January 28, 2011

740 years ago
1271

Died on this date
Isabella of Aragon, 23 or 24. Queen consort of France, 1270-1271. Isabella, the eighth child and youngest daughter of King James I of Aragon, married the future King Philip III of France in 1262, and became Queen consort when he acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Louis IX on August 25, 1270. Isabella and Philip were on the Eighth Crusade in Tunis at the time; in January 1871, they were in Calabria, on their way home, and she was six months pregnant when she fell from her horse and gave birth prematurely to a son, who soon died. Queen Isabella was exhausted and feverish, and died.

490 years ago
1521

Religion
The Diet of Worms began, lasting until May 25.

390 years ago
1621

Died on this date
Paul V, 70. Roman Catholic Pope, 1605-1621. Paul V, born Camillo Borghese, succeeded Leo XI on the papal throne. Paul V supported Galileo Galilei in his studies, and while warning against teaching the Copernican model of the universe as fact, told him that he would be safe from prosecution during his papacy. Pope Paul promoted ecclesiastical jurisdiction in legal disputes with foreign countries, and his positions made things difficult for moderate Catholics in England. Pope Paul V died from the last of a series of strokes, and was succeeded by Gregory XV.

340 years ago
1671

Disasters
The original city of Panama, founded in 1519, was destroyed by a fire when privateer Henry Morgan sacked and set fire to it. The site of the previously devastated city is still in ruins.

170 years ago
1841

Born on this date
Henry Morton Stanley. U.K. journalist and explorer. Mr. Stanley, born John Rowlands, was working as a journalist when he travelled to Africa in search of medical missionary David Livingstone, and found him in Tanganyika, reportedly greeting him with the words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" Mr. Stanley led several other expeditions to Africa, and claimed the Congo on behalf of King Leopold II of Belgium. Mr. Stanley sat in the U.K. House of Commons as a member of the Liberal Unionist Party from 1895-1900, and died on May 10, 1904 at the age of 73.

160 years ago
1851

Academia
Northwestern University became the first chartered university in Illinois.

150 years ago
1861

Born on this date
Julián Felipe. Philippine composer. Mr. Felipe was a church organist and songwriter who composed Marcha Nacional Filipina--now known as Lupang Hinirang--which was first performed upon the proclamation of Philippine independence in 1898, and officially became the Philippine national anthem in 1938. Mr. Felipe died on October 2, 1944 at the age of 83.

140 years ago
1871

War
The Siege of Paris ended in a French defeat by Prussian forces and an armistice in the Franco-Prussian War.

110 years ago
1901

War
Farrier-Major William Hardham of the fourth New Zealand contingent earned the Victoria Cross for his actions near Naauwpoort, South Africa. He was with a section of troops that were engaged with about 20 Boers and were about to retire when N.Z. Trooper McCrae was wounded and his horse killed. Farrier-Major Hardham, under heavy fire, went to his assistance, dismounted, placed him on his own horse, and ran alongside him to a place of safety. Farrier-Major Hardham was the only New Zealander to win the Victoria Cross during the Boer War.

90 years ago
1921

Died on this date
Mustafa Subhi, 37 or 38. Turkish revolutionist. Mr. Subhi was a journalist and lecturer in law and economics before he joined the Bolsehvik Party in 1918. He was elected chairman of the Turkish Communist Party at its First Congress in September 1920, and joined the Turkish War of Independence. Mr. Subhi and 14 other Communists were assassinated by Sailor Yahya while travelling from Trabzon to Batumi on the Black Sea.

70 years ago
1941

War
U.S. Chief of Staff General George Marshall said that there were growing indications that Germany would attempt to invade Britain in the spring of 1941. The Japanese Finance Ministry reported that about $4.1 billion had been spent on the war against China.

Defense
U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Congress must pass the Lend-Lease bill if the Allies wwere to continue to fight.

Americana
The United States Census Bureau reported that the nation's population was growing older, with a median age of 28.9 years in 1940.

Transportation
Spanish dictator Generalissimo Francisco Franco nationalized the nation's transportation systems in order to ease the food situation.

Journalism
Panamanian President Arnulfo Arias ordered the deportation of Edward W. Scott, correspondent for Reuters and United Press, for reporting that Mr. Arias sympathized with the Axis.

Economics and finance
U.S. Congress of Industrial Organizations President Philip Murray revealed a plan to increase steel output by coordinating the steel industry as a single production unit.

Labour
A U.S. Chamber of Commerce committee announced its opposition to anti-strike laws as contrary to the fundamental rights of citizens.

60 years ago
1951

Defense
The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, in Operation Ranger, set off the second in a series of atomic explosions at an Air Force testing range in Nevada.

Economics and finance
Iranian Shah Mohammed Riza Pahlevi announced that he would break up his royal estates as part of a national land reform program.

50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Are You Lonesome To-night?/I Gotta Know--Elvis Presley (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: What a Sky (Su nel cielo)--Nico Fidenco

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Ramona--Blue Diamonds (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Dutch Top 40): Save the Last Dance for Me--The Drifters

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Are You Lonesome To-night?--Elvis Presley

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Will You Love Me Tomorrow--The Shirelles
2 Exodus--Ferrante and Teicher
--[Mantovani & his Orchestra]
3 Calcutta--Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra
4 Wonderland by Night--Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra
--[Louis Prima]
--[Anita Bryant]
5 Shop Around--The Miracles
6 Are You Lonesome To-night?--Elvis Presley
7 Angel Baby--Rosie and the Originals
8 Calendar Girl--Neil Sedaka
9 Rubber Ball--Bobby Vee
10 Emotions--Brenda Lee

Singles entering the chart were Good Time Baby (#56)/Cherie (#87) by Bobby Rydell; Pony Time by Chubby Checker (#63); What a Price (#67)/Ain't that Just Like a Woman (#70) by Fats Domino; Wait a Minute by the Coasters (#82); The Exodus Song by Pat Boone (#90); Keep Your Hands Off of Him by Damita Jo (#98); Your Friends by Dee Clark (#99); Won't Be Long by Aretha Franklin with the Ray Bryant Combo (#100); and Leave My Kitten Alone by Johnny Preston (also #100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Baby Sittin' Boogie--Buzz Clifford
2 Calcutta--Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra
3 Oh Joan--The Beau-Marks
4 Shop Around--The Miracles
5 Corinna, Corinna--Ray Peterson
6 Calendar Girl--Neil Sedaka
7 Take Time Out--Carl Dobkins, Jr.
8 Emotions--Brenda Lee
9 (I Wanna) Love My Life Away--Gene Pitney
10 Pepe--Duane Eddy and the Rebels

Singles entering the chart were Wheels by the String-A-Longs (#15, charting with its other side, Tell the World); Ebony Eyes by the Everly Brothers (#26); There's a Moon Out Tonight by the Capris (#36); Don't Worry by Marty Robbins (#39); Battle of Gettysburg by Fred Darian (#42); C'est Si Bon (It's So Good) by Conway Twitty (#43); Don't Believe Him, Donna by Lenny Miles (#45); He Had Pretty Eyes by Libby and Sue (#46); Dance by the Light of the Moon by the Olympics (#47); What a Price by Fats Domino (#48); Little Boy Sad by Johnny Burnette (#49); and I Don't Know Why by Clarence "Frogman" Henry (#50). I Don't Know Why was also released under the title But I Do.

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 Calendar Girl--Neil Sedaka (4th week at #1)
2 Emotions--Brenda Lee
3 Baby Sittin' Boogie--Buzz Clifford
4 Corinna, Corinna--Ray Peterson
5 Cool Operator--Sandy Nelson
6 Wings of a Dove--Paul Clayton
7 Calcutta--Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra
8 Wonderland by Night--Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra
9 Shop Around--The Miracles
10 Ebony Eyes--The Everly Brothers

Singles entering the chart were Muskrat Ramble by Freddy Cannon (#34); Cherry Berry Wine by Charlie McCoy (#35); The Story of My Love by Paul Anka (#36); Apache by Jorgen Ingmann and his Guitar (#37); Jimmy's Girl by Johnny Tillotson (#38); Don't Cha Know by the Crickets (#39); and Model Girl by Johnny Maestro (#40).

On television tonight
The Roaring 20's, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Coney Red Hots

Diplomacy
Congolese President Joseph Kasavubu, in a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, warned that he would seek foreign military aid unless the UN force was ordered to put down the revolt against his government by supporters of deposed Premier Patrice Lumumba. Mr. Kasavubu said he would be compelled to seek such aid outside the framework of the UN "despite the manifest danger that would entail the conflict’s becoming international."

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): My Sweet Lord--George Harrison (3rd week at #1)

Protest
U.S. District Court Judge William K. Thomas ruled illegal a report by the Portage County grand jury on the disorders at Kent State University in May 1970. He ordered the 18-page report destroyed and stricken from the records, but he did not dismiss the indictment of 25 people.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 (Just Like) Starting Over--John Lennon (8th week at #1)
2 The Tide is High--Blondie
3 Looking for Clues--Robert Palmer
4 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
5 Turn Me Loose--Loverboy
6 De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da--The Police
7 Passion--Rod Stewart
8 I Got You--Split Enz
9 The Winner Takes it All--ABBA
10 Teacher Teacher--Rockpile

Singles entering the chart were Woman by John Lennon (#18); The Best of Times by Styx (#19); and A Little in Love by Cliff Richard (#20).

Oil
U.S. President Ronald Reagan abolished remaining price and allocation controls on domestic oil and gasoline production and distribution. It was predicted that retail gasoline prices would rise 3-5c per gallon, and possibly 12c by the end of the summer, and that heating oil prices would climb even higher. Mr. Reagan’s administration argued that only 15% of crude oil processed by U.S. refineries had remained subject to price controls.

Hockey
NHL
Montreal 1 @ Edmonton 9

Jarri Kurri scored a hat trick and Wayne Gretzky scored 4 points as the Oilers routed the Canadiens at Northlands Coliseum. The final goal was scored by Edmonton rookie Roy Sommer, who had recently been called up from their Central Hockey League farm team, the Wichita Wind. It turned out to be Mr. Sommer’s only NHL goal, on his only shot. The game remains, if I’m not mistaken, the most lopsided win the Oilers have ever had over the Canadiens.



25 years ago
1986

Disasters
The U.S. space shuttle Challenger blew up just 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida, killing all 7 crew members. This blogger was in the shower at the time, with the radio tuned to Edmonton station CFRN. The song that was playing--which was interrupted with the announcement of the disaster--was I’m on Fire by Bruce Springsteen. The crew were: Dick Scobee, the mission commander; U.S. Navy Commander Michael Smith, pilot; Judy Resnick, engineer; Ronald McNair, physicist; U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Ellison Onizuka, engineer; Gregory Jarvis, engineer; and Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from Concord, New Hampshire, who had been selected as the winner of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s "Teacher in Space" competition. She was to give two lessons from space while her students watched on television.





20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Ai wa Katsu--(愛は勝つ)--Kan (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Raptori--Debi Gibson (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Beinhart--Torfrock

War
Canadian CF-18 fighter planes faced anti-aircraft fire over Kuwait without damage. Iraqi fighter planes fled to Iran, where they were offered sanctuary.

Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State James Baker and Soviet Foreign Minister Aleksandr Bessmertnykh announced in Washington that a summit scheduled for February in Moscow between U.S. President George Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev had been postponed indefinitely. The official explanation was that Mr. Bush needed to stay in Washington while the Gulf War was continuing. Problems with the strategic arms reduction treaty, which was to be signed in Moscow, were also cited. Unidentified sources in the White House said the postponement was also related to the Soviet invasion of Latvia and Lithuania.

10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Curt Blefary, 57. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Blefary, nicknamed "Clank" because of his poor fielding, was a left fielder, first baseman, and catcher the the Baltimore Orioles (1965-1968); Houston Astros (1969); New York Yankees (1970-1971); Oakland Athletics (1971-1972); and San Diego Padres (1972), batting .237 with 112 home runs and 382 runs batted in in 974 games. He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1965 when he hit .260 with 22 homers and 70 RBIs in 144 games. Mr. Blefary hit .255 with 23 homers and 64 RBIs in 131 games in 1966 when he helped the Orioles win the World Series, batting only .077 (1 for 13) in 4 World Series games. He drifted from job to job after his playing career ended, and heavy drinking contributed to chronic pancreatitis which eventually proved fatal. Oddly, Mr. Blefary died six days after the death of Tommie Agee, who succeeded him as AL Rookie of the Year.

Religion
Pope John Paul II named seven new cardinals, bringing the total eligible to vote (under age 80) to 135, a record.

Football
NFL
Super Bowl XXXV @ Tampa
Baltimore 34 New York Giants 7

The Ravens intercepted 4 passes by Giants’ quarterback Kerry Collins to win their first Super Bowl before a crowd of 71,921 at Raymond James Stadium (see video). The Ravens led 10-0 at halftime on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Trent Dilfer to Brandon Stokley in the first quarter, converted by Matt Stover, and Mr. Stover’s 47-yard field goal in the 2nd quarter. All the excitement came in the 3rd quarter when 3 touchdowns were scored in as many plays in a span of 36 seconds. Duane Starks returned an interception 49 yards for a Baltimore touchdown, and Mr. Stover converted to extend the Ravens’ lead to 17-0. Ron Dixon returned Mr. Stover’s kickoff 97 yards for the Giants’ only touchdown, converted by Brad Daluiso, to make the score 17-7. Jermaine Lewis then returned Mr. Daluiso’s kickoff 84 yards for a Baltimore touchdown, and Mr. Stover’s convert gave the Ravens a 24-7 lead. Jamal Lewis, who led all rushers with 102 yards on 27 carries, ran 3 yards for a touchdown in the 4th quarter, converted by Mr. Stover, to make the score 31-7. Mr. Stover finished the scoring with a 34-yard field goal. Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis was voted the game’s most valuable player. The Ravens’ defense was so dominant that the Giants were held to 11 first downs and 152 yards net offense. The Ravens weren’t much better, managing just 13 first downs and 244 yards net offense. Mr. Stokley led all receivers with 52 yards on 3 receptions. Mr. Dilfer completed just 12 of 25 passes for 153 yards, while Mr. Collins was just 15 for 39 for 112 yards. One might wonder why New York head coach Bill Parcells didn't change quarterbacks at some point.