April 23, 2015

330 years ago
1685

Britannica
James II was crowned King of England at Westminster.

240 years ago
1775

Born on this date
J.M.W. Turner. U.K. artist. Joseph Mallord William Turner was known for his landscapes and seascapes, many of the latter showing the violence of nature. He left behind more than 550 oil paintings, 2,000 watercolours, and 30,000 works on paper. Mr. Turner died of cholera on December 19, 1851 at the age of 76, after years of declining health.

200 years ago
1815

War
The Second Serbian Uprising began, shortly after the annexation of the country to the Ottoman Empire.

125 years ago
1890

Canadiana
In New Brunswick, the rapidly-growing railway town of Moncton was re-incorporated as the province's third city, while the town of Grand Falls was incorporated.

110 years ago
1905

Died on this date
Joe Jefferson, 76. U.S. actor. Mr. Jefferson was best known for his adaptation of Rip Van Winkle, originating the title role on stage and taking the play on the road for 40 years.

100 years ago
1915

Died on this date
Rupert Brooke, 27. U.K. poet. Mr. Brooke was known for his idealistic sonnets during World War I. He joined the Royal Navy and sailed as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, but died of poisoning from a mosquito bite.

Frederick Fisher, 20. Canadian soldier. During the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium, the Canadian 13th Battalion Quebec Regiment (Royal Highlanders of Canada) moved up reserves to plug a gap in the line. Lance-Corporal Fisher, a native of St. Catharines, Ontario, went forward with his company machine-gun under heavy fire, and covered the retreat of a battery, losing four of his gun team. He then obtained four more men, and moved forward again to the firing line, but was killed while bringing his machine-gun into action under very heavy fire. For his bravery, Cpl. Fisher was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously on June 23, the first Canadian-born man to win the VC while serving in the Canadian Army.

80 years ago
1935

Law
The Polish Constitution of 1935 was adopted.

75 years ago
1940

War
Canadian and French troops in Norway seized the town of Gratangen, 25 miles north of Narvik, from German forces. Egyptian Prime Minister Aly Maher Pasha reaffirmed his country's stand on the Allied side in the European war. Poland and Norway were represented for the first time at the Allied War Council in Paris.

Diplomacy
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Joseph Grew asked the Japanese Foreign Office to alleviate the blockade of Tientsin, China to relieve Americans there.

Defense
The United States and Chile agreed that an American military aviation mission would be sent to Santiago to advise the Chilean air force.

Politics and government
Delegates opposing a third term for Franklin D. Roosevelt as President of the United States gained victories in the Pennsylvania Democratic Party primary.

Law
U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt warned against hasty U.S. defense legislation that would curtail civil liberties.

Disasters
198 people died in a fire at the Rhythm Night Club in Natchez, Mississippi.

70 years ago
1945

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 My Dreams are Getting Better All the Time--Les Brown and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Doris Day) (4th week at #1)
--Johnny Long and his Orchestra and Dick Robertson
--Phil Moore Four
2 Candy--Johnny Mercer, Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and His Orchestra
--Dinah Shore
3 I'm Beginning to See the Light--Harry James and his Orchestra
--Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra
--Ella Fitzgerald and the Ink Spots
4 Dream--The Pied Pipers
--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
5 A Little on the Lonely Side--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
6 Just a Prayer Away--Bing Crosby
--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
7 Sentimental Journey--Les Brown and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Doris Day)
--Hal McIntyre and his Orchestra
8 Rum and Coca-Cola--The Andrews Sisters
--Abe Lyman and his Orchestra
--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
9 Laura--Woody Herman and his Orchestra
--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
10 All of My Life--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Bing Crosby

Singles entering the chart were The Sad Sack by Artie Shaw and the Gramercy Five (#28); On the Sunny Side of the Street by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra (#34); Ol' Man River by Frank Sinatra (#37); Close as Pages in a Book by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra (#38); Bring Another Drink by the King Cole Trio (#39); and I Hope to Die if I Told a Lie, with versions by the Ink Spots and Erskine Hawkins and his Orchestra (#40).

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on MBS
Tonight's episode: The Notorious Canary Trainer

War
The U.S.S.R. reported that Soviet troops had driven further into Berlin, swung north to cross the Havel River, and seized Oranlenburg, Frankfort-on-Oder, and Cottbus. The U.S. 3rd Army plunged south toward Regensburg, its columns reaching to points 13 and 25 miles from the city. U.S. troops seized Modena in central Italy and seized the naval base of La Spezia on Italy's west coast. U.S. forces won the high ground west of Ishin in southern Okinawa for their first real gain in four days.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Harry Truman greeted U.S.S.R. Foreign Commissar Vyacheslav Molotov at Blair House in Washington and expressed a commitment to the policies of the late U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, but indicated concern over the Polish question.

Mr. Molotov conferred in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Edward Stettinius, U.K. Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, and Chinese Ambassador T.V. Soong. The Polish question and other matters related to the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco were discussed inconclusively.

U.S. President Harry Truman and French President Charles de Gaulle met in Washington to discuss the French role in Allied diplomacy; no agreement was reached.

The Polish government-in-exile in London asked the U.K. and U.S.A. again to have it represent Poland at the San Francisco conference.

Politics and government
German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler's designated successor, Hermann Göring, sent him a telegram asking permission to take leadership of the Third Reich. Mr. Hitler then decided to replace Mr. Göring with Joseph Goebbels and Karl Dönitz.

Academia
Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, President of Columbia University for 44 years, submitted his resignation effective October 1, 1945. He would become President Emeritus.

Labour
The U.S. National War Labor Board approved the soft coal wage contract.

60 years ago
1955

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Mr Sandman--The Four Aces; The Chordettes (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Give Me Your Word--Tennessee Ernie Ford (9th week at #1)

#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): The Ballad of Davy Crockett--Bill Hayes (Best Seller--5th week at #1; Disc Jockey--1st week at #1; Jukebox--1st week at #1)

U.S. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Ballad of Davy Crockett--Bill Hayes (5th week at #1)
2 Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White--Perez Prado and his Orchestra
3 The Crazy Otto--Johnny Maddox and the Rhythmasters
4 Dance with Me Henry (Wallflower)--Georgia Gibbs
5 Unchained Melody--Les Baxter and his Orchestra
--Al Hibbler
--Roy Hamilton
6 Tweedlee Dee--Georgia Gibbs
7 Melody of Love--Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra
--David Carroll and his Orchestra
--The Four Aces
8 How Important Can it Be?--Joni James
--Sarah Vaughan
9 Sincerely--The McGuire Sisters
10 Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup--Nat "King" Cole

Singles entering the chart were Learnin' the Blues by Frank Sinatra (#40); Dixie Danny by the Laurie Sisters (#46); Hey, Mr. Banjo by the Sunnysiders (#48); and Boom Boom Boomerang by the DeCastro Sisters (#50).

Labour
The Canadian Labour Congress was formed by the merger of the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada and the Canadian Congress of Labour.

50 years ago
1965

Hit parade
Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter--Herman's Hermits (4th week at #1)
2 Silhouettes--Herman's Hermits
3 Count Me In--Gary Lewis and the Playboys
4 I Know a Place--Petula Clark
5 I'll Never Find Another You--The Seekers
6 Ticket to Ride--The Beatles
7 Game of Love--Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders
8 Can't You Hear My Heartbeat--Herman's Hermits
9 It's Gonna Be All Right--Gerry & the Pacemakers
10 She's About a Mover--Sir Douglas Quintet
Pick hit of the week: Super-Cali-Fragil-Istic-Expi-Ali-Docious--Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke and the Pearlies
New this week: Mission Bell--P.J. Proby
Crying in the Chapel--Elvis Presley
It Breaks My Heart--Bobby Goldsboro
Cable Car--The Ackridge Singers
A Lover's Question--Clyde McPhatter
Back in My Arms Again--The Supremes

Space
The U.S.S.R. launched the communications satellite Molniya I, which transmitted a television broadcast from Vladivostok to Moscow.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Boston 112 @ Los Angeles 99 (Boston led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Sam Jones scored 37 points to lead the Celtics over the Lakers before 15,217 fans at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Leroy Ellis scored 24 points for Los Angeles and Jerry West added 22. In the closing minutes of the game, ABC cut away to a previously scheduled television program.

40 years ago
1975

Died on this date
William Hartnell, 67. U.K. actor. Mr. Hartnell was best known for playing the title role in the television series Doctor Who (1963-1966).

Karen Ewanciw, 11. Canadian murder victim. Miss Ewanciw and a friend were about to deliver flyers after school when they decided to go down into the North Saskatchewan River valley near McNally High School in Edmonton for a walk. Miss Ewanciw was attacked, sexually assaulted, and murdered by a man whose identity was never proven, although her family claims to have a good idea who it was, and it was someone now dead. Miss Ewanciw's body was discovered the following day; her friend was not in the immediate vicinity when the crime took place.

Basketball
NBA
Conference Semi-Finals
Chicago 101 @ Kansas City-Omaha 89 (Chicago won best-of-seven series 4-2)

Bob Love scored 26 points to lead the Bulls as they eliminated the Kings before 12,445 fans at Kemper Arena in Kansas City. This was the Kings' last game as the Kansas City-Omaha Kings; after this, the team no longer represented Omaha.

ABA
Semi-Finals
St. Louis 103 @ Kentucky 108 (Kentucky led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Ted McClain scored 24 points and Artis Gilmore 23 as the Colonels defeated the Spirits before 8,422 fans at Freedom Hall in Louisville. Marvin Barnes of St. Louis led all scorers with 43 points.

30 years ago
1985

Died on this date
Sam Ervin, 88. U.S. politician. Mr. Ervin, a Democrat, represented North Carolina in the United States Senate from 1954-1974. He was best known for his role as Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, better known as the Senate Watergate Committee, which spent most of its time investigating the June 1972 break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. and the subsequent cover-up. The hearings received much television coverage, and Sen. Ervin's folksy manner made him a folk hero.

Popular culture
Coca-Cola introduced the "new" Coke, which had a sweeter taste than the "old" Coke. This blogger tried it for the first time a month later and didn't like it. This opinion was shared by millions, and the old taste was brought back under the name "Coke Classic" in July.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Montreal 6 @ Quebec 7 (OT) (Quebec led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Philadelphia 5 @ New York Islanders 3 (Philadelphia led best-of-seven series 3-0)
Chicago 5 @ Minnesota 3 (Chicago led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Edmonton 5 @ Winnipeg 4 (Edmonton led best-of-seven series 3-0)

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Roman Hikō (浪漫飛行)--Kome Kome Club

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (8th week at #1)

Died on this date
Paulette Goddard, 79. U.S. actress. Miss Goddard, born Marion Levy, was best known for her roles in such movies as Modern Times (1936); The Women (1939); The Great Dictator (1940); and So Proudly We Hail! (1943).

Protest
Heavily-armed Mohawk Warriors, who supported the gambling operations going on at Akwesasne-St. Regis Reserve near Cornwall, Ontario, overran blockades that had been set up by anti-gambling protesters, and destroyed about 25 cars parked nearby. An explosive device was also fired at the Mohawk police station on the Canadian side of the border. Georges Erasmus, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, called on U.S. authorities to restrain the Warriors. New York Governor Mario Cuomo said that he would not order state troopers to intervene in an "internal" Indian dispute.

Politics and government
A spokesman for the government of Manitoba said that New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna’s solution to the impasse over the Meech Lake Canadian constitutional accord did not satisfy his province’s concern about the need for Senate reform.

Abominations
U.S. President George Bush signed into law the Hate Crimes Statistics Act, under which records would be kept of crimes committed by people motivated by racial, ethnic, or sexual prejudice. "Sexual orientation" was included, marking the first time in American history that a federal law included a classification to protect sodomites.

Diplomacy
U.S. President George Bush thanked Syrian President Hafez-al-Assad for his role in helping to secure U.S. hostage Robert Polhill’s release from his Shiite captors in Lebanon the previous day.

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: If You Love Me--Brownstone (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)--Scatman John (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Conquest of Paradise--Vangelis (8th week at #1)

Died on this date
Douglas Lloyd Campbell, 99. Canadian politician. Mr. Campbell was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in 1922 as a member of the United Farmers of Manitoba. The UFM governed as the Progressive Party of Manitoba, and when the party merged with the Manitoba Liberal Party in 1932, Mr. Campbell ran under the label "Liberal-Progressive." He was Manitoba's Minister of Agriculture from 1936-1948, and became Liberal leader and Premier after the resignation of Stuart Garson. Mr. Campbell was Premier of Manitoba from 1948-1958 and as Leader of the Opposition from 1958-1961. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly for 47 years (1922-1969), which remains a Manitoba record.

John C. Stennis, 93. U.S. politician. Mr. Stennis, a Democrat, represented Mississippi in the United States Senate from 1947-1989. Nicknamed "Mr. Integrity," Sen. Stennis was the first Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics from 1965-1975, and Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services from 1969-1981.

Howard Cosell, 77. U.S. journalist. Mr. Cosell, born Howard Cohen, a lawyer whose "nasal twang" was arguably the "most famous voice in America" in the 1970s, was a longtime radio and television sportscaster with the American Broadcasting Company. He covered boxing for ABC for many years, but was best known for being part of the announcing team during the first 14 seasons of Monday Night Football (1970-1983). He was also part of the team of Monday Night Baseball (1977-1985).

10 years ago
2005

Died on this date
John Mills, 97. U.K. actor. Sir John, born Lewis Ernest Watts Mills, appeared in more than 120 films in a career that spanned more than 70 years. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Ryan's Daughter (1970). Sir John was the father of actresses Hayley and Juliet Mills.

Earl Wilson, 70. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Wilson played with the Boston Red Sox (1959-1960, 1962-1966); Detroit Tigers (1966-1970) and San Diego Padres (1970), compiling a record of 121-109 with an earned run average of 3.69. His best season was 1967, when he tied Boston's Jim Lonborg for the American League lead in wins with 22. Mr. Wilson, whose Boston scouting report called him "a nice colored boy," became the first Negro in the American League to pitch a no-hitter, when he defeated the Los Angeles Angels 2-0 at Fenway Park in Boston on June 26, 1962, and hit a home run off losing pitcher Bo Belinsky. Mr. Wilson posted a 13-12 record with the Tigers when they won the 1968 World Series, and was the starting and losing pitcher in a 7-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in game 3. Mr. Wilson batted .195 with 35 home runs and 111 runs batted in in his major league career, and was often used as a pinch hitter.

Technology
The first YouTube video, Me at the zoo, was uploaded by YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim.