July 14, 2015

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Mike Upstone!

230 years ago
1785

Born on this date
Mordecai Manuel Noah. U.S. playwright and journalist. Mr. Noah, a native of Philadelphia, was the first American-born Jew to reach national prominence. His best-known play was She Would Be a Soldier (1819). Mr. Noah wrote critical reviews of performances by Negroes at the African Grove Theatre in New York City, and has been identified as the creator of the Negro stereotype found in minstrel shows. He served as U.S. Consul to Tunis (1813-1815), where he rescued Americans who were being kept as slaves by Moroccan slaveowners. Mr. Noah attempted to create a Jewish refuge called Ararat on Grand Island in the Niagara River in New York, but he abandoned the attempt just two days after the community was proclaimed. He believed that American Indians were descended from the lost tribes of Israel, and supported the restoration of Jews to Palestine. Mr. Noah died on May 22, 1851 at the age of 65.

225 years ago
1790

Franciana
Citizens of Paris celebrated the unity of the French people and the national reconciliation in the Fête de la Fédération, a precursor to Bastille Day.

150 years ago
1865

Born on this date
Arthur Capper. U.S. politician. Mr. Capper, a Republican, was Governor of Kansas from 1915-1919 and represented that state in the United States Senate from 1919-1949. He died on December 19, 1951 at the age of 86.

Died on this date
Michel Croz, 37. French mountian guide. Charles Hudson, 36; Douglas Hadow, 19; Francis Douglas, 18. U.K. mountaineers. The four men died in a fall from the Swiss side of the Matterhorn on the way down after completing the first successful ascent of the mountain as members of a party led by Edward Whymper.

125 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Roy Inwood. Australian soldier. Sergeant Inwood served with the Australian Army in World War I, and earned the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Battle of Menin Road in September 1917, when he twice captured German machine gun posts, killing enemy soldiers, taking prisoners, and sending back important information about enemy dispositions. He served with the Citizens Military Forces in World War II, and rose to the rank of warrant officer, working with detention barracks in Australia. Mr. Inwood died on October 23, 1971 at the age of 81.

90 years ago
1925

Died on this date
Francisco Guilledo, aka Pancho Villa, 23. Filipino boxer. Mr. Guilledo fought under the name Pancho Villa and won the world flyweight title by knocking out Jimmy Wilde in the 7th round on June 18, 1923. He still held the title at the time of his death, which took place 18 days before his 24th birthday, and resulted from infection after having several teeth removed. Mr. Villa compiled a professional record of 89-8-4-2. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994.

75 years ago
1940

War
Canadian Chief of the General Staff Andrew McNaughton was put in command of the new Anglo-Canadian 7th Army Corps, which included British and New Zealand troops as well as Canadian. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, in a radio broadcast from London, promised German forces unending resistance if they invaded the United Kingdom.

Politics and government
Under the "protection" of the Soviet Red Army, voters in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania elected Communist parliaments.

French Prime Minister Marshal Philippe Petain began a purge of government officials who had taken a pro-British position.

Amid violence that resulted in six deaths, Fulgencio Batista was elected President of Cuba.

U.S. Senator Burton K. Wheeler (Democrat--Montana) demanded that the Democratic Party adopt a platform that was more anti-war than the position of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Football
A new American Football League was founded, with teams in New York, Boston, and Buffalo. Bill Edwards, who had been president of the first American Football League in 1926, was slated to be president of the new league as well as co-owner of the New York Yankees. The Cincinnati Bengals, Columbus Bullies, and Milwaukee Chiefs moved from the minor league American Professional Football Association to the AFL before play began in September.

70 years ago
1945

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Sentimental Journey--Les Brown and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Doris Day) (Best Seller--8th week at #1; Airplay--5th week at #1; Juke Box--5th week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--7th week at #1)

At the movies
Anchors Aweigh, starring Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, and Kathryn Grayson, opened in theatres.



War
U.S. carrier planes raided military facilities on the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido, claiming the destruction of 108,000 tons of shipping and 28 airplanes. Allied Supreme Commander in Europe U.S. Army General Dwight Eisenhower announced the end of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), with the organization's headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany to be turned over to the newly-formed United States Force, European Theater. Major General Claire Chennault announced that he was resigning as commander of the U.S. 14th Army Air Force and would retire from the Army.

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. and China reached an understanding on important issues after discussions between Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and Chinese Premier T.V. Soong.

U.S. occupation authorities permitted American troops to converse in public places with adult Germans.

Politics and government
The Venezuelan cabinet resigned, and President Isaias Medina Angarita made five changes in the reorganized cabinet.

British Viceroy Wavell announced the end of the Simla Conference in failure and accepted responsibility for the lack of results in attempting to reorganize the government of India.

50 years ago
1965

Died on this date
Adlai Stevenson II, 65. U.S. politician and diplomat. Mr. Stevenson, a Democrat, was Governor of Illinois from 1949-1953. His namesake Adlai Stevenson was Vice President of the United States under President Grover Cleveland from 1893-1897. Adlai Stevenson II was the Democratic Party's nominee for President of the United States in 1952 and 1956, but lost to Republican candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower in both elections. After failing to obtain the Democratic presidential nomination in 1960, Mr. Stevenson was appointed United States Ambassador to the United Nations in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, a position which he held until his death. He had just completed a radio interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation in London when he collapsed on the sidewalk with a fatal heart attack.

Space
The U.S. probe Mariner 4 flew by Mars, sending back the first close-up photographs of another planet.

Economics and finance
Toronto Stock Exchange members agreed to declare the exchange a public institution, and issued a statement of principles.

40 years ago
1975

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): January--Pilot (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Kakkoman Boogie / Minato no Yoko Yokohama Yokosuka--Down Town Boogie Woogie Band (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Bella Sin Alma--Richard Cocciante (4th week at #1)

Diplomacy
North Korea rejected a proposal by South Korea for reunification talks.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Edmonton (3-0) 26 @ Saskatchewan (1-3) 22

The Eskimos totalled just 6 first downs and 163 yards net offense, but managed to defeat the Roughriders before 15,781 fans at Taylor Field in Regina. Former San Francisco 49er backup Dennis Morrison played the first half at quarterback for Edmonton, but played himself out of a potential job, completing just 1 of 7 passes for 5 yards and producing no first downs. Edmonton defensive back Dick Dupuis returned an interception 50 yards for the first Edmonton touchdown in the 1st quarter, and Tom Wilkinson completed a 22-yard pass to Don Warrington for the other Eskimo TD in the 4th quarter. George Reed rushed 2 yards for the first Saskatchewan touchdown in the 3rd quarter, and Steve Molnar rushed 2 yards for the other Roughrider TD with 13 seconds remaining in the game, followed by an unsuccessful 2-point convert attempt. It was the final game in a Saskatchewan uniform for rookie linebacker Tom Pate, who appeared to have made the team; unfortunately for him, the Calgary Stampeders cut 2-year veteran Roger Goree several days later, and the Roughriders signed him, putting Mr. Pate temporarily out of a job. He joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats several weeks later.

WFL
Pre-season
Memphis (0-1) 16 @ Southern California (2-0) 47

Baseball
Charlie Beamon of Waterloo and Luis Pujols of Dubuque each drove in 2 runs as the Class A Midwest League All-Stars defeated the Iowa Oaks of the Class AAA American Association 6-2 in the Midwest League All-Star Game at John O'Donnell Stadium in Davenport, Iowa. The Oaks, who didn't get a hit until Rocky Craig singled with 2 out in the 8th inning, scored both their runs in the 9th.

Sam Ferrera walked 9 batters, hit another, threw 3 wild pitches, committed a balk--and pitched a no-hitter for the Billings Mustangs as they routed the Lethbridge Expos 9-0 in a Pioneer League game in Lethbridge. Mr. Ferrera struck out 5 batters and improved his record for 1975 to 2-1 in pitching the no-hitter, which was preserved in the 9th inning when Billings first baseman George Weinecke speared a line drive by Larry Goldetsky, robbing him of what looked like an extra-base hit. The Mustangs had 14 hits--all singles.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): 19--Paul Hardcastle (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Éthiopie--Chanteurs sans Frontières (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: 19--Paul Hardcastle (5th week at #1)

Football
USFL Championship @ Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Baltimore 28 Oakland 24

Kelvin Bryant rushed for 3 touchdowns to lead the Stars, under head coach Jim Mora, to their second straight United States Football League title. The win over the Invaders turned out to be the USFL’s last game. The league was tied up in litigation in 1986, suing the NFL for being an illegal monopoly. The jury ruled in favour of the USFL, but awarded only $3 in damages, and the USFL folded.



25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): It Must Have Been Love--Roxette (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Un' Estate Italiana--Edoardo Bennato; Gianna Nannini (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Mi Abuela--Wilfred y la Gagna (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): What's a Woman?--Vaya Con Dios (8th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Maldòn--Zouk Machine (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Sacrifice/Healing Hands--Elton John (4th week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Dirty Cash--Adventures of Stevie V
2 Ooops Up--Snap!
3 What's a Woman?--Vaya Con Dios
4 Hijo de la Luna--Mecano
5 Back by Dope Demand--King Bee
6 Still Got the Blues (For You)--Gary Moore
7 The Future--Prince
8 I Promised Myself--Nick Kamen
9 At this Moment/Emozioni--Marco Borsato
10 Way Down Now--World Party

Singles entering the chart were U Can't Touch This by MC Hammer (#25); Papa was a Rolling Stone by Was Not Was (#29); Sympathy for the Devil by Buffalo Bob and the Rinkelstars (#32); Get on Up & Dance by Icy D. & Doc Daze (#33); The Great Song of Indifference by Bob Geldof (#36); and Won't Talk About It by Beats International (#38).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Step by Step--New Kids on the Block (3rd week at #1)
2 She Ain't Worth It--Glenn Medeiros featuring Bobby Brown
3 Hold On--En Vogue
4 I'll Be Your Shelter--Taylor Dayne
5 Cradle of Love--Billy Idol
6 It Must Have Been Love--Roxette
7 Rub You the Right Way--Johnny Gill
8 Enjoy the Silence--Depeche Mode
9 The Power--Snap!
10 Poison--Bell Biv DeVoe

Singles entering the chart were Oh Girl by Paul Young (#88); Don't You Come Cryin' by Linear (#90); All Lips n' Hips by Electric Boys (#92); Same Old Look by Jimmy Ryser (#93); First True Love by Tiana (#96); Holy Water by Bad Company (#97); and Hungry by Lita Ford (#98).

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Cash Box): Step By Step--New Kids on the Block (4th week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Do You Remember?--Phil Collins
2 Step by Step--New Kids on the Block
3 It Must Have Been Love--Roxette
4 I’ll Be Your Shelter--Taylor Dayne
5 Vogue--Madonna
6 Children of the Night--Richard Marx
7 Baby It's Tonight--Jude Cole
8 U Can't Touch This--MC Hammer
9 When I'm Back on My Feet Again--Michael Bolton
10 I Think I Love You Too Much--The Jeff Healey Band

Singles entering the chart were She Ain't Worth It by Glenn Medeiros featuring Bobby Brown (#56); All the Lovers in the World by Gowan (#58); Rub You the Right Way by Johnny Gill (#62); Release Me by Wilson Phillips (#80); How Bad Do You Want It? by Don Henley (#87); Trust Me by John James (#88); Unison by Celine Dion (#89); Unskinny Bop by Poison (#91); Girls Nite Out by Tyler Collins (#93); and Skies the Limit by Fleetwood Mac (#98).

Died on this date
Robert Thomas Allen, 79. Canadian author. Mr. Allen won the Stephen Leacock Medal for humour twice, for The Grass is Never Greener (1957) and Children, Wives and Other Wildlife (1971).

Politics and government
In accord with a plan presented to the 28th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in Moscow, the party’s central committee approved a new, expanded 24-member Politburo that included the party leader in each of the 15 republics. 10 of the previous 12 members of the Politburo (all but general secretary Mikhail Gorbachev and number two man Vladimir Ivashko) were dropped. The changes appeared to have the effect of weakening the Communist Party’s influence over the Soviet government.

Canadiana
In Prince Edward Island, Edward "Fast Eddy" McDonald set a record with 8,437 loops in one hour with his yo-yo. Meanwhile, the world's largest cherry pie was baked in Oliver, British Columbia; it weighed 37,740 pounds and 10 ounces, with 36,800 pounds of cherry filling a 20-foot-diameter pan.

Football
CFL
Edmonton (1-0) 40 @ Toronto (0-1) 34

Tracy Ham threw 3 touchdown passes and Reggie Taylor rushed 13 times for 124 yards to lead the Eskimos. Craig Ellis caught 2 of Mr. Ham’s touchdown tosses and amassed 139 yards receiving. Former Eskimo quarterback Matt Dunigan, in his first game as an Argo, completed 26 of 49 passes for 359 yards and 3 touchdowns. Darrell K. Smith led the Argos with 10 receptions for 167 yards. Eskimo receiver Darrell Colbert, playing his first game in the Canadian Football League, was awarded the game ball by his teammates; as well as playing on offense, he entered the game as a defensive back when the team ran short because of injuries, and made an interception. It was the first regular season game for Don Matthews as Toronto’s head coach.



20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Vill du bli min fru--Drängarna (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Boom Boom Boom--The Outhere Brothers (3rd week at #1)

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that consumer prices had edged upward 0.1% in June.

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (0-3) 5 @ Memphis (1-2) 11

Gary Anderson rushed 4 yards for the game's only touchdown in the 2nd quarter as the Mad Dogs defeated the Roughriders before 11,748 fans at the Liberty Bowl for the first win in franchise history.



Baseball
The Cleveland Indians released pitcher Bud Black, ending his major league career. Mr. Black pitched with the Seattle Mariners (1981): Kansas City Royals (1982-1988); Cleveland Indians (1988-1990, 1995); Toronto Blue Jays (1990); and San Francisco Giants (1991-1994), compiling a record of 121-116 with an earned run average of 3.84 in 398 games. He was a member of the Royals' starting rotation when they won the World Series in 1985. This blogger saw Mr. Black pitch in Edmonton with the Spokane Indians of the Pacific Coast League in 1981.

Ramon Martinez pitched a no-hitter and Jose Offerman drove in 4 runs with a triple and a single as the Los Angeles Dodgers shut out the Florida Marlins 7-0 before 30,988 fans at Dodger Stadium.



10 years ago
2005

Died on this date
Joe Harnell, 80. U.S. musician. Mr. Harnell was a pianist who accompanied several artists in the 1950s before becoming Peggy Lee's full-time accompanist and arranger from 1958-1961. Mr. Harnell then embarked on a successful career as a bandleader; his single Fly Me to the Moon--Bossa Nova reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart early in 1963, and won a Grammy Award as Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Mr. Harnell died 19 days before his 81st birthday.