January 6, 2012

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Sherlock Holmes, Sheila Hellevang, and Johanna Wegner!

130 years ago
1882

Born on this date
Sam Rayburn. U.S. politician. "Mr. Sam," a Democrat, represented the 34th District in the Texas House of Representatives (1907-1913), and Texas' 4th District in the United States House of Representatives from 1913 until his death from pancreatic cancer on November 16, 1961 at the age of 79. He served as Speaker of the House from 1940-1947, 1949-1953, and from 1955 until his death; his 17 yers as Speaker remains the record. Mr. Rayburn preferred to work in the background to get things done; he was known for integrity and fairness, and his ability to work with both Democrats and Repubicans. Mr. Rayburn was succeeded as Speaker of the House by John W. McCormack (Democrat--Massachusetts).

100 years ago
1912

Born on this date
Jacques Ellul. French sociologist, philosopher, and theologian. Professor Ellul was influenced by the teachings of Karl Marx in his early years, but had a religious experience in late adolescence that led him to profess himself a Christian. He claimed to be a Christian anarchist, criticizing the state as an expression of violence. Prof. Ellul's books included La technique ou l'enjeu du siècle (The Technological Society) (1954); Propagandes (Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes) (1962); and L'illusion politique (The Political Illusion) (1967). He died after a long illness on May 19, 1994 at the age of 82.

Americana
New Mexico entered the Union as the 47th state.

Science
German geophysicist Alfred Wegener first presented his theory of continental drift.

80 years ago
1932

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

60 years ago
1952

On television tonight
Out There, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Guest in the House, starring Marc Cavell, Joy Hilton, Dan Morgan, and Robert Webber

50 years ago
1962

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: Nata per me--Adriano Celentano (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Stranger on the Shore--Mr. Acker Bilk

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Stranger on the Shore--Mr. Acker Bilk

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Twist--Chubby Checker (5th week at #1)
2 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens
3 Walk on By--Leroy Van Dyke
4 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
5 Can't Help Falling in Love--Elvis Presley
6 Peppermint Twist - Part I--Joey Dee & the Starliters
7 Please Mr. Postman--The Marvelettes
8 When the Boy in Your Arms (Is the Boy in Your Heart)--Connie Francis
9 Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen--Neil Sedaka
10 I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)--Barbara George

The Twist had originally been released in 1960, and had spent 4 weeks at #1 from September 10-October 1.
Singles entering the chart were Dear Ivan by Jimmy Dean (#72); Duke of Earl by Gene Chandler (#97); Smoky Places by the Corsairs (#98); Happy Jose (Ching-Ching), with versions by Jack Ross and Dave Appell and his Orchestra (#99); Free Me by Johnny Preston (#100); and Let Me In by the Sensations (also #100).

On television tonight
The Roaring 20's, on ABC
Tonight's episode: You Can't Fight City Hall

40 years ago
1972

Died on this date
Samuel McLaughlin, 100. Canadian automobile executive. Mr. McLaughlin, a native of Enniskillen, Ontario, founded the McLaughlin Carriage Company in 1867, which became the largest carriage manufacturing company in the British Empire. The company made carriages until 1915, and was renamed the McLaughlin Motor Car Company Limited in 1907 after Mr. McLaughlin entered into a partnership with Billy Durant to manufacture Buicks. General Motors of Canada Limited was incorporated in 1918, and bought the McLaughlin Motor Car Company Limited. The name of the Canadian-made car was changed to McLaughlin-Buick in 1923, and cars under that name were manufactured until 1942. Mr. McLaughlin was a philanthropist and racehorse owner, and a longtime director of the Ontario Jockey Club. His horses won the King's Plate three times, and he sold his Parkwood Stable to E. P. Taylor, who eventually renamed it Windfields Farm. Mr. McLaughlin remained with General Motors Canada as chairman of the board, as well as vice-president and executive director of the parent company until his death in Oshawa, Ontario. He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1963 and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1977.

Chen Yi, 70. Chinese military officer and politician. Marshal Chen commanded the Communist Party's New Fourth Army in the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) and commanded the Communist forces that defeated the Kuomintang forces toward the end of the Chinese Civil War (1948-1949). He was Mayor of Shanghai (1949-1958), serving as the People's Republic of China's Vice Premier from 1954 and Foreign Minister from 1958 until his death.

Hockey
NHL
St. Louis 3 @ Philadelphia 2

Garry Unger, Phil Roberto, and Gary Sabourin scored for the Blues as they overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Flyers at the Spectrum. Bob Kelly and Jim Johnson scored Philadelphia goals in the 2nd period, which ended with St. Louis coach Al Arbour following referee John Ashley off the ice to argue a call. The dispute escalated until several St. Louis players, led by defenceman Bob Plager, charged into the stands in an altercation with fans and then got into an altercation with police in the hall leading to the dressing room (see video). Criminal charges were laid against several members of the Blues; the charges were eventually dropped.







25 years ago
1987

Space
Astronomers at the University of California first witnessed the birth of a galaxy containing one billion stars.

20 years ago
1992

Health
The United States government recommended that physicians cease giving silicone breast implants, over concerns about their safety.

10 years ago
2002

Economics and finance
Argentina decoupled the peso from the U.S. dollar, ending a policy that had been followed since 1991.