October 8, 2011

1,560 years ago
451

Religion
The Council of Chalcedon opened at Chalcedon, a city in Asia Minor. The major result of the council, which closed on November 1, was the affirmation that the Lord Jesus Christ possesses both divine and human natures. It was a repudiation of monophysitism, the idea that Jesus Christ possesses just one nature, with His human nature being absorbed by His divine nature.

460 years ago
1551

Born on this date
Giulio Caccini. Italian composer. Mr. Caccini was predominantly a composer of monody and solo song accompanied by a chordal instrument; he was a tenor who accompanied himself on archlute or viol. Mr. Caccini wrote music for the operas Euridice (1600); Il rapimento di Cefalo (1600); and Euridice (1602), becoming one of the founders of opera. He died at the age of 67 and was buried on December 10, 1618.

190 years ago
1821

Died on this date
Juan de O'Donojú y O'Ryan, 59. Prime Minister of Spain, 1813; Jefe Político Superior (Viceroy) of New Spain, 1821; Regent of the Mexican Empire, 1821. Lieutenant General O'Donojú, the son of Irish immigrants, joined the Spanish Army at a young age, and served with distinction in the Peninsular War (1807-1814). He took office as Jefe Político Superior upon his arrival in Veracruz on July 21, 1821, and found that the population in most of New Spain supported rebel leader Agustín de Iturbide and the Plan de Iguala for Mexican independence. Lieutenant General O'Donojú met with Mr. Iturbide on August 24, and they reached an agreement on independence. Lieutenant General O'Donojú oversaw the withdrawal of Spanish troops; Mexican declaed its independence on September 28, with Lieutenant General O'Donojú serving as Regent of the Mexican Empire. He died in Mexico City just 10 days later; the cause of death was reported as pleurisy, but some historians have suspected that he was poisoned by Mr. Iturbide. Lieutenant General O'Donojú was succeeded as Regent by Antonio Pérez Martínez.

Defense
The Peruvian Navy was established by General Jose de San Martín, Protector of Peru. The first General Commander was Captain Martin George Guise.

140 years ago
1871

Disasters
At least 800 people in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and as many as 400-800 more in other cities in Wisconsin and Michigan perished in a fire that cut a swath through much of the two states (see also here). That night, a separate fire in Chicago killed 300 people and left 90,000 homeless.





125 years ago
1886

Died on this date
Austin F. Pike, 68. U.S. politician. Mr. Pike, a Republican, was a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives (1850-1852, 1865-1866) and Senate (1857-1858), serving as President of the latter in 1858. He represented N.H.'s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1873-1875) and represented the state in the U.S. Senate from 1883 until his death, eight days before his 69th birthday.

110 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Einar Groven. Norwegian composer. Mr. Groven wrote two symphonies, a piano concerto, songs and choral music. He played the hardanger fiddle, and collected 2,000 fiddle tunes throught Norway, becoming the country's leader collector of folk music. Mr. Groven was afficted with Parkinson's disease in 1964, and the effects of medicines eventually caused his death from heart problems on February 8, 1977 at the age of 75.

Mark Oliphant. Australian physicist and politician. Sir Mark played an important role in the first experimental demonstration of nuclear fusion in the early 1930s. He was one of the early advocates of the possibility of the development of nuclear weapons, and helped to spread the word in the United States, leading to the Manhattan Project resulting in the creation of the atomic bomb. Sir Mark served as Governor of South Australia (1971-1976), and helped to found the Australian Democrats in 1977. He died on July 14, 2000 at the age of 98.

100 years ago
1911

Baseball
The Vernon Tigers routed the Portland Beavers 27-1 in a Pacific Coast League game.

90 years ago
1921

On the radio
Pittsburgh station KDKA transmitted the first live broadcast of a football game, from Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.

Football
CRU
ORFU
Parkdale Canoe Club (2-0) 22 @ Toronto Rugby & Athletic Association (0-1) 7

ARU
University of Alberta (0-1) 3 @ Edmonton (2-0) 35

Jimmy Enright scored 2 touchdowns and a rouge, while Jack Fraser scored a touchdown, 2 field goals, and 5 singles to help the Eskimos beat U of A at Diamond Park. Curly Dorman also scored an Edmonton TD, and Bill Rankin kicked 3 converts.

Baseball
World Series
Rain postponed the fourth game of the series between the New York Giants and New York Yankees at the Polo Grounds. The Yankees were leading the best-of-nine series 2-1.

80 years ago
1931

Died on this date
John Monash, 66. Australian military officer and engineer. General Sir John was a civil engineer who played a major role in introducing reinforced concrete to Australian engineering practice. He joined the militia in 1884, and advanced through the ranks of the Australian Army until he was given a field command in World War I, first in the Gallipoli campaign against the Ottoman Empire in 1915, and then in France on the Western Front in 1916. Gen. Sir John led Australian and American forces to victories from August-October 1918, and earned a reputation as the smartest Allied general in the war. He worked in civilian positions after war, and was regarded as the greatest living Australian until his death from a heart attack.

75 years ago
1936

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Louis Hector and Harry West, on MBS
Tonight's episode: The Adventure of the Voodoo Curse

Died on this date
Ahmet Tevfik Pasha, 91. Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, 1909; 1918-1919; 1920-1922. Mr. Tevfik Pasha was the last Grand Vizier (Prime Minister) of the Ottoman Empire, under Sultans Abdul Hamid II and Mehmet VI. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1899-1909, serving as Grand Vizier from April 13, 1909 until he resigned on May 5 as Sultan Abdul Hamid II was deposed. Mr. Tevfik Pasha began his second term as Grand Vizier on November 11, 1918, the day of the World War I armistice; he resigned on March 3, 1919 after the dissolution of the government as a result of pressure from Allied military occupation. Mr. Tevfik Pasha was again appointed Grand Vizier on October 21, 1920 and held the position until he resigned on November 4, 1922, three days after the abolition of the Ottoman Sultanate.

Red Ames, 54. U.S. baseball pitcher. Leon Kessling Ames played with the New York Giants (1903-1913); Cincinnati Reds (1913-1915); St. Louis Cardinals (1915-1919); and Philadelphia Phillies (1919), compiling a record of 183-167 with an earned run average of 2.63 in 533 games. His best season was 1905, when he was 22-8 with a 2.74 ERA in helping the Giants to their second straight National League pennant and first modern World Series championship. Mr. Ames was also a member of NL pennant-winning teams in 1911 and 1912. On opening day in 1909, Mr. Ames pitched a no-hitter against the Brooklyn Superbas for 9 innings, gave up a hit in the 10th inning, and lost the game 3-0 in the 13th. He died after a long illness that began when he inhaled ammonia fumes from a defective drum in a dairy at which he worked.

70 years ago
1941

At the movies
49th Parallel, produced and directed by Michael Powell, and starring Leslie Howard, Laurence Olivier, Anton Walbrook, and Raymond Massey, received its premiere screening in London.





War
During the preliminaries of the Battle of Rostov, German forces reached the Sea of Azov with the capture of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Press reports to Budapest and Berlin stated that heavy fighting was continuing in Yugoslavia between Serbian guerrillas and German and Italian troops. Japanese military authorities in Shanghai stated that Chines forces had launched an offensive along the middle Yangtze River and were threatening Shasi in the province of Hupeh.

Defense
The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved a second supplemental national defense appropriation bill, including $5.985 billion in Lend-Lease funds.

Crime
N.Z. dairy farmer Stanley Graham shot and killed three policemen and another man, and mortally wounded another in Kōwhitirangi on South Island’s West Coast, beginning a 12-day manhunt. The incident began when Mr. Graham refused to hand over his rifle to police to aid the war effort.

Law
U.S. Attorney General Francis Biddle stated at his first press conference that he approved the use of wire-tapping in cases involving espionage, sabotage, or kidnapping.

Journalism
George Sylvester Viereck, a veteran U.S. journalist who was known for propagandizing on behalf of Germany, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York on a five-count indictment charging him with withholding information concerning his German propaganda activity.

Medicine
Dr. Norman Plummer of Cornell University Medical College said that sulfadiazine had cured a case of subacute bacterial endocarditis, an infectious heart disease previously regarded as 100% fatal.

60 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Lights Out, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Dark Image, starring Donald Woods, Ann Shepherd, Beatrice Kraft, and Leni Stengel



Literature
The Revolt: Story of the Irgun by Israeli terrorist Menachem Begin was published in New York by Schuman.

Canadiana
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrived at Dorval Airport in Montreal to begin a 35-day coast-to-coast tour of Canada.

War
In a message to Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command General Matthew Ridgway, Communist military leaders proposed the abandoned village of Panmunjom as a neutral conference site for Korean truce talks.

Diplomacy
In an attempt to force the British out of Suez and Sudan, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa el-Nahas Pasha asked his Parliament to endorse decrees abrogating the Anglo-Egyptian treaty of 1936, under which British troops defended the Suez Canal, and annexing Anglo-Egyptian Sudan to Egypt.

World events
Yugoslavian Premier Marshal Josip Broz Tito reported that 8,445 Communist spies had been arrested in Yugoslavia since the country's break with the Soviet Union in mid-1948.

Politics and government
U.S. Senator Richard Nixon (Republican--California) introduced a bill prohibiting federal employees from accepting pay from members of a political party's national committee, following allegations of influence-peddling involving both Republican and Democratic Party leaders.

Economics and finance
The U.S. government declared 41 communities containing military or defense production installations to be critical housing areas, making them eligible for federal aid and relaxed credit curbs.

Football
CRU
IRFU
Ottawa (5-3) 12 @ Montreal (2-5) 9
Toronto (3-4) 10 @ Hamilton (5-3) 0

WIFU
Edmonton (7-5) 27 @ Winnipeg (6-6) 38
Calgary (3-9) 18 @ Saskatchewan (8-4) 28

NFL
New York Yanks (0-2) 10 @ Detroit (2-0) 37

The Lions beat the Yanks at Briggs Stadium in what was an official home game for the Yanks, who were forced to play their first two home games on the road because the baseball New York Yankees didn't want the field to be torn up during the World Series.



Baseball
Cincinnati Reds' President Warren Giles was named President of the National League to succeed Ford Frick, who had moved up to become Commissioner of Baseball.

World Series
New York Yankees 6 @ New York Giants 2 (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)

Joe DiMaggio hit a 2-run home run in the 5th inning to provide the deciding runs and added a single to help the Yankees defeat the Giants before 49,010 fans at the Polo Grounds. Joltin' Joe's homer was the last of his Hall of Fame career. Allie Reynolds (1-1) pitched an 8-hit complete game to win the pitching matchup with Sal Maglie (0-1).

50 years ago
1961

At the movies
Mr. Sardonicus, produced and directed by William Castle, and starring Oscar Homolka, Ronald Lewis, Audrey Dalton, and Guy Rolfe, opened in theatres in New York City.



Football
NFL
Baltimore (2-2) 7 @ Green Bay (3-1) 45
Chicago (2-2) 31 @ Detroit (2-2) 17
Dallas (3-1) 28 @ Minnesota (1-3) 0
Los Angeles (1-3) 0 @ San Francisco (3-1) 35
New York (3-1) 24 @ St. Louis (2-2) 9
Pittsburgh (0-4) 16 @ Philadelphia (3-1) 21
Washington (0-4) 7 @ Cleveland (3-1) 31

AFL
Dallas (3-1) 19 @ Denver (1-4) 12
Buffalo (2-3) 22 @ Houston (1-3) 12

Baseball
World Series
New York Yankees 7 @ Cincinnati Reds 0 (New York led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Whitey Ford (2-0) pitched the first 5 innings for the Yankees to earn the win and extend his streak of scoreless innings in World Series play to 32, breaking a record that had been held by Babe Ruth. Jim Coates pitched the last 4 innings for the Yankees. Bill Skowron and Bobby Richardson each had 3 hits for the Yankees. Jim O'Toole (0-2) took the loss before 32,589 fans at Crosley Field.

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Never Ending Song of Love--Delaney & Bonnie & Friends (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Butterfly--Danyel Gérard

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 You--Peter Maffay
2 Co-Co--The Sweet
3 Daar's Niks Soos Ware Liefde--Groep Twee
4 Never Ending Song of Love--The New Seekers
5 Tom Tom Turnaround--New World
6 Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum--Middle of the Road
7 Silver Threads and Golden Needles--Barbara Ray
8 Sweet Hitch-Hiker--Creedence Clearwater Revival
9 Hey--Hedgehoppers Anonymous
10 Hold On (To What You Got)--Peanutbutter Conspiracy

The only single entering the chart was Butterfly by Danyel Gerard (#16).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Superstar--Carpenters
2 Go Away Little Girl--Donny Osmond
3 Reason to Believe/Maggie May--Rod Stewart
4 The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down--Joan Baez
5 Yo-Yo--The Osmonds
6 The Story in Your Eyes--The Moody Blues
7 Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep--Mac and Katie Kissoon
8 Smiling Faces Sometimes--The Undisputed Truth
9 Down by the River--Joey Gregorash
10 Talk it Over in the Morning--Anne Murray

Singles entering the chart were Imagine by John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (#27); Absolutely Right by Five Man Electrical Band (#28); Theme from Shaft by Isaac Hayes (#29); and I'd Love to Change the World by Ten Years After (#30). As the title indicates, Theme from Shaft was from the movie.

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKVN)
1 Yo-Yo--The Osmonds
2 So Far Away--Carole King
3 The Story in Your Eyes--The Moody Blues
4 Maggie May--Rod Stewart
5 One Fine Morning--Lighthouse
6 Stick-Up--The Honey Cone
7 Build a Tower--Brahman
8 If You Really Love Me--Stevie Wonder
9 Marianne--Stephen Stills
10 I've Found Someone of My Own--The Free Movement

Singles entering the chart were It's for You by Springwell (#37); Tired of Being Alone by Al Green (#38); Theme from Shaft by Isaac Hayes (#39); and Absolutely Right by Five Man Electrical Band (#40).

On television today
Today, on NBC

Hugh Downs concluded nine years as host of the morning news program. He resigned in order to pursue other interests, and was succeeded by Frank McGee.

Politics and government
Hédard Joseph Robichaud took office as New Brunswick’s first Acadian Lieutenant-Governor.

Richard Nixon became the first U.S. President to visit all 50 states when he attended the 35th annual State Forest Festival in Elkins, West Virginia.

Law
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that, under the Bill of Rights, Indian women could not be deprived of Indian status because of marriage to a non-Indian.

Hockey
NHL
Henri Richard was named the new captain of the Montreal Canadiens, succeeding the retired Jean Beliveau.

30 years ago
1981

Baseball
National League Division Series
Philadelphia 1 @ Montreal 3 (Montreal led best-of-five series 2-0)



American League Division Series
New York 3 Milwaukee 0 (New York led best-of-five series 2-0)





25 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Joey Killer--Magnus Uggla (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Max Surkont, 64. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Surkont played with the Chicago White Sox (1949); Boston/Milwaukee Braves (1950-1953); Pittsburgh Pirates (1954-1956); St. Louis Cardinals (1956); and New York Giants (1956-1957), compiling a record of 61-76 with an earned run average of 4.38 in 236 games. His best record was 11-5 with the Milwaukee Braves in 1953.

Baseball
National League Championship Series
New York 0 @ Houston 1 (Houston led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Mike Scott struck out 14 batters to win the pitchers' duel over Dwight Gooden before 44,131 fans at the Astrodome. The only run came on a home run by Glenn Davis in the 2nd inning.





American League Championship Series
California 2 @ Boston 9 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)



20 years ago
1991

Died on this date
Ed Hanyzewski, 71. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Hanyzewski played with the Chicago Cubs from 1942-1946, compiling a record of 12-13 with an earned run average of 3.30 in 58 games. His best season was 1943, when he was 8-7 with a 2.56 ERA in 33 games.

Europeana
Upon the expiration of the Brioni Agreement, Croatia and Slovenia voted to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia.

Baseball
The Boston Red Sox fired manager Joe Morgan and replaced him with Butch Hobson. Mr. Morgan replaced John McNamara in mid-season of 1988 and led the Red Sox to American League East Division titles that year and in 1990, but the team finished tied for second with the Detroit Tigers in 1991 with a record of 84-78, 7 games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays.

American League Championship Series
Minnesota 5 @ Toronto 4 (Minnesota led best-of-seven series 1-0)

The Twins took a 5-0 lead after 3 innings and held on to edge the Blue Jays before 54,766 fans at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.



10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Dmitry Polyansky, 83. U.S.S.R. politician. Mr. Polyansky was Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Premier) of Russia from 1958-1962, and First Deputy Premier of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union from 1965-1973. He died 30 days before his 84th birthday.

War
Canada announced that it would contribute six ships, six aircraft, and more than 2,000 service personnel to the U.S.-led coalition against terrorism.

Politics and government
Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was sworn in as director of the new U.S. Office of Homeland Security.

Religion
Pope John Paul II beatified Montreal nun Emilie Tavernier Gamelin who founded the Sisters of Providence religious community in 1843.

Disasters
118 people were killed when a Scandinavian Airlines passenger jet collided with a Cessna Citation II business jet at Linate Airport in Milan.

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (4-10) 13 @ Montreal (9-5) 7
Hamilton (8-5) 35 @ Calgary (5-9-0-1) 33

Keith Smith made his first start at quarterback for the Roughriders at Percival Molson Stadium as they handed the Alouettes their third straight defeat.

A late touchdown pass from Danny McManus to Darren Flutie gave the Tiger-Cats their win over the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium.