March 2, 2016

240 years ago
1776

War
Patriot militia units arrested Royal Governor of Georgia James Wright and attempted to prevent capture of supply ships in the Battle of the Rice Boats on the border between Georgia and South Carolina.

225 years ago
1791

Died on this date
John Wesley, 87. English theologian. Rev. Wesley was an Anglican minister who, with his brother Charles and George Whitefield, founded the evangelical movement known as Methodism. John Wesley believed that it was possible for Christians to achieve sinless perfection in this life, but never believed that he had achieved such perfection. The Holiness movement, which came along in later years and was influenced by Mr. Wesley, started to go astray when some of its adherents claimed to achieved sinless perfection. John and Charles Wesley also composed numerous hymns.

Communications
Claude Chappe and his brothers sent the message “si vous réussissez, vous serez bientôt couverts de gloire” (If you succeed, you will soon bask in glory) between Brulon and Parce, a distance of 16 kilometres (9.9 miles), marking the introduction of the semaphore line.

200 years ago
1816

Born on this date
Alexander Bullock. U.S. politician. Mr. Bullock was a member of the Whig Party before joining the Republican Party. He was Governor of Massachusetts from 1866-1869. Mr. Bullock died on January 17, 1882 at the age of 65.

180 years ago
1836

Americana
Texas declared its independence from Mexico.

100 years ago
1916

Society
The Ontario Legislative Assembly passed the Ontario Temperance Act.

75 years ago
1941

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: The Speckled Band

War
Advance units of the German Wehrmacht reached the Greek border through Bulgaria. British shipping losses for the previous week totalled 29 ships and 148,038 tons, the third highest for any week of the European war.

Diplomacy
U.K. Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden arrived in Athens to confer with Greek leaders.

French Ambassador to Japan Charles Arsene-Henry indicated that the Vichy regime accepted virtually all of the Japanese demands for the cession of Indochinese territory to Thailand.

Science
Drs. Emilio Segre and Gleen Seaborg announced that they had split uranium and thorium into equal parts, using the University of California's cyclotron.

Society
After the Delaware state legislature refused to abolish Sunday blue laws, Delaware Attorney General James Morford ordered the arrest of every person violating them, in order to prove that the laws were unenforceable.

Sport
Torger Tokle won the U.S. national ski-jumping championship on Olympian Hill near Hyak, Washington, with a 288-foot jump, breaking the North American record by 31 feet.

70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief--Betty Hutton with Paul Weston and His Orchestra (Best Seller--1st week at #1); Personality--Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and His Orchestra (Airplay--1st week at #1); Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!--Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra with Vaughn Monroe and the Norton Sisters (Juke Box--4th week at #1); Symphony--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra with Clyde Rogers (Honor Roll of Hits--9th week at #1)

At the movies
Fear, directed by Alfred Zeisler, and starring Peter Cookson, Warren William, Anne Gwynne, and James Cardwell, opened in theatres.



Diplomacy
Voters in Greenwich, Connecticut rejected locating the United Nations headquarters in or near their town.

French Foreign Minister Georges Bidault called for a four-power conference on Germany to consider permanent separation of the Ruhr and the Rhineland.

The Spanish government of Generalissimo Francisco Franco denounced France's closing of the Pyrenees border as a result of Pyrenees pressure.

Arab League Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Assam Pasha told the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry on Palestine that the League would oppose creation of a Jewish state in Palestine with every means at its disposal.

Defense
U.S. Army General Carl Spaatz ordered the reorganization of the Army Air Forces into Strategic, Tactical, and Continental Defense Commands.

Politics and government
Ho Chi Minh was elected the President of North Vietnam.

Puerto Rican Governor Rexford Tugwell vetoed bills authorizing a plebiscite to determine the island's political status and giving the voters the right to recommend gubernatorial candidates.

Journalism
The White House Correspondents Association gave the Raymond Clapper Memorial Award for reporting to Bert Andrews of the New York Herald Tribune.

Business
The U.S. government charged the A&P food store chain with monopoly.

Labour
On the 102nd day of the Congress of Industrial Organizations United Auto Workers strike at General Motors, union leaders proposed that work be resumed while demands were submitted to an arbitrator appointed by U.S. President Harry Truman.

Goodyear, Goodrich, Firestone, and U.S. Rubber companies signed a contract with the CIO Rubber Workers Union calling for an 18c hourly wage increase for 100,000 workers.

Figure skating
At the U.S. championships in Philadelphia, Dick Button won the men's senior title, while Gretchen Merrill won the women's senior title.

60 years ago
1956

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Memories are Made of This--Dean Martin (3rd week at #1)

At the movies
Uranium Boom, directed by William Castle, and starring Dennis Morgan, Patricia Medina, and William Talman, opened in theatres.



Died on this date
Fred Merkle, 67. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Merkle was a first baseman with the New York Giants (1907-1916); Brooklyn Robins (1916-1917); Chicago Cubs (1917-1920); and New York Yankees (1925-1926), batting .273 with 82 home runs and 733 runs batted in in 1,638 games. Mr. Merkle played with National League pennant-winning teams in 1911-1913 and 1916, but is best remembered for "Merkle's boner," a baserunning mistake on September 23, 1908 that helped cost the Giants the pennant. With the Chicago Cubs and New York Giants separated by only percentage points in the Nationl League pennant race and tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 9th inning before 20,000 fans at the Polo Grounds in New York, Moose McCormick was at third base and Fred Merkle at first base, with Al Bridwell at bat. Mr. Bridwell singled home Mr. McCormick with the apparent winning run. Mr. Merkle, however, took off for the clubhouse before touching second base. Chicago manager Frank Chance, playing first base, ran to second base to get a throw in an attempt to have Mr. Merkle forced out on the play, but New York pitcher Joe McGinnity, coaching at first base, was on the field and interfered with the throw, and many fans had swarmed onto the field, thinking the Giants had won. Umpire Hank O'Day called Mr. Merkle out, but ruled that the game could not be resumed because of the large number of fans on the field. National League President Harry Pulliam upheld Mr. O'Day's decision and ruled that the game would have to be replayed. The Cubs won the replayed game 4-2 on October 8 to win the pennant, finishing 1 game ahead of the Giants. Mr. Merkle played 8 seasons in the minor leagues, including 6 years in the International League with the Rochester Colts/Tribe (1921-1925) and Reading Keystones (1927). He was inducted into the International League Hall of Fame in 1953. Mr. Merkle also played a year of professional football as an end with the Toledo Athletic Association of the Ohio League in 1906.

Africana
Morocco gained her independence from France.

Defense
King Hussein of Jordan sacked Lieutenant General John Glubb, British commander of the Arab Legion, in an effort to strengthen his own position within the Arab world.

30 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: West End Girls--Pet Shop Boys (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Jeanny--Falco (7th week at #1)

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): I've Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Sadeness Part I--Enigma (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Sadeness Part I--Enigma (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): 3 A.M. Eternal--The KLF

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Wicked Game--Chris Isaak (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Sadeness Part I--Enigma (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Do the Bartman--The Simpsons (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Crazy--Seal (2nd week at #1)
2 Knockin' Boots--Candyman
3 Liefde Voor Muziek--Raymond v/h Groenewoud
4 Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C&C Music Factory
5 Because I Love You (The Postman Song)--Stevie B.
6 Wicked Game--Chris Isaak
7 Innuendo--Queen
8 Can't Help Myself--2 Brothers On The 4th Floor & Da Smooth Baron MC
9 Love Let Love--Tony Scott
10 3 A.M. Eternal (Live at the S.S.L.)--The KLF

Singles entering the chart were Heal the Pain by George Michael (#24); No Woman No Cry by Londonbeat (#27); Papa by Stef Bos (#28); My Side of the Bed by Susanna Hoffs (#33); Satisfaction by M.C. Juice (#35); I Believe by EMF (#37); and Think by Information Society (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 All the Man that I Need--Whitney Houston (2nd week at #1)
2 Someday--Mariah Carey
3 One More Try--Timmy -T-
4 Where Does My Heart Beat Now--Celine Dion
5 Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams
6 Wicked Game--Chris Isaak
7 Show Me the Way--Styx
8 All This Time--Sting
9 Around the Way Girl--LL Cool J
10 Coming Out of the Dark--Gloria Estefan

Singles entering the chart were Rescue Me by Madonna (#15); Touch Me (All Night Long) by Cathy Dennis (#78); Here We Go by C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams (#82); In Your Arms by Little Caesar (#89); That's Why by the Party (#96); and Made Up My Mind by SaFire (#98).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 All the Man that I Need--Whitney Houston (2nd week at #1)
2 One More Try--Timmy -T-
3 Someday--Mariah Carey
4 Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams
5 Where Does My Heart Beat Now--Celine Dion
6 The First Time--Surface
7 Show Me the Way--Styx
8 All This Time--Sting
9 Coming Out of the Dark--Gloria Estefan
10 Disappear--INXS

Singles entering the chart were Rescue Me by Madonna (#20); Joyride by Roxette (#52); Don't Treat Me Bad by Firehouse (#83); Stone Cold Gentleman by Ralph Tresvant (#84); I Love You by Vanilla Ice (introducing Riff) (#87); All True Man by Alexander O'Neal (#88); Call it Rock N' Roll by Great White (#89); and Touch Me (All Night Long) by Cathy Dennis (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 All the Man that I Need--Whitney Houston
2 All This Time--Sting
3 Wicked Game--Chris Isaak
4 Show Me the Way--Styx
5 Someday--Mariah Carey
6 Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams
7 Waiting for Love--Alias
8 Disappear--INXS
9 How Long Can a Man Be Strong--The Jeff Healey Band
10 Don’t Hold Back Your Love--Daryl Hall John Oates

Singles entering the chart were I’ve Been Thinking About You by Londonbeat (#67); Just the Way it Is, Baby by the Rembrandts (#77); The Modern Age by Murray McLauchlan (#83); How Much is Enough by the Fixx (#86); This House by Tracie Spencer (#91); Proof by Paul Simon (#95); That's the Way by Jack de Keyser (#96); Being Boring by Pet Shop Boys (#97); and Taken the Pain by Haywire (#99).

Died on this date
Serge Gainsbourg, 62. French musician and actor. Mr. Gainsbourg, born Lucien Ginsburg, was a pianist, singer, and songwriter who was one of the most influential figures in French popular music from the late 1950s until his death from a heart attack. His songs often dealt with sexual themes. Mr. Gainsbourg appeared in about 50 movies.

Terrorism
At least 19 people, including Sri Lanka's Deputy Defence Minister, Ranjan Wijeratne, were killed in a car bomb explosion in the capital city of Colombo. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), better known as the Tamil Tigers, were suspected of planting the bomb in a parked car.

War
The United Nations Security Council approved terms governing the end of hostilities with Iraq. Iraq was requested to rescind its annexation of Kuwait; release all prisoners of war; return all Kuwaiti property; and end all military action.

Hockey
NHL
Montreal 3 @ Edmonton 1

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Boombastic--Shaggy (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Con te partirò--Andrea Bocelli

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Gangsta's Paradise--Coolio featuring L.V. (14th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Gangsta's Paradise--Coolio featuring L.V. (13th week at #1)

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

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Don't Look Back in Anger--Oasis

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 One Sweet Day--Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men (14th week at #1)
2 Not Gon' Cry--Mary J. Blige
3 Sittin' Up in My Room--Brandy
4 Nobody Knows--The Tony Rich Project
5 Missing--Everything But the Girl
6 Be My Lover--La Bouche
7 Jesus to a Child--George Michael
8 Exhale (Shoop Shoop)--Whitney Houston
9 One of Us--Joan Osborne
10 Follow You Down/Til I Hear it from You--Gin Blossoms

Singles entering the chart were Down Low (Nobody Has to Know) by R. Kelly featuring Ronald Isley (#22); Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty) by Sophie B. Hawkins (#58); Lady by D'Angelo (#67); Ain't No Playa Like... by Rappin' 4-Tay (#73); 5 O'Clock by Nonchalant (#83); La Familia by Frost (#85); and Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot by Sting (#87).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Not Gon' Cry--Mary J. Blige
2 Sittin' Up in My Room--Brandy
3 Missing--Everything But the Girl
4 One Sweet Day--Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men
5 Nobody Knows--The Tony Rich Project
6 Be My Lover--La Bouche
7 Exhale (Shoop Shoop)--Whitney Houston
8 Til I Hear it from You/Follow You Down--Gin Blossoms
9 Wonderwall--Oasis
10 Jesus to a Child--George Michael

Singles entering the chart were Where Do U Want Me to Put It by Solo (#53); Lucky Love by Ace of Base (#60); Ain't No Playa Like... by Rappin’ 4-Tay (#66); Doin' It by LL Cool J (#67); and A Thin Line Between Love and Hate by H-Town (#83).

Music
This blogger was in attendance with enjoyable female company to see Marvin Hamlisch perform with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. I paid $32 for my ticket.

Politics and government
A coalition of the Liberal Party, led by John Howard, and the National Party, led by Tim Fischer, defeated the incumbent Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Paul Keating, in the Australian federal election, ending 13 years of Labour government. The coalition captured 94 of 148 seats in the House of Representatives--up from 65 in the 1993 election--while Labour dropped from 80 seats to 49. The Liberals won 12 of the 40 seats in the 76-seat Senate that were up for election, with the Liberal/National coalition taking 6 and the National Party 1. Labour won 14 seats, leaving them with 29, two fewer than the Liberals.

10 years ago
2006

Died on this date
Paul Davis. Canadian soldier. Corporal Davis was killed and six others with the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry were injured when their LAV III collided with a civilian taxi west of Kandahar, Afghanistan during a routine patrol; one of the wounded died of his wounds on March 5.