January 19, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Inese!

500 years ago
1511

War
The Italian Duchy of Mirandola surrendered to the forces of Pope Julius II.

160 years ago
1851

Died on this date
Esteban Echeverría, 45. Argentine writer. Mr. Echeverría was a Romantic poet and fiction writer who was one of the intellectuals known as the Generation of 1837. Mr. Echeverría supported the overthrow of Juan Manuel de Rosas, caudillo of Buenos Aires, and in 1840 was forced into exile in Montevideo, where he died. Mr. Echeverría was best known for the short story El Matadero (The Slaughter Yard), an attack on Mr. Rosas; the story was written circa 1838-1840, but not published until 1871.

150 years ago
1861

Americana
Georgia became the fifth state to secede from the Union.

140 years ago
1871

Born on this date
Dame Gruev. Ottoman revolutionist. Mr. Gruev, an ethnic and native Macedonian who identified as Bulgarian, was one of the founders of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO), and was particularly active from 1894-1900. He was imprisoned in 1900, but released as part of a general amnesty in 1903, and was a leader in the Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising of 1903. Mr. Gruev led IMRO's central committee from 1905 until December 23, 1906, when he and his detachment were discovered by Turkish authorities near the Macedonian village of Rusinovo, and Mr. Gruev was killed at the age of 35 in the resulting battle.

War
In the Battle of St. Quentin, Prussian forces commanded by August Karl von Goeben defeated French forces led by Louis Faidherbe that were trying to relieve the four-month Siege of Paris. French troops commanded by Louis-Jules Trochu attacked Prussian troops led by Crown Prince Friedrich in Saint-Cloud, France, beginning the Battle of Buzenval.

110 years ago
1901

Canadiana
The Government of Canada purchased the Plains of Abraham battlefield in Quebec City; it was incorporated into an urban national park in 1908.

100 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Choor Singh. Judge of the Supreme Court of Singapore, 1963-1980. Mr. Singh, a native of Punjab, moved to Singapore at the age of 4. He was a coroner and magistrate before being appointed to the Supreme Court. He was known as the "hanging judge," handing down a large number of capital sentences, including the first death sentence passed by a judge in Singapore on a woman. Judge Singh was instrumental in the abolition in 1969 of jury trials for all criminal cases. He was involved with Indian and Sikh affairs in his retirement, and died on March 31, 2009 at the age of 98.

80 years ago
1931

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: The Naval Treaty

70 years ago
1941

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 2

War
Malta reported the second German air attack on Valetta in as many days. The Greek Triton (Y-5) sank the Italian submarine Neghelli in Otranto.

Diplomacy
Italian Duce Benito Mussolini visited German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler at Berghof; Mr. Hitler outlined his secret plans to invade Greece.

Politics and government
Wendell Willkie, Republican Party candidate for President of the United States in 1940, conferred in Washington with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Secretary of State Cordell Hull.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Treasury Department was reported to have drafted an executive order ready for President Franklin D. Roosevelt's signature to freeze all foreign assets in the United States.

Labour
United Mine Workers of America Secretary-Treasurer Thomas Kennedy said that the UMW was for labour and Americanism, and condemned Communism, Nazism, and Fascism.

Baseball
Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians signed a contract for $30,000 for 1941, reportedly becoming the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history. In 1940 Mr. Feller led the American League in wins (27); earned run average (2.62); games (43); starts (37); complete games (31); innings pitched (320); strikeouts (261); and tied for the AL lead in shutouts (4).

60 years ago
1951

On the radio
Hear it Now, hosted by Edward R. Murrow, on CBS

Tonight's program included news about U.S. Navy ships being recommissioned.

At the movies
The 13th Letter, directed by Otto Preminger, and starring Linda Darnell, Charles Boyer, and Michael Rennie, opened in theatres.



War
Yugoslavia ended its state of war with Austria.

Labour
Negotiations at the White House between the U.S.A.'s railroads and 16 unions representing one million non-operating rail workers ended in failure after the unions refused to drop demands for a 25c hourly raise.

Sport
Willie Mosconi retained his world pocket billiards title by defeating Irving Crane, who set a record 160 high run.

Boxing
Bob Satterfield (27-10-2) scored a technical knockout of Elkins Brothers (26-5-1) at 56 seconds of the 2nd round of a heavyweight bout at St. Nicholas Arena in New York. Mr. Brothers was knocked down 3 times.



50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Save the Last Dance for Me--The Drifters (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Poetry in Motion--Johnny Tillotson (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
The Untouchables, starring Robert Stack, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Masterpiece

Disasters
Four crewmen were killed but all 98 passengers survived when a Mexican Aeronaves Airlines DC-8 jet crashed and exploded on takeoff from Idlewild Airport in New York City.

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Candida--Dawn

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): My Sweet Lord--George Harrison

Politics and government
Carl Albert (Democrat--Oklahoma) was named Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding the retiring John W. McCormack. Mr. Albert had only token opposition from John Conyers (Democrat--Michigan), a Negro, and Mr. Albert won the vote 220-20. At the same Democratic party caucus, Hale Boggs of Louisiana was chosen as House majority leader, defeating Morris Udall of Arizona 140-88 on the second ballot. Mr. Udall was backed by liberal-minded reformers.

Labour
New York City policemen ended a six-day wildcat strike when delegates of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association concluded a tumultuous meeting by voting 229-112 to return to work. 85% of the city’s 27,400 patrolmen had reported for work in civilian clothes but had not gone on duty, while officers had manned the precincts and patrolled the streets. The rebellion was over an issue of wage parity.

Environment
In a move applauded by conservationists, U.S. President Richard Nixon ordered a halt to further construction of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal, which had been approved by the U.S. Congress in 1942, and for which $50 million had already been spent to build nearly one-third of the 107-mile-long canal.

Hockey
NHL
All-Star Game @ Boston Garden
West 2 East 1

All the scoring took place in the first 6 minutes 19 seconds of the game as the West Division edged the East Division before 14,790 fans. Chico Maki of the Chicago Black Hawks opened the scoring just 36 seconds into the game, and Chicago teammate Bobby Hull scored the eventual winning goal on a powerplay at 4:38. Yvan Cournoyer of the Montreal Canadiens scored the East goal at 6:19 of the 1st period. Mr. Hull was named the game's most valuable player.





30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): (Just Like) Starting Over--John Lennon

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Sneaker Blues--Masahiko Kondō (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Woman in Love--Barbra Streisand (7th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Super Trouper--ABBA (2nd week at #1)

Diplomacy
The United States agreed to unfreeze Iran’s $8 billion in assets and release its deposits in U.S. banks. Iran agreed to repay all its U.S. bank loans. The agreement was the last major step in negotiating the release of 52 hostages from the U.S. embassy in Tehran, who had been held captive by Islamic militants since November 4, 1979. A last-minute dispute arose over the appendix to the agreement, with Iran objecting that the accord would force Iran to drop any claims on the U.S. beyond the money that the U.S. would transfer into escrow accounts. The dispute had the effect of postponing the hostages’ release for one day, until minutes after the January 20 inauguration of Ronald Reagan as President of the United States.

20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Ice Ice Baby--Vanilla Ice (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Attenti al Lupo--Lucio Dalla (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): I've Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Alle Børnene--2 X Kaj (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Sadeness Part I--Enigma (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Il faut laisser le temps au temps--Félix Gray & Didier Barbelivien

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Sadness Part I--Enigma

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Ice Ice Baby--Vanilla Ice (5th week at #1)
2 Sadeness Part I--Enigma
3 Mary Had a Little Boy--Snap!
4 Don't Worry--Kim Appleby
5 Maar Vanavond Heb Ik Hoofdpijn--Hanny
6 Pray--MC Hammer
7 To Love Somebody--Jimmy Somerville
8 Justify My Love--Madonna
9 Disappear--INXS
10 Domino--Clouseau

Singles entering the chart were Go for It! (Heart and Fire) by Joey B. Ellis and Tynetta Hare (#21); All This Time by Sting (#27); Wicked Game by Chris Isaak (#30); Crazy by Seal (#31); Lekker Swingen Met Die Hap by Hans Versnel & De Meestermixers (#32); Love Will Never Do (Without You) by Janet Jackson (#34); and Impulsive by Wilson Phillips (#37). Go for It! (Heart and Fire) was from the movie Rocky V (1990).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Love Will Never Do (Without You)--Janet Jackson
2 Justify My Love--Madonna
3 High Enough--Damn Yankees
4 The First Time--Surface
5 Sensitivity--Ralph Tresvant
6 Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams
7 Play That Funky Music--Vanilla Ice
8 Because I Love You (The Postman Song)--Stevie B
9 After the Rain--Nelson
10 From a Distance--Bette Midler

Singles entering the chart were Someday by Mariah Carey (#37); All This Time by Sting (#66); Waiting for that Day by George Michael (#68); Waiting for Love by Alias (#71); Hold You Tight by Tara Kemp (#84); When Will I See You Smile Again? by Bell Biv DeVoe (#92); Jealousy by the Adventures of Stevie V (#96); Close to Me by the Cure (#99); and Sure Lookin' by Donny Osmond (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Justify My Love--Madonna (4th week at #1)
2 High Enough--Damn Yankees
3 Love Will Never Do (Without You)--Janet Jackson
4 Tom’s Diner--D.N.A. featuring Suzanne Vega
5 The First Time--Surface
6 Sensitivity--Ralph Tresvant
7 Because I Love You (The Postman Song)--Stevie B
8 Impulsive--Wilson Phillips
9 From a Distance--Bette Midler
10 I’m Your Baby Tonight--Whitney Houston

Singles entering the chart were Someday by Mariah Carey (#52); All This Time by Sting (#55); Waiting for Love by Alias (#62); Waiting for that Day by George Michael (#75); Chasin' the Wind by Chicago (#76); Rescue Me by Madonna (#81); Night and Day by Bette Midler (#85); Sure Lookin' by Donny Osmond (#88); and Hold You Tight by Tara Kemp (#89).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM) 1 Freedom--George Michael
2 You Gotta Love Someone--Elton John
3 Justify My Love--Madonna
4 Love Will Never Do (Without You)--Janet Jackson
5 I'm Your Baby Tonight--Whitney Houston
6 One and Only Man-Steve Winwood
7 Til I am Myself Again--Blue Rodeo
8 Disappear--INXS
9 Because I Love You (The Postman Song)--Stevie B
10 Hang in Long Enough--Phil Collins

Singles entering the chart were All This Time by Sting (#46); Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) by C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams (#50); Sensitivity by Ralph Tresvant (#57); Secret by Heart (#80); I Don't Know Anybody Else by Black Box (#87); and Smooth as Silk by NCJ & Cool G (#88).

War
Canadian CF-18 fighters flew an offensive mission in the Persian Gulf, the first Canadian forces battle action since the Korean War. Iraq fired a second Scud missile into Israel, causing 15 injuries.

Hockey
NHL
All-Star Game @ Chicago Stadium
Clarence S. Campbell Conference 11 Prince of Wales Conference 5

Vincent Damphousse of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored 4 goals and was named the most valuable player before 18,472 fans in another dismal excuse for an All-Star Game.



10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Darío Vittori, 79. Italian-born Argentine actor. Mr. Vittori, whose real name was Melito Darío Spartaco Margozzi, was a comic actor who appeared in more than 20 movies and numerous television programs in a career spanning more than 40 years until his death from prostate cancer.

Scandal
U.S. President Bill Clinton, on his last full day in office, announced an agreement with independent counsel Robert Ray that would spare him the risk of being indicted after he left office. In the agreement, Mr. Clinton stated for the first time that "certain of my responses to questions about Ms. Lewinsky were false," referring to a 1998 deposition he gave in a suit filed against him by Paula Jones for sexual misconduct. Mr. Clinton agreed to pay a fine of $25,000 to the Arkansas Bar Association and to forfeit his law license for five years.

The day after U.S. civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson admitted that he had fathered an illegitimate daughter by an employee of his Rainbow/PUSH coalition, the coalition disclosed that it had given a $35,000 "severance package" to the girl’s mother, Karin Stanford.

Society
6-month-old twin girls from the United States who had been adopted by a British couple in a deal conducted over the Internet were seized from a hotel in northern Wales and taken into care.