April 6, 2015

525 years ago
1490

Died on this date
Matthias I, 47. King of Hungary and Croatia, 1458-1490; King of Bohemia, 1469-1490. Matthias Corvinus was the son of John Hunyadi, Regent of Hungary, who died in 1456. Matthias and his older brother Ladislaus Hunyadi were imprisoned in 1457 on the orders of King Ladislaus the Posthumous, and Ladislaus Hunyadi was executed. King Ladislaus died unexpectedly in 1458, and Matthias was proclaimed King. He waged military campaigns and established a professional standing army; introduced new taxes and political reforms; and patronized art, science, and literature. King Matthias suffered from gout in his later years, and died of a reported stroke. He was succeeded by Vladislaus II.

150 years ago
1865

War
Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia lost the Battle of Sailor's Creek to Union forces commanded by Major General Philip Sheridan. It was the last major battle for General Lee's army while in retreat from Richmond, Virginia during the Appomattox Campaign of the U.S. Civil War.

125 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Anthony Fokker. Indonesian-born Dutch aircraft manufacturer. Mr. Fokker designed the Fokker Dr.I and Fokker D.VII, which were used by the German Luftstreitkräfte to great effect during World War I. He died of meningitis at the age of 49 on December 23, 1939.

Baseball
California League
Stockton 1 @ Sacramento 36

The game lasted just 7 innings, and took just 2 hours and 10 minutes. Stockton made 16 errors.

120 years ago
1895

Born on this date
Dudley Nichols. U.S. screenwriter. Mr. Nichols was at his peak in the 1930s and '40s, winning an Academy Award for The Informer (1935), and receiving Oscar nominations for The Long Voyage Home (1940); Air Force (1943); and The Tin Star (1957). He died of cancer on January 4, 1960 at the age of 64.

80 years ago
1935

Died on this date
E. A. Robinson, 65. U.S. poet. Edward Arlington Robinson won three Pulitzer Prizes for his work in the 1920s. His best-known poem is probably Richard Cory (1897).

75 years ago
1940

Space
A solar eclipse was visible at 5 P.M. Eastern Standard Time in the northeastern United States.

War
A resolution opposing American entry into the European war was adopted by a Socialist Party convention in Washington. The Chinese Central News Agency reported that 60 Japanese war ships were missing off the coast of the Chinese province of Fukien.

Politics and government
Supporters of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt started a Texas campaign to force the state Democratic Party convention, meeting in May, to send a delegation of Mr. Roosevelt's supporters to the national convention.

70 years ago
1945

War
The Allied left flank moved forward between 5-30 miles on the western front. Sarajevo was liberated from German and Croatian forces by the Yugoslav Partisans. Japan initiated Operation Ten-Go, a series of massed kamikaze attacks aimed at destroying the U.S. 5th Fleet off Okinawa. The Battle of Slater's Knoll on Bougainville Island in Indonesia ended in a decisive victory for Australian forces over Japanese forces.

Diplomacy
The Japanese government said it was prepared to meet the consequences of the U.S.S.R.'s denunciation of the neutrality pact with Japan, but added that the pact must remain in force until April 1946, because one year's notice of termination was required.

Politics and government
U.S. Secretary of State Edward Stettinius said that the United States was doing all it could to assist the establishment of a new Polish government of unity so that the country could be represented at the San Francisco conference to found the United Nations.

Society
Memphis, Tennessee's Board of Motion Picture Censors, headed by Lloyd Binford, banned the movie Brewster's Millions (1945), calling it "inimical to the friendly relations" between Negroes and whites. The Board's objection was apparently to the servant portrayed by Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, who had "too familiar a way about him."

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Toronto 1 @ Detroit 0 (Toronto led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Sweeney Schriner scored at 13:56 of the 1st period and Frank McCool posted the shutout in goal for the Maple Leafs as they edged the Red Wings at Olympia Stadium. Harry Lumley was in goal for Detroit.

60 years ago
1955

Politics and government
The day after announcing his resignation, Sir Winston Churchill officially left office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and was succeeded by Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden.

50 years ago
1965

On television tonight
The Fugitive, starring David Janssen, on ABC
Tonight's episode: A.P.B., with guest stars Shirley Knight, Virginia Gregg, and Paul Richards

Music
The EP Beatles for Sale by the Beatles was released on Parlophone Records in the U.K. The songs on the EP were No Reply; I'm a Loser; Rock and Roll Music; and Eight Days a Week.

The instrumental track for the song California Girls by the Beach Boys was recorded at Western Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.

Space
Intelsat I, nicknamed "Early Bird," the first communications satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit, was launched from Cape Kennedy, Florida. It was the first link in a global communications space network.

Defense
Canada began a program to equip and train the air force of Tanzania.

The British Government announced the cancellation of the TSR-2 aircraft project.

Politics and government
Len Marchand was appointed Special Assistant to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in the government of Prime Minister Lester Pearson, becoming the first aboriginal Canadian appointed to Cabinet staff.

Economics and finance
James Callaghan, Chancellor of the Exchequer in the British government of Prime Minister Harold Wilson, presented his budget to the House of Commons. It included tax levies to reduce home consumption, increase revenue, and curb capital outflow.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Montreal 2 @ Toronto 3 (OT) (Montreal led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Detroit 2 @ Chicago 5 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Dave Keon scored at 4:17 of overtime to give the defending champion Maple Leafs their win over the Canadiens at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Bobby Hull scored his fourth and fifth goals of the series as the Black Hawks defeated the Red Wings at Chicago Stadium. Ted Lindsay scored both Detroit goals.

40 years ago
1975

World events
A plane carrying 99 South Vietnamese orphan children landed at Heathrow Airport in London.

Hockey
NHL
Toronto 4 @ Boston 4

Don Marcotte deflected teammate Bobby Orr's shot for the tying goal in the last minute of play to give the Bruins their tie with the Maple Leafs at Boston Garden in the weekly CBC radio broadcast. The goal, Mr. Marcotte's 31st of the season, was originally credited to Mr. Orr, who had already scored his 45th and 46th goals of the season in the game, a league record for a defenceman in a single season.

The Washington Capitals finished their first season with a record of 8 wins, 67 losses, and 5 ties, the worst record ever for a National Hockey League team in a single season.

Baseball
The Houston Astros bought pitcher Joe Niekro from the Atlanta Braves and assigned him to the Iowa Oaks of the AAA American Association. He had divided the 1974 season between the Atlanta Braves and the Richmond Braves of the International League; in 27 games with Atlant he had posted a 3-2 record with an earned run average of 3.56.

The Oakland Athletics bought relief pitcher Jim Todd from the Chicago Cubs and assigned him to the Tucson Toros of the AAA Pacific Coast League. He had begun the 1974 season with the Wichita Aeros of the American Association before being called up to the Cubs, for whom he posted a record of 4-2 with an earned run average of 3.89.

The Detroit Tigers released pitcher Luke Walker, ending his major league career. Mr. Walker had been acquired by the Tigers in December 1973 after spending 8 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates. With Detroit in 1974, he posted a record of 5-5 with an earned run average of 4.99. Mr. Walker departed the majors with a record of 45-47 and an ERA of 3.64. His best season was 1970, when he posted a 15-6 record and was third in the National League with an ERA of 3.04. The Tigers released Mr. Walker two days after obtaining pitcher Ray Bare from the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Atlanta Braves scored a run in the top of the 13th inning, only to have the Baltimore Orioles come back with 2 in the bottom of the inning to defeat the Braves 8-7 before 5,711 fans in Birmingham, Alabama in the last spring training game of 1975 for both teams.

Mike Hegan batted 3 for 3 with 2 home runs, a double, 3 runs, and 3 runs batted in as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs before 4,650 fans in Midland, Texas in the final 1975 spring training game for both clubs.

Bill Melton hit a 3-run home run in the top of the 1st inning and Jorge Orta and Buddy Bradford each had 3 hits as the Chicago White Sox beat the San Diego Padres 9-2 before 1,288 fans in Yuma City, Arizona in the final spring training game of 1975 for both teams. Chicago left fielder Nyls Nyman had a double and triple. San Diego right fielder Dave Winfield had 2 doubles and a single.

Bobby Darwin batted 3 for 3 with a home run and 2 runs batted in as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Boston Red Sox 7-3 in Winter Haven, Florida in the final spring training game for both teams in 1975.

Juan Marichal, recently signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, made his first appearance for the team, allowing 7 hits, 4 bases on balls, and 3 runs--all earned in 6 innings, taking the loss as the Dodgers were beaten 3-1 by the California Angels before 18,040 fans at Dodger Stadium in the final 1975 spring training game for both clubs. Andy Hassler started on the mound for California and allowed 4 hits and 1 earned run in 5 innings to get the win.

Willie Horton drove in 6 runs and Leon Roberts and Terry Humphrey each batted 4 for 4 as the Detroit Tigers routed the New York Mets 14-1 before 2,004 fans in Lakeland, Florida in the final 1975 spring training game for both teams. The Tigers scored 5 runs in the 2nd inning and 6 in the 5th. Mr. Humphrey had 2 doubles, scored 3 runs, and batted in 3. Jerry Koosman started on the mound for New York and allowed 11 hits, 4 bases on balls, and 12 runs--7 earned--in 4 2/3 innings, his second straight poor performance.

Bob Oliver singled home Bobby Bonds with the winning run in the top of the 10th inning to give the New York Yankees a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates before 2,860 fans in Bradenton, Florida in the last spring training game for both teams in 1975. Catfish Hunter pitched the first 4 innings for New York and singled home the first 2 Yankee runs in the 2nd inning. Dave Pagan, the fourth Yankee pitcher in the game, pitched 2 scoreless innings for the win; Ramon Hernandez, who entered the game to begin the 10th inning, took the loss for Pittsburgh.

In the longest 1-0 game in Mexican League history, Poza Rica edged visiting Villahermosa in 15 innings. Former major leaguer George Brunet pitched the first 14 innings before being relieved by Roberto Munoz, who was credited with the win. Ray Cordeiro pitched 14 1/3 innings for Villahermosa, but allowed an unearned run when Albino Diaz singled with 1 out and went to third base on an error by right fielder Teolinda Acosta. Wilfredo Fabela repalced Mr. Cordeiro and walked Willie Arano before inducing Alberto Cambero to hit a ground ball. Mr. Arano was forced out at second base, but Mr. Cambero beat the throw to first base as Mr. Diaz scored to end the game.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Una Storia Importante--Eros Ramazzotti (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): You're My Heart, You're My Soul--Modern Talking (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Nightshift--Commodores (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Show Some Concern--The Concerned (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Easy Lover--Philip Bailey (with Phil Collins) (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): One More Night--Phil Collins (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 One More Night--Phil Collins
2 We are the World--USA for Africa
3 Material Girl--Madonna
4 Can’t Fight This Feeling--REO Speedwagon
5 Lovergirl--Teena Marie
6 Nightshift--Commodores
7 Crazy For You--Madonna
8 Private Dancer--Tina Turner
9 Somebody--Bryan Adams
10 Just Another Night--Mick Jagger

Singles entering the chart were Celebrate Youth by Rick Springfield (#58); Do You Wanna Get Away by Shannon (#78); Smuggler's Blues by Glenn Frey (#84); Oh Girl by Boy Meets Girl (#86); Welcome to the Pleasuredome by Frankie Goes to Hollywood (#88); and Walking on the Chinese Wall by Philip Bailey (#89).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Shout--Tears for Fears (2nd week at #1)
2 Can't Fight This Feeling--REO Speedwagon
3 One More Night--Phil Collins
4 Material Girl--Madonna
5 One Night in Bangkok--Murray Head
6 Too Late for Goodbyes--Julian Lennon
7 I Want to Know What Love Is--Foreigner
8 Neutron Dance--Pointer Sisters
9 Careless Whisper--Wham! featuring George Michael
10 Solid--Ashford & Simpson

Singles entering the chart were Everything She Wants by Wham! (#72); Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody by David Lee Roth (#75); Suddenly by Billy Ocean (#78); Vox Humana by Kenny Loggins (#86); Tokyo Rose by Idle Eyes (#88); Things Can Only Get Better by Howard Jones (#89); Baby Come and Get It by the Pointer Sisters (#91); Forever Young by Alphaville (#93); and Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves (#98).

Hockey
NHL
Winnipeg 6 Edmonton 5

25 years ago
1990

Politics and government
Liberal and Parti Quebecois members of the Quebec National Assembly teamed up to pass a motion rejecting any modifications to the Meech Lake constitutional accord. Several hours later, the provincial House of Assembly of Newfoundland rescinded its approval of the Meech Lake Canadian accord, following through on a promise made by Premier Clyde Wells the previous month, and reversing the decision of the government of Mr. Wells’ predecessor, Brian Peckford. Newfoundland joined New Brunswick and Manitoba as provinces that had yet to approve the accord by the June 23 deadline in order for the accord to become law.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Labor Department reported that unemployment stood at 5.2% in March.

Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Don Mazankowski ended a three-day visit to Poland by signing a $30 million loan guarantee for Canadian businesses, mostly in cattle and dairy modernization.

Environment
Canadian Environment Minister Lucien Bouchard announced an agreement between the federal and Quebec governments to set up Saguenay Marine Park to save St. Lawrence River beluga whales. Autopsies of dead whales showed high toxin levels in their blubber.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
Toronto 2 @ St. Louis 4 (St. Louis led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Minnesota 3 @ Chicago 5 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
Winnipeg 2 @ Edmonton 3 (OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
Los Angeles 5 @ Calgary 8 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)--Scatman John

Died on this date
Ioannis Alevras, 82 or 83. President of Greece, 1985. Mr. Alevras, a member of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, became Speaker of the Greek Parliament in 1981, and served as interim President from March 10-30, 1985 after the resignation of Constantine Karamanlis. He was succeeded as President by Christos Sartzetakis, who had no official political affiliation.

10 years ago
2005

Died on this date
Rainier III, 81. Prince of Monaco, 1949-2005. Rainier III succeeded his grandfather Louis II after Louis' daughter and Rainier's mother Princess Charlotte renounced her claim to the throne in 1944. Prince Rainier was perhaps best known for his marriage in 1956 to American movie actress Grace Kelly. He died after several years of declining health, and was succeeded by his son Prince Albert II.

Politics and government
Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani became President of Iraq.