November 3, 2013

420 years ago
1493

Exploration
Christopher Columbus first sighted the island of Dominica in the Caribbean Sea.

220 years ago
1793

Born on this date
Stephen F. Austin. U.S. politician. Mr. Austin, known as the "Father of Texas," led the American settlement of Texas in the 1820s, and helped to ensure the introduction of slavery into Texas. He was defeated by Sam Houston in the Texas presidential election in 1836, but served as the new republic's Secretary of State from September 22, 1836 until his death from pneumonia three months later at the age of 43 on December 27, 1836.

Died on this date
Olympe de Gouges, 45. French playwright and pamphleteeress. Miss de Gouges was an outspoken opponent of slavery and proponent of women's rights, which she expressed in hier pamphlet Déclaration des droits de la Femme et de la Citoyenne (Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen (1791). Miss de Gouge's feminism and support for a constitutional monarchy angered the French revolutionary authorities, and she was guillotined in Paris.

175 years ago
1838

War
Hunters Lodges (Frères Chasseurs), republican rebels backed by American sympathizers, who wanted to keep the Rebellion of 1837 alive, mobilized in towns around Montréal such as Ste-Martine, St-Mathias and St-Constant (where they disarmed a body of Loyalists). At Beauharnois they attacked the steamer Henry Brougham

Journalism
The Times of India, the world's largest circulated English language daily broadsheet newspaper, was founded as The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce.

170 years ago
1843

Canadiana
Montreal was chosen as the capital of the Province of Canada and the seat of Parliament.

140 years ago
1873

Canadiana
The first 150 North West Mounted Police (NWMP) recruits were sworn in at Lower Fort Garry, Manitoba.

130 years ago
1883

Football
ORFU
Semi-Final
Ottawa 20 Hamilton 7 @ Toronto

125 years ago
1888

Football
ORFU
London declined in favour of Ottawa Rough Riders.

Final
Ottawa College 10 Ottawa Rough Riders 2

110 years ago
1903

World events
Panama proclaimed its independence from Colombia.

100 years ago
1913

Born on this date
Milton Levine. U.S. businessman. Mr. Levine and his brother-in-law E. Joseph Cossman were entrepreneurs in marketing plastic toys and novelties such as toy soldiers, the spud gun, and shrunken heads. The two men co-created the ant farm in 1956, which Mr. Levine marketed through his company Uncle Milton's Toys. Mr. Levine died on January 16, 2011 at the age of 97.

Died on this date
Hans Bronsart von Schellendorff, 83. German musician, composer, and conductor. Mr. Bronsart von Schellendorff was a classical pianist who studied under Franz Liszt. He conducted in Leipzig and Berlin before serving as general manager of the Royal Theatre in Hanover (1867-1887). Mr. Bronsart von Schellendorf's compositions included two symphonies and a piano concerto.

Baseball
The New York Giants and Chicago White Sox continued their post-season exhibition tour, with the Giants winning 11-1 in Marlin, Texas.

90 years ago
1923

Football
CRU
IRFU
Montreal (2-3-1) 9 @ Ottawa (1-5) 6

IRFU-U.S. amateur
Exhibition
Toronto 7 U.S. Third Army Corps Area 55 @ New York

ORFU
(Toronto) Parkdale Canoe Club (2-1) 13 @ University of Toronto (0-4) 2

Canadian university
Toronto (1-2) 5 @ Queen's (4-0) 18

WCRFU
Semi-Final
Edmonton 6 @ Regina 9

ARU
University of Alberta 12 @ Calgary 1 (First game of 2-game series)

Canadian university
Manitoba 2 @ Saskatchewan 2 (Manitoba won 2-game total points series 16-12)

The U.S. Third Army Corps Area, a team from Baltimore, routed the Argonauts before 1,500 fans in the third football game ever played at Yankee Stadium. The game was played entirely under American rules, to the chagrin of the Argonauts, who thought that half the game would be played under Canadian rules.

8,000 fans at Richardson Stadium saw the Tricolor defeat U of T to clinch the intercollegiate championship.

Tare Rennebohm scored a touchdown in the 1st quarter and a single in the 2nd quarter, and the Roughriders punted for 3 singles in the 4th quarter to defeat the Eskimos, who lost quarterbacks Bill Rankin and Art Skitch with injuries in the first 5 minutes of the game, while middle wing (tackle) Vic Yancy suffered an apparent concussion during this time and remained "goofy" until halftime. Mr. Rennebohm's touchdown was scored when the Eskimos had only 9 players on the field, with three others serving penalties. Mr. Rankin eventually returned to action, and pitched out to Jimmy Enright for the Edmonton touchdown in the 3rd quarter.

Mr. Thompson and Chief Davis scored touchdowns for U of A as they defeated the 50th Battalion at Hillhurst Park. The Calgary club was criticized for scraggy tackling (i.e., tackling around the neck).

Mr. Paisley punted for both Manitoba points as the U of M held on to win the Western Canada university championship over U of S at Cairns Field in Saskatoon.

75 years ago
1938

Politics and government
Carl Hayden (Democrat) was re-elected to a third term representing Arizona in the United States Senate, taking 76.5% of the vote to defeat Republican Party challenger Burt Clingan.

70 years ago
1943

War
500 aircraft of the U.S. 8th Air Force conducted an air raid in northwestern Germany, concentrating on Wilhelmshaven harbour. The Soviet Red Army advanced 10 more miles westward in the Nogaisk Steppe area on the lower reaches of the Dnieper River and Karkinit Bay. The Allies announced that all organized resistance on Mono Island in the northern Solomons had ceased.

Politics and government
New York Governor Thomas Dewey denied that he would be a candidate for the Republican Party U.S. presidential nomination in 1944.

Health
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that U.S. cancer deaths in 1942 totalled 163,400.

Labour
United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis ordered coal miners to return to work after agreeing with U.S. Solid Fuels Administrator Harold Ickes on a wage contract that gave miners a wage of $8.50 per day.

Disasters
The U.S. freighter Volunteer, carrying explosives, caught fire in Halifax harbour, but the courage of the U.S. Navy men saved the city from disaster.

60 years ago
1953

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Interruption, starring Cedric Hardwicke and Evelyn Varden

50 years ago
1963

Football
CFL
Hamilton (10-4) 49 @ Montreal (6-8) 21
Winnipeg (7-9) 10 @ British Columbia (12-4) 28

Art Baker and Willie Bethea each scored 2 touchdowns, with Tommy Grant, Hal Patterson, and Frank Cosentino each scoring 1, as the Tiger-Cats beat the Alouettes before 19,337 fans at Molson Stadium. Bobby Lee Thompson, Ferd Burket, and Warren Rabb scored the Montreal touchdowns.

The Lions scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and coasted to victory over the defending champion Blue Bombers before 32,646 fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. The Lions set a CFL single-season home attendance record of 251,712.

40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): Angie--Rolling Stones (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Daydreamer/The Puppy Song--David Cassidy (2nd week at #1)

Australia's top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Can the Can--Suzi Quatro (4th week at #1)
2 You Don't Own Me--The Ormsby Brothers
3 Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose--Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
4 Half-Breed--Cher
5 Monster Mash--Bobby (Boris) Pickett and the Crypt Kickers
6 Rubber Bullets--10 C.C.
7 He Did with Me--Vicki Lawrence
8 Live and Let Die--Wings
9 The World's Greatest Mum--Johnny Chester
10 See My Baby Jive--Wizzard

The only single entering the chart was The Band Played Boogie by CCS (#33).

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Midnight Train to Georgia--Gladys Knight and the Pips (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Keep on Truckin' (Part 1)--Eddie Kendricks
2 Midnight Train to Georgia--Gladys Knight and the Pips
3 Heartbeat--It's a Lovebeat--DeFranco Family
4 Angie--Rolling Stones
5 Photograph--Ringo Starr
6 Half-Breed--Cher
7 All I Know--Garfunkel
8 Paper Roses--Marie Osmond
9 I Got a Name--Jim Croce
10 Knockin' on Heaven's Door--Bob Dylan

Singles entering the chart were Let Me Serenade You by Three Dog Night (#51); Come Get to This by Marvin Gaye (#72); If You're Ready (Come Go with Me) by the Staple Singers (#74); River by Joe Simon (#88); Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up by Barry White (#93); Sally from Syracuse by Stu Nunnery (#96); The Day that Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee by the Hollies (#98); Spiders & Snakes by Jim Stafford (#99); and Love for You by Sonoma (#100).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Angie--Rolling Stones (4th week at #1)
2 Could You Ever Love Me Again--Gary & Dave
3 Heartbeat--It's a Lovebeat--DeFranco Family
4 Last Kiss--Wednesday
5 Half-Breed--Cher
6 Delta Dawn--Helen Reddy
7 We're an American Band--Grand Funk
8 Photograph--Ringo Starr
9 Higher Ground--Stevie Wonder
10 All I Know--Garfunkel

Singles entering the chart were Corazon by Carole King (#74); Let Me Be There by Olivia Newton-John (#91); The Joker by the Steve Miller Band (#95); Big Time Operator by Keith Hampshire (#96); Let Me Serenade You by Three Dog Night (#97); Redneck Friend by Jackson Browne (#98); Be by Neil Diamond (#99); and Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress) by Helen Reddy (#100).

#1 single in Calgary: We're an American Band--Grand Funk (2nd week at #1)

Disasters
A man sitting in a window seat was sucked out of the window to his death when an engine in a National Airlines DC-10 exploded at an altitude of 40,000 feet southwest of Albuquerque, New Mexico, en route from Houston to Las Vegas. 10 of the 125 passengers were detained in an Albuquerque hospital, while 15 others were released after treatment.

Crime
John Froines and Lee Weiner, two of the "Chicago 7" defendants on conspiracy charges, were freed from further prosecution.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (4-11-1) 3 @ Toronto (7-5-2) 18
Calgary (6-10) 7 @ British Columbia (5-9-2) 15

Guard Noah Jackson recovered a fumbled punt and returned it 6 yards for a touchdown as the Argonauts defeated the Blue Bombers before 33,135 fans at CNE Stadium. It was the last game for Jim Spavital after four years as head coach of the Blue Bombers; he was fired three days later.

Johnny Musso rushed 1 yard for a touchdown early in the 4th quarter and Ivan MacMillan added a convert, 2 field goals, and 2 singles as the Lions defeated the Stampeders at Empire Stadium in Vancouver to beat Calgary out of the third and last playoff spot in the Western Football Conference, making the playoffs for the first time in four years. The Lions led 5-0 at halftime; Jim Furlong's 63-yard punt single made the score 5-1 after 3 quarters. Mr. Musso's converted touchdown gave the Lions a 12-1 lead before Peter Liske completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to Jesse Mims with 9:46 remaining in the game. Larry Robinson missed the convert, leaving the Stampeders behind 12-7. Mr. MacMillan put the game away with a 41-yard field goal with 3:20 remaining.

CIAU
Manitoba (6-2) 15 @ Alberta (5-3) 23

30 years ago
1983

Died on this date
Alfredo Antonini, 82. Italian-born U.S. conductor and composer. Mr. Antonini began his career as an organist and pianist in his native Italy before emigrating to the United States in 1929. He conducted various orchestras in radio broadcasts, recordings, and concerts from the 1940s through the '70s. His eight compositions included tone poems and chamber works. Mr. Antonini died during heart surgery.

War
Syrian-supported rebels, seeking to overthrow Yasser Arafat as leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization, launched a tank and artillery attack on his strongholds on the outskirts of Tripoli, Lebanon.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Ronald Reagan named former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as his new special envoy to the Middle East.

Politics and government
Rev. Jesse Jackson announced his candidacy for the 1984 Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States, becoming the first Negro male to make a serious bid for the presidential nomination of a major party.

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Domino Dancing--Pet Shop Boys (5th week at #1)

World events
Sri Lankan Tamil mercenaries tried to overthrow the Maldivian government. At President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's request, the Indian military suppressed the coup attempt within 24 hours.

Diplomacy
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher began a visit to Poland. In meetings with Polish leaders she reportedly rejected a plea for British economic assistance. At a state dinner, Mrs. Thatcher called for more freedom in Poland and throughout eastern Europe.

Protest
20,000 students in South Korea took to the streets, calling for the arrest of former President Chun Doo Hwan for corruption.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)--Meat Loaf

Died on this date
Léon Theremin, 97. Russian inventor. Mr. Theremin, born Lev Termen, invented the Theremin, an electronic musical instrument, in 1920. He was also known for inventing electronic eavesdropping devices, including "The Thing," which hung in plain view in the U.S. embassy in Moscow from 1945 until its accidental discovery in 1952. Mr. Theremin and his namesake invention were the subject of the documentary film Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1993).

10 years ago
2003

Law
A draft constitution for Afghanistan was unveiled, calling for the creation of an Islamic republic with a strong presidential system and equal rights for all citizens. The draft did not mention Sharia (Islamic law).

Politics and government
Former Ontario Premier Mike Harris announced that he would not seek the leadership of a united federal Conservative Party.

Economics and finance
Canadian Finance Minister John Manley announced that the federal surplus would be much smaller in 2003 as compared to previous years. Of the estimated $3.5-billion surplus, over $2 billion was targeted to go to the provinces for health care.

Disasters
Flooding caused by torrential rains left over 100 people dead on the island of Sumatra.