March 3, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Sherry and Irishka!

180 years ago
1831

Born on this date
George Pullman. U.S. engineer and businessman. Mr. Pullman, a native of Brocton, New York, moved to Chicago in 1857. He built his first Pullman sleeping car in 1864, founded the company bearing his name, and founded Pullman, Illinois as a company town in 1880. Mr. Pullman cut wages and increased working hours during an economic downturn in 1894, leading to a violent strike. In 1898, the Supreme Court of Illinois forced the Pullman Company to divest itself of the town of Pullman, which became part of Chicago. Mr. Pullman died of a heart attack on October 19, 1897 at the age of 66.

170 years ago
1841

Born on this date
John Murray. Canadian-born U.K. oceanographer and naturalist. Sir John, a native of Coburg, Canada West, completed his education in Edinburgh, and remained in Scotland for the rest of his life. He participated in the Challenger Expedition (1872-1876) and a four-month expedition in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1910. Sir John was the first person to note the existence of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and of oceanic trenches. He was killed in a car accident on March 16, 1914, 13 days after his 73rd birthday.

150 years ago
1861

Society
Czar Alexander II of Russia signed the Emancipation Manifesto, freeing serfs.

140 years ago
1871

Born on this date
Maurice Garin. Italian-born French cyclist. Mr. Garin moved to France by his mid-teens and opened a cycle shop in Roubaix with his brothers in 1895. He won his first race in 1893, and won the first Tour de France in 1903. Mr. Garin won the 1904 Tour de France, a race that involved violence by spectators, and was suspended for two years, virtually ending his career. He ran a garage in Lens until his death, after years of dementia, on February 19, 1957, 21 days before his 86th birthday.

Canadiana The House of Commons approved British Columbia's terms to join Canada, negotiated by George-Etienne Cartier.

120 years ago
1891

Environment
Shoshone National Forest was established as the first national forest in the United States and the world.

110 years ago
1901

Died on this date
George Gilman, 74 or 75. U.S. businessman. Mr. Gilman founded The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company--better known as A&P--in 1859. He retired in 1878, and died of nephritis. Mr. Gilman left no will, leading to a battle among his heirs.

Politics and government
Winston Churchill, Conservative member of the British House of Commons for Oldham, gave a speech at at Massey Hall in Toronto, recounting his adventures in the Boer War.

100 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Jean Harlow. U.S. actress. Miss Harlow, born Harlean Harlow Carpenter, was one of the biggest stars of the 1930s, in movies such as Hell's Angels (1930); Platinum Blonde (1931); and Dinner at Eight (1933). She was most of the way through the filming of Saratoga (1937) when she collapsed on the set, and died of kidney failure nine days later, on June 7, 1937, at the age of 26.

Hugues Lapointe. Canadian politician. Mr. Lapointe, a native of Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec, was the son of federal Liberal cabinet minister Ernest Lapointe, and followed his father into politics. Hugues represented the Quebec riding of Lotbinière (1940-1957), holding three cabinet posts. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Quebec (1966-1978), and died in Sainte-Foy, Quebec on November 13, 1982 at the age of 71.

90 years ago
1921

Medicine
University of Toronto doctors Frederick Banting and Charles Best officially announced their team's discovery of insulin.

80 years ago
1931

Americana
The Star Spangled Banner was officially adopted as America’s national anthem. While the song had been in common use since the War of 1812, it had never been the official national anthem. In 1929, the newspaper cartoon feature Ripley’s Believe it or Not! had published a cartoon with the title America has no national anthem!, which received so much reaction that it inspired legislative action.

80 years ago
1941

War
Japanese troops landed along 240 miles of the Kwangtung coast in southern China.

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. rebuked Bulgaria over allowing occupation by German troops. Turkey was reported to have "nullified" its non-aggression and friendship pact with Bulgaria.

Education
The executive council of the American Federation of Teachers reported that Local 5 of the New York teachers union followed the Communist Party line.

Music
Noted German conductor Otto Klemperer was released from jail in Morristown, New Jersey after being detained overnight following a Rye, New York police broadcast charging that he was "dangerous and insane." Mr. Klemperer was known to be manic-depressive.

Labour
U.S. Undersecretary of War Robert P. Patterson, testifying before the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, urged that an agency similar to the National War Labor Board of 1918 be created to mediate labour disputes in defense industries.

60 years ago
1951

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): The Thing--Phil Harris; Les Welch

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): If--Perry Como (Best Seller--1st week at #1; Disc Jockey--1st week at #1; The Tennessee Waltz--Patti Page (Jukebox--9th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Be My Love--Mario Lanza
2 If--Perry Como
3 My Heart Cries for You--Guy Mitchell
--Dinah Shore
--Vic Damone
--Jimmy Wakely
4 You’re Just in Love--Perry Como
5 The Tennessee Waltz--Patti Page
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
--Les Paul and Mary Ford
--Jo Stafford
6 The Roving Kind--Guy Mitchell
--The Weavers
7 So Long (It’s Been Good to Know You)--Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra and the Weavers
8 A Penny a Kiss--Tony Martin and Dinah Shore
9 A Bushel and a Peck--Perry Como and Betty Hutton
--Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely
10 Harbor Lights--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
--Ray Anthony and his Orchestra
--Bing Crosby

Singles entering the chart were Mockin’ Bird Hill, with versions by Patti Page; and Les Paul and Mary Ford (#21); and Velvet Lips by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (#39).

Music
Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm recorded Rocket 88, often cited as "the first rock and roll record," at Sam Phillips' recording studios in Memphis. Jackie Brenston sang the vocal, and when the record was released on Chess Records, it was credited to Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats.



Politics and government
A nonpartisan Vietnamese cabinet with a narrow political base, headed by Prime Minister Tran Van Huu, took office in Saigon.

Horse racing
Moonrush, with Johnny Longden up, won the Santa Anita Handicap in Arcadia, California.

50 years ago
1961

On television tonight
The Twilight Zone, on CBS
Tonight’s episode: Mr. Dingle, the Strong, starring Burgess Meredith

Died on this date
Paul Wittgenstein, 73. Austrian-born musician. Mr. Wittgenstein, the older brother Ludwig Wittgenstein, was a concert pianist who lost his right arm after being wounded in the elbow while fighting in World War I. He continued to play with his left hand, and commissioned works from numerous composers, most notably Concerto for the Left Hand by Maurice Ravel (1932). Mr. Wittgenstein had the habit of altering the works commissioned for him, which often resulted in strained relations with the composers. He moved to New York in 1941, and became an American citizen in 1946.

Space
A solid-fuelled four-stage Blue Scout II, known as the "poor man’s rocket" because it could be built for $500,000, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and carried a 172-pound package of instruments to an altitude of 1,580 miles. During its 40-minute flight, data on radiation and other scientific information were radioed back to Earth; the instruments were destroyed as planned as the rocket plunged into the atmosphere. The test proved that the Blue Scout was capable of its planned role of carrying U.S. Air Force satellites and space probes.

Economics and finance
Statistics revealed that Canada had 693,000 unemployed people. Geographically, their distribution was: 84,000 in the Atlantic provinces; 249,000 in Quebec; 202,000 in Ontario; 81,000 in the Prairies; and 77,000 in British Columbia. Quebec therefore accounted for 36% of unemployed Canadians. A few seasonal factors were at the root of this economic slowdown. For example, cold weather had slowed down the construction industry and related fields. It was generally young people aged 14 to 20, 16% of whom are unemployed, who formed the largest demographic of unemployed.

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): My Sweet Lord--George Harrison (6th week at #1)

World events
The Apollo, the world's largest fishing boat, was seized, bringinging to eight the number of U.S. tuna boats seized by Ecuador since February 10, and 25 since the beginning of the year, on charges of fishing within Ecuadorian territorial waters. It was the second time the Apollo had been seized and the fine was $157,340. At the time of her seizure, the last member of the U.S. military mission had left Ecuador, having been ordered to leave in retaliation for U.S. suspensio of arms sales because of Ecuador's seizure of the tuna boats.

30 years ago
1981

Space
Astronomers at the Lick Observatory in California reported that they had discovered a galaxy estimated to be 10 billion light years away. The furthest galaxy previously detected was 8 billion light years away. The new galaxy had been observed for a total of 40 hours over a period of three years. Over the same time, three other galaxies were observed that were almost as distant from Earth.

Defense
U.S. President Ronald Reagan asserted that there was no likelihood that U.S. armed forces would be sent to El Salvador.

25 years ago
1986

Canadiana
Lisa Sawka, representing Winnipeg, was chosen Miss Teen Canada 1986 at the annual pageant in Toronto, which was televised on CTV.

Crime
The U.S. President’s Commission on Organized Crime issued its first in a series of reports, this one dealing with drug trafficking said to be "the most serious problem presented by organized crime." The government estimated that 20 million Americans used marijuana at least once per month; 500,000 used heroin; and 5-6 million used cocaine at least once per month. The commission recommended prosecution for even small amounts of drugs; required courses in schools warning against drugs; and military participation in the defense against smugglers. Its most controversial proposal was that most working Americans be tested for drug use. Some organizations denounced that as an invasion of privacy, but U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese argued that an employee would consent to drug testing as a condition of employment. Advocates of testing said that even off-duty usage of drugs would reduce an employee’s efficiency; increase absenteeism; and add to the employer’s health program costs.

The Philippines government of President Corazon Aquino initiated legal action in Hawaii to recover assets illegally taken to Hawaii by departed former President Ferdinand Marcos and his entourage when they had fled the Philippines the previous week.

Disasters
Astronaut Harry Hartsfield, commander of two U.S. space shuttle missions, said he was angry that he had not known that the seals used in connecting the segments of the rocket "had been causing trouble for some time" before the January 28 Challenger explosion that had killed all 7 aboard.

20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Unchained Melody--The Righteous Brothers (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Unchained Melody--The Righteous Brothers (5th week at #1)
2 Hello Afrika--Dr. Alban featuring Leila K.
3 Sadeness Part I--Enigma
4 Keep on Running--Milli Vanilli
5 Fantasy--Black Box
6 Kränk di net--Jazz Gitti & her Disco Killers
7 To Love Somebody--Jimmy Somerville
8 Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C & C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams
9 Don't Worry--Kim Appleby
10 A Better Love--Londonbeat

Singles entering the chart were Sucker DJ (A Witch for Love) by Dimples D (#16); 3 A.M. Eternal (Live at the S.S.L.) by the KLF (#17); Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You by Robert Palmer (#20); and Cry for Help by Rick Astley (#27).

Died on this date
Arthur Murray, 95. Austro-Hungarian-born U.S. dance instructor. Mr. Murray, born Moses Teichman, immigrated to the United States in 1897, and began teaching ballroom dancing while still a teenager. In the 1920s he began the business that eventually became the dance studio franchise that bears his name.

Music
The Juno Awards for 1990, recognizing the best in recorded music in Canada, were presented in Vancouver. The winners included: Céline Dion --Best Album and Best Female Vocalist; George Fox--Best Male Country Vocalist; Colin James--Best Single and Top Male Vocalist; Rita McNeil--Best Female Country Vocalist; Prairie Oyster--Best Country Group; Blue Rodeo--Best Group; and the Tragically Hip--Entertainer of the Year.

World events
74% of voters in Latvia and 83% in Estonia voted in favour of independence from the U.S.S.R. in non-binding plebiscites. The results were considered more significant than the February pro-independence vote in Lithuania because Estonia and Latvia had substantial minority populations--mainly ethnic Russians--who had been thought to be loyal to the Soviet central government.

War
Iraq agreed to "fulfill its obligations," while allied and Iraqi commanders met to arrange a cease-fire in the Gulf War. U.S. General Norman Schwarzkopf said that allied forces, which controlled about 20% of Iraq, would pull back upon the signing of a cease-fire.

Crime
Los Angeles resident George Holliday videotaped the last two minutes of an incident from his window that showed police beating Rodney King, a Negro who had been stopped while driving his car and forced to lie on the pavement. The tape was shown on local, national, and international television, prompting outrage from civil rights groups. No charges were filed against Mr. King, but he remained hospitalized with skull fractures, a broken leg, an injured eye, and other injuries. Another man who was with Mr. King was arrested and placed in the police car without violence, but the videotape didn't show that, nor did the tape show Mr. King resisting arrest before the police began beating him.



Disasters
United Airlines Flight 585, a Boeing 737-200 jetliner en route from Denver to Colorado Springs, crashed on approach into Colorado Springs, killing all 25 passengers and crew.

10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Louis Edmonds, 77. U.S. actor. Mr. Edmonds was best known for playing several characters in the television soap opera Dark Shadows (1966-1971) and playing Langley Wallingford/Lenny Wlasuk in the soap opera All My Children (1979-1992). He died of respiratory failure.

Weather
It was so nice in Edmonton that this blogger wore shorts outside.

Politics and government
Bernard Landry was formally named leader of the Parti Québecois, succeeding Lucien Bouchard, who had resigned. Mr. Landy succeeded Mr. Bouchard as Premier of Québec on March 8.

Health
Two farms in France and Belgium were quarantined because it was feared that they harboured foot-and-mouth disease.

Disasters
At least 70 people perished when a bridge over the Doura River in Portugal collapsed, sending a tour bus and three cars into the water. Portuguese Minister of Public Works Jorge Coelho resigned after the disaster.