May 4, 2011

540 years ago
1471

Died on this date
Edward of Westminster, 17. English royal family member. Prince Edward, the only son of King Henry VI of England and Margaret of Anjou, was invested as Prince of Wales in 1454. He was killed in the Battle of Tewkesbury.

War
In the Wars of the Roses, Yorkist forces of Edward IV defeated a Lancastrian army in the Battle of Tewkesbury.

160 years ago
1851

Born on this date
Thomas Dewing. U.S. artist. Mr. Dewing was known for his paintings of aristocratic American women at the turn of the 20th century. He died on November 5, 1938 at the age of 87.

140 years ago
1871

Baseball
The National Association, baseball’s first professional league, began play at Fort Wayne, Indiana with the home Kekiongas blanking the Cleveland Forest Citys 2-0. Bobby Mathews pitched the shutout. Deacon White of the Forest Citys doubled for the NA’s first hit.

125 years ago
1886

Born on this date
Shelton Brooks. Canadian-born U.S. musician. Mr. Brooks, a native of Amherstburg, Ontario, moved with his family to Detroit in 1901. He played piano and performed in vaudeville, but was primarily known for writing songs such as Some of These Days (1910) and Darktown Strutters' Ball (1916). Mr. Brooks died on September 6, 1975 at the age of 89; he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005.

Protest
A labour demonstration in Chicago became the Haymarket Square riot.

110 years ago
1901

Died on this date
John Jones Ross, 69. Canadian politician. Mr. Ross, a native of Quebec City, was a Conservative who represented Champlain in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada (1861-1867); Quebec Legislative Assembly (September-November 1867); and Canadian House of Commons (1867-1874). He represented Shawinigan in the Legislative Council of Quebec (1867-1901) and the Quebec riding of De la Durantaye in the Canadian Senate (1887-1901). Mr. Ross was Premier of Quebec (1884-1887) and Speaker of the Senate (1891-1896), and was Minister Without Portfolio in the federal government for two months in 1896. He died in Quebec City.

Baseball
The game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds was called with the game tied 4-4 in the 10th inning when fire destroyed the wooden grandstand at League Park in St. Louis. The 6,000 fans left in a leisurely manner.

90 years ago
1921

Politics and government
The German cabinet of Chancellor Constantin Fehrenbach, leader of the German Democratic Party (DDP), resigned, after the German People's party (DVP) withdrew its support in protest over the government's agreement to fixing Germany's reparation payments to the Allies. The Fehrenbach cabinet was replaced by one led by former Finance Minister Joseph Wirth. The United States expressed no surprise at the fall of Mr. Fehrenbach's cabinet, which took place a week before the deadline for Germany to accept or reject an Allied ultimatum on reparations.

80 years ago
1931

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

Sport
Henri Deglane of France defeated Ed "Strangler" Lewis at the Mont-Royal arena in Montreal to win the world heavyweight professional wrestling title. Mr. Lewis was disqualified by the referee for biting his opponent.

80 years ago
1941

War
The British command in Cairo claimed that the German-Italian attack on the Libyan port of Tobruk had been brought to to a "standstill." 17 military, naval, defense production, economic, and political experts released a statement in New York saying that the United Kingdom could win the European war with American aid.

Diplomacy
French Vice Premier François Darlan returned to Vichy from Paris with German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler's purported demands for political collaboration with Germany as well as industrial and economic cooperation. Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuola rejected a proposal that he visit the United States.

Archaeology
University of Arizona anthropologist Dr. Emil Haury reported that excavations in a cave on Castle Mountain in Arizona proved that the southwestern United States was inhabited by man 5,000 years before Christ.

Economics and finance
A Bolivian spokesman in La Paz said that the government would not consider a Japanese proposal to buy tungsten.

Labour
1,400 American Federation of Labor drivers and other employees went on strike against Pennsylvania Greyhound Lines.

Disasters
The worst floods ever recorded in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul left 60,000 people in Porto Alegre homeless.

60 years ago
1951

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

Tonight's program included a look at America's divorce laws.

At the movies
Roaring City, co-produced and directed by William Berke, and starring Hugh Beaumont, Edward Brophy, and Richard Travis, opened in theatres.



Diplomacy
United Nations Secretary-General Trygve Lie returned to New York from a month-long tour of Europe and the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion arrived in Washington to begin a visit to the United States, and was welcomed by U.S. President Truman.

Defense
The Canadian Department of National Defence formed the 27th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group for service in West Germany with NATO forces; it was created by volunteers from the militia who would enlist for three years in their specific units. The brigade was composed of three infantry battalions: the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion (formed on this day in Valcartier, Québec); the 1st Canadian Rifle Battalion; and the 1st Canadian Highland Battalion. The brigade was posted near Hanover.

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill to raise the maximum strength of the Marine Corps to 400,000, double its present size.

Germanica
The West German government asserted its claim to all German territory as of December 31, 1937, including East Prussia, the Oder-Neisse area, and the Soviet zone of Germany. The West German statement renounced only Austria and the Czech Sudetenland.

50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Are You Sure--The Allisons (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Blue Moon--The Marcels

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

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, John Dea!

Space
The U.S. launch of Mercury-Redstone 3 with Alan Shepard aboard was scrubbed for the second time because of bad weather at Cape Canaveral, Florida. America’s first entry into the manned space race with the U.S.S.R. was rescheduled for the following day.

Aviation
Malcolm Ross and Victor Prather attained a new altitude record for manned balloon flight ascending in the Strato-Lab V open gondola to 113,740 feet (34.67 kilometres).

Protest
The "Freedom Rides" began when U.S. civil rights activists left Washington, D.C. for New Orleans to challenge racial segregation on interstate buses and in bus terminals.

Transportation
Federal Maple, the first of two passenger-cargo ships presented to the Federation of West Indies under the Canada-West Indies Aid Program, was launched at Halifax, Nova Scotia.

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep--Middle of the Road

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): (I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson (4th week at #1)

Politics and government
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau set up 37 bilingual districts; government services were now available in both official languages.

Economics and finance
A speculative assault against the American dollar swept the European money markets and threatened the value of the dollar.

Disasters
The Leda clay landslide opened a sinkhole after a rainstorm, and the resulting slide buried part of St. Jean Vianney, Quebec, killing 31 people and destroying 40 houses, with $1 million in damage.

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

Jim Pappin scored the winning goal for the Black Hawks at 1:11 of the 2nd overtime period as they edged the Canadiens at Chicago Stadium. Montreal goalie Ken Dryden was heroic in defeat, stopping 56 of 58 shots.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): 9 to 5 (Morning Train)--Sheena Easton (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Ruby no Yubiwa--Akira Terao (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime--The Korgis

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Fade to Grey--Visage (7th week at #1)

25 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Living Doll--Cliff Richard featuring the Young Ones

#1 single in Switzerland: Ohne dich (schlaf ich heut Nacht nicht ein)--Münchener Freiheit (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Paul Richards, 77. U.S. baseball player and manager. Mr. Richards was a catcher who played for four major league teams from 1932-1935 and 1943-1946, batting .227 in 553 games; he caught all 7 games for the Detroit Tigers in their World Series win in 1945. Mr. Richards managed the Chicago White Sox from 1951-1954 and 1976; and the Baltimore Orioles from 1955-1961, with a career record of 923-901-13. His best team was the 1960 Orioles, who posted a record of 89-65 and finished second to the New York Yankees. Hoyt Wilhelm was a starting pitcher for the Orioles in the late 1950s, and his knuckleball baffled his own catchers as often as it did opposing hitters, resulting in many passed balls. Mr. Richards devised an oversized catcher’s mitt for catching the knuckleball, which resulted in fewer passed balls. He was born and died in Waxahachie, Texas.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Clarence S. Campbell Conference Finals
St. Louis 2 @ Calgary 8 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Tingles (EP)--Ratcat

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Se Stiamo Insieme--Riccardo Cocciante (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): The Grease Megamix--John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Joyride--Roxette (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Joyride--Roxette (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Désenchantée--Mylène Farmer (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in his Kiss)--Cher

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Losing My Religion--R.E.M. (2nd week at #1)
2 One More Try--Timmy T
3 You--Ten Sharp
4 Joyride--Roxette
5 Always on the Run--Lenny Kravitz
6 Mega Mix--Snap!
7 Should I Stay or Should I Go--The Clash
8 Going to the Run--Golden Earring
9 Love and Marriage--Frank Sinatra
10 Liefde is Lekker Maar Lekker is Niet Altijd Liefde--Hanny

Singles entering the chart were Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) by De la Soul (#23); Future Love Paradise by Seal (#24); Ring My Bell by Monie Love vs Adeva (#31); Geef Het Op by Clouseau (#32); Allons a Lafayette by Captain Gumbo (#34); and What About Tomorrows Children by Maggie Reilly (#36).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Baby Baby--Amy Grant (2nd week at #1)
2 Joyride--Roxette
3 I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)--Hi-Five
4 Here We Go--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams and Zelma Davis
5 Touch Me (All Night Long)--Cathy Dennis
6 I Touch Myself--Divinyls
7 Cry for Help--Rick Astley
8 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart
9 You're in Love--Wilson Phillips
10 I Don't Wanna Cry--Mariah Carey

Singles entering the chart were We Want the Funk by Gerardo (#72); Place in This World by Michael W. Smith (#84); Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless) by Crystal Waters (#94); Life Goes On by Poison (#95); and Can I Call You My Girl by PC Quest (#96).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Baby Baby--Amy Grant (3rd week at #1)
2 Joyride--Roxette
3 I’ve Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat
4 Here We Go--C + C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams and Zelma Davis
5 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart
6 You’re in Love--Wilson Phillips
7 Cry for Help--Rick Astley
8 Touch Me (All Night Long)--Cathy Dennis
9 I Touch Myself--Divinyls
10 I Don’t Wanna Cry--Mariah Carey

Singles entering the chart were We Want the Funk by Gerardo (#71); Place in This World by Michael W. Smith (#79); How Can I Ease the Pain by Lisa Fischer (#81); I'll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes) by Steelheart (#85); Why Should I Cry for You by Sting (#87); Do You Want Me by Salt-N-Pepa (#89); and Ooh La La by David Hallyday (#90).

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

Singles entering the chart were Walk My Way by Beth Nielsen Chapman (#61); Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn (#63); On the Outside by Roch Voisine (#66); Too Hot by Alanis (#74); Voices that Care by Voices that Care (#76); Part of Me, Part of You by Glenn Frey (#78); Lift Me Up by Yes (#83); Dangerous by the Doobie Brothers (#88); What Comes Naturally by Sheena Easton (#89); Wash the Rain by World on Edge (#90); and I Rhyme the World in 80 Days by Kish (#93).

Horse racing
Strike the Gold, with Chris Antley aboard, won the 117th running of the Kentucky Derby before 135,554 fans at Churchill Downs in Louisville in a time of 2:03 4/5. Best Pal placed second and Mane Minister finshed third in the 16-horse field.



Baseball
Chris James hit 3-run home runs in each of the 1st and 2nd innings and batted in 9 runs as the Cleveland Indians routed the Oakland Athletics 20-6 before 35,028 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Bonnie Lee Bakley, 44. U.S. model. Miss Bakley was an unsuccessful model who made money selling nude photos of women, including herself. She was married 10 times, with four marriages ending in divorce and five in annulment. Miss Bakley pursued celebrities, including Marlon Brando's son Christian Brando, and actor Robert Blake. Mr. Blake married her after a paternity test showed that he and not Christian Brando was the father of her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Blake went to dinner at Vitello's Restaurant in Studio City; she was shot in his car after he claimed to have gone back inside the restaurant to retrieve a gun he'd left behind. In March 2005, Mr. Blake was found not guilty of murder and of one count of hiring a former stuntman to murder Miss Bakley. A second charge of hiring the killer was dropped after the jury dealocked 11-1 in favour of acquittal. Eight months later, a civil suit brought by Miss Bakley's three eldest children resulted in Mr. Blake being found liable for her wrongful death.

Transportation
Jean Pelletier, longtime Chief of Staff for Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, was appointed the head of VIA Rail.