March 24, 2015

250 years ago
1765

Law
The Kingdom of Great Britain passed the Quartering Act, which required the thirteen American Colonies to house British troops.

150 years ago
1865

Politics and government
Canadian politicians John A. Macdonald, George-Etienne Cartier, George Brown, and Alexander Tilloch Galt left Quebec City for London, England to discuss the union of the British North American provinces.

130 years ago
1885

War
In the Sino-French War, Chinese forces won a victory in the Battle of Bang Bo on the Tonkin–Guangxi border.

125 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Agnes Macphail. Canadian politician. Miss Macphail, as a member of te Progressive Party, became the first woman to be elected to the Canadian House of Commons, where she sat as the MP for the Ontario riding of Grey Southeast from 1921-1940. She was a member of the Ginger Group that split from the Progressive Party and formed the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. In 1935 Miss Macphail ran as a candidate for the United Farmers of Ontario-Labour Party in the new riding of Grey-Bruce and was re-elected to the House of Commons. She was defeated in the federal election of 1940 and in a subsequent by-election. Miss Macphail then entered provincial politics, running for the CCF in the 1943 Ontario provincial election. She and fellow CCF candidate Rae Luckock were both elected, and became the first female Members of the Provincial Parliament in Ontario. Miss Macphail was defeated in 1945, re-elected in 1948, and defeated in 1951. She died on February 13, 1954 at the age of 63.

100 years ago
1915

Born on this date
George Wagner. U.S. wrestler. Mr.Wagner, better known as Gorgeous George, was the most popular professional wrestler in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s. His outrageous antics and effeminate appearance in the ring were credited with inspiring huge increases in the sales of television sets during this period. Promoter Al Oeming brought Mr. Wagner--who had his name legally changed to Gorgeous George in 1950--to Edmonton in 1949 for an appearance at the Edmonton Arena, although the city was still five years away from having its first television station. Gorgeous George wrestled until December 1962, but heavy drinking and business setbacks took their toll on him. In 1963 he was living in a flophouse on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, and he died in hospital on December 26, 1963 at the age of 48 after suffering a heart attack. Gorgeous George had a tremendous influence on popular culture, including the public personas of boxer Muhammad Ali and singer James Brown, and even the music career of Bob Dylan. The biography Gorgeous George: The Outrageous Bad-Boy Wrestler Who Created American Pop Culture (2008) by John Capouya is well worth reading.

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Finals
Ottawa Senators (NHA) 3 @ Vancouver Millionaires (PCHA) 8 (Vancouver led best-of-five series 2-0)

Barney Stanley scored 3 goals in the 2nd period as the Millionaires beat the Senators at Denman Arena in a game played under National Hockey Association rules.

80 years ago
1935

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Louis Hector and Leigh Lovell, on NBC

75 years ago
1940

Died on this date
Édouard Branly, 95. French inventor. Mr. Branly invented the coherer, which enabled Guglielmo Marconi to develop wireless telegraphy.

War
The New South Wales Labour Party voted against any Australian participation in an overseas war. German troops observed Easter by dropping flowers inside French lines.

Protest
The Indian Moslem League, meeting in Lahore, challenged the United Kingdom to provide equal treatment for Arabs in Palestine.

Society
U.S. Senator Thomas Connally (Democrat--Texas) indicated that he would lead a Southern filibuster against the Gavagan anti-lynching bill when debate opened on the Senate floor.

Religion
Pope Pius XII, in his Easter message, denounced treaty violations and lack of human concern by nations at war.

Science
The American Chemical Society awarded the Eli Lilly & Company prize to Dr. Eric Glendinning of Johns Hopkins University for research in the hormone adrenalin and vitamins.

Economics and finance
Guaranty Trust Company of New York reported that the effects of the European war would cause readjustments in the world's economic order, rather than expansion.

70 years ago
1945

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Rum and Coca-Cola--The Andrews Sisters with Vic Schoen and his Orchestra (Best Seller--7th week at #1; Juke Box--7th week at #1); Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive--Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and his Orchestra (Airplay--2nd week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--1st week at #1)

Died on this date
Jeff Nicklin, 30 (?). Canadian football player. Mr. Nicklin was an end with the Winnipeg Rugby Football Club/Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1934-1940. He was a member of Winnipeg's first two Grey Cup championship teams in 1935 and 1939, and made the Western Interprovincial Football Union all-star team from 1937-1939. He joined the Canadian Army during World War II and became commander of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in November 1944. Lieutenant-Colonel Nicklin was killed when his parachute became entangled in a tree near Wesel as part of Operation Varsity, and a German soldier shot him as he was trying to get loose. In 1946, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion donated the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy, presented to the WIFU player judged to be the most valuable to his team in each season. From 1973 on, the trophy has been presented to the Most Outstanding Player in the West Division of the Canadian Football League.

War
The U.S. State Department reiterated that the United States was "definitely committed to the policy of unconditional surrender" of both Germany and Japan. Canadian Army Corporal Fred Topham earned the Victoria Cross for bravery as Canadian paratroopers and air support helped the Army cross the Rhine River in Operation Varsity, beginning the liberation of the Netherlands, with Canadian, British, and American troops establishing beachheads on the east bank of the Rhine between Rees and Duisburg. A new Soviet offensive in western Hungary gained 43 miles along a 62-mile front, placing Soviet troops only 40 miles from Austria. Japanese Prime Minister Kuniaki Koiso called on the nation's "100,000,000 people" to join a volunteer army ordered established by the cabinet. U.S. forces in the Philippines captured Nagulian and its airport, 12 miles northwest of Baguio, against light Japanese opposition.

Diplomacy
The Spanish government of Generalissimo Francisco Franco ordered is diplomats to stop representing Japanese interests in countries with which Japan had not had diplomatic relations because of World War II.

Archaeology
Reports from Cairo said that archaeologists had located the sacred city of Heliopolis, an Egyptian capital that had been obliterated over 6,000 years earlier.

Politics and government
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Wallace Harrison to head the Office of Inter-American Affairs.

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt named Jonathan Daniels as White House secretary in charge of press relations to replace Stephen Early, who was expected to return to employment in the private sector.

Economics and finance
The U.S.S.R. reported the enactment two days earlier of a new agrarian reform law in Romania for expropriation of properties of absentees, traitors, and Germans, and division among peasants of estates of more than 50 hectares.

The United States Senate-House of Representatives conference voted for a job bill compromise that would vest in Office of War Mobilization Director James Byrnes power to use any government agencies to administer the act.

60 years ago
1955

Theatre
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams, and starring Barbara Bel Geddes, Ben Gazzara, Burl Ives, Mildred Dunnock, and Pat Hingle, opened at the Morosco Theatre on Broadway in New York.

50 years ago
1965

Space
The U.S. probe Ranger 9, equipped to convert its signals into a form suitable for showing on domestic television, broadcast images of the Moon into ordinary homes before crash landing, three days after launch.



Adventure
U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy reached the top of Mount Kennedy in British Columbia's Coast Mountains, a mountain named by the Canadian government in honour of the Senator's late brother, U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Senator Kennedy became the first person to scale the highest unclimbed mountain in North America.

40 years ago
1975

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Please Mr. Postman--Carpenters (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): 22-sai no Wakare--Kaze (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Todo El Tiempo Del Mundo--Manolo Otero (14th week at #1)

Canadiana
Parliament passed an act making the beaver the official symbol of Canada.

Weather
Thunder Bay had one of Ontario's greatest one-day snowfalls, with 44.5 inches (102 centimetres).

Boxing
Muhammad Ali (46-2) retained his world heavyweight title with a technical knockout of Chuck Wepner (30-10-2) with just 19 seconds remaining in the 15th and final round at Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio. Mr. Wepner knocked Mr. Ali down in the 9th round. On the undercard, Larry Holmes (11-0) knocked out Charley Green (13-15) in the 1st round of a scheduled 8-round heavyweight bout.



Baseball
The Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates split a spring training doubleheader before 1,635 fans in Bradenton, Florida. In the first game, Richie Zisk hit a home run and single, batting in 5 runs, and Dave Parker batted 4 for 4 with 2 doubles and a triple as the Pirates won 8-2 in 7 innings. Bob Moose pitched 5 innings and was credited with the win, while losing pitcher Wilbur Wood pitched all 6 innings for Chicago, allowing 14 hits and 8 runs--7 earned. In the second game, the White Sox scored 8 runs in the 4th inning and 2 runs in each of 4 other innings as they won 16-4 in 9 innings. Steve Blass, a World Series star with the Pirates in 1971 and one of the best pitchers in baseball in 1972 before mysteriously losing his control in 1973, started on the mound for the Pirates. After surviving the first 3 innings, he completely lost his control in the 4th, and was unable to get the third out. Pittsburgh manager Danny Murtaugh finally pulled Mr. Blass after he walked 8 consecutive batters. In 3 2/3 innings, Mr. Blass allowed 4 hits, 10 runs--9 earned--with 11 bases on balls and 2 strikeouts. It was the final game for Mr. Blass, as the Pirates placed him on waivers three days later for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. Roger Nelson, who had begun his major league career with the White Sox in 1967, was the starting pitcher for Chicago, and it turned out to be the final game for him in a White Sox uniform. He allowed 4 hits and 1 run--earned--in 2 innings, and was released the following day. Cecil Upshaw, the second of three White Sox pitchers, pitched 4 innings and was credited with the win.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, down 5-0 after 3 innings, erupted for 4 runs in the 4th, 2 in the 5th, and 5 in the 6th as they held on to defeat the Boston Red Sox 13-12 in spring training game before 2,658 fans in West Haven, Florida. Los Angeles third baseman Ron Cey drove in 7 runs with a 3-run home run in the 4th and a grand slam in the 6th. Left fielder Tom Paciorek added 2 triples and a single and 3 runs batted in. Boston left fielder Fred Lynn homered and singled and had 3 RBIs, while second baseman Kim Andrew singled and doubled and drove in 3 runs, and designated hitter Tony Conigliaro, attempting a comeback after four years out of baseball, tripled and scored 2 runs.

Jim Barr pitched 7 innings for the win and hit a single and an inside-the-park grand slam as the San Francisco Giants routed the San Diego Padres 15-3 in a spring training game before 1,615 fans in Phoenix. San Francisco third baseman Steve Ontiveros batted 4 for 5 with a triple, 3 runs, and 3 runs batted in, and center fielder Garry Maddox and first baseman Gary Thomasson each added 3 hits.

Ron LeFlore tripled off Tippy Martinez to lead off the bottom of the 10th inning and scored on a wild relay throw by shortstop Fred Stanley as the Detroit Tigers edged the New York Yankees 6-5 in a spring training game before 5,328 fans in Lakeland, Florida. New York first baseman Bob Oliver batted 4 for 5, and third baseman Graig Nettles batted 3 for 5 with 2 runs batted in.

The Atlanta Braves scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning and coasted to a 4-2 win over the Montreal Expos in a spring training game before 4,328 fans in West Palm Beach, Florida. Ron Reed allowed just 3 hits and 1 run--earned--in 7 innings to get the win, while Montreal starting pitcher Dave McNally allowed 7 hits and 4 runs--all earned--in 6 innings to take the loss.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Solid--Ashford & Simpson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Square Rooms--Al Corley (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: You're My Heart, You're My Soul--Modern Talking (3rd week at #1)

On the radio
The Stories of Sherlock Holmes, starring Graham Armitage and Kerry Jordan, on Springbok Radio
Tonight's episode: A Hollow Victory

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Vattene Amore--Amedeo Minghi; Mietta (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Enjoy the Silence--Depeche Mode

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Le temps des Yéyés--Les Vagabonds

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Dub Be Good to Me--Beats International (4th week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (6th week at #1)
2 Daar Gaat Ze--Clouseau
3 How am I Supposed to Live Without You--Michael Bolton
4 Sacrifice--Elton John
5 Opposites Attract--Paula Abdul
6 Live Together (New Version)--Lisa Stansfield
7 The Healer--John Lee Hooker featuring Carlos Santana & the Santana Band
8 Jij Daar!--Petra & Co
9 Here I Am (Come and Take Me)--UB40
10 King Kong Five--Mano Negra

Singles entering the chart were Dub Be Good to Me by Beats International (#23); Walk on By by Sybil (#30); Diamante by Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari (#32); Infinity (1990's... Time for the Guru) by Guru Josh (#35); Happenin' All Over Again by Lonnie Gordon (#38); and I Don't Know Anybody Else by Black Box (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Black Velvet--Alannah Myles
2 Love Will Lead You Back--Taylor Dayne
3 Escapade--Janet Jackson
4 Roam--The B-52s
5 I Wish it Would Rain Down--Phil Collins
6 I'll Be Your Everything--Tommy Page
7 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
8 I Go to Extremes--Billy Joel
9 Keep it Together--Madonna
10 Get Up! (Before the Night is Over)--Technotronic

Singles entering the chart were This Old Heart of Mine by Rod Stewart with Ronald Isley (#62); Hurting Kind (I've Got My Eyes on You) by Robert Plant (#88); I Come Off by Young M.C. (#90); You Can't Get Away by Shana (#92); I'll See You in My Dreams by Giant (#93); Precious Love by Jody Watley (#94); and Cuts You Up by Peter Murphy (#95).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Escapade--Janet Jackson (3rd week at #1)
2 Black Velvet--Alannah Myles
3 Roam--The B-52's
4 Price of Love--Bad English
5 I Wish it Would Rain Down--Phil Collins
6 I Go to Extremes--Billy Joel
7 No More Lies--Michel'le
8 C'mon and Get My Love--D Mob introducing Cathy Dennis
9 We Can't Go Wrong--Cover Girls
10 Just a Friend--Biz Markie

Singles entering the chart were This Old Heart of Mine by Rod Stewart with Ronald Isley (#63); Precious Love by Jody Watley (#66); Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor (#69); Hurting Kind (I’ve Got My Eyes On You) by Robert Plant (#72); Hold On by Wilson Phillips (#79); The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground (#83); and House of Broken Love by Great White (#85).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 I Wish it Would Rain Down--Phil Collins
2 Escapade--Janet Jackson
3 I Go to Extremes--Billy Joel
4 Opposites Attract--Paula Abdul (Duet with the Wild Pair)
5 Roam--The B-52's
6 Dangerous--Roxette
7 Price of Love--Bad English
8 No Myth--Michael Penn
9 Lover of Mine--Alannah Myles
10 Love Will Lead You Back--Taylor Dayne

Singles entering the chart were Without You by Motley Crue (#69); Hurting Kind (I’ve Got My Eyes On You) by Robert Plant (#83); Sweet Talk by Lee Aaron (#86); You're the Only Woman by Brat Pack (#91); Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning by Cowboy Junkies (#93); and Advice for the Young at Heart by Tears for Fears (#95).

Died on this date
Ray Goulding, 68. U.S. comedian. Mr. Goulding was half of the comedy duo Bob and Ray, who were popular on American radio from 1946-1987. Mr. Goulding died four days after his 68th birthday.

Hockey
NHL
Toronto 4 @ Quebec 3 (OT)

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Think Twice--Celine Dion

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Don't Stop (Wiggle Wiggle)--The Outhere Brothers

10 years ago
2005

Abominations
The U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal from the parents of Florida resident Terri Schiavo to have a feeding tube reinserted into the severely brain-damaged woman.