January 26, 2016

350 years ago
1666

War
In the Second Anglo-Dutch War between England and the United Provinces of the Netherlands, King Louis XIV of France declared war on England.

175 years ago
1841

Britannica
Captain James Bremer took formal possession of Hong Kong Island at what is now Possession Point, establishing British Hong Kong.

160 years ago
1856

War
U.S. Marines from the USS Decatur drove off American Indian attackers after an all-day battle with white settlers in the First Battle of Seattle.

125 years ago
1891

Born on this date
August Froehlich. German clergyman. Rev. Froehlich was a Roman Catholic priest who spoke out publicly against treatment by the Nazi regime of Polish forced labourers. Rev. Froehlich was arrested in July 1941 and served time in three concentration camps before dying on June 22, 1942 at the age of 51.

Frank Costello. Italian-born U.S. gangster. Mr. Costello, known as the "Prime Minister of the Underworld," headed the Luciano crime family, one of the biggest in the United States. Mr. Costello became a celebrity in 1951 when he testified before the U.S. Senate hearings on organized crime headed by Senator Estes Kefauver. Mr. Costello agreed to testify, while his face not be shown on television. The camera showed close-ups of Mr. Costello's hands as he gave his testimony. He died on February 18, 1973 at the age of 82.

Wilder Penfield. U.S.-born Canadian physician. Dr. Penfield, a native of Spokane, Washington, trained in the United States before moving to Montreal, where he became the city's first neurosurgeon. He was a pioneer in brain surgery, including mapping functions of various regions of the brain. Dr. Penfield died on April 5, 1976 at the age of 85.

Died on this date
Nicolaus Otto, 58. German engineer. Mr. Otto developed the internal combustion engine in the 1860s and '70s, obtaining a patent, obtaining a patent in 1876.

110 years ago
1906

Transportation
The Canadian Pacific Steamship RMS Empress of Ireland was launched at Goven, Scotland to carry passengers and mail between Québec and Liverpool, along with her sister ship RMS Empress of Britain.

80 years ago
1936

Politics and government
The Liberal Party captured 126 of 300 seats in the Greek parliamentary election. The People's Party was next with 72 seats, followed by the General Popular Radical Union with 60 seats.

75 years ago
1941

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 3

Diplomacy
Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka accused U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull of distorting the truth about the "Manchurian Affair," which he blamed on "Anglo-Saxon interference in the Far East."

Politics and government
The India League, meeting in London, delcared that British rule had "ruined" India.

Protest
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples sponsored meetings in 23 American states to protest employment discrimination against Negroes in defense plants.

70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!--Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra with Vaughn Monroe and the Norton Sisters (Best Seller--1st week at #1; Airplay--2nd week at #1); I Can't Begin to Tell You--Bing Crosby with Carmen Cavallaro (Juke Box--5th week at #1); Symphony--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra with Clyde Rogers (Honor Roll of Hits--4th week at #1)

Aviation
U.S. Army Colonel William Councill shattered the transcontinental record by flying an Army Lockheed P-80 jet-propelled "Shooting Star" from Long Beach, California to La Guardia Airport in New York City in 4 hours 13 minutes 26 seconds.

Politics and government
Socialist Félix Gouin took office as President of the French provisional government, forming a cabinet of six Socialists; six Communists; six Popular Republican Movement members; and one independent.

The Iranian Majlis elected Ahmad Ghavam Saltaneh to a fourth term as Prime Minister. The vote was 52-51 in his favour.

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. claimed that secret clauses of the 1945 Yalta agreement promised the Soviet Union permanent possession of the Kurile Islands, southern Sakhalin, and adjacent islands.

Science
The important cosmic ray component meson was artificially isolated for the first time at the General Electric laboratories in Schenectady, New York.

Labour
Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Corporation settled with United Auto Workers for an hourly wage increase of 18½c.

The Congress of Industrial Organizations Packinghouse Workers voted to resume work in government-operated plants pending rulings by fact-finding boards.

Disasters
Switzerland was hit by its third earthquake in 24 hours, causing damage in St. Moritz and and that Canton of Valais.

Horse racing
Honeymoon, owned by movie mogul Louis B. Mayer, won the $28,705 Santa Maria Stakes in California.

60 years ago
1956

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): L'Homme et l'Enfant--Eddie & Tania Constantine (8th week at #1)

Defense
The U.S.S.R. returned the naval base on the Porkkala peninsula to Finland. The base had been administered by the Soviet Union as a result of the armistice ending the Contiutation War in 1944.

Olympics
Opening ceremonies for the 7th Winter Olympic games took place at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

50 years ago
1966

Politics and government
Former federal treasurer Harold Holt took office as Prime Minister of Australia, replacing the retiring Sir Robert Menzies as leader of the Liberal government.

Disappeared on this date
Jane Beaumont, 10; Arnna Beaumont, 7; Grant Beaumont, 4. Australian children. The Beaumont children disappeared from Glenelg Beach near Adelaide, South Australia, where they had been celebrating Australia Day. They had reportedly been in the presence of a tall, blond young man, but were never seen again, and the mystery has never been conclusively solved.

40 years ago
1976

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Jump in My Car--Ted Mulry Gang (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun--Masato Shimon (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Amor, amor--Lolita (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): I'm on Fire--5000 Volts (2nd week at #1)

Diplomacy
The United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for total Israeli withdrawal from all Arab territories occupied in the 1967 Six-Day War, and affirming an independent state in Palestine.

Football
NFL
Pro Bowl @ Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
NFC 23 AFC 20

Mike Boryla of the Philadelphia Eagles threw touchdown passes to Terry Metcalf and Mel Gray of the St. Louis Cardinals in the last 5 minutes of the game to give the National Football Conference their win over the American Football Conference before 32,108 fans in the first Pro Bowl to be played indoors. The AFC appeared to have clinched victory earlier in the 4th quarter on a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown by Billy Johnson of the Houston Oilers, who amassed 233 yards in kick returns and was voted the game's most valuable player.

30 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Nikita--Elton John

#1 single in Switzerland: Jeanny--Falco (2nd week at #1)

World events
The 10,000-man National Resistance Army, a force led by Yoweri Museveni and originally based in southwestern Uganda, captured the capital city of Kampala in heavy fighting against government troops and overthrew the government of President General Tito Okello.

Football
NFL
Super Bowl XX @ Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
Chicago 46 New England 10

The Bears forced 6 turnovers and turned them into 24 points in routing the Patriots before 73,818 fans to win their first NFL title in 22 years.



25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Ice Ice Baby--Vanilla Ice (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Attenti al Lupo--Lucio Dalla (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Sadeness Part I--Enigma

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Alle Børnene--2 X Kaj (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Ice Ice Baby--Vanilla Ice

#1 single in France (SNEP): Il faut laisser le temps au temps--Félix Gray & Didier Barbelivien (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Innuendo--Queen

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Ice Ice Baby--Vanilla Ice (6th week at #1)
2 Mary Had a Little Boy--Snap!
3 Maar Vanavond Heb Ik Hoofdpijn--Hanny
4 Don't Worry--Kim Appleby
5 Sadeness Part I--Enigma
6 To Love Somebody--Jimmy Somerville
7 Knockin' Boots--Candyman
8 All Together Now--The Farm
9 All the Man that I Need--Whitney Houston
10 Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C&C Music Factory

Singles entering the chart were Innuendo by Queen (#17); Can't Help Myself by 2 Brothers On The 4th Floor & Da Smooth Baron MC (#28); Coming Out of the Dark by Gloria Estefan (#29); Wij Weten Wel Hoe Laat Het Is by De Deurzakkers (#30); De Kreten-Kraker by Franky Boy (#35); and Where are You Baby? by Betty Boo (#36).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 The First Time--Surface
2 Love Will Never Do (Without You)--Janet Jackson
3 Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C+C Music Factory
4 Sensitivity--Ralph Tresvant
5 High Enough--Damn Yankees
6 Justify My Love--Madonna
7 Play That Funky Music--Vanilla Ice
8 After the Rain--Nelson
9 I'm Not in Love--Will to Power
10 Just Another Dream--Cathy Dennis

Singles entering the chart were Coming Out of the Dark by Gloria Estefan (#55); Chasin' the Wind by Chicago (#82); and Night and Day by Bette Midler (#92).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Love Will Never Do (Without You)--Janet Jackson
2 High Enough--Damn Yankees
3 The First Time--Surface
4 Sensitivity--Ralph Tresvant
5 Justify My Love--Madonna
6 Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C + C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams
7 I’m Not in Love--Will to Power
8 After the Rain--Nelson
9 Play That Funky Music--Vanilla Ice
10 Tom’s Diner--D.N.A. featuring Suzanne Vega

Singles entering the chart were Coming Out of the Dark by Gloria Estefan (#49); Secret by Heart (#70) and Who Said I Would by Phil Collins (#87).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 You Gotta Love Someone--Elton John
2 Justify My Love--Madonna
3 Love Will Never Do (Without You)--Janet Jackson
4 Freedom--George Michael
5 Til I Am Myself Again--Blue Rodeo
6 Disappear--INXS
7 Because I Love You (The Postman Song)--Stevie B
8 One and Only Man--Steve Winwood
9 Hang in Long Enough--Phil Collins
10 After the Rain--Nelson

Singles entering the chart were I'll Be the One by Zappacosta (#71); Chasin' the Wind by Chicago (#74); A Lil' Ain't Enough by David Lee Roth (#77); Get Here by Oleta Adams (#78); Crazy in Love by Kenny Rogers (#81); Let Me Love You Too by Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers (#82); Angel from Montgomery by the Leslie Spit Treeo (#88); Waiting for That Day by George Michael (#89); Swear to Your Heart by Russell Hitchcock (#90); If You Need Somebody by Bad Company (#95); and Coming Out of the Dark by Gloria Estefan (#96).

World events
The dictatorial rule of Somali President Major General Mohamed Siad Barre, who had seized power in 1969, ended when he fled the capital of Mogadishu for the country's deep south. President Barre had recently ordered the massacre of thousands of members of the Hawadle people, a sub-clan of the Hawiye clan. United Somali Congress (USC) commander Ali Mahdi Muhammad became the new President of Somalia.

War
The Pentagon said that two dozen Iraqi aircraft had flown to Iran. Many more soon joined them, and Iran, which had declared its neutrality in the Gulf War, said the planes would be impounded until the end of the war.

Protest
A protest rally against the Gulf War was held at Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton. Federal New Democrat MP Svend Robinson addressed the rally as did local environmental activist Tooker Gomberg. For Mr. Gomberg, dislike of the United States apparently took precedence over care for the environment, since it was Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein who had recently dumped oil into the Persian Gulf. This blogger participated in a pro-war rally, climaxed by a march to the statue of Mr. Churchill.

Hockey
NHL
Chicago 5 @ Toronto 1

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Spaceman--Babylon Zoo

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Spaceman--Babylon Zoo (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Dave Schultz, 36. U.S. wrestler. Mr. Schultz won a gold medal in the freestyle (under 74 kilograms) competition at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and numerous medals in other international competitions. While training for the 1996 Olympics, he was shot and killed by John Eleuthère du Pont, the owner of the facility in Pennsylvania where Mr. Schultz was training. Mr. du Pont had reportedly been exhibiting bizarre behaviour for some time before the killing, and he was convicted as guilty and mentally ill.

Politics and government
Brian Tobin was sworn in as Premier of Newfoundland, replacing the retiring Clyde Wells.

Lucien Bouchard became the fourth President of the Parti Québecois.

10 years ago
2006

Died on this date
Len Carlson, 68. Canadian actor. Mr. Carlson, a native of Edmonton, provided voices for characters in numerous cartoon television series. He died of a heart attack in Keswick, Ontario.

Scandal
Confronted by Oprah Winfrey on her syndicated television talk show, author James Frey acknowledged lies in his addiction memoir A Million Little Pieces. The admission came 18 days after the allegations had first been published on the website The Smoking Gun.