February 25, 2014

110 years ago
1904

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Toronto Marlboroughs 2 @ Ottawa Silver Seven 11 (Ottawa won 2-game total goals series 17-5)

The Silver Seven were the champions and the Marlboroughs the challengers.

80 years ago
1934

Died on this date
John McGraw, 60. U.S. baseball player and manager. Mr. McGraw was an infielder with the Baltimore Orioles of the American Association and National League (1891-1899); St. Louis Cardinals (1900); Baltimore Orioles of the American League (1901-1902); and New York Giants (1902-1906), batting .334 with 13 home runs and 462 runs batted in in 1,099 games. The Orioles of the 1890s became a legendary team, in no small part because of the dirty style of play of men such as Mr. McGraw. He managed the NL Orioles in 1899 and the AL Orioles in 1901-1902, before running afoul of AL President Ban Johnson. Mr. McGraw then moved to the Giants, managing them until his resignation 40 games into the 1932 season. Under Mr. McGraw, the Giants won 10 NL pennants and World Series in 1905, 1921, and 1922. Mr. McGraw finished his managerial career with a record of 2,763-1,948, a winning percentage of .586. His total of wins remains second to Connie Mack's total of 3,731. Mr. McGraw still holds the National League record with 2,669 wins. He came out of retirement to manage the National League in the first All-Star Game in 1933, which the American League won 4-2. Mr. McGraw was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.

70 years ago
1944

Died on this date
Charles McNary, 69. U.S. politician. Mr. McNary, a Republican, represented Oregon in the United States Senate from 1917-1944 and was Senate Minority Leader from 1933-1944. He was the Republican Party's candidate for Vice-President of the United States in 1940, serving as Wendell Willkie's running mate. Mr. McNary died after unsuccessful surgery for a brain tumor, and the day after he had been re-elected Minority Leader.

James Reid Moir, 64. U.K. archaeologist. Mr. Moir established the existence of man in the Pliocene Epoch (approximately 5.332 million-2.588 million years before the present).

War
British troops captured the town of Kyauktaw in the Kaladan Valley of western Burma. U.S. Selective Service Commission Director Lewis Hershey told the U.S. Senate Agricultural Committee that the bottom of the manpower barrel had been reached. Tokyo radio reported a cabinet decision to restructure Japanese national life for the war effort, which meant a belt-tightening process.

Diplomacy
The Polish government-in-exile notified the U.K. that it would not accept the Curzon Line as a basis for border discussions with the U.S.S.R.

Journalism
The Soviet newspaper Pravda denounced "assistants of William Randolph Hearst" for "spilling poisoned ink to wreck the anti-Hitler coalition." Pravda referred to specific editorials in newspapers owned by the American magnate which outlined supposed Soviet plans to annex the Balkan countries.

Politics and government
General Edelmiro Farrell was named "Vice President in exercise of the executive power," assuming functions as acting President of Argentina, the day after the "resignation" of General Pedro Ramirez on grounds of "ill health."

60 years ago
1954

Politics and government
Gamal Abdel Nasser became Prime Minister of Egypt.

50 years ago
1964

On television tonight
The Fugitive, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Angels Travel on Lonely Roads: Part 1, with guest stars Eileen Heckart, Albert Salmi, Sandy Kenyon, and Percy Helton

When the title of this episode appears on screen, the word "Lonely" is misspelled as "Lonley."

Died on this date
Johnny Burke, 55. U.S. songwriter. Mr. Burke wrote lyrics with several songwriting partners, most notably Jimmy Van Heusen. Mr. Burke wrote many of his songs for Bing Crosby to sing in movies, and shared the Academy Award with Mr. Van Heusen for Swinging on a Star from Going My Way (1944). Other Van Heusen-Burke songs recorded by Mr. Crosby included I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams; Moonlight Becomes You; and Pennies from Heaven.

Grace Metalious, 39. U.S. author. Mrs. Metalious was best known for her novel Peyton Place (1956), which delved into the secrets of a small New England town. The novel was a smash hit and was made into a popular movie in 1957, but Mrs. Metalious' later novels, including Return to Peyton Place (1959) were less successful, and she eventually drank herself to death.

Space
The United States Air Force launched a satellite employing a U.S. Air Force Atlas/Agena combination from Point Arguello (LC-2-3) in California and from Cape Kennedy in Florida.



Economics and finance
North Korean dictator Kim Il-sung called for the removal of feudalistic land ownership, in a move aimed at turning all cooperative farms into state-run farms.

Boxing
Cassius Clay (20-0) won the world heavyweight title when defending champion Sonny Liston (35-2) refused to come out of his corner to begin the 7th round before 8,297 fans at Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Florida, a facility whose seating capacity was 15,744. On the undercard, Mr. Clay's brother Rudy made his professional debut, winning a 4-round decision over Chip Johnson (4-3) in a heavyweight bout. Also on the undercard, future world light heavyweight champion Bob Foster (13-2) knocked out heavyweight Dave Bailey (14-11-3) in the 1st of a scheduled 6 rounds, and Leotis Martin (10-1) won a 6-round decision over Allan Harmon (26-10-4) in another heavyweight bout.







40 years ago
1974

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Farewell Aunty Jack--Grahame Bond (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): La Estrella de David--Juan Bau

Scandal
There were a number of items in the news relating to the investigation of the June 1972 break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and the subsequent cover-up. The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee ssent a request to the White House for 700 pages of documents and 17 tape recordings of conversations that it deemed necessary for its inquiry into the possible impeachment of President Richard Nixon. The request was for materials already provided to Watergate special prosecutor Leon Jaworski. The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Campaign Activities appealed a February 8 ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Gerhard Gesell dismissing a suit to obtain tapes of 5 White House conversations. Judge Gesell had ruled that the "blazing atmosphere" of the committee's hearings might be harmful to criminal prosecution. President Nixon addressed a news conference and stated that the House could not impeach him unless it presented evidence that he had violated criminal law. He disclosed that he had refused on constitutional grounds a request that he testify before the Watergate grand jury. He also cited constitutional grounds in refusing to appear as a witness at the California trial of former White House aide John Ehrlichman on charges of burglary and conspiracy. Mr. Nixon, who had been summoned at Mr. Ehrlichman's request, stated that the president "can not sacrifice the compelling and real 'interests' of over 200 million Americans to satisfy the possible interests of any one individual." Herbert Kalmbach, Mr. Nixon's personal lawyer and chief fundraiser, pled guilty to charges of running an illegal Congressional campaign committee in 1970 and had promised a contributor an ambassadorship in return for $100,000. In a letter filed with U.S. District Court Judge John Sirica, Watergate special prosecutor Leon Jaworski indicated that Mr. Kalmbach had been allowed to plead guilty to technical campaign violations in exchange for cooperation and full disclosures of "all relevant information and documents" in the Watergate investigation. All other potential charges against him were dropped.

30 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): La Donna Cannone--Francesco De Gregori (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT Top 30): Love of the Common People--Paul Young (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Radio Ga Ga--Queen

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Girls Just Want to Have Fun--Cyndi Lauper (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Relax--Frankie Goes to Hollywood (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Jump--Van Halen

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Jump--Van Halen
2 Karma Chameleon--Culture Club
3 Joanna--Kool & The Gang
4 Girls Just Want to Have Fun--Cyndi Lauper
5 Owner of a Lonely Heart--Yes
6 99 Luftballons--Nena
7 Nobody Told Me--John Lennon
8 Talking in Your Sleep--The Romantics
9 Thriller--Michael Jackson
10 Let the Music Play--Shannon

Singles entering the chart were They Don't Know by Tracey Ullman (#66); Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) by Phil Collins (#70); Tonight by Kool & The Gang (#80); Make My Day by T.G. Sheppard with Clint Eastwood (#85); Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler (#88); and One in a Million by the Romantics (#89). Against All Odds was the title song of the movie.

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Red Red Wine--UB40 (2nd week at #1)
2 Talking in Your Sleep--The Romantics
3 Karma Chameleon--Culture Club
4 Nobody Told Me--John Lennon
5 99 Red Balloons--Nena
6 Jump--Van Halen
7 Break My Stride--Matthew Wilder
8 Thriller--Michael Jackson
9 Owner of a Lonely Heart--Yes
10 Wrapped Around Your Finger--The Police

Singles entering the chart were Hold Me Now by Thompson Twins (#43); Footloose by Kenny Loggins (#44); Almost Over You by Sheena Easton (#47); All Right Now by the Santers (#48); and Don't Let Go by Wang Chung (#50).

Disasters
At least 508 people were killed in the explosion of an oil pipeline and the subsequent fire on the outskirts of Cubatao, Brazil.

25 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): 051/222525--Fabio Concato (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): You Got It--Roy Orbison (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Buffalo Stance--Neneh Cherry

#1 single in France (SNEP): Pour toi Arménie--Charles Aznavour and various artists (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Belfast Child--Simple Minds

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Straight Up--Paula Abdul (3rd week at #1)
2 Lost in Your Eyes--Debbie Gibson
3 Wild Thing--Tone Loc
4 The Lover in Me--Sheena Easton
5 Born to Be My Baby--Bon Jovi
6 She Wants to Dance with Me--Rick Astley
7 You Got It (The Right Stuff)--New Kids on the Block
8 What I Am--Edie Brickell and New Bohemians
9 The Living Years--Mike + the Mechanics
10 Walking Away--Information Society

Singles entering the chart were Heaven Help Me by Deon Estus (with George Michael) (#67); It's Only Love by Simply Red (#77); Seventeen by Winger (#78); Driven Out by the Fixx (#81); Radio Romance by Tiffany (#84); Birthday Suit by Johnny Kemp (#85); Falling Out of Love by Ivan Neville (#91); This Time by Kiara (Duet with Shanice Wilson (#93); I Can't Face the Fact by Gina Go-Go (#94); and Tribute (Right On) by the Pasadenas (#97).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Lost in Your Eyes--Debbie Gibson
2 Straight Up--Paula Abdul
3 The Lover in Me--Sheena Easton
4 Born to Be My Baby--Bon Jovi
5 You Got It (The Right Stuff)--New Kids on the Block
6 She Wants to Dance with Me--Rick Astley
7 What I Am--Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
8 Wild Thing--Tone Loc
9 When I'm with You--Sheriff
10 Walking Away--Information Society

Singles entering the chart were Room to Move by Animotion (#65); Tribute (Right On) by the Pasadenas (#72); I Cry Myself to Sleep at Night by Romeo's Daughter (#75); Radio Romance by Tiffany (#80); Heaven Help Me by Deon Estus (with George Michael) (#82); Seventeen by Winger (#85); Halleluiah Man by Love and Money (#87); and One by Metallica (#89).

Diplomacy
U.S. President George Bush flew to Beijing.

Skiing
Rob Boyd won a World Cup downhill race in his home town of Whistler, British Columbia, becoming the first Canadian to win a FIS World Cup Ski race in Canada.

Football
NFL
Jerry Jones, the new owner of the Dallas Cowboys, fired head coach Tom Landry, who had been the team's only head coach through their first 29 seasons. Mr. Landry had led the Cowboys to Super Bowl championships in 1972 and 1978, and the classless manner of his dismissal outraged everyone with a sense of decency.

20 years ago
1994

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Without You--Mariah Carey (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Jersey Joe Walcott, 80. U.S. boxer. Mr. Walcott, born Arnold Cream, made several attempts to win the world heavyweight championship before finally succeeding. On July 18, 1951, in his fifth fight for the title, Mr. Walcott knocked out Ezzard Charles in the 7th round at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, becoming, at 37, the oldest man yet to win the title. After a successful defense against Mr. Charles, he lost the title when he was knocked out by Rocky Marciano on September 23, 1952. The two fought a rematch on May 15, 1953, and Mr. Walcott retired with a record of 51-18-2 after being knocked out in the 1st round.

Weather
It snowed in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Terrorism
U.S.-born Israeli physician Baruch Goldstein, 38, opened fire with an automatic rifle on Muslim worshippers at the Mosque of Abraham in Hebron, killing between 30 and 54 people before being beaten to death by iron bars.

Olympics
16-year-old Oksana Baiul of Ukraine won the gold medal in the women's figure skating competition at the Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Four of the nine judges gave higher marks to Nancy Kerrigan of the United States, who won the silver medal. Tonya Harding, who had won the U.S. women's title after Miss Kerrigan had been forced to withdraw from the U.S. championship after being clubbed on the leg after a practice--as a result of a plot involving members of Ms. Harding's social circle and in which she had been implicated--finished eighth.

Baseball
Phil Rizzuto, the New York Yankees' shortstop from 1941-1942 and 1946-1956, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committtee at age 76 after 28 years of waiting. Mr. Rizzuto, nicknamed "Scooter," batted .273 with 38 home runs and 563 runs batted in in 1,661 games, and had played with 7 World Series championship teams. He had long been regarded as a borderline candidate for the Hall of Fame.

10 years ago
2004

Died on this date
Donald Hings, 96. U.K.-born Canadian inventor. Mr. Hings, a native of Leicester, England, invented the Walkie-Talkie in 1937. He held more than 55 patents in Canada and the United States.

Diplomacy
Six-party talks began in Beijing over North Korea's nuclear program. North Korea expressed its desire for aid and security guarantees before freezing its program.

World events
Turkmenistani Presidet Saparmurat Niyazov passed a decree baning car radios, smoking in the street, opera and ballet performances, and forbidding young men to wear long hair or beards.

Politics and government
At the inaugural meeting of the Council of the Federation, which had replaced the annual premiers' conference, Canada's provincial and territorial premiers warned that Canada's health care system could not survive without more federal funding and reforms. Alberta Premier Ralph Klein suggested that his province might opt out of the system.

Economics and finance
U.S. Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan recommended cutting spending on Social Security and Medicare rather than increasing taxes to rein in deficits.