February 2, 2013

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Simon O'Byrne!

460 years ago
1653

Americana
The city of New Amsterdam (later renamed New York) was incorporated.

120 years ago
1893

Died on this date
François Reichenbach, 71. French film director, producer, cinematographer, and screenwriter. Mr. Reichenbach directed 40 movies and numerous television programs from 1954-1992.

100 years ago
1913

Transportation
Grand Central Terminal was opened in New York City.

80 years ago
1933

Crime
Sisters Christine and Lea Papin, working as maids, murdered their employer's wife and daughter in Le Mans, France.

70 years ago
1943

War
The German 6th Army surrendered to Soviet forces at Stalingrad, 5 1/2 months after attacking the southern Russian port.

50 years ago
1963

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): The Boys--The Shadows

#1 single in France: Tous les Garçons et les Filles--Françoise Hardy (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: La partita di pallone--Rita Pavone

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Junge, komm bald wieder--Freddy Quinn (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Diamonds--Jet Harris and Tony Meehan (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Walk Right In--The Rooftop Singers (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Walk Right In--The Rooftop Singers
2 Hey Paula--Paul and Paula
3 Go Away Little Girl--Steve Lawrence
4 The Night Has a Thousand Eyes--Bobby Vee
5 Tell Him--The Exciters
6 Up on the Roof--The Drifters
7 It's Up to You--Rick Nelson
8 I Saw Linda Yesterday--Dickey Lee
9 Telstar--The Tornados
10 Loop de Loop--Johnny Thunder

Singles entering the chart were Greenback Dollar by the Kingston Trio (#61); She'll Never Know by Brenda Lee (#62); Our Day Will Come by Ruby and the Romantics (#77); Alice in Wonderland by Neil Sedaka (#82); Let's Turkey Trot by Little Eva (#63); Days of Wine and Roses by Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus (#90); The Jive Samba by the Cannonball Adderley Sextet (#91); Let's Stomp by Bobby Comstock (#94); Meditation (Meditacao) by Charlie Byrd (#96); and Love for Sale by the Arthur Lyman Group (#100). Days of Wine and Roses was the title song from the movie, and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song of 1962.

Boxing
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter (15-2) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Gomeo Brennan (52-8-5) in a middleweight bout at Madison Square Garden in New York.



40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: I'd Love You to Want Me--Lobo

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Ich wünsch' mir 'ne kleine Miezekatze--Wums Gesang (7th week at #1)

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Lou Harrison, 85. U.S. composer. Mr. Harrison was known for incorporating music of non-Western (particularly Indonesian) cultures into his compositions. He wrote three symphonies, two operas, and numerous chamber works.