August 10, 2014

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Grant Devitt!

150 years ago
1864

War
After Uruguay's governing Blanco Party refused Brazil's demands, José Antônio Saraiva announced that the Brazilian military would begin reprisals, beginning the Uruguayan War between the Blanco Party and an alliance of Brazil and Uruguay's Colorado Party, covertly supported by Argentina.

125 years ago
1889

Born on this date
Charles Darrow. U.S. game designer. Mr. Darrow, a domestic heater salesman in Philadelphia, received a copyright for the board game Monopoly in 1933, and sold the game to Parker Brothers in 1935 after receiving a patent for the game. He died on August 29, 1967, 19 days after his 78th birthday.

Baseball
In American Association action, the Cincinnati Reds embarrassed the Baltimore Orioles 20-0 at League Park in Cincinnati, with Jesse Duryea winning over Frank Foreman. Hugh Nichols had 5 of the Reds’ 26 hits.

110 years ago
1904

Died on this date
Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau, 57. Prime Minister of France, 1899-1902. Mr. Waldeck-Rousseau, a Republican, was first elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1877, and served as Minister of the Interior (1881-1885), helping to secure the recognition of trade unions in 1884. He left politics in 1889 to practice law, but returned to politics as Senator for Loire in 1894, and ran unsuccessfully for President in 1895. Mr. Waldeck-Rousseau was asked by President ةmile Loubet to form a government in 1899, and he led a coalition cabinet of various factions. The most important achievement of his government was the Associations Bill (1901), putting restrictions on religious associations. Mr. Waldeck-Rousseau's supporters did poorly in the 1902 general election, and he resigned as Prime Minister, remaining in the Senate until his death.

War
In the Russo-Japanese War, the Battle of the Yellow Sea between the Russian and Japanese battleship fleets took place. The Russian fleet at Port Arthur was prevented from breaking out and forming up with counterparts from Vladivostok, and was forced to return to port.

100 years ago
1914

Born on this date
Jeff Corey. U.S. actor. Mr. Corey, born Arthur Zwerling, was a character actor in numerous movies and television programs. He was blacklisted in Hollywood from 1950-1962 after refusing, while testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities, to name names of suspected Communists. During his time of blacklisting, Mr. Corey became a respected acting teacher. He died on August 16, 2002, six days after his 88th birthday.

80 years ago
1934

Baseball
Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees announced that the current season would be his last as a regular player; he would seek a managerial position and be available as a pinch hitter.

Schoolboy Rowe won his 12th straight decision, giving up 13 hits in 11 innings and driving in the winning run with a sacrifice fly as the Detroit Tigers edged the Cleveland Indians 6-5 at Navin Field in Detroit.

75 years ago
1939

Baseball
The Boston Red Sox defeated the Philadelphia Athletics 7-5 before 4,000 fans at Fenway Park in Boston, while the Washington Nationals defeated the New York Yankees by the same score before 14,000 fans at Griffith Stadium in Washington.

Si Johnson easily picked up his 19th win of the season as the Rochester Red Wings bombed the visiting Jersey City Giants 26-1 in an International League game at Red Wing Stadium.

70 years ago
1944

War
The Battle of Narva ends with a combined German–Estonian force successfully defending Narva, Estonia, from invading Soviet troops. Polish patriots in Warsaw pled for outside help, indicating that they faced extinction unless assisted. Soviet units drove south and northeast of Warsaw in an effort to outflank the city and drive a wedge between Warsaw and Krakow. Polish troops on the Adriatic Sea advanced to the Cesano River, only 17 miles from the eastern end of the German Gothic Line in northern Italy. U.S. forces defeated the last Japanese troops on Guam and seized control of the island. U.S. planes struck at Nagasaki, an industrial centre on the Japanese island of Kyushu, and the oil refinery at Pladju, Palembang, Sumatra.

World events
The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration's Displaced Persons Bureau estimated that the end of World War II would result in two million refugees, causing a major resettlement problem.

Defense
The U.S. Army disclosed plans for cutbacks in many types of planes except heavy bombers.

Politics and government
The Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly confirmed the tenure of President Jose Maria Velasco Ibarra, the day after he had settled a strike of 8,000 railway workers by meeting their demand to dismiss Julio Teodoro Salem as Minister of Public Works.

Polish Premier-in-Exile Stanislaw Mikolajczyk and his party left Moscow after inconclusive talks with the Polish Committee of National Liberation.

The American Labor Party pledged to support the Democratic Party ticket of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and U.S. Senator Harry Truman in the November 1944 election.

Chess
Samuel Reshevsky defeated Anthony Santasiere to win the U.S. Chess Federation title.

60 years ago
1954

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Iron Cop, starring J. Pat O'Malley, Sara Seegar, and Ray Walston

Transportation
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York for the St. Lawrence River power plant, part of the St. Lawrence Seaway project.

Boxing
Sonny Liston (7-0) won an 8-round split decision over Johnny Summerlin (18-3-2) in a heavyweight bout at Motor City Arena in Detroit.

50 years ago
1964

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Tú Serás Mi Baby (Be My Baby)--Les Surfs (2nd week at #1)

Music
The Beach Boys were at Western Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, where they finished recording the song When I Grow Up (To Be a Man).

War
The United Nations brokered a cease-fire between Greek and Turkish factions in Cyprus, averting the threat of an invasion from Turkey.

Football
CFL
Calgary (1-2) 4 @ British Columbia (1-0-1) 22

Willie Fleming caught a 98-yard touchdown pass from Joe Kapp in the 2nd quarter and rushed 12 yards for another TD as the Lions defeated the Stampeders before 32,664 fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. Rookie B.C. fullback Bob Swift rushed 15 times for 53 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run in the last minute of the game. Mr. Fleming added 51 yards on 10 carries.

The Edmonton Eskimos sold quarterback James Earl Wright to the Denver Broncos of the American Football League. Mr. Wright had been signed by the Eskimos in 1962, but an off-season knee injury prevented him from reporting to the team that year. He made the Eskimos in 1963 and saw some action in the first 3 games of the regular season, but suffered a season-ending injury to his other knee. Mr. Wright failed to make the team in 1964, and the Eskimos kept him in camp while trying to make a deal with any team willing to buy his services. The Broncos intended to use Mr. Wright as a defensive back.

40 years ago
1974

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Band On The Run--Paul McCartney & Wings (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): Sugar Baby Love--The Rubettes (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Rock Your Baby--George McCrae (3rd week at #1)

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Billy - Don't Be a Hero--Paper Lace (6th week at #1)
2 Evie--Stevie Wright
3 Would You Lay with Me in a Field of Stone?--Judy Stone
4 The Streak--Ray Stevens
5 The Entertainer--Marvin Hamlisch
6 Devil Gate Drive--Suzi Quatro
7 The Loco-Motion--Grand Funk
8 Slipstream--Sherbet
9 My Girl Bill--Jim Stafford
10 Waterloo-ABBA

Singles entering the chart were Can't Stop Myself from Loving You by William Shakespeare (#22); Midnight at the Oasis by Maria Muldaur (#32); and Baby Blue by Jimmy Little (#40).

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Feel Like Makin' Love--Roberta Flack

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Night Chicago Died--Paper Lace
2 Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me--Elton John
3 Feel Like Makin' Love--Roberta Flack
4 Annie's Song--John Denver
5 Sideshow--Blue Magic
6 Rikki Don't Lose that Number--Steely Dan
7 (You're) Having My Baby--Paul Anka with Odia Coates
8 Please Come to Boston--Dave Loggins
9 Takin' Care of Business--Bachman-Turner Overdrive
10 Radar Love--Golden Earring

Singles entering the chart were It's Only Rock 'N Roll (But I Like It) by the Rolling Stones (#59); You Haven't Done Nothin' by Stevie Wonder (#74); You Little Trustmaker by the Tymes (#92); The Man that Turned My Mama On by Tanya Tucker (#95); Earache My Eye (Featuring Alice Bowie) by Cheech & Chong (#96); You Got to Keep on Bumpin' by the Kay-Gees (#97); Free by Fresh Start (#98); and Dancing in the Street by the Dovells (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me--Elton John
2 Annie's Song--John Denver
3 Rikki Don't Lose that Number--Steely Dan
4 Rock and Roll Heaven--The Righteous Brothers
5 Sideshow--Blue Magic
6 Rock Your Baby--George McCrae
7 Waterloo--ABBA
8 The Night Chicago Died--Paper Lace
9 Feel Like Makin' Love--Roberta Flack
10 Radar Love--Golden Earring

Singles entering the chart were Rings by Reuben Howell (#89); Then Came You by Dionne Warwick and the Spinners (#92); Who Do You Think You Are by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods (#93); Another Saturday Night by Cat Stevens (#94); Beach Baby by First Class (#95); I Love My Friend by Charlie Rich (#96); Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine) by Bob Dylan and The Band (#97); That's Not How it Goes by Bloodstone (#98); Lover's Cross by Melanie (#99); and Love is the Answer by Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony.

Calgary's Top 10
1 The Night Chicago Died--Paper Lace (3rd week at #1)
2 (You're) Having My Baby--Paul Anka with Odia Coates
3 Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me--Elton John
4 Wild Thing--Fancy
5 Wildwood Weed--Jim Stafford
6 If You Go Away--Terry Jacks
7 Takin' Care of Business--Bachman-Turner Overdrive
8 Rock the Boat--The Hues Corporation
9 Annie's Song--John Denver
10 King of Nothing--Seals and Crofts
Pick hit of the week: Feel Like Makin' Love--Roberta Flack

Football
NFL
Pre-season
New York Jets 14 @ San Diego 20 (OT)

Rookie quarterback Jesse Freitas threw the winning touchdown pass in overtime as the Chargers defeated the Jets at San Diego Stadium in the only NFL game this blogger has ever attended.

Baseball
Jorge Lebron, a 14-year-old shortstop from Patillas, Puerto Rico, became the youngest professional player in history when he played the first 3 innings for the Auburn Phillies of the Class A New York-Pennsylvania League in their home game against the Batavia Mets at Falcon Park in Auburn, New York. He made a putout and 2 assists in the field; at bat, he drew a base on balls and grounded out in 2 plate appearances. Mr. Lebron had been signed by the Philadelphia Phillies organization on July 15.

30 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): One Love/People Get Ready--Bob Marley (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): High Energy--Evelyn Thomas (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Self Control--Laura Branigan (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Virgil Partch, 67. U.S. cartoonist. Mr. Partch created the comic strip Big George. He and his wife were killed in a car accident.

Olympics
American favourite Mary Decker and South African Zola Budd, competing for Great Britain, collided in the final of the women’s 3000 metre run. Miss Decker fell to the infield grass in pain, her race over. The crowd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum began booing, and Miss Budd became unnerved and finished seventh. Maricica Puica of Romania won the gold medal.

Football
CFL
Montreal (2-4) 15 @ Winnipeg (5-1) 45

25 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Finnish Singles Chart): Minä olen muistanut--Kim Lönnholm (11th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Swing the Mood--Various Artists

Diplomacy
Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda said that he would soon meet with F.W. de Klerk, leader of the governing National Party in South Africa.

Defense
U.S. President George Bush nominated Army General Colin Powell to succeed Admiral William Crowe, who was set to retire on September 30, as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Swimming
Vicki Keith of Canada became the first person to swim the 20-mile Strait of Juan de Fuca, off the coast of British Columbia, using the butterfly stroke.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (2-3) 12 @ Toronto (3-2) 20
Hamilton (4-1) 8 @ Calgary (3-2) 40

At SkyDome in Toronto, Winnipeg running back Rodney Payne carried 12 times for 37 yards in his only Canadian Football League game as the Blue Bombers lost to the Argos.



Baseball
The Philadelphia Phillies hit 4 home runs in a 16-11 win over the Chicago Cubs before 36,745 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. John Kruk hit one of the Phillies’ homers and drove in 5 runs. Ryne Sandberg hit 2 home runs and had 4 RBIs for the Cubs, who blew a 10-3 lead.

Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers lost a no-hit bid with 1 out in the 9th inning on a single by Dave Bergman and double by Matt Nokes, and needed relief help to preserve a 4-1 win over the Detroit Tigers before 35,266 fans at Arlington Stadium.

San Francisco Giants’ pitcher Dave Dravecky, coming back from arm surgery, pitched 7 shutout innings and held on for his first win of the season, 4-3 over the Cincinnati Reds before 34,810 fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

20 years ago
1994

Football
CFL
Hamilton (1-5) 15 @ Baltimore (4-2) 30
Sacramento (3-3) 11 @ Calgary (5-1) 25

Tracy Ham threw touchdown passes of 23 and 60 yards to Chris Armstrong to lead the Baltimore Football Club over the Tiger-Cats before 37,231 fans at Memorial Stadium. For John Gregory, who had become head coach of the Tiger-Cats midway through the 1991 season, the game was his last as a CFL head coach; he was fired and replaced by assistant coach Don Sutherin.



Tony Stewart rushed for 2 touchdowns and Doug Flutie threw a TD pass to Allen Pitts as the Stampeders beat the Gold Miners before 21,110 fans at McMahon Stadium.



10 years ago
2004

Politics and government
U.S. President Geroge W. Bush nominated Representative Porter Goss (Republica--Florida) to be the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Economics and finance
U.S. Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan raised the key interest rate from 1.25% to 1.5%.