January 30, 2010

1,040 years ago
970

Died on this date
Petar I. Czar of Bulgaria, 927-969. Petar I acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Simeon I. He achieved an early military success and a peace treaty with the Byzantine Empire in 927 and then experienced a largely peaceful reign, but suffered territorial losses to Byzantine forces in 968 and 969. Czar Petar suffered a stroke in 969 and abdicated to become a monk. He was succeeded on the throne by his son Boris II.

260 years ago
1730

Died on this date
Peter II, 14. Emperor of Russia, 1727-1730. Peter II, the only son of Prince Alexis and grandson of Peter I (the Great), succeeded his grandfather's second wife Catherine I on the throne. He led a dissolute life despite his tender years, and died of smallpox, ending the direct male line of the Romanov dynasty. Peter II was succeeded on the throne by Anna Ivanovna, daughter of Peter the Great's half-brother and co-ruler Ivan V.

190 years ago
1820

Exploration
U.K. Royal Navy master Edward Bransfield landed on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands and took formal possession on behalf of King George III, who,unbeknownst to the explorers, had died the day before. Master Bransfield then crossed what is now known as Bransfield Strait and sighted Trinity Peninsula, the northernmost point of the Antarctic mainland. He claimed discovery of Antarctica, unaware that three days earlier, Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen may have caught sight of an icy shoreline now known to have been part of East Antarctica.

110 years ago
1900

Born on this date
Martita Hunt. Argentine-born U.K. actress. Miss Hunt, born in Buenos Aires to English parents, moved to England at the age of 20. She appeared in numerous plays in Britain and the United States, and won a Tony Award in 1949 for her starring performance in The Madwoman of Chaillot. Miss Hunt appeared in supporting roles in numerous films from 1932-1969, most notably The Wicked Lady (1945) and Great Expectations (1946). She died of bronchial asthma on June 13, 1969 at the age of 69.

100 years ago
1910

Born on this date
Chidambaram Subramaniam. Indian politician. Mr. Subramaniam, a member of the Indian National Congress Party, was an independence activist before serving as Minister of Education, Law and Finance for Madras State (1952-1962). He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1962, and held various cabinet posts, including Minister of Agriculture (1964-1966); Minister of Finance (1975-1977); and Minister of Defence (1979-1980), resigning after criticizing Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. Mr. Subramaniam was Governor of Maharashtra from 1990-1993. He died on November 7, 2000 at the age of 90.

80 years ago
1930

Abominations
The Politburo of the Soviet Union ordered the extermination of the Kulaks.

70 years ago
1940

Died on this date
Bronislaw Dembjnski. Polish historian. Professor Dembjnski was murdered by the Gestapo in Poland.

War
German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler proclaimed in Berlin that the second phase of the European war, carrying it to the West, was beginning.

12 more people were killed in Hindu-Muslim riots in Rangoon.

Diplomacy
Russo-Japanese negotiations in Tokyo to adjust the Outer Mongolia-Manchukuo border broke down.

Defense
U.S. Army General George Marshall told Congress that the Army would need $40 million to give the nation an air raid warning system.

Politics and government
The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee cut $154 million from the Agriculture Department's appropriation bill.

Business
An Associated Press report indicated a 67% increase in profits for 1939 over 1938 in the top 100 U.S. corporations.

60 years ago
1950

On television tonight
Lights Out, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Reservations for Four, starring Dean Harens

At the movies
Unmasked, directed by George Blair, and starring Robert Rockwell, Barbra Fuller, Raymond Burr, and Hilary Brooke, opened in theatres.



Diplomacy
Boston City Council refused to let 14 members of the Japanese Diet, touring the United States on Army invitation to study American democracy, attend a council session.

Politics and government
The West Java State government dissolved itself and asked Indonesian central authorities to take charge of protecting the state from guerrilla bands and Muslim extremists.

Education
East St. Louis, Illinois ended racial segregation in its public schools.

Crime
Former United Auto Workers of America official Carl Bolton went on trial in Detroit for the 1948 shooting of UAW President Walter Reuther.

The New Jersey State Commission on the Habitual Sex Offender reported that laws to curb sex crimes had failed in most of the 12 states which had passed such legislation.

Religion
The Vatican Holy Office ruled that baptisms performed in the Presbyterian, Congregational, Baptist, Methodist, and Disciples of Christ churches were valid.

Economics and finance
The United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway agreed to set up a limited free interchange of currency under an Anglo-Scandinavian financial union, to be called "Uniscan."

U.S. President Harry Truman asked Congress for a $27.4-million contribution to the United Nations relief and public works program for Palestinian Arab refugees.

50 years ago
1960

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Joey's Song/Ooh! Look-a-There, Ain't She Pretty?--Bill Haley and his Comets (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Oh! Carol--Neil Sedaka (4th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Marina--Rocco Granata and the International Quintet (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Why--Anthony Newley (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Running Bear--Johnny Preston (2nd week at #1)
2 Why--Frankie Avalon
3 El Paso--Marty Robbins
4 Teen Angel--Mark Dinning
5 You Got What it Takes--Marv Johnson
6 Where or When--Dion and the Belmonts
7 Go, Jimmy, Go--Jimmy Clanton
8 The Big Hurt--Miss Toni Fisher
9 Way Down Yonder in New Orleans--Freddie Cannon
10 Pretty Blue Eyes--Steve Lawrence

Singles entering the chart were Baby (You’ve Got What it Takes) by Dinah Washington & Brook Benton (#71); Delaware by Perry Como (#72); Forever by the Little Dippers (#75); Harbor Lights by the Platters (#80); Too Much Tequila by the Champs (#82); Country Boy by Fats Domino (#84); Eternally by Sarah Vaughan (#85); Money (That's What I Want) by Barrett Strong (#90); Cry Me a River by Janice Harper (#91); Honey Hush by Joe Turner (#92); Up Town by Roy Orbison (#94); Baby What You Want Me to Do by Jimmy Reed (#95); Shake a Hand by LaVern Baker (#96); Teensville by Chet Atkins (#98); Little Bitty Girl (#100)/Wild One (also #100) by Bobby Rydell; and Let the Good Times Roll by Ray Charles (also #100). Honey Hush was a new recording of the song that had been a major hit for Mr. Turner in 1953.

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Running Bear--Johnny Preston
2 Lucky Devil--Carl Dobkins, Jr.
3 Lonely Blue Boy--Conway Twitty
4 Teen Angel--Mark Dinning
5 Go, Jimmy, Go--Jimmy Clanton
6 Terry--Leigh Bell
7 Down by the Station--The Four Preps
8 Pretty Blue Eyes--Steve Lawrence
9 Little Bitty Girl--Bobby Rydell
10 Why--Frankie Avalon

Singles entering the chart were Beatnik Fly/Sandstorm by Johnny and the Hurricanes (#32); What in the World's Come Over You by Jack Scott (#34); Sweet Nothin's by Brenda Lee (#38); Pink Canary by the Club 93 Rebels (#39); and Above and Beyond by Wynn Stewart (#40).

Politics and government
The African National Party was founded in Chad, through the merger of traditionalist parties.

40 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): And When I Die--Blood, Sweat & Tears (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Two Little Boys--Rolf Harris (6th week at #1)

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Pretty Belinda--Chris Andrews (2nd week at #1)
2 (Call Me) Number One--The Tremeloes
3 Theresa--Dave Mills
4 Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head--B.J. Thomas
5 Jam Up Jelly Tight--Tommy Roe
6 Down on the Corner--Creedence Clearwater Revival
7 Without Love (There is Nothing)--Tom Jones
8 He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother--The Hollies
9 Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)--Steam
10 Don't Cry Daddy--Elvis Presley

Singles entering the chart were All I Have to Do is Dream by Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell (#18); Wonderful World, Beautiful People by Jimmy Cliff (#19); and Take a Letter Maria by R.B. Greaves (#20).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Venus--The Shocking Blue
2 No Time--The Guess Who
3 That's Where I Went Wrong--The Poppy Family
4 Arizona--Mark Lindsay
5 Fancy--Bobbie Gentry
6 I'm Tired--Savoy Brown
7 Walkin' in the Rain--Jay and the Americans
8 He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother--Hollies
9 Thank You Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin--Sly & the Family Stone
10 Let's Work Together--Wilbert Harrison

Singles entering the chart were Travelin' Band/Who'll Stop the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#24); Breaking Up is Hard to Do by Lenny Welch (#27); If I were a Carpenter by Johnny Cash and June Carter (#28); and Give Me Just a Little More Time by the Chairmen of the Board (#30).

Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Fancy--Bobbie Gentry
2 Arizona--Mark Lindsay
3 Venus--The Shocking Blue
4 Groovy Grubworm--Harlow Wilcox and the Oakies
5 Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin
6 Jennifer Tomkins--Street People
7 That's Where I Went Wrong--The Poppy Family
8 I'll Never Fall in Love Again--Dionne Warwick
9 No Time--The Guess Who
10 I Want You Back--The Jackson 5

World events
Chief Leabua Jonathan, Prime Minister of Lesotho, suspended the constitution, declared a state of emergency, and ordered a curfew in Maseru, the capital, after Lesotho’s first election since independence. The main opposition party leader, Ntsu Mokhehle, who had been claiming victory in the election three days earlier, was arrested.

Protest
Two students were killed and more than 100 wounded after about 2,000 young people tried to storm the Philippine presidential palace. Police and army units used tear gas, bullets, rifle butts, fire hoses, nightsticks, and wicker shields in a running battle with the demonstrators, who hurled stones and gasoline bombs after the assault on the palace was repulsed.

Widespread arson and violence erupted in Haryana state after the Indian government awarded the disputed city of Chandigarh to Punjab state. Mobs in Haryana set fire to buses, trains, government offices, and the homes of government officials. The police opened fire, and at least six deaths were reported.

Diplomacy
West German Chancellor Willy Brandt began a two-day visit to Paris. Meanwhile, his State Secretary Egon Bahr met in Moscow with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko to discuss a possible mutual renunciation-of-force accord.

Economics and finance
In his first Economic Report to Congress, U.S. President Richard Nixon predicted a growth in the national economy of about $50 billion in 1970 and a drop in inflation from 1969. He said that if Congress supported his "prudent" fiscal policy, "overly long and overly severe restraint" in monetary policy could be avoided.

30 years ago
1980

Died on this date
Professor Longhair, 61. U.S. musician. Professor Longhair, whose real name was Henry Roeland "Roy" Byrd, was a New Orleans rhythm and blues pianist in the late 1940s and '50s, who influenced artist such as Fats Domino, Huey Smith, and Allen Toussaint. He dropped out of the limelight in the 1960s, but made a comeback as a jazz pianist in the 1970s. Professor Longhair died of a heart attack in his sleep, in the midst of filming the documentary Piano Players Rarely Ever Play Together (1982).

Defense
South African troops left Zimbabwe Rhodesia after British and Patriotic Front representatives reached an agreement.

20 years ago
1990

Abominations
The 7% Goods and Services Tax bill passed first reading in the Canadian House of Commons.

Diplomacy
After meeting with East German Premier Hans Modrow, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev indicated that German reunification was to be expected, adding, "No one casts any doubt upon it."

10 years ago
2000

Disasters
Kenya Airways Flight 431, an Airbus A 310-304 jet carrying 169 passengers and 10 crew members crashed into the sea one minute after taking off from Abidjan, Ivory Coast, bound for Lagos, Nigeria and Nairobi, Kenya. 10 survivors were pulled from the water.

Football
NFL
Super Bowl XXXIV @ Georgia Dome, Atlanta
St. Louis 23 Tennessee 16

Kurt Warner passed for a Super Bowl record 414 yards to lead the Rams to their first Super Bowl win and their first NFL championship since 1951, when the team was based in Los Angeles (see video). Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair brought the Titans back from a 16-0 deficit, and Al Del Greco’s 43-yard field goal tied the game 16-16 with 2:12 remaining in the 4th quarter. The Rams scored just 18 seconds later on a 73-yard touchdown pass from Mr. Warner to Isaac Bruce. The Titans weren’t finished, however, and they drove to the St. Louis 10-yard line with time for one more play in regulation time. Mr. McNair completed a pass to Kevin Dyson, who was tackled by Mike Jones at the 1-yard line as time expired. 72,625 were in attendance at the Georgia Dome.