January 21, 2010

1,590 years ago
420

Died on this date
Yazdegerd I. Shahanshah of the Sasanian Empire, 399-420. Yazdegerd I, a son of Shapur III, succeeded his brother Bahram IV after Bahram's assassination, acceding to the throne of the last kingdom of the Persian Empire before the rise of Islam. Yazdegerd I's reign was relatively uneventful, but his peaceful attitudes toward Romans and tolerance for Christians and Jews earned him the enmity of the nobility and Zoroastrian clergy. Shahanshah Yazdegerd I died, reportedly of an illness, although there were accusations of murder. The nobility attempted to prevent Yazdegerd's sons from succeeding him, but Shapur IV acceded to the throne, and was quickly assassinated by nobles.

290 years ago
1720

War
Sweden and Prussia signed the Treaty of Stockholm, one of several treaties that ended the Great Northern War. Sweden ceded Swedish Pomerania south of the river Peene and east of the river Peenestrom to Prussia, including the islands of Usedom and Wollin, and the towns of Stettin, Damm and Gollnow. The treaty took effect on May 29.

190 years ago
1820

Born on this date
Joseph Wolf. German-born U.K. artist. Mr. Wolf moved to London in 1848 and began working with the British Museu. He specialized in natural history illustration, and became the preferred illustrator for explorers and naturalists such as David Livingstone, Alfred Russel Wallace, and Henry Walter Bates. Mr. Wolf died on April 20, 1899 at the age of 79.

170 years ago
1840

Politics and government
U.S. President Martin Van Buren delivered a special message to the Senate:

I transmit to the Senate, in compliance with the request of the governor of Massachusetts, a copy of a letter addressed to him by one of the chiefs of the Seneca tribe of Indians in the State of New York, written on behalf of that portion of the tribe opposed to the treaty of Buffalo.

150 years ago
1860

Born on this date
Karl Staaff. Prime Minister of Sweden, 1905-1906, 1911-1914. Mr. Staff led the Liberala samlingspartiet (Liberal Assembly Party) from 1907 until his death. He supported political reforms such as universal and equal male suffrage, but was strongly opposed by traditionalist forces in Sweden. Mr. Staaff resigned during his second term as Prime Minister after an intense opposition campaign, which culminated in King Gustav V denouncing his defense policies. Mr. Staaff died on October 4, 1915 at the age of 55.

110 years ago
1900

Born on this date
Elof Ahrle. Swedish actor and director. Mr. Ahrle appeared in more than 80 movies from 1920-1960, and directed 10 films from 1942-1950. His films included Körkarlen (The Phantom Carriage) (1921); Medan staden sover (While the City Sleeps (1950); and Domaren (The Judge) (1960). Mr. Ahrle died of cancer on June 3, 1965 at the age of 65.

100 years ago
1910

Born on this date
Károly Takács. Hungarian shooter. Mr. Takács was a sergeant in the army who learned to shoot with his left hand after his right hand was seriously injured in a training accident in 1938. He won gold medals in the 25-metre rapid fire pistol event at the Summer Olympic Games in London in 1948 and Helsinki in 1952. Mr. Takács won 35 Hungarian national championships, and died on January 5, 1976, 16 days before his 66th birthday.

Disasters
The Canadian Pacific Railway's westbound Soo Express derailed as it crossed the bridge over the Spanish River near Nairn, Ontario in -35 weather, resulting in 44 deaths and many injuries. Conductor Thomas Reynolds managed to escape from the submerged dining car, and rescued several passengers.

75 years ago
1935

At the movies
Charlie Chan in Paris, starring Warner Oland, opened in theatres.



70 years ago
1940

On the radio



War
The Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao published alleged peace terms between Wang Ching-Wei--the man slated to lead the Japanese-sponsored government in central China--and Japan, which would make China a Japanese dependency.

Society
A Gallup Poll reported that 34% of the American people favoured a return to prohibition, while 66% were opposed.

Politics and government
U.S. Senator Vic Donahey (Ohio) withdrew his name from Ohio's Democratic presidential primary to seek re-election to the Senate, and cast his support to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was seeking a third term in office. Sen. Donahey's announcement came just four days after he had filed a declaration of his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Journalism
The Netherlands imposed censorship on correspondents of foreign newspapers.

Religion
Mass was celebrated in the Old Cathedral ruins of Panama City for the first time snce 1671.

60 years ago
1950

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)--Burl Ives; Dinah Shore (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): I Can Dream, Can't I?--The Andrews Sisters with Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra (Best Seller--2nd week at #1; Disc Jockey--3rd week at #1; Jukebox--1st week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I Can Dream, Can't I?--The Andrews Sisters (3rd week at #1)
2 Mule Train--Frankie Laine and the Muleskinners
--Bing Crosby
--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Tennessee Ernie
3 Dear Hearts and Gentle People--Bing Crosby
--Dinah Shore
4 A Dreamer's Holiday--Perry Como
--Buddy Clark with the Girl Friends
5 The Old Master Painter--Dick Haymes
--Richard Hayes
--Phil Harris and his Orchestra
6 Slipping Around--Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely
7 Don't Cry, Joe--Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra
8 Johnson Rag--Jack Teter Trio
--Jimmy Dorsey and his Original "Dorseyland" Jazz Band
--Russ Morgan and his Orchestra
9 There's No Tomorrow--Tony Martin
10 Jealous Heart--Al Morgan

Singles entering the chart were So This is Love by Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra (#32); The Wedding Samba, with versions by Edmundo Ros and his Orchestra; and Carmen Miranda and the Andrews Sisters (#34); and With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming by the Patti Page Quartet (#36).

Died on this date
George Orwell, 46. Indian-born U.K. author. Mr. Orwell, whose real name was Eric Blair, was one of the most prominent British journalists, essayists, and novelists of the 20th century, promoting democratic socialism while warning of the dangers of totalitarianism. His most famous works were the novels Animal Farm (1945) and 1984 (1949). Mr. Orwell died after a three-year battle with tuberculosis.

Diplomacy
Bulgaria charged the United States with helping to arm "bandits" who were entering Bulgaria from Greece.

Crime
Former U.S. State Department official Alger Hiss was found guilty of two counts of perjury by a jury in New York. The charges were that Mr. Hiss had lied to a federal grand jury in 1948 when he said he had never passed secret State Dept. documents to Time magazine editor and former Communist Whittaker Chambers in 1938; and that he had lied when he said he had never seen Mr. Chambers after January 1, 1937. It was Mr. Hiss's second trial, the first having ended with a hung jury in July 1949. Mr. Hiss had been accused by Mr. Chambers, in testimony before the House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities in 1948, of having been a member of a Communist Party underground and a spy for the Soviet Union. Mr. Hiss denied the charges, and since the statute of limitations on espionage had expired, Mr. Hiss was charged with perjury instead. The conviction of Hiss was a boost to the political career of U.S. Congressman Richard Nixon (Republican--California), who had continued to press the case when many others wanted to give up.



Economics and finance
West Germany called off trade negotiations with France because of the Saar dispute, as Deputy Chancellor Franz Bluecher renewed West Germany's demand for a plebiscite on whether to end French domination of the Saar.

50 years ago
1960

Hit parade
#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?--Emile Ford and the Checkmates (5th week at #1)

On television tonight
The Untouchables, starring Robert Stack, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Star Witness, with guest stars Marc Lawrence and Jim Backus

Died on this date
Matt Moore, 72. U.K.-born U.S. actor. Mr. Moore and his brothers Tom, Owen, and Joe, and sister Mary, natives of Ireland, emigrated to the United States in 1896, and all went on to successful careers in movies. Matt appeared in at least 221 films, including The Unholy Three (1925) and Coquette (1929). He died 13 days after his 72nd birthday.

Space
Little Joe 1B, a launch escape system test of the Mercury spacecraft, lifted off from Wallops Island, Virginia with Miss Sam, a female rhesus monkey on board. The rocket reached an apogee of 9 miles, and landed 12 miles away in a mission that lasted 8 minutes 35 seconds. Miss Sam survived nicely.



Disasters
A coal mine collapsed at Holly Country, South Africa, killing 435 miners.

Avianca Flight 671, a Lockheed Constellation en route from Miami, crashed on landing at Montego Bay Airport, Jamaica, killing 37 of 46 people aboard. It was the worst aviation accident in Jamaican history.

40 years ago
1970

On television tonight
Then Came Bronson, starring Michael Parks, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Gleam of the Eagle Mind

Defense
French Defense Minister Michel Debre disclosed that France was selling 100 Mirage jet fighter planes to Libya, twice the number originally announced on January 9. The deal included an additional 30 ultrasophisticated Mirage 3s. Israeli officials were bitter about the sale, particularly since the French had imposed an arms embargo and refused to ship 50 Mirages for which Israel had already paid. Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban voiced his country’s fear that the planes would be given to Egypt to use against Israel upon delivery in 1972-1973, since the Libyan government lacked pilots to fly the advanced jets. The sale also caused tension between France and the United States, where the U.S. State Department warned French Ambassador Charles Lucet that the arms deal could upset the Middle East arms balance. Both the French press and the opposition denounced the action.

World events
Peru seized an American tuna fishing boat and exacted a fine for invasion of Peru’s 200-mile "territorial waters" limit.

Crime
The December 4, 1969 slaying of Black Panther leaders Fred Hampton and Mark Clark by Chicago police in a predawn raid was ruled "justifiable" by a special coroner’s jury.

Law
U.S. Supreme Court nominee G. Harrold Carswell of Florida disavowed a speech he’d made in 1948 during a campaign for the Georgia legislature in which he’d said that he would always be governed by the "principles of white supremacy."

Business
Stockholders of American Telephone and Telegraph Company were asked to support a 30-year financing package worth a total of $3.1 billion so that the company could meet its expansion needs. If successful, it would be the largest corporate financing ever.

Aviation
The inaugural transatlantic commercial flight of the Boeing 747, the first of a new generation of jumbo jets, was delayed for almost seven hours, until the next morning. Engine trouble a few minutes before the scheduled takeoff forced Pan American World Airways to substitute a second plane for the flight from New York to London.

Disasters
A U.S. Navy cargo ship crashed through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel after strong winds ripped the vessel from its mooring 2,500 yards away. There were no reported injuries, but damage was heavy.

30 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough--Michael Jackson

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Ihōjin--Sayuri Kume (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Háblame de Tí--Pecos (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Sun of Jamaica--Goombay Dance Band

On television tonight
Family, on ABC
Tonight's episode: When the Bough Breaks

Died on this date
Gene Rye, 73. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Rye, born Eugene Mercantelli, played with the Boston Red Sox (1931), batting .179 with no home runs and 1 run batted in in 17 games. He played at least 756 games in 12 seasons in the minor leagues (1925-1936), hitting at least 85 home runs. Mr. Rye was best known for hitting 3 home runs and driving in 8 runs in one inning, helping the Waco Cubs score 18 runs in the 8th inning of a 20-7 win over the Beaumont Exporters in a Texas League game in Waco on August 6, 1930.

Politics and government
U.S. President Jimmy Carter delivered his State of the Union message to Congress in the form of a written report, two days before making his speech.

Precinct caucuses in Iowa gave U.S. President Carter 59% of the vote to U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy’s 31% in the contest for the Democratic Party nomination for President for 1980. In the Republican Party, George Bush took 32% to 29% for Ronald Reagan and 16% for Senator Howard Baker. The votes represented the preferences of delegates chosen for the next stage of the delegate selection process, the county caucuses. The results were an unexpected blow to Sen. Kennedy and a boost to Mr. Bush.

Disasters
Iran Air Flight 291, a Boeing 727-86 jetliner on a domestic flight from the eastern city of Meshed to Tehran, crashed about 20 miles northeast of Tehran, killing all 128 people aboard.

25 years ago
1985

Politics and government
The public ceremony to mark the inauguration of Ronald Reagan’s second term as 40th President of the United States took place in Washington. Since the official inauguration date of January 20 had fallen on a Sunday, Mr. Reagan had taken the oath of office privately that day.

20 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Love Shack--The B-52's (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Girl I'm Gonna Miss You--Milli Vanilli (8th week at #1)

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield (3rd week at #1)
2 Another Day in Paradise--Phil Collins
3 Don't Know Much--Linda Ronstadt (featuring Aaron Neville)
4 Listen to Your Heart--Roxette
5 Leave a Light On--Belinda Carlisle
6 The Road to Hell (Part 2)--Chris Rea
7 Girl I'm Gonna Miss You--Milli Vanilli
8 I Feel the Earth Move--Martika
9 We Didn't Start the Fire--Billy Joel
10 Get a Life--Soul II Soul

Singles entering the chart were Get a Life; You Got It (The Right Stuff) by New Kids on the Block (#12); Let's Party by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers (#26); Yes We Can by Artists United for Nature (#27); and Song for Whoever by the Beautiful South (#30).

Tennis
John McEnroe threw his racquet and a tantrum at the Australian Open and became the first player to be disqualified from a Grand Slam event for misconduct since 1963.





Hockey
NHL
All-Star Game @ Pittsburgh Civic Arena
Prince of Wales Conference 12 Clarence S. Campbell Conference 7

Mario Lemieux of the hometown Penguins scored 4 goals, including 3 on his first 3 shots, and was voted the game’s Most Valuable Player. The score indicated that the All-Star Game was no longer a true hockey game, but simply a pathetic exhibition of no-body-contact offense. As a measure of how seriously it was regarded in the U.S.A., the NHL All-Star Game, which used to be televised in prime time on a Tuesday, took place on a Sunday afternoon. 17,503 were in attendance.



10 years ago
2000

World events
A protest movement led by Ecuador’s indigenous population forced President Jamil Mahuad Witt out of office. Mr. Mahuad’s plan to end the nation’s economic crisis--inflation was 60% in 1999--included a proposal to replace the sucre, Ecuador’s plummeting currency, with the U.S. dollar. Opponents of the plan feared the move would hurt poor people. As thousands of protesters massed at the Congress building, troops allowed them to pour inside. Mr. Mahuad fled his palace, and a three-man junta was established, led by acting Defense Minister General Carlos Mendoza.

Business
The government of Canada rescinded its offer of tax breaks to keep National Hockey League teams in Canada. The offer had been made on January 18 and had set off a storm of protest across the country.

Weather
Atlantic Canada was hit by almost 2 feet of snow. In Charlottetown, the combination of hurricane-force winds and the highest tides of the season caused harbour water to surge ashore, prompting city work crews to build snowbanks to hold back the rising sea water.