January 4, 2016

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Angela Ieriti, Agness Nyambe, and Aydee Ramirez!

120 years ago
1896

Americana
Utah was admitted to the Union as the 45th state.

Politics and government
Seven ministers of Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie Bowell’s cabinet resigned in opposition to his leadership, after he tried to abolish the Manitoba Schools Act. Sir Mackenzie tried to resign, but when it was rumoured that the Governor General was considering calling on opposition leader Wilfrid Laurier to form a government, the Conservative Party group that Prime Minister Bowell called a "nest of traitors" agreed to back him until the end of the parliamentary session on April 27.

100 years ago
1916

Born on this date
Lionel Newman. U.S. composer. Mr. Newman, the brother of composers Alfred and Emil Newman and uncle of composer and songwriter Randy Newman, composed scores for movies and television programs for several decades. He and Lennie Hayton shared the Academy Award for their score for Hello, Dolly! (1969). Mr. Newman died on February 3, 1989 at the age of 73.

Robert Parrish. U.S. film director and editor. Mr. Parrish and Francis Lyon shared the Academy Award for editing for Body and Soul (1947). Mr. Parrish directed such movies as The Mob (1951) and The Purple Plain (1954), and co-directed Casino Royale (1967). He died on December 4, 1995 at the age of 79.

90 years ago
1926

Died on this date
Margherita, 74. Queen consort of Italy, 1878-1900. Margherita, the daughter of Prince Ferdinand of Savoy, Duke of Genoa and Princess Elisabeth of Saxon, married her first cousin, the future King Umberto I, in 1868, and became queen consort when he acceded to the throne ten years later. She engaged in social and charitable work to strengthen the popularity of the monarchy, and worked to protect the monarchy against republicans and socialists. King Umberto was assassinated in 1900, and Margherita was a dowager queen as their son Victor Emmanuel III reigned.

75 years ago
1941

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Frenesi--Artie Shaw and His Orchestra (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Henri Bergson, 81. French philosopher. Professor Bergson was awarded the 1927 Nobel Prize in Literature "in recognition of his rich and vitalizing ideas and the brilliant skill with which they have been presented." He was an evolutionist who promoted the idea that the processes of immediate experience and intuition are more significant than abstract rationalism and science for understanding reality.

Movies
Charlie Chaplin declined the New York Film Critics Circle award as Best Actor for 1940 for The Great Dictator because he said the award implied that actors competed with each other.

War
Ecuadorians and Peruvians clashed at Carrol Viejo in a border dispute.

U.S. Senator Carter Glass (Democrat--Virginia) urged the United States Navy to act against Germany.

Franciana
The Vichy regime decreed dominion status for Indochina.

Politics and government
Prime Minister Johann William Rangell formed a new cabinet in Finland.

The U.S. House of Repesentatives Committee on Un-American Activities asked Congress to bar foreign anti-American propaganda from benefit of reduced postage rates.

Diplomacy
The Sino-Korean Peoples League in Los Angeles accused Japanese consulates of conscripting Japanese descendents on the Pacific coast and in Hawaii.

The Vichy regime in France appointed General Henri Dentz as High Commissioner for Syria.

Labour
American Federation of Labor metal unions adopted a no-strike policy to speed the national defense effort.

70 years ago
1946

Died on this date
Theodore Schurch, 27. U.K. traitor. Mr. Schurch was a driver with the Royal Army Corps who was captured by Axis forces at Tobruk in 1942, and began working as a spy for Italy and Germany. He was arrested in Rome in March 1945 and was convicted in September of nine counts under the Treachery Act 1940 and one count of desertion with intent to join the enemy. Mr. Schurch was hanged at Pentonville Prison in London, becoming the last personn to be executed in the United Kingdom for an offense other than murder.

Movies
The New York State Board of Censors banned Scarlet Street (1945) because of its story of illicit love.

War
At the Nazi war crimes trial in Nuremberg, the American prosecution began its presentation of evidence to prove that the German general staff and high command were criminal organizations that plotted war. At the trial in Manila of accused Japanese war criminals, Japanese Army Lieutenant Colonel Michio Kitayama testified that General Masaharu Homma had ordered the Bataan death march. In an Australian inquiry into the conduct of British General Henry Bennett, who had escaped from Singapore shortly after the city's surrender to Japanese forces in 1942, Justice George Ligertwood declared that Gen. Bennett was not justified in leaving his command when he did. At the hearings of the United States Senate committee on the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, former Navy Secretary Frank Knox's secret report was released, blaming General Walter Short and Admiral Husband Kimmel for lack of preparedness, but admitting that they did not have all available information on Japanese intentions.

Defense
The U.S. War Department said that because of overseas requirements and demobilization, the return of overseas soldiers to the United States over the next six months must be reduced.

Politics and government
Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan General Douglas MacArthur directed the Japanese government to remove from office all "active exponents" of military nationalism, bar them from coming elections, and abolish 27 nationalist societies.

Ignacio Quiroz, newly-elected Mayor of Leon, was dismissed by the Guanajuato state government, and a provisional governing board was apointed, pending investigation of the January 2 riots during Mr. Quidoz's inauguration, which had rsulted in 40 deaths and injuries to 300 people.

Diplomacy
The Polish parliament voted to recognize Austria and Hungary.

Energy
Nobel Prize-winning scientist Frederic Joliot-Curie was appointed French high commissioner for atomic energy.

Economics and finance
The Polish parliament nationalized industry, banks, and public utilities, and ratified the Bretton Woods agreement.

Disasters
A tornado in northeastern Texas killed 29 people, injured several hundred, and caused heavy property damage.

Football
NFL
Sportswriters in Chicago selected Bob Waterfield of the Cleveland Rams as the National Football League's most valuable player for 1945. Mr. Waterfield had quarterbacked the Rams to the NFL championship in the team's last year in Cleveland before moving to Los Angeles.

AAFC
The All-America Football Conference voted to begin the 1946 season with franchises in eight cities: New York; Brooklyn; Buffalo; Miami; Cleveland; Chicago; Los Angeles; and San Francisco.

50 years ago
1966

On television tonight
The Fugitive, starring David Janssen, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Not with a Whimper, with guest stars Laurence Naismith, Audrey Christie, and Lee Meriwether

World events
A military coup in Upper Volta led by Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant Colonel Sangoule Lamizana deposed President Maurice Yameogo, dissolved the National Parliament and led to a new national constitution.

40 years ago
1976

War
The Ulster Volunteer Force shot dead six Irish Catholic civilians--members of the Reavey and O'Dowd families--in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

Hockey
NHL
Super Series '76
Soviet Wings (1-1) 6 @ Buffalo 12

The Sabres scored 4 goals in the 1st period, 5 in the 2nd, and 3 in the 3rd as they beat the Wings at War Memorial Auditorium. Rick Martin led the Sabres with 2 goals and 3 assists. Aleksandr Repnyev and Sergei Kapustin scored 2 goals each for the Wings. Buffalo outshot the Wings 46-21.



Toronto 8 @ New York Rangers 6

The Maple Leafs outlasted the Rangers at Madison Square Garden in a game broadcast on CBC radio. New York rookie right wing Eddie Johnstone scored his first 2 NHL goals.

WHA
Ottawa 5 @ Minnesota 2

The Civics defeated the Fighting Saints at St. Paul Civic Center for their first--and only--win after beginning the season as the Denver Spurs and moving to Ottawa on January 2.

Football
NFL
AFC Championship
Oakland 10 @ Pittsburgh 16

Linebacker Jack Lambert recovered three Oakland fumbles, leading to both Pittsburgh touchdowns, as the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers defeated the Raiders before 50,609 fans on a cold, windy, snowy day at Three Rivers Stadium. The Steelers led just 3-0 after 3 quarters on a field goal by Roy Gerela, but Franco Harris rushed 25 yards for a touchdown after Mr. Lambert recovered a fumble, with Mr. Gerela converting to make the score 10-0. Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler connected with Mike Siani for a 14-yard touchdown, converted by George Blanda, to draw the Raiders to within 3 points, but Mr. Lambert recovered another fumble, and Terry Bradshaw completed a 20-yard TD pass to John Stallworth. The convert attempt failed because of a bad snap, leaving Pittsburgh ahead 16-10. Mr. Blanda kicked a 41-yard field goal with 17 seconds remaining in regulation time, and Ray Guy's short kickoff was recovered by teammate Marv Hubbard with 7 seconds left. On the last play, Mr. Stabler threw a complete pass to Cliff Branch, who was stopped at the Pittsburgh 15-yard line after a 37-yard gain. It was the final game that counted in the 26-year Hall of Fame career of Mr. Blanda.



NFC Championship
Dallas 37 @ Los Angeles 7

Preston Pearson caught 7 passes for 123 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Cowboys routed the Rams before 88,919 fans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Roger Staubach threw the touchdown passes and completed another TD pass to Golden Richards in a game that was decided by halftime. Dallas led 7-0 after 1 quarter, 21-0 at halftime, and 34-0 after 3 quarters. John Cappelletti rushed 1 yard for a touchdown 57 seconds into the 4th quarter to break the shutout. The Dallas defense limited the Los Angeles offense to 22 yards rushing and 118 yards net offense.



30 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Election Day--Arcadia (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Nikita--Elton John (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Nikita--Elton John (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Thank You Very Much Mr Eastwood--Dermot Morgan (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Saving All My Love for You--Whitney Houston (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Say You, Say Me--Lionel Richie (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Cash Box) : Say You, Say Me--Lionel Richie (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Canada (RPM): Say You, Say Me--Lionel Richie (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Wilbur R. Franks, 84. Canadian inventor. Dr. Franks, a native of Weston, Ontario, was a cancer researcher at the University of Toronto's Banting and Best Medical Research Institute, where he invented the anti-gravity suit, or G-suit.

Christopher Isherwood, 81. U.K.-born U.S. author. Mr. Isherwood was a sodomite who wrote many novels, the best-known of which was probably I am a Camera (1951).

Phil Lynott, 36. U.K. rock musician. Mr. Lynott, leader of the group Thin Lizzy in the 1970s, died the typical rock lifestyle death--after a drink and drug binge. Thin Lizzy were best known for the 1976 hit single The Boys are Back in Town.

Hockey
NHL
Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers became the first NHL player to score 100 or more points in seven consecutive seasons.

Football
NFL
AFC Divisional Playoff
Cleveland 21 @ Miami 24

Ron Davenport's 1-yard touchdown run with 1:57 remaining in regulation time climaxed a comeback from a 21-3 3rd-quarter deficit as the Dolphins edged the Browns before 74,667 fans at the Orange Bowl.



NFC Divisional Playoff
Dallas 0 @ Los Angeles Rams 20

Eric Dickerson set an NFL playoff record with 248 yards rushing on 34 carries, including touchdowns of 55 and 40 yards, as the Rams shut out the Cowboys before 66,581 fans at Anaheim Stadium.



25 years ago
1991

War
Two days after Soviet forces had seized buildings in Latvia and Lithuania, the Soviet military chief of staff pledged that no more soldiers would be sent to the Baltic region.

Diplomacy
The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to condemn Israel for its treatment of Palestinians in territories occupied by Israel. In the previous week, at least 10 Arabs had been killed and hundreds injured in violent clashes with Israelis.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that unemployment in December had reached a three-year high of 6.1%, and that more than a million payroll jobs had been lost in the last half of 1990.

The Bank of New England Corporation announced that it had lost $450 million in the fourth quarter of 1990.

Hockey
World Junior Championship
Gold Medal game
Canada 3 U.S.S.R. 2

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Gangsta's Paradise--Coolio featuring L.V. (10th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Gangsta's Paradise--Coolio featuring L.V. (9th week at #1)

Football
NFL
Don Shula, the NFL's winningest coach, told a local television station on his 66th birthday that he had decided to retire from the Miami Dolphins. Mr. Shula left with a record of 347-173-6 with the Baltimore Colts (1964-1969) and Miami (1970-1995). His teams appeared in six Super Bowls in his 33-year coaching career, winning in 1973 and 1974.

10 years ago
2006

Died on this date
Irving Layton, 93. Romanian-born Canadian poet. Mr. Layton, born Israel Pinku Lazarovitch, moved to Montreal with his parents while an infant. His career lasted more than 40 years, and included many television appearances, where he came across as an obnoxious jerk.

Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 62. Emir of Dubai, 1990-2006; Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, 1971-1979, 1990-2006. Sheikh Maktoum was replaced as Prime Minister in 1979 by his father Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and succeeded him upon his death. Sheikh Maktoum died of a heart attack while staying at a hotel in Australia, and was succeeded by his brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Politics and government
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a second, apparently more serious stroke, and his authority was transferred to acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Oil
Suncor marked the sale of its billionth barrel of oil sands crude since operations began at Fort McMurray, Alberta in 1967.