January 21, 2015

200 years ago
1815

Born on this date
John Bingham. U.S. politician and diplomat. Mr. Bingham represented Ohio's 21st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Opposition Party (1855-1857) and Republican Party (1857-1865), and Ohio's 16th Congressional District from 1865-1873. He was assistant Judge Advocate General in the 1865 trial of the conspirators in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, and was a prosecutor in the impeachment trials of President Andrew Johnson in 1868. Mr. Bingham served as United States Minister to Japan from 1873-1885. He died on March 19, 1900 at the age of 85.

175 years ago
1840

Exploration
The territory of Adélie Land in Antarctica was discovered by French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville.

100 years ago
1915

Popular culture
The Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order Brothers was founded in Detroit. Its name was changed to Kiwanis International a year later.

80 years ago
1935

At the movies
Charlie Chan in Paris, starring Warner Oland, opened in theatres.



75 years ago
1940

On the radio



War
The Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao published alleged peace terms between Wang Ching-Wei--the man slated to lead the Japanese-sponsored government in central China--and Japan, which would make China a Japanese dependency.

Society
A Gallup Poll reported that 34% of the American people favoured a return to prohibition, while 66% were opposed.

Politics and government
U.S. Senator Vic Donahey (Ohio) withdrew his name from Ohio's Democratic presidential primary to seek re-election to the Senate, and cast his support to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was seeking a third term in office. Sen. Donahey's announcement came just four days after he had filed a declaration of his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Journalism
The Netherlands imposed censorship on correspondents of foreign newspapers.

Religion
Mass was celebrated in the Old Cathedral ruins of Panama City for the first time snce 1671.

70 years ago
1945

War
German forces abandoned 22 square miles in the Ardennes bulge. Soviet troops invaded German Silesia on a 56-mile front, driving 19 miles beyond the border between Reinersdorf and Guttentag. Japanese Prime Minister Kuniaki Koiso announced a drastic manpower mobilization law and told the Diet that the U.S. offensive had brought Japan to the brink of life or death.

Politics and government
U.S. Commerce Secretary Jesse Jones revealed correspondence from President Franklin D. Roosevelt asking him to surrender his post to former Vice President Henry Wallace.

60 years ago
1955

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): The Finger of Suspicion--Dickie Valentine with the Stargazers (2nd week at #1)

50 years ago
1965

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Yeh, Yeh--Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames (2nd week at #1)

Diplomacy
Indonesia submitted its letter of withdrawal from the United Nations, reducing the UN to 114 member nations.

40 years ago
1975

Diplomacy
Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam arrived home from a 5 1/2-week tour of Europe and Asia, reporting "meaningful relations" with all power blocs.

Crime
In Thamesford, Ontario, escaped convict Donald Cline, 22, invaded the home of former neighbours Mr. and Mrs. George Field, and held the Fields' four children, aged 4-12, hostage. Mr. Cline was accompanied by his girlfriend, Gail Guest. Mr. and Mrs. Field were outside the house in the company of police.

Hockey
NHL
All-Star Game @ Montreal Forum
Prince of Wales Conference 7 Clarence S. Campbell Conference 1

Syl Apps, Jr. of the Pittsburgh Penguins scored 2 goals and was named the game's Most Valuable Player as the Wales defeated the Campbells before 16,080 fans in the first All-Star Game to be played under that format.

WHA
All-Star Game @ Edmonton Coliseum
Western Division 6 Eastern Division 4

Andre Hinse of the Houston Aeros scored 2 goals and his Houston teammates Gordie and Mark Howe each scored a goal and an assist as the Western All-Stars won before 15,326 fans, including this blogger. Rejean Houle of the Quebec Nordiques scored 2 goals and 2 assists for the Eastern All-Stars and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. It was the first penalty-free game I ever saw.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Do They Know it's Christmas?--Band Aid (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): You Gotta Chance: Dance de Natsu wo Dakishimete--Kōji Kikkawa

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): ¿Cómo Pudiste Hacerme Esto a Mí?--Alaska y Dinarama (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
James Beard, 81. U.S. chef. Mr. Beard was known as the "Dean of American Cuisine." He became well-known after the publication of his first cookbook, Hors D'Oeuvre and Canapés (1940). Mr. Beard hosted what is believed to be the first cooking program to appear on network television: I Love to Eat aired on NBC from 1946-1947. Mr. Beard established the James Beard Cooking School in 1955, and taught cooking throughout the United States for the remainder of his life.

Politics and government
The public ceremony to mark the inauguration of Ronald Reagan’s second term as 40th President of the United States took place in Washington. Since the official inauguration date of January 20 had fallen on a Sunday, Mr. Reagan had taken the oath of office privately that day.

Hockey
NHL
Denis Potvin of the New York Islanders tied Bobby Orr's NHL career record of goals by a defenceman.

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Love Shack--The B-52's (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Girl I'm Gonna Miss You--Milli Vanilli (8th week at #1)

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield (3rd week at #1)
2 Another Day in Paradise--Phil Collins
3 Don't Know Much--Linda Ronstadt (featuring Aaron Neville)
4 Listen to Your Heart--Roxette
5 Leave a Light On--Belinda Carlisle
6 The Road to Hell (Part 2)--Chris Rea
7 Girl I'm Gonna Miss You--Milli Vanilli
8 I Feel the Earth Move--Martika
9 We Didn't Start the Fire--Billy Joel
10 Get a Life--Soul II Soul

Singles entering the chart were Get a Life; You Got It (The Right Stuff) by New Kids on the Block (#12); Let's Party by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers (#26); Yes We Can by Artists United for Nature (#27); and Song for Whoever by the Beautiful South (#30).

Tennis
John McEnroe threw his racquet and a tantrum at the Australian Open and became the first player to be disqualified from a Grand Slam event for misconduct since 1963.

Hockey
NHL
All-Star Game @ Pittsburgh Civic Arena
Prince of Wales Conference 12 Clarence S. Campbell Conference 7

Mario Lemieux of the hometown Penguins scored 4 goals, including 3 on his first 3 shots, and was voted the game’s Most Valuable Player. The score indicated that the All-Star Game was no longer a true hockey game, but simply a pathetic exhibition of no-body-contact offense. As a measure of how seriously it was regarded in the U.S.A., the NHL All-Star Game, which used to be televised in prime time on a Tuesday, took place on a Sunday afternoon. 17,503 were in attendance.

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Zombie--The Cranberries (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Old Pop in an Oak--Rednex (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Zombie--The Cranberries (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Can You Feel the Love Tonight--Elton John (8th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Waarom nou jij--Marco Borsato

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Cotton Eye Joe--Rednex (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 On Bended Knee--Boyz II Men (4th week at #1)
2 Creep--TLC
3 Another Night--Real McCoy
4 Always--Bon Jovi
5 Take a Bow--Madonna
6 Here Comes the Hotstepper--Ini Kamoze
7 Before I Let You Go--BLACKstreet
8 I'm the Only One--Melissa Etheridge
9 I Wanna Be Down--Brandy
10 Sukiyaki--4 P.M.

Singles entering the chart were Bang and Blame by R.E.M. (#30); Whiney, Whiney (Things that Make Me Crazy) by Willi One Blood (#76); Cocktales by Too $hort (#84); That's Just What You Are by Aimee Mann (#94); and Only One Road by Celine Dion (#96). Whiney, Whiney (Things that Make Me Crazy) was from the movie Dumb and Dumber (1994).

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 On Bended Knee--Boyz II Men (8th week at #1)
2 Another Night--Real McCoy
3 Always--Bon Jovi
4 Here Comes the Hotstepper--Ini Kamoze
5 Creep--TLC
6 Take a Bow--Madonna
7 I Wanna Be Down--Brandy
8 You Want This/70's Love Groove--Janet Jackson
9 Sukiyaki--4 P.M.
10 Every Day of the Week--Jade

Singles entering the chart were Strong Enough by Sheryl Crow (#69); Big Poppa/Warning by the Notorious B.I.G. (#79); and In the House of Stone and Light by Martin Page (#83).

Politics and government
The U.S. Democratic National Committee chose U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (Connecticut) as the committee's general chairman, and named Donald Fowler, a former party leader in South Carolina, as national chairman and operating officer.

10 years ago
2005

Protest
Demonstrations in the Belizean capital of Belmopan against large tax increases announced a week earlier by the government of Prime Minister Said Musa in the 2005-2006 budget concluded in a riot outside the National Assembly building.