April 18, 2011

490 years ago
1521

Religion
The trial of Martin Luther began its second day during the assembly of the Diet of Worms. He refused to recant his teachings despite the risk of excommunication.

180 years ago
1831

Academia
The University of Alabama was founded in Tuscaloosa.

110 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Al Lewis. U.S. songwriter. Mr. Lewis was a Tin Pan Alley lyricist whose songs included You Gotta Be a Football Hero (1933) and Blueberry Hill (1940). After Fats Domino's version of Blueberry Hill became a hit in 1956, Mr. Lewis's career revived with songs such as Tears on My Pillow (1958) and I'm Ready (1959). Mr. Lewis died on April 4, 1967, two weeks before his 66th birthday.

90 years ago
1921

Society
Ontario voted for the prohibition of the manufacture, importation, and sale of liquor, to take effect July 19, 1921.

75 years ago
1936

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Louis Hector and Harry West, on MBS
Tonight’s episode: The Illustrious Client

70 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Alexandros Koryzis, 55 or 56. Prime Minister of Greece, 1941. Mr. Koryzis took office as Prime Minister on January 18, 1941 upon the death of dictator Ioannis Metaxas. Mr. Koryzis committed suicide by shooting himself as German troops were advancing toward Athens and the city was placed under martial law; he was succeeded as Prime Minister by Emmanouil Tsouderos.

War
80 German prisoners of war attempted to escape from Camp 101 (X) at Angler in northern Ontario; 28 POWs reached freedom through a 150-foot-long tunnel they dug under the camp. The United Kingdom warned Italy that if German planes bombed Athens and Cairo, the Royal Air Force would begin "systematic" bombing of Rome.

Defense
The British Royal Air Force in Singapore revealed that U.S. pursuit planes had arrived to stengthen the naval and air base's defenses. U.S. Senator Alben Barkley (Democrat--Kentucky) told the Senate that he had been authorized by Navy Secretary Frank Knox and Naval Operations Chief Admiral Harold Stark to deny categorically that the Navy was secretly engaged in convoying supply ships to the United Kingdom.

World events
The Paraguayan government stated in a communique that an attempted revolt on April 17 against President Higinio Morinigo had been suppressed.

Journalism
The Spanish Falangist Party newspaper Arriba warned Portugal that she must choose between Britain and Spain.

Economics and finance
U.S. Senator Robert Taft (Republican--Ohio) said in the Senate that U.S. Price Administrator Leon Henderson's price-fixing orders "are absolutely illegal and represent a usurpation of the authority which only Congress may exercise."

60 years ago
1951

Died on this date
Óscar Carmona, 81. President of Portugal, 1926-1951; Prime Minister of Portugal, 1926-1928. Marshal Carmona joined the Army in 1892, and served as Minister of War in the government of António Ginestal Machado from November-December 1923. He was involved in the May 28, 1926 coup that overthrew the First Republic, and seized power as President on July 9. The Second Republic "Estado Novo" was established in 1933, and Marshal Carmona continued in office until his death.

Arthur Vandenberg, 67. U.S. politician. Mr. Vandenberg, a Republican, represented Michigan in the U.S. Senate from 1928 until his death, and was known as the Republican Party's leader in the field of foreign policy. He was an isolationist before December 7, 1941, but changed his mind after the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and has been credited with changing the Republicans from isolationism to internationalism. Sen. Vandenberg served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (1947-1949), and supported President Harry Truman's Cold War policies. He unsuccessfully campaigned for the Republican U.S. presidential nomination in 1940 and 1948, and died of cancer.

Defense
U.S. President Harry Truman announced the start of negotiations among the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand for a treaty modelled on the Atlantic Pact "to make even stronger he position of the free world in the Pacific Ocean area."

U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur, speaking to 500,000 well-wishers following his arrival in San Francisco the night before, denied that he had any political ambitions.





Economics and finance
Foreign ministers of France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg signed the 50-year Schuman pact, pooling their combined $4 billion coal and steel resources. The United Kingdom maintained its refusal to join.

Labour
The U.S. National Labor Relations Board ruled that the United Auto Workers of America had violated the Taft-Hartley Act by charging discriminatory initiation fees in a newly-won union shop.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Rochester 73 @ New York 80 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

Max Zaslofsky scored 23 points for the Knickerbockers as they defeated the Royals before 4,500 fans at 69th Regiment Armory for their third straight win. Rochester's Arnie Johnson led all scorers with 27 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.

50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Romantica--Robertino (5th week at #1)

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Deathmate, starring Lee Philips, Gia Scala, Russell Collins, and Les Tremayne

Thriller, hosted by Boris Karloff, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Devil’s Ticket, starring MacDonald Carey, Joan Tetzel, and John Emery



Diplomacy
The day after the invasion at Cuba’s Bay of Pigs by Cuban exiles operating from the United States, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev sent a message to U.S. President John F. Kennedy charging that the invaders had been "trained, equipped and armed in the United States of America," and appealing to the president to "call a halt to the aggression against the Republic of Cuba." Mr. Khrushchev promised Cuba all necessary assistance in repelling the invasion, while Mr. Kennedy replied that the United States intended no military intervention in Cuba.

Boxing
World lightweight champion Joe Brown (100-22-12) retained his title with a 15-round decision over Dave Charnley (38-7-1) at Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London. The Ring magazine selected this as the Fight of the Year for 1961.

40 years ago
1971

At the movies
Summer of '42, directed by Robert Mulligan, and starring Jennifer O'Neill, Gary Grimes, Jerry Houser, and Oliver Conant, received its premiere screening in New York City.



War
U.S. jets began their 30th raid since January 1 against missile bases in North Vietnam.

Protest
Inmates of Kingston Penitentiary in Ontario concluded a four-day riot, holding six guards hostage; two convicts were murdered and 11 injured.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Quarter-Finals
Montreal 4 @ Boston 2 (Montreal won best-of-seven series 4-3)

Semi-Finals
New York 2 @ Chicago 1 (OT) (New York led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Frank Mahovlich’s second goal of the game, 14 seconds into the 3rd period, gave the Canadiens a 4-1 lead, and Montreal hung on to complete one of the biggest upsets in Stanley Cup history. The game was played on a Sunday afternoon at Boston Garden, and when the Canadiens arrived at Dorval Airport a few hours later, 5,000 fans were there to greet them.



Pete Stemkowski scored at 1:37 of the 1st overtime period to give the Rangers the win over the Black Hawks at Chicago Stadium as Ed Giacomin won the goaltending duel over Tony Esposito.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Sarà perché ti amo--Ricchi e Poveri (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce Musical Theatre (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: This Ole House--Shakin' Stevens (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Making Your Mind Up--Bucks Fizz

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Making Your Mind Up--Bucks Fizz

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Vienna--Ultravox (2nd week at #1)
2 Angel of Mine--Frank Duval & Orchestra
3 Don't Stop the Music--Yarbrough & Peoples
4 In the Air Tonight--Phil Collins
5 Without Your Love--Roger Daltrey
6 Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce Music Theatre
7 One Night Affair--Spargo
8 Mister Sandman--Emmylou Harris
9 Jealous Guy--Roxy Music
10 Can You Feel It--The Jacksons

Singles entering the chart were Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz (#20); 't is Moeilijk Bescheiden te Blijven by Peter Blanker (#23); This Ole House by Shakin' Stevens (#30); Then the Music Stopped by Pussycat (#32); Midnight Magic Maniac by New Adventures (#35); and Burn Rubber by the Gap Band (#38).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates (2nd week at #1)
2 Rapture--Blondie
3 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
4 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
5 Woman--John Lennon
6 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
7 While You See a Chance--Steve Winwood
8 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
9 The Best of Times--Styx
10 Don't Stand So Close to Me--The Police

Singles entering the chart were One Day in Your Life by Michael Jackson (#81); Time by the Alan Parsons Project (#82); Fool in Love with You by Jim Photoglo (#83); Hurry Up and Wait by the Isley Brothers (#85); Still Right Here in My Heart by Pure Prairie League (#87); I've Been Waiting for You All of My Life by Paul Anka (#88); and You Like Me Don't You by Jermaine Jackson (#93).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
2 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
3 Rapture--Blondie
4 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
5 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
6 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon
7 Woman--John Lennon
8 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
9 Don’t Stand So Close to Me--The Police
10 While You See a Chance--Steve Winwood

Singles entering the chart were Hurry Up and Wait by the Isley Brothers (#84); Still Right Here in My Heart by Pure Prairie League (#86); Time by Alan Parsons Project (#87); Say What by Jesse Winchester (#88); Is it You by Lee Ritenour (#89); One Day in Your Life by Michael Jackson (#90); and Let Me Stay with You Tonight by Point Blank (#99).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
2 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
3 Rapture--Blondie
4 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
5 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
6 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
7 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon
8 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
9 While You See a Chance--Steve Winwood
10 Woman--John Lennon

Singles entering the chart were Winning by Santana (#78); One Day in Your Life by Michael Jackson (#84); Time by the Alan Parsons Project (#87); Hurry Up and Wait by the Isley Brothers (#88); and Lately by Stevie Wonder (#89).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
2 Celebration--Kool & the Gang
3 Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce
4 A Little in Love--Cliff Richard
5 While You See a Chance--Steve Winwood
6 Wasn’t That a Party--The Rovers
7 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
8 Crying--Don McLean
9 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
10 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton

Don Percy, the morning man at CKY in Winnipeg, regularly played Shaddap You Face long before it became a hit, and was given an award for promoting the song after it finally did catch on across Canada and the United States.

Singles entering the chart were Being with You by Smokey Robinson (#47); Sweetheart by Franke & the Knockouts (#48); and Thinking of You by Harlequin (#50).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
2 You Better You Bet--The Who
3 While You See a Chance--Steve Winwood
4 Somebody's Knockin'--Terri Gibbs
5 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
6 Time Out of Mind--Steely Dan
7 I Can't Stand It--Eric Clapton and his Band
8 Ain't Even Done with the Night--John Cougar
9 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
10 High School Confidential--Rough Trade

Singles entering the chart were Give a Little Bit More by Cliff Richard (#23); Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes (#25); and Sweetheart by Franke and the Knockouts (#27).

Baseball
Tom Seaver (1-1) of the Cincinnati Reds struck out Keith Hernandez in the 4th inning of a 10-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals before 22,529 fans at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, becoming the fifth pitcher in major league history to record at least 3,000 career strikeouts. Bob Shirley (1-0) was the winning pitcher; Joe Edelen, th third and last St. Louis pitcher, allowed 1 hit and no runs in 2.2 innings, striking out 2 batters and walking none, striking out in his only plate appearance in his first major league game.

In an International League game in Pawtucket, the Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings completed 32 innings before suspending play after 8 hours and 7 minutes at 4:07 A.M. on April 19 with the score tied 2-2. The game was already the longest in professional baseball history, and was resumed on June 23, when the Red Sox scored a run in the bottom of the 33rd to win 3-2. Hall of Fame members Wade Boggs (Pawtucket) and Cal Ripken, Jr. (Rochester) played in the game.

Luis Tiant (1-1) pitched a no-hitter, walking 2 batters and striking out 10 for the Portland Beavers as they shut out the Spokane Indians 2-0 in a Pacific Coast League game in Spokane. Mr. Tiant had played his first game for Portland four days earlier, giving up 9 runs and being knocked out of the game in the 2nd inning of a 12-5 loss to the Edmonton Trappers.

25 years ago
1986

Society
South African President P.W. Botha announced that pass laws limiting the movement of blacks within the country would no longer be enforced, and that blacks convicted under the laws or awaiting trial on such charges would be released.

Space
A U.S. Titan 34-D rocket carrying secret military payload--believed to be a spy satellite--blew up five minutes after lifting off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board reduced from 7% to 6.5% the interest rate charged to member financial institutions, leaving the discount rate at its lowest level since 1978.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup Playoffs
Division Finals
Toronto 1 @ St. Louis 6 (St. Louis led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Calgary 4 @ Edmonton 1 (Calgary led best-of-seven series 1-0)

20 years ago
1991

Economics and finance
The U.S. Commerce Department reported that the merchandise trade deficit stood at $5.33 billion in February, its lowest level in eight years.

Labour
The one-day-old strike of 235,000 U.S. railroad workers ended after President George Bush signed legislation providing for a three-member panel appointed by the president that would have 65 days to resolve the dispute.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup Playoffs
Division Finals
Edmonton 3 @ Los Angeles 4 (OT) (Los Angeles led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Minnesota 2 @ St. Louis 1 (Minnesota led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Baseball
Frank Tanana (1-1) pitched a 7-hitter as the Detroit Tigers routed the Chicago White Sox 16-0 before 42,191 fans in the first game at the new Comiskey Park in Chicago. The Tigers scored all their runs in the 3rd and 4th innings--6 in the 3rd and 10 in the 4th. Rob Deer hit 2 home runs for Detroit, and Cecil Fielder hit another, with each driving in 4 runs.





10 years ago
2001

Economics and finance
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board reduced key short-term interest rates, giving an immediate boost to stock values.