April 8, 2014

650 years ago
1364

Died on this date
Jean II, 44. King of France, 1350-1364. Jean II, nicknamed "John the Good," was a monarch of the House of Valois, who was captured by the English during the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 and was held prisoner in London until 1360, when he was freed in an exchange of hostages, who included his son Louis. When Louis escaped in 1363, Jean thought the action dishonourable, and voluntarily returned to England, where he soon took ill and died, 18 days before his 45th birthday.

150 years ago
1864

War
In the U.S. Civil War, Union forces were thwarted by the Confederate army in the Battle of Mansfield at Mansfield, Louisiana.

125 years ago
1889

Born on this date
Adrian Boult. U.K. orchestra conductor. Sir Adrian conducted the City of Birmingham Orchestra (1924-1930, 1959-1960); BBC Symphony Orchestra (1930-1950); and London Philharmonic Orchestra (1950-1959). He championed the work of British composers, and made many recordings that are still widely available. Sir Adrian conducted recording sessions and was a guest conductor for various orchestras until the end of 1978. He died on February 22, 1983 at the age of 93.

110 years ago
1904

Diplomacy
British Foreign Secretary Lord Lansdowne and French Ambassador to the United Kingdom Paul Cambon signed the Entente Cordiale in London, formally establishing friendly relations between the countries. France recognized British control over Egypt, while Britain reciprocated regarding France in Morocco. In a minor key France gave up its exclusive fishery rights on the French Shore of Newfoundland and in return received an indemnity and territory in The Gambia (Senegal) and Nigeria. Britain dropped complaints regarding the French customs régime in Madagascar. The respective spheres of influence were defined in Siam (Thailand).

90 years ago
1924

Law
Sharia courts were abolished in Turkey, as part of President Kemal Atatürk's secular reforms.

80 years ago
1934

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Detroit 5 @ Chicago 2 (Chicago led best-of-five series 2-1)

70 years ago
1944

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Bésame Mucho (Kiss Me Much)--Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra with Bob Eberly and Kitty Kallen (Best Seller--6th week at #1); Mairzy Doats--The Merry Macs (Jukebox--4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Maria Bard, 43. German actress. Miss Bard was a stage actress who appeared in several films, including Berlin-Alexanderplatz (1931). She committed suicide, reportedly for political reasons.

War
Royal Canadian Air Force dive bombers began attacks on French railway yards to damage supply routes prior to D-Day. The Soviet Red Army reached the Czech frontier at Zhabye, just east of the Tartar Pass. In their drive on Odessa, Soviet units took another 30 places, including Gildendorf, only 8 miles northeast of Odessa. Allied forces drove the Japanese from one vital point north of Imphal and generally improved their position in the Indian state of Manipur. U.S. Selective Service Director Lewis Hershey instructed local draft boards to complete action on registrants under 26 years of age before calling older men.

60 years ago
1954

Disasters
A Royal Canadian Air Force Canadair Harvard collided with a Trans-Canada Airlines Canadair North Star over Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, killing 37 people.

South African Airways Flight 201, a de Havilland DH.106 Comet 1, crashed into the sea during the night, killing 21 people.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Detroit 5 @ Montreal 2 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 2-1)

The Canadiens were missing injured stars Jean Beliveau and Doug Harvey as they lost to the Red Wings at the Montreal Forum.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Minneapolis 69 @ Syracuse 80 (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)

50 years ago
1964

At the movies
Paris--When it Sizzles, directed by Richard Quine, and starring William Holden and Audrey Hepburn, opened in theatres.



Space
Gemini 1 was launched atop a Titan II rocket into Earth orbit from Launch Complex 19 at Cape Kennedy, Florida (hear audio). The mission was an unmanned test of the Gemini spacecraft, which would carry two-man crews. The Gemini 1 spacecraft carried only dummy equipment in the adapter and instrument pallets instead of crew couches. The mission ended after 4 hours and 50 minutes, although the spacecraft remained in orbit for four more days.



40 years ago
1974

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): My Coo Ca Choo--Alvin Stardust (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): La Distancia--Roberto Carlos (4th week at #1)

Health
The government of Canada restricted imports of cattle treated with growth hormone diethystilbestrol (DES), a suspected carcinogen.

Basketball
ABA
Quarter-Finals
Eastern Division
New York 108 @ Virginia 96 (New York won best-of-seven series 4-0)
Kentucky 128 @ Carolina 119 (Kentucky won best-of-seven series 4-0)

The Colonels' win over the Cougars was the last game for the Cougars before they moved to St. Louis to become the Spirits of St. Louis.

Western Division
Utah 110 @ San Diego 99 (Utah won best-of-seven series 4-2)

Baseball
Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hit his 715th career major league home run, breaking the record formerly held by Babe Ruth. The record-setting homer was hit off Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 4th inning before 53,775 fans at Atlanta Stadium in a game that was televised on Monday Night Baseball on NBC. Atlanta relief pitcher Tom House caught the ball in the bullpen. The Braves won 7-4, with Ron Reed (1-0) the winning pitcher over Mr. Downing (0-1).







30 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in France: Relax--Frankie Goes to Hollywood (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Relax--Frankie Goes to Hollywood (6th week at #1)

Died on this date
Pyotr Kapitsa, 89. Russian physicist. Mr. Kapitsa was awarded the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physics "for his basic inventions and discoveries in the area of low-temperature physics." The prize, which was shared with Arno Penzias and Robert Woodrow Wilson, who wre recognized for work unrelated to that of Mr. Kapitsa, was given in recognition of work that he had done about 1937.

Law
The U.S. administration of President Ronald Reagan announced that it would not accept the International Court of Justice's jurisdiction on disputes involving Latin America for two years.

25 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Esatto--Francesco Salvi (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Like a Prayer--Madonna

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Alles kan een mens gelukkig maken--René Froger (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Pour toi Arménie--Charles Aznavour and various artists (9th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Like a Prayer--Madonna (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 The Look--Roxette
2 Eternal Flame--Bangles
3 Girl You Know it's True--Milli Vanilli
4 She Drives Me Crazy--Fine Young Cannibals
5 Like a Prayer--Madonna
6 Stand--R.E.M.
7 My Heart Can't Tell You No--Rod Stewart
8 Dreamin'--Vanessa Williams
9 Walk the Dinosaur--Was (Not Was)
10 Funky Cold Medina--Tone Loc

Singles entering the chart were Patience by Guns N' Roses (#66); Cry by Waterfront (#78); Circle by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians (#80); You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet by Figures on a Beach (#91); Coming Home by Cinderella (#92); I'll Be You by the Replacements (#93); and Similar Features by Melissa Etheridge (#94).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Girl You Know it's True--Milli Vanilli
2 The Look--Roxette
3 Eternal Flame--Bangles
4 She Drives Me Crazy--Fine Young Cannibals
5 Like a Prayer--Madonna
6 Stand--R.E.M.
7 My Heart Can't Tell You No--Rod Stewart
8 The Living Years--Mike + the Mechanics
9 Walk the Dinosaur--Was (Not Was)
10 Dreamin'--Vanessa Williams

Singles entering the chart were Buffalo Stance by Neneh Cherry (#70); Cry by Waterfront (#75); Repetition by Information Society (#77); Patience by Guns N' Roses (#80); Circle by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians (#83); Round and Round by New Order (#85); Baby Baby by Eighth Wonder (#87); Don't Take My Mind on a Trip by Boy George (#90); and Coming Home by Cinderella (#93).

20 years ago
1994

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Without You--Mariah Carey

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Streets of Philadelphia--Bruce Springsteen (3rd week at #1)

World events
Western nations prepared evacuation efforts as the slaughter continued between Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda.

The Governor of the Afghan province of Faryab resigned and fled, as forces loyal to warlord General Rashid Dostrum took control of several districts.

Politics and government
Morihiro Hosokawa announced his resignation as Prime Minister of Japan pending selection of a successor, amid allegations that he had profited illegally from a 100-million yen loan from a trucking company in 1982. Mr. Hosokawa said that he had repaid the loan but acknowledged that he had not repaid interest on the loan.

Hockey
NHL
New York Rangers 5 Toronto 3

Baseball
Kent Mercker (1-0) pitched a no-hitter, walking 4 batters and striking out 10, as the Atlanta Braves blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0 before 36,546 fans at Dodger Stadium. Losing pitcher Pedro Astacio (0-1) allowed 5 hits and 4 runs--all earned--in 7.2 innings, walking 2 batters and striking out 11. Chan Ho Park made his major league debut on the mound for Los Angeles, pitching the 9th inning and allowing a hit, 2 bases on balls, 2 runs--both earned--and striking out 2 batters.





Steve Trachsel and two relief pitchers combined to pitch a 3-hitter for the Chicago Cubs as they shut out the Montreal Expos 4-0 before 47,001 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Dennis Martinez allowed 3 hits and 1 run--earned--in 6 innings in taking the loss.

Jeff Branson singled to lead off the bottom of the 10th inning and scored on a single by Barry Larkin to give the Cincinnati Reds a 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies before 27,868 fans at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. Kevin Mitchell drove in 3 runs for the Reds with a pair of home runs.

Scott Sanders and Trevor Hoffman combined to pitch a 2-hitter, while Keith Lockhart hit his first 2 major league home runs, as the San Diego Padres shut out the Florida Marlins 4-0 before 12,850 fans at Jack Murphy-San Diego Stadium.

Jim Abbott and two relievers combined to pitch a 4-hitter for the New York Yankees as they shut out the Detroit Tigers 4-0 before 20,222 fans at Yankee Stadium.

Tim Naehring doubled home 3 runs and scored on an error by catcher Ron Karkovice on the same play as the Boston Red Sox scored 4 runs in the top of the 8th inning to overcome a 6-4 deficit and defeat the Chicago White Sox 8-6 before 42,890 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Tim Raines hit 2 home runs and a single for the White Sox.

The Oakland Athletics scored 2 runs in the top of the 10th inning to break an 8-8 tie and held on to defeat the Minnesota Twins 10-9 before 17,271 fans at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. Minnesota center fielder Kirby Puckett batted 5 for 6 with a double and 4 runs batted in, and was on third base with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th, but relief pitcher Billy Taylor retired Dave Winfield and Matt Walbeck to end the game.

10 years ago
2004

War
The Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement was signed by the Sudanese government and two rebel groups.

Three Japanese civilians were taken hostage by Iraqi terrorists, who threatened to kill them unless Japan withdrew its troops from the country.