May 15, 2012

150 years ago
1862

Born on this date
Arthur Schnitzler. Austrian author and playwright. Dr. Schnitzler was a physician who abandoned his medical career in favour of writing, mainly short stories, novellas, and one-act plays, usually containing frank descriptions of sex and criticism of anti-Semitism. His best-known work was the play Reigen (first published in 1900, first performed in 1920), which was filmed in 1950 under the title La Ronde (1950). Dr. Schnitzler died from a brain hemorrhage on October 21, 1931 at the age of 69.

Politics and government
The United States Department of Agriculture was created by an act of Congress.

100 years ago
1912

Baseball
The Detroit Tigers beat the New York Highlanders 8-4 at Hilltop Park in New York in a game that was marred by an incident involving Detroit outfielder Ty Cobb and a heckler in the stands. The fan, Claude Lueker, had lost four fingers on one hand in an industrial accident, but that didn't prevent him from calling Mr. Cobb a "half-nigger." After a certain amount of heckling, Mr. Cobb decided that he had heard enough, and charged into the stands after Mr. Lueker. He began beating him, and when told that Mr. Lueker had "no hands," Mr. Cobb reportedly said, "I don't care if he has no feet." Mr. Cobb was suspended indefinitely by American League President Ban Johnson.

75 years ago
1937

Horse racing
War Admiral, with C. Kurtsinger aboard, followed up his win in the Kentucky Derby with a victory in the 62nd running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore in a time of 1:58 2/5 seconds. Pompoon again placed second.

60 years ago
1952

On television tonight
CBS-TV News, hosted by Douglas Edwards



At the movies
Paula, directed by Rudolph Maté, and starring Loretta Young, Kent Smith, and Alexander Knox, opened in theatrs.



Baseball
Virgil Trucks pitched a no-hitter as the Detroit Tigers edged the Washington Nationals 1-0 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit.

50 years ago
1962

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Victim Four, starring Peggy Ann Garner, John Lupton, and Paul Comi

40 years ago
1972

Music
The Beach Boys’ album Carl and the Passions—“So Tough” was released. In the U.S.A. and Canada it was released as part of a two-album set with a re-release of their 1966 album Pet Sounds, while it was released as a single album in Europe. The first single from the album was also released: You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone, with Cuddle Up on the B-side.

Crime
Alabama Governor and candidate for the 1972 Democratic party nomination for President of the United States George Wallace was shot four times and paralyzed from the waist down while campaigning at a shopping centre in Laurel, Maryland. The shooter, Arthur Bremer, was a 21-year-old former busboy and school janitor from Milwaukee who had been reported at other campaign rallies for Mr. Wallace.

Diplomacy
U.S. Vice-President Spiro Agnew, on a four-day visit to Japan, attended ceremonies in Tokyo marking the return of Okinawa and the other Ryukyu islands from the United States to Japan.

30 years ago
1982

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K.: A Little Peace--Nicole

#1 single in the U.S.A.: (Billboard): Ebony and Ivory--Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Ebony and Ivory--Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
2 Don't Talk to Strangers--Rick Springfield
3 Titles--Vangelis
4 Freeze Frame/Flamethrower--J. Geils Band
5 I Love Rock 'N' Roll--Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
6 867-5309/Jenny--Tommy Tutone
7 I've Never Been to Me--Charlene
8 We Got the Beat--Go-Go's
9 The Other Woman--Ray Parker, Jr.
10 Did it in a Minute--Daryl Hall and John Oates

Singles entering the chart were This Man is Mine by Heart (#82); Break it Up by Foreigner (#84); After the Glitter Fades by Stevie Nicks (#85); Dreamin' by John Schneider (#90); and Fly Away by Stevie Woods (#98).

Canada’s top 10 (RPM)
1 Don't You Want Me--The Human League
2 I Love Rock 'N' Roll--Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
3 Don't Talk to Strangers--Rick Springfield
4 Ebony and Ivory--Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
5 Key Largo--Bertie Higgins
6 Titles--Vangelis
7 Freeze Frame--J. Geils Band
8 867-5309/Jenny--Tommy Tutone
9 Heat of the Moment--Asia
10 Did it in a Minute--Daryl Hall and John Oates

Singles entering the chart were Stone Cold by Rainbow (#43); Run for the Roses by Dan Fogelberg (#44); Without You by Franke and the Knockouts (#46); Nova Heart by the Spoons (#47); Get Down on It by Kool & The Gang (#49); and My Girl by Donnie Iris (#50).

Horse racing
Aloma’s Ruler, with Jack Kaenel aboard, won the 107th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

25 years ago
1987

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that prices paid by producers for finished goods had risen 0.7% in April.

Major banks in the United States raised their prime lending rate to 8.25% from 8%, their third increase in less than two months.

20 years ago
1992

Died on this date
Robert Morris Page, 88. U.S. physicist. Mr. Page helped pioneer the development of radar.

Jovy Marcelo, 26. Filipino auto racing driver. Mr. Marcelo a rookie in the CART series, was killed in a crash at the Indianapolis Speedway while practicing for the Indianapolis 500.

10 years ago
2002

Politics and government
Prime Minister Wim Kok’s Labour Party won only 23 seats in Dutch parliamentary elections.