August 25, 2014

200 years ago
1814

Abominations
Invading British troops in Washington, D.C. burned the Library of Congress with its 3,000 books, many from the personal library of former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson.

130 years ago
1884

Baseball
The Chicago Browns of the Union Association completed their move to Pittsburgh. In their first game as the Pittsburgh Stogies, they defeated the St. Louis Maroons 3-2 at Recreation Park in Pittsburgh.

125 years ago
1889

Born on this date
Alexander Mair. Australian politician. Mr. Mair was originally a member of the United Australia Party, and represented Albury in the New South Wales Parliament from 1932-1946. He was elected UAP leader on August 5, 1939, and took office as Premier the same day, succeeding Bertram Stevens,who had resigned. Mr. Mair served as Premier until the UAP's loss in the 1941 election, and remained as Leader of the Opposition through the disintegration of the UAP in 1943, taking the leadership of the Democratic Party. Mr. Mair was a central figure in the formation of the Liberal Party in 1944, and led the New South Wales Liberal party from November 1945-March 1946. He ran for a seat in the Australian Senate in 1946, but was defeated, and left politics. Mr. Mair died on August 3, 1969, 22 days before his 80th birthday.

100 years ago
1914

Abominations
Hundreds of thousands of irreplaceable volumes and Gothic and Renaissance manuscripts were lost when the library of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium was deliberately destroyed by the German Army.

90 years ago
1924

Baseball
Walter Johnson pitched a no-hitter for the Washington Nationals as they blanked the St. Louis Browns 2-0 before 7,000 fans at Griffith Stadium in Washington in a game that was called after 7 innings.

80 years ago
1934

Baseball
Rookie pitcher Schoolboy Rowe, trailing 2-1 going into the 9th inning, singled in the winning run as the Detroit Tigers beat the Washington Nationals 4-2 at Griffith Stadium in Washington. The win was Mr. Rowe’s 20th of the season and 16th straight, tying an American League record.

The Chicago White Sox swept a doubleheader from the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, 3-2 in 11 innings and 8-7 in 11 innings.

Dizzy Dean, pitching in relief, couldn’t hold a 5-3 lead, and was charged with the loss as the New York Giants edged the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis. The Cardinals had built up a 5-0 lead against Giants’ ace Carl Hubbell. Hal Schumacher was the winner in relief.

75 years ago
1939

At the movies
The Wizard of Oz, directed by Victor Fleming, and starring Judy Garland, was widely released to theatres.

Died on this date
Babe Siebert, 35. Canadian hockey player. Charles Albert Siebert, a native of Plattsville, Ontario, was a left wing and defenceman with the Montreal Maroons (1925-1932); New York Rangers (1932-1933); Boston Bruins (1933-1936); and Montreal Canadiens (1936-1939), scoring 140 goals and 156 assists in 592 regular season games, and 7 goals and 5 assists in 49 playoff games. He played on Stanley Cup championship teams with the Maroons in 1926 and the Rangers in 1933, and won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the National Hockey League's Most Valuable Player in 1936-37. Mr. Siebert retired after the 1938-39 season to become head coach of the Canadiens, but drowned in Lake Huron while trying to retrieve a rubber tire that he and his daughters were playing with. An all-star game to benefit his family was held in Montreal two months later. Mr. Siebert was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964.

Defense
The United Kingdom and Poland formed a military alliance in which the U.K. promised to defend Poland in case of invasion by a foreign power.

Football
CRU
WIFU
Winnipeg (1-0) 12 @ Calgary (0-1) 1
Regina (1-0) 12 @ Edmonton (0-1) 0

3,500 fans showed up to see the Roughriders blank the Eskimos in the first night game ever played at Clarke Stadium.

Baseball
The New York Yankees swept a doubleheader from the St. Louis Browns by scores of 11-0 and 8-2 before 2,182 fans at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis.

70 years ago
1944

Died on this date
Paul Ullman. U.S. artist. Mr. Ullman was killed while leading a French underground force in France.

War
The Allies completed the liberation of Paris when German General Dietrich von Cholitz signed an unconditional surrender (see also here and here). Romania declared war on Germany after the Nazis bombed Bucharest, attacked Romanian troops, and strafed civilians. In Italy, the Canadian Corps started an attack on the Gothic Line with the objective of capturing Rimini; they crossed the Metauro River, the first of six rivers lying across the path of the advance, and moved on to the Foglia River where the Germans had concentrated their forces.

Politics and government
The U.S.A. and U.K. concluded agreements with French General Charles de Gaulle's provisional government for administration of areas of liberated France pending establishment of a permanent government.

King Peter II of Yugoslavia signed a decree ending official connections with General Draja Mikhailovich, who had headed the Yugoslavian high command since June 1942.

Defense
U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull concluded three days of talks on postwar security with John Foster Dulles, who was representing Republican Party presidential candidate Thomas Dewey. In a joint statement, the two men said they were "trying to keep the subject out of politics."

Economics and finance
The United States Senate passed and sent to conference the House of Representatives war surplus disposal bill, to be administered by an eight-man board.

Track and field
Viljo Heino of Finland set a world record in the men's 10,000-metre run with a time of 29:35.4.

60 years ago
1954

Football
WIFU
Fullback Johnny Bright, who had missed most of the 1953 season with shoulder problems after leading the league in rushing in 1952, was among four imports dropped by the Calgary Stampeders. Mr. Bright had played in 1 of the Stampeders' first 2 games of 1954.

ORFU
Kitchener-Waterloo (0-1) 19 @ Sarnia (1-0) 23

50 years ago
1964

Space
The U.S.A. launched the satellite Explorer 20, whose purpose was to explore ionospheric irregularities; measure cosmic noise; and measure local ion concentration and temperature.

40 years ago
1974

Adventure
Mary Connors, 21, a British human cannonball, failed in her second attempt to clear the River Avon.

Football
CFL
Hamilton (2-4) 10 @ Montreal (4-2) 29
Toronto (3-3) 17 @ Saskatchewan (4-2) 13

Jimmy Jones passed to Ian Mofford for a touchdown and rushed for another TD as the Alouettes beat the Tiger-Cats before 16,290 fans at Autostade. Johnny Rodgers rushed 1 yard for another Montreal touchdown. The Montreal defense set up the last 2 Alouette touchdowns with an interception and a fumble recovery, and restricted the Tiger-Cats to 172 yards net offense. Garney Henley scored the only Hamilton touchdown in the 2nd quarter on a 14-yard pass from Bill Etter.

Mike Rae threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Eric Allen on the first play of the 2nd quarter and Zenon Andrusyshyn added a convert, 3 field goals, and a single as the Argonauts won for the first time ever at Taylor Field in Regina, before 18,688 fans. Toronto defensive tackle Jim Stillwagon knocked down 3 passes, while Ed Shuttleworth rushed for 82 yards to lead the Toronto ground game. Bobby Thompson scored the only Saskatchewan touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Ron Lancaster. Brian Berg missed the convert, which proved costly. Mr. Thompson rushed for 65 yards, while teammate George Reed rushed for 66.

WFL
Jacksonville (3-5) 14 @ Hawaii (1-7) 8

Baseball
Butch Stinson pitched a no-hitter as the Iowa Oaks blanked the Indianapolis Indians 7-0 in an American Association game before 2,145 fans in Indianapolis. Mr. Stinson struck out 5 batters and walked 6, including the first 3 batters of the 7th inning. He got out of the jam by striking out Dave Revering and inducing Sonny Ruberto to hit into a double play. Iowa's Joe Henderson had pitched a no-hitter on July 31, and Mr. Stinson's accomplishment made the Oaks the first AA team to have two pithers throw no-hitters since 1920, when Ernie Koob and Charley Long did it with Louisville.

Mexican League
Finals
Mexico City Reds 7 @ Gomez Palacio 5 (Mexico City led best-of-seven series 2-0)

The Reds took a 5-0 lead in the 4th inning and held on to defeat the Cottongrowers before 6,800 fans at Estadio Laguna. Antonio Pollorena, who had led the ML in wins (25), complete games (25), innings pitched (260), and strikeouts (260) during the regular season, was the losing pitcher and left the game in the 5th inning after being hit on the right ankle by a line drive. Manuel Rodriguez started on the mound for the Reds and was the winning pitcher, with relief help from Aurelio Lopez. Adolfo Phillips hit a 2-run home run for Mexico City to give the Reds their 5-0 lead in the 4th, but the Cottongrowers replied with a 2-run homer by Victor Manuel Felix.

30 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Fotoromanza--Gianna Nannini (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT Top 30): Two Tribes--Frankie Goes To Hollywood (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Smalltown Boy--Bronski Beat

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Careless Whisper--George Michael (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Careless Whisper--George Michael (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Ghostbusters--Ray Parker, Jr. (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 What's Love Got to Do with It--Tina Turner
2 Ghostbusters--Ray Parker, Jr.
3 When Doves Cry--Prince
4 Stuck on You--Lionel Richie
5 State of Shock--The Jacksons with Mick Jagger
6 Missing You--John Waite
7 I Can Dream About You--Dan Hartman
8 Dancing in the Dark--Bruce Springsteen
9 Sunglasses at Night--Corey Hart
10 Infatuation--Rod Stewart

Singles entering the chart were Some Guys Have All the Luck by Rod Stewart (#66); Flesh for Fantasy by Billy Idol (#72); Strut by Sheena Easton (#81); You Take Me Up by Thompson Twins (#83); Turn Around by Neil Diamond (#85); Just the Way You Like It by S.O.S. Band (#86); Satisfy Me by Billy Satellite (#87); Stranger by Stephen Stills (#88); and Here She Comes by Bonnie Tyler (#90).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Ghostbusters--Ray Parker, Jr.
2 When Doves Cry--Prince
3 What's Love Got to Do with It--Tina Turner
4 Sad Songs (Say So Much)--Elton John
5 Stuck on You--Lionel Richie
6 Self Control--Laura Branigan
7 Almost Paradise...Love Theme from Footloose--Mike Reno and Ann Wilson
8 Romancing the Stone--Eddy Grant
9 She Bop--Cyndi Lauper
10 Jump (For My Love)--Pointer Sisters

Singles entering the chart were There Goes My Baby by Donna Summer (#84); When You Close Your Eyes by Night Ranger (#88); I Just Called to Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder (#90); Tell No Lies by the Spoons (#91); Mime on the Beach by Jane Siberry (#92); Cruel Summer by Bananarama (#94); The Lucky One by Laura Branigan (#96); Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham! (#97); and She's in a Different World by Michael Damian (#98).

Died on this date
Andy Varipapa, 93. U.S. bowler. Mr. Varipapa was famous for his trick shots, some of which can be seen in the 1934 short film Strikes and Spares.

Waite Hoyt, 84. U.S. baseball pitcher. "The Brooklyn Schoolboy" won 237 major league games and lost 182 from 1918-1938, and entered the Baseball Hall of fame in 1969. With the legendary New York Yankees of 1927, he was 22-7, leading the American League in wins and winning percentage (.759). In 1928 he was 23-7 with the Yankees, and won 2 games in the World Series. After his playing career, Mr. Hoyt spent many years as a colour commentator on radio broadcasts of Cincinnati Reds' games. He died 15 days before his 85th birthday.

Truman Capote, 59. U.S. author. Mr. Capote was the author of such books as Other Voices, Other Rooms (1948); The Grass Harp (1951); Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958); and In Cold Blood (1966). I can’t think of him without imitating his distinctive whiny voice.

Football
CFL
Calgary (3-5) 4 @ British Columbia (7-1) 15

38,419 fans at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver had trouble staying awake, as neither team scored a touchdown. Lui Passaglia handled all the Lions' scoring with 4 field goals and 3 singles.

25 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Das Omen (Teil I)--Mysterious Art (9th week at #1)

Music
This blogger was among the 7,000 or so who attended a concert by Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton. It was an enjoyable show (once the opening act, the untalented Mason Ruffner, was finished), but a girl a section over from me didn’t seem to be having a good time. She was drunk and vomited early in the show, appropriately enough, during Ringo’s No No Song. The band consisted of Ringo on vocals and drums; Levon Helm (drums); Jim Keltner (drums); Billy Preston (musical director and keyboards); Dr. John (keyboards); Joe Walsh (guitar); Nils Lofgren (guitar); Rick Danko (bass); and Clarence Clemons (saxophone). This blogger paid $28 for a floor seat.

Space
The unmanned Voyager 2 spacecraft sent back the first close-up pictures of Neptune and its satellites.

Politics and government
Tadeusz Mazowiecki, a journalist and Roman Catholic intellectual, as well as a long-time adviser to Solidarity union leader Lech Walesa, was approved as Poland’s new Prime Minister by a vote in the Sejm of 378-4, with 41 abstentions. Mr. Mazowiecki vowed to move Poland "from a Communist system of ownership to capitalism." The U.S.S.R.’s Council of Ministers congratulated the new premier, and said that friendship and co-operation between the countries would continue.

Defense
U.S. President George Bush announced a $65 million military aid package for Colombia.

Baseball
Gary Redus hit for the cycle as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-3 before 25,722 fans at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. Winning pitcher Don Robinson batted 3 for 3.

20 years ago
1994

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Welcome to Tomorrow--Snap!

Law
The United States Senate voted 61-38 in favour of a revised version of a bill submitted by President Bill Clinton that would spend $30.2 billion to fight crime, including funds to hire 100,000 police officers over six years. The House of Representatives had approved the bill four days earlier by a vote of 235-195.

Football
CFL
Calgary (7-1) 52 @ Toronto (3-5) 3
Las Vegas (3-5) 17 @ Edmonton (6-2) 44

Doug Flutie passed for 4 touchdowns and rushed for another TD himself to lead the Stampeders over the Argonauts before 19,158 fans at SkyDome. Steve Taylor relieved Mr. Flutie at quarterback for Calgary and threw a touchdown pass of his own.



Henry "Gizmo" Williams returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown and teammate Eddie Brown returned a punt 84 yards for a TD as the Eskimos beat the Posse before 26,559 fans at Commonwealth Stadium.

10 years ago
2004

Scandal
A U.S. Army investigation headed by Major General George Fay into abuse of prisoners at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison rejected an earlier claim that the abuse was isolated to a few U.S. military police guards, and stated that military intelligence soldiers and officers were culpable.

Environment
The U.S. administration of President George W. Bush changed its position on global warming, stating in a report to Congress that scientific evidence suggested that climate change was caused by emission of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases.