August 17, 2014

150 years ago
1864

War
In the U.S. Civil War, Confederate forces commanded by Colonel Andrew Harris defeated Union troops commanded by Captain John Jackson Dickison in the Battle of Gainesville near Gainesville, Florida.

125 years ago
1889

Academia
Canadian College of Music opened in Ottawa.

120 years ago
1894

Born on this date
Riad as-Solh. Prime Minister of Lebanon, 1943-1945, 1946-1951. Mr. Solh was one of the most important figures in the struggle for Lebanese independence, and succeeded in uniting the country's religious factions. He joined the Constitutional Bloc in 1934, and was Minister of Finance (1943-1945) before serving his two terms as Prime Minister. On July 17, 1951, a month before his 57th birthday, Mr. Solh was gunned down at Marka Airport in Amman by three members of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party in retaliation for the 1949 execution of Anton Saadeh, one of the party's founding leaders. He was succeeded as Prime Minister by Hussein Al Oweini.

110 years ago
1904

Baseball
Jesse Tannehill pitched a no-hitter for the Boston Americans as they blanked the Chicago White Sox 6-0 at Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds in Boston.

100 years ago
1914

Born on this date
Bill Downs. U.S. journalist. Mr. Downs was a reporter for CBS from 1942-1962 and ABC from 1963 until his death from layryngeal cancer on May 3, 1978 at the age of 63.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Jr. U.S. politician. Mr. Roosevelt, the fifth child of the 32nd President of the United States, was born at the family's summer home on Campobello Island, New Brunswick. He represented New York's 20th District in the United States House of Representatives from 1949-1955 as a member of the Liberal Party, and later as a Democrat. Mr. Roosevelt died on August 17, 1988, his 74th birthday.

War
German forces commanded by General Hermann von François defeated the Russian force commanded by General Paul von Rennenkampf in the Battle of Stallupönen near modern-day Nesterov, Russia. It was the frist battle on the Eastern Front in World War I.

80 years ago
1934

Crime
Millionaire brewer John Labatt was freed unharmed three days after being abducted at gunpoint from his home in London, Ontario by three men in Canada's first recorded kidnapping for ransom. The kidnappers never received the ransom of $150,000.

Baseball
The New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers split a doubleheader before 46,571 fans at Yankee Stadium. Lefty Gomez picked up his 20th win of the season for the Yankees in winning the opener 5-0; Schoolboy Rowe won his 14th while striking out 11 in the second game as the Tigers won 2-0. He gave up just 3 hits in winning his 14th straight decision.

The Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago White Sox split a doubleheader at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Ed Coleman hit 3 consecutive home runs for the Athletics as they won the first game 9-8 in 10 innings. Ted Lyons allowed 4 hits, including Jimmie Foxx’s 38th home run of the season, in pitching the White Sox to a 3-2 win in the second game.

75 years ago
1939

Baseball
The Cincinnati Reds, down 6-1 in the 4th inning, came back to defeat the Chicago Cubs 7-6 in 10 innings. Backup shortstop Dick West singled in the winning run before 26,699 fans at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.

70 years ago
1944

Died on this date
Günther von Kluge, 61. German military officer. Field Marshal Kluge, an Iron Cross winner in World War I, committed suicide by taking cyanide after being recalled from France to Berlin for a meeting with German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler. Field Marshal Kluge was known for his opposition to Mr. Hitler and apparently believed that he would be suspected of being a participant in the unsuccessful July 20 assassination attempt against Mr. Hitler.

War
As American troops in France pushed toward Paris on a 70-mile front, the cities of Orleans, Dreux, Chartres, and Chateaudun were freed. Allied units in southern France advanced up to 35 miles with the capture of Draguigan. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt told a press conference in Washington that Germany and Japan would be occupied by Allied forces. The United States War Department reported American casualties for the first two months of fighting in France through August 6 totalled 16,434 dead, 76,535 wounded, and 19,704 missing. Soviet forces reached the frontier of East Prussia along the Sesupe River in western Lithuania. In one of World War II's greatest fire raids, nearly 1,200 U.K. Royal Air Force planes dropped 70,000 incendiary bombs on Kiel and Stettin.

Diplomacy
U.K. Indian Viceroy Viscount Wavell rejected a request by Mohandas Gandhi to discuss Indian support for the British war effort in return for immediate independence for India.

Defense
U.S. War Secretary Henry Stimson said that "the present war will not end wars," and proposed universal military training.

Economics and finance
U.S. Office of Price Administration Director Chester Bowles said that prices would be held in tight check in the reconversion and postwar periods "to prevent the mistakes of 1918-1919."

Health
The U.S. National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis said that outbreaks of the disease had reached epidemic proportions in New York, North Carolina, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

60 years ago
1954

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Barn Burning, starring Peter Cookson, E.G. Marshall, James Reese, and Beatrice Straight

This was the 270th and last episode of the series, which had broadcast its first episode on March 1, 1949.

Died on this date
Billy Murray, 77. U.S. singer. Mr. Murray, known as the "Denver Nightingale," was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early 20th century, in vaudeville, and especially, in recordings. He made his first recordings on cylinders in 1897, and continued into the electronic era, making his last recordings in 1943.

50 years ago
1964

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Tú Serás Mi Baby (Be My Baby)--Les Surfs (3rd week at #1)

Edmontonia
Jasper Place, which was over $8 million in debt, ceased to be a city and became part of the city of Edmonton, adding 38,000 residents to Edmonton's population. Jasper Place Mayor Ken Newman lost his job as a result, and shortly thereafter announced his intention to seak a seat on Edmonton's city council in the October 1964 civic election.

Football
CFL
Edmonton (0-3) 6 @ Calgary (2-2) 39

Rookie halfback Lu Bain scored 2 touchdowns as the Stampeders routed the Eskimos before 14,000 fans at McMahon Stadium. Calgary quarterback Eagle Day led an offense that amassed 179 yards rushing and 248 yards passing, while the Calgary defense limited the Edmonton offense to 135 total yards. Calgary fullback Lovell Coleman returned a kickoff 105 yards from 20 yards deep in the Stampeder end zone to the Eskimo 25-yard line. Edmonton's Bill Mitchell set a professional football record with a 58-yard field goal, breaking the CFL record of 55 yards set by George Fleming of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers just 10 days earlier. The U.S. record was 56 yards, set by Bert Rechichar of the Baltimore Colts in 1953. Calgary offensive halfback Jim Dillard broke his ankle, putting him on the injured list for the next two months.

40 years ago
1974

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Band On The Run--Paul McCartney & Wings (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): Rock Your Baby--George McCrae

#1 single in the U.K.: When Will I See You Again--The Three Degrees

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Billy - Don't Be a Hero--Paper Lace (7th 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 Loco-Motion--Grand Funk
6 The Entertainer--Marvin Hamlisch
7 Slipstream--Sherbet
8 My Girl Bill--Jim Stafford
9 Sugar Baby Love--The Rubettes
10 Devil Gate Drive--Suzi Quatro

Singles entering the chart were Walking by Hush (#35); Beyond Tomorrow by Perry Como (#36); Rock Your Baby by George McCrae (#37); There Won't Be Anymore by Charlie Rich (#38); and Always Yours by Gary Glitter (#39). This was the last new chart published in Go-Set; the magazine ceased publication with the August 24, 1974 issue, with that week's charts being a repeat of the August 17 charts.

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): The Night Chicago Died--Paper Lace

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Feel Like Makin' Love--Roberta Flack
2 The Night Chicago Died--Paper Lace
3 (You're) Having My Baby--Paul Anka with Odia Coates
4 Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me--Elton John
5 Sideshow--Blue Magic
6 Takin' Care of Business--Bachman-Turner Overdrive
7 Please Come to Boston--Dave Loggins
8 Tell Me Something Good--Rufus
9 I Shot the Sheriff--Eric Clapton
10 Call on Me--Chicago

Singles entering the chart were I Honestly Love You by Olivia Newton-John (#68); Kings of the Party by Brownsville Station (#83); Steppin' Out (Gonna Boogie Tonight) by Tony Orlando and Dawn (#88); Live it Up (Part 1) by the Isley Brothers (#91); Tin Man by America (#95); As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone by Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty (#97); Stop and Smell the Roses by Mac Davis (#98); Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City by Bobby Bland (#99); and Another Love by Ian Lloyd and Stories (#100).

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

Singles entering the chart were It's Only Rock 'N Roll (But I Like It) by the Rolling Stones (#76); A New Rock and Roll by Mahogany Rush (#79); I Saw a Man and He Danced with His Wife by Cher (#83); You Haven't Done Nothin' by Stevie Wonder (#86); Many Rivers to Cross by Nilsson (#88); Pepper Box by the Peppers (#89); Put Out the Light by Joe Cocker (#90); You're Welcome, Stop on By by Bobby Womack (#91); Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd (#92); Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream) by Tower of Power (#93); Roses are Red by Wednesday (#95); Tin Man by America (#96); Do it Baby by the Miracles (#97); Sugar Lump by Leon Heywood (#98); Earache My Eye (Featuring Alice Bowie) by Cheech & Chong (#99); and Second Avenue by Tim Moore (#100).

Calgary's Top 10
1 The Night Chicago Died--Paper Lace (4th week at #1)
2 Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me--Elton John
3 Wildwood Weed--Jim Stafford
4 (You're) Having My Baby--Paul Anka with Odia Coates
5 Wild Thing--Fancy
6 Please Come to Boston--Dave Loggins
7 Takin' Care of Business--Bachman-Turner Overdrive
8 Rock the Boat--The Hues Corporation
9 Annie's Song--John Denver
10 Feel Like Makin' Love--Roberta Flack
Pick hit of the week: I Shot the Sheriff--Eric Clapton

World events
The number of arrests of associates of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie by the country's de facto military regime since August 9 was now over 150.

Baseball
Mexican League
Semi-Finals
Saltillo 2 @ Gomez Palacio 3 (Gomez Palacio led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Jalisco @ Mexico City Reds (postponed) (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Bobby Trevino's home run off Alfredo Marsical in the bottom of the 7th inning broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Cottongrowers their win over the Saraperos beofre 9,000 fans. Pete Bonfils, who pitched 3 innings in relief of Enrique Castillo, was the winning pitcher.

Rain caused postponement of the game between the Charros and the Reds.

30 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): One Love/People Get Ready--Bob Marley (4th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): High Energy--Evelyn Thomas (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Wake Me Up Before You Go Go--Wham!

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (6-1) 46 @ Ottawa (3-5) 17

Baseball
The Detroit Tigers, behind the pitching of Milt Wilcox, beat the Seattle Mariners 6-2 at Tiger Stadium. The crowd of 36,496 enabled the Tigers to set a team single-season attendance record of over 2.03 million (so far).

25 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Finnish Singles Chart): Minä olen muistanut--Kim Lönnholm (12th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Swing the Mood--Various Artists (2nd week at #1)

Disasters
Hundreds of people may have been killed in an explosion at a secret missile installation 60 miles south of Baghdad.

Football
CFL
Edmonton (5-1) 39 @ Ottawa (0-6) 4

Tracy Ham threw touchdown passes to Keith Wright, Craig Ellis, and Reggie Taylor, and Mr. Taylor rushed for another major. The statistics were as lopsided as the score. The Eskimos amassed 39 first downs to the Rough Riders’ 7; the Eskimos outrushed Ottawa 261 yards to 32, and outpassed the Rough Riders 325-88. Net offense was 586 for Edmonton, 99 for Ottawa. Former Eskimo quarterback Damon Allen completed just 6 of 29 passes for 88 yards and an interception. Reggie Taylor, who sat out the fourth quarter, rushed 19 times for 158 yards. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney was among the 21,413 in attendance at Lansdowne Park who witnessed the slaughter.



Baseball
The Baltimore Orioles scored 8 runs in the bottom of the 4th inning as they beat the Toronto Blue Jays 11-6 before 40,147 fans at Memorial Stadium. Baltimore shortstop Cal Ripken played in his 1,208th consecutive game, moving past Steve Garvey into third place on the list.

20 years ago
1994

Died on this date
Luigi Chinetti, 93. Italian-born U.S. auto racing driver. Mr. Chinetti raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race from the early 1930s through the early 1950s, participating with the winning team in 1932, 1934, and 1949.

Jack Sharkey, 91. U.S. boxer. Mr. Sharkey, born Joseph Paul Zukauskas, was a leading heavyweight contender in the late 1920s and early 1930s, losing to former world champion Jack Dempsey in a controversial knockout in 1927 and losing to Max Schmeling on a foul in a fight for the vacant world title in 1930. Mr. Sharkey won the title from Mr. Schmeling in a hotly-disputed split decision in 1932, and lost the title a year later to Primo Carnera by a 6-round knockout. He compiled a record of 38-14-3 in a professional career that ran from 1924-1936, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994, several months before his death.

Football
CFL
Ottawa (2-5) 1 @ Winnipeg (5-2) 46

Matt Dunigan and Sammy Garza each threw 2 touchdown passes and defensive end Keilly Rush returned a fumble 30 yards for another TD as the Blue Bombers routed the Rough Riders before 21,308 fans at Winnipeg Stadium.

10 years ago
2004

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (3-6) 6 @ Toronto (6-3) 14