April 21, 2015

400 years ago
1615

Technology
The Wignacourt Aqueduct was inaugurated in Malta.

225 years ago
1790

Born on this date
Manuel Blanco Encalada. 1st President of Chile, 1826. Vice-Admiral Blanco Encalada served in the Chilean War of Independence, and was elected President of the Republic in 1826. He took office on July 9, 1826 and resigned exactly two months later after disputes with Congress. Vice-Admiral Blanco Encalada died on September 5, 1876 at the age of 86.

100 years ago
1915

Born on this date
Anthony Quinn. Mexican-born U.S. actor. Mr. Quinn, born Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca, was an actor known for playing "ethnic" characters. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Viva Zapata! (1952) and Lust for Life (1956). Mr. Quinn died on June 3, 2001 at the age of 86.

Garrett Hardin. U.S. ecologist. Dr. Hardin warned of the dangers of overpopulation, and advocated programs to reduce population, such as abortion and forced sterilization. His views on relieving human suffering were about the same as those of Ebenezer Scrooge. Typical of the hypocrisy of so many people who advocate population control, he and his wife Jane had four children. Dr. Hardin devised Hardin's First Law of Human Ecology: "You cannot do only one thing", declaring the interconnectedness of every action. Dr. and Mrs. Hardin were members of End-of-Life Choices, formerly known as the Hemlock Society. He was 88 and suffering from a heart disorder and Mrs. Hardin, 81, had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, when they committed suicide together in their home in Santa Barbara, California on September 14, 2003, shortly after their 62nd wedding anniversary.

90 years ago
1925

Politics and government
The Manifesto of the Fascist Intellectuals was published in Il Mondo, establishing the political and ideological foundations of Italian Fascism.

80 years ago
1935

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

Baseball
First baseman Lou Gehrig was named captain of the New York Yankees, one of the few teams in the major leagues that had resorted to the custom.

Babe Ruth hit his 2nd home run as a member of the Boston Braves, but his 1st-inning home run off Ray Benge was the only scoring the Braves managed as they lost 8-1 to the Brooklyn Dodgers before 20,000 fans at Braves Field.

The Cleveland Indians lost 3-2 to the Detroit Tigers in 13 innings at Navin Field in Detroit. It was the third consecutive extra-inning game for the Indians: they had beaten the Tigers 2-1 in 14 innings in the previous game, and had defeated the St. Louis Browns 2-1 in 14 innings the game before that. The 41 innings in 3 straight games set an American League record.

75 years ago
1940

War
Allied forces landed at Andalsnes, Norway in an effort to prevent the German army in the south from joining units at Trondheim.

World events
Clashes between Hindus and Muslims in the Burmese capital of Rangoon resulted in 11 deaths and 69 injuries.

Politics and government
A Gallup Poll indicated that if the 1940 U.S. Presidential election were held today, the Democratic candidate would capture 31 of 48 states and 317 of 531 electoral votes.

Oren Root, leading a drive to nominate New York lawyer Wendell Willkie as the 1940 Republican Party candidate for President of the United States, claimed to have 35,000 declarations of support for Mr. Willkie.

Business
The United States Justice Department announced that it was dropping antitrust actions against five major typewriter companies because they would sign decrees promising never again to violate antitrust laws.

Labour
United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis called upon his union members to support the LaFollette Oppressive Labor Practices Bill.

Football
APFA
George Heitzler was elected president of the new American Professional Football Association.

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--3rd week at #1; Airplay--3rd week at #1; Juke Box--1st week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Walter Model, 54. German military officer. Generalfeldmarschall Model was known as the Third Reich's best defensive commander, achieving relative success with the Ninth Army in the eastern Front retreats of 1941-1942. His forces experienced failure during the Battle of Bulge (1944-1945), and Fuehrer Adolf Hitler then limited Generalfeldmarschall Model's operational freedom. In early April 1945, with his forces surrounded in the Ruhr pocket by the U.S. 1st and 9th Armies, Generalfeldmarschall Model disobeyed Mr. Hitler's order to keep fighting, and dissolved Army Group B, discharging the oldest and youngest soldiers from service and giving the others the option of surrendering to the Allies or attempting to break out at their discretion. Generalfeldmarschall Model committed suicide by shooting himself in the head in a forest, after finding out that the Soviets were going to try him for war crimes, and the day after he was denounced by the German Propaganda Ministry as a traitor.

Married on this date
Leopold Stokowski, U.S. orchestra conductor; Gloria Vanderbilt de Cicco, U.S. socialite. The couple were married in Mexico the day after her divorce in Reno, Nevada from Pasquale de Cicco.

War
German radio broadcasts reported that Soviet troops were 3-4 miles inside Berlin's city limits. Soviet forces south of Berlin at Zossen attacked the German High Command headquarters. British troops in Italy captured Bologna. U.S. troops seized Iegusugu Peak on Ie Island, ending organized Japanese resistance there. More than 200 Marianas-based bombers carried out attacks on nine Japanese airfields on Kyushu.

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. and the provisional government of Poland signed a treaty of friendship, mutual assistance, and postwar collaboration.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Detroit 1 @ Toronto 0 (OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

Ed Bruneteau scored the game's only goal at 14:16 of the 1st overtime period to give the Red Wings their win over the Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens as Harry Lumley posted his second straight shutout in winning the goaltending duel over Frank McCool.

60 years ago
1955

Labour
National newspapers in Britain were published for the first time in nearly a month when a strike of 700 maintenance workers ended.

Boxing
Sonny Liston (9-1) knocked Marty Marshall (20-9-2) down at the end of the 5th round and 3 times in the 6th round, scoring a technical knockout in the 6th round of a heavyweight bout at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis. Mr. Liston avenged a loss to Mr. Marshall the previous September.

50 years ago
1965

Died on this date
Edward Victor Appleton, 72. U.K. physicist. Sir Edward was awarded the 1947 Nobel Prize in Physics "for his investigations of the physics of the upper atmosphere especially for the discovery of the so-called Appleton layer."

Americana
The 1964–1965 New York World's Fair opened for its second and final season.

Defense
The United Nations Disarmament Commission convened for the first time since August 1960.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Boston 105 @ Los Angeles 126 (Boston led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Jerry West scored 43 points and Leroy Ellis added 29 as the Lakers defeated the Celtics before 14,243 fans at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Sam Jones led Boston scorers with 35 points.

40 years ago
1975

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): The Newcastle Song--Bob Hudson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Waga Yoki Tomoyo--Hiroshi Kamayatsu (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Todo El Tiempo Del Mundo--Manolo Otero (18th week at #1)

Politics and government
Nguyen Van Thieu resigned as President of South Vietnam after 10 years in office, blaming lasck of military funds promised by the United States.

Hockey
WHA
Avco World Trophy
Quarter-Finals
San Diego 6 @ Toronto 4 (San Diego won best-of-seven series 4-2)

Basketball
ABA
Semi-Finals
St. Louis 109 @ Kentucky 112 (Kentucky led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Louie Dampier scored 27 points and Artis Gilmore 26 as the Colonels beat the Spirits before 6,612 fans at Freedom Hall in Louisville. Freddie Lewis of St. Louis led all scorers with 35 points and Marvin Barnes added 26 points for the Spirits.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): We are the World--USA for Africa

#1 single in France (SNEP): Johnny, Johnny--Jeanne Mas (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)--Dead or Alive (2nd week at #1)

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

Died on this date
Foster Hewitt, 82. Canadian sportscaster. Mr. Hewitt was the most famous sportscaster in Canadian history, as the best-known play-by-play voice of hockey--especially for games of the Toronto Maple Leafs--for more than 40 years after calling his first game in 1923. He was famous for the phrase, "He shoots! He scores!"

Tancredo Neves, 75. Prime Minister of Brazil, 1961-1962; President-elect of Brazil, 1985. Mr. Neves was a member of several political parties and held several cabinet posts. He was elected President on January 15, 1985, but took ill and died before he could take office.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Quebec 4 @ Montreal 6 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
New York Islanders 2 @ Philadelphia 5 (Philadelphia led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Minnesota 2 @ Chicago 6 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Opposites Attract--Paula Abdul (Duet with the Wild Pair)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Vattene Amore--Amedeo Minghi; Mietta (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Enjoy the Silence--Depeche Mode (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Le temps des Yéyés--Les Vagabonds (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Vogue--Madonna (2nd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 The Power--Snap! (2nd week at #1)
2 Dub Be Good to Me--Beats International
3 Infinity (1990's... Time for the Guru)--Guru Josh
4 Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor
5 Oh Pretty Woman--Gary Moore featuring Albert King
6 Vogue--Madonna
7 This Beat is Technotronic--Technotronic featuring MC Eric
8 Enjoy the Silence--Depeche Mode
9 What "U" Waitin'....."4"?--Jungle Brothers
10 Daar Gaat Ze--Clouseau

Singles entering the chart were Oranje Bovenaan by André Hazes (#29); The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite) by Quincy Jones featuring Al B. Sure!, James Ingram, El DeBarge & Barry White (#30); Mélodie D'Amour by Kaoma (#31); Yo-Yo (Ten Years Ago) by Plaza (#32); Jump on the Floor by Black Kiss featuring Cherita (#35); and Ik Wil Je by De Kreuners (#36).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor
2 Don't Wanna Fall in Love--Jane Child
3 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
4 I Wanna Be Rich--Calloway
5 I'll Be Your Everything--Tommy Page
6 Here and Now--Luther Vandross
7 How Can We Be Lovers--Michael Bolton
8 Forever--Kiss
9 Without You--Motley Crue
10 Whole Wide World--A'me Lorain

Singles entering the chart were Deadbeat Club by the B-52's (#84); Coming of Age by Damn Yankees (#85); Turtle Power by Partners in Kryme (#89); Drag My Bad Name Down by 4 of Us (#92); and Pictures of You by the Cure (#94). Turtle Power was from the movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990).

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

Singles entering the chart were Ooh La La (I Can’t Get Over You) by Perfect Gentlemen (#53); Deadbeat Club by the B-52's (#55); Drag My Bad Name Down by 4 of Us (#62); Spin That Wheel by Hi Tek 3 featuring Ya Kid K (#75); Get a Life by Soul II Soul (#80); Dub Be Good to Me by Beats International (#82); and Nicety by Michel'le (#88).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 I Wish it Would Rain Down--Phil Collins (5th week at #1)
2 Love Will Lead You Back--Taylor Dayne
3 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
4 Lover of Mine--Alannah Myles
5 I’ll Be Your Everything--Tommy Page
6 Nothing Compares to U--Sinead O’Connor
7 The Heart of the Matter--Don Henley
8 Blue Sky Mine--Midnight Oil
9 Every Little Tear--Paul Janz
10 Get Up! (Before the Night is Over)--Technotronic

Singles entering the chart were Vogue by Madonna (#71); Love Child by Sweet Sensation (#73); Honest Man by the Partland Brothers (#75); Room at the Top by Adam Ant (#78); Paper Walls by Watertown (#81); Lost Lovers Found by Kim Mitchell (#84); Whip Appeal by Babyface (#87); Love Me for Life by Stevie B (#89); Not Even Close by Tim Finn (#91); This and That by Michael Penn (#93); and Children of the Night by Richard Marx (#95).

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Montreal 4 @ Boston 5 (OT) (Boston led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Washington 6 @ New York Rangers 3 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Baseball
The Cincinnati Reds improved their record to 9-0, the best start in their history, with an 8-1 win over the Atlanta Braves before 24,091 fans at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Se på mej--Jan Johansen

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Key to My Life--Boyzone

Terrorism
Timothy McVeigh and brothers Terry and James Nichols were arrested in connection with the April 19 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, which had killed 169 people.

Basketball
NBA
New York 99 @ Boston 92

Hubert Davis came off the bench to lead the Knickerbockers with 20 points as they beat the Celtics before 14,890 fans in the Celtics' final regular season game at Boston Garden, their home since 1946. Soon afterward, the Garden was razed and replaced by the Fleet Center next door. Dee Brown and Sherman Douglas each scored 22 points for the Celtics.