November 17, 2011

1,370 years ago
641

Died on this date
Jomei, 48. Emperor of Japan, 629-641. Jomei, born Tamura, was the grandson of Emperor Bidatsu and the son of Prince Oshisakanohikohito-no-Ōe. Jomei succeeded his great aunt Empress Suiko, and was succeeded by his wife and niece Kōgyoku.

500 years ago
1511

Defense
King Henry VIII of England and King Ferdinand II of Aragon concluded the Treaty of Westminster, a pledge of mutual aid against the French.

200 years ago
1811

Politics and government
Chilean founding father José Miguel Carrera was sworn in as President of the executive junta of the government of Chile.

180 years ago
1831

South Americana
Ecuador and Venezuela were separated from Gran Colombia.

140 years ago
1871

Society
The National Rifle Association was first chartered in the State of New York by Army and Navy Journal editor William Conant Church and Captain George Wood Wingate.

130 years ago
1881

Crime
The trial of Charles Guiteau for the assassination of U.S. President James A. Garfield began in Washington, D.C.

120 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Frank Fay. U.S. entertainer. Mr. Fay, born Francis Donner, was the most popular and influential comedian in vaudeville in the decade or so after World War I. He was credited as the first standup comedian, and the first emcee to play an important role on stage. Mr. Fay appeared in several movies, but he was a heavy drinker and a vocal anti-Semite, both of which seriously hindered his career. He was married to actress Barbara Stanwyck from 1928-1935, but his fame declined as hers increased, and he reportedly beat her and cheated on her. Mr. Fay made a comeback on Broadway as the star of Harvey (1944), but he made enemies when he requested that the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Un-American activities investigate actors who were opponents of the Spanish regime if Francisco Franco, ostensibly because they were anti-Catholic. He was the guest of honour at a rally in Madison Square Garden in New York in January 1946, called "The Friends of Frank Fay;" speakers included members of the Ku Klux Klan and supporters of Mr. Franco's regime. Mr. Fay's personality and associations likely prevented him from getting the lead role in the movie version of Harvey. He was declared legally incompetent shortly before his death from a ruptured abdominal aorta on September 25, 1961 at the age of 69.

110 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Lee Strasberg. Ukrainian-born U.S. actor, director, and teacher. Mr. Strasberg, a native of what was then Austrian Poland, emigrated to New York City in 1909. He co-founded the Group Theatre in 1931, and became director of the Actors Studio in 1951. Mr. Strasberg is regarded as the "father of method acting in America," which involves actors exploring inner motivations and emotions, often drawing on their own experiences. The list of actors trained by Mr. Strasberg is too lengthy to be mentioned here. He appeared in serveral Broadway plays from the mid-1920s to the early '30s, and in seven movies, receiving an Academy Award nomination for his supporting performance in The Godfather Part II (1974). Mr. Strasberg was still directing the Actors Studio when he died of a heart attack at the age of 80 on February 17, 1982.

Walter Hallstein. German politician. Professor Hallstein was a law professor who became a diplomat after World War II, serving as West German State Secretary at the Federal Foreign Office (1951-1958) and as President of the European Commission (1958-1967). He was known for the Hallstein Doctrine, which regarded diplomatic recognition of East Germany as an unfriendly act toward West Germany. Dr. Hallstein was a member of the Christian Democratic Party, and sat in the Bundestag (1969-1972). He died on March 29, 1982 at the age of 80, after a two-year illness.

100 years ago
1911

Born on this date
William Tannen. U.S. actor. Mr. Tannen, whose father Julius and brother Charles were also actors, was a character actor in movies and television programs in a career spanning more than 35 years. He was best known for playing Deputy Hal Norton in the television Western series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1956-1958). Mr. Tannen died on December 2, 1976, 15 days after his 65th birthday.

75 years ago
1936

Died on this date
Ernestine Schumann-Heink, 75. German-born singer. Mrs. Schumann-Heink was an operatic contralto who had an international career spanning more than 50 years, and was especially known for her performances of the works of Richard Wagner. She became an American citizen in 1905, and began hosting a weekly radio program in 1926. Mrs. Schumann-Heink died of leukemia.

70 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Ernst Udet, 45. German military aviator. Generaloberst Udet was an air ace during World War I and recorded 62 combat victories, second to Baron Manfred von Richtofen's 80 among German aces. He joined the Nazi Partyin 1933 and helped to develop the Luftwaffe, becoming Director-General of Equipment in 1939. Generaloberst Udet became a heavy drinker, which combined with the strain of the war and personal relationships to lead him to commit suicide by shooting himself.

War
The German command announced the capture of Kerch, on the eastern coast of Crimea.

Diplomacy
Japanese Prime Minister General Hideki Tojo, addressing the Diet, outlined a three-point program, indicating that the success of U.S.-Japanese peace talks depended on its fulfillment. He called for a free hand in China, an end to the "economic blockade" of Japan, and efforts to prevent the spread of the European war to East Asia. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt received Japanese envoy Saburo Kurusu at the White House.

Defense
U.S. President Roosevelt signed the congressional resolution repealing sections of the Neutrality Act which had prohibited American merchant ships from mounting guns or entering war zones. U.S. Senator Tom Connally (Democrat--Texas) introduced a bill to give the President increased power to take over defense plants or mines tied up by strikes and to freeze open or closed shops for the duration of the emergency.

Crime
Michael William Etzel was sentenced in Baltimore by U.S. Federal Judge William C. Coleman to 15 years in prison for sabotaging bombers at Glenn L. Martin Company.

Labour
For the third time since September 15, 53,000 Congress of Industrial Organizations United Mine Workers of America members struck for a union shop in coal mines owned by steel companies in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, and Illinois.

60 years ago
1951

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): The Loveliest Night of the Year--Mario Lanza; Ann Blyth (2nd week at #1)

#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Cold, Cold Heart--Tony Bennett (Best Seller--3rd week at #1); (It's No) Sin--Eddy Howard (Disc Jockey); Because of You--Tony Bennett (Jukebox--7th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 (It's No) Sin--The Four Aces (3rd week at #1)
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
2 Because of You--Tony Bennett
--Les Baxter and his Orchestra
3 Cold, Cold Heart--Tony Bennett
4 I Get Ideas--Tony Martin
--Louis Armstrong
5 Down Yonder--Del Wood
--Joe "Fingers" Carr
--Champ Butler
6 And So to Sleep Again--Patti Page
7 The World is Waiting for the Sunrise--Les Paul and Mary Ford
8 Undecided--The Ames Brothers and Les Brown and his Band of Renown
9 Turn Back the Hands of Time--Eddie Fisher
10 Domino--Tony Martin

Singles entering the chart were Charmaine by Mantovani and his Orchestra (#22); There's Always Room at Our House by Guy Mitchell (#25); Once by Jan Peerce (#27); Jealousy (Jalousie) by Frankie Laine (#31); and Shrimp Boats by Jo Stafford (#37).

On television tonight
Sherlock Holmes, starring Alan Wheatley and Raymond Francis, on BBC
Tonight's episode: The Reigate Squires

Academia
Quebec Premier Maurice Duplessis formally prohibited the leaders of Quebec universities from resorting to federal subsidies for the management of their institutions.

Labour
The World Federation of Trade Unions, praising recent New York and Hamburg dock strikes, annnounced at a convention in Berlin that it would intensify efforts to sabotage Atlantic defense preparations through pro-Communist unions in the West.

Football
CRU
IRFU
Finals
Hamilton 9 @ Ottawa 11 (Ottawa won 2-game total points series 28-16)

The Tiger-Cats, trailing 17-7 after the first game, led 9-1 halftime on a single by Tom Worthington, a field goal by Bob McDonald, and a touchdown by quarterback Bernie Custis, while Bruce Cummings had punted for a single for Ottawa's point. Mr. Cummings' second single of the game reduced Hamilton's lead to 9-2 in the game while increasing Ottawa's lead to 19-16 on the series after 3 quarters. The Rough Riders put the series away in the 4th quarter on a touchdown by quarterback Tom O'Malley, converted by Bob Gain, and a field goal by Mr. Gain. 17,000 were in attendance on a Saturday afternoon at Lansdowne Park.

50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): (Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame--Elvis Presley (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
The Twilight Zone, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Midnight Sun, starring Lois Nettleton

Disappeared on this date
Michael Rockefeller, 23. U.S. anthropologist. The son of New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Michael, a Harvard University graduate, had gone to Netherlands New Guinea to study the Dani tribe, and later the culture and art of the Asmat tribe. He and Dutch anthropologist Rene Wassing were in a 40-foot-long dugout canoe about three miles from shore when their double-pontoon boat was swamped and overturned. After drifting until they were about 12 miles from land, Mr. Rockefeller announced that he would try to swim to shore. Mr. Wassing was rescued the next day, but Mr. Rockefeller was never seen again, despite an intensive and lengthy search. He's presumed to have died on November 19 from drowning or an attack by a shark or crocodile, but rumours persist that he was the victim of cannibalism.

Defense
The United States conducted its first successful launch of a Minuteman missile from an underground silo.

Politics and government
The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Bill received royal assent; the first plan in North America providing universal coverage was to go into effect on July 1, 1962.

Football
AFL
Oakland (2-8) 17 @ Boston (6-4-1) 20

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Coz I Luv You--Slade (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
Rod Serling's Night Gallery, on NBC
Tonight's episode: House with Ghost, starring Bob Crane, Jo Anne Worley, and Alan Napier; A Midnight Visit to the Neighborhood Blood Bank, starring Victor Buono; Dr. Stringfellow's Rejuvenator, starring Forrest Tucker, Murray Hamilton, and Don Pedro Colley; Hell's Bell's, starring John Astin

Died on this date
Gladys Cooper, 82. U.K. actress and singer. Dame Gladys had a career on stage and screen spanning 65 years in the U.K. and U.S.A. She was nominated for Academy Awards for her supporting performances in Now, Voyager (1942); The Song of Bernadette (1943); and My Fair Lady (1964). Dame Gladys appeared in three episodes of The Twilight Zone (1962-1964), and co-starred in the television series The Rogues (1964-1965). She died of pneumonia, 31 days before her 83rd birthday.

World events
Citing the need to suppress communist infiltration, Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn and a group of military and civilian leaders seized the government of Thailand in a bloodless coup. Mr. Kittikachorn dissolved parliament and appointed himself Chairman of the National Executive Council. The Council abolished the Constitution and established martial law, serving as a caretaker government for one year.

Boxing
Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (33-1) won a 12-round unanimous decision over Buster Mathis (29-3) at the Astrodome in Houston to retain his North American Boxing Federation heavyweight title. Mr. Ali knocked Mr. Mathis down 4 times, with 3 of the knockdowns coming in the last 2 rounds. Mr. Mathis, who weighed in at 256 pounds, was making his first appearance in the ring since March 24, 1969, when he'd lost a 12-round decision to Jerry Quarry. Mr. Ali weighed 227 pounds, his heaviest weight ever for a fight. On the undercard, Canadian heavyweight champion George Chuvalo (64-17-2) won a unanimous 10-round decision over Cleveland Williams (75-13-1), and former U.K., Commonwealth, and European heavyweight champion Joe Bugner (34-3-1) won a unanimous 10-round decision over Mike Boswell (13-6) of Youngstown, Ohio.





Football
CFL
Western Finals
Calgary 23 @ Saskatchewan 21 (Calgary won best-of-three series 2-0)

Calgary quarterback Jerry Keeling evaded a strong rush from the Saskatchewan defensive line and completed a 72-yard touchdown pass to Rudy Linterman with 30 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter, which proved to be the decisive play as the Stampeders hung on to defeat the Roughriders before 14,582 fans at Taylor Field in Regina to win their second straight WFC title. Calgary kicker Larry Robinson missed 3 early field goal attempts, 2 of which went for singles to give his team a 2-0 lead after the 1st quarter. Mr. Keeling completed a 21-yard pass to Jon Henderson for a touchdown at 9:03 of the 2nd quarter. Mr. Robinson's convert gave the Stampeders a 9-0 halftime lead. Early in the 3rd quarter, former Stampeder Gig Perez intercepted a Keeling pass and returned it 55 yards to set up a short touchdown run by Saskatchewan fullback George Reed. Ron Lancaster completed a touchdown pass to Silas McKinnie at 9:35 of the 3rd quarter, and Jack Abendschan's second convert of the game gave the Roughriders a 14-9 lead. Less than 2 minutes later, at 11:22, Calgary fullback Hugh McKinnis rushed 42 yards for a touchdown. Mr. Robinson converted to give the Stampeders a 16-14 lead, which became 23-14 after 3 quarters upon Mr. Linterman's converted touchdown. The Roughriders attempted a comeback in the 4th quarter, and Mr. Lancaster sneaked 1 yard for a touchdown at 8:37, converted by Mr. Abendschan. Mr. Abendschan, normally a reliable "clutch" kicker, missed 2 field goals in the game, both of which were short and wide and run out of danger by Calgary defensive back Howard Starks. Mr. McKinnis led all rushers with 104 yards on 16 carries, while teammate Jesse Mims added 95 on 12 carries. Mr. Reed led the Roughriders with 67 yards on 15 carries, while Mr. McKinnie, who caught 6 passes for 77 yards, was held to 13 yards on 7 rushes. Mr. Keeling completed 14 of 24 passes, while Mr. Lancaster was 17 for 26 for 199 yards.



30 years ago
1981

Died on this date
Bob Eberly, 65. U.S. singer. Mr. Eberly sang with the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, and went with Jimmy when the brothers split in 1935. Mr. Eberly was known for his duets with Helen O'Connell on songs such as Green Eyes (1941) and Tangerine (1941), major hits for Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra. Mr. Eberly's brother Ray was also a singer, primarily with Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. Bob Eberly died of a heart attack.

Politics and government
The New Democratic Party, led by Howard Pawley, unseated the four-year-old Progressive Conservative government of Premier Sterling Lyon in the Manitoba provincial election. The NDP won 34 of 57 seats in the Legislative Assembly, an increase of 11 from the NDP's total before the election. The PCs took the remaining 23 seats, a decline of 10. The Liberals, led by Doug Lauchlan, lost their only seat. NDP candidate Conrad Santos was elected in Burrows, becoming the first Filipino-born person elected to office in Canada.

James Lee was sworn in as Premier of Prince Edward Island, succeeding retiring Angus MacLean as head of the province's Progressive Conservative government.

25 years ago
1986

Died on this date
Georges Besse, 58. French automobile executive. The chief executive officer of the automobile manufacturer Renault, Mr. Besse was assassinated outside his home in Paris.

20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): The Fly--U2 (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Good Vibrations--Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch featuring Loleatta Holloway

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa
2 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
3 Any Dream Will Do--Jason Donovan
4 Do the Limbo Dance--David Hasselhoff
5 The Fly--U2
6 Jambo--Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
7 Something Got Me Started--Simply Red
8 Bacardi Feeling (Summer Dreamin')--Kate Yanai
9 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--PM Dawn
10 Love to Hate You--Erasure

Singles entering the chart were Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python (#13); I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred (#21); and Nutbush City Limits by Tina Turner (#30).

Football
CFL
Eastern Final
Winnipeg 3 @ Toronto 42

Matt Dunigan threw touchdown passes to David Williams, Darrell K. Smith, and Mike "Pinball" Clemons, and Rocket Ismail returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown to help the Argonauts rout the Blue Bombers before 50,380 fans at SkyDome, marking the end of the Blue Bombers' reign as Grey Cup champions, and the end of Darryl Rogers' one-season reign as their head coach. The Argonauts led 22-3 after the 1st quarter and 30-3 at halftime. Mr. Dunigan was injued and replaced by Rickey Foggie, who threw to Mr. Smith for another touchdown.





Western Final
Calgary 38 @ Edmonton 36

Danny Barrett's 67-yard touchdown pass to PeeWee Smith with 1:02 remaining in regulation time, converted by Mark McLoughlin, enabled the Stampeders to beat the Eskimos before 30,142 fans at Commonwealth Stadium and advance to the Grey Cup for the first time in 20 years. Just a few minutes earlier, Mr. McLoughlin had kicked a 56-yard field goal to reduce the Eskimos' lead to 36-31. Edmonton led 26-8 in the 2nd quarter, but when Dean Dorsey missed an easy field goal attempt late in the quarter, I knew it would come back to haunt the Eskimos--and it did, as the Stampeders scored 20 points in the 4th quarter. For Roy Bennett, the cornerback who was beaten for the winning touchdown, it was his last game. It was also the final game in the 12-year Hall of Fame CFL career for Edmonton middle linebacker Danny Bass and the 13-year CFL career of Edmonton slotback Marco Cyncar, as well as running back Reggie Taylor and Mr. Dorsey. It was also the final game for Wes Montgomery after three seasons as the radio voice of the Eskimos on CFRN. CJCA regained the broadcast rights for 1992, with Bryan Hall returning for his 29th year calling the play-by-play.



10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Harrison Williams, 81. U.S. politician. "Pete" Williams, a Democrat, represented New Jersey's 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1953-1957) and represented the state in the Senate (1959-1982). He was convicted in 1981 of taking bribes in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Abscam sting operation, although he actually refused a bribe and was actually guilty only of indiscreet conversation. Sen. Williams resigned his seat before a planned vote to expel him took place; his treatment at the hands of his colleagues was so shameful and hypocritical that even Dr. Carl McIntire, a well-known Presbyterian pastor whose conservative views were opposed to those of Sen. Williams, was so outraged that he started a one-man committee to defend Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams died of cancer and heart ailments, 23 days before his 82nd birthday.