June 4, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Linda Gerritsen!

210 years ago
1801

Died on this date
Frederick Muhlenberg, 51. U.S. clergyman and politician. Rev. Muhlenberg was a Lutheran minister who was a delegate from Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress (1779-1780), and sat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1780-1783). He represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives (1789-1797), and was th first Speaker of the House (1789-1791, 1793-1795). Rev. Muhlenberg was the first signer of the Bill of Rights, and in 1789 cast the deciding vote for the nation's new capital.

150 years ago
1861

Born on this date
William Propsting. Australian politician. Mr. Propsting represented Hobart in the Tasmanian House of Assembly (1901-1905), initially serving as Leader of the Opposition and then as Premier of Tasmania (1903-1904). He was elected to the Tasmanian Legislative Council and held several cabinet posts, including Attorney General (1906-1909, 1916-1923). Mr. Propsting was President of the Legislative Council from 1926 until his death on December 3, 1937 at the age of 76.

80 years ago
1931

Died on this date
Hussein bin Ali, 77. Sharif and Emir of Mecca, 1909-1924; King of the Hejaz, 1916-1924; King of the Arabs, 1916-1925. Hussein bin Ali, a member of a dynasty of emirs of Mecca, was appointed Emir of Mecca by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, and, with the promise of British support for Arab independence, proclaimed the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. He refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles in protest against the Balfour Declaration, and refused to sign the Anglo-Hashemite Treaty, thus depriving himself of British support when his kingdom was invaded by Ibn Saud. Hussein bin Ali briefly proclaimed himself Caliph of all Muslims in October 1924, but quickly abdicated in the face of imminent defeat by Ibn Saud. He fled to Transjordan, where his son Abdullah was Emir, and lived in exile in Amman. Hussein bin Ali died a year after suffering a stroke.

75 years ago
1936

At the movies
The Rogues' Tavern, directed by Robert F. Hill, and starring Wallace Ford, Barbara Pepper, and Joan Woodbury, opened in theatres.



Baseball
The Detroit Tigers scored 10 runs in the 3rd inning and 6 more in the 5th as they beat the Philadelphia Athletics 18-9 at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Mickey Cochrane hit an inside-the-park grand slam for the Tigers in the 3rd. Eldon Auker went the distance on the mound for the Tigers despite giving up 6 runs in the 9th. Philadelphia made 6 errors and Detroit 4. Emil Mailho came to bat as a pinch hitter for the Athletics to lead off the bottom of the 9th, drew a base on balls, and scored; it was his 21st and last major league game.

Zeke Bonura batted 3 for 4 with a double, 4 runs, and 3 runs batted to help the Chicago White Sox rout the New York Yankees 16-3 before 7,000 fans at Yankee Stadium. John Whitehead pitched a 4-hit complete game victory, while New York starting pitcher Monte Pearson allowed 1 hit, 5 bases on balls, and 3 runs--all earned--in just 2/3 inning in taking the loss.

80 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Wilhelm II, 82. Kaiser of Germany and King of Prussia, 1888-1918. Kaiser Wilhelm II was the eldest grandchild of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, and was related to many other European monarchs. He succeeded his father Friedrich III on the throne on June 15, 1988; Friedrich III had succeeded his father Wilhelm I just 99 days earlier, but Friedrich was already dying of throat cancer. Wilhelm II dismissed Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in 1890 and launched Germany on an aggressive foreign policy, contributing to the beginning of World War I. The Kaiser eventually lost the support of his military and was forced to abdicate on November 9, 1918, two days before the armistice was signed to end the fighting. The former Kaiser Wilhelm II lived the remainder of his life in exile in Doorn, Netherlands.

War
Axis planes staged a night raid on Alexandria, Egypt, killing 147 people and injuring 92. Japanese Imperial Headquarters in Tokyo announced that a great battle was underway in the Chungtiao (Shansi) area of China. The Vichy French government issued a statement denying that the nazis would get the use of bases in Syria or that they had any troops there. Airborne British troops occupied Mosul, and employees of the Iraqi Petroleum Company resumed their work in the area.

Defense
U.S. State Department official Thomas Burke said that a new plan for the common defense of the 21 American republics had been completed.

Politics and government
Four state leaders of the Communist Party U.S.A., including New York state chairman Israel Amter, testified before the Rapp-Coudert committee in New York that all party records of members and dues payments had been destroyed by direct order of national headquarters.

60 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Lights Out, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Martian Eyes, starring Burgess Meredith, John Baragrey, and David Lewis

This was a restaging of a story originally broadcast on October 30, 1950. The video may be that of the earlier broadcast.



Died on this date
Serge Koussevitzky, 76. Russian-born U.S. musician and conductor. Mr. Koussevitzky was a double bass virtuoso in his native Russia before moving to Berlin, where he began his professional debut as a conductor in 1908. He returned to Russia as performer and conductor, but left again in 1920 for Berlin and Paris. Mr. Koussevitzky moved to the United States in 1924, and conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra (1924-1949), building it into a major orchestra, with numerous recordings and educational programs.

Married on this date
U.S. actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh were married in Greenwich, Connecticut.

War
U.S. Republican Party foreign affairs adviser John Foster Dulles began a 10-day round of conferences in Paris and London aimed at resolving Western differences over the terms of a Japanese peace treaty.

Politics and government
76.5% of voters in a referendum in Puerto Rico approved Public Law 81-600, granting the commonwealth improved self-government.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the 1949 convictions of 11 Communist Party U.S.A. leaders under the 1940 Smith Act.

50 years ago
1961

Diplomacy
U.S. President John F. Kennedy and U.S.S.R. leader Nikita Khrushchev concluded a two-day summit in Vienna. While no substantive agreement was reached on such issues as nuclear tests, disarmament, or Germany, the leaders reaffirmed their support for a neutral and independent Laos, and "agreed to maintain contact on all questions of interest to the two countries and for the whole world."





Boxing
Jose Torres (20-0-1) knocked out Mel Collins (20-18-1) at 30 seconds of the 7th round of a light heavyweight bout at Boston Arena.

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): I Am...I Said--Neil Diamond (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Butterfly--Danyel Gérard (3rd week at #1)

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 If Not for You--Olivia Newton-John
2 Put Your Hand in the Hand--Alan Garrity
3 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night
4 Vicki--Lance James
5 Have You Ever Seen the Rain--Creedence Clearwater Revival
6 Understanding--Peanutbutter Conspiracy
7 Amazing Grace--Judy Collins
8 The Seagull's Name was Nelson--Des & Dawn
9 What is Life--George Harrison
10 Another Day--Paul McCartney

Singles entering the chart were Shilo by Neil Diamond (#18); Boom Sha La La Lo by John Edmond (#19); and Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones (#20).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders (2nd week at #1)
2 Brown Sugar--The Rolling Stones
3 It Don't Come Easy--Ringo Starr
4 Sweet and Innocent--Donny Osmond
5 Superstar--Murray Head with the Trinidad Singers
6 Never Ending Song of Love--Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
7 The Drum--Bobby Sherman
8 It's Too Late--Carole King
9 Here Comes the Sun--Richie Havens
10 Me and You and a Dog Named Boo--Lobo

Singles entering the chart were Deep Enough for Me by Ocean (#25); Don't Pull Your Love by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds (#28); and Different Drummer by Uproar (#30).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKVN)
1 It Don't Come Easy--Ringo Starr
2 Hot Love--T. Rex
3 Brown Sugar--The Rolling Stones
4 Love Her Madly--The Doors
5 Never Ending Song of Love--Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
6 It's Too Late/I Feel the Earth Move--Carole King
7 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders
8 Done Too Soon--Neil Diamond
9 Toast and Marmalade for Tea--Tin Tin
10 When You're Hot, You're Hot--Jerry Reed

Singles entering the chart were Rainy Days and Mondays by the Carpenters (#24); Nathan Jones by the Supremes (#25); Double Lovin' by the Osmonds (#26); Uncle Albert/Smile Away (LP tracks) by Paul and Linda McCartney (#27); Melting Pot by Booker T. & the M.G.'s (#28); Tarkio Road by Brewer and Shipley (#29); and Light Sings by the 5th Dimension (#30).

Boxing
Jose Napoles (67-5) scored a technical knockout over Billy Backus (32-11-4) at 1:53 of the 8th round at the Forum in Inglewood, California to regain the world welterweight title that he had lost to Mr. Backus six months earlier. Mr. Backus was knocked down twice in the 8th round, and after the second knockdown, referee Dick Young ordered the ring doctor to examine the defending champion, and the fight was stopped because of a cut in the corner of Mr. Backus's left eye.



Baseball
George Foster and Tony Perez each had 4 hits and Ross Grimsley (3-1) pitched a 3-hitter for his first major league shutout as the Cincinnati Reds routed the St. Louis Cardinals 12-0 before 17,120 fans at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. Mr. Perez and Buddy Bradford each hit home runs, and they, along with Johnny Bench, each drove in 3 runs. Chris Zachary (2-3) took the loss, while Bob Chlupsa, the third of four St. Louis pitchers, allowed 3 hits and 2 runs--both earned--in 2 innings, striking out 1 batter and walking none in the 15th and last game of his 2-year major league career.

The night after Ken Holtzman pitched a no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs, Ferguson Jenkins (9-5) pitched a 3-hitter and had 2 hits of his own and a run batted in as the Cubs routed the Atlanta Braves 11-0 before 10,761 fans at Atlanta Stadium. Brothers Danny (catcher) and Hal (first base) Breeden each had a hit and a run batted in for the Cubs. Phil Niekro (3-6) started on the mound for Atlanta, but lasted just 1 inning, allowing 5 hits and 4 runs--2 earned--with a base on balls.

John Bateman doubled home Ron Fairly and Boots Day with 2 out in the top of the 9th inning to break a 1-1 tie as the Montreal Expos defeated the San Diego Padres 3-1 before 6,447 fans at San Diego Stadium. Bill Stoneman (7-3) pitched a 4-hit complete game to outduel Tom Phoebus (3-6), who allowed 8 hits in a complete game.

With 2 out and nodoy on base in the top of the 1st inning, Brooks Robinson singled and Frank Robinson followed with a home run to provide all the scoring as the Baltimore Orioles shut out the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 before 11,633 fans at County Stadium in Milwaukee. Mike Cuellar (8-1) pitched a 4-hitter to outduel Lew Krausse (2-7).

Reggie Jackson drew a bases-loaded base on balls with 1 out in the top of the 21st inning to drive home Curt Blefary and Bert Campaneris scored on a wild pitch as the Oakland Athletics broke a 3-3 tie and defeated the Washington Senators 5-3 before 6,159 fans at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington. Dick Green had 4 hits for Oakland, while Don Mincher and Toby Harrah each had 4 hits for Washington. Chuck Dobson started on the mound for Oakland and pitched 7+ shutout innings. The Athletics used 7 pitchers, the Senators 8. George Hendrick made his major league debut with the Athletics as a pinch hitter for first baseman Mike Epstein in the 11th inning, reaching first base on an error by Mr. Harrah, and being stranded at second base. Mr. Hendrick remained in the game in center field, batting 1 for 6 and making 3 putouts.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
Edmonton's Top 20 (CHED)
1 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes (2nd week at #1)
2 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
3 Watching the Wheels--John Lennon
4 I Love You--Climax Blues Band
5 You Better You Bet--The Who
6 High School Confidential--Rough Trade
7 Medley--Stars on 45
8 Babe--Jack Green
9 Too Much Time on My Hands--Styx
10 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
11 Lady of the '80s--Loverboy
12 The Waiting--Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
13 Her Town Too--James Taylor and J.D. Souther
14 I Missed Again--Phil Collins
15 What are We Doin' in Love--Dottie West (with Kenny Rogers)
16 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
17 Sweetheart--Franke and the Knockouts
18 A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)--Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio
19 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
20 Jealous Guy--Roxy Music

Labour
National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET) members at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation went on strike, disrupting programming for 3½ months.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Ottawa (1-0) 20 @ Toronto (0-1) 12

25 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): The Final Countdown--Europe (2nd week at #1)

Scandal
Jonathan Pollard, a former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst, pled guilty in Washington to espionage for selling top secret United States military intelligence to Israel.

Baseball
Barry Bonds batted 4 for 5 and hit his first major league home run off Craig McMurtry to help the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Atlanta Braves 12-3 before 14,012 fans at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

Dave Winfield hit 2 home runs and Joe Niekro allowed just 1 hit in 8 innings as the New York Yankees routed the California Angels 11-0 before 39,676 fans at Anaheim Stadium.

20 years ago
1991

Defense
U.K. Defence Secretary Tom King announced that spending on the Army would be reduced by more than 25% over the next five years.

Journalism
Diane Francis was appointed Editor of the Financial Post, replacing John Godfrey.

10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Dipendra, 29. King of Nepal, 2001. Dipendra died 23 days before his 30th birthday, and three days after going on a shooting rampage in Kathmandu and killing his father, King Birendra, his mother, Queen Aiswarya, and several other members of the royal family before turning the gun on himself. Despite the incident, he was proclaimed king on June 2. Gyanendra, brother of the late King Birendra, was proclaimed king after the death of Dipendra.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
New Jersey 4 @ Colorado 1 (New Jersey led best-of-seven series 3-2)

Alexander Mogilny's goal with 1:13 remaining in the 1st period broke a 1-1 tie and held up as the winner as the Devils defeated the Avalanche before 18,007 fans at Pepsi Center in Denver. New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur and Colorado goalie Patrick Roy each made 22 saves.