April 29, 2015

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, April Stevens and Ira Zabelina!

170 years ago
1845

Business
The Toronto Board of Trade was founded by 36 businessmen meeting at the Royal Exchange Hotel.

140 years ago
1875

Born on this date
Rafael Sabatini. Italian-born author. Mr. Sabatini moved permanently to England at the age of 17, and learned English as his sixth language. He wrote 34 novels, numerous short stories, several plays, and six books of non-fiction, but was best known for his novels The Sea Hawk (1915); Scaramouche (1921); Captain Blood (1922); and Bellarion the Fortunate (1926). He died in Switzerland on February 13, 1950 at the age of 74, after a long illness.

120 years ago
1895

Born on this date
Malcolm Sargent. U.K. conductor and composer. Sir Malcolm was one of Britain's leading conductors of choral works in a career spanning more than 40 years. He co-founded the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and was chief conductor of the Proms festival from 1948-1966. Sir Malcolm died of pancreatic cancer on October 3, 1967 at the age of 72.

80 years ago
1935

Died on this date
Leroy Carr, 30. U.S. musician. Mr. Carr was a blues singer, songwriter, and pianist. His songs included How Long, How Long Blues (1928); Blues Before Sunrise (1932); Midnight Hour Blues (1932); and Hurry Down Sunshine (1934). Mr. Carr was a heavy drinker and died of nephritis.

75 years ago
1940

War
German troops in Norway advanced up the Gudbrands and Oester valleys in their drive against the Dombas-Saoeren rail lines. The Chinese government reported that its troops had stopped a new Japanese offensive in the Chinese province of Shansi.

Diplomacy
Former Belgian Prime Minister Paul Van Zeeland said in Washington that the United States must play the decisive role in the social and economic reorganization of the world after the European war.

S.H. Church of the Carnegie Institute announced a $1-million reward for the delivery of German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler, alive, to the League of Nations.

Politics and government
In a joint telegram to the Texas State Democratic Committee, Congressmen Sam Rayburn and Lyndon Johnson asked that the delegates sent to the Democratic National Convention endorse U.S. Vice President John Nance "Cactus Jack" Garner only as a favourite son. Mr. Garner was challenging President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the 1940 Democratic Party presidential nomination.

The Florida Republican Party committee was split when a rump group elected 12 delegates to the Republican National Convention who were understood to be opposed to the nomination of New York City District Attorney Thomas Dewey as the party's nominee for President of the United States, thus challenging the full state committee's choice.

Labour
The United States Supreme Court upheld U.S. Labor Secretary Frances Perkins' determination of wages in steel companies holding government contracts under the Walsh-Henley Law.

70 years ago
1945

Died on this date
Matthias Kleinheisterkamp, 51. German military and SS officer. Obergruppenführer (General) Kleinheisterkamp was a military officer during both world wars and an SS officer after joining the organization in 1933. He was captured by Soviet forces on April 28 near the village of Halbe, southeast of Berlin, and committed suicide while in captivity, although other accounts state that he died on May 2 in the Battle of Halbe.

Married on this date
German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler and his longtime mistress Eva Braun were married in Mr. Hitler's Fuehrerbunker in Berlin.

War
Operation Manna began, as Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force planes dropped a total of over 11,000 tons of food into the still-unliberated western part of the Netherlands, with the acquiescence of the occupying German forces, to help feed civilians who were in danger of starvation in the Dutch famine (see video). The British Captain class frigate HMS Goodall K479 was torpedoed by U-286 outside the Kola Inlet in the Barents Sea, becoming the last ship of the Royal Navy sunk in the European theatre of World War II. German forces in Italy signed an unconditional surrender in Caserta, to take effect on May 2. The U.S. 7th Army entered Munich against slight resistance after freeing the 30,000 inmates of the nearby Dachau concentration camp. U.S. troops entered Milan as U.K. troops took Venice, Padua, Mestre, Vicenza, and Como. The Italian commune of Fornovo di Taro was liberated from German forces by Brazilian troops. U.S. forces captured Machinato airfield on the west coast of Okinawa. In Milan, the bodies of Italian Duce Benito Mussolini, his mistress, Clara Petacci, and other Fascists, were hung upside-down from meat hooks outside a gas station and subjected to indignities, the day after their execution by Communist partisans.

Diplomacy
The United States proposed four changes to the Dumbarton Oaks agreement:
1. That the charter written now be subject to future revision.
2. That members settle disputes with justice.
3. That the assembly have the right to recommend revision of treaties.
4. That the organization assume the functions of the League of Nations and establish a trusteeship system.

Politics and government
Soviet occupation forces in Austria set up a provisional government in Vienna with Dr. Karl Renner as Prime Minister.

Defense
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt was launched at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

60 years ago
1955

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White--Perez Prado and his Orchestra

50 years ago
1965

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Ticket to Ride--The Beatles (2nd week at #1)

Space
Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) successfully launched its seventh rocket in its Rehber series.

Diplomacy
The Council of Europe admitted Malta as its 18th full member nation.

Politics and government
In Basutoland's first general election, the right-wing Basutoland National Party won 31 of 60 contested seats in the national assembly. The Basutoland Congress party won 25 seats, and the Marematlou Freedom Party won the other 4 seats. The BNP chose Paramount Chief Sekhonyana Maseribane to serve as interim Prime Minister following the defeat of party leader Chief Leabua Jonathan in the election.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Montreal 1 @ Chicago 2 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

40 years ago
1975

War
The North Vietnamese Army completed its capture of all parts of the South Vietnamese-held Trường Sa Islands. In Operation Frequent Wind, the United States began to evacuate U.S. citizens from Saigon prior to an expected North Vietnamese takeover. U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War came to an end.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
New York Islanders 0 @ Philadelphia 4 (Philadelphia led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Montreal 2 @ Buffalo 4 (Buffalo led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Philadelphia goalie Bernie Parent suffered an injury in the pre-game warmup, and his replacement, Wayne Stephenson, made 21 saves for the shutout and assisted on the winning goal by Don Saleski at 6:04 of the 1st period as the Flyers blanked the Islanders before 17,007 fans at the Spectrum. Bill Barber and Bobby Clarke scored in the 2nd period, and Rick MacLeish scored in the 3rd. The game marked Mr. Stephenson's first appearance in the 1975 playoffs.

The checking line of Don Luce, Craig Ramsay and Danny Gare scored 3 goals--one by each man--as the Sabres defeated the Canadiens before 15,863 fans at War Memorial Auditorium. Mr. Ramsay's goal at 1:27 of the 3rd period proved to be the winner, with Mr. Gare scoring into an empty net with 10 seconds remaining in the 3rd period. Jim Lorentz scored the other Buffalo goal in the 2nd period. Yvon Lambert and Henri Richard scored for Montreal. Mr. Richard's goal, with exactly 11 minutes remaining in regulation time, drew the Canadiens to within 3-2, and proved to be the last goal of his 20-year NHL career.



WHA
Avco World Trophy
Semi-Finals
Minnesota 3 @ Quebec 6 (Quebec led best-of-seven series 3-2)
San Diego 0 @ Houston 6 (Houston led best-of-seven series 3-0)

Bobby Guindon and Chris Bordeleau scored 47 seconds apart in the 1st period to open the scoring, and Real Cloutier added 2 goals, as the Nordiques beat the Fighting Saints before 8,844 fans at Le Colisee. Marc Tardif and Rene Leclerc scored the other Quebec goals. Wayne Connelly, Mike Walton, and George Morrison scored for Minnesota.

Mark Howe and Andre Hinse scored 39 seconds apart in the 1st period to open the scoring and Ron Grahame made 34 saves for his second shutout of the series as the Aeros blanked the Mariners before 6,827 fans at Sam Houston Coliseum. Mr. Hinse also scored in the 2nd period, with Gord Labossiere, Larry Lund, and Gordie Howe scoring the other goals.

Baseball
The New York Mets scored 3 runs in the 1st inning and 5 in the 2nd as they beat the Chicago Cubs 9-1 before 8,539 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. John Milner singled in one of the New York runs in the 1st inning and hit a 3-run home run in the 2nd off Milt Wilcox, who had entered the game with 1 out in the inning in relief of starting pitcher Burt Hooton. Tom Seaver pitched a 7-hit complete game for the win, while Mr. Hooton allowed 6 hits and 6 runs--4 earned--in taking the loss. For Mr. Hooton, whose record for the year dropped to 0-2 with an earned run average of 8.18, it was his last game as a Cub; he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers three days later.

Lynn McGlothen allowed just 5 hits and struck out 10 batters in pitching a shutout as the St. Louis Cardinals blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 before 6,319 fans at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. Losing pitcher Ken Brett allowed 11 hits and 3 runs--all earned--in pitching a complete game, striking out 7. Neither pitcher allowed a base on balls. The winning run came in the 5th inning on a leadoff home run by St. Louis right fielder Luis Melendez. The game was over in 1 hour and 48 minutes.

The Houston Astros scored all their runs in the 7th inning as they beat the San Diego Padres 8-2 before 7,840 fans at San Diego Stadium. Winning pitcher J.R. Richard pitched a complete game, allowing 5 hits, striking out 7, and singling home the first 2 runs of the Astros' 8-run inning. Willie McCovey hit a 2-run home run in the 8th inning for San Diego.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): We are the World--USA for Africa (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Tokonatsu Musume--Kyōko Koizumi (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Ni Tú, Ni Nadie--Alaska y Dinarama (4th week at #1)

Baseball
Larry Parrish hit 3 home runs to lead the Texas Rangers to a 7-5 win over the New York Yankees before 10,626 fans at Arlington Stadium in Billy Martin’s first game back as manager of the Yankees after the firing of Yogi Berra.

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (10th week at #1)

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Ding Dong--Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
2 Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor
3 Das erste Mal tat's noch weh--Stefan Waggershausen & Viktor Lazlo
4 Black Velvet--Alannah Myles
5 The Power--Snap!
6 Dub Be Good to Me--Beats International
7 Pump ab das Bier--Werner
8 Hier kommt Kurt--Frank Zander
9 Vogue--Madonna
10 Dangerous--Roxette

Singles entering the chart were Vogue; and Your Own Sweet Way by the Notting Hillbillies (#30).

Baseball
Relief pitcher Dan Quisenberry of the San Francisco Giants announced his retirement, ending his 12-year major league career. He played with the Kansas City Royals (1979-1988); St. Louis Cardinals (1988-1989); and the Giants (1990), compiling a record of 56-46 with an earned run average of 2.76 and 244 saves in 674 games, all in relief. Mr. Quisenberry retired with the American League career record for saves with 238. In 5 games with the Giants he as 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA.

Greg Maddux of the Chicago Cubs pitched a 6-hit 4-0 shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers before 41,893 fans at Dodger Stadium and set a major league record for pitchers by recording 7 putouts in a single game.

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Here's Johnny!--Hocus Pocus (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Sarajevo's børn - Gi dem et håb--Various artists (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Alice, Who the **** is Alice?--Gompie (title censored by blogger) (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Respect--Alliance Ethnik

#1 single in France (SNEP): Zombie--The Cranberries (9th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Think Twice--Céline Dion (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Back for Good--Take That (4th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 This is How We Do It--Montell Jordan (3rd week at #1)
2 Red Light Special--TLC
3 Freak Like Me--Adina Howard
4 Candy Rain--Soul for Real
5 Run Away--Real McCoy
6 I Know--Dionne Farris
7 Big Poppa/Warning--The Notorious B.I.G.
8 Strong Enough--Sheryl Crow
9 Dear Mama/Old School--2Pac
10 I Believe--Blessid Union of Souls

Singles entering the chart were Water Runs Dry by Boyz II Men (#38); Someone to Love by Jon B. featuing Babyface (#69); Grapevyne by Brownstone (#75); Strange Currencies by R.E.M. (#80); Don't Take it Personal (Just One of Dem Days) by Monica (#82); Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen (#84); The I.N.C. Ride by Masta Ace Incorporated (#90); It's Good to Be King by Tom Petty (#95); and I Wish by Skee-Lo (#96).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I Know--Dionne Farris (3rd week at #1)
2 Red Light Special--TLC
3 This is How We Do It--Montell Jordan
4 Freak Like Me--Adina Howard
5 Run Away--Real McCoy
6 I Believe--Blessid Union of Souls
7 Big Poppa/Warning--The Notorious B.I.G.
8 Candy Rain--Soul for Real
9 Hold On--Jamie Walters
10 Tell Me When--The Human League

Singles entering the chart were Craziest by Naughty by Nature (#68); The Way that You Love by Vanessa Williams (#72); December by Collective Soul (#88); and Going in Circles/Love the One You're With by Luther Vandross (#94).

Canadiana
Butchers in Kitchener, Ontario finished making the world's longest sausage, with a length of 28.77 miles.