December 23, 2012

1,050 years ago
962

War
Byzantine troops under the command of future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas stormed the Syrian city of Aleppo.

120 years ago
1892

Politics and government
French political leaders Georges Clemenceau and M. Deroulede fought a bloodless duel.

110 years ago
1902

Born on this date
Antiochos Evangelatos. Greek composer and conductor. Mr. Evangelatos taught composition and counterpoint at the Hellenic Conservatory of Athens (1933-1974); chief musician of the National Opera (1940-1972); and music director of the National Radio Foundation (1954-1959). His compositions included symphonic works, chamber music, and stage music for ancient tragedies. Mr. Evangelatos died on December 17, 1981, six days before his 79th birthday.

Died on this date
Frederick Temple, 81. Greek-born U.K. clergyman. Most Rev. Temple was educated at the University of Oxford and was ordained a priest in the Church of England in 1846. He taught at Rugby School (1858-1869) before serving as Bishop of Exeter (1869-1885); Bishop of London (1885-1896); and Archbishop of Canterbury (1896-1902). He supported the cause of temperance as well as foreign missions, and worked so hard that he eventually went blind from overstraining his eyes. Most Rev. Temple died 23 days after his 81st birthday. His son William was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1942-1944.

60 years ago
1952

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Deadly Lamb, starring Patricia Breslin and Dick Haymes

50 years ago
1962

Football
AFL
Championship @ Jeppesen Stadium, Houston
Dallas 20 @ Houston 17 (2 OT)

Tommy Brooker’s 25-yard field goal at 2:54 of the 2nd period of overtime ended the longest game in professional football history to that date and gave the Texans their first American Football League championship, ending the Oilers’ two-year reign as AFL champions. Mr. Brooker opened the scoring with a 16-yard field goal in the 1st quarter, and Dallas scored 2 touchdowns in the 2nd quarter and opened up a 17-0 halftime lead on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Len Dawson to Abner Haynes and a 2-yard touchdown rush by Mr. Haynes, both converted by Mr. Brooker. The Oilers hit the scoreboard 3:10 into the 3rd quarter on a 15-yard touchdown pass from George Blanda to Willard Dewveall, converted by Mr. Blanda. Mr. Blanda kicked a 31-yard field goal at 3:53 of the 4th quarter to make the score 17-10, and handed off to Charley Tolar for a 1-yard touchdown rush at 9:22. Mr. Blanda converted to tie the score 17-17. Mr. Haynes, the Dallas captain, won the coin toss before the beginning of overtime, and elected to kick off, giving the Oilers the advantage of the wind as well as possession of the ball. However, Houston failed to score, and the Texans took possession near the end of the quarter when Bill Hull intercepted a pass by Mr. Blanda. The teams switched ends to begin the 2nd overtime quarter, with Dallas maintaining possession of the ball. The Texans moved to the Houston 19-yard line, and Mr. Brooker’s kick ended the game. It was the first championship for head coach Hank Stram, and the last appearance in a championship game for Pop Ivy, who had won Grey Cups with the Edmonton Eskimos from 1954-1956 and who was in his first season as head coach of the Oilers. The 37,981 fans--the largest crowd yet to attend an AFL game--witnessed not only the end of the Oilers’ championship reign, but the last game ever played by the Dallas Texans. Texans’ owner Lamar Hunt was tired of the small crowds coming to see his team’s home games and moved the team to Kansas City after the season, where they became known as the Chiefs.





40 years ago
1972

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K.: Long Haired Lover from Liverpool--Little Jimmy Osmond

Australia's top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Popcorn--Hot Butter (7th week at #1)
2 Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me--Mac Davis
3 Burning Love--Elvis Presley
4 Ben--Michael Jackson
5 I Can See Clearly Now--Johnny Nash
6 Too Young--Donny Osmond
7 Sugar Me--Lynsey De Paul
8 Rock Me Baby--Johnny Farnham
9 The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A.--Donna Fargo
10 Kings of the World--Mississippi

The only single entering the chart was Mouldy Old Dough by Lieutenant Pigeon (#33).

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Me and Mrs. Jones--Billy Paul (2nd week at #1)

U.S. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Me and Mrs. Jones--Billy Paul
2 You Ought to Be with Me--Al Green
3 It Never Rains in Southern California--Albert Hammond
4 I Am Woman--Helen Reddy
5 Clair--Gilbert O'Sullivan
6 Papa was a Rollin' Stone--The Temptations
7 Rockin' Pneumonia-Boogie Woogie Flu--Johnny Rivers
8 Ventura Highway--America
9 I'm Stone in Love with You--The Stylistics
10 Something's Wrong with Me--Austin Roberts

Singles entering the chart were I'm Never Gonna Be Alone Anymore by Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose (#79); Jesus is Just Alright by the Doobie Brothers (#81); Dreidel by Don McLean (#82); Danny's Song by Anne Murray (#83); Last Song by Edward Bear (#85); You've Got to Take It (If You Want It) by the Main Ingredient (#87); Do You Want to Dance? by Bette Midler (#89); Big City Miss Ruth Ann by Gallery (#92); Loving You is Just an Old Habit by Jim Weatherly (#97); I've Never Found a Man (To Love Me Like You Do) by Esther Phillips (#99); and Happy by Bobby Darin (#100). Happy was a version of the theme song from the movie Lady Sings the Blues (1972). Michael Jackson sang it for the movie soundtrack. The movie was produced by Motown Corporation, and Mr. Darin was recording for Motown at the time. It was his last charted single.

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 I Am Woman--Helen Reddy (2nd week at #1)
2 Clair--Gilbert O'Sullivan
3 It Never Rains in Southern California--Albert Hammond
4 Sunny Days--Lighthouse
5 Ventura Highway--America
6 Something's Wrong with Me--Austin Roberts
7 I'd Love You to Want Me--Lobo
8 Summer Breeze--Seals and Crofts
9 Sweet Surrender--Bread
10 Operator--Jim Croce

Singles entering the chart were Hi Hi Hi by Wings (#78); Gypsy by Abraham's Children (#89); Control of Me by Les Emmerson (#97); I Just Want to Make Music by Tobias (#99); and The Jean Genie by David Bowie (#100).

#1 single in Calgary: Ben--Michael Jackson (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Charles Atlas, 80. U.S. fitness magnate. Mr. Atlas, born Angelo Siciliano in Acra, Italy, devised a bodybuilding and exercise program that became popular through one of the most successful marketing campaigns of the 20th century. Winner in 1921 of the title of the world's "most perfectly developed man," he posed as a model for many statues.

Disasters
As many as 10,000 people were feared dead after an earthquake struck the Nicaraguan capital of Managua.

Football
NFL
AFC Divisional Playoff
Oakland 7 @ Pittsburgh 13

Terry Bradshaw’s 60-yard touchdown pass to Franco Harris with 5 seconds left in regulation time gave the Steelers their first playoff win in their 40-year history before 50,327 fans at Three Rivers Stadium. The ball bounced off Pittsburgh running back John “Frenchy” Fuqua and was apparently touched by Oakland defensive back Jack Tatum before Mr. Harris scooped it up just before it would have hit the ground. The play became known as the “Immaculate Reception ,” and came just after the Raiders had taken the lead on a 30-yard touchdown run by quarterback Ken Stabler, who had relieved ineffective starter Daryle Lamonica. The game was scoreless until Pittsburgh’s Roy Gerela kicked an 18-yard field goal in the 3rd quarter and a 29-yard FG in the 4th quarter to give the Steelers a 6-0 lead.

NFC Divisional Playoff
Dallas 30 @ San Francisco 28

Roger Staubach, who had relieved Craig Morton at quarterback, threw touchdown passes of 20 yards to Billy Parks and 10 yards to Ron Sellers in the 4th quarter as the Cowboys came back from a 21-3 2nd-quarter deficit to defeat the 49ers before 59,746 fans at Candlestick Park. Vic Washington returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, and Larry Schreiber scored twice on 1-yard runs as San Francisco opened up a
big lead. Toni Fritsch kicked his second field goal of the game to make it 21-6 and converted the Cowboys’ first touchdown, a 28-yard pass from Mr. Morton to Lance Alworth, making the score 21-13 at halftime. Mr. Schreiber rushed 1 yard for his third touchdown of the game, and Bruce Gossett’s fourth convert of the game gave the 49ers a 28-13 lead after 3 quarters. Mr. Fritsch kicked another field goal to make it 28-16 before Mr. Staubach worked his heroics. Calvin Hill of the Cowboys led all
rushers with 125 yards on 18 carries, while Mr. Parks led all receivers with 7 catches for 125 yards. Mr. Staubach completed 12 of 20 passes for 174 yards, while Mr. Morton was 8 for 21 for 96 yards and an interception. San Francisco quarterback John Brodie completed 12 of 22 passes for 150 yards and 2 interceptions.

30 years ago
1982

Died on this date
Jack Webb, 62. U.S. actor and director. Mr. Webb was best known for starring as Sergeant Joe Friday in the police drama series Dragnet, which ran on NBC radio from 1949-1957 and television from 1951-1959 and 1967-1970. He also starred in the radio series Johnny Madero, Pier 23 (1947); Jeff Regan, Investigator (1948); and Pat Novak for Hire (1946-1947, 1949—one of this blogger’s favourite old radio shows). Mr. Webb appeared in movies such as He Walked by Night (1948); The Men (1950); Sunset Blvd. (1950); Appointment with Danger (1951); and Dragnet (1954). Mr. Webb directed many of the television episodes of Dragnet, and then began directing movies, including Pete Kelly’s Blues (1955); The D.I. (1957); —30— (1959); and The Last Time I Saw Archie (1961), all of which he appeared in. In the 1970s, Mr. Webb specialized in producing television series involving law enforcement authorities or medical personnel, such as Adam-12 (1968-1975); O’Hara: U.S. Treasury (1971-1972); and Emergency! (1972-1979). He also tried his hand as a recording artist, talking his way through a dozen romantic ballads on an album titled You’re My Girl (1958), which has to be heard to be believed. Mr. Webb was preparing another television revival of Dragnet when he died of a heart attack; a lifelong admirer of police officers, he was the first—and maybe only—civilian to receive a police funeral from the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPD also retired badge number 714, which had been worn by Joe Friday in Dragnet.

Environment
The Boots & Coots team from Texas succeeded in capping the sour gas blowout at the Amoco Canada wildcat well near Lodgepole, Alberta, which had been filling the air with a nauseous odor and making people sick since October 17. This blogger was one of many Albertans who got headaches from the gas, but the Alberta government, as is its wont, lied and said that we were just imagining it.

U.S. and Missouri government officials informed residents of Times Beach, Missouri that their town would have to be evacuated and demolished because the chemical dioxin had been sprayed on unpaved roads.

Basketball
U.S. university
Chaminade University, which had only 800-900 students and whose basketball program in the NAIA was only seven years old, upset the NCAA's #1-ranked University of Virginia Cavaliers 77-72 before 3,500 fans at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu in what may still rank as the biggest upset in college basketball history.

25 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Whenever You Need Somebody--Rick Astley (3rd week at #1)

20 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): House of Love--East 17 (5th week at #1)

Journalism
Queen Elizabeth II's annual Christmas message was leaked to a newspaper two days in advance, sparking an investigation.

10 years ago
2002

War
A United States Air Force MQ-1 Predator was shot down by an Iraqi MiG-25 in history's first combat between a piloted aircraft and an unmanned drone.

Crime
A pregnant American woman named Laci Peterson, 27, was last known to be alive at her home in Modesto, California. The bodies of Mrs. Peterson and her unborn son Conner were found on the shore of San Francisco Bay four months later. Her husband Scott was convicted of murder in 2005 and is now on death row in San Quentin State Prison.