January 20, 2010

1,760 years ago
250

Died on this date
Fabian. Bishop of Rome, 236-250. Fabian, born Fabianus of noble Roman birth, was reportedly chosen as Bishop of Rome after a dove descended upon him during the election to succeed Anterus. Most of Fabian's reign was characterized by friendly relations with the imperial government, but on January 3, 250, Emperor Decius issued an edict ordering everyone in the Roman Empire (except Jews) to make sacrifices to the Roman gods. Fabian refused, and died a martyr, probably in prison rather than by execution. He was succeeded as Bishop of Rome by Cornelius.

690 years ago
1320

Europeana
Władysław I was crowned King of Poland by Janisław, Archbishop of Gniezno, at Wawel Cathedral in Krakow. Permission for the coronation had been granted five months earlier by Pope John XXII. Rival claimant John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia, who also claimed the crown of Poland. Internationally, Władysław I was known as King of Krakow.

140 years ago
1870

Born on this date
Guillaume Lekeu. Belgian composer. Mr. Lekeu was a pianist who composed about 50 works, mainly chamber music. He died on January 21, 1894, the day after his 24th birthday, of typhoid fever resulting from contaminated sherbet. Many of his works remained unfinished.

130 years ago
1880

Born on this date
Max Schöne. German swimmer. Mr. Schöne won a gold medal in the men's 200-metre team event at the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris. He died on January 16, 1961, four days before his 81st birthday.

Walter W. Bacon. U.S. politician. Mr. Bacon, a Republican, served three terms as Mayor of Wilmington (1936-1941) before leaving that office to serve as Governor of Delaware (1941-1949). He died on March 18, 1962 at the age of 82.

120 years ago
1890

Died on this date
Franz Lachner, 86. German composer and conductor. Mr. Lachner conducted at various concerts and festivals in Munich in the mid-19th century. His compositions, which included eight symphonies, and other orchestral, chamber, and keyboard works, are now largely forgotten.

110 years ago
1900

Born on this date
Colin Clive. U.K. actor. Mr. Clive, born Colin Clive-Greig, was best known for his starring roles in the play (1929) and film (1930) Journey's End, and for playing Dr. Frankenstein in the movies Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). He was a descendant of military leader Robert Clive, and had a feature role in the movie Clive of India (1935). Colin Clive was a drunkard who died of tuberculosis on June 25, 1937 at the age of 37.

Died on this date
John Ruskin, 80. U.K. author and artist. Mr. Ruskin was the leading art critic of the Victorian era, emphasizing the connections among art, nature and society. He also sketched and painted many natural phenomena and architectural structures. Mr. Ruskin died 19 days before his 81st birthday.

100 years ago
1910

Born on this date
Joy Adamson. Austro-Hungarian born Kenyan authoress. Mrs. Adamson, born Friederike Gessner in what is now the Czech Republic, met her third husband, George Adamson, while on safari. The two worked together in Kenya, and became known for their conservation work with Elsa the lioness in the late 1950s. Mrs. Adamson's book Born Free (1960) was an international bestseller, and inspired the 1966 movie of the same name. She remained in Kenya until she was murdered by fired employee Paul Nakware Ekai on January 3, 1980, 17 days before her 70th birthday.

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Edmonton (AAHA) 7 @ Ottawa 13 (Ottawa won 2-game total goals series 21-11)

Bruce Stuart scored 5 goals for Ottawa, with Gordon Roberts and Bruce Ridpath scoring 3 goals each. Hamby Shore and Marty Walsh each scored a goal for Ottawa as they retained the Stanley Cup at The Arena. Fred Whitcroft scored 3 goals for Edmonton, champions of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association. Harold Deeton and Bert Boulton each scored 2 goals for Edmonton.

75 years ago
1935

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Louis Hector and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: The Case of the Dual Personality

Born on this date
Happy birthday, Milt Plum!
Mr. Plum was a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns (1957-1961); Detroit Lions (1962-1967); Los Angeles Rams (1968); and New York Giants (1969). While with the Browns he became the first quarterback to receive instructions from his coach (Paul Brown) by means of a radio receiver in his helmet. Mr. Plum’s best season was 1960, when he completed 60% of his passes and threw 21 touchdown passes and just 5 interceptions. He was one of the Lions’ quarterbacks in 1963, the year George Plimpton attended the team’s training camp as a quarterback, which led to the book and movie Paper Lion.

70 years ago
1940

Law
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the federal government could abolish all appeals from Canadian courts to the Privy Council in London.

Diplomacy
The United Kingdom denied that it had violated the 11th Hague Convention by interfering with mail from the United States to Europe in its search for contraband.

In a letter released by the White House, Pope Pius XII expressed little support for U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's peace effort.

Economics and finance
Sweden announced that it would accept $10 million in RFC credit from the U.S.A. for purchase of agricultural products.

Figure skating
Jane Vaugh retained the women's senior title at the United States championship competition in Rye, New York.

60 years ago
1950

Diplomacy
The U.S.A. threatened to break off relations with Bulgaria if its demand for the recall of U.S. Minister to Bulgaria Donald Heath was not withdrawn. Mr. Heath had been accused of espionage against Bulgaria.

U.S.S.R. authorities in Germany began to halt traffic at Helmstedt, on the border between the Soviet and British zones, for prolonged inspection of cargoes and transit permits.

Politics and government
A new constitution went into effect in Suriname (Dutch Guiana), giving the Dutch colony control over its own internal affairs, but preserving Dutch authority in foreign affairs and defense.

The Japanese Communist Party Central Committee announced that party leader Sanzo Nosaka had confessed that he made a "mistake in principle" by advocating non-violent revolution.

Crime
U.S. Federal Judge Sylvester Ryan refused a defense motion to dismiss the espionage case against former U.S. government employee Judith Coplon and U.S.S.R. engineer and former United Nations employee Valentin Gubitchev because of Federal Bureau of Investigation use of wiretaps to gather evidence.

Academia
Rutgers University trustees directed all the university's fraternities, honour societies, and political organizations to abolish racial and religious membership restrictions.

Football
NFL
The National Football League Rules Committee voted to allow unlimited free substitution of players, quickly opening the way for the era of two-platoon football and specialization of positions such as field goal kickers.

40 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): En Man i Byrån--Lill Lindfors (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Venus--The Shocking Blue (3rd week at #1)

Space
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced budget cuts that would result in the layoff of 50,000 workers, reduction in Saturn V rocket production, and the stretching out of lunar landing schedules. NASA Administrator Thomas O. Paine told a news conference that the program "contains the basic ingredients needed for an effective space program in the 1970s." Mr. Paine said that he had ordered: Suspension of production of the Saturn V rocket for an indefinite period after the completion of Saturn V 515; A stretching out of Apollo lunar missions to six-month launch intervals, with deferment of lunar expeditions entirely during orbital flights of the so-called AAP (Apollo Applications) space station in 1972; postponement of launch of the Viking Mars unmanned landing spacecraft from 1973 to the next Mars opportunity in 1975. Mr. Paine announced that the Apollo expeditions to the moon would continue through Apollo 19; that one Saturn V previously scheduled for an Apollo lunar flight would be used to launch the first experimental AAP space station into earth orbit in 1972; and that NASA would begin design of a reusable space shuttle. He also said that two unmanned spacecraft would be sent to orbit Mars in 1971; the first probe to Jupiter would be sent in 1972; and a spacecraft would be sent past Venus and Mercury in 1973.

World events
The government of Iraq crushed a right-wing military-civilian coup d'etat aimed at overthrowing the left-wing Ba'ath Socialist government of President Ahmed Hasan al-Bakr.

Diplomacy
In what was described as a useful and businesslike meeting, the U.S.A. and Communist China resumed formal talks in Warsaw after a two-year suspension. American Ambassador Walter Stoessel said that "a number of matters of mutual interest" had been discussed.

U.S. Ambassador Charles Yost told the U.S.S.R. that the U.S.A. would stand by its latest proposals for a Middle East peace settlement and make no further concessions.

U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew met with Australian cabinet ministers in Canberra. A small crowd of anti-Vietnam war protesters gathered outside the parliament building shouting "Go home, CIA."

Economics and finance
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board authorized sizable increases in the interest rates paid by commercial banks on both passbook and corporate accounts. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation announced similar changes for savings banks.

The U.S. Senate, controlled by the Democratic Party, challenged the administration of President Richard Nixon by voting 74-17 to pass a $19.7-billion health, education, and anti-poverty appropriations bill that Mr. Nixon said he would veto as inflationary. The bill, already passed by the House of Representatives, provided $1.1 billion more than the administration requested.

U.S. Senator George McGovern (Democrat--South Dakota), a critic of President Richard Nixon’s welfare plan, said that the federal government should pay parents an allowance of $50-$65 per month for each child, regardless of the family’s income level.

Hockey
NHL
All-Star Game @ St. Louis Arena
East 4 West 1

Bobby Hull of the Chicago Black Hawks scored a goal and an assist, and was named the game's Most Valuable Player, as he helped the East win before 16,587 fans. Jacques Laperriere of the Montreal Canadiens opened the scoring just 20 seconds into the game. Dean Prentice of the Pittsburgh Penguins scored to tie the game just 17 seconds later. Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings scored the eventual winning goal on a powerplay at 7:20 of the 1st period. Mr. Hull scored at 1:53 of the 2nd period to make the score 3-1, and Walt Tkaczuk of the New York Rangers closed the scoring at 9:37 of the 2nd period.





30 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Jezebel--Jon Stevens (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: I Have a Dream--ABBA

Olympics
Declaring that "it is very important for the world to realize how serious a threat the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan is," U.S. President Jimmy Carter said that if Soviet troops were not withdrawn from Afghanistan in a month, he would ask the United States Olympic Committee to urge the International Olympic Committee to transfer or cancel the summer games, scheduled to be held in Moscow. Failing that, Mr. Carter said he would suggest to the USOC that it formally withdraw American athletes from the games.

Politics and government
U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (Massachusetts), challenging President Jimmy Carter for the 1980 Democratic Party presidential nomination, suggested that Mr. Carter’s reversal of policy over a Soviet combat brigade in Cuba in September 1979 may have influenced the U.S.S.R.’s decision to invade Afghanistan. Sen. Kennedy’s comments were made the day before the Iowa caucus votes on presidential candidates of both the Democrats and Republicans.

Disasters
While 40,000 fans cheered scores of men in a bullring in Sincelejo, Colombia who were running from several bulls, five sections of overcrowded wooden bleachers collapsed, killing at least 222 people and injuring at least 500 more. Heavy rains had softened the ground beneath the bleachers until their wooden supports slipped under the weight of 3,000 spectators. "In 30 seconds the stands crashed down like a castle of cards," a newsman at the scene reported.

Football
NFL
Super Bowl XIV @ Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Pittsburgh 31 Los Angeles 19

Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw completed 14 of 21 passes for 309 yards and 2 touchdowns in leading the Steelers to their second straight Super Bowl win and fourth in the last six years. A 41-yard field goal by Matt Bahr gave the Steelers an early 3-0 lead, but the Rams came back with a 1-yard touchdown rush by Cullen Bryant, converted by Frank Corral, to take a 7-3 lead. The Steelers were driving as the first quarter ended, and the drive finished early in the second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Franco Harris, converted by Mr. Bahr, to give Pittsburgh a 10-7 lead. The Rams came back with 2 field goals by Mr. Corral to take a 13-10 halftime lead. The Steelers struck early in the third quarter when Lynn Swann made a spectacular catch for a 47-yard touchdown, converted by Mr. Bahr, to give Pittsburgh a 17-13 lead. Los Angeles replied with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Vince Ferragamo to Ron Smith. Mr. Corral missed the convert, leaving the Rams with a 19-17 lead. The Steelers mounted drives deep into Los Angeles territory before the third quarter ended, but both drives ended with interceptions by the Rams. Ken Clark’s 59-yard punt backed the Steelers up at their own 25-yard line, but on a third down and 8 yards to go, Mr. Bradshaw connected with John Stallworth for a 73-yard touchdown, converted by Mr. Bahr, to go ahead 24-19. Mr. Ferragamo later brought the Rams back downfield, but Pittsburgh linebacker Jack Lambert snuffed out the drive with an interception at his own 32 with just under 6 minutes remaining. Mr. Bradshaw again connected with Mr. Stallworth for a big gain, 45 yards to the Los Angeles 22. Several plays later, Mr. Harris scored on another 1-yard run, with Mr. Bahr converting to make the score 31-19. The Rams drove to the Pittsburgh 37-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs with 39 seconds left. Mr. Stallworth finished with 121 yards on 3 receptions, while Mr. Swann caught 5 for 79. Mr. Harris caught 5 for 66 and rushed for 44 yards and 2 touchdowns. Mr. Ferragamo completed 15 of 25 passes for 212 yards. Billy Waddy led the Rams with 3 catches for 75 yards. Wendell Tyler of Los Angeles led all rushers with 60 yards. 103,985 were in attendance at the Rose Bowl.



25 years ago
1985

Politics and government
Ronald Reagan began his second term as President of the United States. Because it was a Sunday, Mr. Reagan took the oath of office in private. The public ceremony took place the next day.

Television
This year’s Super Bowl telecast marked the first time that television commercials ran for a million dollars per minute. It was the first Super Bowl to be televised on ABC: Frank Gifford called the play-by-play--the only time he did so for a Super Bowl--and Don Meredith, in his last game as a broadcaster, provided colour commentary along with Washington Redskins’ quarterback Joe Theismann.

Football
NFL
Super Bowl XIX @ Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, California
San Francisco 38 Miami 16

San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana completed 24 of 35 passes for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns, and rushed 5 times for 59 yards and a touchdown to earn the nod as the game’s Most Valuable Player (see video). Roger Craig caught 2 of Mr. Montana’s touchdown passes, with the other going to Carl Monroe. Mr. Craig also rushed for a touchdown, becoming the first player ever to score 3 touchdowns in a Super Bowl. He finished with 58 yards rushing and 77 yards receiving. Ray Wersching kicked 5 converts and a field goal for the 49ers. Miami quarterback Dan Marino completed 29 of 50 passes for 318 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions; his touchdown pass was a 2-yard completion to Dan Johnson in the first quarter. Uwe von Schamann converted and added 3 field goals to complete the Dolphins’ scoring. Most of the action came in the first half, as the 49ers built up a 28-16 lead. 84,059 were in attendance at Stanford Stadium.

20 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Love Shack--The B-52's (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Lambada--Kaoma (17th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Pump Up the Jam--Technotronic (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Another Day in Paradise--Phil Collins (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Hélène--Roch Voisine (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Hangin' Tough--New Kids on the Block (2nd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield (3rd week at #1)
2 Homely Girl--UB40
3 Eleni--Cees Tol & Thomas Tol
4 Got to Get--Rob 'n' Raz featuring Leila K
5 Me So Horny--The 2 Live Crew
6 Don't Know Much--Linda Ronstadt featuring Aaron Neville
7 Get a Life--Soul II Soul
8 Dançando Lambada--Kaoma
9 Words--The Christians
10 Lily was Here--David A. Stewart and featuring Candy Dulfer

Singles entering the chart were All or Nothing (The U.S. Remix) by Milli Vanilli (#22); Follow My Rainbow by Sheena Easton (#25); Get Into It by Tony Scott (#26); Whatcha Gonna Do with My Lovin' by Inner City (#29); Do What You Want by 2 in a Room (#31); and Prayer for You by Texas (#33).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 How am I Supposed to Live Without You--Michael Bolton
2 Pump Up the Jam--Technotronic featuring Felly
3 Another Day in Paradise--Phil Collins
4 Everything--Jody Watley
5 Downtown Train--Rod Stewart
6 Rhythm Nation--Janet Jackson
7 Just Between You and Me--Lou Gramm
8 Free Fallin'--Tom Petty
9 Two to Make it Right--Seduction
10 Love Song--Tesla

Singles entering the chart were Escapade by Janet Jackson (#37); Too Late to Say Goodbye by Richard Marx (#49); Just a Friend by Biz Markle (#71); The Deeper the Love by Whitesnake (#77); Whole Wide World by A'me Lorain (#79); Anything I Want by Kevin Paige (#82); Summer Rain by Belinda Carlisle (#86); House of Fire by Alice Cooper (#87); and Real Love by Skyy (#88). Whole Wide World was from the movie True Love (1989).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Pump Up the Jam--Technotronic featuring Felly
2 Another Day in Paradise--Phil Collins
3 Don't Know Much--Linda Ronstadt (featuring Aaron Neville)
4 Rhythm Nation--Janet Jackson
5 How am I Supposed to Live Without You--Michael Bolton
6 Just Like Jesse James--Cher
7 Just Between You and Me--Lou Gramm
8 With Every Beat of My Heart--Taylor Dayne
9 This One's for the Children--New Kids on the Block
10 Everything--Jody Watley

Singles entering the chart were Too Late to Say Goodbye by Richard Marx (#49); Escapade by Janet Jackson (#54); I Go to Extremes by Billy Joel (#59); Wait for You by Bonham (#66); Here and Now by Luther Vandross (#70); No Myth by Michael Penn (#73); Summer Rain by Belinda Carlisle (#76); Never 2 Much of You by Dino (#77); and The Deeper the Love by Whitesnake (#86).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Another Day in Paradise--Phil Collins (6th week at #1)
2 Downtown Train--Rod Stewart
3 We Didn't Start the Fire--Billy Joel
4 Just Between You and Me--Lou Gramm
5 Don't Know Much--Linda Ronstadt (featuring Aaron Neville)
6 Rhythm Nation--Janet Jackson
7 With Every Beat of My Heart--Taylor Dayne
8 Pump Up the Jam--Technotronic featuring Felly
9 Blame it on the Rain--Milli Vanilli
10 Free Fallin'--Tom Petty

Singles entering the chart were Chippin' Away by Crosby, Stills & Nash (#69); Price of Love by Bad English (#71); Bad Love by Eric Clapton (#73); Tell Me Why by Expose (#76); Too Late to Say Goodbye by Richard Marx (#79); Love Song by Tesla (#83); Escapade by Janet Jackson (#86); Roam by the B-52's (#88); I Go to Extremes by Billy Joel (#90); and Wherever You Run by Regatta (#92).

Died on this date
Barbara Stanwyck, 82. U.S. actress. Miss Stanwyck, born Ruby Stevens, was a major movie star from the 1930s through the 1950s, with her most notable films coming in the 1940s. Her films included Golden Boy (1939); The Lady Eve (1941); Ball of Fire (1941); Meet John Doe (1941); Double Indemnity (1944); Christmas in Connecticut (1945); The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946); and Sorry, Wrong Number (1948). Miss Stanwyck turned to television in the 1960s, and starred in the Western series The Big Valley (1965-1969).

War
Soviet troops, led by tanks, forced their way into Baku, the capital of the dissident republic of Azerbaijan, following seven days of pogroms against the local Armenian population.

10 years ago
2000

At the movies
This blogger attended a preview screening of Sweet and Lowdown, written and directed by Woody Allen and starring Sean Penn and Samantha Morton. The movie was a considerable improvement over Mr. Allen’s most recent movie, Celebrity, released in 1998.

Space
There was a lunar eclipse, visible in Edmonton.