July 23, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Alla!

1,200 years ago
811

War
Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I plundered the Bulgarian capital of Pliska and captured Khan Krum's treasury.

570 years ago
1441

Born on this date
Danjong. King of Joseon, 1452-1455. Danjong acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Munjong shortly before reaching the age of 11. The country was governed by a regency, which was overthrown in 1453 by Danjong's uncle Sejo. Sejo forced Danjong to abdicate in 1455; an attempt to restore him to the throne in 1456 was foiled, and Danjong was put to death at his place of exile on December 24, 1457 at the age of 16.

230 years ago
1781
Died on this date
John Joachim Zubly, 56. Swiss-born American clergyman and politician. Rev. Zubly, born Hans Joachim Züblin, was a Presbyterian minister in London before moving to South Carolina and then to Savannah, Georgia, where he began leading the Independent Presbyterian Church in 1760. He initially supported the grievances of colonists against British colonial authorities, and was a delegate from Georgia to the Second Continental Congress in 1775. Rev. Zubly supported reconciliation with Great Britain; his views made him unpopular with supporters of revolution, and he fled into exile in South Carolina in 1776. Rev. Zubly was able to return to Savannah after British troops recaptued the city in 1778, and he died there after writing a series of essays opposing the American Revolution.

190 years ago
1821

War
While the Mora Rebellion continued, Greek forces captured Monemvasia Castle. Turkish troops and citizens were transferred to Asia Minor's coasts.

160 years ago
1851

Born on this date
P.S. Krøyer. Danish artist. Peder Severin Krøyer painted portraits and scenes of everyday life, especially beach scenes. He continued to paint despite gradually losing his eyesight and suffering mental problems, and died on November 21, 1909 at the age of 58, after years of declining health.

Disasters
26 lives were lost when the barque Maria was wrecked near Cape Terawhiti on Wellington’s rugged south-western coast in New Zealand, giving more ammunition to local residents who complained about the lack of a lighthouse.

130 years ago
1881

Diplomacy
The Boundary Treaty of 1881 between Chile and Argentina was signed in Buenos Aires.

120 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Louis T. Wright. U.S. physician. Dr. Wright served with the U.S. Army Medical Corps in World War I, and later became the first Negro on the surgical staff of an integrated hospital in New York City, serving at Harlem Hospital. He was influential in instituting reforms in professionalism and standards, and in other areas such as antibiotic treatment, cancer research, chemotherapy, treating head injuries, and treating bone fractures. Dr. Wright advocated for Negro civil rights, but suffered lingering health problems, including tuberculosis, as a result of his war service, and died on October 8, 1952 at the age of 61.

Transportation
The Canadian Pacific Railway took over operation of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway.

110 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Mack Hillis. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Hillis played second base with the New York Yankees (1924) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1928), batting .243 with 1 home run and 7 runs batted in in 12 games. He played at least 802 games in 10 seasons in the minor leagues (1922-1934). He died on June 16, 1961 at the age of 59.

Hank Worden. U.S. actor. Mr. Worden was a real-life cowboy before playing cowboys and other characters in movies and television programs in a career spanning more than 50 years. He appeared in 12 movies directed by John Ford, and 17 movies starring John Wayne, most notably The Searchers (1956). Mr. Worden died in his sleep on December 6, 1992 at the age of 91.

90 years ago
1921

Politics and government
The Communist Party of China (CPC) was established at the founding National Congress in a house in Shanghai.

75 years ago
1936

Politics and government
The Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia was founded in Spain through the merger of Socialist and Communist parties.

70 years ago
1941

Died on this date
George Lyman Kittredge, 81. U.S. literary scholar. Professor Kittredge was known for his editions of the works of William Shakespeare and his studies of American folklore, especially folksongs.

José Quiñones Gonzales, 27. Peruvian military aviator. Lieutenant Quiñones was a pilot in the Peruvian Air Force whose plane was hit by ground fire during a bombing raid against Ecuadorian forces during the Ecuadorian-Peruvian War. Instead of parachuting to safety, he crashed his plane onto the Ecuadorian position and put the battery out of action, earning him status as a Peruvian national hero.

War
Peruvian and Ecuadorian trops clashed between Huaquillas and Matalpo in the disputed border zone.

The Canadian House of Commons passed Bill 80 by 141-45, sanctioning Prime Minister Mackenzie King's promise not to bring in conscription for overseas service; conscription still becames obligatory in Canada under the act.

Defense
The Vichy French government agreed to the establishment of Japanese military bases in Indochina to "protect" that possession against British, Chinese, and Free French forces.

U.S. Army General George Marshall told the Senate Military Affairs Committee that efforts by "countless outside sources" and "politicians" to get draftees to protest to Congress against the proposed extension of their service was "sabotage of the most dangerous character."

Economics and finance
U.S. Office of Production Management Director General William Knudsen, Congress of Industrial Organizations United Auto Workers of America President R.J. Thomas, and Michigan Governor Murray Van Wagoner said that an immediate 50% cur in auto production would throw thousands out of work.

60 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Lights Out, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Zero Hour, starring John O'Hare and Richard Wigginton

Died on this date
Philippe Pétain, 95. Prime Minister of France, 1940-1942; Chief of the French State, 1940-1944. Marshal Pétain joined the French Army in 1876 and rose slowly through the ranks, but distinguished himself as the "Lion of Verdun" in World War I for leading the defense of the city against German forces in 1916. He was Chief of Staff of the Army (April-May 1917) and Minister of War (February-November 1934) before accepting the appointment as Prime Minister, with the fall of France to invading German troops inevitable. Marshal Pétain led a government that collaborated with the German military administration during World War II, and was convicted of treason in 1945. Marshal Pétain was sentenced to death, but President Charles de Gaulle commuted his sentence to life in prison because of his age. Marshal Pétain became increasingly senile during his imprisonment, and he died shortly after his sentence was further reduced to hospital confinement, although he had become too ill to move.

Robert Flaherty, 67. U.S. film producer and director. Mr. Flaherty was a pioneer in making documentaries, and was known for films such as Nanook of the North (1922); Moana (1926); Man of Aran (1934); Louisiana Story (1948); and The Titan: Story of Michelangelo (1950). His wife Frances worked with him on several films.

War
Burma announced that it would not sign the proposed Japanese peace treaty because it lacked provisions for reparations payments.

Defense
SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers in Europe) was formally opened at its permanent site near Marty, 15 miles west of the centre of Paris. Seven U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee members returning from a tour of Europe endorsed a U.S.-Spanish defense agreement, but said that the U.S.A. should not agitate other NATO members by pushing for the admission of Spain to the Atlantic Pact. U.S. President Harry Truman told Congress that it may be necessary to raise the armed forces above the present goal of 3.5 million despite a Koren truce, due to possible crises in Iran, Yugoslavia, and Indochina.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Truman again pushed his anti-inflation program before Congress, urging a $10-billion tax increase; tight controls on credit, wages, prices, and rents; economies in public spending; and authority to build defense plants in the absence of private business interest.

Baseball
Carl Furillo and Cal Abrams each hit 2 home runs in a 5-run 9th inning as the Brooklyn Dodgers broke a 4-4 tie and defeated the Philadelphia Athletics 9-4 in the annual Hall of Fame Game at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York. Joe Coleman pitched an 11-hit complete game loss.

50 years ago
1961

Died on this date
Valentine Davies, 55. U.S. screenwriter and playwright. Mr. Davies won an Academy Award for his story for Miracle on 34th Street (1947), and adapted it into the Broadway play Here's Love (1963). His other films included It Happens Every Spring (1949); The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954); and The Benny Goodman Story (1955). Mr. Davies also adapted Earl Derr Biggers' Charlie Chan novel Keeper of the Keys into a Broadway play (1933). He was president of the Screen Writers Guild (1949-1950) and president of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences (1960-1961). Mr. Davies' secretary, Marian Saphro, reported that he died in the midst of a heavy laugh.

Baseball
The Detroit Tigers swept a doubleheader from the Kansas City Athletics 6-4 and 17-14 before 17,852 fans at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City. The second game took 3 hours and 54 minutes to play, making it the longest 9-inning game in American League history. Detroit first baseman Norm Cash batted 4 for 5 in the second game, with 2 doubles, 4 runs, and 5 runs batted in, while Rocky Colavito added 4 RBIs, and Wayne Causey drove in 4 runs for Kansas City. The doubleheader took 6 hours and 50 minutes to play, a major league record for a doubleheader of 9-inning games.

Jerry Lynch led off the bottom of the 9th inning with his second home run of the game to give the Cincinnati Reds a 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants in the first game of a doubleheader before 26,983 fans at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. Frank Robinson and Leo Cardenas also homered for the Reds, while Ed Bailey hit a pair of home runs for the Giants and Orlando Cepeda also hit a home run for San Francisco. Bob Purkey (12-5) pitched an 8-hit complete game victory. Mr. Robinson homered in the second game, while Jim O'Toole singled home 2 runs as part of a 6-run 2nd inning as the Reds won the second game 11-4 to complete the sweep. John Orsino hit his first major league home run for San Francisco. Mr. O'Toole (9-8) pitched an 8-hit complete game victory.

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Me and You and a Dog Named Boo--Lobo

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Butterfly--Danyel Gérard (9th week at #1)

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Funny Funny--The Sweet (4th week at #1)
2 Long Days and Lonely Nights--Lincoln
3 Mozart: Symphony No. 40 In G Minor K.550 1° Movement (Allegro Molto)--Waldo de Los Rios
4 When Love Comes Knocking at Your Door--The Dealians
5 It Don't Come Easy--Ringo Starr
6 Me and You and a Dog Named Boo--Lobo
7 The Seagull's Name was Nelson--Des & Dawn
8 Rain, Rain, Rain--Gentle People
9 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night
10 Boom Sha La La Lo--John Edmond

The only single entering the chart was He's Gonna Step on You Again by John Kongos (#19).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Don't Pull Your Love--Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds (2nd week at #1)
2 How Can You Mend a Broken Heart--The Bee Gees
3 Talking in Your Sleep--Gordon Lightfoot
4 Draggin' the Line--Tommy James
5 Vancouver Town '71--Rolf Harris
6 Never Ending Song of Love--Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
7 Sweet City Woman--Stampeders
8 You've Got a Friend--James Taylor
9 Take Me Home, Country Roads--John Denver with Fat City
10 Sooner or Later--The Grass Roots

Singles entering the chart were What the World Needs Now is Love/Abraham, Martin and John by Tom Clay (#18); I'm Leavin' by Elvis Presley (#27); Try a Little Harder by Doctor Music (#28); Chicago by Graham Nash (#29); and Reason to Believe by Rod Stewart (#30).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKVN)
1 Don't Pull Your Love--Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
2 How Can You Mend a Broken Heart--The Bee Gees
3 Sweet City Woman--Stampeders
4 Never Ending Song of Love--Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
5 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders
6 You've Got a Friend--James Taylor
7 Sooner or Later--The Grass Roots
8 Mr. Big Stuff--Jean Knight
9 Signs--Five Man Electrical Band
10 Take Me Home, Country Roads--John Denver with Fat City

Singles entering the chart were We Got a Dream by Ocean (#29); Liar by Three Dog Night (#34); Mighty Clouds of Joy by B.J. Thomas (#35); Maybe Tomorrow by the Jackson 5 (#36); I'm Leavin' by Elvis Presley (#37); Won't Get Fooled Again by the Who (#39); and Here Today by Sunshine (#40).

Theatre
Antonine Maillet's La Sagouine (The Washerwoman), the internationally-acclaimed "quintessential Acadian play in language, humour and content," was officially launched at the Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, starring Viola Léger.

Died on this date
Van Heflin, 62. U.S. actor. An excellent character actor, Mr. Heflin won the Academy Award for his supporting performance in Johnny Eager (1942). Other notable movies of his included Saturday's Heroes (1937); Tennessee Johnson (1942); Act of Violence (1948); Shane (1953); Patterns (1956); 3:10 to Yuma (1957); and Airport (1970). Mr. Heflin died 47 days after being found unconscious after suffering a heart attack while swimming in a motel pool in Hollywood.

Diplomacy
Huang Hua took up his post as the first Ambassador to Canada from the People's Republic of China.

Baseball
Winning pitcher Catfish Hunter (12-9) batted 3 for 4 with a home run and 4 runs batted in before being lifted in the 7th inning as the Oakland Athletics beat the Detroit Tigers 9-7 before 34,444 fans at Tiger Stadium. Sal Bando hit 2 home runs for the Athletics, who defeated starting pitcher Mickey Lolich (15-7). The Tigers hit 4 homers.

Ellie Hendricks singled home Merv Rettenmund with none out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Baltimore Orioles a 4-3 win over the California Angels before 14,957 fans at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Pat Dobson (13-4) pitched a 7-hit complete game victory over Rudy May (5-6), who was relieved by Eddie Fisher immediately before Mr. Hendricks came to bat in the 9th.

Pete Rose led off the 8th inning with a home run to tie the score and Hal McRae followed with a base on balls and scored on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by George Foster to break a 2-2 tie as the Cincinnati Reds edged the San Francisco Giants 3-2 before 17,733 fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Mr. McRae accounted for the first Cincinnati run with a homer in the 5th inning. Clay Carroll (5-2) pitched 3 scoreless innings in relief of Ross Grimsley to get the win over John Cumberland (5-1).

Bruce Kison (2-0) pitched a 2-hitter and Richie Hebner and Willie Stargell hit home runs for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they shut out the San Diego Padres 4-0 before 10,133 fans at San Diego Stadium. Pinch hitter Angel Bravo singled with 2 out in the 6th inning to break up Mr. Kison's bid for a perfect game. Danny Coombs, the second of three San Diego pitchers, allowed 1 base on balls and no hits in 2 scoreless innings in the 144th and last game of his 9-year major league career.

30 years ago
1981

Economics and Finance
The Bank of Canada raised its interest rate to 19.89%, prompting the country's chartered banks to immediately raise their prime rate to a record 21%.

25 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Touch Me (I Want Your Body)--Samantha Fox (3rd week at #1)

Married on this date
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson. The ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey in London.



20 years ago
1991

Crime
Canadian nurse Susan Nelles was awarded $30,000 after being wrongly accused of murdering four babies at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto in 1981; $10,000 was also paid a to family endowment fund.

Baseball
Nolan Ryan made his 545th consecutive start, surpassing Steve Carlton's major league record, and earned his 308th career major league win as the Texas Rangers edged the Boston Red Sox 5-4 before 40,481 fans at Arlington Stadium. Goose Gossage earned his 308th career save in relief of Mr. Ryan.

Ken Griffey, Jr. hit a grand slam in the 9th inning to insure the Seattle Mariners' 6-1 win over the New York Yankees before 17,293 fans at Yankee Stadium.

Luis Polonia, Dave Winfield, and Gary Gaetti hit home runs for the California Angels as they edged the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 before 25,537 fans at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Winning pitcher Jim Abbott pitched 7 scoreless innings and left with a 5-0 lead, but relief pitcher Mark Eichhorn loaded the bases before being relieved by Brian Harvey, who surrendered a grand slam to Randy Milligan.

Cecil Fielder drove in 5 runs with a pair of home runs as the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 6-3 before 21,976 fans at Tiger Stadium.

The Oakland Athletics broke a 6-6 tie with 4 runs--the last 3 unearned--in the top of the 9th inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 10-7 before 26,191 fans at Cleveland Stadium.

Joey Cora singled home Ron Karkovice with none out in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Chicago White Sox a 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays before 34,779 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago.

Todd Benzinger hit a grand slam and singled home another run as the Kansas City Royals edged the Milwaukee Brewers 8-7 before 23,169 fans at Royals Stadium. The Royals led 8-1 after 6 innings, but the Brewers scored 3 runs in the 7th inning and 3 in the 9th and had the potential tying run on second base before Franklin Stubbs grounded out to end the game.

Andre Dawson had 2 hits and drove in a run, but was ejected by home plate umpire Joe West in the 7th inning after being called out on strikes, precipitating a lengthy delay, as the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-5 before 34,458 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Mr. Dawson appeared to bump Mr. West, and Chicago manager Jim Essian was also ejected. Mr. Dawson then returned to the dugout and heaved about a dozen bats onto the field, which then was followed by fans throwing trash onto the field. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Cincinnati relief pitcher Rob Dibble, who was just returning from a suspension, was ejected by Mr. West after throwing the ball at Chicago batter Doug Dascenzo on a sacrifice bunt. Chris Sabo hit 2 home runs for the Reds.



Lenny Webster singled home Juan Samuel with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies before 48,925 fans at Dodger Stadium.

With 2 out and nobody on base in the bottom of the 11th inning, Thomas Howard singled, Darrin Jackson drew a base on balls, and Bip Roberts singled home Mr. Howard with the winning run as the San Diego Padres edged the Montreal Expos 2-1 before 14,007 fans at Jack Murphy-San Diego Stadium. Starting pitchers Dennis Martinez of Montreal and Andy Benes of San Diego each allowed just 1 earned run in 8 innings.

10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Eudora Welty, 92. U.S. authoress. Miss Welty wrote novels and short stories about the American South in a career spanning more than 50 years, and received numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1973 for her novel The Optimist's Daughter.

Politics and government
Megawati Sukarnoputri became the first female President of Indonesia after her predecessor Abdurrahman Wahid was removed from office.