February 7, 2012

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Meisy!

200 years ago
1812

Born on this date
Charles Dickens. U.K. author. The author of such works as The Adventures of Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and A Christmas Carol, was born in Landport, Portsmouth. Those interested in Mr. Dickens and his writings may want to contact the Dickens Fellowship.

Disasters
An earthquake, the third in the same area within two months, struck near New Madrid, Missouri, destroying the entire towns of New Madrid and Little Prairie.



130 years ago
1882

Boxing
John L. Sullivan knocked out Paddy Ryan in the 9th round at Mississippi City, Mississippi to win the world heavyweight championship. It was the last bare-knuckle fight in which the title, which had been held by Mr. Ryan since 1880, changed hands.

120 years ago
1892

Disasters
28 people were killed in a fire at the Hotel Royal in New York City.

70 years ago
1942

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): A String of Pearls--Glenn Miller and his Orchestra

25 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: The Final Countdown--Europe (9th week at #1)

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

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Open Your Heart--Madonna

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Open Your Heart--Madonna
2 At this Moment--Billy Vera and the Beaters
3 Shake You Down--Gregory Abbott
4 Change of Heart--Cyndi Lauper
5 Livin' on a Prayer--Bon Jovi
6 C'est la Vie--Robbie Nevil
7 Will You Still Love Me?--Chicago
8 Someday--Glass Tiger
9 Touch Me (I Want Your Body)--Samantha Fox
10 Keep Your Hands to Yourself--Georgia Satellites

Singles entering the chart were What You Get is What You See by Tina Turner (#70); My Baby by the Pretenders (#85); The Finer Things by Steve Winwood (#86); Have You Ever Loved Somebody by Freddie Jackson (#87); Make it Mean Something by Rob Jungklas (#88); Hold Me by Sheila E. (#89); and Summertime, Summertime by Nocera (#90).

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

Singles entering the chart were Don't Need a Gun by Billy Idol (#90); Let's Wait Awhile by Janet Jackson (#93); Make a Move on Me by Veronique (#94); One More Time by Tom Cochrane (#95); and Just One Night by the Trumps (#97).