March 11, 2013

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Tim Sproule and Aurora B.G.!

125 years ago
1888

Disasters
The Great Blizzard of 1888 struck the northeastern United States, killing more than 400 people, dumping as much as 55 inches of snow in some areas, and producing winds that reached 85 miles per hour in New York City.

75 years ago
1938

At the movies
Dangerous to Know, directed by Robert Florey, and starring Gail Patrick, Akim Tamiroff, Anna May Wong, and Lloyd Nolan, opened in theatres.



World events
Kurt Schuschnigg resigned as Chancellor of Austria in a radio broadcast that evening, after failing to receive support from either France or the United Kingdom to maintain Austrian independence from Nazi Germany. Mr. Schuschnigg announced that he was allowing the Nazis to take over the Austrian government in order to avoid bloodshed. Earlier in the day, German Chancellor Adolf Hitler had sent an ultimatum to Mr. Schuschnigg, demanding that he hand over all power to the National Socialists or face an invasion. The ultimatum was set to expire at noon, but was extended by two hours. However, Mr. Hitler signed an order at 1 P.M. for troops to invade Austria, and gave the order to Hermann Goering several hours later. Austrian President Wilhelm Miklas resisted the Nazis, refusing to appoint pro-Nazi Interior Minister Arthur Seyss-Inquart as Chancellor, and instead asking other Austrian politicians to assume the position. However, the Nazis seized control of many parts of Vienna (including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which controlled the police). While Mr. Miklas stalled, Mr. Hitler became furious, and he and Hermann Goering published a forged telegram asking the German government to send troops into Austria to preserve order. By midnight, a well-organized Nazi machine was in control of almost all of the critical government buildings and had arrested the main political party members of the old government. Mr. Miklas finally capitulated and appointed Mr. Seyss-Inquart Chancellor.

60 years ago
1953

On the radio
I Was a Communist for the FBI, starring Dana Andrews
Tonight’s episode: Word Game

Boxing
World light heavyweight champion Archie Moore (138-19-8) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Nino Valdes (21-6-3) in a heavyweight bout at St. Louis Arena.



40 years ago
1973

Protest
The standoff between Indian militants and U.S. federal agents at Wounded Knee, South Dakota turned violent when a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent and an Indian militant were shot dead.

Politics and government
In the first presidential election in Argentina since 1965, Dr. Hector Campora, handpicked candidate of former President Juan Peron, took an early lead, falling just short of an outright majority.

The last round of legislative elections in France resulted in a renewed mandate for the Gaullist-led government.

Cypriot President Archbishop Makarios, who had been ordered defrocked three days earlier by three dissident bishops of the Greek Orthodox Church, received strong support from the military-backed Greek government, political foes of the Greek government, the press, and the Greek Orthodox Church.

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): I Don't Wanna Dance--Eddy Grant (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Major Tom (Völlig Losgelöst)--Peter Schilling (7th week at #1)

Politics and government
The Labour Party, under Prime Minister Bob Hawke, took power in Australia, six days after defeating Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser's Liberal-Nationalist coalition in the national election.

Defense
Pakistan successfully conducted a cold test of a nuclear weapon.

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Tell it to My Heart--Taylor Dayne (2nd week at #1)

Economics and finance
The United States said that a $7 million payment to the Panama Canal Commission would be put into escrow. Panama's government announced the indefinite deferment of wages to 140,000 government employees, which sparked street demonstrations against the regime. Professional people and union members joined work slowdowns.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Sad But True--Metallica (2nd week at #1)

Politics and government
Janet Reno obtained unanimous confirmation (98-0) from the United States Senate to become the country's first female Attorney General.

Scandal
Police in Milan arrested three leaders of subsidiaries of the Italian state-owned energy corporation who were linked to an investigation of bribery and corruption.

10 years ago
2003

Diplomacy
Talks to reunify Greek and Turkish Cypriots fell apart after Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash rejected a United Nations-sponsored agreement.

Law
The city of Edmonton passed a bylaw--the first such in Canada--allowing police to ticket schoolyard bullies who repeatedly pushed, shoved, and name-called their victims.