was their 12th straight after losing the season opener; the halftime show, a promotion for the St. Paul winter carnival, went awry when a hot air balloon, with 11-year-old Rick Snyder as its only occupant, took off and flew out of the stadium, eventually landing in a nearby river. Mr. Snyder swam to shore and was driven back to Metropolitan Stadium by a passerby.

AFL
New York (10-4) 27 @ Miami (3-10-1) 9
Boston (4-10) 23 @ Houston (6-6-2) 27
Cincinnati (4-9-1) 16 @ Denver (5-8-1) 27
Buffalo (4-10) 6 @ San Diego (8-6) 45

This marked the final day of regular season play in the 10-year history of the American Football League. Lance Alworth of San Diego set a professional football record by making a pass reception in his 96th consecutive game as the Chargers routed the Bills at San Diego Stadium. The old mark had been set by Don Hutson of the Green Bay Packers and had stood since 1945. The Dolphins’ loss to the Jets at the Orange Bowl marked the end of the line for head coach George Wilson, the only head coach in the team’s 4-year history. From 1966-1969 the Dolphins compiled a record of 15-39-2. Mr. Wilson was replaced by Don Shula.

30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Oh! Susie--Secret Service (9th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Maybe--Thom Pace (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Video Killed the Radio Star--The Buggles (5th week at #1)

At the movies
1941, directed by Steven Spielberg, and starring Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and many others, opened in theatres.







Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Wendy Welt!

Defense
The Soviet press agency Tass said that NATO’s agreement two days earlier to increase the number of medium-range nuclear missiles in Europe "killed the basis for talks on medium-range weapons" in the area, and that the U.S.S.R. was withdrawing its offer to remove some of her forces from East Germany.

Hockey
NHL
Montreal 3 @ Edmonton 5

This was the first game the Oilers, in their first year in the National Hockey League, had ever played against the league’s most storied franchise. Claude Ruel, who had resigned as head coach of the Canadiens nine year earlier, was back behind the Montreal bench for the first time since replacing Boom Boom Geoffrion, who had stepped down because of ill health. The game marked the only NHL appearance for Montreal defenceman Moe Robinson, whose older brother Larry was one of the NHL’s biggest stars. Moe wore jersey #2 for his only NHL game.

25 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)--Billy Ocean (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): The Wild Boys--Duran Duran (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): The Never Ending Story--Limahl (4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Vicente Aleixandre, 86. Spanish poet. Mr. Aleixandre won the 1977 Nobel Prize for Literature "for a creative poetic writing which illuminates man's condition in the cosmos and in present-day society, at the same time representing the great renewal of the traditions of Spanish poetry between the wars."

Labour
British mine workers’ union leader Arthur Scargill was fined £250 and ordered to pay £750 in costs after being convicted on two charges of obstruction following a scuffle outside Orgreave Coal Works, near Sheffield, Yorkshire, on May 30. Mr. Scargill was arrested as he led about 80 pickets to the plant on the fifth consecutive day of the strike action by miners in protest over feared pit closures.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Ryyd-joulu--Bat & Ryyd

#1 single in Finland (Finnish Singles Chart): Pump Up the Jam--Technotronic

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Do They Know It's Christmas?--Band Aid II

Edmonton's Top 5
1 Blame it on the Rain--Milli Vanilli
2 Swing the Mood--Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers
3 We Didn't Start the Fire--Billy Joel
4 When I See You Smile--Bad English
5 Back to Life--Soul II Soul

Died on this date
Andrei Sakharov, 68. U.S.S.R. physicist and political activist. Dr. Sakharov helped to develop the Soviet hydrogen bomb from 1948-1956, but in the 1960s he became a critic of the arms race and Soviet repression. In 1975 Dr. Sakharov became the first citizen of the Soviet Union to win the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1980 he was exiled to Gorky, and his wife Yelena Bonner followed in 1984, which brought much international criticism upon the U.S.S.R. The couple were freed in 1986 and were both pardoned. Dr. Sakharov was elected to the Duma in 1989 and briefly served. In the days before his death he was among those who were imploring Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to allow a debate on the leading role played by the Communist Party in the Soviet Union.

Politics and government
Opposition leader Patricio Aylwin received 55% of the vote in Chile’s first presidential election since 1970. A more conservative candidate, Hernan Buchi, got 29%. Mr. Buchi had been a finance minister with the regime of General Augusto Pinochet and that association hurt his campaign. The election result appeared to signal the end of General Pinochet’s domination of the country--he had taken power in a coup in 1973--although he would remain chief of the armed forces.

10 years ago
1999

World events
The German government and a number of German companies agreed to create a 10 billion-mark ($5.1 billion) fund to compensate people who had been forced to perform slave labour in Germany during the Nazi era. Responding to class-action lawsuits brought in the United States on behalf of 1.5 million or more surviving labourers, Germany and leading companies had sought for months to find a negotiated settlement. An offer in October to pay $3.3 billion had been rejected. The companies said that their contribution to the fund was humanitarian; they said they had been forced by the Nazis to use forced labour.

Abominations
The United States ceded control of the Panama Canal to Panama. The canal zone had been ceded to the U.S.A. by Panama in 1904, 10 years before the canal opened. In 1977, the U.S.A., under President Jimmy Carter, agreed to hand over control to Panama. Mr. Carter, whose support for the transfer had helped to defeat his bid for re-election in 1980, led the U.S. delegation in Panama at the transfer ceremony.

Terrorism
U.S. customs officials arrested Ahmed Ressam of Algeria at Port Angeles, Washington, at the U.S.-Canada border, after finding a liquid explosive, powder, and timing devices in his car--enough materials, it was said, to destroy a large building.

Disasters
Torrential rains caused flash floods in Vargas, Venezuela, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the destruction of thousands of homes, and the complete collapse of the state's infrastructure.

Football
CFL
The Edmonton Eskimos released centre Hicham El-Mashtoub. Mr. El-Mashtoub had starred at Arizona State University, and was drafted in the first round of the 1995 Canadian Football League draft by the Eskimos. He bounced around National Football League camps for several years before finally joining the Eskimos in time for the final pre-season game of 1999. Mr. El-Mashtoub played every game, and was the Eskimos' nominee for the CFL's outstanding offensive lineman award, but he also lived up to his billing (which he claimed for himself) of being "loud and obnoxious." He made so many enemies among his teammates that it was reported that several players had threatened to retire rather than return to the Eskimo if Mr. El-Mashtoub were invited back in 2000. No other CFL team showed any interest in acquiring his services.