April 19, 2010

620 years ago
1390

Died on this date
Robert II, 74. King of Scots, 1371-1390. Robert II, the grandson of Robert the Bruce, succeeded David II as King. Robert II was succeeded by his son Robert III.

260 years ago
1750

Politics and government
Acadians at Grand Pré, Pisiquit, and Canard River in what is now New Brunswick asked Governor Charles Cornwallis for permission to leave Acadia, but were refused.

240 years ago
1770

Married on this date
Marie Antoinette married King Louis XVI of France in a proxy wedding.

Exploration
U.K. Royal Navy Lieutenant James Cook sighted the eastern coast of what is now Australia.

200 years ago
1810

Politics and government
Captain General of Venezuela Vicente Emparán was removed by the Cabildo (municipal administration) of Caracas, giving way to the formation of the Supreme Junta of Caracas, the first form of autonomous government in Venezuela.

120 years ago
1890

Baseball
The Players League played its first games: The Boston Reds edged the Brooklyn Wonders at Congress Street Ground in Boston; the Philadelphia Quakers outlasted the New York Giants at Brotherhood Park in New York; the Chicago Pirates beat the Pittsburgh Burghers 10-2 at South Side Park in Chicago; and the Buffalo Bisons routed the Cleveland Infants 23-2 at Olympic Park in Buffalo, as losing pitcher Henry Gruber went the distance, giving up 17 hits and 16 bases on balls.

110 years ago
1900

Born on this date
Richard Hughes. U.K. author. Mr. Hughes wrote poetry, plays, and short stories, but was probably best known for his novel The Innocent Voyage (1929), which he renamed A High Wind in Jamaica three months after its initial publication. He died on April 28, 1976, nine days after his 76th birthday.

Iracema de Alencar. Brazilian actress. Miss de Alencar starred as the title character in the movie Iracema (1917), but concentrated on theatre work thereafter, appearing in several films and television programs from the 1950s through the '70s. She died on March 7, 1978 at the age of 77.

Roland Michener. Governor General of Canada, 1967-1974. Mr. Michener, a native of Lacombe, Northwest Territories (now Alberta), began his political career in provincial politics in Ontario before entering federal politics as a Progressive Conservative. He represented the Toronto riding of St. Paul's in the House of Commons from 1953-1962, and served as the Speaker of the House of Commons from 1957-1962. Mr. Michener was appointed Canada's High Commissioner to India in July 1964 and Ambassador to Nepal in January 1965. He was recalled to Canada to become Governor General after the death in office of Georges Vanier. Mr. Michener was the first Canadian Governor General to undertake state visits abroad, which were very successful. He was known for promoting physical fitness, and at the age of 80 climbed to the top of the mountain in Alberta that was named in his honour. Mr. Michener died in Toronto on August 6, 1991 at the age of 91.

Track and field
Jim Caffrey of Hamilton, Ontario, won the Boston Marathon in 2:39:44.4; Bill Sherring and Frank Hughson, also from Hamilton, placed second and third, respectively. It was the first time an American failed to win the race.

Baseball
The Philadelphia Phillies opened the season with a 19-17 win over the Boston Beaneaters at South End Grounds in Boston. Trailing 17-9, the Beaneaters rallied for 9 runs in the 9th inning to tie the score.

Doc Amole pitched the American League's first no-hitter, walking 2 batters and striking out 4, for the Buffalo Bisons as they defeated the Detroit Tigers 8-0 on opening day in the first game ever played at Bennett Park in Detroit. The American League had been known as the Western League prior to 1900; the league had expanded and changed its name, but was still a minor league for one more year.

100 years ago
1910

Track and field
Fred Cameron of Canada won the Boston Marathon in 2:28:52.4.

80 years ago
1930

At the movies
King of Jazz, directed by John Murray Anderson, starring John Boles, Jeanie Lang, and Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra, opened at the Criterion Theater in Los Angeles.





Died on this date
Georges-Casimir Dessaulles, 102. Canadian banker and politician. Mr. Dessaulles, a native of Saint-Hyacinthe, Lower Canada, was a nephew of Lower Canada Rebellion leader Louis-Joseph Papineau. Mr. Dessaulles was president of the Bank of Saint-Hyacinthe and Mayor of Saint-Hyacinthe. A Liberal, he represented Saint-Hyacinthe in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec from 1897-1900, and represented the Quebec division of Rougemont in the Canadian Senate from 1907 until his death.

70 years ago
1940

War
The first French forces landed in northern Norway.

Diplomacy
Germany expelled Norwegian Minister Arne Scheel.

Politics and government
New York City members of the state Republican Party Committee endorsed National Committeeman Kenneth Simpson in his struggle to maintain his position against forces supporting New York City District Attorney Thomas Dewey.

Track and field
Gérard Côté of Canada won the Boston Marathon in in 2:28:28.6; it was his first of four victories in the race.

Taitso Maki of Finland set a U.S. record for the 3-mile run, covering the distance in 13:42.4 in New Orleans.

60 years ago
1950

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Ben Wright and Eric Snowden, on ABC
Tonight’s episode: Death in the Slipstream

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

Defense
The British government of Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced its rejection of an Israeli application to buy British arms, claiming that Israel already had "sufficient war material for internal security and self-defense."

Politics and government
The Nicaraguan Congress voted an amnesty for political offenders.

Academia
University of Chicago Chancellor Robert Hutchins announced the establishment of a fund to assist University of California faculty members who had been dismissed for their refusal to take a loyalty oath. 900 educators at a National Education Association conference on higher education in Chicago adopted a resolution opposing loyalty requirements for teachers.

Medicine
St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Brooklyn, New York announced the first succesful use of heart massage to overcome "recurrent cardiac arrest" in a 65-year-old man.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Harry Truman signed an $88-million aid bill for Navajo and Hopi Indians.

U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson testified before the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee in favour of U.S. ratification of the International Trade Organization, drawn up in 1948.

Labour
The East German Volkshammer voted unanimously for a law establishing a Soviet-style wage system providing equality for men and women; piece-rate wages for all workers; and medals and bonuses for high production.

The General Labour Convention in Argentina voted in favour of Argentine President Juan Peron's re-election in 1952.

50 years ago
1960

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, hosted by John Newland, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Peter Hurkos Story: Part 1, starring Albert Salmi, Betty Garde, and John Banner



Protest
Students in South Korea staged a nationwide pro-democracy protest against President Syngman Rhee, leading to his resignation a week later.



Baseball
The Detroit Tigers defeated the Cleveland Indians 4-2 in 15 innings before 52,756 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, tying the record for the longest opening day game in major league history. Fan favourite Rocky Colavito, who had been traded to Detroit several days earlier, batted 0 for 6 with 4 strikeouts in his Tiger debut. Starting pitchers Frank Lary of the Tigers and Gary Bell of the Indians each threw 10 scoreless innings. Each team scored twice in the 11th, and then Al Kaline singled in 2 runs in the 15th.

On Patriot’s Day before 35,162 fans at Fenway Park in Boston, Roger Maris played his first game with the New York Yankees, batting 4 for 5 with 2 home runs and 4 runs batted in as the Yankees beat the Red Sox 8-4. Jim Coates (1-0) went the distance for the win; Tom Brewer (0-1) took the loss.

Minnie Minoso, who had been traded back to the Chicago White Sox after two years with the Cleveland Indians, thrilled 41,660 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago when he hit a grand slam in the 4th inning on opening day against the Kansas City Athletics. With the score tied 9-9 in the bottom of the 9th, Mr. Minoso led off with a home run to end the game as the White Sox won 10-9; it was his 6th run batted in of the day.

40 years ago
1970

Politics and government
Miguel Pastrana Borrero, 46, former Ambassador to the United States and candidate for the National Front--a coalition of the Conservative and Liberal Parties--edged out General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, dictator from 1953-1957, by almost 50,000 votes in the Colombian presidential election. The result sparked riots. The Conservatives and Liberals each took 59 seats in the Senate and 105 seats in the Chamber of Representatives.

Protest
The Vietnam Moratorium Committee, which had organized the U.S. nationwide antiwar demonstration in October 1969 and helped coordinate the large protest in Washington in December, announced that it would disband. After a year of trying to organize Americans against the Vietnam War, the organization said in a letter to its supporters that there was "little prospect of immediate change in the [Nixon] administration’s policy in Vietnam."

Disasters
5 people were killed and 65 injured when a tornado struck Corinth, Mississippi.

Auto racing
Jackie Stewart of Scotland won the Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid. Bruce McLaren of New Zealand finished second.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Boston 6 @ Chicago 3 (Boston led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Pittsburgh 1 @ St. Louis 3 (St. Louis led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Baseball
Wayne Simpson (3-0) of the Cincinnati Reds pitched his second shutout in three major league starts, giving up only a 1st-inning double to Ken Henderson as the Reds beat the San Francisco Giants 6-0 before 31,569 fans at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. Tony Perez provided the necessary scoring with a 2-run home run off Gaylord Perry (1-2) in the 1st inning.

30 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Video Killed the Radio Star--The Buggles (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Matador--Garland Jeffreys (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Dance Yourself Dizzy--Liquid Gold (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl--The Detroit Spinners (2nd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 You and Me--Spargo
2 Visite--Lenny Kuhr & Les Poppys
3 Sajang É--Massada
4 Song for the Children--Oscar Harris
5 Matador--Garland Jeffreys
6 Sun of Jamaica--Goombay Dance Band
7 Take that Look Off Your Face--Marti Webb
8 Willy Alberti Bedankt--André Van Duin
9 The End of the Show--The Cats
10 Pearlydumm--BZN

Singles entering the chart were I'm in the Mood for Dancing by the Nolan Sisters (#21); Our Song by Guys 'n' Dolls (#30); We Believe in Love by Dolly Dots (#31); Walk Right Back by Anne Murray (#33); and Missing Words by the Selecter (#36).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Call Me--Blondie
2 Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd
3 Ride Like The Wind--Christopher Cross
4 With You I’m Born Again--Billy Preston & Syreeta
5 Special Lady--Ray, Goodman & Brown
6 Lost in Love--Air Supply
7 Fire Lake--Bob Seger
8 I Can't Tell You Why--Eagles
9 Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl--The Spinners
10 Off the Wall--Michael Jackson

Singles entering the chart were She's Out of My Life by Michael Jackson (#57); Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time for Love) (Parts 1 and 2) by the Isley Brothers (#76); Lady by the Whispers (#77); It's a Night for Beautiful Girls by the Fools (#79); Catching the Sun by Spyro Gyra (#82); Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone by the Manhattan Transfer (#84); Two Places at the Same Time by Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio (#86); Rock Lobster by the B-52's (#87); Coming Down from Love by Bobby Caldwell (#89); New Romance (It's a Mystery) by Spider (#90); and Seasons by Grace Slick (#98).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Call Me--Blondie (2nd week at #1)
2 Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd
3 Ride Like the Wind--Christopher Cross
4 Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl--The Spinners
5 Lost in Love--Air Supply
6 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
7 Special Lady--Ray, Goodman & Brown
8 With You I’m Born Again--Billy Preston & Syreeta
9 Fire Lake--Bob Seger
10 I Can’t Tell You Why--Eagles

Singles entering the chart were Lady by the Whispers (#85); Rock Lobster by the B-52's (#88); New Romance (It's a Mystery) by Spider (#89); and Coming Down from Love by Bobby Caldwell (#97).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Call Me--Blondie
2 Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd
3 Ride Like The Wind--Christopher Cross
4 Lost in Love--Air Supply
5 Fire Lake--Bob Seger
6 Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl--Spinners
7 I Can't Tell You Why--Eagles
8 With You I’m Born Again--Billy Preston & Syreeta
9 Special Lady--Ray, Goodman & Brown
10 How Do I Make You--Linda Ronstadt

Singles entering the chart were Love Stinks by the J. Geils Band (#80); New Romance (It's a Mystery) by Spider (#87); The Good Lord Loves You by Neil Diamond (#98); Two Places at the Same Time by Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio (#99); and Got to Be Enough by Con Funk Shun (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd (5th week at #1)
2 Refugee--Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
4 On the Radio--Donna Summer
5 Ladies Night--Kool & The Gang
6 An American Dream--The Dirt Band
7 Money--The Flying Lizards
8 Fire Lake--Bob Seger
9 Romeo's Tune--Steve Forbert
10 Desire--Andy Gibb

Singles entering the chart were Hurt So Bad by Linda Ronstadt (#83); Breakdown Dead Ahead by Boz Scaggs (#87); With You I’m Born Again by Billy Preston & Syreeta (#89); Too Bad by Doug and the Slugs (#91); Lucky Me by Anne Murray (#96); I Can Survive by Triumph (#97); Carrie by CANO (#98); and Fire in the Morning by Melissa Manchester (#100).

Protest
The government of India arrested hundreds of protesters in the northeastern state of Assam, which had been the site of protests for 10 months. After the arrests were made, tens of thousands of people filled the streets of Gauhati, the state capital, in defiance of a curfew. The protests had been staged by a student-led movement which demanded the deportation of several million Bengalis--all who had arrived after 1950--who competed for jobs with the natives.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Quarter-Finals
Montreal 5 Minnesota 0 (Minnesota led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Baseball
The Philadelphia Phillies scored 2 runs in the 8th inning and 6 in the 9th as they beat the Montreal Expos 13-4 before 23,088 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

J.R. Richard (2-0) gave up just an infield single in the 4th inning to Reggie Smith and struck out 12 as the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 before 50,112 fans at Dodger Stadium. Losing pitcher Bob Welch (0-1) allowed just 2 hits and 2 earned runs in 8 innings.

20 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Oi beibi/Tuhansien sulojen maa--Raptori (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): The By-road to Glenroe--Mick Lally (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Dave Dexter, Jr., 74 U.S. journalist and music executive. Mr. Dexter wrote about jazz music in the Kansas City Journal-Post and Down Beat magazine before joining Capitol Records in 1943, eventually becoming an artists and repertoire representative. He signed artists such as Frank Sinatra, Stan Kenton, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman and Kay Starr to Capitol and produced albums of collected jazz music, but disliked rock and roll. Mr. Dexter refused to release the Beatles' first four singles on Capitol, and was finally ordered by EMI, Capitol's parent company, to release I Want to Hold Your Hand on Capitol Records late in 1963. Mr. Dexter refused to sign other British groups to the label, with the exception of Freddie and the Dreamers. Mr. Dexter altered the sound and content of the Beatles' early U.S. Capitol albums, to the group's displeasure. By 1966, Capitol determined that Mr. Dexter's prejudices had cost the company an estimated $6 million in record sales--approximately $54 million in today's dollars. He was moved to another job within the company, and left Capitol Records in the 1970s. Mr. Dexter later wrote for Billboard magazine, and produced the radio program Here's to Veterans for the U.S. Veterans Administration. He died in his sleep, several years after suffering a stroke.

World events
The U.S.S.R. shut down three or four natural gas pipelines serving Lithuania.

Politics and government
Representatives of Nicaragua’s outgoing Sandanista regime, the Contra rebels, and the incoming government agreed to a cease-fire, to take effect the next day.

Environment
Canadian Fisheries Minister Bernard Valcourt said that the Halifax fishery should be pared down and year-round work provided, instead of seasonal work and unemployment insurance that destroyed the work ethic.

Five teenagers were charged in Simcoe, Ontario with setting a huge tire fire at the Tyre King Recycling dump in Hagersville, which had burned for 17 days in February, forcing 500 people from their homes.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Montreal 0 @ Boston 1 (Boston led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Washington 3 @ New York Rangers 7 (New York led best-of-seven series 1-0)

10 years ago
2000

Died on this date
Louis Applebaum, 82. Canadian composer and conductor. Mr. Applebaum, a native of Toronto, composed about 250 scores for National Film Board of Canada (1942-1960), and was the first music director of the Stratford Festival (1955-1960). He and co-composer Ann Ronell were nominated for an Academy Award for their score for The Story of G.I. Joe (1945), and Mr. Applebaum won a Genie Award for his score for the made-for-television movie Glory Enough for All (1988). He died in Toronto, 16 days after his 82nd birthday.

Irvin Harder, 63. Canadian farmer. Mr. Harder was killed in Winkler, Manitoba when a huge straw fire created a 50-metre wide fire funnel that sucked up his pickup truck and tossed it like a toy.

Defense
The upper house of Russia’s Parliament voted to ratify the START II nuclear arms reduction treaty, which had been ratified by the U.S.A. in 1996.

Crime
Alberta environmental activist Wiebo Ludwig was convicted on five counts of vandalism in the northern Alberta oilpatch. He was sentenced to 28 months in prison, and co-accused Richard Boonstra received 21 days.

Abominations
The state Senate of Vermont voted 19-11 to approve a bill granting sodomite and lesbian couples the same legal rights as real married couples.

Disasters
Air Philippines Flight 541, a Boeing 737-200 jetliner, crashed near the Davao airport, killing all 131 people on board.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Conference Quarter-Finals
Toronto 1 @ Ottawa 2 (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)
Pittsburgh 2 @ Washington 3 (Pittsburgh led best-of-seven series 3-1)
Detroit 3 @ Los Angeles 0 (Detroit won best-of-seven series 4-0)
St. Louis 2 @ San Jose 3 (San Jose led best-of-seven series 3-1)
Colorado 2 @ Phoenix 3 (Colorado led best-of-seven series 3-1)