December 16, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Heather Austin!

580 years ago
1431

Franciana
King Henry VI of England was crowned King of France at Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral.

250 years ago
1761

War
After a four-month siege, Russian forces under Pyotr Rumyantsev took the Prussian fortress of Kolberg.

200 years ago
1811

Disasters
The first two in a series of four severe earthquakes, with an estimated magnitude of 7.7, struck the central Mississippi River Valley in the vicinity of New Madrid, Missouri.

120 years ago
1891

Scandal
Honoré Mercier was dismissed as Premier of Québec by Lieutenant-Governor Auguste-Réal Angers after a federal Senate inquiry and provincial Royal Commission had found that Mr. Mercier had awarded subsidies for the Baie des Chaleurs Railway in return for Liberal party funds. Mr. Mercier was succeeded as Premier by Charles Boucher de Boucherville, who had previously served as Premier from 1874-1878.

110 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Margaret Mead. U.S. anthropologist. Dr. Mead influenced the sexual revolution and feminist movement through books such as Coming of Age in Samoa (1928) and Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies (1935), popularizing the ideas that sexual morality and sex roles were largely influenced by culture. She was a pioneer among anthropologists in living with native peoples in order to study them. Dr. Mead died on November 15, 1978 at the age of 76.

Radio
Guglielmo Marconi was officially notified by the Anglo-American Telegraph Company that it would take legal action against him unless he immediately ceased his wireless experiments and removed his equipment from Newfoundland. Anglo-American had a fifty-year monopoly on electrical communications in Newfoundland that began in 1858, and it was determined to hinder radio telegraphy, which was a serious threat to its transatlantic electric telegraph business operated by submarine cables. Mr. Marconi soon decided to move his base of operations to Cape Breton Island, and was welcomed there on December 26 with open arms.

100 years ago
1921

Died on this date
Camille Saint-Saëns, 86. French musician and composer. Mr. Saint-Saëns was a child prodigy as a pianist, and served as a church organist in Paris for 25 years. He was a composer of the Romantic era, known for works such as the tone poem Danse macabre (1875); the suite Le Carnaval des animaux (The Carnival of the Animals) (1886); and Symphony No. 3 in C minor aka "Organ Symphony" (1887). Mr. Saint-Saëns promoted modern music when he was young, but in later years he was regarded as a reactionary.

80 years ago
1931

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb

70 years ago
1941

War
The U.S.S.R. announced the recapture of Kalinin, 90 miles northwest of Moscow. Six German Gestapo agents were killed by a bomb near Paris. The Czechoslovakian government-in-exile in London declared that a state of war existed between Czechoslovakia and all countries at war with the U.K., U.S.A., and U.S.S.R. Japanese forces drove toward Panang in northwestern Malaya and occupied Miri, Sarawak. The U.S. Navy announced that Japanese warships had bombarded the U.S. naval outpost of Johnston Island and that a submarine had shelled the shipping centre of Kahului on the Hawaiian island of Maui during the previous 24 hours. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed a five-man board led by Supreme Court Justice Owen Roberts to investigate whether there had been any negligence by the U.S. Army and Navy in the December 7 Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The United States Weather Bureau announced that publication of long-range forecasts would be banned for the duration of World War II as a security measure. HMCS Calgary was commissioned for the Royal Canadian Navy at Esquimalt, British Columbia. Mexican President Manuel Avila Camacho asked the Senate for authority to permit troops, warships, and planes of American nations fighting the Axis to use Mexican territory, waters, and ports for the duration of World War II.

World events
The Argentine cabinet declared a state of siege throughout the country; all constitutional guarantees were suspended.

Politics and government
Both houses of the United States Congress passed legislation giving President Roosevelt wartime powers similar to those held by President Woodrow Wilson during World War I. Mr. Roosevelt appointed Associated Press executive news editor Byron Price as director of the new censorship office.

Law
U.S. Attorney General Francis Biddle notified U.S. attorneys not to prosecute persons arrested on charges of seditious speech without the consent of the Justice Department.

Aviation
The U.S. National Aeronautics Association awarded its highest honour, the Collier Trophy, to Dr. Sanford A. Moss for "outstanding success in high altitude flying through the development of the turbo-supercharger."

Labour
The American Federation of Labor issued a declaration of war labour policy, renewing its request to the Congress of Industrial Organizations "for unity in the labor movement."

60 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Out There, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Seven Temporary Moons, starring Ann Gillis, Robert P. Lieb, Robert Pastene, and G. Albert Smith

Dragnet, starring Jack Webb and Bart Yarborough, on NBC Tonight's episode: The Human Bomb

This was the first episode of the series, which had been running on radio since 1949.



Died on this date
Dorothy Dix, 90. U.S. journalist. Miss Dix, whose real name was Elizabeth Meriwether Gilmer, adopted her pseudonym when she began writing obituaries, recipes and theatre reviews for the New Orleans Daily Picayune in 1896. She soon began her advice column Dorothy Dix Talks, which achieved widespread popularity after being acquired by the Public Ledger Syndicate in 1923. The column was published in as many as 273 newspapers, and at its peak in 1940, Miss Dix was receiving 100,000 letters a year, and being read by 60 million people. She also reported on major murder trials for the New York Evening Journal for 15 years. Mrs. Gilmer supported women's suffrage, and was still the most widely-read and highest-paid female journalist in the United States at the time of her death, four weeks after her 90th birthday.

Politics and government
Uruguayan voters approved a proposal to abolish the presidency and set up a nine-man State Council in its place.

Society
The Iranian Parliament passed a resolution to consider legislation banning alcoholic beverages in Iran in line with the Islamic doctrine of total abstinence.

Labour
The Congress of Industrial Organizations urged U.S. President Harry Truman to raise the minimum wage from 75¢ to $1.25 per hour.

Disasters
A Miami Airlines C-46 crashed shortly after takeoff in Elizabeth, New Jersey, killing all 56 passengers and crew members in the U.S.A.'s second-worst air disaster to date.

Football
NFL
Chicago Cardinals (3-9) 24 @ Chicago Bears (7-5) 14
Cleveland (11-1) 24 @ Philadelphia (4-8) 9
Detroit (7-4-1) 17 @ San Francisco (7-4-1) 21
Green Bay (3-9) 14 @ Los Angeles (8-4) 42
New York Giants (9-2-1) 27 @ New York Yanks (1-9-2) 17
Pittsburgh (4-7-1) 20 @ Washington (5-7) 10



50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): My Boomerang Won't Come Back--Charlie Drake (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Nata per me--Adriano Celentano (5th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Weiße Rosen aus Athen--Nana Mouskouri (9th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Dutch Top 40): I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door--Eddie Hodges

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Tower of Strength--Frankie Vaughan (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens (2nd week at #1)
2 Goodbye Cruel World--James Darren
3 Please Mr. Postman--The Marvelettes
4 Big Bad John--Jimmy Dean
5 Walk on By--Leroy Van Dyke
6 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
7 The Twist--Chubby Checker
8 Moon River--Jerry Butler
--Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus
9 Let There Be Drums--Sandy Nelson
10 Peppermint Twist - Part I--Joey Dee & the Starliters

Versions of Maria by the Clebanoff Strings and Johnny Mathis were now listed with that of Roger Williams, standing at #61. Singles entering the chart were Baby it's You by the Shirelles (#71); Twist-Her by Bill Black's Combo (#74); Norman by Sue Thompson (#77); The Wanderer by Dion (#79); Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker (#87); A Little Bitty Tear by Burl Ives (#88); Letter Full of Tears by Gladys Knight & the Pips (#89); She's Everything (I Wanted You to Be) by Ral Donner (#90); Dear Lady Twist by Gary (U.S.) Bonds (#94); The Bells at My Wedding by Paul Anka (#98); Lonesome Number One by Don Gibson (#99); I Could Have Loved You so Well by Ray Peterson (#100); Baby's First Christmas by Connie Francis (also #100); and Go on Home by Patti Page (also #100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 The Wanderer--Dion
2 Walkin' with My Angel--Bobby Vee
3 Jingle Bell Rock--Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker
--Bobby Helms
4 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
5 Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen--Neil Sedaka
6 The Twist--Chubby Checker
7 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens
8 Static--Dana and Dexter
9 Hey! Little Girl--Del Shannon
10 Peppermint Twist--Joey Dee & the Starliters
--Danny Peppermint and the Jumping Jacks

Singles entering the chart were Norman by Sue Thompson (#26); Multiplication by Bobby Darin (#32); Memories of Maria by Jerry Byrd and his Guitar (#39); Young Love by Sonny James (#42); Let's Twist Again by Chubby Checker (#46); Dear Lady Twist by Gary (U.S.) Bonds (#48); and The Majestic by Dion (#50). Multiplication was from the movie Come September. Memories of Maria was written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. Young Love was a new version of the song that had been a major hit for Mr. James in 1957.

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 The Twist--Chubby Checker
2 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens
3 Walkin' with My Angel/Run to Him--Bobby Vee
4 The Wanderer/The Majestic--Dion
5 Peppermint Twist--Joey Dee & the Starliters
6 Gypsy Rover--The Highwaymen
7 Hey! Little Girl--Del Shannon
8 Blue Hawaii (LP)--Elvis Presley
9 Dreamy Eyes--Johnny Tillotson
10 Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen--Neil Sedaka

Singles entering the chart were Six White Boomers by Rolf Harris (#20); Norman by Sue Thompson (#22); Multiplication by Bobby Darin (#36); My Boomerang Won't Come Back by Charlie Drake (#37); Small Sad Sam by Phil McLean (#39); and Tennessee Flat-Top Box by Johnny Cash (#40).

On television tonight
The Roaring 20's, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Blondes Prefer Gentlemen

Died on this date
Hans Rebane, 78. Estonian diplomat, politician, and journalist. Mr. Rebane was editor-in-chief of the newspapers Postimees (1913-1914, 1916-1917) and Eesti Päevaleht (1918-1927) before being elected to the Riigikogu and serving as Estonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs (1927-1928). He was Estonian Minister in Finland (1931-1937) and Latvia (1937-1940), losing the latter position when Latvia was occupied by Soviet forces. Mr. Rebane was arrested by Soviet authorities, but escaped, and fled to Sweden in 1944. He served as Minister and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs (1945-1949). Mr. Rebane died eight days before his 79th birthday.

Basketball
NBA
Philadelphia (18-12) 112 @ Chicago (6-21) 110

Wilt Chamberlain scored 50 points for the Warriors as they overcame a 60-54 halftime deficit to edge the Packers at the International Amphitheater, beginning a streak of 7 games in which he scored at least 50 points. Walt Bellamy led Chicago scorers with 45 points.

Football
NFL
Baltimore (8-6) 27 @ San Francisco (7-6-1) 24

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Le rire du sergent--Michel Sardou (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): I Don't Know How to Love Him--Tina and the Real McCoy (2nd week at #1)

War
The surrender of East Pakistani forces in Dacca concluded the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Indo-Pakistani War.

Asiatica
The United Kingdom recognized Bahrain's independence, which is commemorated annually as Bahrain's National Day.

Politics and government
A three-day federal-provincial conference of Canadian health ministers began in Ottawa; the health ministers of Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia stated major objections to the new federal formula for co-paying hospital and Medicare programs.

20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Piece of My Wish--Miki Imai (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Laatikoita--Sielun Veljet (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Let's Talk About Sex--Salt-N-Pepa (5th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Hits)
1 Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)
2 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
3 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
4 All 4 Love--Color Me Badd
5 Can't Let Go--Mariah Carey
6 Wildside--Mark Mark & the Funky Bunch
7 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
8 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx
9 Finally--Ce Ce Peniston
10 No Son of Mine--Genesis

Singles entering the chart were Addams Groove by MC Hammer (#32); Is it Good to You by Heavy D & the Boyz (#41); Hearts Don't Think by Natural Selection (#45); and Keep it Comin' by Keith Sweat (#50).

Diplomacy
The United Nations General Assembly rescinded its 1975 resolution equating Zionism with racism.

Asiatica
Kazakhstan declared its independence from the U.S.S.R.

Abominations
At Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, Bernard Bradley performed Canada's first transplant of tissue from aborted fetuses to battle the effects of Parkinson's disease; the procedure stimulated dopamine.

Politics and government
Canadian Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Tom Siddon signed the Nunavut land deal with Inuit of the eastern Arctic after 15 years of negotiations; the federal government agreed to create a third territory in the North called Nunavut, with $1.15 billion in grants and title to 250,000 square kilometres. A plebiscite was set for April 1992.

Business
Conrad Black's Hollinger Inc. purchased 15% of Australia's John Fairfax Group Ltd. for $1.32 billion, making Hollinger the largest single shareholder.

Died on this date
Stuart Adamson, 43. U.K. musician. Mr. Adamson, a native of Manchester who grew up in Scotland, was a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and keyboard player with the punk rock band Skids in the 1970s and '80s and the alternative country band the Raphaels in the 1990s, but was best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the rock group Big Country from the early 1980s through the 2000s, achieving hits such as In a Big Country (1983) and Look Away (1985). He was a heavy drinker for years, sobered up for about a decade, but began drinking again. Mr. Adamson was estranged from his wife Melanie, who reported him missing on November 26, 2001, the day she filed for divorce. He was found in a hotel room in Honolulu, having hanged himself with an electrical cord from a pole in a wardrobe, after having consumed a "very strong" amount of alcohol.

10 years ago
2001

Protest
More than 10,000 people joined the Scottish Countryside Alliance in the streets of Edinburgh to protest decisions being made on rural affairs.