June 22, 2014

300 years ago
1714

Died on this date
Matthew Henry, 51. U.K. clergyman. Mr. Henry, a Presbyterian minister, was known for his six-volume Exposition of the Old and New Testaments or Complete Commentary (1708–1710). He died of apoplexy.

240 years ago
1774

Law
The British Parliament passed the Quebec Act, setting out rules of governance for the colony of Quebec in British North America. The act, to go into effect May 1, 1775, guaranteed Roman Catholic religious freedom; the Coûtume de Paris for civil code and English law for criminal offenses; government by appointed council; trial by jury; and also extended the boundaries of the Province of Quebec into the Ohio Valley.

180 years ago
1834

Born on this date
W.C. Minor. Ceylonese-born U.S. physician and lexicographer. William Chester Minor, the son of Congregationalist missionaries from New England, moved to the United States at the age of 14. He became a surgeon and served with the Union Army during the American Civil War, but showed signs of mental problems in the late 1860s, which led to a period of confinement in a lunatic asylum. Dr. Minor moved to London in 1871, and in 1872, shot and killed a man named George Merrett in the erroneous belief that Mr. Merrett had broken into his room. Dr. Minor was acquitted on the basis of insanity, and was confined in the asylum at Broadmoor. He began corresponding with James Murray, editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, and became one of the dictionary's most productive volunteer contributors. Dr. Minor's mental condition deteriorated in 1902; he was deported to the United States in 1910, and spent the rest of his life in institutions, dying on March 26, 1920 at the age of 85. The relationship between Drs. Minor and Murray was the subject of the book The Surgeon of Crowthorne aka The Professor and the Madman (1998) by Simon Winchester.

175 years ago
1839

Died on this date
Major Ridge, 67 or 68; John Ridge, 36 or 37; Elias Boudinot, 37. Cherokee leaders. Major Ridge, his son John, and Mr. Boudinot were assassinated by other members of the Cherokee Nation for signing the Treaty of New Echota with the United States government in 1835. The treaty had been followed by the forced migration from Georgia to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahmoma) known as the Trail of Tears, resulting in the deaths of 4,000 Cherokee. The majority of the Cherokee Nation regarded the signing of the treaty as a treasonous cession of sacred land, and held Messrs. Ridge, Ridge, and Boudinot accountable.

160 years ago
1854

Academia
The University of St. Francis Xavier was founded in Halifax by Colin McKinnon.

150 years ago
1864

Politics and government
In Ottawa, George Brown formed the Great Coalition Ministry with George-Etienne Cartier and John A. Macdonald to work toward Confederation, joining Oliver Mowat and William McDougall in the cabinet, with Etienne-Paschal Taché holding the nominal post of Prime Minister of Canada.

140 years ago
1874

Medicine
Dr. Andrew Still became the first doctor to practice osteopathy.

125 years ago
1889

Baseball
In the American Association, the St. Louis Browns swept a doubleheader from the Louisville Colonels by scores of 7-6 and 3-2 in 10 innings at Eclipse Park in Louisville, running the Colonels’ losing streak to a major league record 26 games.

In the National League, the Boston Beaneaters improved their league-leading record to 35-10 with a doubleheader sweep of the Pittsburgh Alleghenys at Recreation Park in Pittsburgh by scores of 1-0 in 10 innings and 4-3. John Clarkson improved his record to 20-2 with a complete game shutout in the first game.

120 years ago
1894

Married on this date
U.S. magician and escape artist Harry Houdini married vaudeville entertainer Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner.

70 years ago
1944

War
Soviet forces began Operation Bagration, against the German Army Group Centre in a drive to clear German troops from Belorussia. More than 1,000 Allied planes in France bombarded Cherbourg's defenses for 80 minutes before American troops began an assault at 12:40 P.M. In making a stand against the Allies in central Italy, German forces recaptured Chiusi and counterattacked above Perugia. U.S. troops took Paganico on the Tyrrhenian coast, while British units on the Adriatic coast entered Fermo. British troops cleared Japanese forces from the Manipur Road in eastern India.

Politics and government
Guatemalan President Jorge Ubico suspended five constitutional provisions guaranteeing civil rights, including freedoms of press and assembly, because of "Neo-Fascist agitation."

The Texas Supreme Court ruled that only electors named by the regular convention opposed to President Franklin D. Roosevelt could appear on the ballot for that state's Democratic party primary in the contest for the nomination for President of the United States in the November 1944 election.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944--commonly known as the G.I. Bill--intended to aid veterans in the transition from military to civilian life at war's end.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed and sent to the Senate a bill exempting insurance firms from the Sherman and Clayton antitrust acts.

Baseball
Ron Northey hit his 9th home run of the season for the game's only run as the Philadelphia Blue Jays edged the Boston Braves 1-0 in 15 innings in the first game of a doubleheader before 2,556 fans at Braves Field in Boston. Charley Schanz allowed just 2 hits in 9 innings of relief to get the win. Bill Lee pitched the first 6 innings for Philadelphia. Al Javery allowed 11 hits in pitching the full 15 innings to take the loss. The game was over in 2 hours and 45 minutes. Jim Tobin pitched a no-hitter as the Braves won the second game 7-0 in a game that was called after 5 innings because of darkness. Tommy Holmes and Butch Nieman hit home runs for Boston. Dick Barrett started for Philadelphia and pitched 4 innings in taking the loss. Barney Mussill relieved Mr. Barrett to start the 5th inning and gave up 3 runs--all earned--before the game was called.

60 years ago
1954

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: String, starring Jack Lord and Harry Townes

Died on this date
Honorah Parker, aka Honorah Rieper. N.Z. murder victim. Miss Parker was bludgeoned to death in Christchurch by her daughter Pauline Parker and Pauline's best friend Juliet Hulme because they thought she was in the way of their close friendship. The murder inspired the movie Heavenly Creatures (1994).

50 years ago
1964

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): La Mamma--Charles Aznavour (6th week at #1)

Music
The Beatles began the New Zealand portion of their Far Eastern tour with the two concerts at Wellington Town Hall. The three opening acts included Johnny Devlin.

The Beach Boys were at Western Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, where they recorded the song Don't Hurt My Little Sister.

40 years ago
1974

Hit parade
#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): De wilde boerndochtere--Ivan Heylen (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Always Yours--Gary Glitter

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Devil Gate Drive--Suzi Quatro
2 Seasons in the Sun--Terry Jacks
3 The Entertainer--Marvin Hamlisch
4 Billy - Don't Be a Hero--Paper Lace
5 Hooked on a Feeling--Blue Swede
6 The Air That I Breathe--The Hollies
7 She Didn't Remember My Name--Osmosis
8 Candle in the Wind/Bennie and the Jets--Elton John
9 The Way We Were--Barbra Streisand
10 Ships in the Night--Vicki Lawrence

Singles entering the chart were She's My Kind of a Woman by Johnny Chester (#24); Oh Very Young by Cat Stevens (#37); and Angel Face by the Glitter Band (#40).

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Billy, Don't Be a Hero--Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 You Make Me Feel Brand New--The Stylistics
2 Sundown--Gordon Lightfoot
3 Billy, Don't Be a Hero--Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
4 Be Thankful for What You Got--William DeVaughn
5 Band on the Run--Paul McCartney & Wings
6 Rock the Boat--The Hues Corporation
7 For the Love of Money--The O'Jays
8 The Streak--Ray Stevens
9 If You Love Me (Let Me Know)--Olivia Newton-John
10 Haven't Got Time for the Pain--Carly Simon

Singles entering the chart were Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by Elton John (#66); Call on Me by Chicago (#80); Tell Me Something Good by Rufus (#84); Room Full of Roses by Mickey Gilley (#87); Worse Comes to Worst by Billy Joel (#95); When the Morning Comes by Hoyt Axton (#97); I'm Falling in Love with You by Little Anthony and the Imperials (#98); Captain Howdy by Simon Stokes (#99); and You're Welcome, Stop on By by Bobby Womack (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Sundown--Gordon Lightfoot (2nd week at #1)
2 Billy, Don't Be a Hero--Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
3 You Make Me Feel Brand New--The Stylistics
4 Band on the Run--Paul McCartney & Wings
5 You Won't See Me--Anne Murray
6 Help Me--Joni Mitchell
7 My Girl Bill--Jim Stafford
8 Midnight at the Oasis--Maria Muldaur
9 If You Love Me (Let Me Know)--Olivia Newton-John
10 Be Thankful for What You Got--William DeVaughn

Singles entering the chart were Silly Milly by Blue Swede (#81); Wild Thing by Fancy (#83); Put Out the Light by Joe Cocker (#89); Clap for the Wolfman by the Guess Who (#91); Machine Gun by the Commodores (#95); Feel Like Makin' Love by Roberta Flack (#96); You've Got My Soul on Fire by the Temptations (#98); Georgia Porcupine by George Fishoff (#99); and My Coo Ca Choo by Alvin Stardust (#100).

Calgary's Top 10
1 Billy, Don't Be a Hero--Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
2 Band on the Run--Paul McCartney & Wings
3 Rock Me Gently--Andy Kim
4 You Won't See Me--Anne Murray
5 Clap for the Wolfman--The Guess Who
6 The Entertainer--Marvin Hamlisch
7 Rock and Roll Heaven--The Righteous Brothers
8 The Air that I Breathe--The Hollies
9 Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing--Stevie Wonder
10 If You Wanna Get to Heaven--The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Pick hit of the week: Train of Thought--Cher

Died on this date
Darius Milhaud, 81. French composer. Mr. Milhaud composed over 400 works; he was greatly influenced by jazz and was considered one of the 20th century's most prominent modernist composers.

Journalism
The provisional military government of Portugal imposed restrictions on all news media. The restrictions, to be administered by a seven-man military committee, covered press, radio, television, theatre, and cinema. Discussion and criticism of political and religious doctrines and public administration would be legitimate, but could not offend the government or incite military disobedience, strikes, or unauthorized demonstrations.

30 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Footloose--Kenny Loggins (4th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Self Control--Laura Branigan (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Joseph Losey, 75. U.S.-born U.K. theatre and film director. Mr. Losey's movies included The Boy with Green Hair (1948); These are the Damned (1963); and Accident (1967). Because of left-wing associations in the 1930s and 1940s, he was investigated by the U.S. House of Representatives Un-American Activities Committee, and settled in London after being blacklisted in the United States. Mr. Losey had a reputation for making movies that were artsy-fartsy talkfests.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Toronto (1-3) 26 @ Montreal (3-1) 31
Hamilton (2-2) 39 @ Ottawa (2-2) 27

25 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Finnish Singles Chart): Minä olen muistanut--Kim Lönnholm (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): All I Want is You--U2

Died on this date
Henri Sauguet, 88. French composer. Mr. Sauguet, born Henri Poupard, wrote four symphonies, ballets, operas, concertos, chamber and choral music, film scores, and numerous songs.

Personal
This blogger attended a social function as the Canadian Library Association's annual conference opened in Edmonton.

War
An end to 14 years of civil war in Angola appeared to be in sight when Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and rebel leader Jonas Savimbi agreed to a cease-fire effective June 24. The agreement occurred during a summit of African leaders in Zaire. Zaire, Congo, and Gabon were to be represented on a national reconciliation commission for Angola. Mr. Savimbi’s forces had been supported by the United States and South Africa, while the regime of Mr. dos Santos had the support of Soviet and Cuban troops. American officials praised the accord.

Politics and government
The United States Senate voted 97-3 to express its "profound disappointment" in the previous day's ruling by the Supreme Court that burning the American flag was a permitted form of political expression.

Personal
The annual Canadian Library Association conference began in Edmonton, and this blogger attended a party for alumni of the University of Western Ontario School of Library and Information Science at the Westin.

20 years ago
1994

Diplomacy
U.S. President Bill Clinton and the government of South Korea accepted the peace plan of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who had recently visited North Korea. The plan included resumption of high-level talks between the two Koreas. North Korea also agreed to essentially close the disputed nuclear complex at Yongbyon during the duration of the talks.

Defense
Russia joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Partnership for Peace program, under which they and 20 other countries, including former Communist countries, could participate in limited joint military exercises and peacekeeping missions. Full members of NATO were not oblige to come to the defense of these partners if they were attacked.

Soccer
World Cup
In a major upset, the U.S.A. defeated Colombia 2-1. The first U.S. goal was scored on an own-goal by Colombian defender Andres Escobar.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
New York 84 @ Houston 90 (Houston won best-of-seven series 4-3)

Hakeem Olajuwon scored 25 points and added 10 rebounds and 7 assists as the Rockets defeated the Knickerbockers before 16,611 fans at the Summit to win the first NBA championship in their 27-year history. Derek Harper led New York with 23 points and 5 assists. New York guard John Starks was a notable goat, making just 2 of 18 field goal attempts. Mr. Olajuwon was named the Finals' Most Valuable Player.



Football
CFL
Pre-season
Toronto (1-0) 29 @ Hamilton (0-1) 24
Saskatchewan (0-1) 22 @ Edmonton (1-0) 38

10 years ago
2004

Died on this date
Kim Sun Il. South Korean government official. Mr. Kim, an interpreter, was beheaded in Iraq by terrorists linked to Abu Musab al-Zaraqawi after the South Korean government refused to withdraw its troops from Iraq.

Mattie Stepanek, 13. U.S. poet. Mr. Stepanek, who had a rare form of muscular dystrophy, published six books of poetry and one book of essays. He became famous as a motivational speaker and advocate for peace.

Crime
A court in Arlon, Belgium sentenced Marc Dutroux to life in prison for the kidnap, rape, and murder of six young girls, while his ex-wife Michelle was sentenced to 30 years in prison for kidnapping and rape.

Health
The World Health Organization reported that the polio virus had made a resurgence across Africa, reaching 10 previously polio-free countries.