February 14, 2012

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Liliya!

120 years ago
1892

Politics and government
Rev. Parkhurst, pastor of Madison Square Presbyterian Church in New York City, denounced, from his pulpit, the Tammany Hall administration of Mayor Hugh J. Grant as a "lying, perjured, rum-soaked, and libidinous lot" of "polluted harpies," and offered additional comments, such as:

"While we fight iniquity, they shield and patronize it; while we try to convert criminals, they manufacture them..."

"Every step that we take looking to the moral betterment of this city has to be taken directly into the teeth of the damnable pack of administrative blood-hounds that are fattening themselves on the ethical flesh and blood of our citizenship."

100 years ago
1912

Americana
Arizona entered the union as the 48th state. It was the last state to join until Alaska in 1959.

75 years ago
1937

Died on this date
Erkki Melartin, 62. Finnish composer and conductor. Mr. Melartin, whose birthday is also said to have been on February 2, 1875, wrote chamber, piano, and vocal works, but was best known for his nine symphonies and the Juhlamarssi (Festive March) from his ballet Sleeping Beauty (1904/1911), which is the most popular wedding march in Finland. He conducted the Vyborg Orchestra from 1908-1911, touring as far as India and North Africa. Mr. Melartin suffered from chronic health problems, and died a week after his 62nd birthday.

70 years ago
1942

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Blues in the Night (My Mama Done Tol' Me)--Woody Herman and his Herd

30 years ago
1982

Died on this date
Tommy Jackson, 50. U.S. boxer. "Hurricane" Jackson was a heavyweight who acquired his nickname because of his energetic style of boxing, and compiled a record of 34-9-1 in a professional career from 1952-1960. He fought Floyd Patterson twice, losing a 12-round split decision in an elimination bout for the vacant world heavyweight title in 1956, and losing by technical knockout in the 10th round in a challenge to Mr. Patterson's world title in 1957. Mr. Jackson was eventually banned from boxing by various bodies because of the damage he had suffered in the ring; he was illiterate, and worked at various menial jobs after his career was over. He was recovering from a stroke when he was hit by a car, and died from his injuries several months later.

Personal
This blogger won a T-shirt and an atlas on Barry Boyd’s show on CFRN radio in Edmonton.

25 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: Si Può Dare Di Più--Gianni Morandi, Umberto Tozzi, and Enrico Ruggeri

#1 single in the U.K.: I Knew You were Waiting (For Me)--Aretha Franklin and George Michael (2nd week at#1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Livin' on a Prayer--Bon Jovi

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Livin' on a Prayer--Bon Jovi
2 Open Your Heart--Madonna
3 At this Moment--Billy Vera and the Beaters
4 Change of Heart--Cyndi Lauper
5 Will You Still Love Me?--Chicago
6 Keep Your Hands to Yourself--Georgia Satellites
7 Touch Me (I Want Your Body)--Samantha Fox
8 Shake You Down--Gregory Abbott
9 Jacob's Ladder--Huey Lewis and the News
10 Ballerina Girl--Lionel Richie

Singles entering the chart were Tonight, Tonight, Tonight by Genesis (#47); Lean on Me by Club Nouveau (#54); Walking Down Your Street by the Bangles (#80); Winner Takes it All by Sammy Hagar (#84); Stone Love by Kool & The Gang (#86); How Much Love by Survivor (#87); and Serious by Donna Allen (#89).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 At this Moment--Billy Vera and the Beaters
2 Shake You Down--Gregory Abbott
3 Touch Me (I Want Your Body)--Samantha Fox
4 C'est la Vie--Robbie Nevil
5 Walk Like an Egyptian--Bangles
6 Can't Help Falling in Love--Corey Hart
7 Everybody Have Fun Tonight--Wang Chung
8 Land of Confusion--Genesis
9 You Give Love a Bad Name--Bon Jovi
10 Open Your Heart--Madonna

Singles entering the chart were The Final Countdown by Europe (#80); What You Get is What You See by Tina Turner (#82); Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship (#86); Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order (#89); (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!) by the Beastie Boys (#92); Can't Wait for the Night by Brighton Rock (#94); Nobody's Fool by Cinderella (#96); and I'll Be Alright Without You by Journey (#97).