July 6, 2015

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Ancamaria!

1,375 years ago
640

War
Muslim forces commanded by Amr ibn al-A'as defeated Byzantine forces commanded by Theodore in the Battle of Heliopolis in Egypt.

600 years ago
1415

Died on this date
Jan Hus, 45 (?). Czech religious reformer. Mr. Hus was a Roman Catholic priest who criticized the immorality of Roman Catholic clergy and corrupt practices such as the sale of indulgences. He was condemned as a heretic by the Council of Constance and was burned at the stake, immediately entering into the presence of his Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Mr. Hus was a key predecessor to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, and the Moravian Church traces its roots to him, and July 6 is observed as the public holiday Jan Hus Day in the Czech Republic. The Roman Catholic Church is still at large, and the doctrines that Mr. Hus opposed are still in place.

520 years ago
1495

War
French forces commanded by King Charles VIII defeated forces of the Holy League led by Francesco Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua in the Battle of Fornovo in Italy. It was the first major battle of the Italian Wars.

480 years ago
1535

Died on this date
Thomas More, 57. English lawyer, diplomat, and author. Mr. More, a staunch Roman Catholic who had led the persecution of William Tyndale for translating the Bible into English, was beheaded for treason for refusing to join the Church of England under the headship of King Henry VIII. His best-known book was Utopia (1516).

150 years ago
1865

Journalism
The first issue of the American magazine The Nation was published.

130 years ago
1885

Medicine
Louis Pasteur successfully tested his vaccine against rabies on Joseph Meister, a boy who had been bitten by a rabid dog.

90 years ago
1925

Economics and finance
The governments of Canada and the British West Indies signed a new trade agreement.

80 years ago
1935

Aviation
The Fairchild 82A bush plane, Canadian-designed successor to the FC-2W-2, made its first flight at Montreal.

75 years ago
1940

War
A Gallup Poll revealed a 5% decrease in support by U.S. voters since June 14 for American entry into the European war.

Australiana
Story Bridge, a major landmark in Brisbane, as well as Australia's longest cantilever bridge, was formally opened.

Italiana
Italy proposed a law to encourage repatriated Italians from abroad to colonize the nation's African possessions.

Diplomacy
British authorities temporarily suspended air and sea traffic to Indochina.

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt urged a Monroe Doctrine for Europe and Asia so that all nations could determine their own fate.

The United States Justice Department ordered an examination of 18,000 aliens in the U.S. to determine how many may be agents of foreign governments.

Politics and government
At a meeting in Hyde Park, New York lasting three hours, U.S. President Roosevelt revealed to Postmaster General James Farley, under a pledge of secrecy, plans for his third term as President.

Science
Enrico Fermi obtained a patent for a method of transforming one chemical element into another by bombardment of atoms with neutrons.

Defense
Charles L. Kee reported the invention of a control and bombing device which improved the accuracy of bombers.

Economics and finance
The Japanese government issued a decree prohibiting the manufacture and sale of luxuries because of defense needs.

70 years ago
1945

War
Radio reports from London said that the Norwegian government had announced in Oslo that it had been in a state of war against Japan since December 7, 1941, but that the formal announcement had been withheld until the return of the government to home soil. U.S. Superfortresses dropped 4,000 tons of incendiary bombs on targets at Kofu, Chiba, and Akashi on the Japanese island of Honshu, destroying 43%-65% of the target areas. Chinese leader Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek predicted that the coming year would bring great results, including a landing in Japan.

Diplomacy
The U.S.A., U.K., and U.S.S.R. agreed upon three principles governing war crimes trials: 1) the accused shall have a fair hearing; 2) they can develop their own defense; 3) the trials shall not be subjected to obstructionist tactics by the defense.

French leader General Charles de Gaulle accepted U.S. President Harry Truman's invitation to visit Washington.

Polish leaders in London said they would not surrender documents or Polish property to anyone.

Nicaragua officially ratified the United Nations Charter.

Defense
U.S. Navy Admiral Jonas Ingram told Brazil that all naval bases in that country occupied by the United States would be returned to Brazil by July 8.

Politics and government
The day after the death of Australian Prime Minister John Curtin, Frank Forde was sworn in as Prime Minister, with a leadership contest to be decided a week later.

Argentine President Edelmiro Farrel called elections for the end of the year, promising they would be absolutely free.

The All-India Congress submitted to U.K. Viceroy Wavell 15 a list of 15 candidates from which its representatives to the proposed reorganized Indian government were to be chosen.

The U.S. administration of President Harry Truman announced that Fred Vinson would replace Henry Morgenthau as Secretary of the Treasury.

Religion
The Vatican excommunicated Most Rev. Don Carlos Duarte de la Costa, bishop of Maura in Brazil, for preaching revolutionary practices.

Baseball
Tommy Holmes set a modern National League record by hitting safely in 34 straight games as he hit a single, double, and home run in the first game, and 3 doubles in the second game, helping the Boston Braves sweep a doubleheader from the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-5 and 14-8 before 8,025 fans at Braves Field.

The Washington Nationals scored 5 runs in the top of the 1st inning and coasted to a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Browns in the first game of a doubleheader before 13,801 fans at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. Alex Carrasquel pitched 7 scoreless innings in relief of Sandy Ullrich as the Nationals completed the sweep with a 5-2 win in the second game.

60 years ago
1955

Boxing
Floyd Patterson (23-1), a light heavyweight, knocked out heavyweight Archie McBride (26-10) at 1:46 of the 7th round of their bout at Madison Square Garden in New York.

50 years ago
1965

Politics and government
The United States Senate passed the U.S. presidential disability and vice-presidential vacancy resolution; ratification by 38 of 50 states within seven years was necessary in order for the proposed amendment--regarding what happens if the President of the United States becomes incapacitated and unable to carry on the functions of the office--to become part of the United States Constitution.

Economics and finance
France recalled its permanent representative from the European Economic Community, and announced a boycott of European Economic Community Council meetings "for the moment."

40 years ago
1975

Africana
The Comoros declared independence from France.

Weather
A hailstone weighing 249 grams fell near Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

Horse racing
In a heralded 1 1/4-mile match against Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure at Belmont Park, New York, Ruffian, a popular and hitherto undefeated 3-year-old filly, broke down about three-eighths of a mile into the race and had to be destroyed after surgery.

Baseball
J.R. Richard allowed 4 hits and struck out 9 batters in 6 2/3 innings and drove in 2 runs with a home run and a single to lead the Houston Astros over the Atlanta Braves 6-2 before 3,728 fans at Atlanta Stadium.

Mike Jorgensen's 2-run home run was the key hit as the Montreal Expos scored 3 runs in the 8th inning and defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 before 23,967 fans at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis.

The Pittsburgh Pirates scored in every inning except the 9th as they outslugged the Chicago Cubs 18-12 in the first game of a scheduled doubleheader before 28,023 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The second game was rained out.

The Los Angeles Dodgers scored 4 runs in the 1st inning and Doug Rau pitched a 3-hit complete game--allowing no hits through 7 innings--in a 5-1 win over the San Francisco Giants before 33,235 fans at Dodger Stadium.

The Cincinnati Reds scored 3 runs in each of the first 2 innings, 2 in the 4th, and 5 in the 6th as they routed the San Diego Padres 13-2 before 16,932 fans at San Diego Stadium. Clay Kirby allowed 6 hits and 2 earned runs in getting the win, following Fred Norman from the previous day in being the second ex-Padre with the Reds to beat his former team in as many days.

The Boston Red Sox scored 4 runs in the top of the 2nd inning and held on to defeat the Cleveland Indians 5-3 in the first game of a doubleheader before a Bat Day crowd of 58,781 at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. The Red Sox scored 5 runs in the top of the 2nd in the second game, but the Indians came back to win 11-10.

Willie Horton had 3 hits in the first game and 2 in the second game, while Ron LeFlore had 2 hits in the 1st game and 3 in the second game as the Detroit Tigers swept a doubleheader from the Milwaukee Brewers 7-5 and 11-2 before 24,019 fans at Tiger Stadium.

Clyde Wright and Gaylord Perry each posted his first win in a Texas uniform as the Rangers swept a doubleheader from the Minnesota Twins 4-2 and 7-0 before 14,211 fans at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington.

Dick Lange, Andy Hassler, and Don Kirkwood combined for a 6-hit shutout as the California Angels posted their second straight 2-0 win over the Oakland Athletics before 9,324 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Vida Blue pitched a complete game in defeat, allowing just 5 hits and 2 earned runs and striking out 9.

Ellis Valentine hit 2 home runs and Hal Breeden also homered for the Memphis Blues as they defeated the Toledo Mud Hens 9-7 in an International League game. Joe Keener was the winning pitcher, with relief help from Ron Diorio and Bob Gebhard.

The Tidewater Tides swept an International League doubleheader from the Richmond Braves 7-1 and 3-2 at Metropolitan Memorial Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Craig Swan pitched a 2-hit complete game for Tidewater in the first game, while Roy Staiger and Mike Vail hit home runs for the Tides, with Reggie Sanders homering for Richmond. In the second game, Mr. Vail and Jeff Geach homered for Tidewater, and relief pitcher Mike Wegener picked up the win. Marlan Murphy homered for the Braves, but was ejected when he made a remark to a teammate about the low calibre of umpiring. Base umpire Jerry Crawford overheard the remark and ejected Mr. Murphy, and it took Richmond manager Bob Lemon and coach Alan Gallagher to restrain Mr. Murphy from punching Mr. Crawford. Said Mr. Murphy, "He didn't cuss me, though. If he had, my baseball career would have ended right there."

The Evansville Triplets swept an American Association doubleheader from the Omaha Royals 5-3 and 3-1. Boots Day hit a solo home run for the Triplets in the first game, and Ed Kurpiel's grand slam in the 7th made the difference, offsetting solo home runs by Frank Ortenzio, Jamie Quirk, and John Wathan. Chip Swanson and Gene Pentz combined for a 7-hit victory in the first game, while Bill Slayback and Steve Grilli combined for an 8-hit win in the second game.

Officials with the Jalisco Charros of the Mexican League announced that Vinicio Garcia had resigned as manager because of illness, but Mr. Garcia claimed he had been fired. He was replaced by Ossie Alvarez.

John Morris pitched a 7-inning no-hitter as the Newark Co-Pilots blanked the Oneonta Yankees 10-0 in the second game of a Class A New York-Pennsylvania League doubleheader in Oneonta, New York. The Co-Pilots were a farm team of the Milwaukee Brewers.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): A View to a Kill--Duran Duran (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Dancing in the Dark--Bruce Springsteen

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): 19--Paul Hardcastle (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Frankie--Sister Sledge (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Frankie--Sister Sledge (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Sussudio--Phil Collins

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Sussudio--Phil Collins (2nd week at #1)
2 A View to a Kill--Duran Duran
3 Raspberry Beret--Prince and the Revolution
4 Heaven--Bryan Adams
5 Everybody Wants to Rule the World--Tears for Fears
6 In My House--Mary Jane Girls
7 Angel--Madonna
8 Would I Lie to You?--Eurythmics
9 Everytime You Go Away--Paul Young
10 Voices Carry--’Til Tuesday

Singles entering the chart were We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) by Tina Turner (#48); Invincible by Pat Benatar (#65); Mystery Lady by Billy Ocean (#69); Life in One Day by Howard Jones (#73); Cherish by Kool & The Gang (#79); and Lay it Down by Ratt (#85). We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) was from the movie Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), in which Miss Turner co-starred.

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Never Surrender--Corey Hart
2 A View to a Kill--Duran Duran
3 Walking On Sunshine--Katrina and the Waves
4 Axel F--Harold Faltermeyer
5 Would I Lie to You?--Eurythmics
6 Black Cars--Gino Vannelli
7 Everybody Wants to Rule the World--Tears for Fears
8 Suddenly--Billy Ocean
9 Angel--Madonna
10 Sussudio--Phil Collins

Singles entering the chart were Take on Me by A-Ha (#74); Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears (#80); Invincible by Pat Benatar (#82); Cry by Godley & Creme (#86); Wave Babies by Honeymoon Suite (#90); People Get Ready by Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart (#93); Call Me by Rational Youth (#94); and Deep Cuts the Knife by Helix (#96).

Football
CFL
British Columbia (1-0) 42 @ Hamilton (0-1) 8

Tim Cowan came off the bench in relief of injured B.C. starting quarterback Roy Dewalt and completed 25 of 36 passes for 386 yards and touchdown passes to John Pankratz, Ron Robinson, Keyvan Jenkins, and Merv Fernandez. Mr. Jenkins recovered teammate Jim Sandusky’s fumble for another B.C. score, and John Henry White rushed 1 yard for another Lion touchdown. Jeff Tedford, making his first start after two years as a backup quarterback, completed 11 of 15 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown to Steve Stapler that gave the Tiger-Cats an early 7-0 lead, but Mr. Tedford and backup Pete Gales produced just 5 first downs and 94 yards net offense before just 13,101 fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium.



25 years ago
1990

Politics and government
Although his Socialist Party had won parliamentary elections in June, Bulgarian President Petar Mladenov resigned his office. Student protesters had set up a tent city in Sofia to protest his rule.

Protest
Riot police closed off the embassy district in the Albanian capital of Tirana and attacked 10,000 demonstrators. Thousands of Albanians were seeking refuge in foreign embassies.

Defense
Two days of North Atlantic Treaty Organization meetings concluded in London with the approval of some shifts in strategy that reflected the easing of tensions in Europe. The leaders agreed to scale back the number of troops in a front-line position. NATO’s leaders, including U.S. President George Bush, declared that their nuclear arms were "truly weapons of the last resort," essentially renouncing the possibility of using nuclear weapons in response to an attack by conventional forces. The United States said that it would be willing to withdraw all of its nuclear-tipped artillery shells if the Soviet Union did the same. The leaders invited Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and other leaders of the dissolving Soviet bloc to address NATO.

Abominations
Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer vetoed a bill that banned all abortions except to save the life of the mother. Mr. Roemer said that he vetoed the bill because it made no exception for victims of rape or incest.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that the unemployment rate had edged downward to 5.2% in May, but added that few new jobs had been created and that the labour force was increasing only slowly.

Disasters
A burst pipe at the National Archives of Canada in Ottawa damaged 100 atlases dating between 1490-1600; 2,000 books; and a collection of 150-year-old manuscripts.

Baseball
Whitey Herzog, in his 11th season as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, resigned with the team in 6th and last place in the National League East Division with a record of 33-47. It turned out to be the end of Mr. Herzog’s 18-year major league managerial career; he finished with a regular season record of 1281-1125-1, a winning percentage of .532. Mr. Herzog piloted the Kansas City Royals to divisional pennants in 1976-1978 and the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series win in 1982 and a National League pennant in 1987. Red Schoendienst, who had managed the team from 1965-1980 (resigning after 37 games in 1980) took over as Mr. Herzog’s temporary replacement.

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Scatman's World--Scatman John (2nd week at #1)

War
Bosnian Serbs under the command of General Ratko Mladić began an attack on the Bosnian town of Srebrenica and killed more than 8000 Bosniaks in what United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali called "the worst crime on European soil since the Second World War."

Economics and finance
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board cut the federal funds rate--the interest rate charged by banks on overnight loans to each other--from 6%-5.75%, the first cut in a key interest rate since 1992.

The United States Commerce Department reported that the index of leading economic indicators had declined for the fourth straight month, dropping 0.2% in May--the longest slide since a six-month decline during the 1989 recession.

Business
Dennis Bennie sold Delrina Corporation to Symantec Corporation in a U.S.$415-million deal that would cost the jobs of almost 25% of the software company's 730 employees.

Football
CFL
Ottawa (1-1) 24 @ Toronto (1-1) 37

10 years ago
2005

Died on this date
Claude Simon, 91. Malagasy-born French author. Mr. Simon was awarded the 1985 Nobel Prize in Literature for combining "...the poet's and the painter's creativeness with a deepened awareness of time in the depiction of the human condition."

L. Patrick Gray, 89. U.S. law enforcement official. Mr. Gray succeeded J. Edgar Hoover as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1972-1973. He was nominated by President Richard Nixon to be the FBI's permanent director, but failed to win Senate confirmation, and resigned on April 27, 1973, after admitting to destroying documents received on June 28, 1972, 11 days after the break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C.

Evan Hunter, aka Ed McBain, 78. U.S. author. Mr. Hunter, born Salvatore Lombino, legally changed his name to Evan Hunter, but was best known for writing a series of "87th Precinct" crime novels under the name Ed McBain.

Journalism
New York Times reporter Judith Miller was jailed after refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating the leak of an undercover Central Intelligance Agancy operative's name.

Olympics
The International Olympic Committee announced that London would host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.