April 14, 2015

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Laura O’Leary!

300 years ago
1715

War
The Yamasee War between British colonial settlers and various American Indian tribes began in South Carolina.

240 years ago
1775

Society
Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush established the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage--North America's first abolitionist organization--in Philadelphia.

150 years ago
1865

Crime
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was attending the play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington when he was shot and mortally wounded by John Wilkes Booth (see also here and here). A co-conspirator, Lewis Powell, alias Lewis Payne, attacked U.S. Secretary of State William Seward in Mr. Seward's home, but Mr. Seward survived the assassination attempt.

125 years ago
1890

Diplomacy
The Pan-American Union was founded by the First International Conference of American States in Washington, D.C.

90 years ago
1925

Died on this date
John Singer Sargent, 69. Italian-born U.S. artist. Mr. Sargent was regarded as the leading portrait painter of his generation. He created about 900 oil paintings and more than 2,000 watercolours, as well as countless sketches and charcoal drawings.

Konstantin Georgiev. Bulgarian military officer. General Georgiev was assassinated in Sofia in an assault by Communists.

80 years ago
1935

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

Disasters
The "Black Sunday Storm", the worst dust storm of the U.S. Dust Bowl, displaced an estimated 300 million tons of topsoil, striking hardest in Texas and Oklahoma.

75 years ago
1940

War
British Royal Marines landed in Namsos, Norway, north of Trondheim, initiating a two-pronged attack in preparation for a larger force to arrive two days later. Because of Germany's quick success in invading and occupying Norway, U.S. defense officials were reportedly concerned about the U.K.'s ability to defend the Atlantic Ocean. Reports from Tokyo claimed that Japan would use force to prevent the Netherlands East Indies from falling into the hands for a third power.

Politics and government
Kenneth Simpson, Republican Party national committeeman from New York, said that he would fight to keep his position in the face of the challenge posed by supporters of New York City District Attorney Thomas Dewey as the party's 1940 candidate for President of the United States, and would campaign statewide himself.

Baseball
In the longest game ever played at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, Carlos Bernier hit a home run in the 18th inning to give the Hollywood Stars a 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels in a Pacific Coast League game.

70 years ago
1945

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): My Dreams are Getting Better All the Time--Les Brown and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Doris Day) (Best Seller--2nd week at #1; Airplay--2nd week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--3rd week at #1); I'm Beginning to See the Light--Harry James and his Orchestra (vocal choirus by Kitty Kallen) (Airplay--1st week at #1); Rum and Coca-Cola--The Andrews Sisters with Vic Schoen and his Orchestra (Juke Box--10th week at #1)

War
The Canadian Army attacked and razed the German town of Friesoythe, and occupied Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands, completing liberation of the low countries. German reports placed American forces only 21 miles from Berlin. Soviet forces in Austria advanced to a point 63 miles from Linz. The Croatian city of Osijek was liberated from fascist occupation. Polish troops fighting alongside British troops in Italy captured Imola, 20 miles southeast of Bologna. U.S. superfortresses dropped thousands of incendiary bombs on Tokyo, starting in large fires, including some within the Imperial Palace.

Diplomacy
Soviet dictator Josef Stalin named Foreign Affairs Commissar Vyacheslav Molotov as the U.S.S.R.'s representative to the San Francisco Conference to found the United Nations.

Defense
The United States Army authorized a $200-million cutback in artillery orders, which would affect 75 plants.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Detroit 5 @ Toronto 3 (Toronto led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Ted Lindsay scored at 3:20 of the 3rd period to break a 3-3 tie as the Red Wings averted elimination by the Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens. Ted Kennedy scored all 3 Toronto goals.

60 years ago
1955

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Montreal 1 @ Detroit 3 (Detroit won best-of-seven series 4-3)

Gordie Howe's goal with 11 seconds remaining in the 2nd period proved to be the winner as the Red Wings defeated the Canadiens at Olympia Stadium for their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship, and their last for 42 years.

50 years ago
1965

At the movies
The Satan Bug, starring George Maharis, Richard Basehart, Anne Francis, and Dana Andrews, opened in theatres.

Beach Blanket Bingo, starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, opened in theatres.

Died on this date
Perry Smith, 36; Richard Hickock, 33. U.S. criminals. Messrs. Smith and Hickok were hanged at Kansas State Prison in Lansing, Kansas for the November 15, 1959 murders of four members of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas. The murders inspired Truman Capote's book In Cold Blood (1966) and the subsequent movie (1967).

Diplomacy
British Prime Minister Harold Wilson arrived in Washington for two days of talks with U.S. officials.

40 years ago
1975

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): The Newcastle Song--Bob Hudson

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Waga Yoki Tomoyo--Hiroshi Kamayatsu (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Todo El Tiempo Del Mundo--Manolo Otero (17th week at #1)

Died on this date
Fredric March, 77. U.S. actor. Mr. March, born Ernest Frederick McIntyre Bickel, won the Academy Award for Best Actor for 1931-1932 for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)(sharing the award with Wallace Beery, who won for The Champ (1931)), and won again for Best Actor for The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). He won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play for Years Ago (1946) and again for Long Day's Journey Into Night (1956). Mr. March remains the only person to win the Academy Award and Tony Award twice.

Law
The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that divorced women could sue their former husbands for damages.

Society
The Ontario Royal Commission on Violence in the Communications Industry, chaired by former federal cabinet minister Judy LaMarsh, began two years of work.

Hockey
WHA
Avco World Trophy
Quarter-Finals
San Diego 2 @ Toronto 5 (San Diego led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Lou Nistico scored 2 goals and an assist and Wayne Dillon added a goal and an assist as the Toros defeated the Mariners before 9,135 fans at Maple Leaf Gardens. Norm Ferguson scored both San Diego goals.

Basketball
NBA
Playoffs
Conference Semi-Finals
Houston 106 @ Boston 123 (Boston led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Seattle 96 @ Golden State 123 (Golden State led best-of-seven series 1-0)

John Havlicek scored 30 points and Jo Jo White added 24 as the Celtics beat the Rockets before 15,320 fans at Boston Garden in their first playoff game of 1975. Rudy Tomjanovich led the Rockets with 30 points.

Rick Barry scored 39 points to lead the Warriors over the SuperSonics before 12,279 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena in their first playoff game of 1975.

ABA
Playoffs
First Round
Indiana 117 @ San Antonio 123 (Indiana led best-of-seven series 3-2
Denver 115 @ Utah 113 (Denver won best-of-seven series 4-2)

George Gervin scored 42 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, while James Silas scored 39 points and amassed a club record-tying 13 assists as the Spurs beat the Pacers before 10,986 fans at Convention Center Arena. Indiana's George McGinnis scored 40 points--including 3 three-point field goals--and grabbed 14 rebounds, while teammate Billy Knight scored 35 points.

Bobby Jones sank 2 free throws with 10 seconds remaining in regulation time to clinch the Nuggets' win over the Stars before 8,448 fans at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City. Mr. Jones' free throws came 5 seconds after Utah's Ron Boone missed a layup that would have tied the game. Ralph Simpson led Denver with 28 points, while Mr. Boone led all scorers with 33 points and teammate Moses Malone added 32.

Baseball
Greg Luzinski hit a 3-run home run with 2 out in the bottom of the 8th inning to tie the score and Mike Schmidt led off the 9th with a homer off Jerry Cram to win the game as the Philadelphia Phillies came from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the New York Mets 4-3 before 10,626 fans at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. New York starting pitcher Randy Tate, making his major league debut, had a shutout going for 7 2/3 innings until Mr. Luzinski's blast. Mr. Tate batted 0 for 3, but scored a run; he was removed for a pinch hitter in the top of the 9th, leading to Mr. Cram's entry into the game.

Ron Cey and Jim Wynn hit home runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-2 before 45,502 fans at Dodger Stadium.

The San Diego Padres scored a run in each of the 1st, 6th, and 8th innings as they defeated the San Francisco Giants 3-1 before only 987 fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, the second-smallest crowd for a Giants' game since the park's opening in 1960. Sonny Siebert allowed 3 hits in 5 1/3 innings to get the win over Jim Barr. Gary Matthews led off the 9th inning with a home run off Bill Greif for the only San Francisco run.

The Spokane Indians and Sacramento Solons combined for 32 hits as the Indians won 16-5 in a Pacific Coast League game at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento. Tommy Cruz led the Indians with 4 hits, including a grand slam, while teammates Greg Pryor and Ken Pape also hit home runs. Tommie Reynolds and Bob Hansen homered for the Solons.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Shout--Tears for Fears (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Square Rooms--Al Corley (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)--Dead or Alive

Died on this date
Robin Henry, 68. Canadian engineer. A graduate of Carnegie Tech University in Pittsburgh, Mr. Henry spent many years with Schlumberger Oil. He was this blogger’s uncle.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
Boston 7 Montreal 6 (Best-of-five series tied 2-2)
Winnipeg 5 Calgary 3 (Winnipeg won best-of-five series 3-1)

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Vattene Amore--Amedeo Minghi; Mietta (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Enjoy the Silence--Depeche Mode (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Le temps des Yéyés--Les Vagabonds (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Vogue--Madonna

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 The Power--Snap!
2 Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor
3 Dub Be Good to Me--Beats International
4 Daar Gaat Ze--Clouseau
5 Infinity (1990's... Time for the Guru)--Guru Josh
6 How am I Supposed to Live Without You--Michael Bolton
7 Oh Pretty Woman--Gary Moore featuring Albert King
8 Enjoy the Silence--Depeche Mode
9 Fortune Fairytales--Loïs Lane
10 The Healer--John Lee Hooker featuring Carlos Santana & the Santana Band

Singles entering the chart were Vogue by Madonna (#17); Kingston Town by UB40 (#28); The Brits 1990 - Dance Medley by the Brits (#29); The Beat is Technotronic by MC B. featuring Daisy Dee (#30); Save Me by Fleetwood Mac (#31); Bloedend Hart - Live by De Dijk (#36); and Blauwe Plekken by Herman Van Veen (#37).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 I'll Be Your Everything--Tommy Page
2 Don't Wanna Fall in Love--Jane Child
3 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
4 Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor
5 Love Will Lead You Back--Taylor Dayne
6 I Wanna Be Rich--Calloway
7 Here and Now--Luther Vandross
8 Get Up! (Before the Night is Over)--Technotronic
9 Forever--Kiss
10 Black Velvet--Alannah Myles

Singles entering the chart were Baby, it's Tonight by Jude Cole (#74); Heaven is a 4 Letter Word by Bad English (#80); Ooh La La (I Can't Get Over You) by Perfect Gentlemen (#84); Spin That Wheel by Hi Tek 3 featuring Ya Kid K (#92); Get a Life by Soul II Soul (#94); Dub Be Good to Me by Beats International (#95); Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode (#96); and Nicety by Michel'le (#98).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Love Will Lead You Back--Taylor Dayne
2 I’ll Be Your Everything--Tommy Page
3 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
4 I Wish it Would Rain Down--Phil Collins
5 Black Velvet--Alannah Myles
6 Don’t Wanna Fall in Love--Jane Child
7 Nothing Compares to U--Sinead O’Connor
8 Here and Now--Luther Vandross
9 Get Up! (Before the Night is Over)--Technotronic
10 Forever--Kiss

Singles entering the chart were Vogue by Madonna (#42); Poison by Bell Biv DeVoe (#53); Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode (#62); Baby, It's Tonight by Jude Cole (#68); Cruising for Bruising by Basia (#70); Always and Forever by Whistle (#82); All that Glitters Isn't Gold by Cover Girls (#85); You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Jimmy Somerville (#89); and The Ballad of Jayne by L.A. Guns (#90).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 I Wish it Would Rain Down--Phil Collins (4th week at #1)
2 Love Will Lead You Back--Taylor Dayne
3 Escapade--Janet Jackson
4 Lover of Mine--Alannah Myles
5 Every Little Tear--Paul Janz
6 I Go to Extremes--Billy Joel
7 Blue Sky Mine--Midnight Oil
8 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
9 I’ll Be Your Everything--Tommy Page
10 Get Up! (Before the Night is Over)--Technotronic

Singles entering the chart were Alright by Janet Jackson (#77); I Wanna Be Rich by Calloway (#79); I'll See You in My Dreams by Giant (#81); Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode (#83); Baby, It's Tonight by Jude Cole (#85); 7 O'Clock by London Quireboys (#87); Lambada by Kaoma (#91); Cruel Crazy Beautiful World by Johnny Clegg and Savuka (#93); and Monday Morning by Skydiggers (#95).

Died on this date
Olabisi Onabanjo, 63. Nigerian politician. Mr. Onabanjo was Governor of the state of Ogun from 1979-1983.

Thurston Harris, 58. U.S. singer. Mr. Harris was a rhythm and blues singer who was the lead singer for the group that was eventually known as the Rivingtons before embarking on a solo career. His biggest hit was Little Bitty Pretty One, which reached #6 on the Billboard Top 100 singles chart in the fall of 1957. Mr. Harris's other singles included Do What You Did (1958); Over and Over (1958); and Runk Bunk (1959). He died of a heart attack.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
Chicago 3 @ Minnesota 5 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)
Calgary 3 @ Los Angeles 4 (2 OT) (Los Angeles won best-of-seven series 4-2)
Edmonton 4 @ Winnipeg 3 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Think Twice--Celine Dion (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Back for Good--Take That (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Burl Ives, 85. U.S. musician and actor. Mr. Ives was a guitarist, banjoist, and folk singer who achieved popularity on radio and in personal appearances in the 1930s and '40s. He achieved commercial success in recordings, with his hits including The Blue Tail Fly (1947); Lavender Blue (1949); A Little Bitty Tear (1962); and Funny Way of Laughin' (1962). Mr. Ives began appearing in movies in the 1940s; he won an Academy Award for his supporting performance in The Big Country (1958), but probably should have won for playing Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958). Mr. Ives provided his voice for the television animated Christmas special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), which included the song A Holly Jolly Christmas. His re-recording of the song for release as a single in 1965 became an annual staple of radio Christmas playlists. Mr. Ives announced his official retirement on his 80th birthday in 1989, but continued to do occasional benefit performances until 1993.

10 years ago
2005

Died on this date
John Fred, 63. U.S. musician. John Fred Gourrier was the leader of John Fred and his Playboy Band, whose single Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart early in 1968. The subsequent singles Hey, Hey Bunny and Agnes English were less successful, and the band quickly disappeared into obscurity. Mr. Gourrier continued to perform in his native Baton Rouge, Louisiana until his death after a long battle with kidney disease.

Society
The Oregon Supreme Court nullified marriage licenses issued to sodomite and lesbian couples a year earlier by Multnomah County.