July 24, 2015

225 years ago
1790

Diplomacy
Spain agreed to compensate Britain for ships seized in Nootka Sound, British Columbia.

130 years ago
1885

Crime
William Henry Jackson was found not guilty in Regina of treason by reason of insanity for his involvement in the North-West Rebellion; he was sent to a lunatic asylum in Manitoba.

100 years ago
1915

Born on this date
Enrique Fernando. Filipino jurist. Mr. Fernando was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from 1967-1979 and Chief Justice from 1979-1985. He died on October 13, 2004 at the age of 89.

Disasters
The Michigan Transportation Company passenger ship S.S. Eastland rolled over while tied to a dock in the Chicago River, resulting in the deaths of 844 passengers and crew in the largest loss of life from a single shipwreck on the Great Lakes.

80 years ago
1935

Weather
The Dust Bowl heat wave reached its peak, sending temperatures to 109°F (43°C) in Chicago and 104°F (40°C) in Milwaukee.

75 years ago
1940

War
Italian planes shelled the city and port of Haifa.

Diplomacy
The Pan-American Consultative Conference in Havana considered protective measures against fifth column activities.

Defense
Assistant U.S. Secretary of War Louis Johnson said that the United States should aim to reach the capacity to equip one million men every three months.

Politics and government
U.S. Senator James Byrnes (Democrat--South Carolina) declined an offer to become the Democratic Party's national chairman.

Grandal MacKay announced the creation of the Southern Committee for Jeffersonian Democracy to conduct a radio campaign in 12 Southeastern states against the New Deal economic policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

U.S. President Roosevelt's son Elliott said that Republican Party presidential candidate Wendell Willkie would present the American people with a clear alternative to the New Deal.

Economics and finance
The fall of France caused a 30¢/bushel drop in the Winnipeg wheat price.

Egyptian Prime Minister Hasan Sabry Pasha ordered that cotton be shipped to world markets via the Red Sea due to difficulties encountered in the Mediterranean Sea.

Medicine
The British Health Ministry announced a discovery through which blood may be kept for transfusion indefinitely by separating the plasma.

Baseball
Walt Judnich hit a home run, 2 doubles, and 2 singles to lead the St. Louis Browns to a 14-12 win over the New York Yankees before 1,580 fans at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. Joe DiMaggio, Bill Dickey, Joe Gordon, and Tommy Henrich each homered for the Yankees, who scored 6 runs in the top of the 1st inning to take an early lead. The Yankees used 6 pitchers and the Browns 5, tying a major league record for the most pitchers used by both teams in a 9-inning game.

The Chicago White Sox led 6-1 after 1 inning and 8-1 after 3, but barely hung on to defeat the Boston Red Sox 12-10 before 4,000 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The White Sox hit 4 of the game's 6 home runs, including one by starting pitcher "Bullfrog" Bill Dietrich, who also hit 2 singles, and allowed 8 hits and 7 runs--all earned--in 5 2/3 innings, but was still credited with the win. Boston center fielder Dom DiMaggio singled, doubled, and tripled.

70 years ago
1945

At the movies
Midnight Manhunt, directed by William C. Thomas, and starring William Gargan, Ann Savage, Leo Gorcey, and George Zucco, opened in theatres.



War
U.S. President Harry Truman secretly decided to use the atomic bomb on a Japanese city if Japan did not surrender by July 30. U.S. and U.K. naval planes attacked Japan's largest naval base at Kure on the island of Honshu, claiming damage to two battleships, two heavy cruisers, one aircraft carrier, one light cruiser, and one escort carrier.

World events
At the trial in Paris of former French Prime Minister Marshal Philippe Petain, who was charged with treason, former Prime Ministers Paul Reynaud and Edouard Daladier testified that Marshal Petain had plotted with Nazi Germany.

Diplomacy
The Mexican government announced its suit against the American firm Palomas Land and Cattle Company to recover about 400 million acres of land that it contended was illegally held by the company.

U.S. Senator Burton K. Wheeler (Democrat--Montana) attacked the United Nations Charter as incapable of dealing with Europe's "rampant totalitarian tyranny."

Politics and government
E.P. Carville (Democrat) resigned as Governor of Nevada and was named by his successor, Lieutenant Governor Vail Pittman, as a United States Senator.

50 years ago
1965

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Crying in the Chapel--Elvis Presley (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France: La Danse de Zorba--Mikis Theodorakis (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Il mondo--Jimmy Fontana (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Il Silenzio--Nini Rosso (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Wooly Bully--Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Mr. Tambourine Man--The Byrds (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction--The Rolling Stones (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction--The Rolling Stones (3rd week at #1)
2 I'm Henry VIII, I Am--Herman's Hermits
3 Yes, I'm Ready--Barbara Mason
4 Cara, Mia--Jay & the Americans
5 I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)--The Four Tops
6 What's New Pussycat?--Tom Jones
7 Seventh Son--Johnny Rivers
8 Mr. Tambourine Man--The Byrds
9 What the World Needs Now is Love--Jackie DeShannon
10 You Turn Me On (Turn On Song)--Ian Whitcomb and Bluesville

Singles entering the chart were It's the Same Old Song by the Four Tops (#70); Since I Lost My Baby by the Temptations (#82); Sugar Dumpling by Sam Cooke (#83); I'm a Happy Man by the Jive Five (#85); California Girls by the Beach Boys (#86); It's Gonna Take a Miracle by the Royalettes (#89); Agent Double-O-Soul by Edwin Starr (#94); Canadian Sunset by Sounds Orchestral (#96); Love Me Now by Brook Benton (#98); The Sweetheart Tree by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra (#99); and We're Doing Fine by Dee Dee Warwick (#100). The Sweetheart Tree was from the movie The Great Race (1965).

Died on this date
Constance Bennett, 60. U.S. actress. Miss Bennett was popular in the 1930s in movies such as What Price Hollywood? (1932) and Topper (1937). She died of a cerebral hemorrhage.

40 years ago
1975

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Tears on My Pillow--Johnny Nash (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Robert Schmertz, 48. U.S. sports executive. Mr. Schmertz, one of the largest builders of retirement communities in the United States, was chairman of the board of directors and former majority owner of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. He had previously been one of the original owners of the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers (1970-1972), owned 30% of the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association, and had owned most of the New York Stars of the World Football League. Mr. Schmertz was indicted by a grand jury in New Jersey on bribery charges in February 1975, and died after undergoing surgery for a cerebral hemorrhage.

Barbara Colby, 36; James Kiernan, 35. U.S. actors. Miss Colby and Mr. Kiernan had just come out of an acting class in Los Angeles when they were gunned down in a parking area in an apparent drive-by shooting, with no apparent motive. Miss Colby had recently landed a supporting role in the television comedy series Phyllis, the first three episodes of which had been filmed by the time of her death.

Music
Charlie Rich, despite a cold, performed at Edmonton Coliseum as part of the "Coliseum of Stars" promotion in conjunction with Klondike Days.

Space
The Apollo crew of Tom Stafford, Deke Slayton, and Vance Brand splashed down in the Pacific Ocean to conclude the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. There was a glitch on re-entry when the astronauts inhaled toxic fumes, caused by the reaction control system (RCS) oxidizer venting from the spacecraft and reentering a cabin air intake. The astronauts began to feel ill shortly after leaving the spacecraft, and were hospitalized for two weeks in Honolulu. It was the fourth and last space flight for Mr. Stafford; the only space flight for Mr. Slayton; and the first for Mr. Brand. More significant, ASTP was the last manned space flight until the maiden flight of the space shuttle Columbia in April 1981.



Technology
The "telestrator," a device that enabled colour commentators on sports events to draw lines to illustrate details of plays on a television screen, made its public debut in the telecast of the Canadian Football League game between the British Columbia Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Winnipeg Stadium. The game was shown in western and northern Canada on CBC. Frank Rigney was the first commentator to use the device, and it became his trademark when he appeared on telecasts of games on CBC and later on CTV.

Football
CFL
Ottawa (1-0) 18 @ Toronto (0-1) 16
British Columbia (0-1) 9 @ Winnipeg (1-0) 17

Rookie quarterback Condredge Holloway, making his professional debut, rushed 10 yards for a touchdown in the 4th quarter and then handed off to John Bledsoe for a 1-yard TD with 1:50 remaining in the game as the Rough Riders outscored the Argonauts 15-0 in the 4th quarter to win before a CNE Stadium record crowd of 36,912. Doyle Orange scored the only Toronto touchdown on a 13-yard rush at 3:25 of the 3rd quarter. The loss spoiled the debut of former Ottawa quarterbacking legend Russ Jackson as Toronto's head coach. Jerry Keeling started at quarterback for the Rough Riders, but completed just 4 of 11 passes for 32 yards and an interception in what turned out to be his final game in an Ottawa uniform. Another rookie Ottawa quarterback, Tom Clements, also dressed for the game, but didn't play.

Defensive back Ray Odums, playing his first professional game, returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown in the 2nd quarter to help the Blue Bombers defeat the Lions before 22,167 fans at Winnipeg Stadium. Bob Macoritti, making his CFL debut in place of injured veteran Walt McKee, converted and added 3 field goals and a single. Jim Young scored the B.C. touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Don Moorhead at 3:40 of the 3rd quarter. John Wintermeyer, another kicker in his first CFL game, converted. It was also the first CFL game for Winnipeg running back Richard Crump, who rushed 15 times for 70 yards and caught 4 passes for 39. Another player making his CFL debut was Winnipeg middle linebacker Harry Walters.

Baseball
The Kansas City Royals fired manager Jack McKeon and replaced him with former Texas Rangers' manager Whitey Herzog. The Royals were in second place in the American League West Division with a record of 50-46, 11 games behind the Oakland Athletics. Mr. McKeon was in his third season as the Royals' manager. A rift had developed between Mr. McKeon and some of his players when hitting coach Charlie Lau had been reassigned to minor league duty. Mr. Herzog's first move as manager was to bring Mr. Lau back to the Royals in his old position.

Larry Milbourne's 2-run triple was the key hit as the Houston Astros scored 4 runs in the 6th inning and held on to beat the Montreal Expos 6-5 before 7,185 fans at Jarry Park in Montreal. Larry Dierker was the winning pitcher despite allowing 5 earned runs and 3 home runs in 8 innings. Steve Renko started on the mound for Montreal and allowed 9 hits and 6 earned runs to take the loss despite hitting his first home run of the season. Mike Jorgensen and Pete Mackanin also homered for Montreal.

Tom Seaver struck out 5 batters to raise his major league career total to 2,004, but he and the New York Mets lost 2-1 to the Cincinnati Reds before 41,423 fans at Shea Stadium in New York. The Reds scored both their runs in the 2nd inning, with the Mets scoring their only run in the 9th, when they had runners on first and second bases with 2 out, but Rawly Eastwick came in from the bullpen to strike out Dave Kingman to end the game. Mr. Seaver allowed 5 hits and 2 earned runs in 6 innings as his record for the season dropped to 14-6. Winning pitcher Fred Norman allowed 8 hits in 5 1/3 innings, but didn't allow a run, as two New York baserunners, including Mr. Seaver, were thrown out in the 5th inning on throws from outfielders.

Phil Niekro pitched a 5-hit complete game and doubled home the deciding run as the Atlanta Braves edged the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 before 21,706 fans at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. Larry Christenson started on the mound for Philadelphia and allowed 7 hits and 5 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings, while also contributing with the bat, tripling the game's first 2 runs in the 2nd inning. Rowland Office hit his first home run of the season for Atlanta.

The Milwaukee Brewers hit all four of the game's home runs--2 by Don Money, 1 each by George Scott and Gorman Thomas--but still lost 10-7 to the Baltimore Orioles before 12,162 fans at County Stadium in Milwaukee. Lafayette Currence made his major league debut on the mound for the Brewers to begin the 9th inning, and retired all 3 batters he faced.

The Chicago White Sox swept a doubleheader from the New York Yankees 4-3 in 11 innings and 1-0 before 13,910 fans at White Sox Park. With a runner on base in the bottom of the 11th in the first game, Dick Tidrow took the mound for New York in relief of Sparky Lyle. After retiring Bill Stein, Mr. Tidrow gave up a 2-run home run to Brian Downing to end the game. In the second game, New York starting pitcher Larry Gura was pitching a shutout after 7 innings, but Pete Varney singled to lead off the bottom of the 8th. Mr. Downing went in to run for Mr. Varney, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Pat Kelly, and went to third on a single by Lee Richard. Mr. Tidrow was then summoned from the bullpen, walked Ken Henderson to load the bases, and walked Bill Melton to force home Mr. Downing with the game's only run. Chicago starter Jesse Jefferson allowed 4 hits and 6 bases on balls, but no runs, in 7 2/3 innings, while Dave Hamilton pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings and was credited with the win.

Roger Cador of the Savannah Braves batted 2 for 4, singling in the eventual winning run in the 6th inning and stealing a base, to win most valuable player honours as East defeated West 3-1 in the Southern League All-Star Game before 3,000 fans at Grayson Stadium in Savannah. Bob Maneely of the Orlando Twins started on the mound for the East and allowed just 2 hits and no runs in 4 innings before being relieved by Joe Sambito of the Columbus Astros, who allowed 5 hits and 1 earned run in 3 innings, but was credited with the win. Savannah's Mike Davey allowed 2 hits but no runs in 2 innings to get the save. Ken Kravec of the Knoxville Sox, the third of four West pitchers, allowed 2 hits, 1 base on balls, and 2 runs--both earned--to take the loss.

Dave McCarthy pitched a no-hitter as the Sarasota Rangers blanked the Sarasota White Sox 5-0 in a Gulf Coast League game. The White Sox loaded the bases with 1 out in the 9th inning, but Mr. McCarthy recorded his sixth strikeout and retired the last batter on a short fly ball to center field.

The Boise A's were awarded a forfeit in their Class A Northwest League game when Portland Mavericks' manager Frank Peters removed his team from the field following a fight in the 5th inning. Portland starting pitcher Jim Emery was removed from the game after allowing 9 hits, 8 runs, 4 bases on balls, a wild pitch, and a balk, and tangled with Boise first base coach Maddison Owens as he left the field. Both benches emptied, and Mr. Owens suffered a cut lip in the melee. The umpires ejected Messrs. Emery and Owens, and awarded a victory to Boise when Mr. Peters told his players to leave the field. Mr. Peters was later suspended for his actions by NL President Bob Richmond.

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Whose Law (Is it Anyway?)--Guru Josh (3rd week at #1)

Personal
This blogger was in Toronto, enjoying the company of a certain lovely lady in Neil McLellan Park.

World events
Iraq massed tens of thousands of troops and hundreds of tanks along its border with Kuwait.

Terrorism
The explosion of a land mine, apparently detonated from a nearby house, killed three Northern Irish policemen in a car near Armagh. A Roman Catholic nun travelling in another car was also killed in the blast, which was attributed to the Provisional Irish Republican Army.

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: The Colour Inside--Ti.Pi.Cal. (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Get it Up--Sensity World

#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): '74–'75--The Connells (9th week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Wish You were Here--Rednex (4th week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 I'll Be There for You--The Rembrandts (2nd week at #1)
2 Leave Virginia Alone--Rod Stewart
3 Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me--U2
4 This Ain't a Love Song--Bon Jovi
5 Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?--Bryan Adams
6 Misery--Soul Asylum
7 Water Runs Dry--Boyz II Men
8 December--Collective Soul
9 Wonderful--Adam Ant
10 Genuine--Mae Moore

Singles entering the chart were Keeper of the Flame by Martin Page (#83); Childhood by Michael Jackson (#84); Hey God by Bon Jovi (#87); Immortality by Pearl Jam (#88); I Die a Little More Each Day by Gino Vannelli (#91); Let Me Be the One by Rik Emmett (#92); and Total Eclipse of the Heart by Nikki French (#99).

Died on this date
Jerry Lordan, 61. U.K. songwriter. Mr. Lordan was best known for writing the instrumental composition Apache, a major hit in the U.K. for the Shadows in 1960 and internationally for Jorgen Ingmann in 1961. Mr. Lordan died of kidney failure.

Football
CFL
Memphis (3-2) 23 @ Hamilton (2-2) 21

Damon Allen passed 73 yards to Eddie Brown for one touchdown and handed off to John Martin for a 1-yard TD as the Mad Dogs held on to defeat the Tiger-Cats before 20,324 fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Hamilton quarterback Anthony Calvillo completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Earl Winfield in the 2nd quarter. With 1:35 remaining in regulation time and Memphis leading 23-15, Hamilton's Sam Rogers returned a punt 113 yards for a touchdown, but a 2-point convert attempt was unsuccessful.



10 years ago
2005

Cycling
Lance Armstrong won his seventh consecutive Tour de France; all of the results from the years 1999-2005 have since been struck from the record because of the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs by Mr. Armstrong and every other contender for the championship.