March 1, 2015

450 years ago
1565

Braziliana
The city of Rio de Janeiro was founded.

225 years ago
1790

Americana
The U.S. Congress authorized the first census of the United States.

210 years ago
1805

Scandal
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Chase was acquitted at the end of his impeachment trial by the U.S. Senate. Justice Chase had been impeached for allegedly allowing his political bias to influence his decisions from the bench.

200 years ago
1815

World events
Former French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte arrived at Golfe-Juan on the French mainland in the ship Swiftsure, two days after his escape from exile on the island of Elba off the coast of Tuscany.

180 years ago
1835

Born on this date
Philip Fysh. U.K.-born Australian politician. Sir Philip, a native of England, emigrated to Australia in 1859 and became a successful merchant. A member of the Protectionist Party, he served several terms in the Tasmanian Legislative Council and Tasmanian House of Assembly from 1866-1899, holding several cabinet posts and serving as Premier of Tasmania (1877-1878, 1887-1892). Sir Philip supported federation of the Australian colonies, and after that took effect in 1901, he represented Tasmania (1901-1903) and Denison (1903-1910) in the Australian House of Representatives, serving as Postmaster-General (1903-1904). Sir Philip died on December 20, 1919 at the age of 84.

170 years ago
1845

Americana
Three days before he left office, U.S. President John Tyler signed a bill authorizing the United States to annex the Republic of Texas.

130 years ago
1885

Born on this date
Lionel Atwill. U.K.-born U.S. actor. Mr. Atwill had a distinguished career on stage, but is best remembered for his appearances in horror and mystery movies, including Doctor X (1932); Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933); Murders in the Zoo (1933); Son of Frankenstein (1939); The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939); and Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1942). He died of lung cancer and pneumonia on April 22, 1946 at the age of 65.

120 years ago
1895

Died on this date
Pauline Musters, 19. Dutch-born U.S. dwarf. Miss Musters, who stood 1 foot 11.2 inches, was the shortest grown woman ever recorded. She died four days after her 19th birthday, from a combination of pneumonia and meningitis.

100 years ago
1915

Born on this date
Malak Karsh. Ottoman-born Canadian photographer. Malak Karsh was the brother of portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh. Malak was known for his photographs of the Ottawa region; Paper and Politics, a photo of logs floating on the Ottawa River, was on the back of the Canadian $1 bill from 1969-1979. Malak Karsh died on November 8, 2001 at the age of 86.

Literature
The March 1915 issue of The Strand Magazine contained the seventh segment of The Valley of Fear, the fourth and last Sherlock Holmes novel by A. Conan Doyle.
In this issue: Part II: The Scowrers: Chapter III. Lodge 341, Vermissa.

75 years ago
1940

At the movies
Charlie Chan in Panama, starring Sidney Toler, Victor Sen Yung, Jean Rogers, and Lionel Atwill, opened in theatres.



Died on this date
A.H. Tammsaare, 62. Estonian author. Anton Hansen Tammsaare was a novelist who was best known for the pentalogy Tõde ja õigus (Truth and Justice) (1926-1933), which has been called "The Estonian Novel." He was hospitalized in 1939 for stomach problems, and died of a heart attack.

Literature
Richard Wright's novel Native Son was published.

War
German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler issued secret orders for the occupation of Denmark and Norway. Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced plans for a sevenfold increase in his country's air force. British planes scattered propaganda leaflets over Germany as far east as Berlin. Soviet troops in Finland made headway toward Viborg, reaching the city's outskirts. The Chinese government in Chungking launched a sweeping evacuation program for the city in anticipation of Japanese air raids.

Diplomacy
U.S. Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles met in Berlin with German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop.

In Patna, India, leaders of the Indian Congress threatened a campaign of civil disobedience as the next step toward complete independence from the United Kingdom.

Law
The American Bar Association committee on the Bill of Rights appealed to the public to oppose all illegal methods of suppressing civil rights.

Environment
The United States House of Representatives passed and sent to the Senate the Water Pollution Control Act, setting forth a plan for prevention of pollution of navigable waterways.

70 years ago
1945

Theatre
Representatives of theatrical organizations in New York adopted resolutions that included proposed legislation to prevent censorship by administrative officials in reaction to the February 24 closing of the play Trio by Dorothy and Howard Baker, which had played at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway in New York since December 29, 1944. New York License Commissioner Paul Moss had refused to renew the theatre's license if Trio continued to run. The play's subject matter included an older woman's feelings for a girl.

War
Saudi Arabia and Iran notified the United States of their declarations of war against Germany and Japan. The British House of Commons gave unanimous approval to the Yalta Declaration. U.S. troops cleared German forces from the twin cities of Muenchen-Gladbach and Rheydt, 15 miles west of Duesseldorf. U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur reported that American troops had practically completed the destruction of about 6,000 Japanese troops on the island of Corregidor. U.S. forces landed on the island of Lubang, which commanded the western exit of Verde Passage, leading from the Sibuyan Sea into the China Sea.

Politics and government
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt told a joint session of Congress that the recent Yalta Conference was a success, and that the U.S. would have to take responsibility for world collaboration or bear the responsibility for another world war.

Former U.S. Vice President Henry Wallace was confirmed by the Senate as U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

Diplomacy
The Organization Committee of the Inter-American Conference approved a suggestion that the next conference of American Republics be held in Bogota, Colombia.

Economics and finance
Canada reached an agreement with Czechoslovakia to provide the latter with $15 million in credits to purchase Canadian goods to be used in reconstruction.

Labour
The United Mine Workers of America submitted demands for a wage settlement to coal operators, including a proposal for a 10c-per-ton royalty to be used for medical insurance for the miners.

60 years ago
1955

At the movies
The Spanish-language version of Mr. Arkadin, directed by and starring Orson Welles, opened in theatres in Madrid.



Boxing
Sonny Liston (8-1) won an 8-round decision over Neal Welch (13-10-1) in a heavyweight bout at the Masonic Temple in St. Louis.

50 years ago
1965

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): La Yenka--Johnny & Charley (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): The Hucklebuck--Brendan Bowyer (7th week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Yeh, Yeh--Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames
2 The Boy from New York City--The Ad Libs
3 Can't You Hear My Heartbeat--Herman's Hermits
4 For Lovin' Me--Peter, Paul and Mary
5 Shakin' All Over--Chad Allan and the Expressions (Guess Who?)
6 Goldfinger--John Barry and his Orchestra
--Shirley Bassey
7 Little Things--Bobby Goldsboro
8 My Girl--The Temptations
9 Come Home--The Dave Clark Five
10 Go Now!--The Moody Blues

Singles entering the chart were Eight Days a Week by the Beatles (#14); Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by the Animals (#27); Girl Don't Come by Sandie Shaw (#30); Come Tomorrow by Manfred Mann (#33); The Race is On by Jack Jones (#34); You'll Be Gone by Elvis Presley (#35); Midnight Special by Johnny Rivers (#36); Easy Come, Easy Go by Barry Allen (#37); Send Me the Pillow You Dream On by Dean Martin (#38); Try to Remember by Ed Ames (#39); and Walk Tall by Val Doonican (#40). You'll Be Gone was the B-side of Do the Clam.

On television tonight
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Wally the Beard, starring Larry Blyden, Kathie Browne, and Berkeley Harris

Music
The album The Beach Boys Today! was released on Capitol Records.

Canadiana
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Lester Pearson announced a $6 million-plan to develop Kejimkujik National Park in southwestern Nova Scotia. The government also unveiled a design for the $18-million Centre for Performing Arts in Ottawa, with a 2,300-seat opera, a 900-seat theatre, and 300-seat studio.

Politics and government
The British African protectorate of Bechuanaland held its first elections, resulting in Seretse Khama's appointment as Prime Minister.

Disasters
A gas explosion killed 28 people in an apartment complex in La Salle, Quebec.

40 years ago
1975

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Un corpo e un'anima--Wess & Dori Ghezzi (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): 100 Years--Joey Dyser

#1 single in the U.K.: Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)--Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Best of My Love--The Eagles

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Pick Up the Pieces--Average White Band
2 Have You Never Been Mellow--Olivia Newton-John
3 My Eyes Adored You--Frankie Valli
4 Best of My Love--The Eagles
5 Black Water--The Doobie Brothers
6 Fire--Ohio Players
7 Lady Marmalade--LaBelle
8 Lady--Styx
9 Roll on Down the Highway--Bachman-Turner Overdrive
10 Lonely People--America

Singles entering the chart were L-O-V-E (Love) by Al Green (#74); Living a Little, Laughing a Little by the Spinners (#81); It's a Miracle by Barry Manilow (#84); Reality by James Brown (#85); Dick and Jane by Bobby Vinton (#87); Who's Sorry Now by Marie Osmond (#88); We're Almost There by Michael Jackson (#89); Don't Let Go by Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen (#92); Live Your Life Before You Die by the Pointer Sisters (#93); Shaving Cream by Benny Bell (#94); Amie by Pure Prairie League (#95); Sneaky Snake by Tom T. Hall (#96); Step by Step by Kiki Dee Band (#97); Leona by Wet Willie (#98); Midnight Show by Ron Dante (#99); and Like a Sunday Morning by Lana Cantrell (#100). Shaving Cream was a reissue of a song that had originally been released in 1946, with Phil Winston performing the vocals under the name Paul Wynn. When Dr. Demento began playing the song on his syndicated radio show in the 1970s, it was re-released, with Mr. Bell, who sometimes used the name Paul Wynn, credited as the artist. Later pressings of the single credited Paul Wynn as the artist.

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Best of My Love--The Eagles
2 Doctor's Orders--Carol Douglas
3 Mandy--Barry Manilow
4 Pick Up the Pieces--AWB
5 Have You Never Been Mellow--Olivia Newton-John
6 My Eyes Adored You--Frankie Valli
7 Roll on Down the Highway--Bachman-Turner Overdrive
8 Please Mr. Postman--Carpenters
9 You Beat Me to the Punch--Charity Brown
10 Never Can Say Goodbye--Gloria Gaynor

Singles entering the chart were No No Song by Ringo Starr (#97); You're a Part of Me by Susan Jacks (#98); I've Been this Way Before by Neil Diamond (#99); and Let's Live Together by Thundermug (#100).

Winnipeg's Top 30 (CFRW)
1 Changes--David Bowie (3rd week at #1)
2 Mandy--Barry Manilow
3 Have You Never Been Mellow--Olivia Newton-John
4 Some Kind of Wonderful--Grand Funk
5 Black Water--The Doobie Brothers
6 You're No Good--Linda Ronstadt
7 Bungle in the Jungle--Jethro Tull
8 Boogie On Reggae Woman--Stevie Wonder
9 Lonely People--America
10 Roll on Down the Highway--Bachman-Turner Overdrive
11 Dream On--The Righteous Brothers
12 Please Mr. Postman--Carpenters
13 Lady--Styx
14 Best of My Love--The Eagles
15 Get Dancin'--Disco Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes
16 Pick Up the Pieces--AWB
17 You're the First, the Last, My Everything--Barry White
18 California Jam--Klaatu
19 Never Can Say Goodbye--Gloria Gaynor
20 My Eyes Adored You--Frankie Valli
21 Morning Side of the Mountain--Donny and Marie Osmond
22 Lady Marmalade--LaBelle
23 She's My Lady--Jayson Hoover
24 Mother Earth--Ian Thomas
25 Don't Call Us, We'll Call You--Sugarloaf/Jerry Corbetta
26 (Make Me Do) Anything You Want--A Foot in Coldwater
27 Doctor's Orders--Carol Douglas
28 Movin' On--Bad Company
29 You Beat Me to the Punch--Charity Brown
30 Judy Played the Jukebox--The Crescent Street Stompers

Winnipeg's Top 30 (CKRC)
1 Black Water--The Doobie Brothers (2nd week at #1)
2 Have You Never Been Mellow--Olivia Newton-John
3 My Eyes Adored You--Frankie Valli
4 Roll on Down the Highway--Bachman-Turner Overdrive
5 Mandy--Barry Manilow
6 Changes--David Bowie
7 Best of My Love--The Eagles
8 Lady Marmalade--LaBelle
9 Please Mr. Postman--Carpenters
10 Bungle in the Jungle--Jethro Tull
11 Morning Side of the Mountain--Donny and Marie Osmond
12 Fire--Ohip Players
13 Don't Call Us, We'll Call You--Sugarloaf/Jerry Corbetta
14 Poetry Man--Phoebe Snow
15 You Beat Me to the Punch--Charity Brown
16 Lady--Styx
17 Some Kind of Wonderful--Grand Funk
18 Doctor's Orders--Carol Douglas
19 Pick Up the Pieces--AWB
20 No No Song--Ringo Starr
21 Mother Earth--Ian Thomas
22 Can You Give it All to Me--Myles and Lenny
23 (Make Me Do) Anything You Want--A Foot in Coldwater
24 Powerful People--Gino Vannelli
25 You're No Good--Linda Ronstadt
26 Up in a Puff of Smoke--Polly Brown
27 Never Can Say Goodbye--Gloria Gaynor
28 (Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song--B.J. Thomas
29 I Can Dance--Shooter
30 Sad Sweet Dreamer--Sweet Sensation

At the movies
At Long Last Love, directed by Peter Bogdanovich and starring Burt Reynolds, Cybill Shepherd, Madelina Kahn, and Duilio Del Prete, opened in theatres.

Americana
The American Revolution Bicentennial observance of the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence officially began, 16 months and 3 days before the actual anniversary.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): You're My Heart, You're My Soul--Modern Talking

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): I Want To Know What Love Is--Foreigner (6th week at #1)

At the movies
The Purple Rose of Cairo, written and directed by Woody Allen, and starring Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, and Danny Aiello, opened in theatres in New York City, Los Angeles, and Toronto.



Hockey
NHL
Los Angeles 5 Edmonton 4

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (6th week at #1)

Edmonton's Top 10 (CFRN)
1 Opposites Attract--Paula Abdul (Duet with Wild Pair)
2 Dangerous--Roxette
3 Two to Make it Right--Seduction
4 Let Your Backbone Slide--Maestro Fresh-Wes
5 Back to Life--Soul II Soul
6 All or Nothing--Milli Vanilli
7 Get Up (Before the Night is Over)--Technotronic
8 I Go to Extremes--Billy Joel
9 Principal's Office--Young MC
10 Escapade--Janet Jackson

Weather
It was 66 F. in Edmonton, warm enough for this blogger to wear shorts.

Crime
The United States Secret Service raided the offices of Steve Jackson Games, Inc. in Austin, Texas, seizing, among other things, the master copy of GURPS Cyberpunk, a genre toolkit for cyberpunk games, written by Loyd Blankenship, an employee of the company. The Secret Service believed that Mr. Blankenship had illegally accessed Bell South systems, and uploaded a document possibly affecting 9-1-1 systems onto Steve Jackson Games' public bulletin board system. The Secret Service also believed that GURPS Cyberpunk would help others commit computer crimes. Steve Jackson Games sued the Secret Service for damages arising from lost revenue, and helped to found the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Law
The new Official Secrets Act went into effect in the U.K., making it an offense for any member, or former member, of the security services to disclose official information about their work. It was also an offense for a journalist to repeat any such disclosures.

Football
NFL
Agreeing to television deals that eventually furnished the league about $3.3 billion over the next four years ($30 million per team each year), the National Football League added two wild-card teams to its playoff format, introducing another round of playoff games and extending the season from the first week of September to the last week of January.

20 years ago
1995

Died on this date
Georges J. F. Köhler, 48. West German biologist. Dr. Köhler shared the 1984 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Niels Jerne of Denmark and César Milstein of the United Kingdom "for theories concerning the specificity in development and control of the immune system and the discovery of the principle for production of monoclonal antibodies."

Politics and government
Polish Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak resigned from parliament and was replaced by ex-communist Józef Oleksy.

Business
The Internet corporation Yahoo! was incorporated.

For the second time in the 1990s, the Canadian real estate developer Bramalea Inc. sought court protection from its creditors.

10 years ago
2005

Law
The United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4, in Roper v. Simmons, that the execution of juveniles found guilty of murder was unconstitutional, marking a change in "national standards." The decision overturned the previous ruling of Stanford v. Kentucky (1989).