February 27, 2012

160 years ago
1852

Born on this date
John McLane. U.K.-born U.S. politician. Mr. McLane, a native of Scotland, moved to New Hampshire with his family at the age of 1, and was a furniture manufacturer before entering politics. A Republican, he was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1885. Mr. McLane served two terms in the N.H. Senate (1891-1894), and was President of the Senate for both terms. He was Governor of New Hampshire from 1905-1907, and died on April 13, 1911 at the age of 59.

120 years ago
1892

Born on this date
William Demarest. U.S. actor. Mr. Demarest was a character actor in many movies in the 1930s and '40s, usually playing gruff characters with a "heart of gold." He was best known as Uncle Charley in the television comedy series My Three Sons (1965-1972). Mr. Demarest died on December 28, 1983 at the age of 91.

Died on this date
Louis Vuitton, 70. French fashion designer. Mr. Vuitton founded the Louis Vuitton leather goods company in 1854.

50 years ago
1962

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Burglar Proof, starring Paul Hartman, Robert Webber, Philip Ober, and Whit Bissell

30 years ago
1982

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K.: Town Called Malice/Precious--The Jam (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A.: (Billboard): Centerfold--J. Geils Band (4th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Centerfold--J. Geils Band (5th week at #1)
2 I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)--Daryl Hall & John Oates
3 Shake it Up--The Cars
4 Physical--Olivia Newton-John
5 Open Arms--Journey
6 That Girl--Stevie Wonder
7 Harden My Heart--Quarterflash
8 Sweet Dreams--Air Supply
9 Leader of the Band--Dan Fogelberg
10 Mirror, Mirror--Diana Ross

Singles entering the chart were Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk by Dr. Hook (#78); '65 Love Affair by Paul Davis (#80); Never Give Up on a Good Thing by George Benson (#86); Don't Let Me In by Sneaker (#86); Mama Used to Say by Junior (#87); Get Down on It by Kool & The Gang (#88); and Shine On by George Duke (#89).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Tainted Love--Soft Cell
2 Centerfold--J. Geils Band
3 I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)--Daryl Hall & John Oates
4 Our Lips are Sealed--Go-Go's
5 Physical--Olivia Newton-John
6 Letting Go--Straight Lines
7 Tonight I'm Yours--Rod Stewart
8 Let's Groove--Earth, Wind and Fire
9 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
10 Turn Your Love Around--George Benson

Singles entering the chart were Don't Break My Heart by Kasim Sultan (#40); Do You Believe in Love by Huey Lewis and the News (#41); Daddy's Home by Cliff Richard (#43); Juke Box Hero by Foreigner (#44); Freeze Frame by J. Geils Band (#47); That Girl by Stevie Wonder (#48); We Got the Beat by the Go-Go's (#49); and Love is Like a Rock by Donnie Iris (#50).

Crime
Wayne Williams was convicted of killing 2 of 28 young Negro men who had been murdered in Atlanta during a period of several years prior to Mr. Williams’ arrest on May 22, 1981. The trial lasted nine weeks, and Mr. Williams was sentenced to two consecutive terms of life in prison. Mr. Williams had been arrested near the Jackson Parkway Bridge over the Chattahoochee River northwest of Atlanta, shortly after a policeman heard a loud splash and saw Mr. Williams drive away. Two days later, the body of 27-year-old Nathaniel Cater surfaced about a mile downstream from the bridge.

Bowling
Earl Anthony rolled five straight strikes to defeat Charlie Tapp and win the Toledo Trust PBA National Championship in Toledo, Ohio. With the victory, Mr. Anthony became the first person in the history of the Professional Bowlers Association to amass $1 million in career earnings.

25 years ago
1987

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that consumer prices had risen 0.7% in January, while the Commerce Department announced a trade deficit of $14.78 billion in January.

20 years ago
1992

Golf
Tiger Woods, a 16-year-old amateur, became the youngest person to compete in a PGA tour event when he participated in the Nissan Los Angeles Open at the Riviera Country Club. Mr. Woods posted a 1-over par score of 72 in the first round, but shot a 4-over par 75 the following day in the second round and missed the cut.

10 years ago
2002

Died on this date
Spike Milligan, 83. U.K. comedian. Mr. Milligan was one of the stars of the BBC radio comedy program The Goon Show (1951-1960). His style influenced future generations of British comedians, such as the Monty Python troupe.

Disasters
59 Hindu pilgrims died in India when fire broke out on the Sabarmati Express train, which was just pulling out of Godhra, Gujarat, bound for Ahmedabad.