April 20, 2016

180 years ago
1836

Americana
The Territory of Wisconsin was established by Congress.

175 years ago
1841

Literature
Edgar Allan Poe’s novel Murders in the Rue Morgue was published.

125 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Dave Bancroft. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Bancroft was a shortstop with the Philadelphia Phillies (1915-1920); New York Giants (1920-1923; 1930); Boston Braves (1924-1927); and Brooklyn Robins (1928-1929). In 1,913 regular season games, he batted .279 with 32 home runs and 591 runs batted in. Mr. Bancroft played with the New York Giants when they won the World Series in 1921-1922 and National League pennants in 1923-1924. He was named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971 by a Veterans Committee that included two of his former teammates with the Giants. Mr. Bancroft died on October 9, 1972 at the age of 81.

100 years ago
1916

Born on this date
Phil Walters. U.S. auto racing driver. Mr. Walters was a glider pilot with the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II and lost half a lung and a kidney as the result of wounds, but was able to become a sports car and endurance race driver. He won numerous sports car races from 1950-1955, and won the Grand Prix, 12 Hours of Sebring in 1953, while finishing third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1953. Mr. Walters was preparing to join Enzo Ferrari's Formula One team in 1955, but witness the crash at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in which 85 spectators were killed, and immediately quit the sport. He later became an accomplished sailboat racer, and died on February 6, 2000 at the age of 83.

Baseball
The Chicago Cubs edged the Cincinnati Reds 7–6 in 11 innings in their first game at Weeghman Park (now Wrigley Field) in Chicago.

The Philadelphia Phillies scored a run in the top of the 12th inning to edge the New York Giants 7-6 before 25,000 fans at the Polo Grounds in New York.

Babe Ruth pitched a 5-hit complete game to improve his record for the season to 3-0 as the Boston Red Sox beat the Philadelphia Athletics 7-1 at Shibe Park in Philadelphia.

90 years ago
1926

Movies
Western Electric and Warner Bros. announced Vitaphone, a process to add sound to film.

75 years ago
1941

War
Italy claimed that her 9th and 11th Armies had reached the Albanian-Greek border in almost every sector.

Defense
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King, meeting in Washington, announced a defense production agreement under which the United States and Canada would mobilize their resources for hemispheric defense and aid to the Allies.

A Gallup Poll reported that 79% of American voters opposed sending part of the U.S. Army to Europe; 69% opposed sending any part of the Army Air Forces; and 67% were opposed to sending any warships.

Politics and government
King George II of Greece proclaimed himself Prime Minister of a new military dictatorship, two days after the suicide of Prime Minister Alexandros Koryzis.

German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler named Alfred Rosenberg commissioner for East European territories.

Protest
Casualties in Hindu-Muslim riots in Ahmadabad, India, which had begun on April 18, rose to 56 dead and 318 wounded after police fired on a crowd for the second time.

Economics and finance
Haitian President-elect Elie Lescot announced that Haiti planned to undertake extensive rubber plantings by agreement with the United States.

Business
A New England syndicate headed by Bob Quinn bought controlling interest (73%) in the Boston Bees of major league baseball's National League; the former team name of Braves was subsequently restored, as was the ballpark's name of Braves Field from National League Park.

Disasters
Forest fires aided by unseasonably dry weather swept thousands of acres and caused extensive damage in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

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--6th week at #1; Airplay--5th week at #1; Juke Box--6th week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--7th week at #1)

On the radio
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation broadcast the opera Deirdre of the Sorrows, with music by Healey Willan and libretto by John Coulter. It was the first full-length opera commissioned by the network.

Died on this date
Mae Busch, 54. Australian-born U.S. actress. Miss Busch appeared in about 130 movies, but was best known for playing Oliver Hardy's shrewish wife in 13 Laurel and Hardy films. She died of colon cancer.

Defense
U.S. Army General Curtis LeMay announced plans for an Army Air Forces air engineering centre for research on supersonic craft, missiles, spaceships, interplanetary bases, and atomic energy.

Journalism
Ilya Ehrenburg and two other Soviet writers visiting the United States said that they favoured greater interchange of correspondents between the U.S. and U.S.S.R., but warned U.S. newspapers to refrain from "malice or slander" against the Soviet state.

Religion
Pope Pius XII urged the Italian Catholic Action Youth to fight "anti-Christian forces" in politics as well as in private life.

Law
New York Governor Thomas Dewey signed a bill fixing the speed limit on state highways at 50 miles per hour.

Labour
U.S. President Harry Truman conferred with United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis and Labor Secretary Lewis Schwellenbach on the coal strike, but reported "no conclusive result."

60 years ago
1956

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): The Poor People of Paris--Winifred Atwell (2nd week at #1)

50 years ago
1966

Art
Alex Colville was awarded the $9,000 prize for designs for Canadian Centennial coins.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Boston 120 @ Los Angeles 106 (Boston led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Sam Jones scored 36 points to help the Celtics defeat the Lakers before 15,101 fans at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Jerry West led the Lakers with 34 points.

40 years ago
1976

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Quarter-Finals
Los Angeles 1 @ Boston 7 (Boston led best-of-seven series 3-2)
Toronto 1 @ Philadelphia 7 (Philadelphia led best-of-seven series 3-2)
New York Islanders 4 @ Buffalo 3 (New York led best-of-seven series 3-2)

Don Saleski scored 3 goals for the Flyers as they routed the Maple Leafs before 17,007 fans at the Spectrum.

30 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Rock Me Amadeus--Falco (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Ohne dich (schlaf ich heut Nacht nicht ein)--Münchener Freiheit (4th week at #1)

Music
Pianist Vladimir Horowitz performed in his native Russia for the first time in 61 years.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Toronto 3 @ St. Louis 0 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
Calgary 5 @ Edmonton 6 (OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Basketball
NBA
Playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round
Chicago 131 @ Boston 135 (2 OT) (Boston led best-of-five series 2-0)

Michael Jordan of the Bulls scored 63 points at Boston Garden, a record for an NBA playoff game, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Celtics.





Baseball
Vida Blue combined with Jeff Robinson to shut out the San Diego Padres 4-0 before 39,548 fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The win was the 200th of Mr. Blue’s major league career.

Brian Downing hit a grand slam off Ron Davis with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the California Angels an 8-5 win over the Minnesota Twins before 58,066 fans at Anaheim Stadium. The Angels scored 7 runs in the last 2 innings.

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Joyride--Roxette (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Se Stiamo Insieme--Riccardo Cocciante (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): The Grease Megamix--John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Joyride--Roxette (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Joyride--Roxette (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Wind of Change--Scorpions (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): The One and Only--Chesney Hawkes (4th week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Joyride--Roxette (2nd week at #1)
2 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.
3 Unfinished Sympathy--Massive
4 Let There Be Love--Simple Minds
5 One More Try--Timmy T
6 Should I Stay or Should I Go--The Clash
7 You--Ten Sharp
8 Highwire--Rolling Stones
9 Mega Mix--Snap!
10 The Grease Megamix--John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John

Singles entering the chart were Going to the Run by Golden Earring (#33); Lie to Me by Chris Isaak (#35); Valentine by Nils Lofgren (#36); Wear Your Love Like Heaven by Definition of Sound (#37); I'm in the Mood (For Something Good) by B.B. Queen (#38); and Nuit by Fredericks Goldman Jones (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 You're in Love--Wilson Phillips
2 Baby Baby--Amy Grant
3 I've Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat
4 Hold You Tight--Tara Kemp
5 Joyride--Roxette
6 Sadeness Part 1--Enigma
7 Rico Suave--Gerardo
8 I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)--Hi-Five
9 Cry for Help--Rick Astley
10 Here We Go--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams and Zelma Davis

Singles entering the chart were Love is a Wonderful Thing by Michael Bolton (#36); Seal Our Fate by Gloria Estefan (#80); Come Again by Damn Yankees (#81); Uncle Tom's Cabin by Warrant (#93); and Dream Lover by the Rebel Pebbles (#94).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Baby Baby--Amy Grant
2 I’ve Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat
3 Hold You Tight--Tara Kemp
4 Joyride--Roxette
5 You’re in Love--Wilson Phillips
6 Coming Out of the Dark--Gloria Estefan
7 Sadeness (Part 1)--Enigma
8 One More Try--Timmy -T-
9 This House--Tracie Spencer
10 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart

Singles entering the chart were Love is a Wonderful Thing by Michael Bolton (#37); Seal Our Fate by Gloria Estefan (#75); Unbelievable by EMF (#77); I Wanna Sex You Up by Color Me Badd (#78); People are Still Having Sex by LaTour (#79); Dream Lover by the Rebel Pebbles (#83); Uncle Tom's Cabin by Warrant (#85); Love Will Survive by Donny Osmond (#87); Good Heart by Starship (#88); and Strike it Up by Black Box (#89).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 I’ve Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat
2 Joyride--Roxette
3 You’re in Love--Wilson Phillips
4 Coming Out of the Dark--Gloria Estefan
5 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart
6 Cry for Help--Rick Astley
7 Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You--Robert Palmer
8 Someday--Mariah Carey
9 One More Try--Timmy -T-
10 Baby Baby--Amy Grant

Singles entering the chart were More than Words by Extreme (#46); The Power by Alias (#70); More than Ever by Nelson (#72); (Could've Said) I Told You So by Kon-Kan (#74); I Don’t Wanna Cry by Mariah Carey (#75); Always on the Run by Lenny Kravitz (#86); Love at First Sight by Styx (#89); and Don’t Make Me Dream About You by Chris Isaak (#97).

Died on this date
Don Siegel, 78. U.S. movie director. Mr. Siegel directed films such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) and The Killers (1964), but was best known for directing movies starring Clint Eastwood, including Coogan's Bluff (1968) and Dirty Harry (1971).

Steve Marriott, 44. U.K. musician. Mr. Marriott was the lead singer and guitarist with the rock bands Small Faces (1965-1969) and Humble Pie (1969-1975, 1980-1981). He died at home in a fire, likely caused by a cigarette. Mr. Marriott was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of Small Faces.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Minnesota 2 @ St. Louis 5 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
Edmonton 4 @ Los Angeles 3 (2 OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): How Bizarre--OMC (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Con te partirò--Andrea Bocelli (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Soirée disco--Boris

#1 single in France (SNEP): Children--Robert Miles (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Captain Jack--Captain Jack (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Return of the Mack--Mark Morrison

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Because You Loved Me--Céline Dion (5th week at #1)
2 Always Be My Baby--Mariah Carey
3 Nobody Knows--The Tony Rich Project
4 Ironic--Alanis Morissette
5 Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)--R. Kelly featuring Ronald Isley
6 1,2,3,4 (Sumpin' New)--Coolio
7 Sittin' Up in My Room--Brandy
8 Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check/Everything Remains Raw--Busta Rhymes
9 You're the One--SWV
10 Count on Me--Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans

Singles entering the chart were You're the One; Chains by Tina Arena (#52); Reach by Gloria Estefan (#66); Slow Jams by Quincy Jones featuring Babyface & Tamia with Portrai (#72); and Love Don't Live Here Anymore by Madonna (#91).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Because You Loved Me--Céline Dion
2 Always Be My Baby--Mariah Carey
3 Ironic--Alanis Morissette
4 Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)--R. Kelly (featuring Ronald Isley and Ernie Isley)
5 Doin' It--LL Cool J
6 1,2,3,4 (Sumpin' New)--Coolio
7 Nobody Knows--The Tony Rich Project
8 Sittin' Up in My Room--Brandy
9 All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)--Joe
10 Til I Hear it from You/Follow You Down--Gin Blossoms

Singles entering the chart were Don't Wanna Lose You by Lionel Richie (#49); Reach by Gloria Estefan (#70); Counting Blue Cars by Dishwalla (#72); and Drop by Pharcyde (#89).

On television tonight
Soul of the Game, on HBO

This made-for-television movie, directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, and starring Blair Underwood, Mykelti Williamson, Delroy Lindo, and Edward Herrmann, was a docu-drama about Negro League baseball stars Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, and Josh Gibson set in 1945, as rumours aboud that one of them is about to become the first Negro in the modern era to be signed to a major league contract.



Died on this date
Christopher Robin Milne, 75. U.K. bookseller. Mr. Milne was the son of A.A. Milne, author of the Winnie-the-Pooh children's books. He was the basis of the Christopher Robin character in the books.

Labour
A month-long public sector general strike in Bolivia to protest low wages ended.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Conference Quarter-Finals
Colorado 4 @ Vancouver 0 (Colorado led best-of-seven series 2-1)