August 20, 2014

2,000 years ago
14

Died on this date
Agrippa Postumus, 25. Roman heir. Agrippa, the adopted son of the late Roman Emperor Augustus, was executed by his guards while in exile under mysterious circumstances, the day after the death of Augustus Caesar.

220 years ago
1794

War
American troops forced a confederacy of Shawnee, Mingo, Delaware, Wyandot, Miami, Ottawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi warriors into a disorganized retreat in the Battle of Fallen Timbers near present-day Toledo, Ohio.

100 years ago
1914

Died on this date
Pius X, 79. Roman Catholic Pope, 1903-1914. Pius X, born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, succeeded Leo XIII. Pius X was known for his strong opposition to modernism in the Church and for publishing the first Code of Canon Law. He was succeeded as pope by Benedict XV. Pius X was canonized in 1954.

War
German forces occupied Brussels.

70 years ago
1944

Died on this date
Kamil Shabib, 48 or 49. Iraqi military officer. Colonel Shabi, the leader of the May 1941 revolt against the Hashemite Monarchy, was sentenced to death by a court-martial in Baghdad and immediately hanged.

War
U.S. Navy Admiral Husband Kimmel, who had been in charge of the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii at the time of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, disputed statements by U.S. Senator and Democratic Party vice presidential candidate Harry Truman that he (Adm. Kimmel) had refused to cooperate with the U.S. Army in Hawaii and was not on speaking terms with Major General Walter Short. Major David Currie's Canadian Army squadron held firm against German forces at St. Lambert-sur-Dives, France, knocking out 7 German tanks, 12 88-millimetre guns, and 40 German armoured vehicles, resulting in 300 Germans killed, 500 wounded, and 2,100 captured. Major Currie's actions earned him the Victoria Cross. U.S. troops in France crossed the Seine River above Paris as armoured units struck northwest and southeast of the city. Allied troops in southern France reached the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence, 13 miles northeast of Marseilles. 168 captured allied airmen, accused by the Gestapo of being "terror fliers", arrived at Buchenwald concentration camp. Two Soviet armies began an offensive in Romania and Bessarabia. Soviet troops achieved a 16-mile breakthrough in central Latvia and drove to within 55 miles of Riga. Two flights of U.S. B-29 bombers made day and night assaults on the Yawata industrial district on the Japanese island of Kyushu. U.K. troops broke into Burma in pursuit of Japanese troops retreating from the Indian state of Manipur.

Golf
Bob Hamilton won the PGA Championship at Manito Golf and Country Club in Spokane, Washington, defeating Byron Nelson 1 up in what was then a match play tournament. First prize money was $3,500.

60 years ago
1954

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Cara Mia--David Whitfield with Mantovani and his Orchestra (8th week at #1)

50 years ago
1964

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: A Hard Day's Night--The Beatles

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Do Wah Diddy Diddy--Manfred Mann (2nd week at #1)

Music
The single I'll Cry Instead/I'm Happy Just to Dance with You by the Beatles was released on Capitol Records. I'm Happy Just to Dance with You was from the movie A Hard Day's Night; I'll Cry Instead had been intended for the movie, but had been left out at the last minute, although it did appear on the soundtrack album.

Sam Cooke recorded the song That's Where it's At at RCA Studio in Los Angeles.

Diplomacy
Lady Bird Johnson, wife of U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, and Marian Pearson, wife of Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson, opened Roosevelt Campobello International Park on Campobello Island in New Brunswick.

Economics and finance
As part of his Great Society policies, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act which, among other things, established the Head Start program.

Football
CFL
Toronto (1-2) 1 @ Montreal (3-0) 16

The Alouettes led 9-0 at halftime and coasted to victory over the Argonauts before 22,436 fans at Molson Stadium despite making only 2 first downs in the 2nd half and amassing just 177 yards net offense for the game.

Baseball
John Buzhardt pitched a 7-hitter as the Chicago White Sox shut out the New York Yankees 5-0 before 36,667 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago to take a 4 1/2-game lead over the Yankees. Whitey Ford started on the mound for the Yankees and left in the 4th inning after giving up all 5 runs. After the game, New York backup shortstop Phil Linz was playing a harmonica on the team bus, and manager Yogi Berra knocked it out of his hand.

40 years ago
1974

Hit parade
#1 single in France: Pot pour rire Mr le Président--Patrick Green & Olivier Lejeune (12th week at #1)

Politics and government
U.S. President Gerald Ford named former New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller as his nominee for Vice President of the United States, saying that he regarded Mr. Rockefeller as "a good partner for me" and "a good partner for the country and the world." Mr. Rockefeller praised Mr. Ford for reawakening "faith and hope" in the American people. Mr. Rockefeller went to Capitol Hill to confer with Senator Howard Cannon and Representative Peter Rodino, the chairmen of the two Congressional committees that would conduct the confirmation hearings.

South Korean President Park Chung-hee accepted the resignations of two high officials who took responsibility for the August 15 assassination attempt on Mr. Park that had failed to kill him, but had resulted in the death of his wife. The officials were Pak Chung Gyu, Mr. Park's longtime confidant and bodyguard, and Home Minister Hong Jong Chui, whose ministry included the police assigned to guard the president.

Scandal
The United States House of Representatives voted 412-3 to accept the report of its Judiciary Committee on its inquiry into the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, who had resigned on August 9. The report would have been the basis for impeachment proceedings in the House and trial by the Senate.

Football
CFL
Montreal (3-2) 7 @ Hamilton (2-3) 11

The Tiger-Cats unveiled a "Power I" offensive set--four running backs lined up behind the quarterback--that enabled them to jump out to a 10-0 1st-quarter lead as they defeated the Alouettes before 28,732 fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Andy Hopkins rushed 19 yards for the Hamilton touchdown in the 1st quarter, and Johnny Rodgers rushed 7 yards for the Montreal touchdown in the 2nd quarter in a game that was scoreless through the last 36 minutes of play. The Hamilton defensive line of Ezil Bibbs, Fred Grambau, Mike Samples, and Dan Dulmage restricted the Montreal offense under quarterback Jimmy Jones to 182 yards net offense. Montreal defensive back Barclay Allen played the last game of his 5-year CFL career.

Baseball
Roy Thomas threw only 77 pitches as he pitched a no-hitter for the Reading Phillies in a 2-0 win over the West Haven Yankees in an Eastern League game in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Gary Nolan of the Cincinnati Reds, who had pitched just 10 innings in 1973 and hadn't pitched at all in 1974 because of shoulder problems, began an injury rehabilitation stint with the Indianapolis Indians of the American Association, pitching the first 3 innings of a game against the Omaha Royals. He allowed 1 run on 1 hit and 2 bases on balls, with 1 strikeout. Indianapolis won 3-2 in 10 innings, with Dave Revering driving in the winning run with a sacrifice fly.

Mexican League
Semi-Finals
Jalisco 1 @ Mexico City Reds 4 (Mexico City led best-of-seven series 3-2)
Gomez Palacio 1 @ Saltillo 3 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

The Reds made just 4 hits off Marcos Sevillano and Manuel Lugo, but 2 errors on a ground ball helped them defeat the Charros. Winning pitcher Alfredo Ortiz allowed 8 hits.

Andres Mora singled and Gabriel Lugo followed with a 2-run home run off Antonio Pollorena in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Saraperos their win over the Cottongrowers. Don Goodwin pitched 3 innings of relief and was credited with the win.

30 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): When Doves Cry--Prince

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): La Colegiala--Gary Low (2nd week at #1)

Politics and government
Geraldine Ferraro, Democratic party candidate for Vice-President of the United States, released a mass of personal financial records showing that she and her husband, John Zaccaro, had paid taxes equivalent to about 40% of their income from 1979 to 1983. By releasing her husband’s tax data, Rep. Ferraro sought to end speculation that the couple might have something to hide. In fact, because of what she called an accounting error, they did owe $53,459, which was paid by cheque. The documents showed that the couple had a net worth of $3.78 million, and they revealed many details of Mr. Zaccaro’s real estate business.

The Republican National Convention opened in Dallas. Jeane Kirkpatrick, united States Ambassador to the United Nations, asserted that the election of Ronald Reagan as President in 1980 had "marked the end of a dismal period of retreat and decline" for the United States on the world stage.

Economics and finance
The United States Commerce Department reported that after-tax profits of American corporations rose 1.5% in the second quarter of 1984.

25 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Toy Soldiers--Martika

#1 single in Switzerland: Batdance--Prince (4th week at #1)

Transportation
The O-Bahn Busway in Adelaide, Australia, the world's longest guided busway, opened.

Disasters
51 people died when a gravel barge struck a chartered party boat crowded mostly with young people in the River Thames in London. 86 people on the boat were rescued.

Baseball
Kevin Bass hit a home run from each side of the plate to help the Houston Astros to an 8-4 win over the Chicago Cubs before 38,624 fans at the Astrodome. His second home run was a 9th-inning grand slam off Mitch Williams. Winning pitcher Danny Darwin improved his record for 1989 to 11-3.

20 years ago
1994

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): I Swear--All-4-One (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: The Rhythm is Magic--Marie-Claire D'Ubaldo (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Johnny Techno Ska--Paco Pil

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Love is All Around--Wet Wet Wet

#1 single in France (SNEP): 7 Seconds--Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Love is All Around--Wet Wet Wet

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Love is All Around--Wet Wet Wet (12th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Stay (I Missed You)--Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories (3rd week at #1)
2 I'll Make Love to You--Boyz II Men
3 Fantastic Voyage--Coolio
4 Wild Night--John Mellencamp with Me'Shell Ndegeocello
5 I Swear--All-4-One
6 Can You Feel the Love Tonight--Elton John
7 Funkdafied--Da Brat
8 Don't Turn Around--Ace of Base
9 Any Time, Any Place/And On and On--Janet Jackson
10 When Can I See You--Babyface

Singles entering the chart were Letitgo by The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (Love Symbol) (#79); Good Times by Edie Brickell (#87); Summer Bunnies by R. Kelly (#89); Right Beside You by Sophie B. Hawkins (#92); and Think Twice by Celine Dion (#96).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Stay (I Missed You)--Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories
2 Any Time, Any Place/And On and On--Janet Jackson
3 Don't Turn Around--Ace of Base
4 Can You Feel the Love Tonight--Elton John
5 When Can I See You--Babyface
6 Anytime You Need a Friend--Mariah Carey
7 Shine--Collective Soul
8 Back and Forth--Aaliyah
9 Prayer for the Dying--Seal
10 Wild Night--John Mellencamp with Me’shell Ndegeocello

Singles entering the chart were I'll Stand By You by the Pretenders (#71); Letitgo by The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (Love Symbol) (#82); and Your Love is a... by the Whitehead Brothers (#90).

Scandal
Benjamin Chavis was fired as executive director of the U.S. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and replaced by Earl Shinhoster. Mr. Chavis, who had been elected to his post in April 1993, was criticized for his friendship with Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam and a man widely regarded as anti-Semitic. Mr. Chavis was also criticized for failing to improve the NAACP's poor financial situation, and for reportedly agreeing to pay more than $330,000 of the organization's funds to a female former employee who had threatened to file a sex-discrimination suit against him.

Football
CFL
Toronto (3-4) 31 @ Baltimore (4-3) 24
Hamilton (2-5) 30 @ Shreveport (0-7) 26
British Columbia (6-1) 39 @ Las Vegas (3-4) 16

Mike "Pinball" Clemons rushed 17 times for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns and passed 11 yards to Paul Masotti for another TD as the Argonauts defeated the Baltimore Football Club before 41,155 fans at Memorial Stadium. Chris Armstrong caught 2 touchdown passes for Baltimore, one from starting quarterback Tracy Ham, and the other from backup QB John Congemi. For Mr. Clemons, it was the only time in his 12-year Hall of Fame CFL career that he rushed for 100 yards or more in a game.



Terry Wright returned a fumble 51 yards for a touchdown and Lonzell Hill and John Hood also scored TDs as the Tiger-Cats beat the Pirates before 14,364 fans at Independence Stadium. Shreveport quarterback Tom Muecke completed touchdown passes to Martin Patton and Charles Thompson as the Pirates scored the game's last 16 points. It was the first game as head coach of the Tiger-Cats for Don Sutherin, who had replaced the fired John Gregory.

Kent Austin completed 2 touchdown passes to Mike Trevathan and Cory Philpot rushed for another TD as the Lions beat the Posse before 14,432 fans at Sam Boyd Stadium. Las Vegas head coach Ron Meyer encouraged the "Showgirls" cheerleading squad to loiter behind the B.C. bench in an attempt to distract the visiting team, but the ploy was unsuccessful.

10 years ago
2004

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (4-6) 7 @ Edmonton (4-5) 31

A 102-yard touchdown pass from Jason Maas to Jason Tucker was the big play as the Eskimos beat the Roughriders at Commonwealth Stadium. On another play, Edmonton receiver Derrell "Mookie" Mitchell flattened Saskatchewan kicker Paul McCallum with one of the most devastating blocks this blogger has ever seen.