September 7, 2015

Married on this date
Happy Anniversary, Nicki and Ken Powless!

320 years ago
1695

World events
English pirate Henry Every perpetrated one of the most profitable pirate raids in history with the capture of the Grand Mughal ship Ganj-i-Sawai. In response, Emperor Aurangzeb threatened to end all English trading in India.

220 years ago
1795

Born on this date
John William Polidori. U.K. writer and physician. Dr. Polidori obtained his medical degree from the University of Edinburgh at the age of 19 in 1815, and became Lord Byron's personal physician a year later. He wrote fiction and non-fiction, and was best known for his novella The Vampyre: A Tale (1819), the first published modern vampire story. Dr. Polidori was suffering from depression and gambling debts when he committed suicide by consuming prussic acid on August 24, 1821, two weeks before his 26th birthday, although the coroner returned a verdict of death by natural causes.

120 years ago
1895

Sport
The first game of what would become known as rugby league football was played in England, starting the 1895–96 Northern Rugby Football Union season.

100 years ago
1915

Baseball
Dave Davenport pitched a no-hitter as the St. Louis Terriers shut out the Chicago Whales 3-0 in the first game of a doubleheader at Handlan's Park in St. Louis in a game that was completed in 1 hour 19 minutes. Mr. Davenport's no-hitter was the fourth of the season in the Federal League, and the fifth and last in the FL's 2-year history. Losing pitcher Ad Brennan pitched an 8-hit complete game. The Whales scored 2 runs in the 8th inning and 1 in the 9th to win the second game 3-2 in a game that was played in 1 hour 43 minutes. Claude Hendrix pitched a 4-hitter to win the pitchers' duel over Doc Watson, who allowed 7 hits and 3 earned runs.

Happy Finneran pitched a 3-hitter as the Brooklyn Tip-Tops blanked the Newark Peppers 6-0 at Harrison Field in Newark. Ed Reulbach allowed 9 hits and only 1 earned run in 8 innings in taking the loss. It was the final major league game for three Newark players: third baseman Larry Strands batted 1 for 3 with a base on balls; pinch hitter Hugh Bradley batted 0 for 1; and relief pitcher Chick Brandom allowed 1 hit and no runs, striking out 1 batter in pitching a scoreless 9th inning.

Jim Park pitched a 7-hit complete game and batted 2 for 5 with a double in his major league debut as the St. Louis Browns scored 3 runs in the top of the 11th inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 4-1 before 650 fans at League Park in Cleveland.

90 years ago
1925

Diplomacy
In Geneva Switzerland, Canadian Senator Raoul Dandurand was elected President of the 6th Assembly of the League of Nations, which was sitting until September 26, 1925.

75 years ago
1940

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): I'll Never Smile Again--Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra (vocal refrain by Frank Sinatra and the Pied Pipers) (7th week at #1)

Died on this date
José Félix Estigarribia Insaurralde, 52. 34th President of Paraguay, 1939-1940. Marshal Estigarribia joined the Paraguayan Army in 1910, and distinguished himself in the Chaco War against Bolivia (1932-1935). He was elected to a four-year term as President in 1939, taking office in August. Six months later, Marshal Estigarribia dissolved parliament and suspended the constitution; he introduced a new constitution giving him sweeping powers, and it was overwhelmingly approved in a national referendum a month be before he, his wife Julia, and everyone else on board were killed in a plane crash while on a tour of the Paraguayan interior. War and Navy Minister Higinio Morínigo was named to succeed him as President.

War
German forces began their initial blitz of London (see also here).

Diplomacy
The Treaty of Craiova was signed, resulting in Romania losing Southern Dobruja to Bulgaria. Most of Southern Dobruja's population were of Bulgarian and Turkish ancestry, with only about 20% being Romanians.

Bowing to Soviet pressure, the U.S. State Department announced the closing of its legations in Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania.

Politics and government
Burmese Prime Minister U Pu resigned after losing a non-confidence vote in the House of Representatives.

Republican Party U.S. presidential candidate Wendell Willkie declared that he would never lead the United States into a European war.

Science
The American Association of Scientific Workers offered to take charge of British research threatened by the war.

70 years ago
1945

At the movies
Isle of the Dead, produced by Val Lewton, directed by Mark Robson, and starring Boris Karloff, opened in theatres.



War
Japanese forces on Wake Island, which they had held since December of 1941, surrendered to U.S. Marines.

Diplomacy
Argentine Foreign Minister Juan Cooke reported satisfactory conversations with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Spruille Braden, and pledged that he would use his influence to carry out the Act of Chapultepec.

The Cuban government announced that American citizens no longer needed passports to visit the country.

Economics and finance
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands signed an agreement fixing the exchange rate at 10.691 guilders to the pound sterling for the next three years.

The U.S. Reconstruction Finance Corporation ended its lease of government-owned Alcoa plants in a move to "create competition in the aluminum industry."

Labour
The National Hockey League ended many wartime restrictions on players in the armed services or in essential war work.

50 years ago
1965

Died on this date
Catherine Dale Owen, 65. U.S. actress. Miss Owen was a popular Broadway actress in the 1920s and early 1930s. Her few movies included His Glorious Night (1929). Miss Owen died four days after suffering a stroke.

Politics and government
Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson obtained a dissolution of Parliament from Governor General Georges Vanier and called a federal election for November 8, 1965.

War
China announced that she would reinforce her troops on the Indian border.

In a follow-up to August's Operation Starlight, United States Marines and South Vietnamese forces initiated Operation Piranha on the Batangan Peninsula.

40 years ago
1975

Music
The Guess Who performed their final concert, at the Montreal Forum. The group broke up a month later, with leader Burton Cummings pursuing a solo career.

Tennis
Manuel Orantes of Spain defeated Jimmy Connors of the United States 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 to win the men's championship final at the U.S. Open in Forest Hills, New York.

Football
CFL
Hamilton (2-5) 31 @ Ottawa (5-3) 56
Montreal (5-3) 23 @ Toronto (3-5) 20

Art Green rushed for 4 touchdowns as the Rough Riders defeated the Tiger-Cats before 27,259 fans at Lansdowne Park. Jim Foley caught a touchdown pass from starting quarterback Tom Clements in the 1st quarter and threw a TD pass to backup quarterback Condredge Holloway in the 3rd quarter. Mr. Clements also completed a touchdown pass to Tony Gabriel, and Canadian rookie quarterback Bill Robinson threw his only CFL TD pass, connecting with Moody Jackson late in the 4th quarter. Terry Evanshen caught 4 touchdown passes for Hamilton, all on passes from Jim McMillan. Mr. McMillan also completed a 2-point convert pass to Garney Henley.

Don Sweet kicked his third field goal of the game--from 47 yards--with 3:37 remaining in the game to give the Alouettes their win over the Argonauts before 39,120 fans at CNE Stadium. Larry Smith caught a 10-yard pass from Jimmy Jones for the first Montreal touchdown 26 seconds into the 2nd quarter, and Johnny Rodgers scored the other Montreal TD on a 60-yard punt return just 1:35 later. Zenon Andrusyshyn kicked 4 field goals for the Argonauts, whose only touchdown came on a 10-yard pass from Mike Rae to Ed Shuttlesworth with 6:33 remaining in the game, followed by a 2-point convert pass from Mr. Rae to Peter Muller to tie the game 20-20.

NFL
Pre-season
New York Giants (4-1) 20 Cleveland (2-3) 24 @ Seattle
Denver (2-3) 10 @ San Francisco (2-3) 44
San Diego (1-4) 24 @ New England (3-2) 31
New York Jets (4-1) 35 @ Washington (3-3) 31

Leon McQuay returned a kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown and rushed 5 and 56 yards for TDs to lead the Patriots over the Chargers at Schaefer Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. New England quarterback Jim Plunkett suffered a shoulder separation in the 2nd quarter.

Baseball
George Foster drove in 4 runs and Don Gullett won his ninth straight decision to improve his 1975 record to 13-3 as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Francisco Giants 8-4 before 34,415 fans at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati to clinch the National League West Division pennant. San Francisco relief pitchers Greg Minton and Rob Dressler made their major league debuts; Mr. Minton allowed 3 hits, 4 bases on balls, and 2 runs--both earned--in 3 innings, while Mr. Dressler pitched a perfect 8th inning.

The Chicago Cubs scored 6 runs--5 unearned on 4 errors--in the 6th inning to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-4 before 30,071 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Steve Brye hit 2 home runs--1 inside-the-park--as the Minnesota Twins routed the Chicago White Sox 9-1 before 6,008 fans at White Sox Park. Tim Stoddard made his major league debut as a relief pitcher with the White Sox, allowing Mr. Brye's second homer, a solo blast, in the 8th inning.

Tony Solaita hit 3 home runs before singling home the winning run in the 11th inning as the Kansas City Royals edged the California Angels 8-7 before 7,029 fans at Anaheim Stadium. John Mayberry added 2 homers for Kansas City. The Royals used 8 pitchers, the last of whom, George Throop, made his major league debut, entering the game with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th and runners on first and third bases. Mr. Throop retired Bobby Valentine on a foul pop fly and struck out Leroy Stanton to end the game and earn his first save.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Into the Groove--Madonna (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Tarzan Boy--Baltimora (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Tarzan Boy--Baltimora (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): I Got You Babe--UB40 with Chrissie Hynde (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Dancing in the Street--David Bowie and Mick Jagger

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)--John Parr

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)--John Parr
2 The Power of Love--Huey Lewis and the News
3 Freeway of Love--Aretha Franklin
4 We Don’t Need Another Hero--Tina Turner
5 Money for Nothing--Dire Straits
6 Don’t Lose My Number--Phil Collins
7 Summer of ‘69--Bryan Adams
8 Pop Life--Prince and the Revolution
9 Cherish--Kool & the Gang
10 Invincible--Pat Benatar

Singles entering the chart were Part-Time Lover by Stevie Wonder (#44); I’m Goin’ Down by Bruce Springsteen (#48); I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down by Paul Young (#54); Miami Vice Theme by Jan Hammer (#58); Communication by Power Station (#68); We Built This City by Starship (#75); So in Love by Orchestral Manoevres in the Dark (#87); You are My Lady by Freddie Jackson (#89); and Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush (#90). Miami Vice Theme was from the television series.

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Crying Over You--Platinum Blonde
2 We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)--Tina Turner
3 You Spin Me Around (Like a Record)--Dead or Alive
4 The Power of Love--Huey Lewis and the News
5 St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)--John Parr
6 Never Surrender--Corey Hart
7 Freeway of Love--Aretha Franklin
8 What About Love--Heart
9 Head Over Heels--Tears for Fears
10 You Give Good Love--Whitney Houston

Singles entering the chart were Dancing in the Street by Mick Jagger and David Bowie (#71); You Look Marvelous by Billy Crystal (#73); Part-Time Lover by Stevie Wonder (#78); Saving All My Love for You by Whitney Houston (#84); Communication by the Pointer Sisters (#86); Staying all Night by Headpins (#89); High Strung by Paul Janz (#92); Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire by David Foster (#95); and Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush (#96).

Defense
Canada declined to join the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative missile defense system.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (7-2) 42 @ Ottawa (4-5) 14

Tom Clements threw 30-and 5-yard touchdown passes to Jeff Boyd and a 62-yard touchdown pass to Sean Kehoe to lead the Blue Bombers back from an early 10-0 deficit. Willard Reaves, who carried 10 times for 59 yards, rushed 1 yard for the other Winnipeg major score. Lester Brown, who was held to 18 yards on 11 carries, rushed 1 yard for the only Ottawa touchdown. Mr. Boyd led all receivers with 6 receptions for 114 yards. 19,185 fans sat through 30 C. heat on a Saturday afternoon at Lansdowne Park.

CIAU
Calgary 31 @ Manitoba 29
Pre-season
Toronto 14 McGill 12
Wilfrid Laurier 24 Concordia 1
Carleton 25 Waterloo 7
Regina Rams (PJFL) 22 Alberta 17

25 years ago
1990

Died on this date
A. J. P. Taylor, 84. U.K. historian. Professor Taylor was a pro-Soviet pothead who was known for television lectures and for books such as The Habsburg Monarchy (1941, revised 1948); Bismarck: The Man and Statesman (1955); The Origins of the Second World War (1961); and English History 1914-1945 (1965).

Politics and government
Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney appointed former New Brunswick Premer Richard Hatfield to the Senate.

Health
Kimberly Bergalis of Fort Pierce, Florida came forward to identify herself as the woman who had been infected with AIDS, apparently by her late dentist. (She died the following year.)

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that the unemployment rate in August had edged upward to 5.6%.

Football
CFL
The British Columbia Lions, fourth and last in the Western Division with a record of 2-7-1, fired head coach Lary Kuharich. Mr. Kuharich had been an assistant coach with the Calgary Stampeders and had replaced Bob Vespaziani after the Stampeders started the 1987 with a 2-6 record. They were 8-2 under Mr. Kuharich that year before losing the western semi-final to the Edmonton Eskimos. The Stampeders dropped to 6-12 and last place in 1988, and improved to 10-8 in 1989, hosting their first playoff game in 10 years. They lost the semi-final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Mr. Kuharich departed as head coach several days later under unpleasant circumstances. He was hired by the Lions after Murray Pezim bought the team.

Calgary (5-4-1) 17 @ Edmonton (7-3) 34

A Commonwealth Stadium crowd officially announced at 57,444 saw Henry "Gizmo" Williams return a punt 71 yards for a 3rd-quarter touchdown on what the Hall-of-Famer later claimed was his most memorable play. He appeared to be stopped in a pile of players, but burst through with more than half the length of the field open in front of him. Blake Marshall and Chris Johnstone each rushed 1 yard for a touchdown in the first half, and Tracy Ham threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Craig Ellis in the 4th quarter. The only Stampeder touchdown was scored by Derrick Crawford on an 82-yard punt return with just 1:25 left in the game. Rick Worman, who relieved starting quarterback Terrence Jones early in the game, completed a pass to Allen Pitts for a 2-point convert. Brian Walling of the Eskimos led all rushers with 12 carries for 98 yards and caught 3 passes for 24. Shawn Beals of the Stampeders caught 7 passes for 130, while Mr. Ellis led the Edmonton receivers with 8 catches for 105.

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Shy Guy--Diana King (4th week at #1)

Politics and government
Quebec Premier Jacques Parizeau tabled Bill 1 in the National Assembly; the bill gave that body the power to declare Quebec a sovereign country after a referendum victory.

10 years ago
2005

Politics and government
Egypt held its first-ever multi-party presidential election, with incumbent Hosni Mubarak winning 88.6% of the vote. Tomorrow Party candidate Ayman Nour demanded a rerun of the election amid reports of irregularities.