November 9, 2011

280 years ago
1731

Born on this date
Benjamin Banneker. U.S. mathematician and astronomer. Mr. Banneker, born in Ellicott's Mills, Maryland, was one of the first Negro Americans to achieve distinction in science. He was self-taught in astronomy and mathematics, built a clock entirely out of wood that kept accurate time for decades, accurately predicted eclipses, and compiled his Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia Almanack and Ephemeris… annually from 1791-1802. Mr. Banneker died on October 25, 1806, 15 days before his 75th birthday.

220 years ago
1791

Politics and government
The Society of United Irishmen was founded in Dublin.

210 years ago
1801

Born on this date
Gail Borden. U.S. surveyor and inventor. Mr. Borden worked as a surveyor in Texas in the 1830s, and helped to plan the cities of Houston and Galveston in 1836. In 1853, he created a process to make sweetened condensed milk. Mr. Borden founded the New York Condensed Milk Company in 1857, which became known as Borden Dairy Company after his death on January 11, 1874 at the age of 72.

Died on this date
Carl Stamitz, 56. German composer. Mr. Stamitz was a court violinist who wrote 50 symphonies, 38 symphonies concertantes, numerous concertos for various instruments, chamber works, and two operas. He died after gradually descending into poverty.

170 years ago
1841

Born on this date
Edward VII. King of the United Kingdom and British Dominions and Emperor of India, 1901-1910. Edward VII was the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and held various titles, including Prince of Wales. He was generally regarded as a playboy until succeeding to the throne at the age of 59 upon the death of his mother on January 22, 1901. Edward VII was a popular king and an effective diplomat; it's been said that if he had lived much longer, World War I may have been averted. He died on May 6, 1910 at the age of 68 after suffering the last of several heart attacks on his last day.

160 years ago
1851

Crime
Kentucky marshals abducted abolitionist and Methodist minister Calvin Fairbank from Jeffersonville, Indiana, and took him to Kentucky to stand trial for helping a slave escape.

150 years ago
1861

Football
The first documented Canadian rugby football game was played, at the University of Toronto, on the present site of University College west of Queen's Park. One participant in the intramural game was a University of Toronto student named William Mulock, the future U of T Chancellor.

130 years ago
1881

War
Mapuche rebels attacked the fortified Chilean settlement of Temuco.

120 years ago
1891

Football
ORFU
Final (Replay of November 6 tie game)
Osgoode Hall 18 @ University of Toronto 2

110 years ago
1901

Football
CRU
ORFU
Ottawa (4-1) 8 @ Kingston (1-4) 1
Hamilton (1-4) 8 @ Toronto (4-1) 19

100 years ago
1911

Died on this date
Howard Pyle, 58. U.S. author and illustrator. Mr. Pyle wrote and illustrated children's novels, including The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (1883) and Men of Iron (1891). he as been credited with creating the modern stereotype of pirate dress. Mr. Pyle founded the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art in the early 1900s, and influenced many subsequent artists. He moved to Florence in 1910, but suffered from poor health, and died from Bright's disease.

70 years ago
1941

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Stockbroker's Clerk

Died on this date
Fakhri Bey Nashashibi. Palestinian politician. Mr. Nashashibi, the mayor of Bethlehem and pro-British Arab leader in Palestine, was assassinated in Baghdad on the orders of Haj Amin al-Husseini, Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. The Nashashibi and Husseini families were rivals for leadership in the Palestinian Arab community.

War
The British government claimed that two Italian convoys comprising 10 merchant ships and a destroyer had been sunk south of Taranto by British surface vessels after a battle with Italian warships.

Religion
For the first time since the German invasion of Russia on June 22, many Roman Catholic clergymen in Germany denounced Bolshevism in sermons and upheld the war as a drive against Bolshevist ideology.

Education
The Vichy French regime announced new laws granting subsidies to church primary schools.

Economics and finance
U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull announced that 519 pro-Axis firms and individuals in Latin America had been added to the U.S. trade blacklist and that 59 names had been deleted.

Disasters
12 people were killed and 42 injured when the Pennsylvania Railroad's luxury Pennsylvanian passenger train crashed at Dunkirk, Ohio.

Football
NFL
Detroit (2-5-1) 13 @ New York (6-2) 20
Cleveland (2-7) 13 @ Chicago Bears (6-1) 31
Pittsburgh (0-7-1) 7 @ Philadelphia (2-5-1) 7
Washington (5-2) 7 @ Brooklyn (5-3) 13

60 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Tales of Tomorrow, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Search for the Flying Saucer, starring Jack Carter, Olive Deering, Maurice Manson, and Vaughn Taylor



Died on this date
Sigmund Romberg, 64. Hungarian-born U.S. composer. Mr. Romberg was a violinist and pianist who emigrated to New York in 1909. He was known for his musicals and operettas, including The Student Prince (1924); The Desert Song (1926); and The New Moon (1928). Mr. Romberg died from a stroke in his suite at the Ritz Towers Hotel in New York City.

Defense
The U.S.A., U.K., France, and Turkey informed the Arab states and Israel of their desire to proceed with the formation of a Middle Eastern defense organization.

Religion
The unofficial London Church of England Newspaper denounced Pope Pius XII's statement opposing abortion even to save a mother's life as "inhuman, callous and cruel."

Labour
A 25-day-old wildcat dock strike in New York ended as workers returned to their jobs pending an inquiry by a state fact-finding board. Dock workers in Boston and Philadelphia also returned to work.

Boxing
Coley Wallace (15-1) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Aaron Wilson (19-5) in a heavyweight bout at Madison Square Garden in New York. On the undercard, Charley Norkus (17-6) won an 8-round decision over Keene Simmons (8-14-1) in a heavyweight bout.



50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Johnny Remember Me--John Leyton

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

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

Canadiana
Prime Minister John Diefenbaker announced the construction of a Canadian Museum of History, to be completed by July 1, 1967; it later evolved into the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

Football
Canadian university
Saskatchewan (0-4-1) 1 @ British Columbia (3-0-1) 3

In what must rank as one of the worst games of Canadian football ever played, the Thunderbirds, who had already clinched the western championship, ended the season with a win over the Huskies on a Thursday afternoon on a muddy field before 800 rain-soaked fans at Varsity Stadium in Vancouver. Barry Carkner punted 3 times for singles to account for the UBC scoring, while Galen Van Cleave scored for Saskatchewan with a single on a wide field goal attempt in the 4th quarter. Dale West rushed 85 yards for a Saskatchewan touchdown in the 1st quarter, but it was called back on a penalty; he still led all rushers with 92 yards on 12 carries. The teams totalled just 12 first downs, and neither team was able to complete a pass, as UBC was 0 for 3 in pass attempts and Saskatchewan 0 for 4, with each team making an interception. UBC amassed 200 yards rushing to 154 for Saskatchewan, but the teams combined for 5 fumbles and 26 punts.

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvنllstoppen): Anna och Mej--Lalla Hansson (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Mamy Blue--Pop-Tops (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Maude Fealy, 88. U.S. actress. Miss Fealy, born Maude Mary Hawk, began her career on stage in 1896, and toured in the United States and United Kingdom through the 1900s. She appeared in more than 20 movies from 1911-1917, and in minor roles in several movies from 1931-1958, including several directed by Cecil B. DeMille. Miss Fealy taught acting, and wrote several plays that were produced.

Art
The Vancouver Art Gallery opened the Sculpture-Inuit: Masterworks of the Canadian Arctic exhibition, organized by the Canadian Eskimo Arts Council; it later toured Paris, Copenhagen, Leningrad, Moscow, and London, before moving to Philadelphia and then the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.

Transportation
Canadian Pacific withdrew the liner Empress of Canada from transatlantic route, marking the end of regular passenger service due to cheaper airline flights.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Start Me Up--Rolling Stones

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Gingiragin ni Sarigenaku--Masahiko Kondō (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Ma Quale Idea--Pino D'Angio (7th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Ja, wenn wir alle Englein wären--Fred Sonnenschein und seine Freunde (3rd week at #1)

25 years ago
1986

Football
CFL
Toronto (10-8) 37 @ Montreal (4-14) 16

William Miller rushed 28 times for 119 yards to help the Argonauts clinch first place in the East Division before 9,045 fans (announced--the actual attendance was closer to 2,000) at Olympic Stadium in what turned out to be the last regular season game played by the Alouettes. It was also the last game for Montreal's Gary Durchik as a head coach in the CFL; he compiled a regular season record of 6-14 and a playoff record of 1-1 after taking over from Joe Galat following Mr. Galat's resignation with 2 games remaining in the 1985 season.



Saskatchewan (6-11-1) 14 @ Edmonton (13-4-1) 42

In one of the coldest games this blogger has ever attended (-17 C, 1 F), Damon Allen quarterbacked the Eskimos to a lopsided win over the Roughriders before 44,000 fans at Commonwealth Stadium in a game that ended the career of Jack Gotta as head coach of the Roughriders. Mr. Gotta, in his 11th season as a CFL head coach, never coached in professional football again; he compiled a record of 11-22-1 in 2 seasons as Saskatchewan's head coach. Brian Kelly caught 2 touchdown passes for the Eskimos; rookie Tom Richards caught passes for 188 yards and returned kicks for another 54; Henry "Gizmo" Williams amassed 239 yards rushing, receiving, and returning kicks; defensive end Stew Hill caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Mr. Allen; James Zachery blocked a convert attempt; and third-string quarterback Brad Taylor entered the game in the 4th quarter and completed 6 of 9 passes. Mr. Taylor directed the Eskimos' best time-consuming drive of the season: The Eskimos took possession on their own 10-yard line with 4:41 remaining in the game, and Mr. Taylor marched them down the field and handed off to Larry Mohr for a 1-yard touchdown run as time expired. For Mr. Mohr, it was his first CFL touchdown, and the only one he ever scored as an Eskimo. Tron Armstrong played his first CFL game for the Roughriders and caught 5 passes for 144 yards and both Saskatchewan touchdowns.

20 years ago
1991

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

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): The Fly--U2 (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): The Fly--U2

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Spread Love--Cut 'N' Move

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Crucified--Army of Lovers

#1 single in France (SNEP): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Dizzy--Vic Reeves and the Wonder Stuff

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa
2 James Brown is Dead--L.A. Style
3 Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)--Rozalla
4 Hail Hail Rock 'n Roll--Garland Jeffreys
5 35 Koeien--André Van Duin
6 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
7 Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn--Gordon
8 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams
9 The Fly--U2
10 I Adore Mi Amor--Color Me Badd

Singles entering the chart were James Brown is Still Alive!! by Holy Noise featuring the Global Insert Project (#22); The Show Must Go On by Queen (#29); Caribbean Blue by Enya (#32); Radio Wall of Sound by Slade (#35); and Over and Over Again by Robby Valentine (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
2 Romantic--Karyn White
3 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams
4 Real Real Real--Jesus Jones
5 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
6 O.P.P.--Naughty by Nature
7 Emotions--Mariah Carey
8 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
9 Do Anything--Natural Selection featuring Niki Haris
10 Set the Night to Music--Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest

Singles entering the chart were All 4 Love by Color Me Badd (#37); Wildside by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch (#47); 2 Legit 2 Quit by MC Hammer (#61); Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue (#72); The Fly by U2 (#74); Send Me an Angel by the Scorpions (#82); Just a Touch of Love by C + C Music Factory presents Zelma Davis (#87); Tell Me What You Want Me to Do by Tevin Campbell (#93); and Double Good Everything by Smokey Robinson (#99).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams
2 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
3 Romantic--Karyn White
4 Emotions--Mariah Carey
5 Hole Hearted--Extreme
6 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
7 Real Real Real--Jesus Jones
8 Don't Cry--Guns 'N' Roses
9 Set the Night to Music--Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest
10 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton

Singles entering the chart were Change by Lisa Stansfield (#75); Send Me an Angel by the Scorpions (#82); Feels Like Another One by Patti LaBelle (#86); In My Dreams by the Party (#89); and I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt (#90);

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams (2nd week at #1)
2 Emotions--Mariah Carey
3 Life is a Highway--Tom Cochrane
4 Calling Elvis--Dire Straits
5 What About Now--Robbie Robertson
6 Get a Leg Up--John Mellencamp
7 Love...Thy Will Be Done--Martika
8 My Town--Glass Tiger
9 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
10 The Real Love--Bob Seger

Singles entering the chart were Keep Coming Back by Richard Marx (#36); No Son of Mine by Genesis (#37); You May Be Right by the Grapes of Wrath (#51); Say You Don't Love Me by Honeymoon Suite (#84); Copperline by James Taylor (#95); All I Need is You by Blue Train (#96); You're the Voice by Heart (#97); Change by Lisa Stansfield (#98); and Groovy Train by the Farm (#99).

Died on this date
Yves Montand, 70. Italian-born French actor and singer. Mr. Montand, born Ivo Levi, moved to France with his parents in 1923. He became a popular music hall singer and recording artist, and appeared in movies such as Let's Make Love (1960); Z (1969); Jean de Florette (1986); and Manon des Sources (1986). Mr. Montand died of a heart attack, 27 days after his 70th birthday, and hours after completing the filming of IP 5 - L'île aux pachydermes (1992), a film about a man having a heart attack.

10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Giovanni Leone, 93. Prime Minister of Italy, 1963, 1968; 6th President of Italy, 1971-1978. Mr. Leone, a Christian Democrat, sat in the Chamber of Deputies from 1948-1963, and was President of the Chamber from 1955-1963, followed immediately by six months as Prime Minister from June-December 1963. He was made a Life Senator in 1967 and served as Prime Minister again from June-December 1968. Mr. Leone was elected President by the Parliament in 1971, and served until he was forced to resign in June 1978 over unproven allegations of involvement in bribery by Lockheed Aircraft of Italian politicians to purchase Hercules planes for the military. Mr. Leone died six days after his 93rd birthday.

Niels Jannasch, 77. German-born Canadian historian and curator. Mr. Jannasch was a mariner with the Kriegsmarine in World War II who emigrated to Halifax after the war. In 1959, he became the first director of the Maritime Museum of Canada--renamed the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in 1981, overseeing its growth until his retirement in 1985. Mr. Jannasch died at his home in Seabright, Nova Scotia.

War
The northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif fell to the Northern Alliance in the first major territorial advance for the rebels against the ruling Taliban.