April 28, 2015

275 years ago
1740

Died on this date
Baji Rao I, 39. Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, 1720-1740. Baji Rao I, a Brahmin, was trained as a diplomat and warrior. He served as Peshwa (Prime Minister) to Chhatrapati (Emperor) Shahu I, and was credited with the expansion of the Maratha Empire in India, never losing a battle in 20 years. Baji Rao I died five days after contracting a fever.

210 years ago
1805

Died on this date
Peter Pelham, 83. U.K.-born American musician. Mr. Pelham, a native of London, moved to Boston with his family at the age of 9. He was organist at Trinity Church in Boston from 1744 until about 1750, when he moved to Williamsburg, Virginia. Mr. Pelham was organist for Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg from 1755 until blindness forced his retirement in 1802. He was also a harpsichord teacher, supervisor for the printing of currency (1758-1775), and superintendent of the Public Gaol (1770-1780). Mr. Pelham's compositions have disappeared except for a short harpsichord minuet.

150 years ago
1865

Died on this date
Samuel Cunard, 77. Nova Scotia-born U.K. shipping magnate. Sir Samuel, a native of Halifax, co-founded British and North American Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company in 1840, which became known as Cunard Steamship Company, Ltd. in 1879.

80 years ago
1935

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

75 years ago
1940

War
In response to Germany's recent invasion of Norway, a Gallup Poll reported that 93% of Americans thought the invasion unjustified, but 96% did not favour a U.S. declaration of war on Germany. The town of Namsos, the Allied troop landing area in central Norway, was levelled by German air attacks. Allied commanders were ordered to withdraw from Namsos and Andalsnes, thus abandoning the attempt to take Trondheim. Conflicting reports of success were issued from Tokyo and Chungking concerning the heavy fighting in the Chinese province of Shansi.

Law
The United States Justice Department announced the establishment of a Neutrality Laws Unit to centralize control of all alleged violations.

Tennis
Don Budge defeated Bruce Barnes in the men's final of the U.S. Open championship at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Baseball
Hal Trosky hit a 2-run home run with 2 out in the 10th inning to give the Cleveland Indians an 11-9 win over the Detroit Tigers before 30,200 fans at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. The Indians had led 9-3, but the Tigers scored 6 runs in the 9th to tie the 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--4th week at #1; Juke Box--2nd week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--5th week at #1); I'm Beginning to See the Light--Harry James and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Kitty Kallen) (Airplay--2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Benito Mussolini, 61. Prime Minister of Italy, 1922-1943. Mr. Mussolini, known as Il Duce (The Leader), was leader of the Italian Fascist Party from 1921 until his death. He governed constitutionally as Prime Minister for his first three years in office before establishing a legal dictatorship. Mr. Mussolini's alliance with the German Nazi regime of Adolf Hitler turned out rather badly after initial successes during World War II. Mr. Mussolini was driven from power in 1943, but was restored by the Nazis as a puppet ruler. In the final days of the war, Mr. Mussolini and his mistress Clara Petacci, 33, were stopped by Communist partisans near Dongo (Lake Como) in northern Italy while attempting to board a plane bound for Switzerland and then Spain. The couple and most of their entourage were shot to death, and their bodies were moved to Milan, where, the next day, they were publicly hung upside down from meat hooks.



Roberto Farinacci, 52. Italian politician. Mr. Farinacci was Secretary of Italy's National Fascist Party from 1925-1926 and Mayor of Cremona from 1922-1931. He was known as one of the Fascist regime's most prominent anti-Semites. Mr. Farinacci was executed in Vimercate by Communist partisans.

Hermann Fegelein, 38. German SS officer. General Fegelein was part of the entourage of Fuehrer Adolf Hitler and was married to Gretl Braun, sister of Mr. Hitler's mistress Eva Braun. He was shot to death in the garden of the Reich Chancellery in Berlin the day after escaping the Fuehrerbunker and being arrested in his apartment while preparing to flee to Sweden or Switzerland. Gen. Fegelein was reportedly drunk at the time of his arrest and all through his court martial in the Fuehrerbunker, which resulted in a conviction for desertion.

War
An Associated Press report quoting U.S. Senator Tom Connally (Democrat--Texas) said that Germany had surrendered unconditionally, but U.S. President Harry Truman denied the report. A truce was arranged between Canadian and German forces in Holland. Soviet forces drove the remaining German forces in Berlin into a 25-square-mile area of the city's centre.

Abominations
29 people were killed when the U.S. hospital ship Comfort was damaged by attacks from Japanese planes 50 miles south of Okinawa. The ship was properly designated as a hospital ship.

U.S. Army Brigadier General Eric Wood called Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany an "extermination factory" which had deprived Europe of its best democratic personnel.

Diplomacy
At the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, U.S.S.R. Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov demanded that White Russia and Ukraine be given their seats at once, before working committees began deliberations.

Politics and government
The United States Senate Agriculture Committee voted to remove the Rural Electrification Administration from the Agriculture Department.

Economics and finance
The U.S. War Production Board revoked 40 lesser controls over industry covering a variety of consumer goods.

Track and field
Michigan captured the team title at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, while Illinois won the team title at the Drake Relays.

50 years ago
1965

War
U.S. Marines landed in the Dominican Republic to "forestall establishment of a Communist dictatorship" and protect and evacuate Americans and citizens of 30 other countries. Civil war continued as rebel forces that had overthrown the junta led by President Donald Reid Cabral Huberto three days earlier refused to recognize a new junta led by Air Force General Elias Wessin y Wessin.

40 years ago
1975

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): The Newcastle Song--Bob Hudson (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Showa Kare Susuki--Sakura & Ichiro

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): El Bimbó--Bimbo Jet

Died on this date
Tom Donahue, 46. U.S. disc jockey and music executive. Mr. Donahue, born Thomas Coman, began his career in West Virginia in 1949 before moving to Philadelphia and Maryland, but achieved his greatest influence after moving to San Francisco in 1961. He was a successful DJ with the AM station KYA, but moved to the FM band with KMPX, pioneering the format of "progressive rock" radio in the United States. Mr. Donahue also managed and discovered various acts, and co-founded the Autumn label. The most prominent artist discovered by Mr. Donahue was the group the Beau Brummels, who had some success in the mid-1960s. Mr. Donahue died of a heart attack.

War
General Cao Văn Viên, chief of the South Vietnamese military, departed for the United States as the North Vietnamese Army closed in on victory.

Politics and government
Greek and Turkish leaders in Cyprus agreed to form a group to study proposals for a new government.

Basketball
ABA
Semi-Finals
St. Louis 103 @ Kentucky 123 (Kentucky won best-of-seven series 4-1)

Artis Gilmore scored 29 points and Dan Issel added 28 as the Colonels eliminated the Spirits before 8,726 fans at Freedom Hall in Louisville. Marvin Barnes of the Spirits led all scorers with 35 points.

Baseball
The San Diego Padres purchased catcher Jerry Moses from the New York Mets and released third baseman Glenn Beckert. Mr. Moses had yet to play in 1975, while Mr. Beckert, a second baseman for most of his 11-year major league career, was batting .375 with no home runs or runs batted in in 9 games in 1975. Mr. Beckert had started the season as the Padres' regular third baseman but had injured his throwing arm in the third game of the season.

The Chicago Cubs traded infielder-outfielder Matt Alexander to the Oakland Athletics for pitcher Howell Copeland. Mr. Alexander was currently on the roster of the Wichita Aeros of the AAA American Association, batting .250 with 2 home runs, 8 runs batted in, and 4 stolen bases in 7 games. Mr. Copeland was currently with the Tucson Toros of the AAA Pacific Coast League, and had a record of 0-4 with an earned run average of 8.53. Mr. Alexander joined the Athletics immediately, while Mr. Copeland was assigned to Wichita.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): We are the World--USA for Africa (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Johnny, Johnny--Jeanne Mas (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)--Dead or Alive (3rd week at #1)

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

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

Ilkka Sinisalo's goal at 6:43 of the 2nd period held up as the winner as the Flyers eliminated the Islanders at the Spectrum. Pelle Lindbergh stopped 25 shots to get the shutout in goal, while New York goalie Kelly Hrudey made 37 saves.

Dennis Maruk scored at 1:14 of the 1st overtime period to enable the North Stars to avert elimination by the Black Hawks at Chicago Stadium. Mr. Maruk's goal completed a comeback from a 4-0 deficit in the 2nd period.

Baseball
A bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 9th inning gave the Chicago White Sox a 4-3 win over the New York Yankees before 27,367 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The loss dropped the Yankees’ record to 6-10, and Yogi Berra was fired as manager, to be replaced by Billy Martin. Mr. Berra was so furious that he vowed never to set foot in Yankee Stadium again as long as George Steinbrenner owned the Yankees.

Darryl Strawberry hit a grand slam in the 1st inning, but the New York Mets didn’t score another run until the bottom of the 18th as they defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 in 18 innings before 36,423 fans at Shea Stadium in New York in a game that lasted 5 hours and 21 minutes. 41-year-old Rusty Staub was pressed into service in the outfield in the 12th inning when the Mets ran short of players. It was his last game in the field, and the only time he put the glove on all year. Mr. Staub and Clint Hurdle switched back and forth between left field and right field, depending on the handedness of the batter.

Mickey Hatcher, who had batted 5 for 5 the day before, hit safely his first 4 times up and finished 4 for 5 to lead the Minnesota Twins to a 10-1 win over the Oakland Athletics before 17,797 fans at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis for their 8th straight win. Mr. Hatcher’s 9 straight hits were a club record.

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Opposites Attract--Paula Abdul (Duet with the Wild Pair) (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Vattene Amore--Amedeo Minghi; Mietta (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Vogue--Madonna

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): How am I Supposed to Live Without You--Michael Bolton

#1 single in France (SNEP): Le temps des Yéyés--Les Vagabonds (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Vogue--Madonna (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 The Power--Snap! (3rd week at #1)
2 Dub Be Good to Me--Beats International
3 Infinity (1990's... Time for the Guru)--Guru Josh
4 Vogue--Madonna
5 Oh Pretty Woman--Gary Moore featuring Albert King
6 Kingston Town--UB40
7 What "U" Waitin'....."4"?--Jungle Brothers
8 Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor
9 This Beat is Technotronic--Technotronic featuring MC Eric
10 Black Velvet--Alannah Myles

Singles entering the chart were Something Happened on the Way to Heaven by Phil Collins (#25); Fame 90 by David Bowie (#26); Moments in Soul by J.T. and the Big Family (#30); I Might by Shakin' Stevens (#31); Pressure by Angela & the Rude (#34); and The Sex of It by Kid Creole and the Coconuts (#35).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (2nd week at #1)
2 Don't Wanna Fall in Love--Jane Child
3 I Wanna Be Rich--Calloway
4 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
5 How Can We Be Lovers--Michael Bolton
6 Whip Appeal--Babyface
7 Here and Now--Luther Vandross
8 Without You--Motley Crue
9 Whole Wide World--A'me Lorain
10 All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You--Heart

Singles entering the chart were U Can't Touch This by M.C. Hammer (#27); Do You Remember? by Phil Collins (#51); Children of the Night by Richard Marx (#55); Notice Me by Nikki (#73); Dare to Fall in Love by Brent Bourgeois (#75); That's the Way of the World by D-Mob with Cathy Dennis (#78); Club at the End of the Street by Elton John (#86); Girls Nite Out by Tyler Collins (#89); This and That by Michael Penn (#90); Only My Heart Talkin' by Alice Cooper (#91); Try to Find Me by Gorky Park (#92); Sittin' in the Lap of Luxury by Louie Louie (#97); and Up All Night by Slaughter (#98).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Nothing Compares to U--Sinead 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 How Can We Be Lovers--Michael Bolton
7 Here and Now--Luther Vandross
8 Forever--Kiss
9 Without You--Motley Crue
10 Whip Appeal--Babyface

Singles entering the chart were Children of the Night by Richard Marx (#54); Do You Remember? by Phil Collins (#61); Coming of Age by Damn Yankees (#68); Turtle Power by Partners in Kryme (#74); Pictures of You by the Cure (#80); This and That by Michael Penn (#86); and That's the Way of the World by D Mob With Cathy Dennis (#90).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 I Wish it Would Rain Down--Phil Collins (6th week at #1)
2 Nothing Compares to U--Sinead O’Connor
3 Lover of Mine--Alannah Myles
4 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
5 Love Will Lead You Back--Taylor Dayne
6 I’ll Be Your Everything--Tommy Page
7 Blue Sky Mine--Midnight Oil
8 Don’t Wanna Fall in Love--Jane Child
9 The Heart of the Matter--Don Henley
10 This Old Heart of Mine--Rod Stewart with Ronald Isley

Singles entering the chart were It Must Have Been Love by Roxette (#69); Book of Dreams by Suzanne Vega (#71); Dangerous Times by Sue Medley (#74); Heaven is a 4 Letter Word by Bad English (#79); 38 Years Ago by the Tragically Hip (#81); Club at the End of the Street by Elton John (#84); This is Love by Regatta (#87); Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice) by Gloria Estefan (#89); Texas Twister by Little Feat (#91); and I Come Off by Young MC (#93).

Theatre
The musical A Chorus Line closed after 6,137 performances at the Shubert Theatre in New York, the longest Broadway run in history to that time.

Protest
200,000-700,000 people came to Washington, D.C. to protest against the continuing abomination of abortion. U.S. President George Bush addressed the rally by telephone and said that the "widespread prevalence of abortion is a tragedy." Vice-President Dan Quayle, who attended the rally, said, "The pro-life movement is the humanitarian movement of our time."

Hockey
IIHF
Men's World Championship
Czechoslovakia 3 Canada 2

NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Chicago 2 @ St. Louis 4 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

Baseball
The Detroit Tigers scored 4 runs in the 5th inning, 5 in the 7th, and 4 in the 8th as they beat the Milwaukee Brewers 13-5 before 15,829 fans at Tiger Stadium, with starting pitcher Frank Tanana picking up his 200th career major league win.

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Se på mej--Jan Johansen (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Key to My Life--Boyzone (2nd week at #1)

Economics and finance
The Dow Jones industrial average closed at 4,321.27, a record high.