November 12, 2014

920 years ago
1094

Died on this date
Duncan II, 34 (?). King of Scots, 1094. Duncan II was the son of King Malcolm III, but was given to King William I "the Conqueror" of England as a hostage in 1072. Duncan was educated in King William's court and remained in the court of his son and successor William II. Malcolm III was killed in the Battle of Alnwick in 1093, and his brother Donald III seized the throne. Duncan II, with the support of William II, defeated Donald III in battle in June 1094. He was ambushed and killed in battle; Donald III, accused by some of murdering Duncan, regained the throne.

575 years ago
1439

Britannica
Plymouth became the first town incorporated by the English Parliament.

125 years ago
1889

Born on this date
DeWitt Wallace. U.S. publisher. Mr. Wallace and his wife Lila co-founded Reader's Digest in 1922. Mr. Wallace died on March 30, 1981 at the age of 91.

80 years ago
1934

Football
CRU
WCRFU
Finals
Regina Roughriders 7 @ Vancouver Meralomas 2 (Regina won 2-game, total points series 29-4)

75 years ago
1939

On the radio
British First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill delivered a speech on the British Broadcasting Corporation on Ten Weeks of War.



Died on this date
Norman Bethune, 49. Canadian physician. Dr. Bethune, a native of Gravenhurst, Ontario, was a thoracic surgeon who joined the Communist Party of Canada after visiting the U.S.S.R. in 1935. He aided the Loyalist forces in the Spanish Civil War in 1936-1937, where he pioneered a mobile blood transfusion service. Dr. Bethune went to China in 1938, where he aided the forces of Communist leader Mao Zedong. He died of blood poisoning after cutting his finger while operating on a soldier.

70 years ago
1944

Died on this date
Roy Agnew, 53. Australian composer. Mr. Agnew was a pianist whose tone poems and sonatas earned him the reputation as Australia's best composer of the early 20th century. He died of septicemia after an operation for tonsilitis.

War
The U.K. Royal Air Force launched 29 Avro Lancaster bombers, which used 12,000-pound Tallboy bombs to sink the German battleship Tirpitz off Tromsø, Norway. German SS leader Heinrich Himmler delivered a radio address on behalf of Fuehrer Adolf Hitler, who claimed to be too busy leading the war effort to speak to the people. Only 12 1/2 miles reportedly separated U.S. troops in France attempting to encircle Metz. Soviet forces seized more than 30 Hungarian towns and advanced up to 13 miles in a flanking movement east of Budapest. U.S. carrier planes in the Philippines reportedly wiped out four Japanese convoy ships attempting to land an estimated 8,000 troops on Leyte Island as other U.S. aircraft inflicted severe damage on the harbours of Manila and Cavite.

Politics and government
A Salvadoran government-in-exile, led by Miguel Tomas Molina, was established in Guatemala City.

Medicine
The Public Health Institute in New York reported on a new method of immunization against malaria, which promised to lead to a vaccine for human protection.

Labour
U.S. National War Labor Board Chairman William H. Davis offered his resignation to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt effective January 1, 1945.

60 years ago
1954

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): My Son, My Son--Vera Lynn and Frank Weir (2nd week at #1)

Americana
The U.S. immigration control centre on Ellis Island, New York, closed after 62 years of operation. 15-20 million immigrants passed through its doors.

50 years ago
1964

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: I'm Into Something Good--Herman's Hermits

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Pretty Woman--Roy Orbison (3rd week at #1)

30 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): I Just Called to Say I Love You--Stevie Wonder (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): I Just Called to Say I Love You--Stevie Wonder (4th week at #1)

Space
Joe Allen and Dale Gardner, mission specialists with U.S. space shuttle mission STS-51-A, used the Canadarm to snare the satellite Palapa B2, which was in an improper orbit, thus performing history's first space salvage.

Economics and finance
Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson announced that the English pound note would be phased out and replaced by coins.

25 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Right Here Waiting--Richard Marx

#1 single in Switzerland: Lambada--Kaoma (12th week at #1)

War
FMLN rebels in El Salvador continued their attacks in San Salvador and other cities. The government declared a state of siege.

Football
CFL
Eastern Semi-Final
Winnipeg 30 @ Toronto 7

Western Semi-Final
Saskatchewan 33 @ Calgary 26

The Winnipeg defense recorded 5 sacks, made 2 interceptions, and held Toronto to 198 yards in net offense before 22,758 disappointed onlookers at SkyDome. Blue Bomber quarterback Lee Saltz completed 19 of 27 passes for 178 yards and touchdowns to Jeff Smith and Rick House, while Michael Allen blocked a Glenn Harper punt and Paul Clatney recovered and went 10 yards for the other Winnipeg touchdown. Trevor Kennerd converted and added 2 field goals, while Bob Cameron punted for 3 singles. Jeff Boyd scored the Argos’ only touchdown on a 44-yard pass from John Congemi in the third quarter, converted by Lance Chomyc. Toronto starting quarterback Rick Johnson, in his final game, completed just 1 of 7 passes for 4 yards, while Mr. Congemi was 12 for 28 for 190. Mr. Saltz rushed 8 times for 79 yards and handed off to Tim Jessie 17 times for 65. Gill Fenerty carried 11 times for 41 yards in his last game as an Argo.



Brian Walling ran 50 yards for a converted touchdown on a draw play with 1:38 remaining in regulation to give the Roughriders the lead, and a 38-yard field goal by Dave Ridgway with 17 seconds remaining provided the final margin of victory in front of a disappointingly small crowd (which included this blogger) of 16,286, on a cold Sunday afternoon at McMahon Stadium in the Stampeders’ first playoff game at home in 10 years. The Roughriders led 23-9 at halftime on 2 short touchdown runs by Tim McCray and 3 field goals by Mr. Ridgway, while Mark McLoughlin kicked 3 first-half field goals for the Stampeders. Kennard Martin rushed 3 yards for Calgary’s first touchdown in the third quarter, converted by Mr. McLoughlin, whose 32-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter cut the lead to 23-19. The Stampeders finally took the lead with 2:24 remaining when backup quarterback Terrence Jones threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Marc Zeno, converted by Mr. McLoughlin. The game featured 10 turnovers, 7 of them interceptions. Saskatchewan quarterback Kent Austin completed 22 of 35 passes for just 185 yards and 3 interceptions, while Calgary starter Danny Barrett was 6 for 18 for 175 yards and 3 interceptions. Mr. Jones was 4 for 8 for 84 and an interception. Mr. McCray rushed 20 times for 71, while Mr. Walling picked up 65 on just 3 carries. Kennard Martin led the Stampeders with 14 carries for 59 yards. Larry Willis of the Stampeders had 126 yards on just 3 receptions. The game was the last for Lary Kuharich as Calgary’s head coach; he engaged in a shouting match with team president Bill McKay behind closed doors after the game, flung a can of beer against the wall, and liberally used the "f" word in a post-game radio interview. It was widely believed that Mr. Kuharich would be leaving to join the B.C. Lions, whose new president, former quarterbacking great Joe Kapp, was an old mentor of Mr. Kuharich. As it turned out, the rumours were true. Also in his last game was middle linebacker Doug Landry, who departed the Stampeders after 3 entertaining seasons.



20 years ago
1994

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Tomorrow--Silverchair (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Short Dick Man--20 Fingers

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Hypnose--Scorpia

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Cotton-Eyed Joe--Rednex (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Cotton-Eyed Joe--Rednex (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): 7 Seconds--Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry (14th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Dromen zijn bedrog--Marco Borsato (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Baby Come Back--Pato Banton (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 I'll Make Love to You--Boyz II Men (12th week at #1)
2 All I Wanna Do--Sheryl Crow
3 Another Night--Real McCoy
4 Here Comes the Hotstepper--Ini Kamoze
5 Secret--Madonna
6 Always--Bon Jovi
7 I Wanna Be Down--Brandy
8 Never Lie--Immature
9 Flava in Ya Ear--Craig Mack
10 Endless Love--Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey

Singles entering the chart were Creep by TLC (#71); Bring the Pain by Method Man (#76); Blind Man by Aerosmith (#78); The Sweetest Days by Vanessa Williams (#83); The Rhythm of the Night by Corona (#84); Picture Postcards from L.A. by Joshua Kadison (#92); and I Can Go Deep by Silk (#96). I Can Go Deep was from the movie A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I'll Make Love to You--Boyz II Men (11th week at #1)
2 Secret--Madonna
3 All I Wanna Do--Sheryl Crow
4 Another Night--Real McCoy
5 100% Pure Love--Crystal Waters
6 Endless Love--Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey
7 I'm the Only One--Melissa Etheridge
8 Always--Bon Jovi
9 Here Comes the Hotstepper--Ini Kamoze
10 Living in Danger--Ace of Base

Singles entering the chart were '70s Love Groove by Janet Jackson (#13, charting with the A-side, You Want This); Practice What You Preach by Barry White (#69); The Sweetest Days by Vanessa Williams (#78); Hit by Love by Ce Ce Peniston (#83); Always and Forever by Luther Vandross (#88); and Space by Prince (#89).

Died on this date
Wilma Rudolph, 54. U.S. runner. Miss Rudolph contracted polio at an early age and wore a brace on one leg for several years. Treatment eventually proved successful and she became a star athlete in basketball and track in high school. Miss Rudolph won a bronze medal in the 1956 Summer Olympic Games in the women's 4 x 100-metre relay run, and topped that in 1960, winning a gold medal in that event and in the women's 100-metre and 200-metre runs, becoming the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field in a single Olympic games. She became a schoolteacher after her track career ended, and died of cancer.

War
The U.S. administration of President Bill Clinton unilaterally pulled out from enforcement of the United Nations arms embargo against the parties fighting in Bosnia.

Football
CFL
Eastern Semi-Final (3rd @ 2nd)
Toronto 15 @ Baltimore 34

Western Semi-Final (3rd @ 2nd)
British Columbia 24 @ Edmonton 23

Robert Drummond, substituting for injured Mike Pringle, rushed for 111 yards and scored 2 touchdowns to help the Baltimore Football Club defeat the Argonauts before 35,223 fans at Memorial Stadium. Baltimore quarterback Tracy Ham completed 16 of 28 passes for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns.



Edmonton quarterback Damon Allen threw touchdown passes of 60 and 75 yards, the latter coming late in the 4th quarter, and the Eskimos appeared to be in control, but Mr. Allen gave up an interception to B.C. defensive back Charles Gordon near the Lions' goal line, and Mr. Gordon's 41-yard return enabled the Lions to move the ball into position for Lui Passaglia to kick a 27-yard field goal with 32 seconds remaining in regulation time and escape with the victory before 23,156 fans at Commonwealth Stadium. It was the last game for Mr. Allen in an Edmonton uniform after 6 seasons with the team.



CIAU
Churchill Bowl
Western Ontario 41 @ Bishop's 24



10 years ago
2004

Crime
A jury in California convicted Scott Peterson of murdering his pregnant wife Laci in December 2002, and dumping her body in San Francisco Bay.