December 15, 2009

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Rahim Jaffer!

220 years ago
1789

Born on this date
Carlos Soublette. President of Venezuela, 1837-1839, 1843-1847; Vice President of Venezuela, 1836-1837. General Soublette was a hero of the Venezuelan War of Independence, and held several cabinet posts, including Minister of War (1830-1835, 1861). He died on February 11, 1870 at the age of 80.

190 years ago
1819

Died on this date
Daniel Rutherford, 70. U.K. physician, chemist, and botanist. Dr. Rutherford, a native and resident of Edinburgh, was best known for his isolation of nitrogen in 1772.

150 years ago
1859

Born on this date
L. L. Zamenhof. Polish physician and linguist. Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof was best known for creating the language Esperanto in 1873 as a way of creating international understanding and preventing war. He died on April 14, 1917 at the age of 57, shortly after the United States entered World War I.

110 years ago
1909

Born on this date
Eliza Atkins Gleason. U.S. librarian. Dr. Gleason worked as a librarian in Louisville before completing her education at the University of Chicago in 1941, becoming the first Negro American to receive a doctorate in library science. She founded the School of Library Service at Atlanta University in 1941, serving as its first dean until 1946. Mrs. Atkins was credited with creating the program that trained 90% of American Negro librarians by 1986. She died on December 15, 2009, her 100th birthday.

80 years ago
1929

Football
NFL
New York (13-1-1) 14 @ Chicago Bears (4-9-2) 9

This was the final game of the National Football League season. The Green Bay Packers, with a record of 12-0-1, had already clinched the league championship.

70 years ago
1939

At the movies
Gone With the Wind received its premiere screening at Loew's Grand Theatre in Atlanta.



War
The 36 dead crew members of the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, killed in the Battle of the River Plate two days earlier, were buried with full military honours in the German cemetery in Montevideo. Uruguayan authorities, in accordance with international treaties, were allowing the Graf Spee to temporarily remain docked at Montevideo.

60 years ago
1949

World events
The Hungarian government arrested American Joint Distribution Committee official Israel Jacobson on unspecified charges.

Law
The International Court of Justice in The Hague set damages owed by Albania to the United Kingdom for the 1946 Corfu Channel incident at $2.4 million.

Politics and government
Max Petitpierre, a member of the Free Democratic party and political leader of Switzerland's French-speaking community, was elected President of the Swiss Confederation.

The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission announced the curtailment of its research fellowship program due to widespread opposition to loyalty checks on applicants.

Society
The U.S. Federal Housing Administration and the Veterans Administration banned federal loan insurance on property made subject to racial or religious restrictions by covenants filed in court after February 15, 1950. Informal restrictions were unaffected by the new policy.

Economics and finance
The West German government became the direct recipient of Marshall Plan aid under an agreement signed by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and U.S. High Commissioner John McCloy.

The American Farm Bureau Federation ended a four-day meeting in Chicago after rejecting U.S. Agriculture Secretary Charles Brannan's plan for reform of the farm price support system.

Business
U.S. Steel raised steel prices 4% to an average of $4 per ton.

Labour
American Federation of Labor President William Green predicted eventual unification of the U.S. labour movement because of AFL-Congress of Industrial Organizations cooperation in the anti-Communist International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

Western and northern coal producers in the United States, meeting in Pittsburgh, agreed to resume payments to the United Mine Workers of America pension and welfare fund to avert a renewed strike. Southern Coal Producers Association President Joseph Moody urged U.S. President Harry Truman to intervene in the coal dispute with an injunction preventing miners from continuing their three-day work week.

50 years ago
1959

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, hosted by John Newland, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Father Image, starring Jack Lord



World events
A military tribunal in Havana convicted Hubert Matos, military governor of Camaguey Province and a former top military aide to Prime Minister Fidel Castro, of treason, and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment.

Politics and government
Nigerian Governor Sir James Robertson reappointed Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as Prime Minister, and called on him to form a government to prepare for Nigerian independence in 1960.

Burmese President Win Maung dissolved Parliament and called for elections in 1960.

Science
Columbia University scientists discovered a volcanic-shaped seamount rising 15,980 feet from the Atlantic Ocean floor, 550 miles west of the Cape of Good Hope.

Labour
In an open letter to United Mine Workers of America members, John L. Lewis announced that he would resign as UMW President early in 1960 and that Vice President Thomas Kennedy would succeed him pending a membership referendum.

Football
NCAA
Assistant coach John McKay was named to succeed Don Clark as head coach of the University of Southern California Trojans. Mr. Clark, in his third season with USC, had led the Trojans to an 8-2 record in 1959, but resigned after the team lost its last two games. Mr. McKay was in his first year with USC in 1959.

40 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Kuroneko no Tango--Osamu Minagawa (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Sugar, Sugar--The Archies (5th week at #1)

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Sugar, Sugar--The Archies
2 Come Together--The Beatles
3 Geh' nicht vorbei--Christian Anders
4 Anuschka--Udo Jürgens
5 Je t'aime...moi non plus--Jane Birkin avec Serge Gainsbourg
6 Venus--The Shocking Blue
7 In the Year 2525--Zager & Evans
8 Don't Forget to Remember--The Bee Gees
9 Green River--Creedence Clearwater Revival
10 Saved by the Bell--Robin Gibb

Singles entering the chart were Come Together; Venus; Something by the Beatles (#11); Tarata-Ting, Tarata-Tong by Mireille Mathieu (#12); Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley (#13); Oh Lady Mary by David Alexandre Winter (#15); He Ain't Heavy--He's My Brother by the Hollies (#16); Don't Pick a Flower by John Mayall (#18); Oh Well by Fleetwood Mac (#19); and The Hunt by Barry Ryan (#20).

On the radio
The Challenge of Space, on Springbok Radio
Tonight's episode: C.Q.--Anybody Out There?

Died on this date
Nancy Hodges, 81. U.K.-born Canadian journalist and politician. Mrs. Hodges, a native of England, moved to Victoria, British Columbia in 1916. She became women's editor for the Victoria Day Times, and wrote columns for the paper for 30 years. Mrs. Hodges ran as a Liberal Party candidate in the 1937 B.C. provincial election, but was defeated. She was successful in 1940, and represented Victoria City in the B.C. Legislative Assembly from 1940-1953. Mrs. Hodges served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 1950-1952, becoming the first woman in the British Commonwealth to hold such a position. She was appointed to the Canadian Senate by Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent in 1953, and represented Victoria until 1965.

World events
Brigadier General Omar Torrijos, who had seized power in Panama from civilian president Arnulfo Arias in 1968, was ousted by two colonels while he was in Mexico City for the Classic of the Caribbean horse race. The two Panamanian horses lost.

Diplomacy
Czechoslovakia named Alexander Dubcek Ambassador to Turkey, nine months after he had been dropped as leader of the country’s Communist Party in the wake of the 1968 Soviet invasion which put an end to Mr. Dubcek’s "Prague Spring" liberal reforms.

Disasters
The 207,000-ton Shell Oil tanker Marpessa became the biggest ship ever to sink when it went down off the coast of Senegal on the second leg of her maiden voyage.

Football
CFL
The Edmonton Eskimos named Ray Jauch as their head coach, replacing the departed Neill Armstrong. Mr. Jauch, 31, was an offensive halfback with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1960 and '61; his career ended with a snapped achilles tendon in the 1961 Grey Cup. He became head coach of the junior Winnipeg Rods in 1962, and joined the Eskimos as an assistant coach under Mr. Armstrong in 1966, where he spent the next four seasons.

30 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Southern Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Is She Really Going Out with Him?--Joe Jackson

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Remi, Le Sue Avventure--Ragazzi Di Remi (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 We Don't Talk Anymore--Cliff Richard (5th week at #1)
2 Don't Bring Me Down--Electric Light Orchestra
3 Boy Oh Boy--Racey
4 She's in Love with You--Suzi Quatro
5 Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)--ABBA
6 Babe it's Up to You--Smokie
7 El Lute--Boney M.
8 Video Killed the Radio Star--The Buggles
9 A Walk in the Park--Nick Straker Band
10 I was Made for Lovin' You--Kiss

Singles entering the chart were Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight); Babe it's Up to You; Video Killed the Radio Star; Maybe by Thom Pace (#12); Tusk by Fleetwood Mac (#15); No More Tears/Enough is Enough by Donna Summer/Barbra Streisand (#19); Don't Drop My Love by Anita Ward (#21); Money by the Flying Lizards (#23); Message in a Bottle by the Police (#24); and Nachts, wenn alles schläft by Howard Carpendale (#25).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Weekend--Earth and Fire
2 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
3 Get Up and Boogie--Freddie James
4 Love and Understanding--Mac Kissoon and Family
5 Ooh, Yes I Do--Luv'
6 She's in Love with You--Suzi Quatro
7 Please Don't Go--KC and the Sunshine Band
8 Gonna Get Along Without You Now--Viola Willis
9 We Got the Whole World in Our Hands--Nottingham Forest with Paper Lace
10 Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd

Singles entering the chart were I Have a Dream by ABBA (#20); David's Song (Who'll Come with Me) by the Kelly Family (#25); I Do Rock 'n Roll by Golden Earring (#31); Rapper's Delight by Sugarhill Gang (#33); I'm Born Again/Bahama Mama by Boney M. (#36); Come On by New Adventures (#37); Jealousy by Amii Stewart (#38); and Is it Love You're After by Rose Royce (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Babe--Styx (2nd week at #1)
2 Still--Commodores
3 Please Don't Go--KC and the Sunshine Band
4 Escape (The Pina Colada Song)--Rupert Holmes
5 Send One Your Love--Stevie Wonder
6 No More Tears/Enough is Enough--Barbra Streisand/Donna Summer
7 You're Only Lonely--J.D. Souther
8 Do That to Me One More Time--Captain & Tennille
9 Heartache Tonight--Eagles
10 Take the Long Way Home--Supertramp

Singles entering the chart were Sara by Fleetwood Mac (#45); Why Me by Styx (#75); Looks Like Love Again by Dann Rogers (#81); Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl by the Spinners (#82); Longer by Dan Fogelberg (#87); When I Wanted You by Barry Manilow (#88); Stargazer by Peter Brown (#89); and Memorize Your Number by Leif Garrett (#90).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 No More Tears/Enough is Enough--Barbra Streisand/Donna Summer
2 Escape (The Pina Colada Song)--Rupert Holmes
3 Please Don't Go--KC and the Sunshine Band
4 Babe--Styx
5 Ladies Night--Kool & The Gang
6 Send One Your Love--Stevie Wonder
7 You're Only Lonely--J.D. Souther
8 Still--Commodores
9 Jane--Jefferson Starship
10 We Don't Talk Anymore--Cliff Richard

Singles entering the chart were Sara by Fleetwood Mac (#43); Why Me by Styx (#68); Longer by Dan Fogelberg (#79); When I Wanted You by Barry Manilow (#81); Can We Still Be Friends by Robert Palmer (#84); The Second Time Around by Shalamar (#86); Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl by the Spinners (#88); Volcano by Jimmy Buffett (#89); Looks Like Love Again by Dann Rogers (#90); Takin' it Back by Breathless (#98); and Shooting Star by Dollar (#99).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Babe--Styx (3rd week at #1)
2 Heartache Tonight--Eagles
3 Still--Commodores
4 Dreaming--Blondie
5 Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough--Michael Jackson
6 Take the Long Way Home--Supertramp
7 Tusk--Fleetwood Mac
8 Rise--Herb Alpert
9 No More Tears/Enough is Enough--Barbra Streisand/Donna Summer
10 Pop Muzik--M

Singles entering the chart were Rapper's Delight by Sugarhill Gang (#74); The Long Run by the Eagles (#77); Coward of the County by Kenny Rogers (#85); Sara by Fleetwood Mac (#87); Voices by Cheap Trick (#89); Find Your Way by Surrender (#90); (You Make Me) Feel the Fire by Claudja Barry (#97); and Don't Let Go by Isaac Hayes (#100).

World events
Deposed Iranian Shah Mohammed Riza Pahlevi left the United States for Panama, while militant Iranian students continued to hold 50 people hostage at the U.S. embassy in Tehran. The International Court of Justice unanimously demanded the release of the hostages and rejected the Iranian position that the case could not be considered in isolation from the activities of the U.S. in Iran since 1953.

Hockey
NHL
Montreal 2 @ Winnipeg 6
Quebec 4 @ Detroit 4

The night after losing in their first visit to Edmonton, the defending Stanley Cup champion Canadiens lost their first game against the Jets, at Winnipeg Arena. To mark the occasion, the Jets staged a promotion called "Tuxedo Night," encouraging fans to dress up for the game. Many did, and so did Jets’ head coach Tom McVie. It looked great on Hockey Night in Canada.

The tie between the Nordiques and the Red Wings was the final NHL game played at Olympia Stadium, which had been the home of the Cougars, Falcons, and Red Wings since 1927.

20 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Another Day in Paradise--Phil Collins (3rd week at #1)

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Girl I'm Gonna Miss You--Milli Vanilli (3rd week at #1)
2 Pump Up the Jam--Technotronic featuring Felly
3 If Only I Could--Sydney Youngblood
4 Lambada--Kaoma
5 That's What I Like--Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers
6 Trag meine Liebe wie einen Mantel--Boris Bukowski
7 Swing the Mood--Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers
8 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
9 Ride on Time--Black Box
10 The Best--Tina Turner

Singles entering the chart were All Around the World; The Road to Hell (Part 2) by Chris Rea (#11); Carma--Omen II by Mysterious Art (#17); We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel (#23); and Sweet Surrender by Wet Wet Wet (#24).

Died on this date
Edward Underdown, 81. U.K. actor. Mr. Underdown appeared in numerous plays, movies, and television programs from the 1930s through 1980. His films included Beat the Devil (1953); Thunderball (1965); and Khartoum (1966). Mr. Underdown died 12 days after his 81st birthday.

Arnold Moss, 79. U.S. actor. Mr. Moss was a character actor in films, television, and radio. His movies included My Favorite Spy (1951); Viva Zapata! (1952); and Casanova's Big Night (1954). He made frequent appearances on the television series Suspense (1949-1954).

War
U.S. President George Bush sent American military forces into Panama, and they engaged in a brief but bloody conflict with troops supporting Panamanian dictator General Manuel Noriega. Panama’s National Assembly of Representatives formally named Gen. Noriega head of government and also proclaimed that Panama "is declared to be in a state of war" with the United States.

Terrorism
300 Colombian commandos and soldiers attacked a ranch near Tolu, where they killed Jose Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha, the number two man in the Medellin drug cartel. His son and 15 bodyguards were also killed. Mr. Rodriguez Gacha was one of those believed responsible for acts of terrorism and the killing of several prominent Colombians.

Protest
In Timisoara, Transylvania, Romania, a crowd formed to protest the arrest and deportation of a Protestant minister who had been advocating the rights of ethnic Hungarians who lived in the region.

Journalism
The Montreal Daily News, which had published its first edition on March 15, 1988, ceased publication.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that producer prices had fallen 0.1% in November. The Commerce Department reported that the U.S. merchandise trade deficit had jumped to $10.2 billion in October.

10 years ago
1999

Diplomacy
Two days of talks between Israel and Syria began in Washington, led by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara. The main sticking point was control of the Golan Heights, which Israel had seized during the Six-Day War in 1967.

War
The government of Canada and merchant mariners reached a deal on compensation for civilian seamen who served aboard cargo ships during World War II, paying from $5,000 to $20,000.