June 8, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Natalija!

820 years ago
1191

War
King Richard I of England arrived in Acre in Palestine, thus beginning his crusade.

340 years ago
1671

Born on this date
Tomaso Albinoni. Italian composer. Mr. Albinoni was best known in his own time as a composer of operas, but is known today for his instrumental music, especially his concertos. The most famous piece attributed to him, Adagio in G Minor, is widely believed today to have been composed by Remo Giazotto, a 20th century musicologist and biographer of Mr. Albinoni. Mr. Albinoni died on January 17, 1751 at the age of 79.

180 years ago
1831

Died on this date
Sarah Siddons, 75. U.K. actress. Mrs. Siddons, a native of Wales, was the most famous tragedienne of the 18th century, best known for playing Hamlet and Lady Macbeth in a career spanning more than 35 years.

150 years ago
1861

Americana
Tennesseeans voted in favour of secession from the Union by a margin of 102,172 to 47,238, becoming the 11th and last state to do so.

130 years ago
1881

Canadiana
The 1881 federal census reported the population as 4,324,810.

Disasters
A large fire destroyed a part of the quartier Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Québec City, burning 648 houses and making 1,500 families homeless.

100 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Edmundo Rivero. Argentine musician. Mr. Rivero was a tango singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose career spanned 50 years and whose popularity extended to Japan. He died on January 18, 1986 at the age of 74.

80 years ago
1931

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: The Missing Three-Quarter

70 years ago
1941

War
The Allies commenced the Syria–Lebanon Campaign against the possessions of Vichy France in the Levant as about 20,000 Australian, Indian, and Free French troops commanded by General Sir Henry Maitland invaded Syria in three columns.

Disasters
Eight people, including five asleep in a farmhouse, were killed by a tornado north of Wichita, Kansas.

60 years ago
1951

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

Tonight's program included news about the Korean War. This may have been the last episode of the series, as in November it switched to television to become the weekly program See it Now.

Died on this date
Eugène Fiset, 77. Canadian physician, military officer, and politician. Dr. Major-General Sir Eugène, a native of Rimouski, Quebec, was a surgeon in the Boer War and World War I. He retired from medicine in 1923 to go into politics; a Liberal, he represented Rimouski in the Canadian House of Commons (1924-1939), and was Deputy Minister of Militia and Defence. Dr. Major-General Sir Eugène served as Lieutenant Governor of Quebec (1939-1950), and died in Saint-Patrice-de-la-Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec.

World events
French President Vincent Auriol commuted the Île d'Yeu exile of former chief of state Marshal Philippe Pétain, 95, to permit permanent confinement in a mainland hospital; however, Marshal Pétain was too ill to be moved to Paris. The announcement of the commutation wasn't made until after the June 17 general election.

International Telephone & Telegraph Vice President Robert Vogeler, who had been released from prison in Hungary on April 28 after 17 months, repudiated his confession of espionage as "rubbish," saying that he had been tortured into admitting that "all the normal ups and downs of running an industry" comprised sabotage.

Academia
The California Senate Committee on Un-American Activities charged in a 291-page report that the state's colleges, especially Stanford University and the University of California, were fertile fields for Communist activities.

Labour
U.S. Labor Secretary Maurice Tobin ordered the removal of any Mexican contract workers found employed as strikebreakers on farms of California's Imperial Valley.

Disasters A train accident in Nova Igauacu, Brazil caused 54 deaths in the country's worst rail disaster.

Three pilots were killed in the largest peacetime mass plane accident on record when eight F-84 Thunderjets crashed near Richmond, Indiana after flying into an electrical storm.

Horse racing
Counterpoint, with D. Gorman aboard, won the 83rd running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, New York in a time of 2:29. First prize money was $82,000. Battlefield placed second.

Baseball
The Cleveland Indians, behind the 7-hit pitching of Bob Feller (8-1), defeated the Boston Red Sox 7-1 before 34,880 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland and ended the 27-game hitting streak of Boston center fielder Dom DiMaggio. The Indians scored 5 unearned runs in the 2nd inning off Boston starter Mickey McDermott (3-3).

The Detroit Tigers scored a run in the 2nd inning and 8 in the 3rd as they coasted to a 9-2 win over the Philadelphia Athletics before 2,623 fans at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. Dizzy Trout (3-6) pitched a 9-hit complete game victory and batted 2 for 4 with a double, run, and 2 runs batted in.

Joe Presko (6-2) pitched a 6-hitter to outduel Max Surkont (5-4) as the St. Louis Cardinals edged the Boston Braves 2-1 before 10,697 fans at Braves Field. Mr. Presko lost his shutout when former Cardinal Walker Cooper hit a home run with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th inning. Sid Gordon then flied out to left field to end the game.

50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Calcutta--Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Surrender--Elvis Presley (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
The Untouchables, starring Robert Stack, on ABC
Tonight's episode: 90-Proof Dame

This was the last episode of the season.

Space
The U.S.A. launched Discoverer 24, an area survey optical reconnaissance satellite, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, but the Thor DM-21 Agena-B rocket carrying the satellite suffered an electrical failure during ascent that affected its guidance system, and the satellite failed to achieve Earth orbit.

Baseball
The Milwaukee Braves set a major league record with 4 consecutive home runs, but still lost 10-8 to the Cincinnati Reds before 5,149 fans at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron hit consecutive home runs against Jim Maloney (4-2) in the 7th inning, and relief pitcher Marshall Bridges promptly gave up home runs to Joe Adcock and Frank Thomas. Milwaukee starting pitcher Warren Spahn (6-5) allowed 8 hits and 6 runs--5 earned--in 5 innings in taking the loss, but led off the 3rd inning with a home run. Mr. Mathews hit 2 of the Braves' 6 homers, while the Reds hit 2 home runs of their own.

Johnny Temple led off the game with a double and scored on a 2-out double by Vic Power for the game's only run as the Cleveland Indians edged the Detroit Tigers 1-0 in the first game of a doubleheader before 48,550 fans at Tiger Stadium. Jim Perry (4-4) allowed 9 hits in 7+ innings to get the win, and Frank Funk allowed 1 hit in 2 innings to get the save. Don Mossi (6-1) allowed 5 hits in 7 innings in taking the loss. Frank Lary (9-3) pitched a 6-hitter and singled and scored the deciding run in the 5th inning as the Tigers won the second game 2-1. Wynn Hawkins (5-3) allowed 6 hits and 2 runs--1 earned--in 5 innings to take the loss.

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Goin' Back to Indiana--The Jackson 5 (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep--Middle of the Road

Died on this date
J.I. Rodale, 72. U.S. author and publisher. Jerome Irving Rodale, born Jerome Irving Cohen, co-founded the electrical equipment firm Rodale Manufacturing with his brother Joseph in 1923, and founded Rodale Press in 1930. J.I. Rodale was concerned with his health and became a health and food faddist, establishing an organic food farm, and publishing magazines such as Organic Farming and Gardening and Prevention. He was also a playwright, operating a couple of theatres to stage his works. Mr. Rodale was a guest on The Dick Cavett Show; the show was taped early in the evening for broadcast several hours later. During his interview, Mr. Rodale boasted that he had never felt better in his life, and that he intended to live to be 100. After the interview, Mr. Cavett was interviewing journalist Pete Hamill, and Mr. Rodale, who was sitting further down the couch, slumped over dead; efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. The program was never broadcast.

Baseball
Danny Goodwin, a catcher from Peoria Central High School in Peoria, Illinois, was selected by the Chicago White Sox as the first player chosen in the major league amateur draft. He turned down a reported offer of $50,000 to attend Southern University, and was again the #1 selection—this time by the California Angels—when he graduated in 1975. Shortstop Condredge Holloway was drafted 4th overall by the Montreal Expos, but he opted to play football at the University of Tennessee before enjoying a Hall of Fame career in the Canadian Football League. Jim Rice was drafted 15th overall in the first round by the Boston Red Sox. Keith Hernandez wasn’t taken until the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the 42nd round.

Joe Pepitone’s home run off Mudcat Grant (3-2) with 2 out in the bottom of the 12th inning gave the Chicago Cubs a 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates before 14,878 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Ken Holtzman (5-6), who had pitched a no-hitter five days earlier, pitched a 9-hit shutout for the Cubs.

Pinch hitter Darrell Evans scored Sonny Jackson with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Atlanta Braves an 8-7 win over the St. Louis Cardinals before 8,518 fans at Atlanta Stadium. Earl Williams led off the inning with a double; Mr. Jackson pinch ran for him, and advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Zoilo Versalles. Mike Lum was intentionally walked before Mr. Evans came to bat.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): This Ole House--Shakin' Stevens

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Natsu no Tobira--Seiko Matsuda

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Te Quiero--José Luis Perales (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Medley--Stars on 45 (3rd week at #1)

Baseball
Oral Roberts University pitcher Mike Moore was selected by the Seattle Mariners as the first choice in the major league amateur draft. The Chicago Cubs picked second and chose Wichita State University outfielder Joe Carter.

25 years ago
1986

Basketball
NBA
Finals
The Boston Celtics won the NBA championship, defeating the Houston Rockets 4 games to 2 in the finals.

20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): The Grease Megamix--Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Se Stiamo Insieme--Riccardo Cocciante (13th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): El 7 de Septiembre--Mecano

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Last Train To Trancentral--The KLF (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Wind of Change--Scorpions

#1 single in France (SNEP): Désenchantée--Mylène Farmer (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): I Wanna Sex You Up--Color Me Badd

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Wind of Change--Scorpions (2nd week at #1)
2 Last Train To Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)--The KLF
3 Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)--De La Soul
4 Just a Groove--Nomad
5 Senza Una Donna (Without a Woman)--Zucchero & Paul Young
6 One More Try--Timmy T
7 Strike it Up--Black Box
8 Fading Like A Flower (Every Time You Leave)--Roxette
9 Future Love Paradise--Seal
10 Anasthasia--T99

Singles entering the chart were Gypsy Woman (La Da Dee La Da Da) by Crystal Waters (#16); More than Words by Extreme (#18); It Ain't Over 'til it's Over by Lenny Kravitz (#29); The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in his Kiss) by Cher (#30); and Mooi Man by Mannenkoor Karrespoor (#31).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 More than Words--Extreme
2 I Wanna Sex You Up--Color Me Badd
3 Rush Rush--Paula Abdul
4 I Don't Wanna Cry--Mariah Carey
5 Love is a Wonderful Thing--Michael Bolton
6 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.
7 I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)--Hi-Five
8 Unbelievable--EMF
9 Miracle--Whitney Houston
10 Power of Love/Love Power--Luther Vandross

Singles entering the chart were It Ain't Over 'til it's Over by Lenny Kravitz (#64); My Body Says Yes by Titiyo featuring Papa Dee (#85); Forever Amo'r by D'zyre (#87); Can't Forget You by Gloria Estefan (#90); What a Price to Pay by Michael Damian (#92); and Surrender by Trixter (#94).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 More than Words--Extreme
2 I Don’t Wanna Cry--Mariah Carey
3 Love is a Wonderful Thing--Michael Bolton
4 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart
5 Rush Rush--Paula Abdul
6 I Wanna Sex You Up—Color Me Badd
7 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.
8 I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)--High-Five
9 Touch Me (All Night Long)--Cathy Dennis
10 I Touch Myself--Divinyls

Singles entering the chart were What a Price to Pay by Michael Damian (#74); Can’t Forget You by Gloria Estefan (#79); Dirty Love by Thunder (#80); Kissing You by Keith Washington (#86); Over and Over by Timmy -T- (#87); Temptation by Corina (#88); and My Body Says Yes by Titiyo featuring Papa Dee (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 More than Words--Extreme
2 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart
3 Baby Baby--Amy Grant
4 I Don’t Wanna Cry--Mariah Carey
5 Love is a Wonderful Thing--Michael Bolton
6 Animal Heart--Glass Tiger
7 Silent Lucidity--Queensryche
8 Couple Days Off—Huey Lewis and the News
9 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.
10 Touch Me (All Night Long)--Cathy Dennis

Singles entering the chart were How Much by the Jeff Healey Band (#53); Chocolate Cake by Crowded House (#76); Mea Culpa (Part II) by Enigma (#78); Texarkana by R.E.M. (#87); People are Still Having Sex by Latour (#91); Place in This World by Michael W. Smith (#92); The Dream is Still Alive by Wilson Phillips (#93); and What Am I Doing Here by Blue Rodeo (#95).

Horse racing
Hansel, with Jerry Bailey up, won the 123rd running of the Belmont Stakes before more than 51,000 fans at Belmont Park, New York in a time of 2:28.10; it was his second straight win in a Triple Crown race, having won the Preakness Stakes three weeks earlier. Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold placed second and Mane Minister finished third in the 11-horse field.



Baseball
NCAA
College World Series
Final @ Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium, Omaha
Louisiana State 6 Wichita State 3

The Tigers, behind the pitching of Chad Ogea, defeated the Shockers to win their first College World Series championship. LSU catcher Gary Hymel was named the Series' Most Outstanding Player.



10 years ago
2001

Crime
Mamoru Takuma, an ex-convict with a history of unstable behaviour, killed eight and injured 15 in a mass stabbing at an elementary school in the Osaka Prefecture of Japan.

Politics and government
William Hague announced his resignation as leader of Britain’s Conservative Party, the day after Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Labour Party had retained power with a 167-seat majority in the U.K. general election.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Philadelphia 89 @ Los Angeles Lakers 98 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Kobe Bryant scored 31 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 28 points, 20 rebounds, and 9 assists to help the Lakers defeat the 76ers before 18,997 fans at Staples Center. Allen Iverson led Philadelphia scorers with 23 points.