February 3, 2012

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Louise Taylor!

150 years ago
1862

Born on this date
James Clark McReynolds. U.S. politician and judge. Mr. McReynolds was United States Attorney General in the administration of President Woodrow Wilson from 1913-1914, and was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1914-1941. He wrote over 506 opinions and was known for his opposition to the New Deal policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt Mr. McReynolds died on August 24, 1946 at the age of 82.

80 years ago
1932

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 2

50 years ago
1962

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: Nata per me--Adriano Celentano (11th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): The Young Ones--Cliff Richard (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): The Young Ones--Cliff Richard (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Peppermint Twist--Part 1--Joey Dee and the Starliters (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Duke of Earl--Gene Chandler
2 The Twist--Chubby Checker
3 Peppermint Twist - Part I--Joey Dee & the Starliters
4 I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)--Barbara George
5 Norman--Sue Thompson
6 The Wanderer--Dion
7 Can't Help Falling in Love--Elvis Presley
8 A Little Bitty Tear--Burl Ives
--Wanda Jackson
9 Baby It's You--The Shirelles
10 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens

Singles entering the chart were Twistin' the Night Away by Sam Cooke (#86); Her Royal Majesty by James Darren (#90); What's Your Name by Don and Juan (#93); I Surrender, Dear by Aretha Franklin (#94); My Melancholy Baby by the Marcels (#96); Tears and Laughter by Dinah Washington (#97); (Do the New) Continental by the Dovells (#98); He Knows I Love Him Too Much by the Paris Sisters (#99); Cry to Me by Solomon Burke (#100); and Aw Shucks, Hush Your Mouth by Jimmy Reed (also #100).

10 years ago
2002

Football
NFL
Super Bowl XXXVI @ Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
New England Patriots 20 St. Louis Rams 17

Adam Vinatieri's 48-yard field goal on the last play of regulation time gave the Patriots their first Super Bowl championship (see video). Jeff Wilkins had given the Rams a 3-0 lead after the 1st quarter on a 50-yard field goal, but the Patriots scored touchdowns in the 2nd quarter on a 47-yard interception return by Ty Law and an 8-yard pass from Tom Brady to David Patten to take a 14-3 halftime lead. Mr. Vinatieri added a 37-yard field goal in the 3rd quarter to give New England a 17-3 lead. The Rams finally mounted a comeback in the 4th quarter when quarterback Kurt Warner rushed 2 yards for a touchdown and completed a pass to Ricky Proehl for a 26-yard touchdown, both converted by Mr. Wilkins. Mr. Brady completed 16 of 127 passes for just 145 yards, but was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Mr. Warner completed 28 of 44 passes for 365 yards.