August 27, 2013

420 years ago
1593

World events
Pierre Barrière failed in his attempt to assassinate King Henry IV of France. Mr. Barrière was denounced by a Dominican priest to whom he had confessed the crime, and was executed four days later by breaking on the wheel and dismemberment.

220 years ago
1793

World events
The city of Toulon revolted against the French Republic and admitted the British and Spanish fleets to seize its port, leading to the Siege of Toulon by French Revolutionary forces.

Canadiana
John Graves Simcoe named the capital of the new Province of Upper Canada York, after the Duke of York.

200 years ago
1813

War
French Emperor Napoleon I defeated a larger force of Austrians, Russians, and Prussians in the Battle of Dresden.

130 years ago
1883

Born on this date
John Edward Brownlee. Canadian politician. Mr. Brownlee, a native of Port Ryerse, Ontario, became a teacher and then a lawyer, eventually settling in Calgary, where he was closely associated with future Canadian Prime Minister R.B. Bennett. Mr. Brownlee's rural upbringing led him to sympathize with farmers, and he represented the United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) and United Grain Growers (UGG). He served as Attorney General in the Alberta government of Premier Herbert Greenfield (1921-1925), and succeeded him as Premier, leading the UFA to re-election in 1926. Mr. Brownlee succeeded in obtaining provincial ownerhip of natural resources in 1930, but, like leaders of many other governments, had difficulty in dealing with the Depression. A young female family friend named Vivian MacMillan sued Mr. Brownlee for seduction in 1934; a sensational trial resulted in jury ruling in favour of Miss MacMillan. The judge overturned the verdict, but his ruling was in turn overruled on appeal. Mr. Brownlee resigned as Premier, but remained as a member of the Legislative Assembly for Ponoka until the 1935 provincial election, when he and the UFA were wiped out. Mr. Brownlee left electoral politics after his defeat, returning to his law practice. He was president of UGG from 1948 until declining health led him to resign on June 21, 1961, 24 days before his death on July 15 at the age of 77.

Disasters
A massive volcanic eruption on the island of Krakatoa in the Dutch East Indies blew up most of the island and resulted in tsunamis that killed over 36,000 people. The explosion was heard almost 3,000 miles away, and the shock wave circled the Earth seven times.





75 years ago
1938

Football
WIFU
Pre-season
Calgary 35 @ Edmonton (0-1) 1

The Bronks routed the Eskimos in the first game ever played at Clarke Stadium and the Eskimos' first appearance in senior football since 1932.

Baseball
Monte Pearson pitched a no-hitter and Tommy Henrich and Joe Gordon each hit 2 home runs as the New York Yankees routed the Cleveland Indians 13-0 to complete a sweep of their doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. In the first game, the Indians scored 4 runs in the top of the 9th to take a 7-5 lead, only to have Joe DiMaggio triple home 2 runs with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th to climax a 3-run rally as the Yankees won 8-7.

Johnny Peacock batted 4 for 5 with a sacrifice, 3 runs, and 5 runs batted in to help the Boston Red Sox rout the Chicago White Sox 19-6 in the first game of a doubleheader before 18,000 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Every man in the Boston lineup had at least 2 hits and scored at least 1 run. Gene Ford pitched the last 3 innings for the White Sox, allowing 10 hits and 9 runs--all earned--while walking 4 batters, striking out 2, throwing 2 wild pitches, and batting 0 for 2 in the 5th and last game of his 2-year major league career. Bill Harris pitched an 8-hitter and drove in Ben Chapman with a sacrifice bunt in the 7th inning for the game's only run as the Red Sox won the second game 1-0 to complete the sweep. Losing pitcher Thornton Lee allowed just 5 hits and 1 earned run in a complete game.

Harlond Clift hit 2 home runs and George McQuinn added another homer to help the St. Louis Browns beat the Philadelphia Athletics 8-3 in the first game of a doubleheader at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. In the second game, pinch hitter Mel Mazzera led off the top of the 9th inning with a single and Mel Almada followed with a home run to enable the Browns to win 6-5, coming back from a 4-0 deficit to complete the sweep.

Hank Greenberg hit his 44th home run of the season and Tony Piet drove in 4 runs to help the Detroit Tigers edge the Washington Nationals 12-11 before 7,000 fans at Griffith Stadium in Washington. Washington first baseman Zeke Bonura hit a grand slam and 3 singles.

Vince DiMaggio hit a home run and Tony Cuccinello had 3 hits to help the Boston Bees defeat the Cincinnati Reds 8-4 before 4,059 fans at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.

Joe Medwick drove in 4 runs with a double and triple and Johnny Mize drove in 3 with a single and home run to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Giants 12-3 before 4,387 fans at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis.

70 years ago
1943

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on MBS
Tonight's episode: The Cardboard Box

War
Soviet troops continued their advance on the Kharkov front in Ukraine. Aerial bombardment by the German Luftwaffe razed to the ground the village of Vorizia in Crete. Japanese forces evacuated New Georgia Island.

Diplomacy
China, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Peru granted recognition to the French Committee of National Liberation.

Politics and government
The cabinet of Bolivian President Enrique Penaranda del Castillo resigned in protest against attacks on Labour Minister Juan Manuel Balcazar and Interior Minister Pedro Zilveti Arce by the Chamber of Deputies for suppressing strikes at the Catavi tin mines.

Law
The American Bar Association acknowledged that it had acted on membership applications of two Negroes, accepting James S. Watson and rejecting Francis S. Rivers.

Oil
American Insitute of Chemists President Dr. Gustav Egloff announced that Triptane, a "supergas" 50% more powerful than high octane fuel, was now being produced in mass volume for use in military planes.

Boxing
Sugar Ray Robinson (45-1) won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world welterweight champion Henry Armstrong (135-18-7) at Madison Square Garden in New York.

50 years ago
1963

Died on this date
W.E.B. Du Bois, 95. U.S. scholar and civil rights activist. Dr. Du Bois was the first Negro American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University, and taught sociology, history, and economics at Atlanta University. He became one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples in 1909 and supported Pan-Africanism, the movement to free African colonies from European rule. Dr. Du Bois opposed U.S. entry into World War II, was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize in 1959, and joined the Communist Party in 1961. He died in Accra, Ghana, shortly after becoming a Ghanaian citizen.

Football
CFL
The Montreal Alouettes suspended quarterback Sandy Stephens. According to head coach Jim Trimble, Mr. Stephens had been ordered to reduce his weight from 225 pounds to 210, but had been able to get down just to 218 pounds. Mr. Stephens suspected that there were other reasons for his suspension.

40 years ago
1973

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Brenda Kiema!

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Delta Dawn--Helen Reddy (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France: J'ai un problème--Johnny Hallyday & Sylvie Vartan (7th week at #1)

Law
The Supreme Court of Canada upheld the legality of the Indian Act, ruling that aboriginal women marrying non-Indians must lose their Indian status.

Disasters
All 40 people aboard a Colombian turboprop airliner were killed when it crashed outside Bogota.

Hockey
NHL
The National Hockey League voted to expand from 14 to 16 teams, adding the Kansas City Scouts and Washington Capitals for the 1974-75 season.

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in France: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)--Eurythmics (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Rondo Russo--Berdien Stenberg (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Give it Up--K.C. and the Sunshine Band (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Give it Up--K.C. and the Sunshine Band (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Every Breath You Take--The Police (8th week at #1)

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Every Breath You Take--The Police (7th week at #1)
2 Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)--Eurythmics
3 She Works Hard for the Money--Donna Summer
4 Maniac--Michael Sembello
5 Puttin' on the Ritz--Taco
6 Flashdance...What a Feeling--Irene Cara
7 Electric Avenue--Eddy Grant
8 (Keep Feeling) Fascination--The Human League
9 Stand Back--Stevie Nicks
10 China Girl--David Bowie

Singles entering the chart were King of Pain by the Police (#40); Islands in the Stream by Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton (#63); One Thing Leads to Another by the Fixx (#80); What am I Gonna Do (I’m So In Love With You) by Rod Stewart (#81); Just Be Good to Me by S.O.S. Band (#85); Can't Shake Loose by Agnetha Faltskog (#86); Everyday I Write the Book by Elvis Costello and the Attractions (#88); Living on the Edge by Jim Capaldi (#89); and Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top (#90).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Our House--Madness
2 Total Eclipse of the Heart--Bonnie Tyler
3 Every Breath You Take--The Police
4 Electric Avenue--Eddy Grant
5 Never Gonna Let You Go--Sergio Mendes
6 China Girl--David Bowie
7 Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)--Eurythmics
8 She Works Hard for the Money--Donna Summer
9 1999--Prince
10 Come Dancing--The Kinks

Singles entering the chart were I Don't Wanna Dance by Eddy Grant (#44); Celebration by the Headpins (#45); Kiss the Bride by Elton John (#47); and OK Blue Jays by the Bat Boys (#50).

Died on this date
Ted Reeve, 81. Canadian athlete, coach, and sportswriter. Mr. Reeve, nicknamed "The Moaner," organized the Toronto Balmy Beach Club of the Ontario Rugby Football Union in 1924, and played for them when they won the Grey Cup in 1927 and 1930. He coached the Queen's University Tricolor from 1933-1938--leading them to Yates Cup championships in 1934, 1935, and 1937--and coached the Montreal Royals of the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union in 1939, Balmy Beach in 1945-1946, the Toronto Beaches Indians of the ORFU in 1948. Mr. Reeve was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1963. Mr. Reeve also played lacrosse and was a member of Mann Cup championship teams with the Oshawa Generals in 1929 and Brampton Excelsiors in 1930. He was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1966 as a charter member. Mr. Reeve was a sportswriter with the Toronto Telegram from 1923-1971, and later with the Toronto Sun, writing in a style so idiosyncratic as to be almost incomprehensible to readers from later eras. His books included Grandstand Quarterback (1955). Mr. Reeve is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Football
CFL
Montreal (1-6) 6 @ British Columbia (6-1) 28

Quarterback Roy Dewalt rushed 1 yard for a touchdown in the 1st quarter and threw touchdown passes of 11 and 41 yards to Merv Fernandez in the 4th quarter as the Lions beat the Concordes before 36,413 fans at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver. B.C. running back Larry Jones rushed 11 times for 70 yards--including a 38-yard draw play--and caught 5 passes for 28 yards.

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Tell Me--Nick Kamen (9th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Tribute (Right On)--The Pasadenas

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Tribute (Right On)--The Pasadenas (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Nuit de folie--Début de Soirée (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): The Only Way is Up--Yazz and the Plastic Population (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): The Only Way is Up--Yazz and the Plastic Population (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Monkey--George Michael

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Monkey--George Michael
2 I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That--Elton John
3 Roll With It--Steve Winwood
4 Sweet Child o' Mine--Guns 'N' Roses
5 I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love--Chicago
6 Fast Car--Tracy Chapman
7 Hands to Heaven--Breathe
8 Perfect World--Huey Lewis and the News
9 Simply Irresistible--Robert Palmer
10 1-2-3--Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine

Singles entering the chart were The Loco-Motion by Kylie Minogue (#83); Long and Lasting Love (Once in a Lifetime) by Glenn Medeiros (#87); Inside a Dream by Jane Wiedlin (#88); and Don't Know What You've Got (Till it's Gone) by Cinderella (#89).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That--Elton John (3rd week at #1)
2 Fast Car--Tracy Chapman
3 Sign Your Name--Terence Trent D'Arby
4 Make Me Lose Control--Eric Carmen
5 Simply Irresistible--Robert Palmer
6 Hold On to the Nights--Richard Marx
7 Hands to Heaven--Breathe
8 Perfect World--Huey Lewis and the News
9 Monkey--George Michael
10 Roll With It--Steve Winwood

Singles entering the chart were True Love by Glenn Frey (#72); The Rumour by Olivia Newton-John (#76); Don't You Know by Steve Winwood (#84); Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin (#88); Love Bites by Def Leppard (#91); Endless Night by Eye Eye (#93); Superstitious by Europe (#95); Bring Me Some Water by Melissa Etheridge (#96); Wait for Me by the Northern Pikes (#97); and Kokomo by the Beach Boys (#98). Don't Worry be Happy was featured in the movie Cocktail, and Kokomo was written for that movie.

Football
CFL
Ottawa (1-6) 24 @ Hamilton (4-3) 51



20 years ago
1993

Diplomacy
The United Nations lifted the oil embargo and other sanctions harmful to the Haitian economy after the military agreed to end their rule of the country and allow President Jean-Bertrand Aristide return.

The Canadian Defence Department revealed that the family of a slain Somali man had received the settlement they had requested in March when compensation of $15,000 was paid in early June. The department's investigation into the deaths of four Somalis as the Canadian armed forces compound in Somalia was not complete at the time of the settlement.

Politics and government
Nigerian dictator General Ibrahim Babangida announced that he would not honour his pledge to restore civilian government, but promised to install an interim government of soldiers and civilians. Demonstrators continued to demand that the results of the June election be recognized, and a three-day strike shut down the capital of Lagos.

Transportation
The Rainbow Bridge, connecting Tokyo's Shibaura and the island of Odaiba, was completed.

Football
CFL
Sacramento (2-7) 23 @ Saskatchewan (6-3) 26
British Columbia (6-3) 30 @ Calgary (9-0) 35

Dave Ridgway's 50-yard field goal on the last play of regulation time--his fourth FG of the game--gave the Roughriders their win over the Gold Miners before 33,032 fans, a record crowd at Taylor Field in Regina. Sacramento quarterback David Archer completed touchdown passes to Rod Harris and Mike Oliphant in the 2nd quarter, while Saskatchewan quarterback Kent Austin threw touchdown passes to Ray Elgaard in the 3rd quarter and Don Narcisse in the 4th quarter.

Doug Flutie threw touchdown passes to Derrick Crawford and Dave Sapunjis and rushed for a TD of his own as the Stampeders defeated the Lions before 27,011 fans at McMahon Stadium. Mr. Crawford also caught a 2-point convert pass from Mr. Flutie. B.C. quarterback Danny Barrett completed 2 touchdown passes to Darren Flutie and handed off to Cory Philpot for the other Lion touchdown.

10 years ago
2003

Space
Mars made its closest approach to Earth in an estimated 60,000 years, passing within 34,646,418 miles (55,758,005 kilometres).

Diplomacy
The first six-party talks, involving South and North Korea, the United States, China, Japan and Russia, convened to find a peaceful resolution to the security concerns as a result of the North Korean nuclear weapons program.