November 23, 2011

790 years ago
1221

Born on this date
Alfonso X. King of Castile and León, 1252-1284. Alfonso X "the Wise" acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Ferdinand III. He was chosen by a dissident faction in Germany to be King of Germany in 1257, but renounced that claim in 1275. King Alfonso created an alliance with England in 1254, and renounced his claim to Gascony. He encouraged learning, and his court included Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Alfonso X engaged in a successful war against Portugal, a less successful war against Grenada, and in his later years, a civil war against his son Sancho IV, who took the throne after King Alfonso died on April 4, 1284 at the age of 62.

140 years ago
1871

Born on this date
William Watt. Australian politician. Mr. Watt, a member of the Liberal Party, was Premier of Victoria from 1912-1913 and 1913-1914 before entering federal politics and representing Balaclava in the Australian Parliament from 1914-1929, serving as Treasurer from 1918-1920 and Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1923-1926. He joined the fledgling Nationalist Party in 1916. Mr. Watt died on September 13, 1946 at the age of 74.

110 years ago
1901

Football
CRU
Dominion Final
Toronto Argonauts 12 Ottawa College 12 @ Montreal (Replay scheduled for November 30)

75 years ago
1936

Journalism
The first issue of Life magazine appeared at newsstands.

Two Toronto newspapers, The Globe and The Mail and Empire, began publishing under the name The Globe and Mail.

70 years ago
1941

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Hindoo in the Wicker Basket

War
U.S.S.R. dispatches conceded that Soviet troops were giving ground at Tula, Mozhaisk, and Kiln before the German offensive. The United Kingdom announced the capture of Barda and Sidi Omar Nuovo, Libya. Cuban President Fulgencio Batista predicted in Havana that the United States would declare war by the following spring, and that "Cuba will be the first nation to enter the war on her side."

Defense
A German news agency announced that 13 powers would attend a conference in Berlin beginning November 25 to discuss the renewal and extension of the Anti-Comintern Pact.

Zionist leader Emanuel Neumann charged that "conspiring and intriguing British bureaucrats" had "sabotaged" plans to create a Jewish army in Palestine.

Football
NFL
Washington (5-4) 13 @ New York (8-2) 20
Chicago Cardinals (3-5-1) 7 @ Cleveland (2-9) 0
Chicago Bears (8-1) 24 @ Detroit (3-6-1) 7
Green Bay (9-1) 54 @ Pittsburgh (1-8-1) 7

The Giants defeated the Redskins at the Polo Grounds to clinch their sixth East Division title in nine years.

60 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Tales of Tomorrow, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Enemy Unknown, starring Walter Abel, Edith Fellows, and Lon McCallister

Diplomacy
The U.S.A. charged that a U.S. Navy Neptune patrol bomber that had been recently fired upon by Soviet fighter planes in the Vladivostok area was missing.

Defense
The United Kingdom rejected an Egyptian protest against British security measures in the Suez Canal Zone, claiming that the British Army had taken charge only after Egyptian authorities failed to maintain order.

Politics and government
The Philippine cabinet of President Elpidio Quirino resigned, following the recent victory of the opposition Nacionalista Party in nine Senatorial by-elections.

Transportation
Poland reported the production of its first passenger cars in a Warsaw factory.

50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Walkin' Back to Happiness--Helen Shapiro

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): (Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame/Little Sister--Elvis Presley (3rd week at #1)

On television tonight
The Untouchables, starring Robert Stack, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Jigsaw

At the movies
The Day the Earth Caught Fire, directed, co-produced, and co-written by Val Guest, and starring Janet Munro, Leo McKern, and Edward Judd, opened in theatres in the United Kingdom and Denmark.



Football
NFL
Green Bay (7-2) 17 @ Detroit (5-4-1) 9

AFL
Buffalo (4-7) 14 @ New York (6-5) 21

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Mamy Blue--Pop-Tops

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Mamy Blue--Pop-Tops (7th week at #1)

On television tonight
The Dick Cavett Show, on ABC
The guests on tonight's program were George Harrison and Ravi Shankar.



At the movies
Raga, a documentary from Apple Films, directed by Howard Worth, and featuring musicians including Ravi Shankar, George Harrison, and Yehudi Menuhin, opened in theatres.



Abominations
The People's Republic of China was seated at the United Nations Security Council.

Boxing
Former world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson (53-7-1) knocked out Charlie "Emperor" Harris (8-14-1) at 2:31 of the 6th round of a bout at Multnomah County Expo Center in Portland, Oregon.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Physical--Olivia Newton-John (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Gingiragin ni Sarigenaku--Masahiko Kondō (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Ma Quale Idea--Pino D'Angio (9th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Tainted Love--Soft Cell

War
U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed the top secret National Security Decision Directive 17 (NSDD-17), giving the Central Intelligence Agency the authority to recruit and support Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

Scandal
Five former Boston College basketball players were found guilty in United States District Court in Brooklyn, New York of racketeering and bribery charges for shaving points to fix games during the 1978-79 season. Rick Kuhn, a star forward for the Eagles, spent 28 months in prison.

25 years ago
1986

Football
CFL
East Finals
Hamilton 42 @ Toronto 25 (Hamilton won 2-game total points series 59-56)

West Final
British Columbia 5 @ Edmonton 41

The Argonauts had won the first game 31-17, and took a 15-3 lead in the game--46-20 in the series--in the 1st quarter, but were unable to maintain it. Hamilton quarterback Mike Kerrigan completed 35 of 47 passes for 364 yards and touchdowns to Steve Stapler, Walter Bender, and Ron Ingram. Mr. Ingram's touchdown, covering 6 yards, came with 1:42 remaining in regulation time, and gave the Tiger-Cats their third straight eastern title. Mr. Bender, who rushed 16 times for 89 yards and caught 6 passes for 67, rushed for a Tiger-Cat touchdown, as did backup quarterback Ken Hobart. Paul Osbaldiston converted all 5 touchdowns and added 2 field goals and a single. Toronto quarterback J.C. Watts completed 18 of 30 passes for 279 yards and 3 touchdowns--2 to Keith Baker and the other to Darrell K. Smith. Lance Chomyc converted all 3 and added a field goal, and Hank Ilesic punted for a single. The game, played before 32,041 fans at Exhibition Stadium, was the last appearance in an Argonaut uniform for a number of players, including quarterbacks J.C. Watts, Condredge Holloway, and Tim Cowan; receivers Keith Baker and Chris Woods; running back William Miller, who rushed 14 times for 50 yards; centre Mark Napolitan; and safety Darrell Moir.



Matt Dunigan threw 3 touchdown passes and rushed 10 times for 73 yards to lead the Eskimos to their first western title in 4 years. The Eskimos scored 17 points in the 1st quarter, and the defending Grey Cup champion Lions were unable to get back in the game. Tom Dixon opened the scoring for Edmonton with a 37-yard field goal, and then Mr. Dunigan connected with Tom Richards for a 39-yard touchdown and Marco Cyncar for a 25-yard major, both converted by Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon added 2 field goals in the 2nd quarter, while B.C. kicker Lui Passaglia managed a single on a missed field goal, making the halftime score 23-1. Jan Carinci scored a single for the Lions when his 2nd-half kickoff went into the Edmonton end zone, and Mr. Passaglia kicked a 36-yard field goal a few minutes later to make the score 23-5. Mr. Dixon then countered with a 29-yard field goal and a single on a wide field goal attempt--his only miss in 5 attempts--to give the Eskimos a 27-5 lead after 3 quarters. Mr. Dunigan connected with Doug Allen for a 98-yard touchdown 7:01 into the 4th quarter, and Mr. Dixon's convert made the score 34-5. Mr. Allen, playing his first CFL game, finished with 132 yards on 3 receptions. The touchdown was the only one of his CFL career and remains the longest completion in playoff competition in Eskimo history. Damon Allen relieved Mr. Dunigan in the 4th quarter and drove the Eskimos to the B.C. 3-yard line, from where he handed off to Chris Johnstone, who fumbled into the B.C. end zone, only to have guard Dave Sparenberg recover for the game's final touchdown, converted by Mr. Dixon. 32,490, including this blogger, were in attendance at Commonwealth Stadium on a day when the temperature warmed up to around the freezing mark, making for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon.



20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): I'm Too Sexy--Right Said Fred (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Black or White--Michael Jackson

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Good Vibrations--Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch featuring Loleatta Holloway

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): James Brown is Dead (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Black or White--Michael Jackson

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa (3rd week at #1)
2 Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn--Gordon
3 Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)--Rozalla
4 The Fly--U2
5 James Brown is Dead--L.A. Style
6 Roodkapje--Pater Moeskroen
7 Change--Lisa Stansfield
8 No Son of Mine--Genesis
9 James Brown is Still Alive!!--Holy Noise featuring the Global Insert Project
10 Hail Hail Rock 'n Roll--Garland Jeffreys

Singles entering the chart were Black or White by Michael Jackson (#13); Ring My Bell by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (#26); I Love Your Smile by Shanice (#31); Go by Moby (#34); Turn Da Music Up by 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor featuring Da Smooth Baron MC introducing Gale Robinson (#36); and Stro-Race by Mannenkoor Karrespoor (#37).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
2 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
3 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
4 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
5 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams
6 Set the Night to Music--Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest
7 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
8 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
9 I Wonder Why--Curtis Stigers
10 Don't Cry--Guns N' Roses

Singles entering the chart were Black or White by Michael Jackson (#35); Mysterious Ways by U2 (#77); Is it Good to You by Heavy D & the Boyz (#78); I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt (#87); I Love Your Smile by Shanice (#93); Love Crazy by Atlantic Starr (#95); Just Another Girlfriend by Hi-Five (#97); and Groovin' by UB40 (#98).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation (2nd week at #1)
2 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
3 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams
4 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
5 Set the Night to Music--Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest
6 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
7 Don't Cry--Guns 'N' Roses
8 Romantic--Karyn White
9 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
10 I Wonder Why--Curtis Stigers

Singles entering the chart included Black or White by Michael Jackson (#38); Mysterious Ways by U2 (#64); and Shining Star by INXS (#89).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams (4th week at #1)
2 Life is a Highway--Tom Cochrane
3 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
4 Get a Leg Up--John Mellencamp
5 What About Now--Robbie Robertson
6 Emotions--Mariah Carey
7 Broken Arrow--Rod Stewart
8 No Son of Mine--Genesis
9 Set the Night to Music--Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest
10 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant

Singles entering the chart were Black or White by Michael Jackson (#58); Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting by the Who (#77); Walkaway by Alanis (#80); Shot of Poison by Lita Ford (#85); On the Verge by the Tragically Hip (#91); Let's Talk About Sex by Salt-N-Pepa (#93); O.P.P. by Naughty by Nature (#97); Do You Feel Like I Feel? by Belinda Carlisle (#98); and Mysterious Ways by U2 (#100).

Died on this date
Klaus Kinski, 65. German actor. Mr. Kinski, born Klaus Nakszynski, appeared in more than 130 films, but was best known for those directed by Werner Herzog, such as Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972); Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979); and Fitzcarraldo (1982). He was known for his emotional volatility, and died of a heart attack.

10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Mary Whitehouse, 91. U.K. teacher and activist. Mrs. Whitehouse was an art teacher and activist who was the most prominent figure in the Clean-Up TV movement, protesting against increasing social liberalism in the mainstream media, particularly in the British Broadcasting Corporation. Mrs. Whitehouse was active from the 1960s through the early '90s, receiving much attention, but only occasional success.

O.C. Smith, 69. U.S. singer. Ocie Lee Smith was a jazz and soul singer who performed for more than 40 years. He was the vocalist with Count Basie's band (1961-1965), and recorded numerous singles that reached the popular and rhythm and blues charts from 1967-1987; his biggest hit was Little Green Apples (1968), which reached #2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. Mr. Smith founded and for 16 years pastored the City of Angels Church in Los Angeles; he died of a heart attack.

Bo Belinsky, 64. U.S. baseball pitcher. Robert Belinsky played with the Los Angeles Angels (1962-1964); Philadelphia Phillies (1965-1966); Houston Astros (1967); Pittsburgh Pirates (1969); and Cincinnati Reds (1970), compiling a record of 29-51 with an earned run average of 4.10 in 146 games, batting .131 with no home runs and 6 runs batted in in 148 games. He was 77-77 in 243 games in 11 seasons in the minor leagues (1956-1970). Mr. Belinsky won his first 5 major league starts, peaking with a 5-0 no-hit win over the Baltimore Orioles in his fourth start, on May 5, 1962. He lived a hard-partying lifestyle, including a relationship with actress Mamie Van Doren, that attracted a lot of publicity, but hindered and shortened his career. Mr. Belinsky's life spun out of control after his baseball career ended, descending into drunkenness, drug abuse, and broken marriages. He reportedly came to faith in Jesus Christ some years before his death from a heart attack.

Law
The Convention on Cybercrime was signed in Budapest by representatives of Canada, Japan, the United States, and South Africa.