Wednesday 27 April 2011

April 27, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Rod Crossley!

1,300 years ago
711


War
Moorish troops led by Tariq ibn Ziyad landed at Gibraltar to begin their invasion of the Iberian Peninsula (Al-Andalus).

490 years ago
1521

Died on this date
Ferdinand Magellan, 40-41(?)
. Portuguese explorer. Mr. Magellan reached the Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia travelling east (1505-1511/1512). King Manuel I of Portugal refused to support his plan to reach India by a new route, but King Carlos I of Spain hired Mr. Magellan to search for a westward route to the Maluku (Spice) Islands. He led an expedition to accomplish the first circumnavigation of the Earth, leaving Seville in August 1519. Mr. Magellan and his party arrived in the Philippines on March 16, 1521, and he converted as many as 2,200 locals to Christianity. Lapulapu, the Datu (leader) of Mactan, resisted conversion, and Mr. Magellan sailed to the island. In the resulting battle, he was hit by a bamboo spear and finished off by other weapons. Juan Sebastián Elcano completed the circumnavigation after Mr. Magellan's death.

War
The forces of Lapulapu defeated a Spanish force fighting for Rajah Humabon of Cebu under the command of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan, resulting in the death of Mr. Magellan and the departure of the Spanish crew from the archipelago.

220 years ago
1791


Born on this date
Samuel Morse
. U.S. artist and inventor. Mr. Morse was a portrait painter before he became famous for inventing the most widely-used version of the telegraph, and co-inventing the Morse code method of telegraphy. He died on April 2, 1872, 25 days before his 81st birthday.

170 years ago
1841


Politics and government
Sir William McBean George Colebrooke is appointed Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, having previously been Lieutenant-Governor of the Leeward Islands and Antigua.

150 years ago
1861


Abominations
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus.

120 years ago
1891


Born on this date
Sergei Prokoviev
. Russian composer. Mr. Prokofiev, who had to put up with interference and restrictions imposed by Mr. Stalin's regime, wrote seven symphonies, five piano concertos, nine piano sonatas, and other compositions such as Peter and the Wolf and the score for the movie Alexander Nevsky (1938). He died on March 5, 1953 at the age of 61.

Politics and government
Frederick Peters was sworn in as Premier of Prince Edward Island, replacing Neil McLeod.

100 years ago
1911


Born on this date
Bruno Beger
. German anthropologist and ethnologist. Mr. Beger worked for the SS think tank Ahnenerbe, participating in Ernst Schäfer's 1938–39 journey to Tibet, helping the Race and Settlement Office of the SS identify Jews, and later helping select human subjects to be killed to create an anatomical study collection of Jewish skeletons during World War II. In February 1948 he was exonerated by a denazification panel unaware of the skeletons, but after a decade-long investigation, was convicted in 1971 and served three years' probation for being an accomplice in the murder of 86 Jews. Mr. Beger died on October 12, 2009 at the age of 98.

Politics and government
Following the resignation of Senator William P. Frye (Republican--Maine), a compromise was reached to rotate the office of President pro tempore of the United States Senate.

80 years ago
1931


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

75 years ago
1936


Labour
The United Auto Workers (UAW) gained its autonomy from the American Federation of Labor.

70 years ago
1941


War
German troops entered Athens at 9:25 A.M. and hoisted the Nazi flag over the Acropolis; the last British Imperial forces defending the city had withdrawn from the Peloponnesus or evacuated to Egypt or Crete. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, in a broadcast from London, hailed the extension of the U.S. neutrality patrol, declaring that now the "eventual defeat of Hitler and Mussolini is certain." He admitted the seriousness of the Allied defeat in Greece, and predicted a German attack on Russia or another country. U.S. Senator Burton K. Wheeler (Democrat--Montana), adressing 9,000 people at an America First Committee rallly in Chicago, charged that U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was preparing the nation for a declaration of war.

Defense
Former U.S. Ambassador to France William C. Bullitt told a United China Relief rally that the United States should aid China and the United Kingdom even at the cost of war.

Radio
General Electric Company announced that 1941-42 radio models would be virtually frozen and that the company's resources for research and development would be turned over to defense production.

Politics and government
The Communist Party of Slovenia, the Slovene Christian Socialists, the left-wing Slovene Sokols (also known as "National Democrats") and a group of progressive intellectuals established the Liberation Front of the Slovene Nation.

Baseball
Stockholders of the Boston Bees agreed to change the team's name back to Braves, the name it had had prior to 1936.

60 years ago
1951


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

Tonight's program included news on the Communist offensive in Korea.

Defense
The U.S.A. and Denmark announced a new 20-year agreement on the defense of Greenland, leaving Denmark in control of Greenland's naval and air bases but permitting the United States and other Atlantic pact countries to use them. The U.S. could also station troops in Greenland and administer some vital districts jointly with the Danes.

Politics and governnment
Hussein Ala resigned as Prime Minister of Iran on the grounds that he lacked support n his efforts to promote a compromise between Iranians backing oil nationalization and British demands for protection.

Archaeology
University of Pennsylvania anthropologist Carleton Coon reported the discovery of evidence in Iran that true man lived as far back as 75,000 years ago.

50 years ago
1961


Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Are You Sure--The Allisons

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Wooden Heart--Elvis Presley (6th week at #1)

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

At the movies
The Guns of Navarone, directed by J. Lee Thompson, and starring Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Anthony Quinn, received its premiere screening at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip among those in attendance.



Died on this date
Frank Gibson, 70
. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Gibson was a catcher with the Detroit Tigers (1913) and Boston Braves (1921-1927), batting .274 with 8 home runs and 146 runs batted in in 471 games. He played at least 1,169 games in at least 14 seasons in the minor leagues (1911-1920, 1928-1931).

Roy Del Ruth, 67. U.S. film director, producer, and screenwriter. Mr. Del Ruth began his career as a writer for Mack Sennett's silent comedy films in 1915, and directed his first movie in 1919. His films included The Maltese Falcon (1931) and Blonde Crazy (1931). Mr. Del Ruth died of a heart attack.

Space
The U.S.A. launched Explorer 11, a satellite that orbited a special telescope for mapping gamma rays from cosmic sources, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Africana
Sierra Leone became an independent nation after more than 150 years of British colonial rule.

Journalism
U.S. President John F. Kennedy spoke about the issues of information and secrecy in government in an address to the American Newspaper Publishers Association.



Baseball
The Cincinnati Reds traded catcher Ed Bailey to the San Francisco Giants for second baseman Don Blasingame, catcher Bob Schmidt, and a player to be named later; pitcher Sherman Jones was sent to the Reds on May 13 to complete the deal. Mr. Bailey was batting .302 with no home runs and 2 runs batted in in 12 games with Cincinnati in 1961; Mr. Schmidt was hitting .167 (1 for 6) with no homers and 1 RBI in 2 games with San Francisco, while Mr. Blasingame was 0 for 1 with 2 bases on balls and no RBIs in 3 games.

Only 11,931 were in attendance at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles for the first home game of the Los Angeles Angels of the American League. The Angels lost 4-2 to the Minnesota Twins, who were led by the pitching of Camilo Pascual (2-0). Detroit Tigers’ legend Ty Cobb threw out the first ball; it was his last appearance at a ballpark.

40 years ago
1971


Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): (I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson (3rd week at #1)

Politics and government
Park Chung-hee, the Democratic Republican candidate, was re-elected to a third four-year term as President of South Korea, taking 53.2% of the vote to 45.3% for New Democratic candidate Kim Dae-jung. It was the last contested presidential election in South Korea until 1981.

Protest
More than 40 people were forcibly removed from a courtrooom in Carmarthen, Wales after they disrupted preliminary hearings of eight members of the Welsh Language Society who were facing vandalism charges.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Minnesota 1 @ Montreal 6 (Montreal led best-of-seven series 3-2)
New York 2 @ Chicago 3 (OT) (Chicago led best-of-seven series 3-2)

Jean Beliveau picked up 3 assists in the 3rd period of the Canadiens’ win over the North Stars at the Montreal Forum, giving him a record total of 94 career assists in Stanley Cup play, 3 more than Gordie Howe.

Bobby Hull scored the winning goal for the Black Hawks at 6:35 of the 1st overtime period against the Rangers at Chicago Stadium.



Baseball
Curt Flood, who had attempted a comeback after sitting out the 1970 season while challenging the legality of the reserve clause in baseball contracts, quit the Washington Senators after just 13 games (batting .200) and departed for Denmark.

Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hit his 600th career major league home run, but the Braves lost 6-5 to the San Francisco Giants when Willie Mays, another member of the 600-homer club, singled home Hal Lanier with the winning run with 2 out in the top of the 10th inning before 13,494 fans at Atlanta Stadium. Mr. Mays finished the game batting 4 for 6 with a double, run, and 2 runs batted in.

The Los Angeles Dodgers scored 4 runs in the 7th inning and 3 in the 8th as they defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-5 before 6,518 fans at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. Richie Hebner hit his first home run of the season as a pinch hitter for the Pirates in the 8th inning, and Pittsburgh left fielder Willie Stargell homered with 1 out in the 9th, setting a major league record with his 11th home run in the month of April.

Felipe Alou singled home Roy White from third base with 1 out in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the New York Yankees a 6-5 win over the Chicago White Sox before 7,009 fans at Yankee Stadium.

Pinch hitter John Stephenson scored Alex Johnson with a sacrifice fly to tie the score and Ken McMullen followed with a single to drive home Tony Conigliaro with the winning run as the California Angels scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 2-1 before 6,692 fans at Anaheim Stadium. Cleveland starting pitcher Ray Lamb allowed just 3 hits through 8.1 innings, but was relieved by Camilo Pascual (1-2) after Alex Johnson singled. Mr. Pascual gave up a double to Mr. Conigliaro and was then relieved by Steve Mingori. Ken Harrelson hit a home run for the Indians to lead off the 2nd inning; it was the only run off Andy Messersmith, who allowed 5 hits in 8 innings before being relieved by Lloyd Allen (2-0).

30 years ago
1981


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): 9 to 5 (Morning Train)--Sheena Easton

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Ruby no Yubiwa--Akira Terao (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Johnny & Mary--Robert Palmer (4th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce Music Theatre

Technology
Xerox PARC introduced the computer mouse.

Baseball
Rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela (5-0) pitched his fourth shutout of the season to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-0 win over the San Francisco Giants before 49,478 fans at Dodger Stadium. The 7-hitter lowered Mr. Valenzuela’s earned run average to 0.20. He also batted 3 for 4 with a run and a run batted in.

25 years ago
1986


Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Harlem Shuffle--Rolling Stones

#1 single in Switzerland: Adesso tu--Eros Ramazzotti

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Montreal 0 @ Hartford 1 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)
Washington 1 @ New York Rangers 2 (New York won best-of-seven series 4-2)

20 years ago
1991


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Joyride--Roxette (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Se Stiamo Insieme--Riccardo Cocciante (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): The Grease Megamix--John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Joyride--Roxette (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Joyride--Roxette (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Désenchantée--Mylène Farmer

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): The One and Only--Chesney Hawkes (5th week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.
2 Joyride--Roxette
3 One More Try--Timmy T
4 You--Ten Sharp
5 Unfinished Sympathy--Massive
6 Should I Stay or Should I Go--The Clash
7 Let There Be Love--Simple Minds
8 Mega Mix--Snap!
9 Always on the Run--Lenny Kravitz
10 Highwire--Rolling Stones

Singles entering the chart were Cowboys and Angels by George Michael (#26); How to Dance by Bingoboys featuring Princessa (#31); Wind of Change by the Scorpions (#33); Vergeet M'n Naam by Corry Konings (#34); Grease: The Dream Mix by Frankie Valli, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (#37); and Se Stiamo Insieme by Riccardo Cocciante (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Baby Baby--Amy Grant
2 Joyride--Roxette
3 You're in Love--Wilson Phillips
4 I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)--Hi-Five
5 Here We Go--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams and Zelma Davis
6 I've Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat
7 Cry for Help--Rick Astley
8 Touch Me (All Night Long)--Cathy Dennis
9 I Touch Myself--Divinyls
10 Hold You Tight--Tara Kemp

Singles entering the chart were Playground by Another Bad Creation (#66); New Jack Hustler (Nino's Theme) by Ice-T (#78); Never Gonna Let You Down by Surface (#88); I Don't Want to Lose Your Love by B Angie B (#91); Good Heart by Starship (#93); and Does Anybody Really Fall in Love Anymore? by Kane Roberts (#95). New Jack Hustler (Nino's Theme) was from the movie New Jack City (1991).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Baby Baby--Amy Grant (2nd week at #1)
2 I’ve Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat
3 Joyride--Roxette
4 Hold You Tight--Tara Kemp
5 You’re in Love--Wilson Phillips
6 Sadeness (Part 1)--Enigma
7 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart
8 Cry for Help--Rick Astley
9 Here We Go--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams and Zelma Davis
10 Touch Me (All Night Long)--Cathy Dennis

Singles entering the chart were Couple Days Off by Huey Lewis and the News (#48) and Power of Love/Love Power by Luther Vandross (#75); Does Anybody Really Fall in Love Anymore? by Kane Roberts (#88); and Backyard by Pebbles (with Salt-N-Pepa) (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 I’ve Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat
2 Joyride--Roxette
3 You’re in Love--Wilson Phillips
4 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart
5 Cry for Help--Rick Astley
6 Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You--Robert Palmer
7 Baby Baby--Amy Grant
8 Coming Out of the Dark--Gloria Estefan
9 Animal Heart--Glass Tiger
10 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.

Singles entering the chart were Couple Days Off by Huey Lewis and the News (#68); Love is a Wonderful Thing by Michael Bolton (#70); Miracle by Whitney Houston (#76); Payin’ the Cost to Be the Boss by Pat Benatar (#81); Unbelievable by EMF (#85); I Touch Myself by Divinyls (#92); and Laying Down the Law by the Law (#94).

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Boston 2 @ Montreal 3 (OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

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