August 15, 2015

Married on this date
Happy Anniversary, Janet & Tim Sproule!

1,550 years ago
465

Died on this date
Libius Severus, 45 (?). Roman Emperor, 461-465. Libius Severus succeeded Majorian as Western Roman Emperor, but had no effective power. He reportedly died of natural causes--although there is at least one account saying that he was poisoned--and, after a two-yer period without an emperor, was succeeded by Anthemius.

475 years ago
1540

South Americana
Arequipa, capital of the Peruvian department of the same name, was founded under the name of "Beautiful Villa of Our Lady of the Assumption" in the name of Marquis Francisco Pizarro.

320 years ago
1695

War
During King William’s War, Fort William Henry (Pemaquid, Maine), on the disputed New England-Acadia boundary, fell to French commander Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville. In retaliation, Captain Benjamin Church raided Chignectou.

French forces ended the three-day bombardment of Brussels.

225 years ago
1790

Religion
John Carroll was named Bishop of Baltimore, becoming the first Roman Catholic Bishop in the United States.

125 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Jacques Ibert. French composer. Mr. Ibert wrote seven operas, five ballets, at least 17 film scores, and numerous orchestral works and piano pieces. He died on February 5, 1962 at the age of 71.

110 years ago
1905

Baseball
Rube Waddell pitched a no-hitter as the Philadelphia Athletics blanked the St. Louis Browns 2-0 at Columbia Park in Philadelphia in a game that was called after 5 innings.

100 years ago
1915

Born on this date
Signe Hasso. Swedish-born U.S. actress. Mrs. Hasso, born Signe Larsson, began her career in her native Sweden, but came to the United States in the early 1940s, where she was promoted as the "new Greta Garbo." She had a modest career in Hollywood, appearing in movies such as Heaven Can Wait (1943); The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944); The House on 92nd Street (1945); A Scandal in Paris (1946); Where There's Life (1947); and A Double Life (1947). Mrs. Hasso, who was married to German director Harry Hasso from 1933-1941, died on June 7, 2002 at the age of 86.

War
An article in the New York World revealed that the Imperial German government had purchased excess phenol from Thomas Edison that could be used to make explosives for the war effort, and had diverted it to Bayer for aspirin production.

80 years ago
1935

Died on this date
Will Rogers, 56. U.S. humourist and actor; Wiley Post, 36. U.S. aviator. Mr. Rogers, who was partly of Cherokee Indian ancestry, was one of the most famous Americans of his time. He was a cowboy, a vaudeville performer, newspaper columnist, radio commentator, and movie star, and was a prominent supporter of aviation. Mr. Rogers, perhaps as much as anyone, was seen as the embodiment of the "common man." Mr. Post flew around the world with a navigator in 1931 and became the first pilot to fly solo around the world in 1933. He was known for high-altitude flying, and designed one of the first pressure suits. Messrs. Rogers and Post were killed in a plane crash near Point Barrow, Alaska.

75 years ago
1940

War
Squadron Leader Ernest McNab scored the first Royal Canadian Air Force kill in the Battle of Britain as the German Luftwaffe flew 1,800 sorties, but suffered its greatest losses for a single day during the battle, losing 75 of 1000 aircraft, versus 35 lost by the Allies. Canada now guarding 8,000 German prisoners of war in various camps across the country. An Italian submarine torpedoed and sank the Greek cruiser Elli at Tinos harbour during peacetime, marking the most serious Italian provocation prior to the outbreak of the Greco-Italian War in October. The United Kingdom and France announced an agreement on the demobilization of the French fleet in West Indian waters, including the aircraft carrier Bearn.

Politics and government
Bank of Canada Governor Graham Towers urged Prime Minister Mackenzie King to proceed with the Rowell-Sirois Commission recommendations that the federal government take over control of unemployment insurance and pensions. The Commission also recommended the creation of equalization payments and large transfers of money from the federal government to the provinces each year.

The Mexican Congress established an electoral college favouring Avila Camacho for the presidency, three days after President Lázaro Cárdenas del Río had asked Congress to determine the winner of the July 7 presidential election.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Henry Wallace met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House to present his letter of resignation, effective at a date still to be determined.

The Minseito Party, the last remaining political party in Japan, voluntarily dissolved itself.

Defense
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill granting the President power to call the National Guard to active duty.

70 years ago
1945

Died on this date
Takeshi Mori, 51. Japanese military officer. Lieutenant General Mori commanded commanded the Japanese Empire's First Imperial Guards Division at the end of World War II. He was killed by Major Kenji Hatanaka for refusing to participate in the plot to isolate the Imperial Palace and to prevent the announcement of Japan's surrender.

Kenji Hatanaka, 33; Jirō Shiizaki. Japanese military officers. Major Hatanaka and Lieutenant Colonel Shiizaki committed suicide by shooting themselves after their attempt at a military coup was thwarted.

War
The Allies proclaimed V-J Day, one day after Japan had agreed to surrender unconditionally. Emperor Hirohito broadcast the surrender message at 12 noon, and for most Japanese people, it was the first time they had heard his voice. U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur directed the Japanese to send emissaries to Manila to discuss peace terms. Soviet units continued to fight in Manchuria, reportedly because Japanese forces there had not been ordered to lay down their arms.



World events
An attempted military coup by members of the Staff Office of the Ministry of War of Japan and many from the Imperial Guard of Japan, in an attempt to prevent Japan's surrender in World War II, was foiled.

Politics and government
Japanese Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki and his cabinet resigned, claiming that "the new situation created by Japan's acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration requires a new cabinet of men with fresh ideas." Former Chinese Emperor Puyi abdicated as Emperor of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo.

Defense
The United States War Department announced that it would release five million men from the armed forces within the next year and discharge immediately all those over the age of 38 and the 78,000 high-point men in the United States.

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with Bulgaria.

World events
A jury in Paris sentenced former French Prime Minister Marshal Philippe Petain, 89, to death for giving intelligence to the enemy during World War II, but Marshal Petain expressed hope that the sentence would not be carried out because of his age.

Economics and finance
U.S. War Production Board Chairman Julius Krug reported that only 30 or 40 controls on allocation of materials would remain in effect by the week's end, including tin, crude rubber, some textiles, lumber, and hard fibers. U.S. Office of Price Administration Administrator Chester Bowles freed gasoline from rationing. The U.S. War Mobilization Commission predicted over 5 million unemployed during the next three months, and possibly 6.2 million by December 1945.

Medicine
Professor Dr. H.W. Anderson of the University of Illinois said that the drug streptomycin may surpass penicillin in effectiveness.

Labour
American League President Will Harridge fired umpire Ernie Stewart for asking for higher salaries for AL baseball umpires. Mr. Stewart had umpired 688 games from 1941 through July 31, 1945.

60 years ago
1955

Football
CRU
WIFU-IRFU
Pre-season
Toronto (1-2) 29 @ Winnipeg (0-2) 6

50 years ago
1965

Music
The Beatles opened their 1965 North American tour with a concert at Shea Stadium in New York in front of a crowd of at least 55,000. The opening acts were King Curtis; Cannibal and the Headhunters; Brenda Holloway; Sounds Incorporated; and The Discoteque Dancers.



Protest
At least 28 people were dead and hundreds injured as the rioting by Negroes in the Watts section of Los Angeles entered its fifth day.

40 years ago
1975

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Paloma Blanca--George Baker Selection (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Paloma Blanca--George Baker Selection (10th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Paloma Blanca--George Baker Selection (6th week at #1)

Died on this date
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 55. 1st President of Bangladesh, 1971-1972; 4th President of Bangladesh, 1975; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, 1972-1975. Sheikh Rahman was the founding leader of Bangladesh when it gained its independence from Pakistan in 1971. He was killed in Dacca along with most members of his family during a military coup.

World events
On the 30th anniversary of the end of World War II, Takeo Miki made the first official pilgrimage to the Yasukuni Shrine by an incumbent Japanese Prime Minister. He visited solely in a private capacity.

Crime
Joan Little, 22, a Negress, was acquitted of murdering prison guard Clarence Alligood, 62, a white man. Miss Little was an inmate at Beaufort County Jail in Washington, North Carolina, and Mr. Alligood's body, naked from the waist down, was discovered on Miss Little's bunk, while Miss Little had escaped. Mr. Alligood had been stabed to death with an icepick. Miss Little turned herself in to North Carolina authorities a week later and claimed that she had killed Mr. Alligood while defending herself against his attempted rape of her. Miss Little was charged with first-degree murder, and the case drew the attention of feminists and civil rights activists. Miss Little's case was one of the first in which scientific jury selection was used, resulting in the trial being moved to Raleigh, and a jury composed of six whites and six Negroes. Miss Little became the first woman in the United States to be acquitted of murder on the grounds of defense against sexual assault.

Football
NFL
Pre-season
Cincinnati (1-2) 38 @ Buffalo (0-2) 28

Baseball
Tom Grieve singled home 4 runs with a pair of singles as the Texas Rangers beat the Baltimore Orioles 10-6 in the first game of a twi-night doubleheader before 18,636 fans at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Texas manager Frank Lucchesi was ejected by second base umpire Armando Rodriguez in the top of the 1st inning after Mr. Rodriguez ruled that Texas runner Dave Moates had been picked off second base by Baltimore pitcher Mike Torrez. Baltimore manager Earl Weaver was ejected by first base umpire Ron Luciano in the top of the 4th inning for arguing a call on a force play. In the second game, Baltimore third baseman Doug DeCinces hit a 2-run home run in the 5th inning and a 3-run triple in the 6th as the Orioles won 13-1. Mr. Weaver and Mr. Luciano resumed their argument as Mr. Weaver went to home plate to present the lineup card before the game, and Mr. Luciano ejected Mr. Weaver again.

Frank Tanana pitched a 4-hitter and struck out 8 batters, while Bruce Bochte drove in 3 runs with a single, double, and home run as the California Angels shut out the Detroit Tigers 8-0 before 8,885 fans at Anaheim Stadium, handing the Tigers their 19th straight loss.

30 years ago
1985

Adventure
Richard Branson’s attempt to set a record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean ended in disaster when his speedboat Virgin Atlantic Challenger capsized in heavy seas off the southwest coast of England.

Boxing
Mike Tyson (7-0) knocked out Lorenzo Canady (3-1) at 1:05 of the 1st round of their heavyweight bout at Resorts International in Atlantic City.

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (3-3) 4 @ Ottawa (3-3) 17

J.C. Watts threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Mike Caterbone on the last play of the 1st quarter, and the Rough Riders scored the game's other touchdown just 3:45 later when Greg Marshall blocked a Terry Leschuk punt and Ralph Dixon recovered in the Saskatchewan end zone. Mr. Leschuk's punt single in the 3rd quarter was the only scoring of the second half as 20,348 fans at Lansdowne Park tried to stay awake.

25 years ago
1990

Died on this date
Bob Garbark, 80. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Garbark was a catcher with the Cleveland Indians (1934-1935); Chicago Cubs (1937-1939); Philadephia Athletics (1944); and Boston Red Sox (1945), batting .248 with no home runs and 28 runs batted in in 145 games. He played in the minor leagues from 1932-1944.

Radio
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) formally revoked the broadcast licenses of the all-news network CKO, which had been surrendered to the CRTC after the network had gone off the air on November 10, 1989 after more than 12 years of broadcasting.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (4-2) 10 @ Hamilton (3-3) 20

The Hamilton defense held the Blue Bombers to just 6 first downs and 162 yards net offense in front of 14,887 appreciative fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Paul Osbaldiston led the Tiger-Cats with 4 field goals, a single, and a convert on Hamilton’s lone touchdown, a 20-yard pass from Todd Dillon to Richard Estell early in the 3rd quarter. The lone Winnipeg major came on a 3-yard pass from Tom Burgess to Eric Streater late in the 1st quarter.

Baseball
Terry Mulholland pitched a no-hitter and faced the minimum 27 batters as the Philadelphia Phillies blanked the San Francisco Giants 6-0 before 32,156 fans at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.

Herm Winningham hit 3 triples, the last of which drove in the winning run, as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 in 12 innings before 31,924 fans at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis.

Mark McGwire's game-ending grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning, his 30th home run of the season, gave the Oakland Athletics a 6-2 win over the Boston Red Sox before 41,704 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mr. McGwire became the first player to hit 30 home runs in each of his first 4 full major league seasons.

20 years ago
1995

Died on this date
John Cameron Swayze, 89. U.S journalist. Mr. Swayze was a pioneering television newscaster, best known for anchoring the Camel News Caravan on NBC from 1949-1956.

Diplomacy
On the 50th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, Tomiichi Murayama bcame the first Japanese Prime Minister to use the word "apology" in reference to Japan's "colonial rule and aggression" against other countries. He noted that Japan, as the first and still the only country to suffer atomic bomb attacks, was also a victim of the war.

Terrorism
Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols pled not guilty to new charges in connection with the April 19, 1995 bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Buildin in Oklahoma City, which had killed 169 people. The charges included conspiracy to blow up the building, and robbing a gun dealer.

Crime
The United States Justice Department agreed to pay white separatist Randy Weaver and his three daughters $3.1 million in compensation for the murder of Mr. Weaver's wife and son in a 1992 siege at Mr. Weaver's home in Idaho. The Weavers had filed wrongful death lawsuits totalling $200 million.

Economics and finance
After coordinated buying of U.S. dollars by the central banks of the United States, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland, the dollar jumped to 99.96 yen an 1,4778 marks.

10 years ago
2005

War
The Helsinki Agreement between the Free Aceh Movement and the Government of Indonesia was signed, ending 28 years of fighting.

World events
Israel's unilateral disengagement plan to evict all Israelis from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the northern West Bank began.