May 24, 2015

140 years ago
1875

Born on this date
Robert Garrett. U.S. athlete. Mr. Garrett participated in the first two modern Olympic Games, winning gold medals in the men's discus throw and shot put at Athens in 1896, and silver medals in the high jump and long jump events. He won bronze medals in the shot put and standing triple jump at Paris in 1900. Mr. Garrett became an investment banker and philanthropist in Baltimore, and financed archaeological excavations in the Middle East. He died on April 25, 1961, 29 days before his 86th birthday.

130 years ago
1885

War
Another skirmish in the North-West Rebellion took place when a military column from Calgary under the command of General Thomas Bland "Jingo" Strange arrived near Frog Lake and engaged Cree chief Wandering Spirit and his followers in the Battle of Frenchman Butte. A Cree warrior was the only person killed.

80 years ago
1935

Baseball
The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 before a crowd of 24,222 at Crosley Field in Cincinnati in the first night game in major league history. U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt switched on the lights from Washington.

75 years ago
1940

At the movies
Our Town, directed by Sam Wood, and starring William Holden, Martha Scott, Fay Bainter, and Thomas Mitchell, opened in theatres.



War
Four Royal Canadian Navy destroyers were sent from Halifax to Britain. German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler ordered a halt to the German advance around the trapped British-French force in Flanders. German forces captured Calais.

Diplomacy
The 21 American republics formally protested to the United Kingdom that the seizure of the German merchant ship MV Hannover between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico on March 9, 1940 was a violation of the American security belt.

World events
Acting on the orders of Soviet leader Josef Stalin, NKVD agent Iosif Grigulevich orchestrated an unsuccessful assassination attempt in Coyoacán, Mexico against exiled Soviet revolutionary Leon Trotsky.

Defense
The U.S. House of Representatives passed and sent to the Senate a defense bill to permit unlimited expansion of the U.S. Army Air Force.

Aviation
In Bridgeport, Connecticut, Igor Sikorsky made the first successful fully-controlled helicopter flight.

Disasters
Earthquakes in Peru killed 249 people.

Baseball
Behind the pitching of Harry Gumbert, the New York Giants beat the Boston Bees 8-1 in front of 22,260 fans in the first night game at the Polo Grounds in New York.

Bob Feller hit his first major league home run to help his own cause as the Cleveland Indians edged the St. Louis Browns 3-2 before 24,827 in the first night game at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis. Eldon Auker was the losing pitcher.

70 years ago
1945

Died on this date
Robert Ritter von Greim, 52. German military officer. Field Marshal Greim was the last commander of the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was captured by American forces on May 8, 1945, but after finding out that he was to be part of an exchange of prisoners with the U.S.S.R., committed suicide in Salzburg, Austria with a cyanide capsule rather than endure torture at the hands of the Soviets.

Diplomacy
The United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco discussed the status of trusteeship territories. The U.S.A., U.K., China, and France agreed that such territories should eventually become independent, but that "self-government" should be the objective for British colonies.

U.S. presidential press secretary Charlie Ross said that a "Big Three" (U.S.A.; U.S.S.R.; U.K.) meeting was being planned now and would hopefully be held soon.

Politics and government
A British-American occupation government was established for Austria.

Defense
Philippine President Sergio Osmena told press in Manila that the U.S. would get military bases in the islands with the "full support of the Filipino people" when the islands became independent sometime before July 4, 1946.

Chile and the United States signed a three-year agreement providing for a U.S. naval mission to Chile.

Education
The Quebec Legislative Assembly passed the "Learning Aid" Act, providing for the opening of learning centres and doubling the number of rehabilitation centres for the disabled, accident workers and the war wounded.

Energy
Quebec's Rural Electrification Law went into effect, establishing a fund of $12 million to promote the creation and development of electricity cooperatives. The application of the law was entrusted to the provincial Office for Rural Electrification.

Medicine
Dr. William Robbins revealed his discovery of six new antibiotic drugs: pleurotin; grisic acid; pleurin; irpexin; obtusin; and corticin.

Economics and finance
U.S. Commerce Secretary Henry Wallace asked for lower U.S. tariffs and trade with other countries on a "live and let live basis."

U.S. Senators Robert Wagner (Democrat--New York) and James Murray (Democrat--Montana) and Representative John Dingell (Democrat--Michigan) offered identical bills to Congress calling for broader coverage by Social Security.

60 years ago
1955

Transportation
The Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway cut Montreal-Vancouver travel time on passenger trains by 14-16 hours.

Baseball
The Pittsburgh Pirates scored 3 runs in the 3rd inning, 7 in the 5th, and 4 in the 7th as they routed the Brooklyn Dodgers 15-1 before 9,251 fans at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The Dodgers used 6 pitchers including rookie Tom Lasorda, who allowed 4 runs, 2 bases on balls, and 5 runs--all earned--in 2 innings.

50 years ago
1965

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Downtown--Petula Clark (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Every Step of the Way--Dickie Rock

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Ticket to Ride--The Beatles
2 It's Not Unusual--Tom Jones
3 Count Me In--Gary Lewis and the Playboys
4 Talk About Love--Adam Faith
5 Walk That Walk--David Clayton-Thomas
6 S.O.S. (Sweet On Susie)--Kenny Chandler
7 Our Love has Passed--Jack London
8 Just Once in My Life--The Righteous Brothers
9 Help Me, Rhonda--The Beach Boys
10 Reelin' and Rockin'--The Dave Clark Five

Singles entering the chart were You Can Have Her by the Righteous Brothers (#29); Laurie (Strange Things Happen) by Dickey Lee (#30); Last Exit to Brooklyn by the Scott Bedford Four (#31); What Do You Want with Me by Chad & Jeremy (#32); Voodoo Woman by Bobby Goldsboro (#33); Goin' to the River by Ronnie Hawkins (#34); My Guy by Dianne James (#35); Catch the Wind by Donovan (#36); A Walk in the Black Forest by Horst Jankowski and his Orchestra (#37); I Want You by the Pussycats (#38); Bring it on Home to Me by the Animals (#39); and I'm Not Sayin' by Gordon Lightfoot (#40). Goin' to the River was the B-side of Little Red Rooster.

Died on this date
Sonny Boy Williamson II, 52 (?). U.S. musician. Mr. Williamson, born Alex Ford, was a blues harmonica player, singer, and songwriter. He achieved success in teh United States in the 1950s, and played with English musicians in the 1960s. Mr. Williamson died of an apparent heart attack.

Music
The Beatles were at CTS Studios in London, where they re-recorded vocals for the song Help!, originally recorded at EMI Studios in London on April 13.

The Beach Boys were at CBS Studios in Hollywood, California to record the song I'm Bugged at My Ol' Man, and were at Western Recording Studios in Hollywood to record the songs The Girl from New York City; And Your Dream Comes True; and You're So Good to Me.

War
An Inter-American Force representing the Organization of American States arrived in the Dominican Republic to suppress the rebellion against the junta led by General Antonio Imbert Barreras.

40 years ago
1975

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Piange il telefono--Domenico Modugno (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): Love Is All--Roger Glover and Guests (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Stand by Your Man--Tammy Wynette (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Shining Star--Earth, Wind & Fire

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Shining Star--Earth, Wind & Fire
2 How Long--Ace
3 Before the Next Teardrop Falls--Freddy Fender
4 Jackie Blue--The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
5 I Don't Like to Sleep Alone--Paul Anka
6 Thank God I'm a Country Boy--John Denver
7 He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)--Tony Orlando and Dawn
8 Sister Golden Hair--America
9 Only Yesterday--Carpenters
10 Bad Time--Grand Funk

Singles entering the chart were Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me of a Friend) by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan (#75); I'll Do Anything You Want Me To by Barry White (#77); Black Friday by Steely Dan (#78); Jive Talkin' by the Bee Gees (#89); Look at You by George McCrae (#93); Disco Queen by Hot Chocolate (#96); No Charge by Shirley Caesar (#98); The Rockford Files by Mike Post (#99); and Harpo's Blues by Phoebe Snow (#100). The Rockford Files was the title theme from the television series.

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Thank God I'm a Country Boy--John Denver
2 Jackie Blue--The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
3 (Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song--B.J. Thomas
4 It's a Miracle--Barry Manilow
5 Only Yesterday--Carpenters
6 He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)--Tony Orlando and Dawn
7 How Long--Ace
8 Bad Time--Grand Funk
9 Philadelphia Freedom--The Elton John Band
10 The Immigrant--Neil Sedaka

Singles entering the chart were Swearin' to God by Frankie Valli (#86); The Hustle by Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony (#90); When You're Up You're Up by Bond (#93); Attitude Dancing by Carly Simon (#95); Seems Like I Can't Live with You, But I Can't Love Without You by the Guess Who (#97); Can't Stop Myself (From Loving You) by William Shakespeare (#98); Run Away with Me by Ken Tobias (#99); and Give the People What They Want by the O'Jays (#100).

Winnipeg's Top 30 (CFRW)
1 Jackie Blue--The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
2 I Don't Like to Sleep Alone--Paul Anka
3 (Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song--B.J. Thomas
4 Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance)--Leo Sayer
5 Pinball Wizard--Elton John (LP track)
6 How Long--Ace
7 Chevy Van--Sammy Johns
8 Lovin' You--Minnie Riperton
9 The Immigrant--Neil Sedaka
10 Killer Queen--Queen
11 Philadelphia Freedom--The Elton John Band
12 He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)--Tony Orlando and Dawn
13 Sister Golden Hair--America
14 Shame, Shame, Shame--Shirley (And Company)
15 Autobahn--Kraftwerk
16 No No Song--Ringo Starr
17 Stand by Me--John Lennon
18 Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)--Charity Brown
19 Thank God I'm a Country Boy--John Denver
20 Bad Time--Grand Funk
21 Old Days--Chicago
22 Essence of Joan--Andy Kim
23 You are So Beautiful--Joe Cocker
24 Loves Me Like a Brother--The Guess Who
25 Lady Marmalade--LaBelle
26 Hey You--Bachman-Turner Overdrive
27 Rainy Day People--Gordon Lightfoot
28 Amie--Pure Prairie League
29 Magic--Pilot
30 It's a Miracle--Barry Manilow

Winnipeg's Top 30 (CKRC)
1 Jackie Blue--The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
2 I Don't Like to Sleep Alone--Paul Anka
3 Bad Time--Grand Funk
4 Killer Queen--Queen
5 Pinball Wizard--Elton John (LP track)
6 He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)--Tony Orlando and Dawn
7 Sister Golden Hair--America
8 Old Days--Chicago
9 How Long--Ace
10 Magic--Pilot
11 Stand by Me--John Lennon
12 Only Yesterday--Carpenters
13 Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me)--The Doobie Brothers
14 Sail on Sailor--The Beach Boys
15 Thank God I'm a Country Boy--John Denver
16 Emma--Hot Chocolate
17 Hey You--Bachman-Turner Overdrive
18 Philadelphia Freedom--The Elton John Band
19 Love Will Keep Us Together--The Captain & Tennille
20 (Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song--B.J. Thomas
21 Misty--Ray Stevens
22 Cum Hear the Band--April Wine
23 Wildfire--Michael Murphey
24 Hit the Road Jack--Stampeders
25 Lovin' You--Minnie Riperton
26 Julie--Ian Thomas
27 When Will I Be Loved--Linda Ronstadt
28 Let the Phone Ring--Jim Mancel
29 Only Women--Alice Cooper
30 Don't Leave Me in the Morning--Odia Coates

World events
A group of 80 reporters and cameramen - including nine Britons - were allowed to fly out of Saigon to Vientiane, Laos. They are the first Westerners to leave the capital of South Vietnam since its fall to Communist forces on April 29.

Baseball
Bill Lee pitched a 5-hit shutout and Rico Petrocelli and Rick Burleson each hit 3-run home runs as the Boston Red Sox blanked the California Angels 6-0 before 11,580 fans at Fenway Park in Boston in the NBC Game of the Week telecast.

The Oakland Athletics, trailing 5-0 after 3 innings, came back to beat the Cleveland Indians 10-5 before 25,801 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland.

Bobby Murcer drove in 6 runs with a 3-run home run and a 3-run triple to lead the San Francisco Giants to a 10-3 win over the Chicago Cubs before 6,655 fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Winning pitcher Jim Barr pitched a 6-hit complete game.

Joe Morgan singled home Merv Rettenmund with 2 out in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Cincinnati Reds a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies before 36,165 fans at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.

Gary Carter drove in Pepe Mangual with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 9th inning and Steve Rogers pitched a 4-hit complete game as the Montreal Expos edged the Houston Astros 2-1 before 15,208 fans at the Astrodome. The rally that produced the winning run began with a single by left fielder Rich Coggins, playing his first regular season game in a Montreal uniform since being acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in an off-season trade. He had missed the first 33 games of the season because of a thyroid condition.

Keith Hernandez drove in 3 runs with his first major league home run and a single as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 before 45,196 fans at Dodger Stadium.

Randy Jones pitched a 4-hit shutout and Dave Winfield hit a home run as the San Diego Padres blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 before 22,758 fans at San Diego Stadium.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Live is Life--Opus (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): We are the World--USA For Africa (8th week at #1)

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Vogue--Madonna

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Give it a Lash Jack--Liam Harrison and the GOAL Celebrities (2nd week at #1)

Diplomacy
U.S.S.R. President Mikhail Gorbachev told Lithuanian leaders in Moscow that Lithuania could be independent in two years if it suspended its declaration of independence. U.S. President George Bush said that he opposed normalizing trade relations with the Soviet Union because of the impasse over Lithuanian independence and because the Soviet leadership had not pushed for more liberal emigration policies.

Law
Konrad Sioui, a Huron from Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, was acquitted, under the 1760 Hurons and British conquerors treaty, by the Supreme Court of Canada on a charge of violating Quebec provincial park laws against hunting and tree-cutting.

Economics and finance
The United States Commerce Department revised its estimate of the growth of the gross national product in the first quarter, putting the annual rate at a lower figure of 1.3%.

U.S.S.R. Premier Nikolai Ryzhkov presented to the Supreme Soviet an economic reform program that included an easing of price controls. Bread prices would triple, and the cost of some goods and services would increase 30%. Government subsidies had kept some prices artificially low. The program also included unemployment benefits and tax-indexing to assist workers. It would set in motion a transformation of state enterprises into joint stock companies. The program would be subject to approval in a national referendum.

Disasters
The United States Navy said that it was reopening its investigation into the April 1989 explosion aboard the battleship Iowa that killed 47 members of its crew. The explosion had occurred in a gun turret during a training exercise. The Navy’s initial report blamed a suicidal crewman, Clayton Hartwig, who, according to the theory, had placed a detonating device into the mechanism. Mr. Hartwig as killed in the explosion, and his family was seeking to clear his name. The Navy tested the suggestion of Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque that the explosion could have been caused by gunpowder being rammed too far into the turret’s centre gun. The bags of gunpowder exploded on the 18th test.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Edmonton 4 @ Boston 1 (Edmonton won best-of-seven series 4-1)

This was the Oilers’ first--and so far, only--Stanley Cup triumph after the trade of Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988. Edmonton goalie Bill Ranford was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the 1990 playoffs. Craig Simpson scored the cup-winning goal at 9:31 of the 2nd period.



20 years ago
1995

Died on this date
Harold Wilson, 79. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1964-1970; 1974-1976. "Little Harold" was leader of the British Labour Party from 1963 until his resignation in 1976, and was Leader of the Opposition during that time when he wasn't Prime Minister. He sat in the House of Commons from 1945-1983, after which he sat in the House of Lords as Baron Wilson of Rievaulx.

Business
A $1.2-billion issue of Toronto-based Suncor Inc. shares was snapped up by investors in minutes.

10 years ago
2005

Edmontonia
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Edmonton, and did a walkabout through the grounds of the Alberta Legislature. This blogger came within inches of meeting her.