December 15, 2015

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Rahim Jaffer!

125 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Harry Babcock. U.S. pole vaulter. Mr. Babcock was a long jumper before switching to pole vault. He won a gold medal at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, setting an Olympic record of 3.95 metres. Mr. Babcock died on June 5, 1965 at the age of 74.

Died on this date
Sitting Bull, 59. U.S. Indian chief. Sitting Bull, chief of the Sioux, led his warriors to victory over the U.S. Army forces of General George Custer at Little Big Horn in 1876. He was killed by Indian police on a charge of resisting arrest.

120 years ago
1895

Transportation
The Nakusp and Slocan Railway opened to Sandon, British Columbia.

100 years ago
1915

Politics and government
William Bowser was sworn in as Premier of British Columbia; he replaced Richard McBride, who had been in office since June 1, 1903.

90 years ago
1925

At the movies
The Perfect Clown, directed by Fred C. Newmeyer, and starring Larry Semon and Kate Price, opened in theatres.



Diplomacy
Canada and Great Britain signed an agreement to reduce transportation rates for immigrants to ease a labour shortage, especially in agriculture. The agreement was backed by the Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway; the agreement was cancelled with the onset of the Depression.

Hockey
NHL
The third Madison Square Garden opened at Eighth Avenue and 50th Street in Manhattan as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Americans 3-1.

80 years ago
1935

Football
NFL
Championship
New York 7 @ Detroit 26

The Lions scored 2 touchdowns in the 1st quarter and 2 more in the last 3 minutes of the game as they won their first National Football League championship in a game played on a muddy field in freezing rain and bitter wind before 15,000 fans at University of Detroit Stadium. Taking the ball from the opening kickoff, the Lions drove 61 yards downfield and Ace Gutowsky rushed 5 yards for the game’s first touchdown, converted by Glenn Presnell. The defending champion Giants drove to the Detroit 13-yard line, but Ken Strong missed a field goal attempt. Late in the 1st quarter, Dutch Clark rushed 40 yards for a touchdown, but missed the convert, leaving the Lions with a 13-0 lead. The Giants scored in the 2nd quarter on a 42-yard pass from Ed Danowksi to Mr. Strong, converted by Mr. Strong. The score remained 13-7 until late in the 4th quarter, when one of Mr. Danowski’s punts was blocked, and the Lions recovered at the Giants’ 26-yard line. Ernie Caddell rushed 4 yards for a touchdown, converted by Mr. Clark, to make the score 20-7. A desperation pass by Mr. Danowski was intercepted by Buddy Parker, who returned it to the New York 10-yard line. Three plays later, Mr. Parker rushed 9 yards for a touchdown, but missed the convert attempt, making the final score 26-7. The Lions were in their second season in Detroit, having entered the NFL in 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans.



75 years ago
1940

On the radio



The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: The Naval Treaty

Diplomacy
French Governor-General of Indochina Vice Admiral Jean Decoux stressed his desire for peace by saying he was ready "at any moment" to open negotiations with Thailand.

Defense
James G. McDonald, chairman of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's advisory committee on refugees, predicted that an Arab-Jewish federation would be formed in Palestine for mutual defense against Germany and Italy.

A Southern Regional Conference meeting in Southern Pines, North Carolina declared that the United States faced an unimaginable crisis, and called upon the President and Congress for mobilization of all necessary resources and all-out aid to the United Kingdom.

Golf
Byron Nelson won the Miami Open with a 9-under-par total of 271.

70 years ago
1945

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Chickery Chick--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra with Nancy Norman, Billy Williams and the Kaye Choir (Best Seller--2nd week at #1; Airplay--4th week at #1; Juke Box--1st week at #1); It's Been a Long, Long Time--Harry James and His Orchestra with Kitty Kallen; Bing Crosby with Les Paul and his Trio (Honor Roll of Hits--5th week at #1)

Religion
Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan General Douglas MacArthur issued the Shinto Directive, abolishing state support for the Shinto religion, including teaching Shinto in state schools.

War
U.S. President Harry Truman barred U.S. military intervention in Chinese internal strife and urged an end to hostilities between Nationalists and Communists and a national conference of major political elements to bring about "the unification of China." He sent General George Marshall to China in an effort to bring Nationalists and Communists together in a viable government.

Abel Hermant, 83, a member of the French Academy, was sentenced in Paris to life imprisonment for collaboration with the Nazis. Count Fidel Palfy, Minister of Agriculture in the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Szálasi from 1944-1945, was sentenced to death as a war criminal.

Diplomacy
The United Nations Preparatory Commission voted 80-14 to establish UN headquarters in the United States.

Business
A U.S. District Court in Trenton, New Jersey fined a group of drug and chemical companies and executives $52,000 for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act.

60 years ago
1955

At the movies
The Man with the Golden Arm, directed by Otto Preminger and starring Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Parker, and Kim Novak, opened in theatres.





50 years ago
1965

At the movies
The Flight of the Phoenix, starring James Stewart, Richard Attenborough, Hardy Kruger, Peter Finch, and Ernest Borgnine, opened in theatres in Los Angeles.





Space
Gemini 6A, with a crew of Wally Schirra (Command Pilot) and Tom Stafford (Pilot), lifted off from Cape Kennedy, Florida. Four orbits later, it achieved the first space rendezvous, with Gemini 7.



Diplomacy
Organization of African Unity nations began acting against the United Kingdom over the issue of Rhodesia. Tanzania was the first to break diplomatic relations with Britain, followed by Guinea, Senegal, and Niger.

Baseball
The Boston Red Sox traded first baseman Lee Thomas, pitcher Arnie Earley, and a player to be named later to the Atlanta Braves for pitchers Dan Osinski and Bob Sadowski. Mr. Thomas batted .271 with 22 home runs and 75 runs batted in in 151 games with the Red Sox in 1965, while Mr. Earley was 0-1 with an earned run average of 3.65 in 57 games with Boston, all in relief. Mr. Osinski was 0-3 with a 2.82 ERA and 6 saves in 61 games with the Milwaukee Braves in 1965, while Mr. Sadowski was 5-9 with a 4.32 ERA and 3 saves in 34 games. Pitcher Jay Ritchie was transferred from the Toronto Maple Leafs of the AAA International League to the Richmond Braves of the IL in February 1966 to complete the deal.

The Detroit Tigers traded pitcher Phil Regan to the Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Dick Tracewski. Mr. Regan was 1-5 with an earned run average of 5.02 in 16 games with Detroit in 1965, and 9-5 with a 2.47 ERA in 17 games with the Syracuse Chiefs of the International League. Mr. Tracewski batted .215 with 1 home run and 20 runs batted in in 78 regular season games with the Dodgers in 1965, and .118 with no homers or RBIs in 6 World Series games.

The California Angels traded pitcher Barry Latman to the Houston Astros for catcher Ed Pacheco and cash. Mr. Latman was 1-1 with an earned run average of 2.81 in 18 games--all in relief--with the Angels in 1965, and 7-6 with a 3.09 ERA in 18 games with the Seattle Angels of the AAA Pacific Coast League. Mr. Pacheco batted .269 with 7 home runs and 43 runs batted in in 139 games with the Durham Bulls of the Class A Carolina League.

The California Angels signed veteran pitcher Lou Burdette. Mr. Burdette had begun the 1965 season with the Chicago Cubs, posting a record of 0-2 with an earned run average of 5.40 in 7 games before being sold to the Phillies on May 30 and going 3-3 with a 5.45 ERA in 19 games with Philadelphia. He was released by the Phillies on October 13.

40 years ago
1975

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Mamma Mia--ABBA (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Sentimental--Hiromi Iwasaki (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Amor, amor--Lolita (2nd week at #1)

Politics and government
15 members of the Territorial Council were elected in the Northwest Territories territorial election. The election produced the first Territorial Council that was entirely elected; previously, the Council had been composed of a mixture of elected and appointed members.

Football
NFL
New York Jets (3-10) 16 @ San Diego (2-11) 24

Baseball
The Kansas City Royals released outfielder Vada Pinson, ending his 18-year major league career. Mr. Pinson played with the Cincinnati Reds (1958-1968); St. Louis Cardinals (1969); Cleveland Indians (1970-1971); California Angels (1972-1973); and Kansas City Royals (1974-1975), batting .286 with 256 home runs and 1,170 runs batted in in 2,469 games. His best season was 1961, when he hit .343--second in the National League to Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates--with 16 homers, 87 RBIs, and a National League-leading 208 hits. In 1975 he batted .223 with 4 home runs and 22 RBIs in 103 games.

30 years ago
1985

Died on this date
Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, 86. Chief Minister of Mauritius, 1961-1968; Prime Minister of Mauritius, 1968-1982; Governor General of Mauritius, 1983-1985. Sir Seewoosagur was the leader of the Mauritian Labour Party from 1958 until his death.; he led the country to independence from the United Kingdom in 1968, and was known as the "Father of the Nation." Sir Seewoosagur died in office as Governor General.

Politics and government
Philippines Presidential candidate Corazon Aquino said that if she were elected she might try outgoing President Ferdinand Marcos for the murder of her husband Benigno, who was gunned down at the airport in Manila in 1983 as he deplaned on his return following several years of exile in the United States.

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Unchained Melody--The Righteous Brothers (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Silent Eve--Midori Karashima (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): I've Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): I've Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Show Me Heaven--Maria McKee (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Une femme avec une femme--Mecano (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Sadeness (Part I)--Enigma

#1 single in the U.K. (Chart Information Network): Ice Ice Baby--Vanilla Ice (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Because I Love You (The Postman Song)--Stevie B (2nd week at #1)

U.S. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Because I Love You (The Postman Song)--Stevie B
2 From a Distance--Bette Midler
3 I’m Your Baby Tonight--Whitney Houston
4 The Way You Do the Things You Do--UB40
5 Impulsive--Wilson Phillips
6 Justify My Love--Madonna
7 Tom’s Diner--D.N.A. featuring Suzanne Vega
8 High Enough--Damn Yankees
9 Freedom--George Michael
10 Love Takes Time--Mariah Carey

Singles entering the chart were Round and Round by Tevin Campbell (#67); This is Ponderous by 2nu (#72); Just a Little Bit Longer by Maxi Priest (#74); I Don't Know Anybody Else by Black Box (#79); Give it to Me Good by Trixter (#81); Remember My Name by House of Lords (#84); Get Here by Oleta Adams (#85); The Obvious Child by Paul Simon (#87); Show Me the Way by Styx (#90); and Spend My Life by Slaughter (#91).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 More than Words Can Say--Alias (4th week at #1)
2 Impulsive--Wilson Phillips
3 Something to Believe In--Poison
4 I’m Your Baby Tonight--Whitney Houston
5 Stranded--Heart
6 Love Takes Time--Mariah Carey
7 So Close--Daryl Hall John Oates
8 Miracle--Jon Bon Jovi
9 From a Distance--Bette Midler
10 One and Only Man--Steve Winwood

Singles entering the chart were Moneytalks by AC/DC (#66); Good to the Last Drop by Helix (#70); My Head's in Mississippi by ZZ Top (#79); You Taught Me Well by Rita MacNeil (#91); Night and Day by U2 (#95); Show Me the Way by Styx (#96); Over and Over by Neil Young and Crazy Horse (#98); and I Saw Red by Warrant (#99).

World events
Eight days of violence between Hindus and Muslims in India concluded with about 300 dead, the worst such violence since the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. The viloence had begun on December 7 in Aligarh, a city near Ayodhya, where Hindu fundamentalists wanted to tear down a mosque and build a temple to the god Rama, whom they believed was born on the site.

Crime
A rancher and his son were convicted in the murder of Chico Mendes, a defender of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil. Mr. Mendes, a leader of the rubber tappers--men who collect latex from trees--had resisted the burning and cutting of the forest by ranchers, and had gained international recognition as an environmental champion before being shot to death in 1988. Mr. Mendes was the subject of the made-for-television movie The Burning Season (1994).

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Gangsta's Paradise--Coolio feauring L.V. (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Father and Son--Boyzone (3rd week at #1)

Diplomacy
The International Committee of the Red Cross announced that it had suspended all activity in Burundi because of increasing danger to personnel in the country.

Boxing
Arturo Gatti (24-1) won the International Boxing Federation world super featherweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over defending champion Tracy Harris Patterson (54-4-1) at Madison Square Garden in New York.



10 years ago
2005

Died on this date
Stan Leonard, 90. Canadian golfer. Mr. Leonard, a native of Vancouver, won 42 professional tournaments, almost all of them in Canada. He joined the PGA tour at the age of 39 in 1954, and won the 1957 Greater Greensboro Open; the 1958 Tournament of Champions; and the 1960 Western Open. Mr. Leonard tied for eighth place in the Masters in 1955, tied for fourth in 1958 and 1959, and tied for ninth in 1960. He was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1964 and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1972.

William Proxmire, 90. U.S. politician. Mr. Proxmire, a Democrat, represented Wisconsin in the United States Senate from 1957-1989. He was known for his opposition to space exploration and his Golden Fleece Award, presented for what he regarded as the most ridiculous waste of taxpayers' money.

Darrell Russell, 29. U.S. football player. Mr. Russell was a defensive tackle with the Oakland Raiders (1997-2001) and Washington Redskins (2003). He made 10 quarterback sacks in 1998 and 9.5 in 1999, and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in both seasons. Mr. Russell was repeatedly suspended for violating the National Football League's drug policies, and was killed in a car accident in Los Angeles when he was a passenger in a car driven by former University of Southern California teammate Michael Bastianelli, 29, who was also killed.

Politics and government
In the first Iraqi parliamentary election since the ratification of a new constitution, the United Iraqi Alliance, led by Ibrahim al-Jaafari, captured 128 of 275 seats in the Iraqi Council of Representatives. The Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan, led by Massoud Barzani, won 53 seats, and the Iraqi Accord Front, led by Tariq al-Hashimi, was next with 44 seats. The Iraqi National List took 25 seats, and the Iraqi National Dialogue Front won 11 seats, with various other parties accounting for the remaining 14 seats.

Defense
The United States Air Force introduced the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor into active service.