March 16, 2016

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Kathy Fisher, Tatyana, and Anastasija!

180 years ago
1836

Politics and government
The Republic of Texas approved a constitution.

170 years ago
1846

Politics and government
Charles Cathcart, Lord Cathcart was appointed Governor General of the Province of Canada; he served from May 24, 1846-January 29, 1847.

110 years ago
1906

Canadiana
The Prairie Crocus became the floral emblem of Manitoba.

100 years ago
1916

Born on this date
Sapru. Indian actor. D.K. Sapru was a character actor in Hindi films such as Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962); Heer Raanjha (1970); and Pakeezah (1975). He died in 1979 at the age of 63.

Mercedes McCambridge. U.S. actress. Miss McCambridge won the Academy Award for her supporting performance in All the King's Men (1949) and was nominated in the same category for Giant (1956). She died on March 2, 2004, two weeks before her 88th birthday.

War
The 7th and 10th U.S. cavalry regiments under General John J. Pershing crossed the U.S.–Mexican border to join the hunt for Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa.

Environment
Canada signed the Migratory Bird Treaty with the United States; the treaty was largely due the work of conservationist Jack Miner.

90 years ago
1926

Space
The first liquid-fuel rocket was successfully launched by Professor Robert Goddard at Auburn, Massachusetts. The rocket travelled 184 feet in 2.5 seconds.

Hockey
Stanley Cup
WHL
Semi-Finals
Saskatoon 0 @ Victoria 1 (OT) (Victoria won 2-game total goals series 4-3)

The Cougars scored at 8:10 of overtime to defeat the Sheiks.

80 years ago
1936

Disasters
Warmer-than-normal temperatures rapidly melted snow and ice on the upper Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, leading to a major flood in Pittsburgh.

75 years ago
1941

War
The German raiders Scharnhorst and Gniesenau sank 16 ships in two days. German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler said in a speech that "no power or aid in the world" could save the United Kingdom from defeat.

Defense
The U.S. Navy Department announced that two American light cruisers and four destroyers were paying a three-day goodwill visit to Auckland, New Zealand.

Labour
U.S. Congress of Industrial Organizations President Philip Murray, after conferring with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, agreed to a mediation board to settle defense strikes.

Disasters
62 people died in a blizzard that swept North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

5 people were killed and 114 injured when a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train plunged into the Ohio River near Baden, Pennslvania.

70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Oh! What it Seemed to Be--Frankie Carle and His Orchestra with Marjorie Hughes (Best Seller--1st week at #1; Juke Box--1st week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--2nd week at #1); Personality--Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and His Orchestra (Airplay--2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Maximilien Bloksiji. Dutch traitor. Mr. Bloksiji was executed by firing squad in The Hague for making propaganda broadcasts for the Nazis during World War II. It was the first execution in Holland since 1854.

War
Former Nazi Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering, testifying at his war crimes trial in Nuremberg, attempted to exonerate seven of his fellow defendants by picturing them as "yes men" and lackeys of the real top Nazi leaders, Fuehrer Adolf Hitler and himself.

Diplomacy
In a message addressed to U.S. President Harry Truman, Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh requested American recognition of his government.

Defense
The U.S. Senate Atomic Energy Committee voted to give the President direct control over the production of atomic bombs.

Society
Texas Attorney General Grover Sellers ruled that the University of Texas could bar Negroes from admission as long as adequate training was provided at public expense elsewhere in the state.

Crime
John Dick's headless, armless and legless torso was found on Hamilton Mountain in Hamilton, Ontario, leading to the sensational trial of his wife Evelyn. She was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Tennis
Francisco Segura of Ecuador won the U.S. indoor championship over Don McNeill in New York City.

60 years ago
1956

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): It's Almost Tomorrow--The Dream Weavers

50 years ago
1966

Space
The United States launched Gemini 8, with a crew of Neil Armstrong (Command Pilot) and David Scott (Pilot) from Cape Kennedy, Florida. The Gemini craft accomplished the first successful docking in space, with an Agena craft that that been launched earlier, but a faulty thruster in the Gemini craft caused the spacecraft to spin rapidly. Mr. Armstrong fired the re-entry rockets to regain control of the spacecraft, but according to mission rules, that meant the end of the mission, and the crew were forced to make a premature splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. See articles here and here.



Russian dogs returned to Earth after 22 days aboard the satellite Cosmos 110.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Lyndon Johnson signed legislation authorizing U.S. participation in the Asian Bank.

Boxing
Calvin Woodland (9-4) won a unanimous 6-round decision over Willie Pep (229-11-1) in a featherweight bout at City Arena in Richmond, Virginia, ending the professional career of the former world champion after more than 25 years.

40 years ago
1976

On television tonight
Family, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Monday is Forever

It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown, on CBS

This was the 15th prime time Peanuts animated special, and the last to feature music by Vince Guaraldi; he died of a heart attack on February 6, 1976 at the age of 47, hours after completing his work for the program. The first Canadian broadcast of It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown was on CBC on March 22, 1976.

Politics and government
Harold Wilson, British Labour Party leader for 13 years and Prime Minister for almost eight, announced his resignation for personal reasons, five days after his 60th birthday.

30 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: West End Girls--Pet Shop Boys (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Jeanny--Falco (9th week at #1)

Politics and government
French Premier Laurent Fabius, a Socialist, resigned as a result of the day’s elections, in which rightist parties captured a plurality of seats in the National Assembly.

Defense
In a nationally-televised address, U.S. President Ronald Reagan appealed for public support for aid to the Contras in Nicaragua, warning that the Contras needed help "to deal with Russian tanks and gunships." In his rebuttal, U.S. Senator Jim Sasser (Democrat--Tennessee) said that the U.S. had not exhausted its diplomatic opportunities, and that many of the Contra leaders had been members of the hated National Guard under deposed dictator Anastasio Somoza.

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Do the Bartman--The Simpsons

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Se Stiamo Insieme--Riccardo Cocciante (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): The Grease Megamix--John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Take No Crap--Cut 'N' Move (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Crazy--Seal

#1 single in France (SNEP): Wind of Change--Scorpions (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Should I Stay or Should I Go--The Clash (2nd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Liefde Voor Muziek--Raymond v/h Groenewoud
2 Crazy--Seal
3 Because I Love You (The Postman Song)--Stevie B.
4 Do the Bartman--The Simpsons
5 The Grease Megamix--John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
6 3 A.M. Eternal (Live at the S.S.L.)--The KLF
7 (I Wanna Give You) Devotion--Nomad featuring Mc Mikee Freedom
8 Knockin' Boots--Candyman
9 Goede Tijden Slechte Tijden--Lisa Boray & Louis De Vries
10 Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C&C Music Factory

Singles entering the chart were Rescue Me by Madonna (#30); Wiggle It by 2 in a Room (#34); Young Souls by Angela & the Rude (#38); and This is Your Life by Banderas (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Someday--Mariah Carey
2 One More Try--Timmy -T-
3 All the Man that I Need--Whitney Houston
4 Coming Out of the Dark--Gloria Estefan
5 All This Time--Sting
6 Show Me the Way--Styx
7 Where Does My Heart Beat Now--Celine Dion
8 This House--Tracie Spencer
9 Hold You Tight--Tara Kemp
10 Waiting for Love--Alias

Singles entering the chart were Rhythm of My Heart by Rod Stewart (#55) and Voices that Care by Voices that Care (#75); She Talks to Angels by the Black Crowes (#86); and You Don't Have to Go Home Tonight by the Triplets (#87).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Someday--Mariah Carey
2 All This Time--Sting
3 All the Man that I Need--Whitney Houston
4 Wicked Game--Chris Isaak
5 Show Me the Way--Styx
6 Waiting for Love--Alias
7 Coming Out of the Dark--Gloria Estefan
8 Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams
9 Waiting for that Day--George Michael
10 How Long Can a Man Be Strong--The Jeff Healey Band

Singles entering the chart were Hold You Tight by Tara Kemp (#55); I'll Be by Your Side by Stevie B (#64); Habits of the Night by Diamond Life (#83); Come in from the Cold by Joni Mitchell (#93); Losing My Religion by R.E.M. (#95); Dream Away by the Northern Pikes (#97); Call it Poison by Escape Club (#98); and The Last to Know by Celine Dion (#99).

World events
Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, in an implicit declaration of secession from Yugoslavia, announced that Serbia would no longer recognize the legitimacy of the Yugoslav federal government. Two more people resigned from the collective presidency of Yugoslavia.

Hockey
NHL
Los Angeles 4 @ Calgary 3

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): One of Us--Joan Osborne

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Con te partirò--Andrea Bocelli (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Spaceman--Babylon Zoo (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Soirée disco--Boris

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Per spoor (Kedeng kedeng)--Guus Meeuwis & Vagant (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): How Deep Is Your Love--Take That (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 One Sweet Day--Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men (16th week at #1)
2 Sittin' Up in My Room--Brandy
3 Not Gon' Cry--Mary J. Blige
4 Nobody Knows--The Tony Rich Project
5 Because You Loved Me--Celine Dion
6 Missing--Everything But the Girl
7 Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)--R. Kelly featuring Ronald Isley
8 One of Us--Joan Osborne
9 Follow You Down/Til I Hear it from You--Gin Blossoms
10 Be My Lover--La Bouche

Singles entering the chart were Ironic by Alanis Morissette (#11); Keep On, Keepin' On by MC Lyte featuring Xscape (#62); Give Me...a Reason by Buffy (#80); High and Dry by Radiohead (#83); Envy/Firewater by Fat Joe (#85); Ever Since You Went Away by Art n' Soul (#91); Stairway to Heaven by Pure Soul (#94); Scent of Attraction by Patra featuring Aaron Hall (#95); Ain't Nobody by Diana King (#96); and C'mon n' Ride It (The Train) by Quad City DJ's (#97). Keep On, Keepin' On was from the movie Sunset Park (1996).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Sittin' Up in My Room--Brandy
2 Nobody Knows--The Tony Rich Project
3 Not Gon' Cry--Mary J. Blige
4 One Sweet Day--Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men
5 Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)--R. Kelly (featuring Ronald Isley and Ernie Isley)
6 Wonderwall--Oasis
7 Til I Hear it from You/Follow You Down--Gin Blossoms
8 Be My Lover--La Bouche
9 Missing--Everything But the Girl
10 Hook--Blues Traveler

Singles entering the chart were Peaches by the Presidents of the United States of America (#40); Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion (#41); Do You Want To by Xscape (#55); 1,2,3,4 (Sumpin’ New) by Coolio (#61); Only Happens When it Rains by Garbage (#80); and Woo-Hah!! (Got You All in Check) by Busta Rhymes (#82).

Boxing
Mike Tyson (44-1) regained the World Boxing Council world heavyweight title with a technical knockout of Frank Bruno (40-5) 50 seconds into the 3rd of a scheduled 12 rounds at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mr. Tyson had previously held the title from 1986-1990.



Hockey
NHL
New York Rangers 2 @ Montreal 4

Vincent Damphousse scored the first goal to help the Canadiens defeat the Rangers in the first game at Molson Centre.



10 years ago
2006

Music
The album You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker by Willie Nelson was released on Lost Highway records. Miss Walker died a week later at the age of 87.