August 12, 2011

890 years ago
1121

War
The Georgian army under King David IV won a decisive victory over the Seljuk commander Ilghazi in the Battle of Didgori, 25 miles west of the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.

180 years ago
1831

Born on this date
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. Russian-born U.K. occultist. Mrs. Blavatsky was the leading theoretician of theosophy and co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875. She died on May 8, 1891 at the age of 59.

War
French intervention forced King William I of the Netherlands to abandon the ten days' campaign, his attempt to suppress the Belgian Revolution.

160 years ago
1851

Technology
Isaac Singer patented the sewing machine.

150 years ago
1861

Born on this date
Luigi Galleani. Italian anarchist. Mr. Galleani was known for his enthusiastic advocacy of "propaganda of the deed," i.e., the use of violence to eliminate those he viewed as tyrants and oppressors and to act as a catalyst to the overthrow of existing government institutions. He was active in the U.S.A. from 1901 until his deportation in 1919; his followers carried out a series of bombings in the United States from 1914-1932, and were alleged to have carried out the Wall Street bombing in 1920, which killed 40 people. Mr. Galleani served some time in prison and exile, but was allowed to return to Italy, and died of a heart attack on November 4, 1931 at the age of 70.

Died on this date
Eliphalet Remington, 67. U.S. arms manufacturer. Mr. Remington founded E. Remington, now known as Remington Arms Company.

140 years ago
1871

Born on this date
Gustavs Zemgals. 2nd President of Latvia, 1927-1930. Mr. Zemgals, a member of the Democratic Centre Party, was an army captain and journalist before entering politics. He chaired the meeting on November 18, 1918 that declared the independence of Latvia. As President, Mr. Zemgals used his office to grant amnesties to 648 people. He was Latvia's Finance Minister from 1931-1932, and died on January 6, 1939 at the age of 67.

130 years ago
1881

Born on this date
Cecil B. DeMille. U.S. movie producer and director. Mr. DeMille made over 70 films from 1914-1958, and was known for making large-scale spectacles that were commercially successful. His movies included The Ten Commandments (1923); Union Pacific (1939); and The Ten Commandments (1956). Mr. DeMille won the Academy Award for Best Picture for The Greatest Show on Earth (1952). He died on January 21, 1959 at the age of 77, after a series of heart attacks.

120 years ago
1891

Born on this date
C.E.M. Joad. U.K. philosopher. Mr. Joad was a popular philosopher who became famous in Britain as a panelist on the BBC radio program The Brains Trust during World War II. He was fired by the BBC when he boasted about cheating railways by riding trains without purchasing tickets, and was then caught aboard a train without a ticket, resulting in a fine. A Fabian socialist and sexual degenerate for much of his life, Mr. Joad renounced agnosticism in his later years and came to faith in Jesus Christ. He died on April 9, 1953 at the age of 61.

Johnny McDermott. U.S. golfer. Mr. McDermott turned professional in 1908, and the Philadelphia native became the first American-born golfer to win the U.S. Open, winning it in 1911 and 1912. He was 19 when he won in 1911, and remains the youngest to win the tournament, while his 1912 U.S. Open win marked the first time a golfer was able to break par over 72 holes in a significant event. Mr. McDermott won five more tournaments through 1913, and in 1914 attempted to play in the British Open, but was delayed by travel difficulties, and arrived too late to play. On the return voyage aboard the SS Kaiser Wilhelm II, the ship collided with an English grain carrier in fog in the English Channel and was forced to return to port. There were no fatalities and the passengers made the trip aboard another ship the next day, but the incident, combined with other concerns such as failed investments, apparently so upset Mr. McDermott that he had a mental breakdown shortly afterward, and never recovered, spending the rest of his life in and out of mental hospitals. He attended the 1971 U.S. Open near Philadelphia, six weeks before his death from heart failure on August 1, 1971, 11 days before his 80th birthday, and a day after playing nine holes at Valley Forge Golf Club.

Died on this date
James Russell Lowell, 72. U.S. writer and diplomat. Mr. Russell was a Romantic poet associated with the New England group known as the Fireside Poets. He was also an essayist and critic, and was the first editor of The Atlantic Monthly (1857-1861). Mr. Lowell was U.S. Minister to England from 1880-1885, and supported various social reforms, including abolition of slavery.

100 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Cantinflas. Mexican comedian and actor. Born Fortino Mario Alfonso Moreno Reyes, Cantinflas was known as the "Charlie Chaplin of Mexico," and was a major movie star there from the late 1930s through the 1970s. His most famous role was as the co-star of Around the World in 80 Days (1956). Cantinflas died on April 20, 1993 at the age of 81.

70 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon, 74. Governor General of Canada, 1926-1931; Viceroy and Governor-General of India, 1931-1936. Viscount Willingdon, a Liberal, was a member of the British House of Commons from 1900-1913, when he received a peerage and joined the House of Lords. He served as Governor of Bombay from 1913-1918 and Governor of Madras from 1919-1924. Viscount Willingdon was the last Governor General of Canada to be appointed by the monarch, and the first to travel by air and make official visits abroad. He continued the Canadian tradition of vice-regal patronage of sports by donating the Willingdon Cup to the Royal Canadian Golf Association for annual Canadian interprovincial amateur golf competition. Viscount Willingdon died a month before his 75th birthday.

War
German government spokesmen asserted that German troops had pushed southward east of Odessa to the Black Sea, indicating that the seaport had been partially encircled.

The Peruvian government claimed that Ecuadorian troops had attacked a Peruvian border post at Pantoja on the Napo River the previous day.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill concluded their meeting aboard the U.S. cruiser Augusta at Argentia, Newfoundland, and both men sailed to their respective home countries.

Politics and government
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Mackenzie King ordered all Japanese Canadians to carry a registration card.

Defense
Vichy French Prime Minister Marshal Philippe Pétain declared that France must collaborate with Germany, and appointed François Darlan minister of national defense. Marshal Pétain added that Germany was fighting "in defense of civilization" in the east.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 203-202 to extend Army service for draftees, reserve officers, and National Guardsmen to 30 months. A Japanese spokeman said that Japan was "urgently concerned" over the shipment of American supplies to the U.S.S.R. via Vladivostok.

Medicine
The California Institute of Technology reported that Drs. Clyde Emery, S.R. Baker, and Melville Jacobs had completed the world's most powerful X-ray tube--expected to generate 2-3 million volts--for cancer treatment and research.

Economics and finance
U.S. Price Administrator Leon Henderson fixed a ceiling of 3 1/2c per pound on 96-degree raw sugar, effective August 14.

60 years ago
1951

On the radio
Mr. Moto, starring James Monks, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Waltzing Matilda

Defense
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee members returning from a European visit issued a report claiming that Western Europe was lagging in its defense effort.

Economics and finance
The Cuban government issued price and distribution controld for industrial and agricultural products, and ordered confiscation of farm animals to end a current meat shortage.

Golf
Ben Hogan won the men's title and Babe Didrikson Zaharias won the women's title in the $50,000 Tam O'Shanter championships in Chicago.

50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door--Eddie Hodges (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Legata a un granello di sabbia--Nico Fidenco (7th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Wheels (Vier Schimmel, ein Wagen)--Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra (12th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Dutch Top 40): Hello Mary Lou--Ricky Nelson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): You Don't Know--Helen Shapiro

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Tossin' and Turnin'--Bobby Lewis (4th week at #1)
2 I Like it Like That (Part 1)--Chris Kenner
3 Let's Twist Again--Chubby Checker
4 Dum Dum--Brenda Lee
5 Last Night--Mar-Keys
6 Hats Off to Larry--Del Shannon
7 Pretty Little Angel Eyes--Curtis Lee
8 Together--Connie Francis
9 Wooden Heart--Joe Dowell
10 Michael--The Highwaymen

Singles entering the chart were The Mountain's High by Dick and Deedee (#72); Lonely Street by Clarence Henry (#75); Let Me Belong to You by Brian Hyland (#83); Take Good Care of My Baby by Bobby Vee (#92); Wizard of Love by the Ly-Dells (#94); Teardrops in My Heart by Joe Barry (#95); When We Get Married by the Dreamlovers (#96); Black Land Farmer, with versions by Wink Martindale; and Frankie Miller (#97); Mr. Happiness by Johnny Maestro with the Coeds (#98); Girls Girls Girls (Part II) by the Coasters (#100); and Song of the Nairobi Trio by the Fortune Tellers (also #100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Take Good Care of My Baby--Bobby Vee
2 The Mountain's High--Dick and Deedee
3 Tell Me Why--The Belmonts
4 Cutie Pie/Without You--Johnny Tillotson
5 School is Out--U.S. Bonds
6 Hats Off to Larry--Del Shannon
7 Private Eye--Bob Luman
8 Black Land Farmer--Wink Martindale
9 Crying--Roy Orbison
10 Shake Shake Sherry--The Flairs

Singles entering the chart were Jeremiah Peabody's Poly Unsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleasant Tasting Green and Purple Pills by Ray Stevens (#35); Mexico by Bob Moore and his Orchestra (#36); Back Beat No. 1 by the Rondels (#39); Every Breath I Take by Gene Pitney (#41); Kissin' on the Phone by Paul Anka (#44); Let Me Belong to You by Brian Hyland (#45); Girls Girls Girls by the Coasters (#48); Lonely Street by Clarence Henry (#49); and Milord by Jorgen Ingmann and his Guitar (#50).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 Take Good Care of My Baby--Bobby Vee
2 Shake Shake Sherry--The Flairs
3 Have a Drink on Me--Lonnie Donegan
4 The Mountain's High--Dick and Deedee
5 Johnny Willow--Fred Darian
6 Michael--The Highwaymen
7 Private Eye--Bob Luman
8 Cutie Pie/Without You--Johnny Tillotson
9 Boomerang--Donnie Brooks
10 Preacher Boy--Les Vogt

Singles entering the chart were Crying by Roy Orbison (#14); Rockin' Band by Del Erickson (#17); Big Cold Wind by Pat Boone (#23); Transistor Sister by Freddy Cannon (#28); Amor by Ben E. King (#37); Every Breath I Take by Gene Pitney (#39); and First Love Never Dies by Jerry Fuller (#40).

Football
CFL
British Columbia (0-2) 7 @ Ottawa (1-0) 41

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Pour un flirt--Michel Delpech (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Get it On--T. Rex

Diplomacy
Syria broke off diplomatic relations with Jordan after military forces of both countries clashed along the border.

Football
CFL
Toronto (3-0) 26 @ Montreal (1-1) 14

The biggest play for the Argonauts in their win over the Alouettes at Autostade was an 84-yard touchdown rush by rookie quarterback Joe Theismann.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Theme from "Greatest American Hero" (Believe it or Not)--Joey Scarbury (2nd week at #1)
2 Queen of Hearts--Juice Newton
3 For Your Eyes Only--Sheena Easton
4 Slow Hand--Pointer Sisters
5 Gemini Dream--The Moody Blues
6 In the Mood--Wildroot Orchestra
7 Boy from New York City--The Manhattan Transfer
8 You're Not the Same Girl--Blue Northern
9 Thirsty Ears--Powder Blues
10 I Don't Need You--Kenny Rogers

Singles entering the chart were One Step Ahead by Split Enz (#18); and Cool Love by Pablo Cruise (#20).

Technology
IBM introduced its first personal computer, the model 5150.

Baseball
Intercontinental Cup @ Renfrew Park, Edmonton
U.S.A. (5-1) 7 @ Canada (4-2) 9
Cuba (4-2) 23 @ Panama (1-5) 12 (8 innings)
Australia (1-6) 2 @ South Korea (4-2) 14
Dominican Republic (4-3) 1 @ Japan (2-4) 12 (7 innings)

The game between Australia and South Korea was played at South Side Industrial Park. Dave Montanari's 3-run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning was the deciding blow in Canada's win over the U.S.A. in the morning game. The Cuba-Panama game, which started at 3 P.M., may have been the worst game I've ever seen. Panamanian relief pitcher Renaldo Montero gave up 8 runs--all earned--in 2 innings, and started a fight in his own dugout when he was removed from the game by his manager. Public address announcer Barry Boyd told me that if it had been a night game, he'd have fallen asleep. That game and the one between Dominican Republic and Japan were called after 8 and 7 innings respectively because of the 10-run mercy rule.

20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Say Yes--Chage and Aska (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Wind of Change--Scorpions (11th week at #1)