January 31, 2010

430 years ago
1580

Died on this date
Henrique, 68. King of Portugal, 1578-1580. Henrique, the fifth son of King Manuel I, became a Roman Catholic cardinal, and was Archbishop of Lisbon from 1564-1570. He served as regent for his great-nephew Sebastião from 1562-1568, and acceded to the throne upon King Sebastião's death in the Battle of Alcácer Quibir. King Henrique was unable to obtain a release from Pope Gregory XIII to take a bride in order to continue the Aziz dynasty, and died on his 68th birthday, without an heir, and without having appointed a successor. António, Prior of Crato and King Philip II of Spain both claimed the throne; Philip was elected King in 1581.

190 years ago
1820

Born on this date
William B. Washburn. U.S. politician. Mr. Washburn, a moderate Republican, sat in the Massachusetts Senate (1850) and House of Representatives (1853-1855). He represented the state's 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1863-1871), leaving that office to serve as Governor of Massachusetts (1872-1874). Mr. Washburn was then appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Charles Sumner. He represented Massachusetts in the Senate from April 17, 1874 until the end of Mr. Sumner's term on March 3, 1875, and refused to run for office again. Mr. Washburn held various academic posts, and supported numerous Christian missionary societies. He died on October 5, 1887 at the age of 67.

130 years ago
1880

Born on this date
Walter Morris. U.S. baseball player, manager, and executive. Mr. Morris was a shortstop with the St. Louis Cardinals (1908), batting .178 with no home runs and 2 runs batted in in 23 games. He played over 900 games in 12 seasons in the minor leagues (1902-1913). Mr. Morris managed in the minor leagues for 8 years (1908-1932), and helped to organize 13 minor leagues, serving as president of six of them (1916-1950). He died on August 2, 1961 at the age of 81.

110 years ago
1900

Died on this date
Datu Mat Salleh. Bornean rebel leader. Datu Mat Salleh led a series of armed disturbances against the colonial British North Borneo Chartered Company administration in North Borneo (now the Malaysian state of Sabah). After a month of fighting in Tambunan between Mat Salleh's forces and those of the Company, Mat Salleh's fort fell, and he was killed when a shot from a Maxim gun struck him in the left temple.

War
30 days after the commencement of fighting in Tambunan between Bornean rebel forces led by Datu Mat Salleh and forces of the British North Borneo Chartered Company, and four days after Company forces had seized Mat Salleh's fort, the rebel defenses were broken, and about 1,000 of Mat Salleh's followers were killed, in addition to Datu Mat Salleh himself. It took five years before the remainder of the rebel forces were captured or killed, or surrendered.

80 years ago
1930

Technology
3M began marketing Scotch Tape.

70 years ago
1940

Defense
The first of 100 planes ordered from the United States arrived in the Australian capital of Canberra.

Diplomacy
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain asked the nations of the world to be tolerant of U.K. interference with their trade because of the war.

The United States Labor Department modified its deportation order against 68 Czech nationals working for the Bata Shoe Company, permitting them to stay in the U.S. until June 30, 1940.

Economics and finance
Japanese Foreign Minister Hachiro Arita said that his nation did not intend to block the legitimate trading rights of third parties in Asia.

The first U.S. social security cheque was issued to Ida Fuller for $22.54.

Disasters
A blizzard struck north-central Japan, causing 78 deaths.

Tennis
Australia announced that it would retain possession of the Davis Cup until competition was resumed.

60 years ago
1950

On the radio
Philo Vance, starring Jackson Beck
Tonight’s episode: The Sterling Corpse Murder Case

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Distant Island, starring Nancy Carroll, Pat Kirkland, Ruth McDevitt, and William Redfield

War
Taiwan radio broadcast an appeal for aid against a Chinese Communist invasion, which had been threatened daily for two weeks by Radio Peking.

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. announced its recognition of the regime of Ho Chi Minh as the government of Vietnam.

Defense
U.S. President Harry Truman ordered the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to develop the hydrogen bomb, anticipated to have up to 1,000 times the explosive force of existing atomic bombs.

Academia
Israel's two universities, Hebrew University and Weizmann Institute of Science, merged, and chose Albert Einstein as president of the new American joint board of directors.

Economics and finance
The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee approved a bill to restore $60 million in aid to South Korea, suspended earlier because of the administration of U.S. President Truman's refusal to request funds for the defense of Taiwan.

Italian Prime Minister Alcide de Gasperi outlined to the Italian Assembly a plan to spend 120 billion lire ($192 million) per year on roads, irrigation, land improvement, and other public works in backward southern provinces.

Labour
U.S. President Truman entered the soft-coal dispute by wiring United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis and the mine operators a request to resume normal production for 70 days while a presidential fact-finding team tried to arrange a settlement.

Baseball
Paul Pettit, 18, a left-hander who had pitched 6 no-hitters for Narbonne High School in Lomita, California, signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a record starting salary of $100,000.

50 years ago
1960

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Backward, Turn Backward, starring Tom Tully, Phyllis Love, and Alan Baxter

40 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Abbey Road (LP)--The Beatles (6th week at #1)

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

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Ma chi se ne importa--Gianni Morandi (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Dein schönstes Geschenk--Roy Black (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)--Edison Lighthouse

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head--Johnny Farnham (2nd week at #1)
2 Down on the Corner/Fortunate Son--Creedence Clearwater Revival
3 And When I Die--Blood, Sweat & Tears
4 Take a Letter Maria--R.B. Greaves
5 Holly Holy--Neil Diamond
6 Suspicious Minds--Elvis Presley
7 Picking Up Pebbles--Matt Flinders
8 Something/Come Together--The Beatles
9 Smiley--Ronnie Burns
10 Penny Arcade--Roy Orbison

Singles entering the chart were Venus by the Shocking Blue (#32); Two Little Boys by Rolf Harris (#34); Wonderful World, Beautiful People by Jimmy Cliff (#36); and You've Got to Learn by Kamahl (#40).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Mighty Joe--Shocking Blue (2nd week at #1)
2 Mijn Gebed--D.C. Lewis
3 Marian--The Cats
4 Jin-Go-La-Ba--Santana
5 Het Zal Je Kind Maar Wezen--Adèle Bloemendaal, Leen Jongewaard, Piet Römer en koor
6 Thanks--J. Vincent Edward
7 Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin
8 Seasons--Earth and Fire
9 Wat Een Spreker is Die Man--Seth Gaaikema
10 Reflections of My Life--The Marmalade

Singles entering the chart were Het Stoomlied (Kunst- En Vliegwerk) by Ed & Willem Bever (#22); Get Down with It/Satisfaction by Mack Kissoon (#30); Fat Jack by Hearts of Soul (#32); All My Brothers are Clean by Billy Jones & the Stars (#33); Travelling in the U.S.A. by the Bintangs (#35); Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head by B.J. Thomas (#36); Voodoo Woman by Simon Stokes & the Nighthawks (#37); and Our Father by Unit Gloria (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 I Want You Back--The Jackson 5
2 Venus--The Shocking Blue
3 Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head--B.J. Thomas
4 Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin
5 Without Love (There is Nothing)--Tom Jones
6 Don't Cry Daddy/Rubberneckin'--Elvis Presley
7 I'll Never Fall in Love Again--Dionne Warwick
8 Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin/Everybody is a Star--Sly & the Family Stone
9 Someday We'll Be Together--Diana Ross and the Supremes
10 Leaving on a Jet Plane--Peter, Paul and Mary

Singles entering the chart were Travelin' Band/Who'll Stop the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#50); The Rapper by the Jaggerz (#79); Oh Well (Part 1) by Fleetwood Mac (#81); New World Coming by Mama Cass Elliot (#82); Down in the Alley by Ronnie Hawkins (#83); Welfare Cadillac by Guy Drake (#93); The Court of the Crimson King--Part 1 by King Crimson (#96); Victoria by the Kinks (#97); Save the Country by Thelma Houston (#98); Superstar by Murray Head with the Trinidad Singers (#99); and I'll See Him Through by Tammy Wynette (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Venus--The Shocking Blue
2 I Want You Back--The Jackson 5
3 Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head--B.J. Thomas
4 Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin--Sly & the Family Stone
5 Someday We'll Be Together--Diana Ross and the Supremes
6 Don't Cry Daddy--Elvis Presley
7 Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin
8 Jingle Jangle--The Archies
9 Without Love (There is Nothing)--Tom Jones
10 I'll Never Fall in Love Again--Dionne Warwick

Singles entering the chart were Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel (#67); Never Had a Dream Come True by Stevie Wonder (#68); Evil Ways by Santana (#69); My Elusive Dreams by Bobby Vinton (#84); If You've Got a Heart by Bobby Bland (#86); Then She's a Lover by Roy Clark (#88); Country Preacher by the "Cannonball" Adderley Quintet (#94); Do the Funky Chicken by Rufus Thomas (#98); Victoria by the Kinks (#99); and The Bells by the Originals (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Venus--The Shocking Blue (2nd week at #1)
2 I Want You Back--The Jackson 5
3 Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head--B.J. Thomas
4 Jingle Jangle--The Archies
5 Don't Cry Daddy/Rubberneckin'--Elvis Presley
6 Without Love (There is Nothing)--Tom Jones
7 Jam Up Jelly Tight--Tommy Roe
8 Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin/Everybody is a Star--Sly & the Family Stone
9 Early in the Morning--Vanity Fare
10 I'll Never Fall in Love Again--Dionne Warwick

Singles entering the chart were Travelin' Band/Who'll Stop the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#64); New World Coming by Mama Cass Elliot (#74); Never Had a Dream Come True by Stevie Wonder (#76); A Friend in the City by Andy Kim (#79); Good Guys Only Win in the Movies by Mel and Tim (#83); Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel (#86); Shades of Green by the Flaming Ember (#87); Shilo by Neil Diamond (#89); Mr. Bus Driver by Neal Dover (#92); To Love You by Country Store (#95); Lovely Way She Loves by the Moments (#98); and Victoria by the Kinks (#99).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Venus--The Shocking Blue
2 Jingle Jangle--The Archies
3 I Want You Back--The Jackson 5
4 Don't Cry Daddy/Rubberneckin'--Elvis Presley
5 Without Love (There is Nothing)--Tom Jones
6 Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin
7 Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head--B.J. Thomas
8 I'll Never Fall in Love Again--Dionne Warwick
9 Winter World of Love--Engelbert Humperdinck
10 Early in the Morning--Vanity Fare

Singles entering the chart were Down in the Alley by Ronnie Hawkins (#72); Travelin' Band by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#79); Give Me Just a Little More Time by the Chairmen of the Board (#80); A Friend in the City by Andy Kim (#81); I've Gotta Make You Love Me by Steam (#82); Always Something There to Remind Me by R.B. Greaves (#83); Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel (#87); The Rapper by the Jaggerz (#88); Love Bones by Johnnie Taylor (#90); Dig the Way I Feel by Mary Wells (#91); House of the Rising Sun by Frijid Pink (#97); She Lets Her Hair Down (Early in the Morning) by Gene Pitney (#99); and New World Coming by Mama Cass Elliot (#100).

Politics and government
Lesotho’s Prime Minister, Chief Leabua Jonathan, declared the election of four days earlier invalid and ordered the counting of ballots stopped, saying, "I have seized power and I am not ashamed of it." This was a typical example of Winston Churchill’s description of black African politics: "One man, one vote--one time."

In a showdown with supporters of former Governor George Wallace, Alabama Democrats loyal to the national party pushed through a "statement of principles" that was seen as an effort to seek rapprochement with the state’s Negroes. The restructuring of the internal machinery of the state party’s executive was expected to open the way for Negroes to become party members.

Diplomacy
West German Chancellor Willy Brandt concluded his two-day visit to Paris, receiving approval of his "Ostpolitik" initiative from French leaders.



Defense
U.S. Senator Mike Mansfield (Democrat--Montana) said "Where the hell is it going to end?" in response to President Richard Nixon’s proposed expansion of the Safeguard antiballistic missile system. Sen. Mansfield predicted that the system would cost more than $50 billion.

Labour
A U.S. federal judge ordered the railroad shopcraft unions to end their day-old strike against the Union Pacific Railroad, and ordered the country’s railroads to postpone their planned nationwide lockout for at least 10 days.

Basketball
NCAA
Mississippi 89 @ Louisiana State 109

Pete Maravich scored 53 points and added 12 assists to lead the Tigers to victory before an overflow crowd of 11,000 at LSU Coliseum in Baton Rouge. He sank a 23-foot jump shot in the 2nd half to move past Oscar Robertson as the leading scorer in U.S. collegiate basketball history. Mr. Maravich ended the game with 2,987 career points.

30 years ago
1980

Hit parade
Edmonton’s Top 20 (CHED)
1 I Don’t Like Mondays--The Boomtown Rats (2nd week at #1)
2 Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers
3 Video Killed the Radio Star--The Buggles
4 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
5 The Long Run--Eagles
6 Jane--Jefferson Starship
7 Don’t Do Me Like That--Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
8 Yes I’m Ready--Teri DeSario with K.C.
9 Do That to Me One More Time--Captain & Tennille
10 Tiny Thing--Jenson Interceptor
11 Why Me--Styx
12 Chiquitita--ABBA
13 Message in a Bottle--The Police
14 Babe--Styx
15 A Night to Remember--Prism
16 Rock with You--Michael Jackson
17 Janine--Trooper
18 This is It--Kenny Loggins
19 Sara--Fleetwood Mac
20 Please Don’t Go--KC & the Sunshine Band

Protest
Bella Akhmadulina, a leading Soviet poet, spoke out on behalf of recently-exiled dissident physicist Andrei Sakharov, as Soviet intellectuals grappled with the banishment of one of the 231 full members of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, a distinguished body relatively immune from politics.

25 years ago
1985

Died on this date
Reginald Baker, 88. U.K. film producer. Mr. Baker and his brother Leslie founded Ealing Studios in 1930, which was a major studio, known especially for comedies, until 1959. His son Peter became a Conservative Member of Parliament, but was expelled for forgery, and Mr. Baker was a creditor for many of Peter's companies. Reginald Baker retired to Australia, where he died.

Music
The Beach Boys, with k.d. lang and the reclines as the opening act, performed at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton. This blogger was in attendance, and enjoyed the company of a lovely lady. I paid $15.75 for my ticket.

20 years ago
1990

Politics and government
U.S. President George Bush delivered his annual State of the Union address to Congress. He proposed a ceiling of 225,000 on the number of U.S. and Soviet troops that could be deployed in Europe. Under his plan, no more than 195,000 could be deployed by each side in the central zone of Europe. At present, the U.S. had 300,000 troops in Europe and the U.S.S.R. had 565,000.



Economics and finance
The U.S. Commerce Department reported that the index of leading economic indicators had risen 0.8% in December 1989.

Hockey
NHL
Detroit 7 Edmonton 5

10 years ago
2000

Died on this date
Ralph Manza, 78. U.S. actor. Mr. Manza was a character actor, mainly in television, from the mid-1950s until his death from a heart attack.

Politics and government
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, speaking for the other 14 member nations of the European Union, warned against the emergence of the Freedom Party and its leader Joerg Haider as a force in Austrian politics. Mr. Guterres said that "behaviour of a racist or xenophobic character will not be tolerated within the European Union." He stated that Austria faced diplomatic isolation if it allowed the Freedom Party to join a new government. In October 1999 the Freedom Party had won 27% of the vote in Austrian elections, placing second behind the Social Democrats and ahead of the People’s Party. Those two parties had shared power, but the coalition had broken down after the election. Mr. Haider had then explored forming a coalition with the People’s Party. The Freedom Party was opposed to immigration, and Mr. Haider had drawn criticism for making inflammatory remarks.

Crime
Dr. Harold Shipman, a family general practitioner, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to life in prison by Mr. Justice Thayne Forbes for murdering 15 of his patients, making him the United Kingdom's biggest serial killer. An official inquiry conducted by Dame Janet Smith concluded that Dr. Shipman may have killed as many as 250 patients over 23 years.

Law
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that criminals who commit violent crimes should be eligible for conditional sentences, rejecting calls from the federal and provincial governments to increase prison sentences.

Abominations
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Atlanta Braves' relief pitcher John Rocker from spring training and the first 28 days of the season, and fined him $20,000 for exercising his constitution right of freedom of speech and expressing currently unfashionable opinions in a magazine interview that disparaged foreigners, perverts, and freaks.

Business
The government of Canada approved the $8-billion takeover of Canada Trust by Toronto Dominion Bank.

Disasters
Alaska Airlines Flight 261, a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jetliner with 88 aboard, crashed while en route from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to San Francisco. The National Transportation Safety Board reported the next day that at about 4:15 P.M. the crew had advised air traffic controllers that the plane’s stabilizer--a device that controlled the plane’s up-and-down movement--had jammed. The controllers cleared the flight to land at Los Angeles International Airport, but at 4:21 the plane disappeared from the radar screen. It went into the ocean northwest of Los Angeles, and there were no survivors.