March 25, 2016

120 years ago
1896

Olympics
James B. Connolly of the United States, a student at Harvard University, won the "hop, skip and jump" competition--soon renamed the triple jump--to claim the initial gold medal of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens.

100 years ago
1916

Died on this date
Ishi, 55 (?). U.S. Indian. Ishi was the last living member of the Yahi, a group of the Yana of northern California. He spent most of his life away from modern culture, and was celebrated as the "last wild Indian in America" when he was taken into custody while foraging for food near Oroville, California in 1911. Ishi spent most of his remaining years in an apartment at the University of California Museum of Anthropology in San Francisco, where he was studied by anthropologists and aided them in their research. Ishi lacked immunity to Western illnesses, and died of tuberculosis. His death took place just five days after the suicide of Ota Benga, a Congolese pygmy who had been taken to the United States and put on display as an anthropological exhibit, and had committed suicide upon finding out that he wouldn't be able to return to Africa because of shipping restrictions during World War I.

Boxing
Jess Willard (22-3-1) retained his world heavyweight title with a 10-round newspaper decision over Frank Moran (25-8-2) at Madison Square Garden in New York. Mr. Willard claimed to have broken his right hand, and Dr. Lewis Morris found a slight fracture in his index finger. The bout was officially recorded as a "no decision," since decisions were then illegal in New York. It was Mr. Willard's last fight until 1919.



Hockey
Stanley Cup
Finals @ Montreal Arena
Portland Rosebuds (PCHA) 3 @ Montreal Canadiens (NHA) 6 (Montreal led best-of-five series 2-1)

Didier Pitre scored 3 goals for the Canadiens, while Montreal's Newsy Lalonde and Portland's Ernie Johnson got into a fight which was broken up by police. Mr. Lalonde and teammate Jack Laviolette were ejected.

90 years ago
1926

Environment
The Canadian National Parks Association passed a resolution opposing the attempt of the Alberta government to control the natural resources in Rocky Mountain Park, Jasper Park, and Waterton Lakes Park.

Hockey
Stanley Cup
NHL
Finals
Ottawa 1 @ Montreal Maroons 1 (First game of 2-game total goals series)

75 years ago
1941

Movies
Warner Brothers studios bought the rights to Edna Ferber's unpublished novel Saratoga Trunk for the record price of $175,000.

War
Germany extended its war zone westward to within three miles of Greenland, including U.K.-occupied Iceland.

Defense
Yugoslavian Premier Dragisha Cvetkovitch and Foreign Minister Alexander Cincar-Markovitch signed the Tripartite Pact in Vienna, bringing Yugoslavia into the Axis alliance, and sparking anti-Nazi demonstrations in Yugoslavia.

Crime
Communist Party U.S.A. leader Earl Browder surrendered to federal authorities in New York City to begin serving a four-year prison sentence for passport fraud.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order freezing Yugoslavian assets in the United States amounting to $50 million.

Labour
U.S. Representative Martin Dies (Democrat--Texas) told the House of Representatives that the National Maritime Union was a Communist-dominated organization. Congress of Industrial Organizations President Philip Murray denied that Communists were employed by the Steel Workers Organizing Committee. Pennsylvania state police routed CIO pickets in the steel strike at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation's plant in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Violence also flared at the Chicago works of International Harvester Company when CIO strikers clashed with police and American Federation of Labor employees.

Health
The U.S. Public Health Service announced that the most serious outbreak of measles in seven years was active along the Eastern seaboard and was spreading westward.

70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Oh! What it Seemed to Be--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra (2nd week at #1)
--Frank Sinatra
--Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest
--Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra
2 Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief--Betty Hutton
--Les Brown and his Orchestra
3 Personality--Johnny Mercer
4 Symphony--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra with Clyde Rogers
--Bing Crosby
--Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
--Jo Stafford
5 You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)--Les Brown and his Orchestra
--Perry Como
6 Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra Vaughn Monroe and the Norton Sisters
--Woody Herman and his Orchestra
7 Day by Day--Frank Sinatra
8 I'm Always Chasing Rainbows--Perry Como
--Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest
9 Shoo Fly Pie (And Apple Pan Dowdy)--Stan Kenton and his Orchestra
--Dinah Shore
10 One-zy, Two-zy (I Love You-zy)--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
--Phil Harris and his Orchestra

Singles entering the chart were Here I Go Again by Dinah Shore (#27); Prisoner of Love (#34)/All Through the Day (#41) by Perry Como; All Through the Day by Frank Sinatra (#41, charting with the version by Perry Como); Where Did You Learn to Love, with versions by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra, and Louis Prima and his Orchestra (#42); and In the Moon Mist by the Pied Pipers (#43).

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

Defense
The United Nations Military Staff Committee, composed of the U.S.A., U.S.S.R., U.K., China, and France, held its first session.

Scandal
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Mackenzie King reported that Soviet agents had been seeking atomic information five months before the first nuclear explosion.

World events
The United States charged before the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration that U.S.S.R. occupation armies in Austria had seized land upon which the Austrian population's food supply depended.

Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan General Douglas MacArthur suspended the repatriation of about 500,000 Koreans from Japan to U.S.S.R.-occupied North Korea because of lack of transportation.

Law
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the cases of Robert Lovett, Goodwin Watson, and William Dodd, Jr., who were challenging the constitutionality of a law ousting them from government jobs for alleged subversive activities.

Energy
U.S. Undersecretary of State Dean Acheson presented before a secret session of the U.S. Senate Atomic Energy Committee the international nuclear control plan of the administration of President Harry Truman, putting radioactive materials under United Nations ownership, but leaving the operation of nuclear facilities to the individual states.

Protest
Spanish cellist Pablo Casals cancelled his English tour in protest against the United Kingdom's recognition of the Spanish regime of Generalissimo Francisco Franco.

Economics and finance
Argentine President Edelmiro Farrell decreed the nationalization of the central bank, part of whose stock was held by U.S. banks.

The U.S. Office of Price Administration allowed a 4% increase on all machinery, parts, and industrial equipment where the percentage of steel costs in sale prices was over 40%.

Labour
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal anti-kickback law did not apply to unions demanding initiation fees from workers in closed shops.

With some local disputes still pending, General Motors ended its lockout of workers, and resumed production in Detroit.

60 years ago
1956

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Whodunit, starring John Williams, Amanda Blake, Jerry Paris, and Alan Napier

Died on this date
Lou Moore, 51. U.S. auto racing driver and owner. Mr. Moore participated in 25 races in the American Automobile Association championship series (1928-1939), winning twice. He drove in the Indianapolis 500 nine times (1928-1936), finishing second in his first year, winning the pole position in 1932, and finishing third in 1933 and 1934. Mr. Moore became a successful car owner after his driving career ended; his cars won the Indianapolis 500 five times from 1938-1949, including the last three years. Mauri Rose and Floyd Davis shared the win at Indianapolis in 1941; Mr. Rose won in 1947 and 1948 and finished second in 1949, but when he ignored team orders and attempted to pass race leader and winner Bill Holland in the latter race, Mr. Moore fired him on the spot. Mr. Moore retired as an owner in 1953, and died from a cerebral hemorrhage.

Robert Newton, 50. U.K.-born actor. Mr. Newton was best known for portraying Long John Silver in the movies Treasure Island (1950) and Long John Silver (1954), and the television series The Adventures of Long John Silver (1954). He also played the starring role in the movie Blackbeard the Pirate (1952). Mr. Newton died of a heart attack after years of heavy drinking.

50 years ago
1966

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: A Must to Avoid--Herman's Hermits

Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Nowhere Man--The Beatles (2nd week at #1)
2 19th Nervous Breakdown--The Rolling Stones
3 The Ballad of the Green Berets--SSgt Barry Sadler
4 These Boots are Made for Walkin'--Nancy Sinatra
5 Daydream--The Lovin' Spoonful
6 Homeward Bound--Simon & Garfunkel
7 I Fought the Law--Bobby Fuller Four
8 Lovedrops--Barry Allen
9 Listen People--Herman's Hermits
10 Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)--Cher
Pick hit of the week: Sloop John B--The Beach Boys
New this week: Big Time--Lou Christie
Young Love--Lesley Gore
She Ain't No Angel--Wes Dakus
Distant Drums--Jim Reeves
Eight Miles High--The Byrds

40 years ago
1976

Died on this date
Benjamin Miessner, 85. U.S. radio engineer and inventor. Mr. Miessner received more than 200 patents, and invented the cat's whisker detector--used to receive radio waves in crystal sets--and musical instruments such as the electronic organ and electric piano.

Law
The Canadian Law Reform Commission asked Parliament to amend the Criminal Code regarding several crimes: abortion; indecency; bigamy; incest; obscenity; and gambling.

30 years ago
1986

Died on this date
Gloria Blondell, 75. U.S. actress. Miss Blondell, the younger sister of actress Joan Blondell, was probably best known for Honeybee Gillis in the television comedy series The Life of Riley (1953-1958).

World events
Philippines President Corazon Aquino, saying that she was acting to "cut out the cancer in our political system," abolished the National Assembly, abrogated the Constitution introduced in 1973 by then-President Ferdinand Marcos, and declared that she would rule be decree. She proclaimed an interim constitution that retained most of the 1973 Constitution, including the bill of rights. A commission would draft a new constitution that would then be submitted to a vote of the people, and a new legislature would be elected within a year.

War
U.S. planes attacked another Libyan patrol boat in the Mediterranean Sea. U.S. officials said at least two Libyan patrol boats had been sunk. Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi warned that he was prepared to carry out a struggle all over the world against the United States.

The U.S. administration of President Ronald Reagan announced that it was sending Honduras $20 million in emergency funds to deal with incursions by Nicaraguan troops into Honduras against base camps of Nicaraguan Contras.

Scandal
Switzerland, which had never previously frozen the assets of a depositor, announced that it was freezing all deposits belonging to former Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, his family, and allies.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that the consumer price index had fallen 0.4% in February, the biggest drop since 1953. For the preceding 12 months, the index had risen only 3.2%. The stability in prices was said to be principally the result of the decline in the price of oil, which was selling for only $11-$12 per barrel by late March 1991.

Figure skating
In Geneva, Brian Boitano of the United States won his second world men's championship.

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Oh! Yeah!/Love Story wa Totsuzen ni--Kazumasa Oda (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Se mustamies--Hausmylly (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams (4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Marcel Lefebvre, 85. French-born Swiss clergyman. Most Rev. Lefebvre was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1929, and was asssociated with the Holy Ghost Fathers, eventually their Superior General. He was a major leader of the conservative bloc during the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) (1962-1965), and resigned from the leadership of the Holy Ghost Fathers in 1968 rather than implement reforms recommended by Vatican II. Most Rev. Lefebvre founded the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) in 1970, and was excommunicated by Pope John Paul II in 1988 after defying the pope and consecrating four bishops to carry on the work of SSPX. Most Rev. Lefebvre died of cancer; Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of the other four bishops in 2009.

Movies
The Academy Awards for 1990 were presented at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, with Dances With Wolves winning Best Picture. Other Oscars included: Director--Kevin Costner, Dances With Wolves; Best Actor--Jeremy Irons, Reversal of Fortune; Best Actress--Kathy Bates, Misery; Best Supporting Actor--Joe Pesci, GoodFellas; Best Supporting Actress--Whoopi Goldberg, Ghost; Best Foreign Language Film--Reise der Hoffnung (Journey of Hope).

Politics and government
Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and Croatian President Franjo Tudjman agreed to co-operate for two months to avoid a breakup of Yugoslavia.

Protest
Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev banned demonstrations in Moscow for three weeks.

Environment
The Canadian House of Commons Environment Committee urged a 20% cut in carbon dioxide emissions to help combat global warming.

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): How Deep Is Your Love--Take That

#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Firestarter--The Prodigy

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Children--Robert Miles

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Follow You Down--Gin Blossoms
2 I Want to Come Over--Melissa Etheridge
3 1979--Smashing Pumpkins
4 Ironic--Alanis Morissette
5 Missing--Everything But the Girl
6 Don't Cry--Seal
7 The World I Know--Collective Soul
8 Wonderwall--Oasis
9 Birmingham--Amanda Marshall
10 One of Us--Joan Osborne

Singles entering the chart were Dreamers Dream by Tom Cochrane (#83); Gin Palace by Barney Bentall (#84); Darling Pretty by Mark Knopfler (#86); Fast as I Can by Great Big Sea (#87); Santa Monica (Watch the World Die) by Everclear (#88); Champagne Supernova by Oasis (#92); I Was Born to Love You by Queen (#93); Starbird Road by Megan Metcalfe (#94); and Hands in the Air by Bob Seger (#95).

Died on this date
John Snagge, 91. U.K. broadcaster. Mr. Snagge was a newsreader and commentator for BBC Radio from 1927-1965. He provided commentary for the coronations of King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, and delivered important announcements of World War II developments. Mr. Snagge began announcing the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race in 1931, and continued after his retirement, calling his last race in 1980. He died of throat cancer.

Movies
The Academy Awards for 1995 were presented at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. The winners included: Best Picture--Braveheart; Best Director--Mel Gibson (Braveheart); Best Actor--Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas); Best Actress--Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking); Best Supporting Actor--Kevin Spacey (The Usual Suspects); and Best Supporting Actress--Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite).

Protest
An 81-day standoff began near Jordan, Montana between law enforcement officials and the anti-government Montana Freemen.

Politics and government
The governing Liberal Party of Prime Minister Jean Chretien won five of six federal byelections in Canada, with the Bloc Québecois winning the other. The results restored the Liberals to 177 seats in the House of Commons and confirmed the Bloc as the official Opposition.

Defense
Canadian Department of Defence documents made public indicated that the United Nations owed Canada $50.8 million for expenses during nine peacekeeping missions dating back to the 1980s; the UN's continuing shortage of money meant that the debt was unlikely to be paid soon.

Health
The European Union's Veterinarian Committee banned the export of British beef and its by-products as a result of mad cow disease (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy).

Economics and finance
The redesigned American $100 bill went into circulation.

Figure skating
The world championships began at Edmonton Coliseum.

10 years ago
2006

Died on this date
Richard Fleischer, 89. U.S. movie director. Mr. Fleischer, the son of animator Max Fleischer, directed Design for Death (1947), which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, and had success in the genre of film noir with movies such as Trapped (1949); Follow Me Quietly (1949) and The Narrow Margin (1952). He directed 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954); Fantastic Voyage (1966); and Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970), all of which won Academy Awards for special effects.

Buck Owens, 76. U.S. musician. Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. and his band the Buckaroos had 21 singles that reached #1 on the Billboard Country singles chart in a career that lasted for more than 40 years. He co-hosted the television comedy program Hee Haw from 1969-1986. Mr. Owens died in his sleep of a heart attack a few hours after performing at his Crystal Palace restaurant in his hometown of Bakersfield, California.

Rocío Dúrcal, 61. Spanish singer and actress. Miss Dúrcal, born María de los Ángeles de las Heras Ortiz, was called the "Queen of Ranchera" in a recording career lasting more than 40 years. She appeared in more than a dozen films in the 1960s and '70s. Miss Dúrcal died of uterine cancer.

Crime
Kyle Huff, 28, killed six people and wounded two before taking his own life at a rave afterparty in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighbourhood.

Protest
Demonstrators in Belarus demanding a new presidential election clashed with riot police; opposition leader Aleksander Kozulin was among several protesters arrested. Alexander Lukashenko had been re-elected President on March 19 with 84.4% of the vote, but Western observers deemed the election to be rigged.