May 16, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Polly Pratt!

140 years ago
1871

Baseball
The Troy Haymakers defeated the Boston Red Stockings 29-14 in the first professional game played in Boston.

120 years ago
1891

Died on this date
Ion C. Brătianu, 69. Prime Minister of Romania, 1876-1881; 1881-1888. Mr. Brătianu founded the National Liberal Party (PNL) in 1875; as Prime Minister, he steered the country away from Ottoman Empire vassalage and toward an alliance with Russia. Mr. Brătianu's long period of leadership of his party and country eventually caused resentment, and he averted an impeachment proceeding in 1890. Mr. Brătianu remained as leader of the PNL until 12 days before his death, which occurred 17 days before his 70th birthday.

Energy
The International Electrotechnical Exhibition opened in Frankfurt, Germany. It featured the world's first long distance transmission of high-power, three-phase electric current (the most common form today).

80 years ago
1931

Horse racing
Twenty Grand, with Charley Kurtzinger up, won the 57th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville in a then-record time of 2:01 4/5, 4 lengths ahead of Sweep All. Mate, who had won the Preakness Stakes a week earlier, was third in the 12-horse field.





75 years ago
1936

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

70 years ago
1941

War
British forces occupied Solum and Halfaya Pass in Egypt and Musaid in Libya. Chinese sources reported that Japan had suffered a severe defeat in a 10-day battle in the province of Hupeh. The British command in Cairo announced that the Royal Air Force had attacked German aircraft at three Syrian airports on May 15. Iraq protested to Emir Abdullah of Trans-Jordan over hostilities on the frontier, where British troops were massed under the command of General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson.

Defense
U.S. Navy Secretary Frank Knox told Naval War College graduates that France had apparently fallen under the "complete subjugation" of Germany, and that "it is impossible to exaggerate the mortal danger oof our country in this moment of history." Bolivian Finance Minister Joaquin Espada announced in La Paz that Bolivia had agreed to sell her entire production of wolframite, a source of tungsten, to the United States.

Politics and government
Wisconsin Governor J.P. Hall signed a bill barring the Communist Party from state primary and election ballots.

The United States Senate approved the selection of Sen. Robert R. Reynolds (Democrat--North Carolina) as chairman of the Military Affairs Committee.

Radio
The National Association of Broadcasters directors demanded the removal of James L. Fly as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

Labour
The U.S. National Defense Mediation Board announced a settlement of the dispute between General Motors and Congress of Industrial Organizations United Auto Workers; GM agreed to a 10¢-per hour wage increase. Ford Motor Company announced a 5-15¢-per hour increase for 53,000 workers at the company's plant in River Rouge, Michigan.

Hockey
NHL
National Hockey League governors elected Frank Calder as the league's president for the 25th consecutive season.

50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Are You Sure--The Allisons (3rd week at #1)

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, hosted by John Newland, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Blood Flower, starring Larry Gates, Eugene Iglesias, and Penny Stanton



Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Gloating Place, starring Susan Harrison, Henry Brandt, Erin O'Brien-Moore, and King Calder

Thriller, hosted by Boris Karloff, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Terror in Teakwood, starring Guy Rolfe, Hazel Court, and Charles Aidman



Died on this date
George A. Malcolm, 79. Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, 1917-1936. Mr. Malcolm, a native of Michigan, obtained his law degree from the University of Michigan before working as a civil servant with the American colonial government in the Philippines. Mr. Malcolm founded the University of the Philippines' College of Law and served as its first dean from 1911 until accepting the appointmen to the Supreme Court. He wrote 3,340 opinions before being forced to resign as a result of a new constitution that restricted the Court to Filipinos. Mr. Malcolm was appointed Attorney General of Puerto Rico in 1939, but was fired in 1942 as a result of clashes with Governor Rexford Tugwell. Mr. Malcolm returned to the United States, and died in Los Angeles.

World events
Units of the South Korean armed forces led by General Park Chung-hee revolted and overthrew the government of Premier John F. Chang, turning control to a military junta headed by Lieutenant General Chang Do Young, Army Chief of Staff. U.S. Charges d'Affaires General Carter Magruder expressed strong support for the government of Mr. Chang, but U.S. forces were ordered not to intervene. Gen. Chang said the coup was intended to wipe out political corruption and incompetence and improve the economy, and said that the military junta would relinquish power once its objectives had been achieved.

Diplomacy
A 14-nation conference on the future of Laos opened in Geneva.

U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Mrs. Kennedy arrived in Ottawa for a two-day state visit, his first since becomig president in January. The Kennedys were welcomed at the Ottawa airport by Canadian Governor General Georges Vanier and Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. 50,000 people lined the streets of downtown Ottawa to welcome the visitors. Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Diefenbaker participated in a tree-planting ceremony on the grounds of Government House, but Mr. Kennedy aggravated an old back injury while shovelling.







Boxing
Cleveland Williams (50-4) scored a technical knockout over Alex Miteff (23-9-1) at 1:32 of the 5th round of a heavyweight bout at Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston.

40 years ago
1971

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Chicago 3 @ Montreal 4 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

Frank Mahovlich of the Canadiens was stopped by Chicago goalie Tony Esposito on a penalty shot, but Mr. Mahovlich later scored the tying goal--his 14th of the playoffs, breaking Phil Esposito’s single-season record from the previous year--and his brother Pete scored the winning goal. Jean Beliveau picked up 2 assists for the Canadiens, giving him a single-season playoff record of 16.



30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Sarà perché ti amo--Ricchi e Poveri (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Making Your Mind Up--Bucks Fizz

#1 single in Ireland: Stars on 45--Starsound (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Stand and Deliver--Adam and the Ants

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Stand and Deliver--Adam and the Ants (2nd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Making Your Mind Up--Bucks Fizz
2 Can You Feel It--The Jacksons
3 Angel of Mine--Frank Duval & Orchestra
4 Chanson D'Amour--BZN
5 How 'bout Us--Champaign
6 De Verzonken Stad--Frank & Mirella
7 Dance On--Doris D and the Pins
8 This Ole House--Shakin' Stevens
9 Without Your Love--Roger Daltrey
10 't is Moeilijk Bescheiden te Blijven--Peter Blanker

Singles entering the chart were Stray Cat Strut by the Stray Cats (#29); He's Just a Runaway by Siser Sledge (#31); African Baby by G.G. Anderson (#34); and Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes (#37).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
2 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
3 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
4 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
5 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
6 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
7 Living Inside Myself--Gino Vannelli
8 Sukiyaki--A Taste of Honey
9 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
10 Too Much Time on My Hands--Styx

Singles entering the chart were The One that You Love by Air Supply (#59); Elvira by the Oak Ridge Boys (#78); Stronger than Before by Carole Bayer Sager (#83); The Stroke by Billy Squier (#84); Double Dutch Bus by Frankie Smith (#86); What Cha' Gonna Do for Me by Chaka Khan (#87); Two Hearts by Stephanie Mills featuring Teddy Pendergrass (#88); Jones vs. Jones by Kool & The Gang (#89); and Rain in May by Max Werner (#90).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton (5th week at #1)
2 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
3 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
4 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
5 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
6 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
7 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
8 Watching the Wheels--John Lennon
9 Sukiyaki--A Taste of Honey
10 Living Inside Myself--Gino Vannelli

Singles entering the chart were The One that You Love by Air Supply (#58); Stronger than Before by Carole Bayer Sager (#80);The Stroke by Billy Squier (#83); Theme from "Greatest American Hero" (Believe it or Not) by Joey Scarbury (#84); Arc of a Diver by Steve Winwood (#85); Lovin' the Night Away by the Dillman Band (#87); What Cha' Gonna Do for Me by Chaka Khan (#88); Rain in May by Max Werner (#89); and Almost Saturday Night by Dave Edmunds (#90).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
2 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
3 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
4 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
5 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
6 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
7 Too Much Time on My Hands--Styx
8 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
9 Sukiyaki--A Taste of Honey
10 Watching the Wheels--John Lennon

Singles entering the chart were The One that You Love by Air Supply (#54); Modern Girl by Sheena Easton (#72); Theme from "Greatest American Hero" (Believe it or Not) by Joey Scarbury (#82); You're So Easy to Love by Tommy James (#83); Stronger than Before by Carole Bayer Sager (#85); Yearning by the Gap Band (#88); Double Dutch Bus by Frankie Smith (#94); Elvira by the Oak Ridge Boys (#96); and Give it to Me Baby by Rick James (#98).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
2 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
3 While You See a Chance--Steve Winwood
4 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
5 You Better You Bet--The Who
6 Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce
7 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
8 I Missed Again--Phil Collins
9 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
10 Watching the Wheels--John Lennon

Singles entering the chart were Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield (#42); I Love You by Climax Blues Band (#44); and Since I Don’t Have You by Don McLean (#50).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
2 I Missed Again--Phil Collins
3 Watching the Wheels--John Lennon
4 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
5 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
6 Too Much Time on My Hands--Styx
7 You Better You Bet--The Who
8 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
9 Her Town Too--James Taylor and J.D. Souther
10 Sweetheart--Franke & the Knockouts

Singles entering the chart were Nobody Wins by Elton John (#24); The Waiting by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (#25); and You Make My Dreams by Daryl Hall & John Oates (#29).

Died on this date
Ernie Freeman, 58. U.S. musician. Mr. Freeman was a pianist, organist, bandleader, and arranger in several musical genres in a career spanning more than 40 years. He achieved several hit singles on the pop and rhythm and blues charts as a bandleader from the mid-1950s through the early '60s, most notably Raunchy, which reached #1 on the Billboard R&B chart and #4 on the Top 100 pop chart in 1957. Mr. Freeman won Grammy Awards for his string arrangements for Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra (1966) and Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel (1970). Mr. Freeman was reportedly a heavy drinker, and died of a heart attack.

25 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Midnight Lady--Chris Norman (3rd week at #1)

Society
The Seville Statement on Violence was adopted by an international meeting of scientists, convened by the Spanish National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Seville, Spain. The statement was designed to refute "the notion that organized human violence is biologically determined."

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Montreal 2 @ Calgary 5 (Calgary led best-of-seven series 1-0)

The Flames’ win over the Canadiens at Olympic Saddledome came in their first finals game in their 14-year history.



20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in his Kiss)--Cher (3rd week at #1)

Diplomacy
Queen Elizabeth II became the first British and Canadian monarch to address the United States Congress.

Baseball
Dave Cochrane‚ Chuck Jackson‚ and Alonzo Powell each hit a grand slam as the Calgary Cannons routed the Tacoma Tigers 22-7 in a Pacific Coast League game. The three grand slams by teammates in a single game was believed to be a professional baseball first.

10 years ago
2001

Politics and government
The Liberal Party, led by Gordon Campbell, swept to power in the British Columbia provincial election, taking 77 of 79 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The governing New Democratic Party of Premier Ujjal Dosanjh was reduced to 2 seats, and Mr. Dosanjh was defeated in his riding of Vancouver-Kensington. The NDP total was 2 short of the number required for official party status.

Protest
U.K. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott punched a man who had thrown an egg at him during a visit to Rhyl in northern Wales.