August 3, 2011

1,130 years ago
881

War
Louis III of France defeated Vikings in the Battle of Saucourt-en-Vimeu, an event celebrated in the poem Ludwigslied.

410 years ago
1601

War
Habsburg Monarchy forces, aided by Wallachian forces and Cossacks, captured Transylvania from Transylvanian troops in the Battle of Goroszló in what is now Romania.

220 years ago
1791

Canadiana
New Brunswick's first lighthouse became operational on Partridge Island in Saint John harbour.

200 years ago
1811

Born on this date
Elisha Otis. U.S. industrialist. Mr. Otis invented the safety elevator in 1852, which automatically comes to a halt if the hoisting rope breaks. He successfully demonstrated it at the New York World's Fair in 1853, and founded the Otis Elevator Company in Yonkers, New York the same year. Mr. Otis died of diphtheria on April 8, 1861 at the age of 49.

140 years ago
1871

Born on this date
V.L. Parrington. U.S. historian and football coach. Vernon Louis Parrington taught English at the University of Oklahoma (1897-1908) and was head coach of the university's football team (1897-1900), compiling a record of 9-2-1. He moved to the University of Washington in 1908, and was known for his radical anti-capitalist views and as the founder of the American Studies movement with the publication of his three-volume Main Currents in American Thought (1927), which won the 1928 Pulitzer Prize for History. Mr. Parrington's progressive view of American history was heavily influential upon historians from the late 1920s through the 1930s, but came under heavy criticism in the '40s, and he was largely forgotten by 1950, more than two decades after his death on June 16, 1929 at the age of 57.

110 years ago
1901

Born on this date
John C. Stennis. U.S. politician. Mr. Stennis, a Democrat, represented Mississippi in the United States Senate from 1947-1989. Nicknamed "Mr. Integrity," Sen. Stennis was the first Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics from 1965-1975, and Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services from 1969-1981. He died on April 23, 1995 at the age of 93.

Baseball
Ed Scott (6-6), playing the 59th and last game of his 2-year major league career, pitched a complete game and batted 2 for 5 with 2 runs, hitting a solo home run in the top of the 10th inning to break a 7-7 tie as the Cleveland Blues defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 8-7 before 1,800 fans at Lloyd Street Grounds in Milwaukee.

100 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Alex McCrindle. U.K. actor. Mr. McCrindle, a native of Glasgow, appeared in several television programs in the late 1930s and in movies and television from the early 1950s until his death on April 20, 1990 at the age of 78. He was best known for playing General Jan Dodonna in Star Wars (1977).

90 years ago
1921

Baseball
Ignoring the acquittal by a Chicago jury of the White Sox players accused of conspiring to fix the outcome of the 1919 World Series, major league baseball Commissioner Kenesaw M. Landis banned the eight for life, saying, "Regardless of the verdict of juries, no player that...undertakes or promises to throw a ballgame...will ever play professional baseball."

75 years ago
1936

Disasters
A fire wiped out the community of Kursha-2 in the Meshchera Lowlands, Ryazan Oblast, Russia, killing 1,200, and leaving only 20 survivors.

Olympics
Jesse Owens, a Negro from the United States, won the first of 4 gold medals at the Berlin Olympics, this one in the men's 100-metre run, damaging Nazi Germany's ideas of Aryan racial superiority.



70 years ago
1941

War
Several hundred British planes bombed Berlin, Hamburg, and Kiel during the night of August 2-3. Saigon dispatches reported that Australian and Indian troops were massing on the Malayan-Thai border and that strong Thai forces were concentrating on the Indochinese frontier as Japanese troops moved into Cambodia. Five days after its arrival in Wellington Harbour, the four-masted Finnish barque Pamir was seized in prize by the New Zealand government, which regarded Finland as "territory in enemy occupation" (Finland had joined Nazi Germany’s invasion of their mutual enemy, the Soviet Union, but was not formally a member of the Axis powers). The Pamir remains the only "enemy" vessel ever to be seized by New Zealand.

Diplomacy
U.S. special envoy Harry Hopkins returned by plane to London from Moscow. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt embarked at New London, Connecticut for what was described as a cruise, but actually for the Argentia conference with U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Economics and finance
Japanese ships in American harbours were allowed to sail for home after surrendering $4 million worth of silk as a bond for importers' claims.

Gasoline filling stations along the Eastern seaboard of the United States stopped selling gas at 7 P.M., with only isolated instances of refusal to comply.

60 years ago
1951

On the radio The Lives of Harry Lime, starring Orson Welles, on BBC
Tonight's episode: Too Many Crooks

This was the first episode of the series.

On television tonight
Tales of Tomorrow, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Verdict from Space, starring Lon McCallister, Martin Brandt, and William Lally

This was the first episode of the series.



Died on this date
Clarence Everett Field, 81. U.S. physician. Dr. Field was a pioneer in the use of radium for cancer treatment and was head of the New York Radium Institute.

War
United Nations forces took a strategic mountain near Kumsong on the east-central Korean front.

Diplomacy
The U.S.A. and Greece concluded a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation, their first since 1921.

Politics and government
The French National Assembly rejected former Finance Minister Maurice Petsche as Prime Minister of a new cabinet based on the June 17 election results.

A U.S. Senate Elections subcommittee unanimously approved a report denouncing "despicable" tactics used by Senator John Marshall Butler (Republican--Maryland) to defeat former Sen. Millard Tydings (Democrat) in the 1950 election, but found no evidence to justify unseating Mr. Butler. Mr. Butler had received support in his campaign from Sen. Joseph McCarthy (Republican--Wisconsin), and had distributed a pamphlet featuring a faked photograph showing Sen. Tydings with former Communist Party U.S.A. leader Earl Browder.

Scandal
U.S. Army Secretary Frank Pace announced the dismissal of 90 U.S. Military Academy cadets, many of them football players, for cheating on exams.

Economics and finance
The Colombian government lifted restrictions on profits earned from foreign capital investments in the country.

Labour
The Argentine government broke a wildcat strike of anti-Peronist railroad workers by threatening them with military trials.

50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): The Boll Weevil Song--Brook Benton

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Well I Ask You--Eden Kane

Died on this date
Tom Downey, 77. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Downey was an infielder with the Cincinnati Reds (1909-1911); Philadelphia Phillies (1912); Chicago Cubs (1912); and Buffalo Blues (1914-1915), batting .240 with 7 home runs and 188 runs batted in in 651 games. He played 10 seasons in the minor leagues (1902-1919).

Politics and government
A new federal party was created in Canada, as the socialist New Democratic Party came into being, replacing the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation at its convention at Ottawa Coliseum. Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas was elected the NDP's first leader on the first ballot, defeating CCF leader Hazen Argue 1,391-380. It was expected (and proved to be the case) that Woodrow Lloyd would succeed Mr. Douglas as Premier of Saskatchewan.

Baseball
Roberto Clemente batted 5 for 6 with 2 doubles, 4 runs, and 2 runs batted in, while Smoky Burgess was 2 for 4 with 2 home runs, 2 bases on balls, 3 runs, and 6 RBIs, as the Pittsburgh Pirates scored all their runs in the first 6 innings of a 19-0 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals before 11,514 fans at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Harvey Haddix (7-5) pitched a 4-hit shutout, while Al Cicotte (2-4) took the loss.

John Roseboro led off the 9th inning with a home run to tie the score and reached first base on an error by Joey Amalfitano with the bases loaded and 2 out in the bottom of the 10th, allowing Larry Sherry to score the winning run as the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the San Francisco Giants 4-3 before 33,505 fans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mr. Sherry (3-2) allowed 1 hit in 3 scoreless innings of relief, and drew a base on balls to lead off the 10th.

Rocky Colavito led off the bottom of the 4th inning with his 30th home run of the season to break a 1-1 tie as the Detroit Tigers edged the Washington Senators 2-1 before 8,991 fans at Tiger Stadium. Jim Bunning (12-8) pitched a 4-hitter to outduel Bennie Daniels (6-6).

The Boston Red Sox broke a 0-0 tie with 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning as they shut out the Los Angeles Angels 4-0 before 12,057 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Don Schwall (12-2) pitched a 4-hitter to outduel Ken McBride (9-7).

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep--Middle of the Road (9th week at #1)

Politics and government
The Dominion Bureau of Statistics officially changed its name to Statistics Canada. I don't know what it was like under the old name, but under its present name it's the most overrated such agency in the world, full of dishonest, butt-covering incompetents.

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (1-2) 16 @ Montreal (1-0) 29

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Medley--Stars on 45 (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Shiroi Parasol--Seiko Matsuda

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Ay, Amor--Víctor Manuel (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes (4th week at #1)

Music
This blogger and his brother were in attendance at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton to see Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in the second-last concert of a lengthy tour. It was a good show, featuring old and new Four Seasons' songs as well as songs from Mr. Valli's solo career. The price of a single ticket was $12.50.

Politics and government
Senegalese opposition parties, under the leadership of Mamadou Dia, launched the Antiimperialist Action Front – Suxxali Reew Mi.

Labour
U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike, despite a warning from President Ronald Reagan that they would be fired.

Baseball
Because the major league strike was still on, the annual Hall of Fame Game, scheduled to be played at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York this year between the Cincinnati Reds and Oakland Athletics, was cancelled, and replaced by a game between the Oneonta Yankees and Elmira Pioneer Red Sox of the Class A New York-Pennsylvania League. The Yankees came back from a 6-2 deficit to win 8-6, with the teams combining to hit 6 home runs.

25 years ago
1986

Baseball
Willie McCovey, Bobby Doerr, and Ernie Lombardi were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Rapput (Senza Fiato)--Claudio Bisio; Rocco Tanica (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)--Crystal Waters (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)--Crystal Waters (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): La Zoubida--Lagaf' (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (4th week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Driver's Seat--Sniff 'n' the Tears (3rd week at #1)
2 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
3 Burbujas de Amor--Juan Luis Guerra y 4;40
4 More than Words--Extreme
5 Now that We Found Love--Heavy D and the Boyz
6 You Could Be Mine--Guns N' Roses
7 I Wanna Sex You Up--Color Me Badd
8 La Cumbia--Sailor
9 Send Me an Angel--Scorpions
10 Mooi Man--Mannenkoor Karrespoor

Singles entering the chart were Always There by Incognito featuring Jocelyn Brown (#28); The Beginning by Seal (#30); Tu Solo Tu by Gerard Joling (#31); Bitter Tears by INXS (#34); Words by Nadieh (#37); and From a Distance by Bette Midler (#38).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (2nd week at #1)
2 P.A.S.S.I.O.N.--Rythm Syndicate
3 Right Here, Right Now--Jesus Jones
4 Summertime--D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
5 Every Heartbeat--Amy Grant
6 It Ain't Over 'til it's Over--Lenny Kravitz
7 Unbelievable--EMF
8 Temptation--Corina
9 Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)--Roxette
10 I'll Be There--The Escape Club

Singles entering the chart were The Truth by Tami Show (#72); Hole Hearted by Extreme (#75); The One and Only by Chesney Hawkes (#79); Turn it Up by Oaktown's 3.5.7 (#82); That's the Way Love Goes by Young M.C. (#87); Get Serious by Cut 'N' Move (#90); Just Want to Hold You by Jasmine Guy (#91); and Don't Want to be a Fool by Luther Vandross (#92).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
2 Right Here, Right Now--Jesus Jones
3 P.A.S.S.I.O.N.--Rythm Syndicate
4 Every Heartbeat--Amy Grant
5 Unbelievable—EMF
6 Place in this World--Michael W. Smith
7 Fading Like a Flower--Roxette
8 Rush Rush--Paula Abdul
9 Temptation--Corina
10 It Ain't Over 'til it's Over--Lenny Kravitz

Singles entering the chart were There She Goes by the La's (#64); Got a Love for You by Jomanda (#75); The Truth by Tami Show (#81); Silver Thunderbird by Marc Cohn (#84); Don't Want to Be a Fool by Luther Vandross (#87); Power Windows by Billy Falcon (#88); Hey Stoopid by Alice Cooper (#89); and Latin Active by Lighter Shade of Brown (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
2 Rush Rush—Paula Abdul
3 Fading Like a Flower--Roxette
4 It Ain't Over 'til it's Over--Lenny Kravitz
5 More than Words—Extreme
6 Superman's Song--Crash Test Dummies
7 Something to Talk About--Bonnie Raitt
8 A Better Love--Londonbeat
9 The Rhythm of Your Love--Glass Tiger
10 Crazy--Seal

Singles entering the chart were It Hit Me Like a Hammer by Huey Lewis and the News (#40); I am Here by the Grapes of Wrath (#61); Higher than Hope by Daryl Braithwaite (#78); Too Many Walls by Cathy Dennis (#86); Hard to Handle by the Black Crowes (#87); Things that Make You Go Hmmm... by C + C Music Factory (#89); Love You 'Til it Hurts by Chrissy Steele (#90); D for Democracy by Spirit of the West (#95); Temptation by Corina (#97); and Smokestack Lightning by Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991.

10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Christopher Hewett, 80. U.K. actor and director. Mr. Hewett acted in and directed plays on Broadway in New York and the West End in London, but was best known for playing the title character in the television comedy series Mr. Belvedere (1985-1990). He died from complications of diabetes.

Terrorism
Seven people were injured when a car bomb containing 45 kilograms of explosives was detonated in west London.

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (2-3) 14 @ Winnipeg (3-2) 32
Toronto (2-3) 36 @ Calgary (1-4) 35



Baseball
The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 10-1 before 20,115 fans at SkyDome in Toronto in a game that saw an invasion of aphids in the 3rd inning. Home plate umpire Tim Welke asked that the SkyDome roof be closed. Toronto third baseman Felipe Lopez batted 2 for 5 with a double, run, and run batted in, making 4 assists in his first major league game. Kris Foster, the third of four Baltimore pitchers, pitched a scoreless 7th inning, allowing 1 hit, striking out 1 batter and walking none in his major league debut.

Jason Giambi led off the 9th inning with a home run to break a 1-1 tie as the Oakland Athletics edged the Detroit Tigers 2-1 before 30,071 fans at Comerica Park in Detroit. Tim Hudson (13-6) pitched a 9-hitter to outduel Jeff Weaver (10-10), who allowed just 4 hits.

Mark Buehrle (9-6) pitched a 1-hitter, and Paul Konerko and Jose Canseco each hit 2-run home runs for the Chicago White Sox as they shut out the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 4-0 before 19,330 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Damian Rolls' single leading off the 7th inning was the only hit off Mr. Buehrle, who had a perfect game through 5 innings.

David Ortiz doubled home Greg Mientkiewicz from first base with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th inning to tie the score and Jacque Jones doubled home pinch runner Chad Allen from second base with 2 out to give the Minnesota Twins an 8-7 win over the Kansas City Royals before 21,006 fans at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.

Randy Johnson (14-5) and Troy Brohawn combined to pitch a 2-hitter for the Arizona Diamondbacks as they shut out the New York Mets 7-0 before 43,806 fans at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix.

The Colorado Rockies allowed 4 runs in the top of the 1st inning, but came back with 6 in the bottom of the 1st and 4 in the 2nd as they beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-7 before 38,836 fans at Coors Field in Denver. Colorado starting pitcher Mike Hampton (11-8) allowed 9 hits and 6 runs--all earned--in 7 innings, while Pittsburgh starter Jimmy Anderson (6-11) allowed 11 hits and 11 runs--all earned--in just 2.1 innings. Kimera Bartee played the last 3 innings in left field for Colorado, with no plate appearances or fielding chances in the 243rd and last game of his 6-year major league career.

Pinch hitter Angel Echevarria led off the bottom of the 11th inning with a double, and pinch runner Lou Collier advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves before 42,259 fans at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

Barry Bonds was hit by a pitch with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th inning and Andres Galarraga hit a home run with 2 out to give the San Francisco Giants a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies before 41,679 fans at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco.