January 17, 2013

240 years ago
1773

Exploration
Captain James Cook and his crew became the first Europeans to sail below the Antarctic Circle, 66° 33′ 44″ (or 66.5622°) below the Equator.

220 years ago
1793

World events
Two days after France's National Convention had voted to convict deposed King Louis XVI of treason and one day after voting in favour of his execution, 380 deputies voted in favour of Louis' immediate execution while 310 requested mercy.

140 years ago
1873

War
Modoc Indians from Oregon and California defeated a United States Army force under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Wheaton in the First Battle of the Stronghold in northeastern California, the second battle in the Modoc War.

120 years ago
1893

Abominations
The Citizens' Committee of Public Safety, a group of American sugar planters led by Lorrin A. Thurston, overthrew Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii and established a provincial government with Sanford Ballard Dole as President.

60 years ago
1953

Hit Parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): You Belong to Me--Jo Stafford with Paul Weston and his Orchestra; Dean Martin

#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes--Perry Como (Best seller--2nd week at #1, Jukebox--1st week at #1); Why Don't You Believe Me--Joni James (Disc Jockey--5th week at #1)

U.S. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes--Perry Como
2 Why Don't You Believe Me--Joni James
--Patti Page
3 The Glow-Worm--The Mills Brothers
4 It's in the Book (Parts 1 and 2)--Johnny Standley
5 Till I Waltz Again with You--Teresa Brewer
6 Oh Happy Day--Don Howard
7 Keep it a Secret--Jo Stafford
8 Lady of Spain--Eddie Fisher
--Les Paul
9 Takes Two to Tango--Pearl Bailey
10 Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me--Karen Chandler

Singles entering the chart were Even Now by Eddie Fisher (#18); Wishing Ring by Joni James (#21); Strange by Nat "King" Cole (#31); Bunny Hop by Ray Anthony and his Orchestra (#34); and A Stolen Waltz by Sunny Gale (#35). Wishing Ring was the B-side of Have You Heard, which charted at #16.

Transportation
A prototype Chevrolet Corvette sports car was displayed at the General Motors Motorama show at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.

50 years ago
1963

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): The Next Time/Bachelor Boy--Cliff Richard and the Shadows (3rd week at #1)

On television tonight
Twilight Zone, hosted by Rod Serling, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Valley of the Shadow, starring Ed Nelson, Natalie Trundy, David Opatoshu, Dabbs Greer, and James Doohan

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Do You Really Want to Hurt Me--Culture Club (4th week at #1)

On television today
Breakfast Time, hosted by Frank Bough and Selina Scott, was broadcast for the first time on BBC.

Business
Hudson's flagship store in Detroit, the largest department store in the world, closed because of high operating costs.

25 years ago
1988

Football
NFL
NFC Championship
Minnesota 10 @ Washington 17

AFC Championship
Cleveland 33 @ Denver 38

Doug Williams' 7-yard touchdown pass to Gary Clark, converted by Ali Haji-Sheikh with 5:06 remaining in regulation time, broke a 10-10 tie and provided the winning margin for the Redskins as they defeated the Vikings before 55,212 fans at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The Vikings drove down to the Redskins' 6-yard line in the final minutes, but Minnesota quarterback Wade Wilson's pass on fourth down was incomplete.

The Broncos led 21-3 at halftime before 76,197 fans at Mile High Stadium, but barely held on to win. The Browns, trailing 38-31, appeared headed for the tying touchdown, but Earnest Byner fumbled at the Denver 3-yard line with 1:05 remaining in regulation time, and Denver defensinve back Jeremiah Castille recovered. The Broncos gave up a safety touch with 8 seconds remaining, and the Browns fielded a free kick at their own 24-yard line. Quarterback Bernie Kosar's desperation pass fell incomplete on the last play.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Would I Lie to You?--Charles & Eddie

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (8th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (8th week at #1)

Football
NFL
AFC Championship
Buffalo 29 @ Miami 10

NFC Championship
Dallas 30 @ San Francisco 20

Steve Christie tied an NFL playoff record for a single game with 5 field goals and the Buffalo defense recovered 3 Miami fumbles and made 2 interceptions and 4 quarterback sacks as the Bills beat the Dolphins before 72,703 fans at Joe Robbie Stadium.

Troy Aikman passed for 322 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Emmitt Smith rushed 24 times for 114 yards, caught 7 passes for 59 yards, and scored 2 touchdowns as the Cowboys defeated the 49ers before 64,920 fans at Candlestick Park. San Francisco quarterback Steve Young passed for 313 yards, but threw 2 interceptions in the 4th quarter.

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Richard Crenna, 76. U.S. actor. Mr. Crenna played Walter Denton on the radio (1948-1957) and television (1952-1956) series Our Miss Brooks before starring such the television series The Real McCoys (1957-1963); Slattery's People (1964-1965); and Judging Amy (2000-2002).