March 31, 2010

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Stephanie!

160 years ago
1850

Died on this date
John C. Calhoun, 68. 7th Vice President of the United States of America, 1825-1832. Mr. Calhoun was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party when he was first elected to Congress, representing South Carolina's 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1811-1817). He was Secretary of War in the cabinet of President James Monroe (1817-1825), instituting reforms to modernize the armed forces, and managing Indian affairs. Mr. Calhoun was elected Vice President in 1824, while John Quincy Adams was elected President in the only election to be decided by the House of Representatives. Mr. Calhoun disagreed with Mr. Adams' tariff policies, and supported the presidential candidacy of Andrew Jackson. Mr. Jackson, representing the Democratic Party, selected Mr. Calhoun as his running mate in 1828, and defeated the ticket of Mr. Adams and Richard Rush, representing the National Republican Party. When Mr. Calhoun's wife Floride organized the wives of other cabinet members against Peggy Eaton, wife of War Secretary John Eaton and refused to associate with her in what became known as the "Petticoat affair," Mr. Jackson sided with the Eatons, ending the friendship with Mr. Calhoun. Vice President Calhoun disagreed with President Jackson's tariff policies, and supported the doctrine of nullification, i.e., the idea that states had the right to nullify any federal law they deemed unconstitutional. Mr. Calhoun's advocacy of states' rights put him so much at odds with Mr. Jackson that the President chose Martin Van Buren as his vice presidential running mate in the 1832 election. Mr. Calhoun resigned on December 28, 1832, and took a seat in the Senate the next day, representing South Carolina. He sat in the Senate until 1843, when he resigned in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain the 1844 Democratic presidential nomination. Mr. Calhoun served as U.S. Secretary of State in the cabinet of President John Tyler (1844-1845), and returned to the Senate in 1845, where he became known for his support of slavery and his opposition to the war against Mexico. Sen. Calhoun died of tuberculosis.

130 years ago
1880

Died on this date
Henryk Wieniawski, 44. Polish musician and composer. Mr. Wieniawski was a classical violinist who toured Europe and the United States, and also taught violin. He composed more than 50 works, mainly for violin, including two concertos. Mr. Wieniawski suffered from poor health in later years, and died of a heart attack. His brother Józef, who often accompanied him on piano, was also a composer, and his daughter Régine became a composer.

120 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Ben Adams. U.S. jumper. Mr. Adams won a silver medal in standing high jump and a bronze medal in standing long jump at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, while his brother Platt won the gold and silver medals, respectively, in the same events. Ben pitched for Sweden in an exhibition baseball game at those Olympics, batting 1 for 3 in a 13-3 loss to the U.S.A. He died on March 14, 1961, 17 days before his 71st birthday, and 15 days after the death of Platt, 75.

William Lawrence Bragg. Australian-born U.K. physicist. Sir William and his father William Henry Bragg shared the 1915 Nobel Prize in Physics "for their services in the analysis of crystal structure by means of X-ray." Sir William died on July 1, 1971 at the age of 81.

Education
The Manitoba legislature passed the Manitoba School Act, abolishing separate schools for Roman Catholics and Protestants effective May 1, 1890, and creating a non-sectarian system of public education. Roman Catholics in the province, many of them Metis, protested that the law was a violation of the terms under which Manitoba had entered Confederation in 1870.

110 years ago
1900

Born on this date
Henry, Duke of Gloucester. U.K. royal family member; Governor-General of Australia, 1945-1947. Prince Henry was the third son and fourth child of King George V and Queen Mary. He served with the British Army in both World Wars, and was created Duke of Gloucester in 1928. Prince Henry married Lady Alice Montagu Douglas Scott, in 1935, and the couple had two sons. The Duke of Gloucester accepted the post of Governor-General of Australia, and travelled widely throughout the country during his two years in office. Prince Henry suffered the first of several crippling strokes in 1965, and made no public appearances after 1967. He was the last surviving child of his parents, and died on June 10, 1974 at the age of 74.

Academia
The Collège du Sacré-Coeur in Caraquet, New Brunswick was incorporated as a university, with the Reverends Prosper LeBastard, Joseph Haquin, Edward Travert and Joseph Dreau as directors.

80 years ago
1930

Movies
To avoid government censorship, Hollywood studios instituted their own set of industry censorship guidelines, popularly known as the Hays Code. The code was frequently flouted over the next few years, and didn't become rigidly enforced until 1934.

75 years ago
1935

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Louis Hector and Leigh Lovell

70 years ago
1940

War
A Gallup Poll reported that only 1% of Americans favoured a German victory in the European war, while 84% favoured the U.K. and France, and 15% offered no opinion.

Diplomacy
The French and British governments agreed that Jean Monnet be president of the Commission of French-British Cooperation.

Politics and government
Rashid Ali Beg Gailani took office as Prime Minister of Iraq and shuffled the cabinet, retaining General Nuri-es Said as Foreign Minister.

Mohammed Ali Jinnah, president of the All-India Muslim League, suggested partitioning India into Hindu and Muslim states.

Economics and finance
U.S. National Association of Manufacturers President H.W. Prentiss, Jr. appealed to every industrialist to mobilize to meet the attacks of "demagogic detractors" and preserve the free enterprise system.

Olympics
A Helsinki newspaper said that the Summer Olympics, scheduled to be held in the Finnish capital in 1940, would not be held this year.

60 years ago
1950

At the movies
Cheaper by the Dozen, directed by Walter Lang, and starring Clifton Webb, Jeanne Crain, and Myrna Loy, received its premiere screening in New York City.



Diplomacy
The government of Czechoslovakia expelled United Press bureau manager John Higgins, and ordered CARE to close its Czech operations by July 31, 1950.

Politics and government
The Council of Europe's Ministers' Committee in Strasbourg invited West Germany and the Saar to become full members of the Council.

Journalism
Scientific American editor Gerald Piel charged that 30,000 copies of the magazine had been burned on the demand of the Atomic Energy Commission because an article by physicist Hans Bethe contained technical data on the hydrogen bomb.

50 years ago
1960

Hit parade
#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Marina--Rocco Granata and the International Quintet (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): My Old Man's a Dustman--Lonnie Donegan

On television tonight
The Untouchables, starring Robert Stack, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Doreen Maney Story, with guest stars Christopher Dark, Connie Hines, and Anne Francis

Politics and government
Voting machines were discussed in the Canadian House of Commons, while aboriginal people in Canada were first permitted to vote in federal elections.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Montreal 2 @ Chicago 0 (Montreal won best-of-seven series 4-0)

Claude Provost and Dickie Moore scored in the 2nd period, and Jacques Plante earned his second straight shutout in goal for the Canadiens as they completed the sweep of the Black Hawks at Chicago Stadium.

40 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Uppblåsbara Barbara--Robert Broberg (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Let it Be--The Beatles (4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Semyon Timoshenko, 75. U.S.S.R. military officer. Marshal of the Soviet Union Timoshenko joined the Red Army in 1918 and the Bolshevik Party in 1919. He achieved success in the Winter War against Finland (1939-1940), which led to his appointment as People's Commissar for Defense of the Soviet Union, holding the office from May 7, 1940-July 19, 1941. Marshal Timoshenko held various commands for the remainder of World War II, and various offices through the 1960s.

Space
Explorer 1, the first satellite to be successfully launched by the United States, re-entered earth’s atmosphere and burned up after 12 years in space and 58,000 orbits. It had been launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida atop a U.S. Army Juno I (renamed from Jupiter-C) rocket on the night of January 31, 1958, almost four months after the U.S.S.R. had launched Sputnik I to begin the space race, and almost two months after the first U.S. attempt, Vanguard, had ended in disaster when the rocket blew up after lifting just four feet from the launch pad. Explorer 1 paid immediate dividends by discovering radiation belts circling the earth, which were promptly named the Van Allen belts after Dr. James Van Allen, the scientist who had proposed their existence. Explorer 1 stopped sending information on May 23, 1958, but remained in earth orbit.

Terrorism
Count Karl von Spreti, West Germany’s ambassador to Guatemala, was kidnapped by a band of armed men calling themselves the Rebel Armed Forces. They threatened to kill Count von Spreti unless they were paid $700,000 and 22 prisoners were released by the Guatemalan government of President Julio Mendez Montenegro.

Japan Airlines Flight 351, a Boeing 727 jetliner seized by 15 radical students armed with pistols, bombs, and samurai swords remained on the ground at Seoul with 122 passengers and 7 crew members aboard after authorities gave up an elaborate attempt to convince the hijackers, who wanted to go to North Korea, that they actually were in North Korea.

Crime
An American military court in Longbinh, South Vietnam sentenced First Lieutenant James Duffy to six months in confinement for involuntary manslaughter. The court had originally found Lt. Duffy guilty of premeditated murder of an unarmed Vietnamese civilian, but reconsidered its verdict. During the trial, army officers testifying for the defense said that army policy, as they understood it, was not to take prisoners in Vietnam combat operations.

Law
The U.S. Supreme Court held without dissent that trial judges had the right to bind and gag, jail for contempt, or expel from the courtroom an unruly defendant.

Business
American League baseball owners approved a deal that would see the Seattle Pilots move to Milwaukee, but the agreement still required the approval of a bankruptcy referee. That evening, bankruptcy referee Sidney Volinn approved the $10.8-million purchase. Mr. Volinn’s ruling had the effect of finalizing the deal; the Seattle Pilots now became the Milwaukee Brewers.

Boxing
George Foreman (17-0) scored a technical knockout of Rufus Brassell (13-3) at 2:42 of the 1st round of a heavyweight bout at Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston.

Hockey
CHL
Adams Cup
Semi-Finals
Fort Worth 1 @ Omaha 6 (Omaha led best-of-seven series 3-2)
Iowa 6 @ Tulsa 2 (Iowa led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Baseball
In Cactus League action at Tempe, Arizona, the California Angels defeated the Seattle Pilots 4-2. Tom Murphy was the winning pitcher, while Marty Pattin took the loss in what turned out to be the team’s last game as the Seattle Pilots.

30 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Okuru Kotoba--Kaientai (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Rapper's Delight--Sugarhill Gang

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Sun of Jamaica--Goombay Dance Band (7th week at #1)

Died on this date
Jesse Owens, 66. U.S. athlete. Mr. Owens is best remembered for winning four gold medals at the Summer Olympic games in Berlin in 1936, dealing a blow to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler's ideas of Aryan racial superiority. While at Ohio State University, Mr. Owens attended a track meet in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1935, where he set world records in the men's long jump, 220-yard sprint, and 220-yard low hurdles,and tied the world record in the 100-yard dash--all in a span of 45 minutes. At the Olympics, he won gold medals in the men's 100-metre and 200-metre runs, the long jump, and as a member of the 4 x 100-metre relay team.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Jimmy Carter submitted a revised budget to Congress for fiscal 1981 containing $15 billion in proposed spending cuts, $2 billion more than expected. The principal cuts focused on aid to states and cities and the disadvantaged, but excluded benefit programs such as Social Security. The Defense Department, which accounted for ¼ of all federal spending, was asked to absorb only $1.4 billion of the spending cuts while accounting for the greatest share--$5.7 billion--of the projected increases since January in federal spending for 1981.

Business
The investment house Bache Halsey Stuart Shields Inc. announced that it had incurred $50 million in potential losses in connection with the silver accounts of Herbert and Bunky Hunt, and that the Texas brothers had paid the firm $17 million that day. The Hunts signed a preliminary agreement to cover another $400 million in losses resulting from their silver trading activities. They agreed to turn over Canadian oil and gas properties and silver holdings in Engelhard Minerals and Chemicals Corp. in exchange for Engelhard’s agreement to let the Hunts out of a contract to buy 19 million ounces of silver at $35 per ounce. The contract came due that day, but silver had closed in New York at $14.20 per ounce. Engelhard would keep its 19 million ounces of silver, receive another 8.5 million ounces from the Hunts, and acquire oil holdings worth an estimated $500 million.

Baseball
The Montreal Expos traded first baseman-pinch hitter Rusty Staub to the Texas Rangers for utility players LaRue Washington and Chris Smith. Mr. Staub, the most popular player in Expos’ history, had starred with the team from 1969-1971 before being traded to the New York Mets. he had then been reacquired during the 1979 season from the Detroit Tigers. He turned 36 the day after the 1980 trade, and played another 6 years in the major leagues, retiring after playing 2,951 career regular season games. Mr. Smith, who had yet to play in the majors at the time of the trade, played just 7 games with the Expos in 1981, and 2 in 1982, going 0 for 9 at bat. He played 22 games with the San Francisco Giants in 1983 before disappearing from the major leagues. Mr. Washington had played 3 games with the Rangers in 1978 and 22 in 1979, but never played another major league game after being traded to the Expos.

25 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Shout--Tears for Fears

#1 single in France (SNEP): Johnny, Johnny--Jeanne Mas

#1 single in Switzerland: You're My Heart, You're My Soul--Modern Talking (4th week at #1)

On the radio
The Stories of Sherlock Holmes, starring Graham Armitage and Kerry Jordan, on Springbok Radio
Tonight's episode: The Rubber-Faced Man

Popular culture
The first WrestleMania--the biggest wrestling event from the World Wrestling Federation (later known as World Wrestling Entertainment)-- took place at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Curling
Air Canada Silver Broom @ Kelvin Hall, Glasgow
Final
Canada (Al Hackner) 6 Sweden (Stefan Hasselborg) 2

Canada scored 3 points in the 3rd end to take a 3-1 lead as Mr. Hackner led his rink to their second men's world championship; they had previously won in 1982.

20 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Vattene Amore--Amedeo Minghi; Mietta (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Enjoy the Silence--Depeche Mode (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Le temps des Yéyés--Les Vagabonds (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): The Power--Snap!

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (7th week at #1)
2 Daar Gaat Ze--Clouseau
3 How am I Supposed to Live Without You--Michael Bolton
4 Sacrifice--Elton John
5 The Healer--John Lee Hooker featuring Carlos Santana & the Santana Band
6 Fortune Fairytales--Loïs Lane
7 The Power--Snap!
8 Jij Daar!--Petra & Co
9 Opposites Attract--Paula Abdul
10 Dub Be Good to Me--Beats International

Singles entering the chart were Rok the Nation by Rob 'n' Rax featuring Leila K (#26); Oh Pretty Woman by Gary Moore featuring Albert King (#27); Vulgaris Magistralis by Normaal (#29); Cry for Freedom by White Lion (#31); School by Supertramp (#38); and Soul to Soul by the Temptations (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Black Velvet--Alannah Myles (2nd week at #1)
2 Love Will Lead You Back--Taylor Dayne
3 I Wish it Would Rain Down--Phil Collins
4 I'll Be Your Everything--Tommy Page
5 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
6 Don't Wanna Fall in Love--Jane Child
7 Escapade--Janet Jackson
8 Keep it Together--Madonna
9 Get Up! (Before the Night is Over)--Technotronic
10 Here and Now--Luther Vandross

Singles entering the chart were All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You by Heart (#57); Your Baby Never Looked Good in Blue by Expose (#61); Getting Away with It by Electronic (#88); How "Bout Us by Grayson Hugh (and Betty Wright) (#89); Moonlight on Water by Laura Branigan (#94); and Ready or Not by After 7 (#96). How 'Bout Us was from the movie True Love (1989).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Black Velvet--Alannah Myles
2 Love Will Lead You Back--Taylor Dayne
3 I Wish it Would Rain Down--Phil Collins
4 Escapade--Janet Jackson
5 Roam--The B-52's
6 I'll Be Your Everything--Tommy Page
7 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
8 I Go to Extremes--Billy Joel
9 Keep it Together--Madonna
10 Here and Now--Luther Vandross

Singles entering the chart were All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You by Heart (#58); Your Baby Never Looked Good in Blue by Expose (#61); How 'Bout Us by Grayson Hugh (and Betty Wright) (#68); I'll See You in My Dreams by Giant (#73); Cuts You Up by Peter Murphy (#83); and You Can't Get Away by Shana (#90).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 I Wish it Would Rain Down--Phil Collins (2nd week at #1)
2 Escapade--Janet Jackson
3 I Go to Extremes--Billy Joel
4 Roam--The B-52's
5 Opposites Attract--Paula Abdul (Duet with the Wild Pair)
6 Lover of Mine--Alannah Myles
7 Love Will Lead You Back--Taylor Dayne
8 No Myth--Michael Penn
9 Every Little Tear--Paul Janz
10 Let Your Backbone Slide--Maestro Fresh-Wes

Singles entering the chart were Life in Detail by Robert Palmer (#81); Dorianna by Paul Lang (#83); (If There Was) Any Other Way by Celine Dion (#85); Closer to the Flame by Dave Edmunds (#87); All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You by Heart (#89); I Build this Garden for Us by Lenny Kravitz (#91); and The Nature of Love by Poco (#93).

Diplomacy
U.S.S.R. President Mikhail Gorbachev warned Lithuania of "grave consequences" if it did not annul its declaration of independence.

Protest
The day before new poll tax rates were supposed to go into effect in the U.K., a riot involving several thousand protesters took place in London. 331 police officers were among the more than 400 injured, and 341 arrests were made.

10 years ago
2000

At the movies
The Skulls, directed by Rob Cohen, and starring Joshua Jackson, Paul Walkerm and others, opened in theatres. The obvious inspiration for the movie was Skull and Bones, the infamous secret society at Yale University; the university in the movie isn't identified, but it sure seems like one from the Ivy League. The only "name" actor in the movie was Craig T. Nelson, who played Judge Litten Mandrake. The movie received overwhelmingly negative reviews, and was rightly regarded as one of the turkeys of the year (although it's an enjoyable turkey). Two direct-to-video/DVD sequels appeared: The Skulls II (2002); and The Skulls III (2004).



Crime
A British Columbia court found Kelly Ellard guilty of second-degree murder in the death of 14-year-old Reena Virk in Victoria in November 1997.

March 30, 2010

500 years ago
1510

Born on this date
Antonio de Cabezón. Spanish composer and organist. Mr. Cabezón, who went blind in early childhood, became prominent as an organist, and was employed in the court of King Charles V and Queen Isabella. He composed about 275 pieces, most for organ or other keyboard instruments. Mr. Cabezón died on March 26, 1566, four days before his 56th birthday.

190 years ago
1820

Born on this date
Anna Sewell. U.K. authoress. Miss Sewell wrote the novel Black Beauty (1877). She was an invalid for most of her life, and died of hepatitis or tuberculosis on April 25, 1878, 26 days after her 58th birthday, and just five months after the publication of her only novel, which had already achieved commercial success.

James Whyte. U.K.-born Australian politician. Mr. Whyte, a native of Scotland, moved to Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) with his family in 1832. He and his brothers were involved in the Fighting Hills massacre of aborigines in 1840. Mr. Whyte became wealthy from a gold strike in 1852, and was first elected to the Legislative Council of Tasmania in 1856, representing Pembroke. He served as Premier of Tasmania from 1863-1866, leading a government that engaged in road and rail development, public service reform, and fiscal reform. A proposal for a property and income tax was so unpopular that it led to the downfall of Mr. Whyte's government. He remained in Parliament until 1876, and died on August 20, 1882 at the age of 62.

170 years ago
1840

Died on this date
Beau Brummell, 61. U.K. dandy. George Bryan Brummell was the most famous arbiter of men's fashions in his day, and was a close friend of the future King George IV until the permanent breach of their friendship in 1811. He fled to France in 1816 to avoid debtors' prison, and died penniless and insane from syphilis in an asylum in Caen.

140 years ago
1870

Law
The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution was declared ratified in a proclamation by Secretary of State Hamilton Fish. The text reads:

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Americana
Texas was readmitted to the United States Congress following Reconstruction; the state had joined the Confederacy in 1861.

130 years ago
1880

Born on this date
Seán O'Casey. Irish playwright. Mr. O'Casey, born John Casey, was known for writing plays about working class people in Dublin. His best-known play was Juno and the Paycock (1924). Mr. O'Casey died on September 18, 1964 at the age of 84.

125 years ago
1885

Crime
At least nine people, including two Roman Catholic priests and an Indian agent, were slain at Frog Lake, north of Lloydminster, Northwest Territories in what became known as the Frog Lake massacre. A farmer and farm instructor near Battleford were also killed.

90 years ago
1920

Diplomacy
Finland accepted the proposal of Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs M. Tchilcherin to enter into negotiations to end hostilities between Finland and Russia. Finland suggested that Finnish military representatives should meet Russian delegates at Systerback on April 10, and that a temporary armistice should begin on April 1. Finland added that she considered it necessary before beginning negotiations that the Russians should evacuate Petchenga. At the same time, Finnish troops were ordered to stop all action on April 1 except that which was purely defensive.

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Finals
Seattle Metropolitans (PCHA) 5 Ottawa Senators (NHL) 2 @ Toronto (Best-of-five series tied 2-2)

Frank Foyston scored 2 goals and Bobby Rowe, Jack Walker, and Roy Rickey each scored for the Metropolitans as they beat the Senators. Frank Nighbor scored both Ottawa goals in the 2nd period. The game, played under PCHA rules, took place at Arena Gardens because of poor ice conditions in Ottawa.

70 years ago
1940

War
U.K. First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, in a radio broadcast, warned that neutral nations' rights may be violated by Britain in an effort to halt aid to her enemies in the European war.

Politics and government
Japan declared Nanking capital of a new Chinese puppet government, nominally controlled by Wang Ching-wei.

U.S. Senator Edwin Johnson (Democrat--Colorado) said that President Franklin D. Roosevelt's silence on whether he would run in 1940 for a third term had hurt other possible Democratic Party candidates and was leading the party into confusion.

Defense
The Japanese Army reported that the U.S.S.R. was building a new railroad from the Outer Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator toward the border of Manchukuo (Manchuria).

The United States War Department notified 175 airplane manufacturers that they could defer current military building provided they could guarantee superior aircraft at a later date.

Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull announced that the United States would not recognize the Japanese-sponsored government based in Nanking led by Wang Ching-wei.

Science
The Physics Department at the University of Toronto revealed the world's most powerful microscope which formed its images with electrons, not light.

Swimming
NCAA
The University of Michigan defeated Yale University to win the national championship in New Haven, Connecticut.

Basketball
NCAA
Indiana University defeated Kansas State University 60-42 in Kansas City to win the national men's championship.

60 years ago
1950

On television tonight
Escape, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Rest in Peace, starring Clock Ryder and Oliver Thorndyke

This was the 13th and last episode of the series.

Died on this date
Léon Blum, 77. Prime Minister of France, 1936-1937, 1938, 1946-1947. Mr. Blum, a socialist, was first elected to the National Assembly in 1919, and led the Socialist Party through the 1930s. He attracted the hatred of anti-Semites, and was beatend almost to death in 1936, shortly before taking office as Prime Minister. Mr. Blum led a Popular Front government of the left, providing economic and labour reforms, and declaring neutrality in the Spanish Civil War in order to prevent the war from spilling over into France. His second term as Prime Minister lasted just under a month, as he was unable to keep a government together. Mr. Blum escaped to southern France early in World War II, but was captured, and was imprisoned in France, and later in Germany. He was rescued by Allied authorities at the end of the war, and returned to politics, leading a coalition government in an effort to support the Fourth Republic. Mr. Blum died of a heart attack, 10 days before his 78th birthday.

Joe Yule, 57. U.K.-born U.S. comedian and actor. Mr. Yule, a native of Glasgow, moved with his family to the United States as an infant. He performed in vaudeville and burlesque before moving to Hollywood in 1925. He appeared in dozens of movies, often in small, uncredited roles, but starred as Jiggs in a series of five movies based on the comic strip Bringing Up Father (1946-1950). Mr. Yule died of a heart attack; his son Joe, Jr. became famous as the entertainer Mickey Rooney.

Movies
Filming began on Darah dan Doa, widely recognized as the first Indonesian film.

Law
The International Court of Justice ruled that Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania were obliged to cooperate with the United States and United Kingdom in investigating whether Soviet bloc countries had violated human rights. Three Easter European judges dissented.

Diplomacy
The U.S. State Department reported that radio transmitters of the U.S. consulate in Shanghai and Peking (Beijing), the last direct channels for confidential messages between the U.S. government and its representatives in Communist China, had stopped operating.

Politics and government
U.S. President Harry Truman named Budget Director Frank Pace as Secretary of the Army. Retiring Army Secretary Gordon Gray was appointed presidential adviser on foreign trade problems. Air Force Secretary Stuart Symington was named head of the National Security Resources Board.

Technology
Bell Telephone Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey announced the invention of the phototransistor, operated by light rather than electric current.

Economics and finance
The United Kingdom and Israel settled financial claims left over from the British mandate regime in Palestine.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Toronto 1 @ Detroit 3 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Red Kelly and Sid Abel scored in the 1st period and Joe Carveth scored in the 2nd for the Red Wings as they defeated the Maple Leafs at Olympia Stadium. Fleming Mackell scored at 5:44 of the 3rd period to break up Harry Lumley's bid for a shutout.

50 years ago
1960

Died on this date
Joseph Haas, 81. German composer and teacher. Mr. Haas taught at various music schools, most notably the Akademie für Tonkunst in Munich (1924-1950). He composed choral and chamber works; sacred music; and works for keyboard and organ. Mr. Haas died 11 days after his 81st birthday.

40 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Onna no Blues--Keiko Fuji

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Venus--The Shocking Blue (8th week at #1)

On the radio
The Challenge of Space, on Springbok Radio
Tonight’s episode: The Emergency Passenger

Died on this date
Heinrich Brüning, 84. Chancellor of Germany, 1930-1932. Dr. Brüning, whose doctorate was in economics, served with the German Army during World War I, and was a bureaucrat and journalist before entering politics, as a believer in "Christian corporatism." He joined the Centre Party, and was first elected to the Reichstag in 1924, making a name for himself as a financial expert. Dr. Brüning was appointed Reichskanzler (Chancellor) by President Paul von Hindenburg on March 29, 1930, just in time for the Depression to strike Germany. Dr. Brüning established a presidential government, using emergency decrees invoking President Hindenburg's constitutional powers. Dr. Brüning resigned as Chancellor after coming into conflict with President Hindenburg; he served as Chairman of the Centre Party from May 6-July 5, 1933, but fled the country in 1934, fearing arrest by the Nazis, who were now in power. Dr. Brüning eventually ended up in the United States, becoming a professor at Harvard University. He returned to West Germany as a professor from 1951-1953, but returned to the U.S.A., and died in Vermont, the day after the 40th anniversary of his taking office as Chancellor. Dr. Brüning's time as Chancellor is still a subject of debate in Germany, as to whether he was the "last bulwark" or "undertaker" of the Weimar Republic, or both.

World events
The military government of Sudan announced that it had crushed an apparent coup d'etat attempt against the 10-month-old regime of Major General Jafir Muhammad Nimeri.

30 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): I Got You--Split Enz (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd (9th week at #1)

World events
More than 30,000 people filled the plaza in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral in San Salvador for the funeral of Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero, who had been assassinated six days earlier. After an explosion, panic swept the crowd, which surged into the cathedral and side streets. Observers witnessed snipers firing guns from building tops for the next hour; at least 26 people were killed and 200 injured. Many people, including U.S. ambassador Robert White, blamed Communist groups for starting the violence, but other eyewitnesses blamed right-wing groups.

Diplomacy
The United States delivered an ultimatum to Iran, demanding that the government take control of the hostages in the U.S. embassy in Tehran from the militants by March 31 or face new sanctions. Iranian President Abolhassan Bani-Sadr asked for a 24-hour postponement of the deadline and conferred with Iran’s Revolutionary Council.

Curling
Air Canada Silver Broom @ Moncton Coliseum
Final
Canada (Rick Folk) 7 Norway (Kristian Sørum) 6

Rick Folk’s rink from Saskatchewan gave Canada its first men’s world championship in eight years, edging the defending champions.

25 years ago
1985

Hit parade
U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Material Girl--Madonna
2 One More Night--Phil Collins
3 Can’t Fight This Feeling--REO Speedwagon
4 The Heat is On--Glenn Frey
5 Lovergirl--Teena Marie
6 We Are the World--USA for Africa
7 Too Late for Goodbyes--Julian Lennon
8 Private Dancer--Tina Turner
9 Somebody--Bryan Adams
10 Just Another Night--Mick Jagger

Hockey
NHL
Boston 3 @ Montreal 7
Detroit 9 @ Toronto 3

Curling
Air Canada Silver Broom @ Kelvin Hall, Glasgow
Semi-Finals
Sweden (Stefan Hasselborg) 4 Denmark (Hans Gufler) 2
Canada (Al Hackner) 9 U.S.A. (Tim Wright) 4

20 years ago
1990

Died on this date
Harry Bridges, 88. Australian-born U.S. labour leader. Mr. Bridges was a merchant seaman in Australia before moving to the United States in 1922. He became leader of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), and in 1937 he led several chapters in forming a new union, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which he led for the next 40 years. In the 1990s it was revealed that Mr. Bridges had been a member of the Communist Party USA in the 1930s. The United States government regarded Mr. Bridges as subversive and made several unsuccessful attempts to deport him. Mr. Bridges became a naturalized American citizen in 1945 after lying about his Communist Party membership.

War
U.S.S.R. troops seized the state prosecutor’s office in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, as well as the printing press of a pro-independence newspaper.

World events
Estonia’s parliament proclaimed that the country was occupied, and that it was entering a "transitional period" that would lead to independence.

Abominations
Idaho Governor Cecil Andrus vetoed a bill that would have banned most abortions in the state. Under the bill’s provisions, an abortion in the case of rape would have been allowed only if the rape were reported within seven days, and abortion in the case of incest would be allowed only if the victim were under 18. Gov. Andrus complained that pro-life activists had designed the bill "for the sole purpose of getting this issue back before the Supreme Court." Gov. Andrus said that he had not been influenced by threats by abortion-rights groups to boycott Idaho potatoes.

Hockey
NHL
Calgary 6 Edmonton 2

10 years ago
2000

Died on this date
Rudolf Kirchschläger, 85. 8th President of Austria, 1974-1986. Dr. Kirchschläger was Austrian Ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1967-1970 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1970-1974 before being elected President. He died 10 days after his 85th birthday.

Oil
Mexico, Norway, and Oman, all non-members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, joined 10 of the 11 OPEC member nations in announcing their intention to increase production.

March 29, 2010

230 years ago
1780

Born on this date
Jørgen Jørgensen. Danish-born adventurer. Mr. Jørgensen apprenticed with a British collier and sailed to South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand in the early 1800s; he's been credited as the founder of the Tasmanian capital of Hobart. While visiting his family in Denmark, he was given command of a small vessel, but was captured in battle with a British ship in 1808. Mr. Jørgensen was paroled, and travelled twice to Iceland. On his second visit in 1809, he and other crew members arrested Icelandic Governor the Count of Trampe, and Mr. Jørgensen proclaimed himself "Protector," intending to establish a liberal society like those emerging in the Americas and elsewhere in Europe. The Royal Navy gunboat HMS Talbot arrived two months later, restored Danish rule, and arrested Mr. Jørgensen for violating parole. He was released in 1811, and served as a spy for the British in France and Germany toward the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Mr. Jørgensen spent some time in prison for theft, and was eventually transported to Australia in 1825, spending most of the rest of his life in Tasmania, obtaining a free pardon in 1835. He died on January 20, 1841 at the age of 60.

220 years ago
1790

Born on this date
John Tyler. 10th President of the United States, 1841-1845. Mr. Tyler, a native of Charles City County, Virginia, was elected Vice-President of the United States in 1840 as the running mate to Whig party candidate William Henry Harrison. When Mr. Harrison died just one month after taking office in 1841, Mr. Tyler became the first vice-president to assume the presidency upon the death of the president. He stood against much of the Whig platform while president, which led to him being the first president to face impeachment proceedings, which were unsuccessful. Mr. Tyler's most notable accomplishments as president included two vetoes of legislation calling for a national banking act, and the annexation of Texas. When Virginia voted to secede from the union in 1861, Mr. Tyler was elected to the House of Representatives of the Confederate Congress, but took ill in Richmond and died on January 18, 1862 at the age of 71, shortly before the session of Congress began. Since he was a Confederate at the time of his death, he was the only U.S. President not to be officially mourned by the U.S. government.

110 years ago
1900

Born on this date
John McEwen. Prime Minister of Australia, 1967-1968. Sir John, a member of the Country Party, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1934, and held various posts in 25 years as a cabinet minister. He led the Country Party from 1958-1971, and served as interim Prime Minister from December 19, 1967-January 10, 1968, following the disappearance of Prime Minister Harold Holt. Sir John then resigned in favour of John Gorton, and was appointed Australia's first Deputy Prime Minister, serving until his retirement from politics on February 5, 1971. He suffered from severe dermatitis for most of his life, and the pain eventually led him to commit suicide through self-starvation, dying on November 20, 1980 at the age of 80.

Died on this date
Cyrus K. Holliday, 73. U.S. railroad executive and military officer. Mr. Holliday helped to found Topeka, Kansas in 1854; in 1859 he founded what became the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. Mr. Holliday was given the honourary title of Colonel for his service in the Wakarusa War (1855) between Free-Staters and pro-slavery militia; he served as Adjutant General of Kansas during the American Civil War (1864-1865). Mr. Holliday died five days before his 74th birthday.

100 years ago
1910

Born on this date
Bill Dietrich. U.S. baseball pitcher. Nicknamed "Bullfrog Bill" because he was slightly pop-eyed (back in the good old days before political correctness), Mr. Dietrich compiled a record of 108-128 and an earned run average of 4.48 in 366 games with the Philadelphia Athletics (1933-1936; 1947-1948); Washington Nationals (1936); and Chicago White Sox (1936-1946), batting .150 with 5 home runs and 43 runs batted in in 368 games. His best season was probably 1943, when he was 12-10 with an earned run average of 2.80. Mr. Dietrich pitched a no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns on June 1, 1937. He died on June 20, 1978 at the age of 68.

80 years ago
1930

Politics and government
Centre Party leader Heinrich Brüning was appointed Reichskanzler of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg, following the collapse of the coalition government of Social Democrat Hermann Müller.

75 years ago
1935

Boxing
Joe Louis (17-0) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Natie Brown (28-17-7) at Olympia Stadium in Detroit.

70 years ago
1940

War
The German government issued a White Paper of 16 documents, allegedly captured in Warsaw, revealing American promises to prevent the fall of Poland to Germany.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said that Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles' trip to Europe had shown that peace prospects were scant at this time.

Economics and finance
New York District Attorney Thomas Dewey, speaking in Milwaukee, charged that President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal economic policies had prolonged the Depression.

Boxing
Joe Louis (42-1) retained his world heavyweight title with a knockout of Johnny Paychek (38-4-2) 41 seconds into the 2nd round at Madison Square Garden in New York.



60 years ago
1950

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Ben Wright and Eric Snowden, on ABC
Tonight’s episode: Design for Dying

The Casebook of Gregory Hood, starring Martin Gabel, on ABC

War
Chinese Nationalists admitted that the Communists had won full control of Sinkiang Province north of Tibet.

Diplomacy
Ireland's first Ambassador to the U.S.A., John Hearne, arrived in New York and denounced Britain's "international crime" of keeping Northern Ireland separated from the Irish Republic.

Politics and government
U.S. President Harry Truman named Philip Jessup, under attack by Senator Joseph McCarthy (Republican--Wisconsin) as a Communist sympathizer, as Secretary of State Dean Acheson's senior adviser in the State Department.

Television
RCA publicly demonstrated the first electronic colour television receiving tube.

Transportation
Burma reopened the 500-mile Mandalay-Rangoon railroad, blocked by rebels since 1949.

Oddities
"Flying saucer" sightings were reported in Israel, Italy, and Hong Kong.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Montreal 1 @ New York 3 (New York led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Nick Mickoski's powerplay goal at 11:18 of the 2nd period broke a 1-1 tie as the Rangers beat the Canadiens at Madison Square Garden. Norm Dussault opened the scoring for Montreal on a powerplay at 8:27 of the 1st period, and Don Raleigh scored a powerplay at 14:40 of the 1st period to tie the score. Pat Egan closed the scoring with 22 seconds remaining in the game. Chuck Rayner won the goaltending duel over Bill Durnan.

50 years ago
1960

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Toronto 5 @ Detroit 4 (3 OT) (Toronto led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Montreal 4 @ Chicago 0 (Montreal led best-of-seven series 3-0)

Frank Mahovlich scored 3 minutes into the 3rd overtime period to give the Maple Leafs their win over the Red Wings at Olympia Stadium.

Bill Hicke's goal at 10:15 of the 2nd period proved to be the winner as the Canadiens shut out the Black Hawks at Chicago Stadium. Jacques Plante earned the shutout, winning the goaltending duel over Glenn Hall.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
St. Louis 113 @ Boston 103 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

The Hawks outscored the Celtics 64-47 in the 2nd half to overcome a 56-49 halftime deficit before 13,909 fans at Boston Garden. Bob Pettit of the Hawks led all scorers with 35 points, while Bill Sharman led the Celtics with 30 points. Boston center Bill Russell scored 21 points and grabbed 40 rebounds.

40 years ago
1970

Died on this date
Anna Louise Strong, 84. U.S. writer and political activist. Dr. Strong, the first woman to earn a doctorate (in philosophy) at the University of Chicago, became a notorious Communist propagandist, writing more than 30 books, and continued to bang the Communist drum even after Soviet authorities briefly imprisoned her in 1949. She spent her last years in the People's Republic of China, lying on behalf of the Communist regime of Chairman Mao Zedong, and died in hospital in Beijing after pulling out her intravenous tubes and refusing to accept all food and medicine, despite pleas to the contrary from Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. Malcolm Muggeridge described Dr. Strong as "an enormous woman with a very red face, a lot of white hair, and an expression of stupidity so overwhelming that it amounted to a kind of strange beauty." Lloyd Billingsley devoted a hilarious chapter to her in his book The Generation that Knew Not Josef (1985).

Disasters
At least 20 people were killed and about 100 injured when a derailed train plunged off a trestle bridge into a gully near Karachi, Pakistan.

Hockey
CHL
Adams Cup
Semi-Finals
Fort Worth 1 @ Omaha 3 (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)
Iowa 0 @ Tulsa 5 (Iowa led best-of-seven series 2-1)

30 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Video Killed the Radio Star--The Buggles (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Crying--Don McLean

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Going Underground--The Jam

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Going Underground/Dreams of Children--The Jam (2nd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Pearlydumm--BZN
2 Sajang É--Massada
3 Crying--Don McLean
4 With You I'm Born Again--Billy Preston & Syreeta
5 Matador--Garland Jeffreys
6 Visite--Lenny Kuhr & Les Poppys
7 Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers
8 Brass in Pocket--Pretenders
9 Rock 'n' Roll High School--Ramones
10 You and Me--Spargo

Singles entering the chart were Willy Alberti Bedankt by André Van Duin (#21); Sun of Jamaica by Goombay Dance Band (#27); The End of the Show by the Cats (#34); Him by Rupert Holmes (#35); Get It by Urban Heroes (#39); and Together We are Beautiful by Fern Kinney (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd (2nd week at #1)
2 Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl--Spinners
3 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
4 Desire--Andy Gibb
5 Call Me--Blondie
6 Him--Rupert Holmes
7 Too Hot--Kool & The Gang
8 The Second Time Around--Shalamar
9 Ride Like The Wind--Christopher Cross
10 How Do I Make You--Linda Ronstadt

Singles entering the chart were Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer by Kenny Rogers with Kim Carnes (#56); I Can't Help It by Andy Gibb & Olivia Newton-John (#63); Breakdown Dead Ahead by Boz Scaggs (#65); Borrowed Time by Styx (#81); Let's Get Serious by Jermaine Jackson (#83); Starting Over Again by Dolly Parton (#84); The Seduction (Love Theme) by the James Last Band (#85); After You by Dionne Warwick (#86); Gee Whiz by Bernadette Peters (#88); Funkytown by Lipps Inc. (#89); Should've Never Let You Go by Neil Sedaka and Dara Sedaka (#90); Holiday by Nazareth (#92); and We were Meant to Be Lovers by Photoglo (#97).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd (2nd week at #1)
2 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
3 Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl--Spinners
4 Call Me--Blondie
5 Longer--Dan Fogelberg
6 Him--Rupert Holmes
7 How Do I Make You--Linda Ronstadt
8 Too Hot--Kool & The Gang
9 Ride Like The Wind--Christopher Cross
10 The Second Time Around--Shalamar

Singles entering the chart were Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer by Kenny Rogers with Kim Carnes (#45); Breakdown Dead Ahead by Boz Scaggs (#60); I Can't Help It by Andy Gibb & Olivia Newton-John (#68); The Seduction (Love Theme) by the James Last Band (#72); It's Hard to Be Humble by Mac Davis (#74); Lucky Me by Anne Murray (#79); Solitaire by Peter McIan (#82); Borrowed Time by Styx (#84); Funkytown by Lipps Inc. (#87); When the Feeling Comes Around by Jennifer Warnes (#88); Gee Whiz by Bernadette Peters (#89); Should've Never Let You Go by Neil Sedaka and Dara Sedaka (#90); Don't Say Goodnight (It’s Time for Love) (Parts 1 and 2) by the Isley Brothers (#94); and You've Got What I Need by Shooting Star (#97).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd (3rd week at #1)
2 Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl--Spinners
3 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
4 Call Me--Blondie
5 Too Hot--Kool & The Gang
6 Ride Like The Wind--Christopher Cross
7 Him--Rupert Holmes
8 On the Radio--Donna Summer
9 How Do I Make You--Linda Ronstadt
10 Fire Lake--Bob Seger

Singles entering the chart were Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer by Kenny Rogers with Kim Carnes (#37); Breakdown Dead Ahead by Boz Scaggs (#51); I Can't Help It by Andy Gibb & Olivia Newton-John (#63); The Rose by Bette Midler (#76); Starting Over Again by Dolly Parton (#80); Let Me Be the Clock by Smokey Robinson (#81); Gee Whiz by Bernadette Peters (#82); Funkytown by Lipps Inc. (#83); Let's Get Serious by Jermaine Jackson (#84); When the Feeling Comes Around by Jennifer Warnes (#85); Solitaire by Peter McIan (#88); Don't Say Goodnight (It’s Time for Love) by the Isley Brothers (#89); Survive by Jimmy Buffett (#94); Holiday by Nazareth (#95); and It's a Night for Beautiful Girls by the Fools (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd (2nd week at #1)
2 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
3 Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers
4 Ladies Night--Kool & The Gang
5 On the Radio--Donna Summer
6 Refugee--Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
7 Rock with You--Michael Jackson
8 Janine--Trooper
9 Romeo's Tune--Steve Forbert
10 Do That to Me One More Time--Captain & Tennille

Singles entering the chart were You May Be Right by Billy Joel (#88); Sexy Eyes by Dr. Hook (#90); Think About Me by Fleetwood Mac (#94); Brass in Pocket (I'm Special) by the Pretenders (#97); Any Way You Want It by Journey (#99); and Outside My Window by Stevie Wonder (#100).

Died on this date
Mantovani, 74. Italian-born U.K. composer and bandleader. Annunzio Paolo Mantovani, a native of Venice, moved to England with his family in 1912. He led his own orchestra in Birmingham in the 1930s and '40s, and achieved popularity at dances during World War II. Mr. Mantovani stopped live performances after the war and concentrated on recording. His orchestra, which featured "cascading strings," recorded more than 50 albums through the mid-1970s, including albums that were used to demonstrate stereo sound.

War
The New York Times reported that Afghan rebel activity in Kumar Valley and the northeastern province of Badakshan had been virtually wiped out. Estimates that 1,500 Soviet soldiers had been killed since December were called conservative by travellers who had heard about the situation in civilian and military hospitals. Only 35,000 soldiers were reported remaining in the Afghan army after recent desertions and defections.

Hockey
NHL
Edmonton 8 Toronto 5



25 years ago
1985

Died on this date
Luther Terry, 73. U.S. physician. Dr. Terry was Surgeon General of the United States from 1961-1965. He was best known for Smoking and Health: Report of the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General of the United States, released on January 11, 1964, which concluded that lung cancer and chronic bronchitis were causally related to cigarette smoking.

Jeanne Deckers, aka Sœur Sourire and The Singing Nun, 61. Belgian nun and musician. Miss Deckers, who took the name Sister Luc-Gabrielle when she became a Dominican nun in 1959, wrote and performed songs under the name Sœur Sourire (The Singing Nun in English-speaking countries). Her album Dominique became an international bestseller in 1962, and the title song, sung in French, was a major international hit in 1963. Miss Deckers left the Dominican order several years later, continuing as a lay Dominican. Her subsequent musical career was mostly unsuccessful, and she and Annie Pécher, with whom she had lived for almost 20 years, both committed suicide with overdoses of barbiturates and alcohol, citing financial difficulties.

Hockey
NHL
Edmonton 7 @ Hartford 8

20 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Oi beibi/Tuhansien sulojen maa--Raptori (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): That Sounds Good To Me--Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers (2nd week at #1)

Politics and government
The Czechoslovak parliament was unable to reach an agreement on what to call the country after the fall of Communism, sparking the so-called Hyphen War.

Society
Canada’s best-known abortionist, Henry Morgentaler, who was in the process of opening a clinic in Edmonton, was speaking in the Tory Lecture Theatre at the University of Alberta. A pro-life rally was held on campus before the event, and even the local media had to admit that the pro-life crowd was considerably larger than the pro-abortion crowd. This blogger was at the pro-life rally, and I noticed that some of the abortion supporters were the same ones who had been wearing blue jeans on campus in support of sodomite rights eight days earlier.

Environment
Canadian Environment Minister Lucien Bouchard released a Green Plan working paper to clean up the environment.

Hockey
NHL
Chicago 4 Toronto 2

10 years ago
2000

Scandal
A U.S. federal judge in Washington, D.C. ruled that President Bill Clinton had violated the Privacy Act when he released letters written to him by Kathleen Willey, a private citizen. Ms. Willey had claimed that Mr. Clinton had made unwanted sexual advances to her at the White House in 1993. After she made her allegations public, Mr. Clinton released the letters in an effort to show they had remained on good terms after the alleged incident.

Oil
Members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, meeting in Vienna, announced that 9 of the 11 member nations of the cartel would increase production after a one-year cutback. Iran then reluctantly went along with the production increase, while Iraq, which was not part of the previous production cuts, was excluded from the increase.

Baseball
Major league baseball played its first regular season game outside North America when the Chicago Cubs defeated the New York Mets 5-3 at the Tokyo Dome before a crowd announced at an even 55,000. Shane Andrews drove in 3 runs for the Cubs with a 2-run home run and a bases-loaded walk, while Mike Piazza hit a 2-run homer for the Mets, who were officially the home team.

March 28, 2010

260 years ago
1750

Born on this date
Francisco de Miranda. Supreme Chief of Venezuela, 1812. Generalissimo de Miranda fought in the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolution and the Spanish American wars of independence. He liberated much of South America from Spanish rule in expeditions from 1804-1808, but parts of Venezuela remained in royalist hands. Gen. Miranda ruled as a dictator from April 25-June 26, 1812, but concluded that the Republican cause was lost, and signed an armistice with the royalists on July 25, 1812. Colonel Simon Bolívar and other revolutionary officers regarded Gen. Miranda's acts as treasonous; he was deported to Spain, where he died in prison on July 14, 1816 at the age of 66.

150 years ago
1860

War
The Battle of Waireka began in the First Taranaki War between Māori and the New Zealand Government.

130 years ago
1880

Born on this date
Louis Wolheim. U.S. actor. Mr. Wolheim appeared in plays such as The Hairy Ape (1922) and What Price Glory? (1924), but was best known for his performances in movies such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920); Two Arabian Knights (1927); The Racket (1928); and All Quiet on the Western Front (1930). He was preparing to act in the movie The Front Page (1931) when he died of apparent stomach cancer on February 18, 1931 at the age of 50.

120 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Paul Whiteman. U.S. bandleader. Mr. Whiteman, nicknamed the "King of Jazz," was one of the most popular bandleaders of the 1920s, recruiting into his orchestra too many talented people to name here. Mr. Whiteman's orchestra recorded 32 singles that reached #1 in the United States, but Mr. Whteman was perhaps best known for commissioning George Gershwin's composition Rhapsody in Blue, first performed and recorded in 1924. Mr. Whiteman was musical director of the ABC radio network in the 1940s and '50s; he died on December 29, 1967 at the age of 77.

110 years ago
1900

Died on this date
Piet Joubert, 69. S.A. military officer and politician. Mr. Joubert was first elected to the Transvaalse Volksraad in 1860, representing Wakkerstroom. He was Commandant-General of the South African Republic from 1880-1900, leading Boer forces in the First Boer War (1880-1881). Com.-Gen. Joubert was a member of the Triumvirate, with Paul Kruger and M.W. Pretorius, who ran the provisional S.A. government from 1880-1883. He conducted four unsuccessful presidential campaigns, but served as Vice President from 1883-1888 and 1896 until his death from peritonitis.

100 years ago
1910

Born on this date
Jimmie Dodd. U.S. actor. Mr. Dodd was best known as the host of the television program The Mickey Mouse Club (1955-1959). He died of cancer on November 10, 1964 at the age of 54.

Ingrid. Queen consort of Denmark, 1947-1972. Ingrid, the daughter of King Gustav VI of Sweden and Princess Margaret of Connaught, married the future King Frederick IX in 1935, and became queen consort when he succeeded his father Christian X on the throne. Queen Ingrid reformed traditions of Danish court life, abolishing old-fashioned customs, and creating a more relaxed atmosphere at official functions. When King Frederick died in 1972, he was succeeded by Margrethe II, the eldest of the couple's three daughters. Queen Mother Ingrid was appointed Rigsforstander (formal Regent) for occasions when Queen Margrethe was absent. Queen Mother Ingrid died on November 7, 2000 at the age of 90.

Died on this date
Édouard Colonne, 71. French musician and conductor. Mr. Colonne was first violinist at the Opéra in Paris (1858-1867). As a conductor, he championed the works of Berlioz, Wagner, Mahler, and Saint-Saëns. Mr. Colonne introduced descriptive notes into concert programs, and was the first conductor of note to make phonograph recordings, some of the later of which survive.

Aviation
Henri Fabre became the first person to fly a seaplane--the Fabre Hydravion--under its own power, after taking off from a water runway at the Étang de Berre, near Martigues, France.

90 years ago
1920

Married on this date
U.S. actors Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were married; it was the second marriage for both.

Disasters
The Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1920 affected the Great Lakes region and Deep South states in the U.S.A.

80 years ago
1930

Asiatica
The Turkish cities of Constantinople and Angora changed their names to Istanbul and Ankara, respectively.

70 years ago
1940

War
The Allied War Council in London issued a communique indicating that France and Britain would not conclude a peace treaty without mutual consent. Secret plans to cut the supply of Swedish iron ore to Germany through Norwegian waters were adopted.

Diplomacy
U.S. Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles returned to Washington and reported to President Franklin D. Roosevelt on his European fact-finding trip.

Politics and government
Alexander Augustus Frederick, Earl of Athlone was approved by the cabinet as the next Governor General of Canada, replacing John Buchan, Lord Tweedsmuir, who had died in office on February 11, 1940.

The Standing Committee of the National Party in Chungking gave the title of "Father of the Chinese Republic" to Sun Yat-sen.

Crime
Three men pled guilty in New York to smuggling aliens into the United States from the liner Uruguay.

Education
The New York State Senate passed and sent to Governor Herbert Lehman the McCaffrey bill providing for a Bill of Rights Week in public schools.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced a 24.4% decrease in total sales on all security exchanges for the month of February 1940.

60 years ago
1950

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

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Second Class Passenger, starring Monica Boyer, Leslie Nielsen, and Alfreda Wallace

Died on this date
Laurence Steinhardt, 57. U.S. diplomat. Mr. Steinhardt served as U.S. Ambassador to Sweden (1933-1937); Peru (1937-1939); the U.S.S.R. (1939-1941); Turkey (1942-1945); Czechoslovakia (1945-1948); and Canada (1948-1950). As Ambassador to Turkey, he was involved in rescuing Hungarian Jews from the Nazi concentration camp at Bergen Belsen. Mr. Steinhardt was killed in a plane crash near Ramsayville, Ontario, becoming the first U.S. Ambassador to be killed while in office.

Music
Country singer Hank Snow recorded the song I'm Moving On at Brown Radio Productions in Nashville.

Defense
Military staff chiefs of North Atlantic Treaty countries except Iceland (which had no army) agreed in The Hague on a secret integrated defense plan.

Politics and government
U.S. President Harry Truman again refused to open any Executive Department loyalty files to Congress, but ordered his own investigation of all officials cited by Senator Joseph McCarthy (Republican--Wisconsin) as security risks.

Oil
The U.S.S.R. reported an agreement with the People's Republic of China for joint expansion of oil and non-ferrous mineral deposits in Sinkiang Province for the next 30 years.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Economic Cooperation Administration permitted West Berlin to use $78 million in Marshall Plan funds to combat unemployment by launching public works and revitalizing industry.

Labour
The New York Times reported that two million jobless Americans had used up all of their unemployment benefits in 1949 and that 800,000 of them had ended the year still out of work.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Toronto 5 @ Detroit 0 (Toronto led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Joe Klukay's goal 10 seconds into the 2nd period proved sufficient for the defending champion Maple Leafs as they shut out the first-place Red Wings at Olympia Stadium. Mr. Klukay closed the scoring in the 3rd period, with Bill Barilko, John McCormack, and Cal Gardner scoring the other goals. Turk Broda posted the shutout in goal, outduelling Harry Lumley. With the score 3-0 in the 2nd period, Detroit right wing Gordie Howe was checked headfirst into the boards by Toronto captain Ted Kennedy; Mr. Howe suffered a severe concussion; broken nose; fractured cheekbone; and a badly-scraped eyeball. Bleeding in his brain caused pressure in his skull, but a 90-minute operation by neurosurgeon Dr. Frederick Schreiber was successful. Mr. Howe made a full recovery, but missed the rest of the playoffs.

Basketball
NCAA
Men's Championship
Final
City College of New York 71 Bradley 68

CCNY became the first team to win the National Invitation Tournament and National Collegiate Athletic Association titles in the same year; they had beaten Bradley 69-61 on March 18 to win the NIT.

50 years ago
1960

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Ansiedad--Nat King Cole (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Mustapha--Bob Azzam (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 The Theme from "A Summer Place"--Percy Faith and his Orchestra (6th week at #1)
2 Wild One--Bobby Rydell
3 He'll Have to Go--Jim Reeves
4 Puppy Love--Paul Anka
5 Sweet Nothin's--Brenda Lee
6 Baby (You've Got What it Takes)--Dinah Washington & Brook Benton
7 Handy Man--Jimmy Jones
8 Harbor Lights--The Platters
9 Forever--The Little Dippers
10 O Dio Mio--Annette

Singles entering the chart were Cradle of Love by Johnny Preston (#76); Ooh Poo Pah Doo (Part II) by Jessie Hill (#81); It Could Happen to You by Dinah Washington (#83); Teen-Ex by the Browns (#84); House of Bamboo by Earl Grant (#88); What am I Living For by Conway Twitty (#93); Why I'm Walkin' by Stonewall Jackson (#96); I Need You Now by 100 Strings and Joni James (#98); and Stairway to Heaven by Neil Sedaka (#99).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 Wild One/Little Bitty Girl--Bobby Rydell (2nd week at #1)
2 Puppy Love--Paul Anka
3 The Theme from "A Summer Place"--Percy Faith and his Orchestra
4 He'll Have to Go--Jim Reeves
5 Handy Man--Jimmy Jones
6 Mama/Teddy--Connie Francis
7 Sink the Bismarck--Johnny Horton
8 O Dio Mio--Annette
9 Harbor Lights--The Platters
10 Sweet Nothin's--Brenda Lee

Singles entering the chart were Money (That's All I Want) by Barrett Strong (#18); Opportunity by Jule and Eddie (#39); Stuck on You/Fame and Fortune by Elvis Presley (#51); Apple Green by June Valli (#53); Mr. Lucky by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra (#54); Cherry Pie by Skip & Flip (#55); You Don't Know Me by Lenny Welch (#59); and Don't Deceive Me by Ruth Brown (#60).

Academia
The government of Ontario chartered Laurentian University in Sudbury as a bilingual institution.

40 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head--B.J. Thomas

#1 single in France: Mourir de plaisir--Michel Sardou

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): La prima cosa bella--Nicola Di Bari

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Bridge Over Troubled Water--Simon & Garfunkel

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Venus--Shocking Blue (2nd week at #1)
2 Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin
3 I Thank You--Lionel Rose
4 Don't Cry Daddy/Rubberneckin'--Elvis Presley
5 All I Have to Do is Dream--Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell
6 Honey Come Back--Glen Campbell
7 Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)--Edison Lighthouse
8 Smiley--Ronnie Burns
9 Two Little Boys--Rolf Harris
10 Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head--Johnny Farnham

Singles entering the chart were Shilo by Neil Diamond (#31); Instant Karma (We All Shine On) by the Plastic Ono Band (#35); and Nobody's Child by Karen Young (#38).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Lay Down--Melanie en the Edwin Hawkins Singers
2 Let it Be--The Beatles
3 Dear Ann--George Baker Selection
4 Who'll Stop the Rain--Creedence Clearwater Revival
5 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Simon & Garfunkel
6 No Dogs Allowed--José Feliciano
7 A Song of Joy (Himno a la Alegria)--Miguel Rios
8 El Condor Pasa--Simon & Garfunkel (Instrumental track by Los Incas)
9 Instant Karma!--Lennon
10 Mijn Gebed--D.C. Lewis

Singles entering the chart were El Condor Pasa; Groupy Girl by Tony Joe White (#21); Barbara's Boy by the Four Tops (#27); As je mekaar niet meer vertrouwen kan... by Adèle Bloemendaal, Leen Jongewaard, Piet Romer en Koor (#30); Finally in Love Again by Tee-Set (#34); and Who Do You Love by Juicy Lucy (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Simon & Garfunkel (5th week at #1)
2 Let it Be--The Beatles
3 Instant Karma (We All Shine On)--John Ono Lennon (with the Plastic Ono Band)
4 The Rapper--The Jaggerz
5 Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)--Edison Lighthouse
6 ABC--The Jackson 5
7 He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother--Hollies
8 Spirit in the Sky--Norman Greenbaum
9 Give Me Just a Little More Time--The Chairmen of the Board
10 Come and Get It--Badfinger

Singles entering the chart were Woodstock by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (#68); Everybody's Out of Town by B.J. Thomas (#74); The Funniest Thing by Dennis Yost and the Classics IV (#85); Brown Paper Bag by Syndicate of Sound (#86); But for Love by Jerry Naylor (#87); Capture the Moment by Jay and the Americans (#90); July 12, 1939 by Charlie Rich (#94); If Only I Had My Mind on Something Else by the Bee Gees (#97); Vehicle by the Ides of March (#98); and Which Way You Goin' Billy by the Poppy Family (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Let it Be--The Beatles
2 ABC--The Jackson 5
3 Instant Karma (We All Shine On)--John Ono Lennon (with the Plastic Ono Band)
4 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Simon & Garfunkel
5 Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)--Edison Lighthouse
6 The Rapper--The Jaggerz
7 House of the Rising Sun--Frijid Pink
8 He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother--Hollies
9 Spirit in the Sky--Norman Greenbaum
10 Evil Ways--Santana

Singles entering the chart were The Girls' Song by the 5th Dimension (#72); Cole, Cooke and Redding by Wilson Pickett (#81); Make Me Smile by Chicago (#84); Everything is Beautiful by Ray Stevens (#88); Come Running by Van Morrison (#91); Airport Love Theme by Vincent Bell (#94); Love Land by Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (#95); Slow Down by Crow (#97); Holly Go Softly by Cornerstone (#98); and Will You Love Me Tomorrow? by Linda Ronstadt (#100). Cole, Cooke and Redding was a tribute to Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding, with new lyrics to the tune of the 1968 hit Abraham, Martin and John. On the label of the Canadian single, Sam Cooke's name was misspelled "Cook." Airport Love Theme was a version of the theme from the movie.

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 The Rapper--The Jaggerz (2nd week at #1)
2 ABC--The Jackson 5
3 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Simon & Garfunkel
4 Instant Karma (We All Shine On)--John Ono Lennon (with the Plastic Ono Band)
5 Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)--Edison Lighthouse
6 Let it Be--The Beatles
7 House of the Rising Sun--Frijid Pink
8 Rainy Night in Georgia--Brook Benton
9 He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother--Hollies
10 Didn't I (Blow Your Mind this Time)--The Delfonics

Singles entering the chart were Woodstock by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (#63); Funky Drummer by James Brown (#64); Everybody's Out of Town by B.J. Thomas (#67); Cryin' in the Streets by George Perkins (#77); July 12, 1939 by Charlie Rich (#80); Vehicle by the Ides of March (#83); Deeper in Love with You by the O'Jays (#84); Hang on Sloopy by the Lettermen (#87); Chicken Strut by the Meters (#91); Angelica by Oliver (#92); The Girls' Song by the 5th Dimension (#93); Everything is Beautiful by Ray Stevens (#95); Cole, Cooke and Redding by Wilson Pickett (#96); Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone by Charley Pride (#97); and Come Into My Life by Jimmy Cliff (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Simon & Garfunkel (3rd week at #1)
2 Instant Karma (We All Shine On)--John Ono Lennon (with the Plastic Ono Band)
3 The Rapper--The Jaggerz
4 House of the Rising Sun--Frijid Pink
5 Ma Belle Amie--The Tee Set
6 Travelin' Band--Creedence Clearwater Revival
7 Evil Ways--Santana
8 Rainy Night in Georgia--Brook Benton
9 Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)--Edison Lighthouse
10 Celebrate--Three Dog Night

Singles entering the chart were No Sugar Tonight by the Guess Who (#41, charting with its A-side, American Woman); If I Never Knew Your Name by Vic Dana (#58); You're the One by Little Sister (#85); Cat Walk by Village Soul (#87); Funky Drummer by James Brown (#88); Buffalo Soldier by the Flamingos (#92); As Feelings Go by Spring (#93); You Keep Tightening Up on Me by the Box Tops (#94); If You're Lookin' by Tranquillity Base (#95); Living on a Wishbone by Bobby G. Griffith (#96); Woodstock by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (#97); Now that it's Over by Sebastian (#98); Bitter Green by Ronnie Hawkins (#99); and But for Love by Jerry Naylor (#100).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Let it Be--The Beatles (2nd week at #1)
2 Instant Karma (We All Shine On)--John Ono Lennon (with the Plastic Ono Band)
3 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Simon & Garfunkel
4 Come and Get It--Badfinger
5 Spirit in the Sky--Norman Greenbaum
6 Arizona--Mark Lindsay
7 Give Me Just a Little More Time--The Chairmen of the Board
8 Sparkle and Shine--The Clique
9 Ma Belle Amie--The Tee Set
10 Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)--Edison Lighthouse
Pick hit of the week: Every Man Hears Different Music--Gainsborough Gallery

War
The death toll for the week in Vietnam was 79 U.S., 326 South Vietnamese, and 2,133 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong.

Terrorism
A bomb shattered an apartment on the lower east side of Manhattan, killing one Negro man and critically injuring another. Police found several live bombs and quantities of bomb-making material. The New York Police Department said that 14 "bomb devices" had been found since the March 12 bombings of three downtown skyscrapers, and that there had been 2,264 "bomb scares" during the same period.

Defense
The last British troops left Libya, ending a 25-year presence in that country, and leaving North Africa without British troops for the first time since 1882.

It was reported that "surplus" U.S. Defense Department fighter and cargo planes; destroyers; anti-aircraft missiles; tanks; and rifles--worth a total of $157 million--were secretly given to Taiwan in 1969. Taiwan paid only $1 million for four destroyers.

Politics and government
Italian Prime Minister-designate Mariano Rumor and his new four-party coalition government were sworn in, ending a long political crisis that followed the resignation of his previous coalition government of February 7.

President of Cameroon Ahmadou Ahido was re-elected to a third five year term, running unopposed.

Disasters
An earthquake struck western Turkey, killing 1,086, injuring 1,260, and leaving 90,000 homeless.

Sport
Dan Gable, probably the most famous figure in United States amateur wrestling, lost his only collegiate match after 98 victories while seeking his final NCAA title in the national championships at Evanston, Illinois. Mr. Gable competed at Iowa State, became a gold medalist in the 1972 Olympics and then coached at the University of Iowa, winning 12 national titles between 1976 and 1993.

Auto racing
USAC
The United States Auto Club championship series began with the Phoenix 150. Al Unser won, Bobby Unser was second, and Lloyd Ruby finished third.



Hockey
CHL
Adams Cup
Semi-Finals
Fort Worth 1 @ Omaha 5 (Fort Worth led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Tulsa 1 @ Iowa 2 (OT) (Iowa led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Norm Gratton scored 3 goals for the Knights in their win over the Wings.

Joey Johnston scored at 6:30 of the 1st overtime period to give the Stars their win over the Oilers in Waterloo.

30 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Vis ta Vie--Jeane Manson

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Please Don't Go--KC and the Sunshine Band (2nd week at #1)
2 Do That to Me One More Time--Captain & Tennille
3 Tired of Toein' the Line--Rocky Burnette
4 Ballad of Lucy Jordan--Marianne Faithfull
5 Rapper's Delight--Sugarhill Gang
6 Babe--Styx
7 Gloria--Umberto Tozzi
8 You're Only Lonely--J.D. Souther
9 Carrie--Cliff Richard
10 Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd

Singles entering the chart were Don't Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchestra (#14); and Shake Your Body by Plastic Mak (#19).

Died on this date
Dick Haymes, 61. Argentine-born U.S. singer and actor. Mr. Haymes, born in Buenos Aires to American parents, was one of the most popular singers in the United States from 1941-1951, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard pop singles chart 30 times, and reaching #1 with It Can't Be Wrong (1943); You'll Never Know (1943); and I'll Get By (1944, with Harry James and the Melody Makers). He hosted the radio program The Dick Haymes Show (1944-1948), and appeared in movies, usually musicals such as State Fair (1945) and Words and Music (1948). Mr. Haymes died of lung cancer.

World events
In Cairo, U.S. surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey removed the spleen of the deposed Shah of Iran. University students in Asyut demonstrated against the shah's presence in their country.

Crime
Jean Harris pled not guilty to a three-count indictment charging that she had planned to kill prominent physician Herman Tarnower, who was shot and killed at his Purchase, New York home on March 10. Ms. Harris claimed that she had gone to see the doctor with the intention of having him kill her, but that she had had an argument with the cardiologist and he began to push her, saying, "Get out of here, you're crazy." She had visible bruises around her mouth after the incident.

25 years ago
1985

Hockey
NHL
Edmonton 3 @ Boston 6

20 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (6th week at #1)

Americana
U.S. President George H. W. Bush posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to Jesse Owens. Mr. Owens, a Negro, had won four gold medals in track and field in the 1936 Summer Olympic Games in Berlin, thus damaging German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler's ideas of German racial superiority. The award came 10 years almost to the day after Mr. Owens' death; he died on March 31, 1980 at the age of 66.

Diplomacy
Vytautas Landsbergis, President of the breakaway republic of Lithuania, called for talks with the Soviet government.

Protest
Two days of fighting among Negro factions in South Africa concluded with 25 fatalities.

10 years ago
2000

Died on this date
Anthony Powell, 94. U.K. author. Mr. Powell was best known for his 12-volume series of novels A Dance to the Music of Time (1951-1975), an examination of English cultural, political, and military life in the mid-20th century.

Law
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that an anonymous tip did not justify a stop-and-frisk action against a person.

Literature
Trustees of the Charles Taylor Prize announced in Toronto the establishment of a new literary prize for non-fiction to be awarded on May 8 at a literary breakfast.

March 27, 2010

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Beth Nyambura!

300 years ago
1710

Born on this date
Joseph Abaco. Belgian-born Italian musician and composer. Baron Abaco was a court cellist who wrote almost 40 cello sonatas and other works in the Baroque style. He died on August 31, 1805 at the age of 95.

200 years ago
1810

Politics and government
Ten days after being jailed for allegedly plotting with Americans against Britain, newspaper publisher Pierre Bédard was elected to the Lower Canada Assembly for Surray. On March 17, Lower Canada Lieutenant Governor Sir James Craig had ordered Le Canadien closed. Mr. Bédard and his co-owners, MLAs François Blanchet and Jean-Thomas Taschereau, and printer Charles Lefrançois, were also jailed and refused habeas corpus. Mr. Bédard was released a year later at the close of the Legislative Assembly's session.

190 years ago
1820

Born on this date
Edward Augustus Inglefield. U.K. military officer and explorer. Sir Edward served in the Royal Navy from 1832-1885, rising to the rank of admiral. He led three voyages to the British North American Arctic (1852-1854) in attempts to find the remains of Sir John Franklin's expedition, which had disappeared in 1847. Sir Edward's efforts were unsuccessful, but he was successful in charted previously unexplored areas along the northern coastline, including Baffin Bay, Smith Sound and Lancaster Sound. Sir Edward served in the Crimean War (1854-1856) and held several other posts, including Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station (1878-1879). Sir Edward invented the marine hydraulic steering gear and the anchor design that bears his name, and painted scenes of Arctic landscapes. He died on September 4, 1794 at the age of 74.

120 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Harald Julin. Swedish swimmer and water polo player. Mr. Julin won a bronze medal in the men's 100-metre freestyle swimming competition at the 1908 Olympic Games in London. He was a member of the water polo team that won the bronze medal at the 1908 Olympics; the silver medal at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm; and the bronze medal at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp. Mr. Julin died on July 31, 1967 at the age of 77.

Disasters
76 people were killed and 200 injured when a tornado struck Louisville, Kentucky.

90 years ago
1920

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Finals
Seattle Metropolitans (PCHA) 3 @ Ottawa Senators (NHL) 1 (Ottawa led best-of-five series 2-1)

Frank Foyston scored in the 1st and 2nd periods for the Metropolitans as they overcame an early 1-0 deficit to defeat the Senators at the Arena. Roy Rickey closed the scoring at 9:30 of the 3rd period. Buck Boucher opened the scoring for Ottawa 6 minutes into the game. Hap Holmes won the goaltending duel over Clint Benedict, although Mr. Benedict kept the score close. The game was played under NHL rules, and there were no penalties. The remainder of the series was moved to Arena Gardens in Toronto because of poor ice conditions in Ottawa.

80 years ago
1930

Politics and government
John W. McDonald of Fort Macleod was elected leader of the Alberta Liberal Party on the third ballot, defeating three other candidates in the party's leadership convention. He didn't have a seat in the Legislative Assembly.

Basketball
The Edmonton Grads defeated the Seattle Ferry Lines team by 59 points over a two-game series in Victoria, British Columbia to win the women's international basketball championship and retain the Underwood Trophy.

70 years ago
1940

Died on this date
Michael Savage, 68. Prime Minister of New Zealand, 1935-1940. Mr. Savage, a native of Australia who emigrated to New Zealand at the age of 35, led the first N.Z. Labour Party government, and was the architect of the country's welfare state. He represented Auckland West in the House of Representatives from 1919, and led the Labour Party from 1933, until his death from colon cancer four days after his 68th birthday. Mr. Savage was succeeded as Prime Minister by Peter Fraser.

War
Evacuation of about 100,000 people from areas ceded to the U.S.S.R. by Finland officially ended at midnight.

World events
The Bolivian government of President Gualberto Villarroel suppressed a leftist revolt in La Paz.

Defense
U.S. War Secretary Harry Woodring revealed the government's plan to sell 1,200 planes to the U.K. and France.

Diplomacy
The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved an investigation of foreign propaganda in the United States.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved and sent to President Franklin D. Roosevelt the Starnes bill providing for deportation of any alien engaged in espionage or propaganda.

Politics and government
Finnish Prime Minister Risto Ryti organized a peacetime cabinet.

Leaders of the Progressive Republican Clubs in Wisconsin refused to endorse New York District Attorney Thomas Dewey as the party's nominee for President of the United States in the November 1940 election.

60 years ago
1950

On television tonight
Lights Out, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, starring George Englund, Gaye Jordan, John McQuade, and Carol Ohmart

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. walked out of the United Nations Human Rights Commission and the Transport and Communications Commission in protest against Chinese Nationalist representation.

The West German Parliament passed a law to admit political refugees from the Soviet occupation zone.

Politics and government
The Socialist German Workers' Party was established in Hamburg under the leadership of Herbert Ritter.

U.S. Senator Styles Bridges (Republican--New Hampshire) opened a Republican campaign to oust Secretary of State Dean Acheson with the charge that a "master spy" had shaped American foreign policy for Communism since the U.S.A. had recognized the U.S.S.R. in 1933.

Abominations
Travellers reaching Hong Kong reported that small children were being eaten in famine-stricken north-central China.

Crime
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the 1947 conviction of Communist Party U.S.A. general secretary Eugene Dennis for contempt of Congress.

Energy
The Canadian cabinet of Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent transferred water rights on the Niagara River to Ontario.

Health
The U.S. Public Health Service reported that the average life span of white American women was a record 71 years in 1948, against 65.5 years for the average white man. For non-whites, the average was 62.5 years for women, 58.1 years for men.

50 years ago
1960

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Madame Mystery, starring Audrey Totter, Joby Baker, and Harp McGuire

Basketball
NBA
Finals
St. Louis 122 @ Boston 140 (Boston led best-of-seven series 1-0)

The Celtics outscored the Hawks 46-26 in the 2nd quarter of their win before 10,002 fans at Boston Garden. Tom Heinsohn led Boston scorers with 24 points, while Cliff Hagan led St. Louis with 25 points.

40 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Venus--The Shocking Blue (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): All Kinds of Everything--Dana (2nd week at #1)

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Venus--Shocking Blue (4th week at #1)
2 Holly Holy--Neil Diamond
3 Hitchin' a Ride--Vanity Fare
4 Love is a Beautiful Song--Dave Mills
5 Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)--Edison Lighthouse
6 Reflections of My Life--The Marmalade
7 Pretty Belinda--Chris Andrews
8 Travelin' Band--Creedence Clearwater Revival
9 Arizona--Mark Lindsay
10 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Simon & Garfunkel

Singles entering the chart were Hey There Lonely Girl by Eddie Holman (#18); Good Morning by Leapy Lee (#19); and Wand'rin' Star by Lee Marvin (#20).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Come and Get It--Badfinger
2 Instant Karma (We All Shine On)--John Ono Lennon (with the Plastic Ono Band)
3 Let it Be--The Beatles
4 Spirit in the Sky--Norman Greenbaum
5 House of the Rising Sun--Frijid Pink
6 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Simon & Garfunkel
7 Ma Belle Amie--The Tee Set
8 Celebrate--Three Dog Night
9 The Rapper--The Jaggerz
10 Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)--Edison Lighthouse

Singles entering the chart were Little Green Bag by George Baker Selection (#25); Love or Let Me Be Lonely by the Friends of Distinction (#26); ABC by the Jackson 5 (#27); Reflections of My Life by the Marmalade (#28); Easy to Be Free by Rick Nelson (#29); and Come Running by Van Morrison (#30).

Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Let it Be--The Beatles (2nd week at #1)
2 Instant Karma (We All Shine On)--John Ono Lennon (with the Plastic Ono Band)
3 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Simon & Garfunkel
4 Something's Burning--Kenny Rogers and the First Edition
5 Come and Get It--Badfinger
6 Celebrate--Three Dog Night
7 We were Happy--The Trials of Jayson Hoover
8 Jennifer Tomkins--Street People
9 Spirit in the Sky--Norman Greenbaum
10 House of the Rising Sun--Frijid Pink

War
Israel said that its planes, conducting their ninth raid in a week against Egyptian military positions along the Suez Canal, had shot down five Egyptian MiG-21 aircraft in a five-minute battle. An Israeli military analyst confirmed that the Israeli raids were intended to prevent the installation of new Soviet-made SAM-3 anti-aircraft missiles.

Protest
Following a demonstration in a Cambodian provincial town in which two members of the National Assembly were knifed to death, the new rulers of Cambodia, who had deposed Prince Norodom Sihanouk in a coup nine days earlier, imposed an overnight curfew on the capital city of Pnompenh, closed Pnompenh’s airport to all traffic, and intensified military security measures.

Disasters
23 people were killed when a bus plunged into a ravine near Puebla, Mexico.

Hockey
CHL
Adams Cup
Semi-Finals
Omaha 2 @ Fort Worth 3 (Fort Worth led best-of-seven series 2-0)

30 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (Hot Press): Take that Look Off Your Face--Marti Webb

Died on this date
Steve Fisher, 67. U.S. writer. Mr. Fisher wrote pulp novels and short stories in a career spanning 40 years, but was mainly known for writing screenplays and teleplays. His screen credits included Destination Tokyo (1943); Lady in the Lake (1946); Dead Reckoning (1947); and Song of the Thin Man (1947). Mr. Fisher's television credits included 13 episodes of Fantasy Island (1978-1981). He died of a heart attack.

Economics and finance
The price of silver, which had reached a record $50.05 U.S. per ounce in January, plunged to $10.50 per ounce--down $5 during the day, causing huge losses for speculators and threatening the collapse of the $2-billion silver empire of Texas brothers Herbert and Bunky Hunt. The investment house of Bache Halsey Stuart Shields Inc. announced that the brothers had failed to meet $100 million of margin calls on their silver accounts the previous day, which caused panic in the silver market. Bunky had been appointed by Campus Crusade for Christ President Bill Bright to head up CCC’s effort to fulfill the Great Commission internationally, and as late as 1979 (in Mr. Bright’s book Believing God for the Impossible, where Nelson Bunker Hunt was described as "one of the world’s most prominent businessmen"), Mr. Bright was still predicting fulfillment of the Great Commission worldwide by 1980. The sudden and dramatic drop in the price of silver may have played a role in the indefinite postponement of that event. Had the Hunt brothers been able to pull off their scheme to corner the world silver market, some of Bunky’s share of the profits would have been given to Campus Crusade for Christ; even a small percentage would have been a considerable amount of money.

Disasters
123 oil rig workers were killed when a North Sea accommodation platform collapsed during gales. There were 85 survivors.

31 South African miners were killed when the cable of a mine shaft elevator snapped, plunging the miners more than a mile to their deaths in the Vaal Reefs mine.

Basketball
Exhibition
Athletes in Action 81 Canadian national men’s team 78 @ Edmonton

This blogger was a volunteer at the game, which took place at the University of Alberta’s Main Gym. Four years earlier Canadian national team coach Jack Donohue had conducted a clinic with my high school Phys. Ed. class, and I was able to renew acquaintances with him after this game.

20 years ago
1990

On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Faith

The United States began broadcasting TV Martí--a network broadcasting propaganda against the Cuban dictatorship of Fidel Castro--to Cuba.

Died on this date
Percy Beard, 82. U.S. hurdler and coach. Mr. Beard set a world record time of 1.2 seconds in the 120-metre hurdles in 1931, and tied the record in 1934. He won a silver medal in the men's 110-metre hurdles at the 1932 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Mr. Beard was track and field coach of the University of Florida Gators from 1937-1964, and used his civil engineering background to design all-weather tracks. He was inducted into the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1981.

Marilyn Buferd, 65. U.S. actress. Miss Buferd, representing California, was Miss America for 1946. Her undistinguished movie career included The Unearthly (1957) and Queen of Outer Space (1958).

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. government ordered all foreigners to leave Lithuania.

Protest
Two days of fighting began between Negro factions in South Africa.

Politics and government
The outgoing Sandanista government of Nicaragua signed an agreement recognizing recently-elected President Violetta Chamorro's right to have full authority over the army and security forces.

Economics and finance
Provincial finance ministers declined to help the government of Canada collect the goods and services tax, scheduled to go into effect on January 18, 1991.

10 years ago
2000

Died on this date
George Allen, 85. Canadian hockey player and coach. Mr. Allen, a native of Bayfield, New Brunswick, played left wing with the New York Rangers (1938-39); Chicago Black Hawks (1939-44, 1945-46); and Montreal Canadiens (1946-47), scoring 197 points on 82 goals and 115 assists in 339 regular season games, and 9 goals and 10 assists in 41 playoff games. He played several seasons in the minor leagues after his National Hockey League career ended, and served as playing coach with the Regina Capitals of the Western Canada Senior Hockey League (1950-51). Mr. Allen died in Red Deer, Alberta.

Ian Dury, 57. U.S. musician and actor. Mr. Dury was a singer-songwriter and guitarist who led the new wave rock group Ian Dury and the Blockheads, achieving commercial success with singles such as What a Waste (1978) and Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick (1978-1979). He performed on his own and with other artists through the 1990s, and appeared in several films and television programs. Mr. Dury died after a long battle with cancer.

Politics and government
The Canadian Alliance, newly-created successor to the Reform Party of Canada, became the official Opposition party in the House of Commons.

Disasters
An explosion at a Phillips Petroleum plant in Pasadena, Texas killed one person and injured 71 others.