February 18, 2016

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Paul Jelley and Ezra Levant!

500 years ago
1516

Born on this date
Mary I. Queen of England and Ireland, 1553-1558. Mary I was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Mary succeeded her younger half-brother Edward VI on the throne, after an unsuccessful attempt to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne to ensure a Protestant succession. Unlike Edward VI, who was a devout Protestant, Queen Mary I was a staunch Roman Catholic. Under her reign, 288 Protestants were burned to death fore refusing to accept Roman Catholic doctrine, earning her the nickname "Bloody Mary." She died at the age of 42--perhaps from ovarian cysts or cancer--on November 17, 1558, and was succeeded by her half-sister Elizabeth I.

470 years ago
1546

Died on this date
Martin Luther, 62. German theologian. Fr. Luther was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1507, but eventually rejected many of the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, especially the selling of indulgences. He published his views in his Ninety-Five Theses (1517); when he refused to recant his teachings before the Diet of Worms (1521), he was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Leo X and regarded as an outlaw by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Later in the 1520s, Fr. Luther organized what became the Lutheran Church, and became the leader of the Protestant Reformation, translating the Bible into the German vernacular and writing numerous hymns. His later years were marked by various health problems, which may have influenced his writings, the most notorious of which, On the Jews and Their Lies (1543), has been repudiated by modern Lutherans. Fr. Lutheran died of a stroke, three days after delivering his last sermon, which was a polemic against Jews.

250 years ago
1766

Protest
A mutiny by captive Malagasy began at sea on the slave ship Meermin, leading to the ship's destruction on Cape Agulhas in present-day South Africa and the recapture of the instigators.

225 years ago
1791

Americana
The United States Congress passed a law admitting the state of Vermont to the Union, effective March 4, 1791, after that state had existed for 14 years as a de facto independent largely unrecognized state.

120 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Li Linsi. Chinese diplomat. Li Linsi, born Li Jiaxiang, was an advisor to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in the 1930s, and was the leader of Chinese non-violent resistance against Japan during World War II, aiding Jewish refugees in Shanghai, while conducting research on Japanese and German military works. After the Communists took power in China in 1949, Li Linsi was a professor at Shanghai International Studies University until his death on October 21, 1970 at the age of 74.

Politics and government
The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and the Dominion Women's Franchise Association held a mock parliament in the Allan Gardens in Toronto to promote female suffrage.

110 years ago
1906

Died on this date
John B. Stetson, 75. U.S. milliner. Mr. Stetson created the cowboy hat and founded the John B. Stetson Company in 1865.

Olympics
Édouard de Laveleye formed the Belgian Olympic Committee in Brussels.

100 years ago
1916

Born on this date
Jean Drapeau. Canadian politician. Mr. Drapeau, leader of the Partie Civique, Mayor of Montreal from 1954-1957 and 1960-1986. During his reign Montreal hosted the Expo 67 world's fair and the 1976 Summer Olympic Games; the Metro rapid transit system was constructed; and the Montreal Expos became the first major league baseball team located outside the United States. Mr. Drapeau died on August 12, 1999 at the age of 83.

Died on this date
Glad Murphy, 30. Canadian football player. William Ewart Gladstone Murphy was a halfback with the Toronto Argonauts from 1909-1915, playing in 42 regular season games and 3 playoff games. Mr. Murphy was the captain of the team that defeated the University of Toronto in the 1914 Grey Cup, scoring a touchdown on a fumble return as the Argonauts won 14-2 to claim their first Grey Cup championship. In the first regular season game of 1915, Mr. Murphy suffered a broken neck, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors gave Mr. Murphy a year to live, and he lasted four months. He became the first player at the senior level of Canadian football to die as a result of an injury sustained in a game.

75 years ago
1941

War
Japanese spokesman Koh Ishii said that Japan was ready to mediate both the European and Far Eastern wars. Australian troops landed in Singapore and manned already-prepared defense positions on the Malayan peninsula.

Defense
U.S. Senator Hiram Johnson (Republican--California) submitted the minority report of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, listing seven objections to the Lend-Lease bill. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Averell Harriman as special defense "expediter" in London.

Politics and government
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 210-143 to reapportion itself in accordance with the 1940 United States census, using the "equal proportions" formula instead of the "major fractions" method.

Oil
Mexican Interior Minister Miguel Aleman announced that after the settlement of the expropriation question, foreign capital would be permitted to "participate" in the development of new oil fields.

Scandal
Robert Boltz pled guilty in Philadelphia to embezzlement and fraud.

70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Symphony--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra with Clyde Rogers (5th week at #1)
--Bing Crosby
--Jo Stafford
--Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
2 Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra with Vaughn Monroe and the Norton Sisters
--Woody Herman and his Orchestra
3 I Can't Begin to Tell You--Bing Crosby with Carmen Cavallaro
--Harry James and his Orchestra
--Andy Russell
4 Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief--Betty Hutton
--Les Brown and his Orchestra
5 Personality--Johnny Mercer
6 I'm Always Chasing Rainbows--Perry Como
--Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest
7 It Might as Well Be Spring--Dick Haymes
--Paul Weston and his Orchestra with Margaret Whiting
--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
8 Dig You Later (A Hubba-Hubba-Hubba)--Perry Como and the Satisfyers
9 Day by Day--Frank Sinatra
10 You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)--Les Brown and his Orchestra
--Perry Como

Singles entering the chart were the version of Oh! What it Seemed to Be by Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest (#16, charting with the versions by Frankie Carle and his Orchestra, and Frank Sinatra); the version of Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief by Les Brown and his Orchestra; You Can Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder by Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra (#30); I Wish I Could Tell You by Dick Haymes (#33); and Cotton Tail by Bobby Sherwood and his Orchestra (#37).

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on MBS
Tonight's episode: The Camberwell Poisoners

Died on this date
Benjamin, 78. Turkish religious leader. Patriarch Benjamin was the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church. He died in Istanbul.

War
At the Nuremberg trial of accused Nazi war criminals, the Soviet prosecution charged that the Germans had burned bodies in an effort to conceal mass killings. 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 Asiatic Fleet Commander Thomas Hart testified that the November 27, 1941 war warning from Washington was enough to prepare him for war.

Law
Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan General Douglas MacArthur announced the nine judges who would sit on the international military tribunal for the Far East, including jurists from Australia; Canada; China; the Netherlands; the U.S.S.R.; the United Kingdom; France; and the United States.

Diplomacy
The United Nations Economic and Social Council created five commissions: Narcotic Drugs; Economic and Employment; Social and Statistical; Human Rights; and a 20-man committee to study the refugee problem.

Politics and government
The United States Senate confirmed W. John Kenney as assistant Secretary of the Navy in the administration of President Harry Truman.

Protest
Governor Sir John Higgins declared a state of emergency as strikes swept Jamaica after a weekend of unrest in Kingston.

Sailors of the Royal Indian Navy mutinied in Bombay harbour, from where the action spread throughout the provinces of British India, involving 78 ships, 20 shore establishments, and 20,000 sailors.

Scandal
Boston Mayor James Curley was sentenced to 6-18 months in prison for mail fraud.

Religion
A secret consistory of the Sacred College of Cardinals approved 32 nominees of Pope Pius XII, including Francis Spellman of New York.

Economics and finance
U.S. Office of Price Administration Director Chester Bowles urged extension of price controls, and said that the government's new wage-price policy would prevent price increases on food, rent, and clothing.

The United States Senate confirmed George E. Allen as director of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation and Horace Chapman as director of Contract Settlements.

Business
John J. Raskob resigned as director and vice president of E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, where he had begun work in 1902 as a stenographer.

Labour
Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation and other firms throughout the United States settled with the Congress of Industrial Organizations United Steel Workers for an 18½c hourly wage increase.

60 years ago
1956

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Sixteen Tons--"Tennessee" Ernie Ford; Frankie Laine

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Eventuell, eventuell--Peter Alexander & Caterina Valente (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Zambesi--Lou Busch

#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Rock and Roll Waltz--Kay Starr (Best Seller--1st week at #1); The Great Pretender--The Platters (Disc Jockey--1st week at #1; Top 100--1st week at #1); Memories are Made of This--Dean Martin (Jukebox--4th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Great Pretender--The Platters (3rd week at #1)
2 Rock and Roll Waltz--Kay Starr
3 Lisbon Antigua--Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
4 Memories are Made of This--Dean Martin
5 No, Not Much!--The Four Lads
6 See You Later, Alligator--Bill Haley and his Comets
7 Band of Gold--Don Cherry
8 Sixteen Tons--"Tennessee" Ernie Ford
9 Moritat (A Theme from “The Three Penny Opera”)--Dick Hyman Trio
10 Chain Gang--Bobby Scott

Singles entering the chart were Little Child by Danny and Dena Kaye (#27, charting with the versions by Eddie Albert and Sondra Lee, Lael and Cab Calloway, and Gisele MacKenzie and Billy Quinn); Mr. Wonderful by Sarah Vaughan (#37); If You Can Dream by the Four Aces (#38); Lipstick and Candy and Rubbersole Shoes by Julius LaRosa (#42); and That's All by "Tennessee" Ernie Ford (#44).

On television tonight
Stage Show, hosted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, on CBS

Elvis Presley was the guest on this night's program, making his fourth appearance on the show in as many weeks. The program was produced by Jackie Gleason, and aired immediately prior to The Honeymooners.



The Honeymooners, on CBS
Tonight's episode: A Dog's Life



Died on this date
Gustave Charpentier, 95. French composer. Mr. Charpentier was best known for his opera Louise (1900).

50 years ago
1966

Hit parade
Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 These Boots are Made for Walkin'--Nancy Sinatra
2 My Love--Petula Clark
3 Just Like Me--Paul Revere and the Raiders
4 Barbara Ann--The Beach Boys
5 Michelle--David & Jonathan
6 Day Tripper/We Can Work it Out--The Beatles
7 Tijuana Taxi/Zorba the Greek--Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
8 At the Scene--Dave Clark Five
9 Elusive Butterfly--Bob Lind
10 A Well Respected Man--The Kinks
Pick hit of the week: Superman--Dino, Desi and Billy
New this week: It's a Good Time--Billy Joe Royal
Why Can't You Bring Me Home--Jay & the Americans
Secret Agent Man--The Ventures
After the Laughter--Wayne Newton

At the movies
The Silencers, directed by Phil Karlson, and starring Dean Martin and Stella Stevens, opened in theatres. It was the first of four films to star Mr. Martin as Matt Helm.



Died on this date
Robert Rossen, 57. U.S. movie director and screenwriter. Mr. Rossen, born Robert Rosen, was best known for directing All the King's Men (1949) and The Hustler (1961). He was a member of the Communist Party USA from 1937-1947, but left the party in 1949. When summoned to appear before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities in 1951, Mr. Rossen refused to say whether he had been a member of the Communist Party, and refused to identify Communists. He was blacklisted as a result, and appeared before HUAC two years later and named names. Mr. Rossen was removed from the blacklist, but his career never recovered. He died after a series of illnesses.

30 years ago
1986

Politics and government
Viktor Grishin, former head of the Communist party in Moscow, was removed from the Soviet Politburo.

Disasters
NASA officials said that temperatures as low as 7-9 F. had been measured on the surface of the right-hand booster rocket near O-ring seals on January 28, the day the U.S. space shuttle Challenger blew up 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts aboard.

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Oh! Yeah!/Love Story wa Totsuzen ni--Kazumasa Oda

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): 3 AM Eternal--The KLF

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Beinhart--Torfrock (4th week at #1)

War
U.S.S.R. President Mikhail Gorbachev offered a new peace proposal for the Gulf War after meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz in Moscow. The proposal called for an unconditional Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait, but U.S. President George Bush said that other conditions needed to be met and the U.S. would continue the war.

Terrorism
The Irish Republican Army exploded bombs in the early morning at Paddington station and Victoria station in London.

Economics and finance
U.S.S.R. Premier Valentin Pavlov submitted to parliament a plan for raising prices on most goods and services by an average of 60%. Wages and pensions would be increased to cover most of the added costs.

Business
Algoma Steel Corporation escaped bankruptcy after receiving a $60-million loan from the Royal Bank of Canada and $15 million in loan guarantees from the governments of Canada and Ontario and Algoma’s parent company, Dofasco Inc.

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Let's Groove--CDB

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Spaceman--Babylon Zoo

#1 single in Switzerland: Children--Robert Miles

#1 single in Scotland (OCC): Children--Robert Miles

Died on this date
Edward O'Brien. U.K. terrorist. Mr. O'Brien was a bomber with the Irish Republican Army who was the only person to die when a bomb he was carrying accidentally exploded on a London bus, nine days after the Irish Republican Army has ended its cease-fire.

War
Two days of negotiations concluded in Rome among the parties in the Bosnian peace agreement.

Hockey
NHL
Detroit 3 @ Toronto 2
Edmonton 1 @ Chicago 4

10 years ago
2006

Politics and government
A Hamas-dominated Palestinian parliament was sworn in.

Olympics
Shani Davis of the United States won the men's 1,000-metre speedskating event in Turin, Italy, becoming the first Negro athlete to win an individual gold medal in Winter Olympic history.