May 18, 2012

370 years ago
1642

Canadiana
The city of Montreal was founded by the French.

100 years ago
1912

Born on this date
Perry Como. U.S. singer. Mr. Como was a crooner known for his relaxed style, resulting in dozens of hit songs in a career spanning more than 50 years. He adopted his father's trade of barbering as a youth, and began his singing career with the bands of Freddy Carlone and Ted Weems in the 1930s before achieving success as a solo artist, reaching the number one spot in the Billboard pop singles chart 11 times from 1945-1958. Mr. Como hosted several television variety programs and numerous specials from the late 1940s through the mid-'90s, winning five Emmy Awards in the '50s. He died in his sleep on May 12, 2001, six days before his 89th birthday.

Baseball
The Detroit Tigers' players, upset at the indefinite suspension of star outfielder Ty Cobb for beating up a heckler in the stands in New York several days earlier, voted to go on strike before that day's game at Shibe Park in Philadelphia against the Athletics. To avoid a $5,000 fine for failing to field a team, Tigers' owner Frank Navin recruited a team of amateurs, bolstered by current coaches--both over the age of 40--who had been reactivated for the occasion. The Athletics won 24-2. Jack Coombs started on the mound and was credited with the win after pitching just 3 innings, leaving with the score 6-0. Al Travers, in his only major league game, went the distance for the Tiges, giving up 24 runs and 26 hits. One of the amateur Tigers, Ed Irvin, entered the game in the 3rd inning and hit 2 triples in 3 at bats, leaving the major leagues with a slugging percentage of 2.000. For most of the Detroit players, that day's game marked their only major league appearance.

Pennsylvania Governor John Tener and American League President Ban Johnson were among the dignitaries on hand as Redland Field, built at a cost of $400,000 was officially opened in Cincinnati on the site of the previous ballpark, Palace of the Fans. The Reds beat the visiting New York Giants and pitcher Christy Mathewson 4-3. Redland Field was renamed Crosley Field in 1934. The last game played there was on June 24, 1970, when the Reds edged the San Francisco Giants 5-4.

50 years ago
1962

On television tonight
The Twilight Zone, on CBS
Tonight's episode: I Sing the Body Electric, starring Josephine Hutchinson, David White, Vaughn Taylor, Doris Packer, and Veronica Cartwright

This was the only episode of the series to have a teleplay written by Ray Bradbury, based on his short story. It was also the only episode whose music score was recorded in stereo; Nathan Van Cleave's music was released in 1985 on an album titled The Twilight Zone: The Original Scores, Volume V.



Track and field
Al Oerter of Queens, New York became the first person to throw the discus 200 feet, reaching a distance of 200 feet, 5 inches at a meet in Los Angeles.

40 years ago
1972

Died on this date
Jim Malloy, 36. U.S. auto racing driver. Mr. Malloy, who had finished 4th in the 1971 Indianapolis 500, was killed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a crash in a practice for the 1972 race.



30 years ago
1982

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Ein bißchen Frieden--Nicole

Crime
Rev. Sun Myung Moon of South Korea, leader of the Unification Church, was convicted in New York City of tax fraud. He had been accused of deliberately failing to report more than $100,000 of bank account interest and $50,000 in stock profits to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Also convicted with Rev. Moon was one of his top aides, Takeru Kamiyami, who had been accused of conspiracy, perjury, and obstructing the investigation leading to the trial. Rev. Moon faced up to five years in prison for conspiracy and three years on each of three tax counts, while Mr. Kamiyami faced upto five years on each of his counts. The two were set free on bail pending an appeal.

25 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Slice of Heaven--Dave Dobbyn with Herbs

20 years ago
1992

Crime
An abortion clinic in Toronto founded by “Dr.” Henry Morgentaler was destroyed by an explosion and fire attributed to arson.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Clarence S. Campbell Conference Finals
Edmonton 2 @ Chicago 4 (Chicago led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Despite being outshot 25-5, the Oilers led 2-1 at Chicago Stadium after 2 periods, thanks to the goaltending of Bill Ranford, but the Blackhawks’ firepower eventually proved too much for the Oilers to hold off forever.

10 years ago
2002

Health
The World Health Organization agreed to delay the destruction of the last remaining stocks of smallpox virus—due to be destroyed at the end of the year to prevent the disease from ever occurring again—in order to allow time to develop vaccines and treatments in case the virus were to fall into the wrong hands.

Diplomacy
India expelled the Pakistani ambassador in reaction to the May 14 terrorist attack that had killed 32 people in a military encampment in the Indian-administered area of Kashmir; Indian and Pakistani troops had been firing at each other across the border since the attack.

Horse racing
War Emblem, with Victor Espinoza aboard, followed his win in the Kentucky Derby with a victory in the 127th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Magic Weisner placed second, and Proud Citizen finished third.