August 4, 2010

950 years ago
1060

Died on this date
Henri I, 52. King of the Franks, 1031-1060. Henri I was crowned junior king in 1027, and became sole sovereign upon the death of his father Robert II. Henri's reign was beset by territorial struggles, and the crown lands reached their smallest size during his reign. He was succeeded on the throne by his son Philippe I.

275 years ago
1735

Journalism
John Peter Zenger was acquitted of libel in a case that helped foster freedom of the press. Mr. Zenger was publisher of the New York Weekly Journal, a newspaper opposed to the policies of New York Governor William Cosby. While Mr. Zenger was not the author of many of the articles that attacked Mr. Cosby’s administration, he was held responsible for them as the publisher. At his trial, his lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, successfully argued that truth was a defense against charges of libel.

220 years ago
1790

Defense
A newly passed tariff act created the United States Revenue Cutter Service (the forerunner of the United States Coast Guard).

140 years ago
1870

Born on this date
Harry Lauder. U.K. entertainer. Sir Harry, a native of Scotland, worked as a coal miner for 10 years before embarking as a singer and actor, becoming a popular music hall and vaudeville performer in Britain and other British Empire countries from the mid-1890s through the mid-1930s, coming out of semi-retirement to entertain troops during World War II. He wrote his own songs, and began making recordings in 1902, with his best-known song being Roamin' in the Gloamin' (1911). Sir Harry was the highest-paid performer in the world by 1911, and was the first British artist to sell a million records, doubling that total by 1928. He died on February 26, 1950 at the age of 79, after years of declining health.

120 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Dolf Luque. Cuban baseball pitcher and manager. Mr. Luque played with the Boston Braves (1914-1915); Cincinnati Reds (1918-1929); Brooklyn Robins (1930-1931); and New York Giants (1932-1935), compiling a record of 194-179 with an earned run average of 3.24 in 550 games. He led the National League with 23 losses in 1922, but came back in 1923 to post a 27-8 record, leading the NL in wins; winning percentage (.771); earned run average (1.93); and shutouts (6). Mr. Luque was a member of World Series championship teams in 1919 and 1933, and was the winning pitcher in relief in the fifth and final game of the 1933 World Series. Mr. Luque pitched and managed in the Cuban League, compiling a pitching record of 106-71 and leading his teams to seven pennants. He was inducted into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957 and the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1967. Mr. Luque died on July 3, 1957 at the age of 66.

110 years ago
1900

Born on this date
Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Queen consort of Great Britain, 1936-1952. A native of Scotland, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married the future King George VI in 1923, and became Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress consort of India when her husband acceded to the throne upon the abdication of his older brother Edward VIII. The royal couple were widely admired for remaining in London during the Nazi blitz of World War II. Queen Elizabeth lost her title of Empress of India when that country gained its independence in 1947, and she became Queen Mother after the death of King George VI and the accession to the throne of their daughter Queen Elizabeth II. The "Queen Mum" remained an active and popular figure until her death on March 30, 2002 at the age of 101.

100 years ago
1910

Born on this date
William Schuman. U.S. composer. Mr. Schuman wrote eight symphonies and other orchestral, chamber, vocal, and instrumental works, as well as five ballets, two operas, and two film scores. He won the first Pulitzer Prize for Music for Cantata No. 2. A Free Song (1942), and was awarded a special Pulitzer Prize in 1985 for "more than half a century of contribution to American music as composer and educational leader." Mr. Schuman died on February 15, 1992 at the age of 81, following hip surgery.

Anita Page. U.S. actress. Miss Page, born Anita Pomares, was a major star in the late 1920s and early 1930s in movies such as Our Dancing Daughters (1928); The Broadway Melody (1929); and Skyscraper Souls (1932). She retired from acting in 1936, but made a brief comeback 60 years later. Miss Page was one of the last survivors of the silent film era, and died on September 6, 2008 at the age of 98.

Baseball
In a classic pitching duel, Jack Coombs of the Philadelphia Athletics struck out 18 batters and gave up just 3 hits, while Ed Walsh of the Chicago White Sox gave up just 6 hits and struck out 10 as the teams played a 16-inning 0-0 tie before 5,100 fans at White Sox Park.

The Cleveland Naps scored all their runs in the bottom of the 8th inning as they overcame a 4-0 deficit and held on to defeat the New York Highlanders 6-5 before 2,835 fans at League Park in Cleveland. Cy Young (6-7) allowed 15 hits and batted 2 for 4, doubling home 2 runs in winning the pitching matchup over Jack Warhop (9-8), who allowed 12 hits in a complete game.

Wildfire Schulte hit a 2-run home run as part of a 5-run 6th inning to help the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Giants 5-1 at the Polo Grounds in New York. Three Finger Brown (17-10) pitched a 4-hitter to outduel Red Ames (8-7).

Babe Adams (8-4) pitched a 6-hitter and batted 2 for 4 with a run batted in for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they shut out the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0 before 3,000 fans at National League Park in Philadelphia.

80 years ago
1930

Died on this date
Sam Jackson, 81. U.K.-born U.S. baseball player. Mr. Jackson, a native of England, was an infielder and outfielder with the Boston Red Stockings (1871) and Brooklyn Atlantics (1872) of the National Association, batting .216 with no home runs and 11 runs batted in in 20 games. He settled in New York State, became an American citizen in 1900, and remained physically active until his death.

Baseball
Lefty Grove (17-4) helped his cause with a 3-run home run in the 2nd inning as the Philadelphia Athletics beat the Boston Red Sox 13-4 before 4,000 fans at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Al Simmons led the Athletics’ attack with a 2-run homer and 2 triples, and every Philadelphia player had at last 1 hit.

Charlie Gehringer hit a 2-run home run in the 3rd inning and then hit a grand slam with 1 out in the bottom of the 12th to give the Detroit Tigers a 7-3 win over the Chicago White Sox before 3,000 fans at Navin Field in Detroit. Vic Sorrell (11-7) pitched a 6-hit complete game to outduel Ted Lyons (17-10), who allowed 13 hits in a complete game.

70 years ago
1940

Died on this date
Ze'ev Jabotinsky, 59. Russian-born U.K. Zionist activist. Mr. Jabotinsky, born Vladimir Yevgenyevich Zhabotinsky, co-founded the Zion Mule Corps in Egypt during World War I, and moved to England, where his efforts resulted in the creation of the Jewish Legion. In the 1920s, Mr. Jabotinsky became the key figure in a movement known as Revisionist Zionism and began advocating for a liberal, democratic Jewish state on both banks of the Jordan River. He supported moving Arab populations if necessary to accomodate the influx of Jews, but he didn't want Arabs ejected from Palestine, and supported the rights of minorities in the proposed Jewish state. While visiting South Africa in 1930, the British Colonial Office informed Mr. Jabotinsky that he would not be allowed to return to Palestine. During the 1930s he warned of increasing violence against Jews in Europe. When the British government enacted the McDonald White Paper, restricting Jewish immigration to Palestine under the British Mandate for the next five years, Mr. Jabotinsky protested by supporting an armed Jewish revolt in Palestine, involving the Irgun terrorist organization. He died of a heart attack in New York City while attempting to raise financial support for a Jewish army. Although he didn't live to see the establishment of the state of Israel, Mr. Jabotinsky played a key role in events that led to the nation's founding. The Likud party--the party of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhu--can trace its history back to the activities of Mr. Jabotinsky.

War
The Vichy French regime asserted, and the United Kingdom denied, the landing of British troops in Madagascar and the Cameroons to incite insurrection. In a nationwide radio address, U.S. Army General John J. Pershing warned that unless Britain received immediate aid, the U.S. would soon be involved in the European war. Famed aviator Colonel Charles Lindbergh said that "if we desire to keep America out of war, we must take a lead in offering a plan of peace."

Diplomacy
The United Kingdom announced that it would deport the two Japanese aliens seized the previous day.

Politics and government
A national referendum in Paraguay resulted in a reported 92.4% in favour of the new constitution, providing for a "strong, but not despotic" president who was vested with sweeping powers to suspend civil liberties and take actions that he deemed necessary for the good of the state. The Senate was abolished and the Chamber of Representatives limited in power. President José Félix Estigarribia had dissolved Congress in 1939 and assumed "temporary" dictatorial powers before issuing the new constitution.

Republican Party U.S. presidential candidate Wendell Willkie announced that he had obtained the support of more Democrats who were opposed to a third term as President for Franklin D. Roosevelt. The latest pro-Willkie Democrats included Stephen Pinckney; Elizabeth Howry; Eubank Tucker; and golfer Bobby Jones. At their convention in St. Louis, United Auto Workers delegates passed a resolution endorsing Mr. Roosevelt for a third term.

60 years ago
1950

At the movies
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye, directed by Gordon Douglas, and starring James Cagney, Barbara Payton, Helena Carter, and Ward Bond, received its premiere screening in New York City.





War
The U.S. Army called up 62,000 enlisted reservists for 21 months' active duty, beginning in September and October.

Diplomacy
The Supreme Court of Singapore refused to order Captain R.P.P. Westerling's extradition to Indonesia, where he was wanted for anti-government guerrilla activities. He would be deported to the Netherlands.

Politics and government
The U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive $34-billion appropriations bill intended to finance most government operations for the year ending June 30, 1951.

Business
The Guatemalan government banned the Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce for allegedly encouraging the recent political strike of businessmen.

Economics and finance
Sources in Tehran reported a Soviet offer to negotiate a U.S.S.R.-Iran trade and barter agreement.

50 years ago
1960

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Everybody's Somebody's Fool--Connie Francis

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Shakin' All Over--Johnny Kidd and the Pirates

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Ottawa (1-2) 14 @ Winnipeg (2-1) 18

Baseball
Bob Will singled home Sammy Taylor and Don Zimmer with 1 out in the bottom of the 7th inning to break a 3-3 tie as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 before 4,209 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Ernie Banks hit a 2-run home run for the Cubs in the 6th. The game was marred by a brawl in the 2nd that started when Cincinnati second baseman Billy Martin, convinced that Cubs’ pitcher Jim Brewer was throwing at him, threw his bat toward the mound. Mr. Brewer picked it up, the two exchanged words (Mr. Brewer reportedly yelled, "You little dago son of a bitch!"), and Mr. Martin punched Mr. Brewer in the face, fracturing the orbital bone of Mr. Brewer’s right eye. Mr. Brewer spent two weeks in hospital and required surgery. He later sued Mr. Martin for $1 million, and was awarded $100,000. The brawl continued, and Mr. Martin decked Frank Thomas of the Cubs before being ejected by home plate umpire Stan Landes.

The San Francisco Giants score 5 runs in the 7th inning as they overcame a 7-1 2nd-inning deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-7 before 12,876 fans at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia.

Vic Wertz's 3-run home run climaxed a 4-run 1st inning for the Boston Red Sox as they beat the Kansas City Athletics 5-3 in the first game of a doubleheader before 16,156 fans at Fenway Park in Boston, with Dave Morehead (12-8) allowing 8 hits and 3 earned runs in 7+ innings to get the win. Mr. Wertz drove in 3 runs with a single and double to help the Red Sox win the second game 9-1 to complete the sweep. Earl Wilson (1-0) pitched a 6-hit complete game to win the pitching matchup over Don Larsen (0-6).

Earl Battey batted 3 for 3 with a base on balls, and hit a 2-run home run with 2 out in the top of the 8th inning to provide the deciding runs as the Washington Senators edged the Chicago White Sox 2-1 before 28,676 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Barry Moore (3-3) allowed 1 hit in 2.2 innings of scoreless relief to get the win over Chicago starter Early Wynn (8-7), who allowed 5 hits in 8 innings.

40 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): In the Summertime--Mungo Jerry (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): El Cóndor Pasa--Simon & Garfunkel (7th week at #1)

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. was reported to have given West Germany an assurance that the Soviet Union recognized the principle of eventual peaceful reunification of Germany.

Disasters
U.S. President Richard Nixon declared the area of Corpus Christi, Texas a disaster area in the wake of Hurricane Celia, which had struck with 145 mile-per-hour-winds the day before, leaving the resort city without gas or electricity. Officials estimated that 90% of downtown Corpus Christi had been destroyed or severely damaged.

A tornado battered the southwest coast of France, leaving 9 dead, 29 injured, and 11 missing.

Boxing
George Foreman (22-0) scored a technical knockout over George Chuvalo (59-16-2) at 1:41 of the 3rd round in a heavyweight bout at Madison Square Garden in New York.



Football
CFL
Toronto (0-1) 27 @ Montreal (1-0) 34
British Columbia (1-1) 48 @ Winnipeg (0-2) 21

The Alouettes, unveiling new home green jerseys, shocked the pre-season Grey Cup favourites and gave Sam Etcheverry a win in his first regular season game as a CFL head coach. Bobby Taylor of the Argonauts caught 2 touchdown passes, but suffered a knee injury that hampered him for the rest of the season.

B.C. fullback Jim Evenson, playing his first game after an appendectomy, had a big game to lead the Lions’ attack in their win over the Blue Bombers at Winnipeg Stadium.

30 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Funkytown--Lipps Inc.

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Dancing All Night--Monta & Brothers (9th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Hey!--Julio Iglesias (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Funkytown--Lipps Inc. (6th week at #1)

Scandal
U.S. President Jimmy Carter sent a 13,000-word statement to a Senate panel investigating his brother Billy’s ties to Libya, and fielded questions from reporters for an hour in a televised news conference. President Carter declared "categorically" that Billy had in no way influenced American policy toward Libya, and denied that he had committed any impropriety in his dealings with his brother. He said he had tried repeatedly to persuade Billy to reduce his contacts with the Libyans, and had opposed his second trip to that country.

Diplomacy
The speaker of the Iranian parliament said that debate on the 52 American hostages in the U.S. embassy in Tehran had been postponed because of the mistreatment of 171 Iranian men being held without charge in a U.S. federal prison in Otisville, New York and 20 Iranian women being similarly held in a detention facility in New York City. At least 18 prisoners who had gone on hunger strikes were forcibly given nutritional supplements by prison authorities.

Baseball
The Seattle Mariners, who had lost 9 games in a row and 20 of 24 since the All-Star break, fired Darrell Johnson, the only manager in their history, and replaced him with Maury Wills. The Mariners were seventh and last in the American League West Division with a record of 39-65.

25 years ago
1985

Baseball
Tom Seaver, pitching for the Chicago White Sox, won the 300th game of his major league career by beating the New York Yankees 4-1 at Yankee Stadium. At roughly the same time, Rod Carew of the California Angels collected his 3,000th career hit with a single in the 3rd inning off Frank Viola of the Minnesota Twins at Anaheim Stadium. The Angels won 6-5.

Dwight Gooden won his 11th straight decision and started a 3-run 3rd inning with a double as the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1.

20 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): U Can't Touch This--MC Hammer (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Un' Estate Italiana--Edoardo Bennato; Gianna Nannini (9th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Infinity (1990's...Time for the Guru)--Guru Josh (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Killer--Adamski & Seal

#1 single in France (SNEP): Maldòn--Zouk Machine (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Turtle Power--Partners in Kryme (2nd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 U Can't Touch This--MC Hammer
2 Dirty Cash--Adventures of Stevie V
3 Killer--Adamski
4 Hear the Drummer (Get Wicked)--Chad Jackson
5 It Must Have Been Love--Roxette
6 Ooops Up--Snap!
7 Blueshouse--B.B. Queen
8 Close to You--Maxi Priest
9 Hijo de la Luna--Mecano
10 Back by Dope Demand--King Bee

Singles entering the chart were Summer Mix by Dance Classics (#29); Hold On by En Vogue (#31); Maldòn by Zouk Machine (#32); Love Is by Alannah Myles (#34); La Raza by Kid Frost (#35); and Get in the Groove by Wee Papa Girl Rappers (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Vision of Love--Mariah Carey
2 Cradle of Love--Billy Idol
3 Rub You the Right Way--Johnny Gill
4 The Power--Snap!
5 She Ain't Worth It--Glenn Medeiros featuring Bobby Brown
6 Girls Nite Out--Tyler Collins
7 When I'm Back on My Feet Again--Michael Bolton
8 If Wishes Came True--Sweet Sensation
9 Hold On--En Vogue
10 Unskinny Bop--Poison

Singles entering the chart were Thieves in the Temple by Prince (#55); My, My, My by Johnny Gill (#56); Something Happened on the Way to Heaven by Phil Collins (#62); Heart of Stone by Taylor Dayne (#64); Everybody Everybody by Black Box (#77); I Don't Have the Heart by James Ingram (#86); Time for Letting Go by Jude Cole (#90); Innocent by the Whispers (#91); and That's Not Her Style by Billy Joel (#93).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 She Ain’t Worth It--Glenn Medeiros, featuring Bobby Brown (2nd week at #1)
2 Vision of Love--Mariah Carey
3 Cradle of Love--Billy Idol
4 Rub You the Right Way--Johnny Gill
5 The Power--Snap!
6 Hold On--En Vogue
7 Girls Nite Out--Tyler Collins
8 Hanky Panky--Madonna
9 King of Wishful Thinking--Go West
10 If Wishes Came True--Sweet Sensation

Singles entering the chart were Thieves in the Temple by Prince (#50); La Raza by Kid Frost (#55); Something Happened on the Way to Heaven by Phil Collins (#57); Heart of Stone by Taylor Dayne (#61); Tell Me Something by Indecent Obsession (#71); and Can't Stop by After 7 (#76).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 I’ll Be Your Shelter--Taylor Dayne
2 When I'm Back on My Feet Again--Michael Bolton
3 Across the River--Bruce Hornsby
4 Step by Step--New Kids on the Block
5 Do You Remember?--Phil Collins
6 She Ain't Pretty--Northern Pikes
7 The Emperor's New Clothes--Sinead O'Connor
8 Every Little Thing--Jeff Lynne
9 King of Wishful Thinking--Go West
10 Vision of Love--Mariah Carey

Singles entering the chart were Oh Girl by Paul Young (#50); 'Til the Fever Breaks by the Jitters (#73); The Right Combination by Seiko with Donnie Wahlberg (#80); Sea Cruise by Dion (#83); Baby You're Mine by Basic (#88); Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Guns N' Roses (#89); and Have You Seen Her by MC Hammer (#91). Sea Cruise was from the movie The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990). Knockin' on Heaven's Door was from the movie Days of Thunder (1990).

World events
Prince Johnson, leader of a rebel faction in Liberia attempting to depose President Samuel Doe, announced that he would begin to round up foreigners.

Football
CFL
Ottawa (1-3) 26 @ Toronto (2-2) 30

Lance Chomyc kicked 5 field goals, 2 converts and a single as the Argos made 4 interceptions and 4 sacks before an announced SkyDome crowd of 28,333. John Congemi, who started at quarterback for the Argos, rushed 1 yard for a touchdown and handed off to Mike Clemons for a 5-yard score. Ottawa quarterback Damon Allen threw touchdown passes to Stephen Jones and Dan Johnston, and received credit for another when a completed pass to a Rough Rider was fumbled and recovered for an Ottawa touchdown by David Williams. Mr. Congemi left the game late in the 3rd quarter when he was hit by Bruce Holmes, and was replaced by Tom Porras. Mr. Jones led all receivers with 8 receptions for 148 yards.

10 years ago
2000

Football
CFL
Edmonton (3-2) 16 @ Hamilton (3-2-0-1) 10
British Columbia (2-3) 16 @ Winnipeg (1-4-0-1) 31
Toronto (1-4) 17 @ Calgary (4-0-1) 37

The Edmonton defense made 4 interceptions off Hamilton quarterback Danny McManus to lead the Eskimos to victory before 21,333 fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Mr. McManus threw a touchdown pass to Darren Flutie for the Tiger-Cats’ only touchdown in the 2nd quarter, which the Eskimos answered on a pass from Nealon Greene to Rick Walters. Cody Ledbetter replaced Mr. McManus late in the 3rd quarter, but lasted just a few plays before breaking his leg on a quarterback sneak.

Khari Jones relieved Kerwin Bell at quarterback and threw 2 touchdown passes to Robert Gordon in the 2nd half as the Blue Bombers outscored the Lions 17-0 in the 2nd half in front of a Winnipeg Stadium crowd of 25,840. Mr. Bell completed an 86-yard touchdown pass to Milt Stegall in the first quarter. B.C. rolled up 610 yards in net offense, but scored only one offensive touchdown, a 4-yard rush by Sean Millington in the 2nd quarter. Mr. Millington rushed 14 times for 120 yards, while teammate Robert Drummond carried 10 times for 62 yards. Winnipeg started the scoring just 1:50 into the game when Dayroni Harris intercepted a Damon Allen pass and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown.

Dave Dickenson completed 2 touchdown passes to Allen Pitts and another to Travis Moore to lead the Stampeders over the Argonauts before 33,783 fans at McMahon Stadium. Calgary’s Rock Preston rushed for 120 yards on just 7 carries as his team amassed 208 yards on the ground. Ryan Terry carried 10 times for 58 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the Argonauts.