February 7, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Sherri Pierce and Meisy!

710 years ago
1301

Britannica
Prince Edward--the future King Edward II--was declared Prince of Wales by his father King Edward I.

140 years ago
1871

Born on this date
Wilhelm Stenhammar. Swedish composer and conductor. Mr. Stenhammar was a pianist whose compositions included two symphonies and numerous works for piano. He died on November 20, 1927 at the age of 56.

Died on this date
Henry E. Steinway, 73. German-born American businessman. Mr. Steinway, born Henirich Steinweg, was a carpenter who became a church organist and then began building musical instruments, specializing in pianos. He and five of his sons moved to New York in 1850 and founded Steinway & Sons in 1853, which remains the world's leading manufacturer of pianos. Mr. Steinway died eight days before his 74th birthday.

120 years ago
1891

Died on this date
Marie Louise Andrews, 41. U.S. writer. Mrs. Andrews, a native and resident of Indiana, wrote poems, essays, and sketches for various periodicals. She was an editor at the Indianapolis Herald in the 1880s, and was one of the founders of the Western Association of Writers, serving as its first secretary from 1886-1888.

Politics and government
Canadian Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald declared "A British subject I was born, a British subject I will die" during his final speech in the House of Commons, before entering his last federal election campaign.

90 years ago
1921

Died on this date
John J. Gardner, 75. U.S. politician. Mr. Gardner, a Republican, served two terms as Mayor of Atlantic City (1868-1872, 1874-1875); was a member of the New Jersey Senate (1878-1893); and represented New Jersey's 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1893-1913). He died of heart disease.

70 years ago
1941

War
French Army General Maxime Weygand announced that he would not allow German troops to land in Bizerte, Tunisia.

A peace conference between Thailand and French Indochina opened in Tokyo.

Defense
Chile and Peru signed a pact in Lima providing for joint defense of their Pacific coastline.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted down six amendments to the Lend-Lease bill that would preclude the U.S.S.R. from receiving any aid from the United States.

Society
Helen Keller announced her resignation as honourary national chairman of the American Rescue Ship Mission for Spanish refugees, which had been denounced as Communist-dominated.

Journalism
Brazilian President Getulio Vargas suppressed all foreign-language publications, granting them six months to change to the Portuguese language.

60 years ago
1951

On television tonight
The Storm, on WKRC
Tonight's episode: The Last Waltz

The Storm was an anthology series that aired on WKRC in Cincinnati. The station's studios, from which The Storm aired on Tuesdays at 10 P.M., were in the Cincinnati Times-Star building. The Last Waltz was one of many episodes of the series written by Cincinnati resident Rod Serling.

Abominations
The South Korean Army's 11th Division, commanded by General Choe Deok-sin, massacred 705 unarmed civilians in the counties of Sancheong and Hamyang, South Gyeongsang Province. The victims were civilians, and 85% of them were women, children and elderly people.

Crime
A U.S. federal grand jury in New York convicted former U.S. Commerce Department economist William Remington of perjury for telling a grand jury in May 1950 that he had never been a member of the Communist Party.

Economics and finance
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a three-year extension of the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act after incorporatiing four Republican-supported restrictions, including a ban on trade concessions to Soviet bloc states.

Boxing
Former world heavyweight champion Joe Louis (63-2) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Cuban heavyweight champion Omelio Agramonte (42-12) at Olympia Stadium in Detroit.

50 years ago
1961

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, hosted by John Newland, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Person Unknown, starring David J. Stewart, Rodolfo Acosta, and Jay Novello



Thriller, hosted by Boris Karloff, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Hay-Fork and Bill-Hook, starring Kenneth Haigh, Audrey Dalton, and Alan Napier



Boxing
Harold Johnson (63-8) knocked down Jesse Bowdry (29-6) 4 times before referee Cy Gottfried stopped the fight 45 seconds into the 9th round of a scheduled 15 rounds at Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Florida, giving Mr. Johnson a technical knockout and the National Boxing Association light heavyweight championship. The NBA had stripped Archie Moore of the title on October 25, 1960, presumably because he had gained weight; 29 of his last 33 fights he had fought as a heavyweight. On the undercard, Cassius Clay (4-0) knocked out Jimmy Robinson (1-3) just 1:34 into the 1st round of a heavyweight bout. Mr. Robinson was a last-minute substitute for Mr. Clay’s scheduled opponent, Willie Gulatt, who failed to appear. The fight had been scheduled for a maximum of 8 rounds.

40 years ago
1971

Abominations
A constitutional amendment was approved by male voters in Switzerland giving women for the first time the right to vote in federal elections and to hold federal office.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Anna Dai Capelli Rossi--I Ragazzi Dai Capelli Rossi (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Lola (Live)--The Kinks

#1 single in Ireland: (Just Like) Imagine--John Lennon (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): In the Air Tonight--Phil Collins

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Woman--John Lennon

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Shine Up--Doris D and the Pins
2 Lola (Live)--The Kinks
3 Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)--Tom Browne
4 Stars on 45--Stars on 45
5 If You Could Read My Mind - Special U.S. Disco-Mix--Viola Wills
6 Runaway Boys--Stray Cats
7 Celebration--Kool & The Gang
8 My Feet Won't Move--Fruitcake
9 Amoureux Solitaires/Dis Moi que Tu M'aimes--Lio
10 Een barg die hé un krul in de steert--De Aal

Singles entering the chart were While You See a Chance by Steve Winwood (#29); Ik Ben Tamboer by Corrie Van Gorp (#34); Shine On by L-T-D (#36); Get Up by Maria Verano (#37); and Gotta Have More Love by Climax Blues Band (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Celebration--Kool & The Gang
2 The Tide is High--Blondie
3 I Love a Rainy Night--Eddie Rabbitt
4 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
5 Passion--Rod Stewart
6 (Just Like) Starting Over--John Lennon
7 Every Woman in the World--Air Supply
8 Woman--John Lennon
9 It's My Turn--Diana Ross
10 Giving it Up for Your Love--Delbert McClinton

Singles entering the chart were Fade Away by Bruce Springsteen (#65); Don't Stand So Close to Me by the Police (#78); While You See a Chance by Steve Winwood (#80); Fireflies by Fleetwood Mac (#82); Just Between You and Me by April Wine (#85); Don't Stop the Music by Yarbrough & Peoples (#86); And Love Goes On by Earth, Wind & Fire (#87); Cafe Amore by Spyro Gyra (#89); and 8th Wonder by Sugarhill Gang (#98).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Tide is High--Blondie (2nd week at #1)
2 Celebration--Kool & The Gang
3 (Just Like) Starting Over--John Lennon
4 Passion--Rod Stewart
5 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
6 I Love a Rainy Night--Eddie Rabbitt
7 Love on the Rocks--Neil Diamond
8 Same Old Lang Syne--Dan Fogelberg
9 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwago
10 Hey Nineteen--Steely Dan

Singles entering the chart were Fade Away by Bruce Springsteen (#61); While You See a Chance by Steve Winwood (#69); Don't Stand So Close to Me by the Police (#71); Fireflies by Fleetwood Mac (#82); And Love Goes On by Earth, Wind & Fire (#85); Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington, Jr. (#86); Just Between You and Me by April Wine (#88); Turn Me Loose by Loverboy (#90); and Proud by the Joe Chemay Band (#96). The [uncredited] vocal on Just the Two of Us was by Bill Withers.

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 The Tide is High--Blondie (2nd week at #1)
2 (Just Like) Starting Over--John Lennon
3 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
4 Celebration--Kool & The Gang
5 I Love a Rainy Night--Eddie Rabbitt
6 Passion--Rod Stewart
7 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon
8 Every Woman in the World--Air Supply
9 Hit Me with Your Best Shot--Pat Benatar
10 Hey Nineteen--Steely Dan

Singles entering the chart were Fade Away by Bruce Springsteen (#56); Don't Stand So Close to Me by the Police (#72); While You See a Chance by Steve Winwood (#74); Fireflies by Fleetwood Mac (#84); I Don't Want to Know Your Name by Glen Campbell (#85); How 'Bout Us by Champaign (#88); and It's a Love Thing by the Whispers (#89).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 The Tide is High--Blondie
2 (Just Like) Starting Over--John Lennon
3 Wasn't That a Party--The Rovers
4 Passion--Rod Stewart
5 Hungry Heart--Bruce Springsteen
6 De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da--The Police
7 Lady--Kenny Rogers
8 Tell it Like it Is--Heart
9 Hey Nineteen--Steely Dan
10 More Than I Can Say--Leo Sayer

Singles entering the chart were Woman by John Lennon (#41); In My Room by Billy Thorpe (#42); Celebration by Kool & The Gang (#45); 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton (#46); and A Little in Love by Cliff Richard (#48).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 The Tide is High--Blondie (2nd week at #1)
2 De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da--The Police
3 Looking for Clues--Robert Palmer
4 Guilty--Barbra Streisand (Duet with Barry Gibb)
5 Hey Nineteen--Steely Dan
6 I Ain't Gonna Stand for It--Stevie Wonder
7 I Love a Rainy Night--Eddie Rabbitt
8 (Just Like) Starting Over--John Lennon
9 Teacher Teacher--Rockpile
10 Turn Me Loose--Loverboy

Singles entering the chart were Keep on Loving You by REO Speedwagon (#28); Treat Me Right by Pat Benatar (#29); and A Little in Love by Cliff Richard (#30).

Hockey
NHL
Boston 2 @ Montreal 6

25 years ago
1986

World events
Haitian dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier fled the country for exile in France aboard a U.S. transport plane. He was accompanied by his wife, children, and 20 other relatives. Haiti’s armed forces chief of staff, Lieutenant General Henri Namphy, then formed a six-man National Council of Government, five of whose members had been associated with the Duvaliers. Opponents of the old regime tracked down and killed many members of Mr. Duvalier’s personal security force, the Volunteers for National Security, better known as the Tontons Macoute ("Bogeymen"), who were known for their human rights abuses.

Presidential election day in the Philippines was marred by at least 30 violent deaths and by reports of widespread vote fraud on the part of supporters of incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos. U.S. Senator Richard Lugar (Republican--Indiana) and Representative John Murtha (Democrat--Pennsylvania) led a delegation of 20 Americans who observed the election; many were critical of the conduct of the Marcos campaign.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that the nation's unemployment rate had fallen to 6.6% in January, the lowest level since March 1980.

20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Do the Bartman--The Simpsons (3rd week at #1)

Terrorism
The provisional Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for an apparent assassination attempt on British Prime Minister John Major and senior cabinet ministers. Three mortar shells were fired at Mr. Major’s official residence at 10 Downing Street in London as he was meeting with several cabinet members. The shells, fired from a van parked 200 metres from the building, all missed their target, with two overshooting without exploding, and the third exploding about 15 metres behind the residence. Though the glass in the bulletproof windows of the Cabinet Room was broken, no one was hurt. The meeting adjourned to an underground room.

War
In a televised speech, King Hussein of Jordan backed Iraq in the Gulf War, saying that the war was directed against all Arabs and Muslims.

Politics and government
Jean-Bertrand Aristide was sworn in as Haiti’s first democratically-elected President.

10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 94. U.S. authoress and aviatrix. Mrs. Lindbergh, the daughter of politician and diplomat Dwight Morrow, met famed aviator Charles Lindbergh late in 1927, and the couple married in 1929. She flew solo for the first time that year, and in 1930 became the first American woman to earn a first-class glider pilot's license. Charles Lindbergh, Jr. was born on June 22, 1930--his mother's 24th birthday--but was kidnapped and murdered in March 1932 in one of the most infamous crimes of the 20th century. The unwelcome press attention led the Lindberghs to flee to England, whence they advocated an isolationist foreign policy for the United States. The couple returned to America n 1939, and in 1940 Mrs. Lindbergh published The Wave of the Future, a booklet in support of Fascism. Her other books included Gift from the Sea (1955), which influenced the environmental movement. Mrs. Lindbergh's diaries and letters from 1922-1944 were published in five volumes (1971-1980) to critical acclaim. She was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1979, and received various other honours. Mrs. Lindbergh suffered a series of strokes in the early 1990s, and died after another stroke.

Football
CFL
For the second straight year, Charlie Taaffe of the Montreal Alouettes was named the winner of the Annis Stukus Trophy as Coach of the Year for 2000. Mr. Taaffe, who was departing for U.S. university football, had led the Alouettes to a first-place finish in the East Division with a 12-6 record. They had defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Eastern Final before suffering a close 28-26 loss to the British Columbia Lions in the Grey Cup. Mr. Stukus was on hand for the presentation at the Westin Hotel in Edmonton.

CIS
Jerry Friesen was introduced as the new head coach of the University of Alberta Golden Bears, replacing the departed Tom Wilkinson. Mr. Friesen had been serving as an assistant coach to Brian Towriss with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies when he was offered the chance to be a head coach. Mr. Friesen was a linebacker with the Huskies in the 1970s before playing several years in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders. In 10 years under Mr. Wilkinson (1991-2000), the Golden Bears had recorded only one winning record (5-3 in 1993) and had made the playoffs just once (1993).