October 11, 2011

700 years ago
1311

Religion
The peerage and clergy of the Kingdom of England published the Ordinances of 1311 to restrict King Edward II's powers.

340 years ago
1671

Born on this date
Frederik IV. King of Denmark and Norway, 1699-1730. Frederik IV acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Christian V. His reign was characterized by wars against the forces of his first cousins King Carl XII of Sweden and Friedrich IV, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp. King Frederik implemented economic reform, and oversaw an increase in trade and flourishing of culture. He suffered from dropsy in later years, and died on October 12, 1730, the day after his 59th birthday.

200 years ago
1811

Transportation
The Juliana began operation as the first steam-powered ferry in New York harbor, operating between New York City and Hoboken, New Jersey.

190 years ago
1821

Born on this date
George Williams. U.K. philanthropist. Sir George was a draper who converted from Anglicanism to Congregationalism in 1837, and led the group of men who founded the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in London in 1844. He died on November 6, 1905, 26 days after his 84th birthday. Sir George Williams University, now part of Concordia University in Montreal, was named in his honour.

150 years ago
1861

Born on this date
Eille Norwood. U.K. actor. Born Anthony Brett in York, England, Mr. Norwood played Sherlock Holmes in 47 movies released from 1921-1923. He died on December 24, 1948 at the age of 87.

Transportation
Cobb & Co Telegraphic Line of Coaches began operating in New Zealand.

140 years ago
1871

Born on this date
Johan Oscar Smith. Norwegian religious leader. Mr. Smith served with the Norwegian Navy for 40 years. He converted to Christianity in 1898, and during World War I, founded the Brunstad Christian Church, which emphasizes obedience to the Holy Spirit, and has about 40,000 adherents in 65 countries. Mr. Smith died of a heart attack on May 1, 1943 at the age of 71.

130 years ago
1881

Born on this date
Hans Kelsen. Czech-born jurist. Professor Kelsen, a native of Prague, wrote the 1920 Austrian Constitution, which is still in use today. He moved to Germany in 1930, but fled to Geneva after the Nazis took power in Germany in 1933, and settled in the United States in 1940, becoming a professor in the political science department of the University of California. Prof. Kelsen was a supporter of the Nuremberg trials of accused Nazi war criminals after World War II, but was perhaps best known for his textbook Reine Rechtslehre (Pure Theory of Law) (1934/1960), in which he used the philosophy of Immanuel Kant to define legal science. Professor Kelsen died on April 19, 1973 at the age of 91; his views remain influential and controversial.

120 years ago
1891

Died on this date
Will Smalley, 20. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Smalley was the third baseman with the Cleveland Spiders of the National League in 1890 at the age of 19, batting .213 with no home runs and 42 runs batted in in 136 games. In 1891 he lost his job to Patsy Tebeau, who had held the position before jumping to the Players' League in 1890. Mr. Smalley played 11 games for the Washington Statesmen of the American Association, batting .158 with no homers and 3 runs batted in. He soon fell ill, which caused his death.

100 years ago
1911

Hockey
Canadian leagues decided to go with teams of six players instead of seven; the rover position was abolished.

Baseball
Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers was named the American League's Most Valuable Player, while Frank "Wildfire" Schulte of the Chicago Cubs was named the National League's Most Valuable Player. Each player was awarded a Chalmers automobile. Mr. Cobb played 146 games in 1911, leading the AL with a career high batting average of .419, as well as in runs (148), hits (248), doubles (47), triples (24), runs batted in (127), and slugging (.620). Mr. Schulte played 154 games, batting .300 and leading the NL in home runs (21), RBIs (107), and slugging (.534).

90 years ago
1921

Baseball
World Series
New York Giants 8 @ New York Yankees 5 (Best-of-nine series tied 3-3)

The Giants, trailing 5-3 after 3 innings, scored 4 runs in the top of the 4th and maintained the lead from there before 34,283 fans at the Polo Grounds. Neither starting pitcher made it through the 2nd inning. Fred Toney of the Giants gave up 3 hits and 3 runs--all earned--in just 2/3 inning, and Jesse Barnes (2-0) relieved him and gave up just 4 hits and 2 earned runs in 8.1 innings. Harry Harper started for the Yankees and allowed 3 hits--including 2 home runs--and 2 bases on balls in 1.1 innings. He was replaced by Bob Shawkey (0-1), who gave up 8 hits, 2 walks, and 5 runs--3 earned--in 6.2 innings and took the loss.

80 years ago
1931

Football
NFL
Staten Island (1-1) 6 @ Brooklyn (2-4) 18
Chicago Cardinals (0-2) 7 @ Green Bay (5-0) 26
New York (1-3) 0 @ Chicago Bears (2-1) 6

70 years ago
1941

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Piano Concerto in B Flat--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra (2nd week at #1)

Football
CRU
ERFU
Montreal (0-3) 3 @ Toronto Argonauts (3-0) 24
Toronto Balmy Beach (1-2) 1 @ Ottawa (2-1) 13

WIFU
Winnipeg (3-1) 0 @ Regina (4-2) 9

60 years ago
1951

Died on this date
Edwin Wesley Hammer, 83. U.S. engineer. Mr. Hammer was an associate of Thomas Edison and a pioneer in commercial energy development.

War
Emperor Hirohito, addressing the opening session of the Japanese Diet, urged its members to ratify the peace treaty signed in San Francisco.

Defense
The Iraqi government announced a request for renegotiation of the 1930 treaty under which the United Kingdom maintained air bases at Habbaniya and Shaiba.

Crime
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the recent arrest of 120 suspects charged with stealing more than $1 million in government property from military bases throughout the country.

Journalism
The U.S.S.R. announced the replacement of Mikhail Suslov by L.F. Ilichev as editor of the official Communist Party newspaper Pravda.

Economics and finance
The World Bank granted Yugoslavia a $28-million economic development loan.

Baseball
Nippon Series
Yomiuri Giants 7 @ Nankai Hawks 0 (Yomiuri led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Takehiko Bessho (1–0) pitched a 6-hitter and Noboru Aota hit a home run for the Giants as they recorded their second straight shutout over the Hawks before 27,639 fans at Osaka Stadium. Susumu Yuki (0–1) took the loss.

50 years ago
1961

Died on this date
Chico Marx, 74. U.S. comedian and actor. Leonard Marx, the oldest of the Marx brothers, actually was nicknamed "Chicko" because of his success with the ladies, but it was misspelled, and the misspelling stuck. On stage and screen he played a con man of Italian origin, who was also a skilled pianist. Mr. Marx served as the brothers' unofficial manager after the death of their mother Minnie in 1929, and led a big band in the 1930s and '40s. His private life was marked by womanizing and gambling, and he died of arteriosclerosis.

Aviation
Bob White of the United States reached an altitude of 215,000 feet in an X-15 rocket plane, breaking the previous record of 169,000 feet. Mr. White, who took off from, and landed at, Edwards Air Force Base in California, reached a speed of 3,477 miles per hour.

Diplomacy
The first Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement was held in Belgrade, resulting in the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Politics and government
Paul Comtois was installed as Lieutenant Governor of Québec; he served until his death on February 21, 1966.

U.S. President John F. Kennedy addressed various issues in a press conference at the State Department Auditorium in Washington.



Baseball
Kazuhisa "Iron Man" Inao of the Nishitetsu Lions picked up his 42nd win of the season, tying the Japanese single-season record set by Victor Starffin of the Yomiuri Giants in 1939.

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Daddy Cool--Drummond (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Watashi no Jôkamachi--Rumiko Koyanagi (12th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Help (Get Me Some Help)--Tony Ronald (8th week at #1)

On television today
Today, on NBC

Frank McGee began hosting the morning news program, succeeding Hugh Downs, who had resigned to pursue other interests after hosting the show for nine years.

Died on this date
Lewis "Chesty" Puller, 73. U.S. military officer. Lieutenant General Puller served with the U.S. Marine Corps (1918-1955), fighting guerrillas in Haiti and Nicaragua in the 1920s and '30s, and serving in World War II and the Korean War. He retired after suffering a stroke in 1955, and remains the most decorated Marine in history, earning five Navy Crosses and one Distinguished Service Cross. Lt. Gen. Puller's son First Lieutenant Lewis Puller, Jr. suffered severe wounds in the Vietnam War, and his son-in-law Colonel William Dabney earned a Navy Cross for his service in Vietnam.

Tommy South, 28. U.S. musician. Mr. South, born Thomas Souter, was the younger brother of singer-songwriter Joe South, and was the drummer for the Believers, Joe's backup and touring band. Tommy also wrote, arranged, and performed on the recordings of other artists. He committed suicide.

Politics and government
Social Democratic Party leader Jens Otto Krag took office as Prime Minister of Denmark, leading a minority government resulting from the September 21 general election. Mr. Krag succeeded Viggo Kampmann as SDP leader and Prime Minister.

Football
CFL
British Columbia (5-7-1) 3 @ Hamilton (6-5) 36
Saskatchewan (8-5) 24 @ Calgary (9-4) 17

NFL
New York Giants (2-2) 13 @ Dallas (3-1) 20



Baseball
World Series
Pittsburgh Pirates 3 @ Baltimore Orioles 11 (Baltimore led best-of-seven series 2-0)

The Orioles amassed 14 hits--all singles--as they routed the Pirates before 53,239 fans at Memorial Stadium. Baltimore third baseman Brooks Robinson tied a World Series record by reaching base in 5 straight plate appearances: 3 hits and 2 bases on balls. Winning pitcher Jim Palmer (1-0) batted in 2 runs by drawing walks with the bases loaded in both the 4th and 5th innings. Pittsburgh third baseman Richie Hebner broke up the shutout with a 3-run home run in the 8th inning. Starting pitcher Bob Johnson (0-1) took the loss for the Pirates.







30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Theme from "Greatest American Hero" (Believe it or Not)--Joey Scarbury

#1 single in Switzerland: For Your Eyes Only--Sheena Easton (2nd week at #1)

Football
CFL
Toronto (1-12) 12 @ Winnipeg (8-5) 43

Winnipeg kicker Trevor Kennerd tied a CFL single-game record with 7 field goals as the Blue Bombers routed the Argonauts at Winnipeg Stadium.



Baseball
National League Division Series
Montreal 3 @ Philadelphia 0 (Montreal won best-of-five series 3-2)

Steve Rogers (2-0) pitched a 6-hitter and singled home Larry Parrish and Chris Speier with the first 2 runs in the 5th inning as the Expos shut out the Phillies before 47,384 fans at Veterans Stadium for the only post-season series win in their history in Montreal (see video).





Houston 0 @ Los Angeles 4 (Los Angeles won best-of-five series 3-2)

Jerry Reuss (1-0) pitched a 5-hitter to outduel Nolan Ryan (1-1) as the Dodgers rallied from a 2-0 series deficit to eliminate the Astros before 55,979 fans at Dodger Stadium.



American League Division Series
Milwaukee 3 @ New York 7 (New York won best-of-five series 3-2)

Reggie Jackson hit a 2-run home run with 1 out and Oscar Gamble followed with a homer as the Yankees scored 4 runs in the 4th inning in overcoming a 2-0 deficit to eliminate the Brewers before 47,505 fans at Yankee Stadium (see video).

25 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Easy Lady--Spagna (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): The Final Countdown--Europe

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): The Final Countdown--Europe (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): True Blue--Madonna (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Don't Leave Me This Way--The Communards (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): When I Think of You--Janet Jackson

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 When I Think of You--Janet Jackson
2 Stuck with You--Huey Lewis and the News
3 Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)--Glass Tiger
4 Heartbeat--Don Johnson
5 Dreamtime--Daryl Hall
6 Throwing it All Away--Genesis
7 Two of Hearts--Stacey Q
8 True Colors--Cyndi Lauper
9 Typical Male--Tina Turner
10 Love-Zone--Billy Ocean

Singles entering the chart were Where did Your Heart Go? by Wham! (#72); Don't Get Me Wrong by the Pretenders (#83); Midas Touch by Midnight Star (#85); Stairway to Heaven by Far Corporation (#87); Good Music by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (#88); Lady Soul by the Temptations (#89); and Fall on Me by R.E.M. (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Rumors--Timex Social Club (2nd week at #1)
2 Spirit in the Sky--Doctor and the Medics
3 Stuck with You--Huey Lewis and the News
4 Friends and Lovers--Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson
5 Take My Breath Away--Berlin
6 Venus--Bananarama
7 Walk This Way--Run-D.M.C.
8 True Colors--Cyndi Lauper
9 Higher Love--Steve Winwood
10 Dancing on the Ceiling--Lionel Richie

Singles entering the chart were Love will Conquer All by Lionel Richie (#75); I Feel the Magic by Belinda Carlisle (#76); The Way it Is by Bruce Hornsby and the Range (#81); Freedom Overspill by Steve Winwood (#90); Soul City by the Partland Brothers (#95); Sandra by Idle Eyes (#96); What About Love by 'Til Tuesday (#97); Find My Way Back by Billy Newton-Davis (#98); and Can't Hold On by DoubleDare (#99).

On television tonight
The Twilight Zone, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Storyteller, starring Glynis O'Connor; Nightsong, starring Lisa Eilbacher

Died on this date
Norm Cash, 51. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Cash saw limited action as an outfielder with the Chicago White Sox in 1958 and 1959, and was traded to the Cleveland Indians after that season. He played for the Indians during the pre-season of 1960, but was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Steve Demeter, who played just 4 major league games after the trade. Mr. Cash moved to first base and played 15 years for the Tigers, compiling a career major league batting average of .271, with 377 home runs and 1,103 runs batted in. He led the American League in 1961 with a .361 average, which he later attributed in part to the use of a corked bat. His only World Series appearance was in 1968, when he batted .385. He was released during the 1974 season. Mr. Cash had been drinking when he slipped getting out of a boat and hit his head on a rock. He drowned in 15 feet of water off Beaver Island in Lake Michigan.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and U.S.S.R. leader Mikhail Gorbachev met in Reykjavík in an effort to continue discussions about scaling back their intermediate missile arsenals in Europe.

Football
CIAU
British Columbia 35 @ Alberta 7

UBC defensive back Mark Norman made 3 interceptions and returned 2 for touchdowns to lead the Thunderbirds past the Golden Bears before about 200 fans at Varsity Stadium in Edmonton.

Baseball
American League Championship Series
Boston 3 @ California 4 (11 innings) (California led best-of-seven series 3-1)

The Angels trailed 3-0 going into the bottom of the 9th inning before 64,223 fans at Anaheim Stadium, but Boston ace Roger Clemens failed to preserve the shutout, and was replaced by Calvin Schiraldi, who failed to hold the lead.



National League Championship Series
Houston 5 @ New York 6 (New York led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Lenny Dykstra's 2-run home run off Dave Smith with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th inning gave the Mets their win over the Astros before 55,052 fans at Shea Stadium.



20 years ago
1991

Died on this date
Redd Foxx, 68. American comedian and actor. Mr. Foxx, born John Elroy Sanford, became popular through a series of risque nightclub appearances and comedy albums in the 1950s and '60s, and achieved mainstream popularity as the star of the television comedy series Sanford and Son (1972-1977), taking the name of his character from his father and older brother. Mr. Foxx was starring in the comedy series The Royal Family (1991-1992) when he collapsed with a heart attack during a rehearsal, and died several hours later. His death was ironic, since he often faked having a heart attack on Sanford and Son.

Clay Kirby, 43. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Kirby played with the San Diego Padres (1969-1973); Cincinnati Reds (1974-1975); and Montreal Expos (1976), compiling a record of 75-104 with an earned run average of 3.84 in 261 games. He was a member of the Reds' World Series championship team in 1975, but didn't see post-season action. Mr. Kirby is best remembered for a game against the New York Mets on July 21, 1970, when he was pitching a no-hitter after 8 innings, but the Padres were trailing 1-0. San Diego manager Preston Gomez sent Cito Gaston in to pinch hit for Mr. Kirby; he made an out, and relief pitcher Jack Baldschun gave up 2 hits and 2 runs in the 9th as the Mets won 3-0. Mr. Kirby died of a heart attack three months after surgery for a blocked artery.

Scandal
Testifying before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Oral Roberts University law professor Anita Hill accused U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexually harassing her; Mr. Thomas reappeared before the panel to denounce the proceedings as a "high-tech lynching."

Football
CFL
Toronto (10-5) 27 @ Winnipeg (8-7) 28

The Blue Bombers took a 21-7 lead, fell behind 24-21, but played well over the final 20 minutes to edge the Argonauts before 30,760 fans at Winnipeg Stadum.



Baseball
The New York Mets hired Jeff Torborg as manager. Mr. Torborg had resigned as manager of the Chicago White Sox to take the position with the Mets, after leading the White Sox to an 87-75 record in 1991, second in the American League West Division.

American League Championship Series
Minnesota 3 @ Toronto 2 (10 innings) (Minnesota led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Mike Pagliarulo's pinch-hit home run in the top of the 10th inning off Mike Timlin (0-1) broke a 2-2 tie as the Twins edged the Blue Jays before 51,454 fans at SkyDome.



10 years ago
2001

Literature
V.S. Naipaul won the Nobel Prize in Literature "for having united perceptive narrative and incorruptible scrutiny in works that compel us to see the presence of suppressed histories."

Business
Polaroid Corporation filed for federal bankruptcy protection.

Baseball
American League Division Series
Cleveland 1 @ Seattle 5 (Best-of-five series tied 1-1)


Oakland 2 @ New York 0 (Oakland led best-of-five series 2-0)