March 26, 2010

1,420 years ago
590

Politics and government
Emperor Maurice proclaimed his son Theodosius as co-Emperor of the Byzantine Empire.

880 years ago
1130

Died on this date
Sigurd I, 40 or 41. King of Norway, 1103-1130. Sigurd "the Crusader," one of three illegitimate sons of King Magnus III, acceded to the throne with his half-brothers Øystein and Olav upon the death of their father. Sigurd earned his nickname by leading the Norwegian Crusade (1107-1111) to support the recently-established Kingdom of Jerusalem. Sigurd reigned by himself after the death of Øystein in 1123, and was succeeded on the throne by his son Magnus IV and Harald Gille, who claimed to be another illegitimate son of King Magnus III.

180 years ago
1830

Literature
The Book of Mormon was published in Palmyra, New York.

160 years ago
1850

Born on this date
Edward Bellamy. U.S. author and political activist. Mr. Bellamy was a journalist who wrote six novels and more than a dozen short stories. He was best known for his utopian socialist novel Looking Backward: 2000-1887 (1888), which was so influential that more than 160 Nationalist Clubs, aka "Bellamy Clubs," were founded. In 1891, Mr. Bellamy founded the magazine The New Nation, and advocated united action between the Nationalist Clubs and the Populist Party. He died at the age of 48 on May 22, 1898, after suffering for tuberculosis for many years.

150 years ago
1860

Born on this date
André Prévost. French tennis player. Mr. Prévost was the losing finalist in the men's singles competition at the French Championships in 1900, and teamed with Georges de la Chapelle to win the bronze medal in the men's doubles event at the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris. He died on February 15, 1919 at the age of 58.

100 years ago
1910

Born on this date
K. W. Devanayagam. Sri Lankan politician. Kanapathipillai William "Bill" Devanayagam, a member of the United National Party, represented Kalkudah in the Ceylonese/Sri Lankan Parliament from 1965-1989. He was Minister of Justice (1977-1980) and Minister of Home Affairs (1980-1989). Deshamanya Devanayagam died on December 17, 2002 at the age of 92.

Died on this date
Auguste Charlois, 45. French astronomer. Mr. Charlois discovered 99 asteroids from 1887-1904. He was murdered by his former brother-in-law Gabriel Brengues in a dispute over the inheritance from his first wife's death.

90 years ago
1920

Died on this date
W.C. Minor, 85. Ceylonese-born U.S. physician and lexicographer. William Chester Minor, the son of Congregationalist missionaries from New England, moved to the United States at the age of 14. He became a surgeon and served with the Union Army during the American Civil War, but showed signs of mental problems in the late 1860s, which led to a period of confinement in a lunatic asylum. Dr. Minor moved to London in 1871, and in 1872, shot and killed a man named George Merrett in the erroneous belief that Mr. Merrett had broken into his room. Dr. Minor was acquitted on the basis of insanity, and was confined in the asylum at Broadmoor. He began corresponding with James Murray, editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, and became one of the dictionary's most productive volunteer contributors. Dr. Minor's mental condition deteriorated in 1902; he was deported to the United States in 1910, and spent the rest of his life in institutions. The relationship between Drs. Minor and Murray was the subject of the book The Surgeon of Crowthorne aka The Professor and the Madman (1998) by Simon Winchester.

Abominations
Azeri and Turkish army soldiers, with the participation of Kurdish gangs, concluded the four-day massacre of the Armenian inhabitants of Shushi in the disputed region of Nagorno Karabakh. The death toll was estimated from 500-30,000.

70 years ago
1940

Died on this date
Richard Squires, 60. Prime Minister of Newfoundland, 1919-1923, 1928-1932. Sir Richard, a Liberal, was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1913, taking the Liberal Party leadership in 1919 and leading the party to victory in the general election. He implemented economic reforms, but resigned as Prime Minister in 1923 amidst accusations of electoral bribery, sitting in the House as an independent member. Sir Richard regained the Liberal Party leadership in 1928 and led the party to another electoral victory, and his wife Helena won a by-election in 1930, becoming the first woman elected to the House. Economic conditions caused by the Depression and further accusations of corruption led to the defeat of the Liberals and of Sir Richard himself in the 1932 general election.

War
In his first address as Prime Minister of France, Paul Reynaud cautioned German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler not to make advances into the Balkans.

Diplomacy
Reports from London indicated that the United Kingdom would not recognize the Japanese-sponsored government in central China led by Wang Ching-wei.

Defense
The U.S. government decided to sell P-46 pursuit planes to the U.K. and France.

The United States Army successfully tested a new means of aerial photography, using bombs exploded above the target area to serve as a light source.

Politics and government
The Liberal Party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mackenzie King, easily retained power in the Canadian federal election, taking 179 of 245 seats in the House of Commons and more than 51% of the popular vote. Their total was 8 more than in the election of 1935, and was the largest majority since Confederation. The Conservatives, led by R.J. Manion, were reduced to 39 seats. Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, led by J.S. Woodsworth, won 8 seats. Social Credit (7) and New Democracy (3), running together, took 10 seats. Other seats were captured by Liberal-Progressive (3); independent Liberal (2); independent Conservative (1); independent (1); Unity (1); and United Reform Movement (1).

Crime
Seven men from the liner Uruguay were indicted by a federal grand jury in New York City for smuggling aliens into the United States.

60 years ago
1950

World events
The Bolivian government announced the suppression of a Communist revolutionary plot, with the arrest of 25 suspects.

War
The Philippine government announced that the Army would take over from the security police in combating Communist-led Hukbalahap guerrillas in southern Luzon.

Politics and government
The People's Front, dominated by the Communist Party and led by Prime Minister Josip Broz Tito, was the only party to contest the Yugoslavian parliamentary election, taking 94.2% of the vote.

Religion
Pope Pius XII, in an implied denunciation of euthanasia, condemned "anti-Christian pretexts" used in an effort "to exclude any sort of suffering."

50 years ago
1960

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?--Emile Ford and the Checkmates (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Danny Boy--Conway Twitty

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Banjo Boy--Jan & Kjeld (4th week at #1)

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

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Theme from "A Summer Place"--Percy Faith and his Orchestra (5th week at #1)
2 He’ll Have to Go--Jim Reeves
3 Baby (You’ve Got What it Takes)--Dinah Washington & Brook Benton
4 Wild One--Bobby Rydell
5 Puppy Love--Paul Anka
6 Sweet Nothin's--Brenda Lee
7 Harbor Lights--The Platters
8 Handy Man--Jimmy Jones
9 Mama--Connie Francis
10 What in the World’s Come Over You--Jack Scott

Singles entering the chart were Clementine by Bobby Darin (#56); Apple Green by June Valli (#84); Mr. Lucky by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra (#96); Stairway to Heaven by Neil Sedaka (#98); Ooh Poo Pah Doo--Part II) by Jessie Hill (#99); Cherry Pie by Skip & Flip (#100); and Lonely Weekends by Charlie Rich (also #100). Mr. Lucky was the theme from the television series. Ooh Poo Pah Doo--Part II) was the B-side of Ooh Poo Pah Doo--Part I).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Wild One--Bobby Rydell (2nd week at #1)
2 Angela Jones--Johnny Ferguson
3 Handy Man--Jimmy Jones
4 Bad Boy--Marty Wilde
5 Puppy Love--Paul Anka
6 Stairway to Heaven--Neil Sedaka
7 What Do You Want--Adam Faith
8 Sweet Nothin's--Brenda Lee
9 Footsteps--Steve Lawrence
10 O Dio Mio--Annette

Singles entering the chart were Let the Little Girl Dance by Billy Bland (#33); What am I Living For by Conway Twitty (#37); Cradle of Love by Johnny Preston (#41); Step by Step by the Crests (#44); The Ways of a Clown by Teddy Randazzo (#46); Adam and Eve by Paul Anka (#50); Crazy Arms by Bob Beckham (#51); Caravan by Santo & Johnny (#52); Starbright by Johnny Mathis (#53); Pledging My Love by Johnny Tillotson (#54); Chicken Thief by the Kalin Twins (#55); Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops by Frankie Avalon (#56); (Topsy-Turvy) Ala Topsy 4 by Cozy Cole (#57); Bayou Bayou Baby by Little Anthony and the Imperials (#59); and Besame Mucho by the Coasters (#60). (Topsy-Turvy) Ala Topsy 4 was the B-side of (Topsy-Turvy) Ala Topsy 3, which was not on the chart.

Married on this date
Norm Kwong, fullback with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League and future Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, married Mary Lee.

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

Doug Harvey scored at 8:38 of the 1st overtime period to give the Canadiens their win over the Black Hawks at the Montreal Forum. Bill Hay had tied the score with 1:02 remaining in regulation time.

Frank Mahovlich's goal at 4:02 of the 3rd period proved to be the winner for the Maple Leafs as they beat the Red Wings at Maple Leaf Gardens.

40 years ago
1970

On television tonight
Dragnet 1970, on NBC
Tonight's episode: I.A.D.: The Receipt



Terrorism
Two days after he was kidnapped by Dominican Republic, U.S. air attache Lt. Col. Donald Crowley was freed after the government of President Joaquin Balaguer allowed 20 prisoners to flee the country in compliance with the rebels’ demands for their freedom, or Lt. Col. Crowley’s death.

Abominations
A secret U.S. Army investigation into the My Lai massacre massacre in South Vietnam in 1968 concluded that American soldiers had committed acts of murder, rape, sodomy, and maiming against civilians. The investigation found that as information moved up to higher levels, the number of victims was reduced.

Defense
The United States announced its 500th nuclear explosion since 1945, carried out at the Atomic Energy Commission's test site in Nevada.

Economics and finance
South Vietnamese President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu implemented a land reform program to solve the problem of land tenancy.

U.S. banks concluded two days of reducing their prime interest rate for the first time in 18 months, from 8.5% to 8%. The cut touched off heavy stock trading and pushed prices upward.

30 years ago
1980

Music
The three-record album Trilogy: Past Present Future by Frank Sinatra was released on Reprise Records.

Politics and government
The second round of parliamentary elections in Iran was delayed indefinitely.

Economics and finance
A sharp fall in silver futures prices led brokerage houses to make margin calls for more cash from investors to maintain their equity in holdings of commodities bought on credit. Texas brothers Herbert and Bunky Hunt were attempting to corner the world silver market, building up holdings estimated at more than 200 million ounces since the summer of 1979, and driving the price of silver to a record high of $50.05 per ounce in January 1980. The margin call put a severe financial squeeze on the brothers, and they had been unable to raise the cash. The investment house of Bache Halsey Stuart Shields Inc. began to sell out its holdings of the Hunts’ silver futures and stock positions.

Hockey
NHL
Edmonton 5 @ Detroit 2

Don Murdoch scored 2 goals, including the 100th of his National Hockey League career, to help the Oilers defeat the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Ron Low won the goaltending duel over Rogie Vachon.

20 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): 1990--Complex

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (4th week at #1)

Movies
The Academy Awards for 1989 were presented at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Awards for Driving Miss Daisy included Best Picture and Best Actress (Jessica Tandy). Other awards included: Best Director--Oliver Stone (Born on the Fourth of July); Best Actor--Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot); Best Supporting Actor--Denzel Washington (Glory); Best Supporting Actress--Brenda Fricker (My Left Foot); and Best Foreign Language Film--Cinema Paradiso.



Protest
In the Negro South African township of Sebokeng, 11 people were killed and hundreds wounded when police fired on a large crowd of demonstrators.

Politics and government
Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney sent New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna's "companion resolution" to the Meech Lake constitutional accord to an all-party House of Commons committee, and began public hearings.

Society
American pro-life speaker Joseph Scheidler gave a talk at the University of Alberta, three days in advance of the appearance of Henry Morgentaler, Canada’s best-known abortionist. This blogger put up a number of posters on campus--in places where permission to put up posters wasn’t required--advertising Mr. Scheidler’s appearance, and within a day all but one of the posters had been torn down; such is the "tolerance" of pro-abortion activists.

10 years ago
2000

Died on this date
Alex Comfort, 80. U.K. physician. Dr. Comfort wrote many books of fiction and non-fiction, but was best known for his manual The Joy of Sex (1972). He supported numerous worthless causes, and died almost a decade after suffering a severe cerebral hemorrhage.

Movies
The Academy Awards for 1999 were presented at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. American Beauty, reportedly a sodomite fantasy (I've never seen it, and never wanted to), won for Best Picture; Director (Sam Mendes); Actor (Kevin Spacey); Screenplay (Alan Ball); and Cinematography (Conrad Hall). Hilary Swank won the Best Actress Oscar for Boys Don't Cry; Michael Caine won his second Supporting Actor Oscar as a caring, compassionate abortionist--obviously a fictitious character--in The Cider House Rules. Angelina Jolie took Supporting Actress honours for Girl, Interrupted. Degenerate Hollywood seemed to be going out of its way to honour movies that attacked traditional American values. The Cider House Rules, which also won the Oscar for Adapted Screenplay (by the rabidly anti-Christian John Irving, from his novel), was a movie whose attendance picked up somewhat after the Oscar nominations were announced, but initially did so poorly at the box office that people almost had to be paid to see it.



Diplomacy
U.S. President Bill Clinton met with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr. Clinton presented a peace proposal from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, but was unable to get Israeli-Syrian talks reopened.

Politics and government
Acting President Vladimir Putin was elected to a full term as President of Russia. He received 53% of the vote, narrowly avoiding a runoff. Gennady Zyuganov, a Communist, was second, with about 30%. Mr. Putin, who had been named Premier in August 1999 by President Boris Yeltsin, had been named acting President when Mr. Yeltsin resigned in December.

Religion
Pope John Paul II continued his visit to Jerusalem, where his activities included leaving a written prayer at the Wailing Wall asking for forgiveness for those involved in the Holocaust; visiting the Al Aqsa Mosque at the Dome of the Rock; and conducting mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Hockey
CIAU
Men’s championship final
Alberta 5 New Brunswick 4 (2 OT)