June 26, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Beth Stover!

1,790 years ago
221

Politics and government
Roman Emperor Elagabalus adopted his cousin Alexander Severus, 15, as his heir and gave him the title of Caesar.

470 years ago
1541

Died on this date
Francisco Pizarro, 62-70 (?). Spanish conquistador. Mr. Pizarro led three expeditions to Peru, the third of which was successful in toppling the Inca Empire in 1532. Mr. Pizarro claimed the land for Spain, and had Incan Emperor Atahualpa executed in 1533. Mr. Pizarro and his comrade-in-arms Diego Almagro eventually had a falling-out, and Mr. Pizarro had Mr. Almagro executed. Mr. Almagro's son sought revenge, and assassinated Mr. Pizarro.

190 years ago
1821

Born on this date
Bartolomé Mitre. 6th President of Argentina, 1862-1868. Mr. Mitre, a Liberal, opposed Buenos Aires Governor Juan Manuel de Rosas, and spent years in exile in various countries. Mr. Mitre returned to Argentina after Mr. Rosas' defeat in battle in 1852; he took office as President 10 years later, and helped to achieve national unity after years of civil war. Mr. Mitre was a historian in later years, but his writing has been criticized for being selective in the use of sources. He died on January 19, 1906 at the age of 84.

150 years ago
1861

Canadiana
Over 130 Scottish immigrants arrived at Partridge Island, New Brunswick on board the Irvine. They had left the port of Greenock on May 9, destined for the new settlement of Glassville.

125 years ago
1886

Science
Using low-temperature electrolysis, French chemist Henri Moissan isolated elemental fluorine.

Baseball
George Stovey, a lefthanded Negro pitcher, played his first game for Jersey City of the Eastern League after being purchased from the Cuban Giants, an all-Negro touring team. Mr. Stovey, considered to be the best Negro pitcher of the 19th century, posted a 16-15 record for Jersey City in 1886, with an outstanding earned run average of 1.13.

110 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Stuart Symington. U.S. politician. Mr. Symington, a Democrat, was president of Emerson Electric before entering politics. He served as the first United States Secretary of the Air Force (1947-1950), and held several other positions in the administration of President and fellow Missourian Harry Truman. Mr. Symington represented Missouri in the U.S. Senate (1953-1976), and was a member of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees. He was known for his opposition to Senator Joseph McCarthy's attempts to expose Communists in government in the 1950s. When the Kansas City Athletics moved to Oakland after the 1967 season, Sen. Symington threatened to revoke Major League Baseball's anti-trust exemption; as a result, the American League expanded in 1969 to include the Kansas City Royals. Sen. Symington unsuccessfully campaigned for the Democratic Party U.S. presidential nomination in 1960, but lost to John F. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy wanted to invite Sen. Symington to be his vice presidential running mate, but offered the position to Sen. Lyndon Johnson (Texas)--also a candidate for the presidential nomination--as a courtesy, and was surprised when Sen. Johnson accepted. Mr. Symington died on December 14, 1988 at the age of 87.

100 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Babe Didrikson Zaharias. U.S. athlete. Mildred Ella Didrikson Zaharias was probably the greatest female athlete in history. Her accomplishments included two gold medals and a silver medal in track and field at the 1932 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. She didn't take up golf until 1935, but she won 48 professional tournaments, including 10 major championships. Miss Didrikson married professional wrestler George Zaharias in 1938. She was still a top-ranked golfer when she died on September 27, 1956 at the age of 45 after a long battle with colon cancer.

Golf
John McDermott of Atlantic City became the first American-born player to win the U.S. Open when he won an 18-hole, 3-way playoff with Mike Brady of Boston and George Simpson of Scotland at Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois. Mr. McDermott shot a 4-over-par 80, Mr. Brady 82, and Mr. Simpson 85. The tournament had been won by British players for the previous 16 years.

75 years ago
1936

Aviation
The first prototype of the Focke-Wulf Fw 61, the first practical helicopter, made its first flight, with Ewald Rohlfs at the controls.

70 years ago
1941

War
Finland formally entered the Continuation War against the U.S.S.R., although fighting between the two nations had proceeded for several days. German motorized units were reported within 50 miles of Minsk. Spanish Falangists began recruiting volunteers for a legion to fight against the U.S.S.R. U.S. Interior Secretary Harold Ickes, speaking in Hartford, Connecticut, declared that it was the right moment for the United States "to strike hard and harder, fast and faster" against German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler. He denounced famed aviator and America First supporter Charles Lindbergh as a "Hitler stooge."

Defense
U.S. Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles informed U.S.S.R. Ambassador Constantine Oumansky that any Soviet request for material assistance in her defense against Germany would receive favourable consideration. The U.S. Senate Defense Investigating Committee warned of an aluminum shortage, and placed responsibility on the Office of Production Management and the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa).

Transportation
U.S. airlines said that they would have to restrict service because of President Roosevelt's request that domestic airlines surrender 24 more transport planes for British use, bringing the total to 115 of the 358 planes available.

Politics and government
A Gallup Poll reported that 76% of Americans questioned said that they approved of the policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Religion
Pope Pius XII, speaking in English from the Vatican, declared in a radio address to the Eighth National Eucharistic Congress in St. Paul, Minnesota that a current of "black paganism" was sweeping the world.

Labour
Congress of Industrial Organizations machinists voted to end their strike and return to work at shipyards in San Francisco.

Disasters
A two-hour earthquake described as one of the most violent in years struck Morocco.

60 years ago
1951

On television today
The World is Yours, hosted by Ivan Sanderson, on CBS

This daily hour-long nature program was broadcast on stations in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. It was the first series broadcast in colour, using the CBS field-sequential colour system that was incompatible with existing black and white television sets, on which no picture was visible. Only a few dozen sets existed on which the colour images could be seen.

Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Greatest Crime, starring Walter Slezak

War
U.S. Air Force Secretary Thomas Finletter, returning from a tour of Korea, reported in Washington that the Chinese Communists had now built up their air force to 1,000 planes, "primarily Russian-built" jets which could be used in Korea. U.S. Secretary of State Acheson stated before the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that U.S. objectives in Korea would be satisfied by permanent Communist withdrawal behind the 38th Parallel, leaving unification of the country to later discussions.

Politics and government
The West German government outlawed the Communist-sponsored Free German Youth movement.

Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson (Democrat) vetoed the Broyles-Young bill, which would outlaw the Communist Party in Illinois.

Labour
The Congress of Industrial Organizations Marine Engineers Association, the last union still involved in the East Coast and Gulf Coast dock workers' strike, signed a contract on the same terms as those gained by the National Maritime Union and American Radio Association.

50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Poesía En Movimiento (Poetry in Motion)--Dúo Dinámico (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Non, je ne regrette rien--Édith Piaf (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Quarter to Three--U.S. Bonds
2 Raindrops--Dee Clark
3 Moody River--Pat Boone
4 Tossin' and Turnin'--Bobby Lewis
5 Travelin' Man--Ricky Nelson
6 The Writing on the Wall--Adam Wade
7 The Boll Weevil Song--Brook Benton
8 Every Beat of My Heart--The Pips
9 Those Oldies But Goodies (Remind Me of You)--Little Caesar and the Romans
10 Stand by Me--Ben E. King

Singles entering the chart were Together by Connie Francis (#48); The Graduation Song...Pomp and Circumstance by Adrian Kimberly (#63); You'll Answer to Me by Patti Page (#67); Dream by Etta James (#72); The Switch-A-Roo by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters (#77); That's What Girls are Made For by the Spinners (#82); Quite a Party by the Fireballs (#83); Heart and Soul by Jan and Dean (#87); Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta by Ernie K-Doe (#90); Wooden Heart by Joe Dowell (#98); and Take a Fool's Advice by Nat King Cole (#100).

Boxing
Cassius Clay (7-0) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Duke Sabedong (15-12-1) in a heavyweight bout at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Put Your Hand in the Hand--Alan Garrity (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Pensieri e parole--Lucio Battisti (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): O'Brien Has No Place to Go--Brendan Shine (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep--Middle of the Road (2nd week at #1)

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Too Young to Be Married--The Hollies (2nd week at #1)
2 Hot Love--T. Rex
3 Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep--Middle of the Road
--Lally Stott
4 Eagle Rock--Daddy Cool
5 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night
6 Put Your Hand in the Hand--Allison Durbin
--Ocean
7 I Am...I Said--Neil Diamond
8 It Don't Come Easy--Ringo Starr
9 She's a Lady--Tom Jones
10 Me and Bobby McGee--Janis Joplin

Singles entering the chart were Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It) by Daddy Dewdrop (#47); Me and You and a Dog Named Boo by Lobo (#56); Acapulco Sun by Johnny Farnham (#58); and Wheat in the Field by Harry Young & Sabbath (#60).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Double Barrel--Dave & Ansil Collins (2nd week at #1)
2 Che Sará--José Feliciano
3 Put Your Hand in the Hand--Ocean
4 Rosetta--Georgie Fame & Alan Price
5 Zou Het Erg Zijn Lieve Opa--Wilma met Vader Abraham
6 My Darling Helena!--The Walkers
7 Soldiers Prayer--Oscar Harris and the Twinkle Stars
8 Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum--Middle of the Road
9 Ein Mädchen für Immer--Peter Orloff
10 Me and You and a Dog Named Boo--Lobo

Singles entering the chart were Past Present and Future by the Shangri-Las (#27); Change Partners by Stephen Stills (#29); Manuela by Jacques Herb (#33); Low Down by Chicago (#35); and Can You Get It by Ashton, Gardner, Dyke & Co. (#36). Past Present and Future had been a minor hit in North America in 1966.

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 It's Too Late/I Feel the Earth Move--Carole King (2nd week at #1)
2 Rainy Days and Mondays—Carpenters
3 Want Ads--The Honey Cone
4 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders
5 Treat Her Like a Lady—Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
6 Brown Sugar--The Rolling Stones
7 It Don't Come Easy--Ringo Starr
8 Don't Pull Your Love--Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
9 When You're Hot, You're Hot--Jerry Reed
10 Sweet and Innocent--Donny Osmond

Singles entering the chart were Moon Shadow by Cat Stevens (#70); How Can You Mend a Broken Heart by the Bee Gees (#73); He's So Fine by Jody Miller (#75); I Love You Lady Dawn by the Bells (#76); Watching the River Flow by Bob Dylan (#78); Smiling Faces Sometimes by the Undisputed Truth (#80); She Didn't Do Magic/I'm the Only One by Lobo (#81); Beginnings/Colour My World by Chicago (#83); When My Little Girl is Smiling by Steve Alaimo (#88); Deep Enough for Me by Ocean (#89); The Last Time I Saw Her by Glen Campbell (#90); Suspicious Minds by Dee Dee Warwick (#91); Mother Nature's Wine by Sugarloaf (#92); Take My Hand by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition (#93); We're All Goin' Home by Bobby Bloom (#95); Puff of Smoke by Roy Head (#96); I'm a Believer by Neil Diamond (#98); Love Me by the Rascals (#99); and The Sound of Silence by Peaches & Herb (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 It’s Too Late—Carole King
2 Rainy Days and Mondays—Carpenters
3 It Don’t Come Easy--Ringo Starr
4 Want Ads--The Honey Cone
5 Treat Her Like a Lady—Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
6 I’ll Meet You Halfway—The Partridge Family
7 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders
8 Don’t Knock My Love - Pt. I—Wilson Pickett
9 Don't Pull Your Love--Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
10 Nathan Jones--The Supremes

Singles entering the chart were Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) by Marvin Gaye (#67); Watching the River Flow by Bob Dylan (#71); Beginnings by Chicago (#74); Resurrection Shuffle by Ashton, Gardner & Dyke (#80); The Last Time I Saw Her by Glen Campbell (#82); Talking in Your Sleep by Gordon Lightfoot (#84); Resurrection Shuffle by Tom Jones (#85); Mighty Clouds of Joy by B.J. Thomas (#86); Smiling Faces Sometimes by the Undisputed Truth (#91); Suspicious Minds by Dee Dee Warwick (#92); I Need Someone (To Love Me) by Z.Z. Hill (#94); Day by Day (Every Minute of the Hour) by the Continental 4 (#95); The Language of Love by the Intrigues (#97); One-Way Ticket by Tyrone Davis (#99); and Follow Me by Mary Travers (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 It Don’t Come Easy--Ringo Starr
2 It’s Too Late—Carole King
3 Rainy Days and Mondays—Carpenters
4 I’ll Meet You Halfway—The Partridge Family
5 Want Ads--The Honey Cone
6 Treat Her Like a Lady—Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
7 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders
8 Nathan Jones--The Supremes
9 Don't Knock My Love--Wilson Pickett
10 Double Lovin'--The Osmonds

Singles entering the chart were Rainy Jane by Davy Jones (#57); Beginnings/Colour My World by Chicago (#70); I'm a Believer by Neil Diamond (#78); How Can You Mend a Broken Heart by the Bee Gees (#80); Talking in Your Sleep by Gordon Lightfoot (#83); Deep Enough for Me by Ocean (#85); Watching the River Flow by Bob Dylan (#90); Love the One You're With by the Isley Brothers (#91); In These Changing Times by the Four Tops (#92); Resurrection Shuffle by Ashton, Gardner & Dyke (#93); and Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer by Stevie Wonder (#99).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 It Don’t Come Easy--Ringo Starr (2nd week at #1)
2 Brown Sugar--Rolling Stones
3 Rainy Days and Mondays—Carpenters
4 I’ll Meet You Halfway—The Partridge Family
5 Sweet and Innocent--Donny Osmond
6 It’s Too Late—Carole King
7 Signs--Five Man Electrical Band
8 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders
9 Where Evil Grows--The Poppy Family
10 When You're Hot, You're Hot--Jerry Reed

Singles entering the chart were Change Partners by Stephen Stills (#89); There are Things by Kurt & Noah (#94); Rainy Jane by Davy Jones (#95); Make it Better by Jericho (#96); I'm the Only One by Lobo (#97); Moon Shadow by Cat Stevens (#98); Double Barrel by Dave & Ansil Collins (#99); and I'm a Believer by Neil Diamond (#100).

Calgary’s Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Brown Sugar--The Rolling Stones
2 It Don't Come Easy--Ringo Starr
3 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders
4 I'll Meet You Halfway--The Partridge Family
5 Rainy Days and Mondays—Carpenters
6 Never Ending Song of Love--Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
7 It's Too Late--Carole King
8 Sweet City Woman--Stampeders
9 The Drum—Bobby Sherman
10 When You're Hot, You're Hot--Jerry Reed
Pick hit of the week: I Love You Lady Dawn--The Bells

Baseball
Alex Johnson, the 1970 American League batting champion, was suspended by the California Angels "for failing to give his best." He had been benched 5 times and fined 29 times so far during the 1971 season.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Hubba Hubba Zoot-Zoot--Caramba (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Pour le plaisir--Herbert Léonard (5th week at #1)

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 More and More--Joe Dolan
2 In the Air Tonight--Phil Collins
3 This Ole House--Shakin' Stevens
4 Antmusic--Adam & the Ants
5 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
6 Turn Me Loose--Loverboy
7 Santa Maria--Alan Garrity
8 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon
9 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
10 Gypsy Girl--David Scobie

Singles entering the chart were Nightmare by Peach (#15); and When I'm Gone by Albert Hammond (#20).

FootballCFL
Pre-season
Toronto (1-3) 25 @ Ottawa (3-1) 35
Winnipeg (1-3) 16 @ Calgry (0-4) 14
British Columbia (3-1) 2 @ Edmonton (4-0) 26

The Eskimos took a 22-1 lead at halftime and coasted to victory over the Lions at Commonwealth Stadium.

25 years ago
1986

Adventure
Entrepreneur Richard Branson left New York aboard his powerboat Virgin Challenger II in an attempt to break the transatlantic speed record.

Football
CFL
Hamilton (0-1) 20 @ Toronto (1-0) 21
Winnipeg (0-1) 17 @ British Columbia (1-0) 28

Hank Ilesic punted for 2 singles in the 4th quarter, the second covering 67 yards with 1:15 remaining in regulation time, to give the Argonauts their win over the Tiger-Cats before 24,100 fans at Exhibition Stadium. The winning point came after Hamilton wide receiver Steve Stapler was ruled to have fumbled after catching a pass from quarterback Ken Hobart, and Toronto defensive back Marcellus Greene recovered on the Hamilton 44-yard line. Willie Pless played the first regular season game of his 14-year Hall of Fame career at linebacker for the Argonauts.

The Lions scored 10 points in the final 4 minutes 7 seconds of the game to clinch victory over the Blue Bombers before 41,704 fans at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver. B.C. receiver Merv Fernandez had a brilliant game catching passes and rushing the ball, and completed a pass to Ned Armour for an 86-yard gain to set up Roy Dewalt's 21-yard touchdown pass to Scott Lecky with 4:07 remaining in the game. Mr. Fernandez also served as the Lions' punter, substituting for injured Lui Passaglia, who missed the first game of his 11-year CFL career. Paul Osbaldiston played the first game of his 18-year CFL career, scoring 10 points on 3 converts, 2 field goals, and a single as he replaced Mr. Passaglia as B.C.'s kicker.

20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Senza una donna--Zucchero featuring Paul Young (2nd week at #1)

Society
Canadian Minister of Indian Affairs Tom Siddon started talks with native leaders on responding to long-term effects of residential schools.

Environment
Canadian Environment Minister Jean Corbeil proposed a $100-million project to protect waters from oil and chemical spills, with more aerial surveillance, ship inspections, and fines.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Winnipeg (1-0) 29 @ Toronto (0-1) 15
Calgary (1-0) 49 @ Saskatchewan (0-1) 14

10 years ago
2001

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Montreal (1-1) 18 @ Hamilton (2-0) 20
Calgary (2-0) 35 @ British Columbia (0-2) 28