April 23, 2016

1,000 years ago
1016

Died on this date
Æthelred the Unready, 48 (?). King of England, 978-1013, 1014-1016. Æthelred succeeded to the throne upon the death of his father Edward the Martyr. Æthelred fled to Normandy in 1013 when King Sweyn Forkbeard invaded England, but returned as King upon Sweyn's death in 1014. Æthelred was succeeded as King by Edmund Ironside.

875 years ago
1141

Born on this date
Malcolm IV. King of Scots, 1153-1165. Malcolm Canmore was the eldest son of Earl Henry, who was the son of King David I. When Earl Henry died in 1152, Malcolm became the heir to the throne, and succeeded his grandfather. He was known for his religious zeal and interest in knighthood and warfare, but, like his father, suffered from poor health. His death on December 9, 1165 at the age of 24 may have been the result of Paget's disease. Malcolm IV died without heirs and was succeeded by his brother William I.

400 years ago
1616

Died on this date
William Shakespeare, 52. English playwright. Mr. Shakespeare was the most famous writer in the history of the English language, especially for his 38 plays.

225 years ago
1791

Born on this date
James Buchanan. 15th President of the United States of America, 1857-1861. Mr. Buchanan, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, held various offices in a political and diplomatic career lasting almost 50 years. He was elected President of the United States in 1856, but proved ineffective in fulfilling his promises and dealing with the threatened secession from the Union of Southern states, and declined to run for re-election. Mr. Buchanan died on June 1, 1868 at the age of 77. He predicted the day before his death that history would vindicate him, but he was mistaken; historians have consistently ranked Mr. Buchanan among the worst American Presidents.

170 years ago
1846

Politics and government
The U.S. Congress voted to terminate the agreement with the United Kingdom on joint occupancy of Oregon.

125 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Sergei Prokofiev. Russian composer. Mr. Prokofiev was one of the most prominent composers of the 20th century; his works included seven completed operas, seven symphonies, and eight ballets. He died on March 5, 1953 at the age of 61.

War
Balmacedist (Liberal Democratic Party) torpedo boats Almirante Lynch and Almirante Condell sank the Congressional armored frigate Blanco Encalada in the Battle of Caledera Bay, an engagement in the Chilean Civil War.

110 years ago
1906

Law
The Alberta Legislature set the provincial speed limit at 10 miles per hour in the city and 20 mph in the country.

100 years ago
1916

Born on this date
Ivo Ribar. Yugoslavian politician. Mr. Ribar was a Communist who became one of the closest collaborators of Yugoslav Communist Party leader Josip Broz Tito. He was a leader of the Yugoslav Partisans during World War II, and was among the founders of the Unified League of Anti-Fascist Youth of Yugoslavia (USAOJ). Mr. Ribar was preparing to board a flight to Cairo as the first representative of Communist Yugoslavia to the Middle East Command, when he was killed on November 27, 1943 at the age of 27 when a German bomb struck the Glamoč airfield in southwestern Bosnia.

War
The Royal Naval Reserve set sail for England from St. John's, Newfoundland.

Boxing
Former world heavyweight champion Jack Johnson (57-9-9-3) knocked out Arthur Cravan (0-1) in the 6th round at Plaza de Toros Monumental in Barcelona. After the bout Johnson gave an exhibitions with Kid Johnson and his nephew Gus Rhodes, who had boxed 4 rounds before the main event.

80 years ago
1936

Born on this date
Roy Orbison. U.S. singer and songwriter. One of this blogger's favourite singers, the "Big O" had a minor hit on Sun records in 1956 with Ooby Dooby, but it wasn't until Only the Lonely reached #2 in the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1960 (and #1 in the U.K.) that he made it big. At a time when men weren't supposed to cry or show emotion over lost love, Mr. Orbison became very popular, especially with red-blooded heterosexual men, representing those of us who lose or don't get the girl. His hit singles included Running Scared (U.S. #1; U.K. #9, 1961); Crying (U.S. #2, 1961); Dream Baby (U.S. #4; U.K. #2, 1962); In Dreams (U.S. #7; U.K. #6, 1963); It's Over (U.S. #9; U.K. #1, 1964); and Pretty Woman (U.S. #1; U.K. #1, 1964). Mr. Orbison was as popular in Britain as in America, and headlined a British tour with the Beatles in 1963. The deaths of his first wife, Claudette (in a motorcycle crash in 1966) and two of his sons (in a fire at his Tennessee home in 1968 while Mr. Orbison was on the road) combined with a creative decline, and Mr. Orbison's popularity slipped badly. By the late 1980s, Mr. Orbison's career was on the upswing; many of the most popular artists of the time performed with him in a tribute concert in Los Angeles in 1987 which was released on video, and later on record,under the title Roy Orbison: A Black and White Night. In 1988 he was recruited to become one of the Traveling Wilbury's and performed on their Volume One album and their debut single Handle With Care (U.S. #45; Canada #3), while also recording a new album. Mr. Orbison died of a heart attack on December 6, 1988 at the age of 52. You Got It, the debut single from his new album, Mystery Girl, was released in January 1989, reaching #12 in the U.S. and #1 in Canada. The album was released in February and sold well. This blogger's favourite Roy Orbison song is Ride Away, from 1965.

75 years ago
1941

War
Germany admitted that the British rear guard in Greece was still holding the pass at Thermopylae. Waves of German bombers pounded Greek ports and waiting evacuation ships. A Japanese Army spokesman in Shanghai stated that all of the Chinese province of Chekiang south of Shanghai had been occupied by Japanese troops. At an America First Committee meeting in New York, Charles Lindbergh delivered a speech in opposition to American involvement in World War II.

Defense
New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, chairman of the American section of the Canada-U.S. Joint Defense Board, said that the two countries planned to defend their shores 1,000 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy Secretary Frank Knox announced that 20 of the Navy's "mosquito" boats were being shipped to Britain under the Lend-Lease program.

The Argentine Senate approved a defense bill authorizing the expenditure of 646 million pesos.

Politics and government
The death of a Senator who was a supporter of the government gave Labour a 36-35 edge in the Australian Senate.

Scandal
Former U.S. Ambassador to France William C. Bullitt presented President Franklin D. Roosevelt with evidence that Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles had made homosexual overtures to two railroad porters in September 1940. Mr. Bullitt, who disliked Mr. Welles and was his rival within the State Department, demanded that Mr. Roosevelt dismiss Mr. Welles. Mr. Roosevelt refused, and instead dismissed Mr. Bullitt from the State Department.

Protest
The American Youth Congress claimed 500,000 as the number of students taking part in peace rallies and "strikes" at many colleges throughout the United States.

Journalism
The Boston Evening Transcript announced that it would cease publication on April 30, 1941 after almost 111 years because of insufficient funds.

Health
Professor Russell Wilder of the Mayo Foundation reported that two-thirds of Americans suffered from serious malnutrition because of improper diet lacking in vitamins, minerals, and proteins.

Education
The New York Board of Education voted against a resolution to require teachers and clerks in the school system to state under oath whether they were or are members of the Communist, Nazi, or Fascist parties.

Labour
Michigan Governor Murray Van Wagoner named a three-man mediation committee to try to settle the dispute between General Motors and the United Auto Workers.

Soft coal mine operators in the southern United States broke off negotiations with the United Mine Workers of America for the second time.

70 years ago
1946

Diplomacy
British Prime Minister Clement Attlee presided over the opening of a conference of British Dominions Foreign Ministers in London.

Defense
The U.S. Senate Military Affairs Committee voted to report in favour of the bill proposed by the administration of President Harry Truman for unification of the armed forces.

Politics and government
Manuel Roxas, the Liberal Party candidate, was elected the last President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines; Elpidio Quirino was elected Vice President.

World events
Members of the Italian "Democratic Fascist Party" stole the body of former Italian Duce Benito Mussolini from his unmarked pauper's grave in Cimitero Maggiore di Milano (Greater Cemetery of Milan).

Economics and finance
United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration Director Fiorello La Guardia warned that "have countries" must come down in their "reserve stocks" of food, or he would "take such action as may be necessary."

Labour
A strike of 50,000 government employees in Palestine in which Jews and Arabs cooperated was called off after the British Palestine administration raised wages.

The Congress of Industrial Organizations United Federal Workers and the State, County and Municipal Workers merged, forming the United Public Workers of America, with 103,000 members.

Baseball
Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, Frank Chance, Jack Chesbro, Clark Griffith, Joe McGinnity, Rube Waddell, Eddie Plank, Ed Walsh, Jesse Burkett, and Tommy McCarthy were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Ed Head pitched a no-hitter and had a hit of his own as the Brooklyn Dodgers shut out the Boston Braves 5-0 before 26,787 fans at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Mort Cooper allowed 10 hits and 5 earned runs in 8 innings in taking the loss. The game was played in 1 hour 45 minutes.

Jerry Priddy's 3-run home run climaxed a 6-run 11th inning as the Washington Nationals defeated the Boston Red Sox 8-2 before 12,682 fans at Fenway Park in Boston.

50 years ago
1966

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): These Boots are Made for Walkin'--Nancy Sinatra (8th week at #1)

#1 single in France: Le Cinéma--Sheila (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Nessuno mi può giudicare--Caterina Caselli (11th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): These Boots are Made for Walkin'--Nancy Sinatra (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Dedicated Follower of Fashion--The Kinks

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): You Don't Have to Say You Love Me--Dusty Springfield

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): (You’re My) Soul and Inspiration--The Righteous Brothers (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 (You’re My) Soul and Inspiration--The Righteous Brothers (2nd week at #1)
2 Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)--Cher
3 Good Lovin'--The Young Rascals
4 Secret Agent Man--Johnny Rivers
5 Kicks--Paul Revere and the Raiders
6 Time Won't Let Me--The Outsiders
7 Sloop John B--The Beach Boys
8 Monday, Monday--The Mamas and the Papas
9 I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry--B.J. Thomas and the Triumphs
10 Leaning on the Lamp Post--Herman's Hermits

Singles entering the chart were The "A" Team by SSgt. Barry Sadler (#47); Love is Like an Itching in My Heart by the Supremes (#75); Love's Made a Fool of You by the Bobby Fuller Four (#82); You're the One by the Marvelettes (#85); Hold On! I'm a Comin' by Sam and Dave (#86); Dum-De-Da by Bobby Vinton (#88); The Cruel War by Peter, Paul and Mary (#92); Mine Exclusively by the Olympics (#93); Barefootin' by Robert Parker (#94); The More I See You by Chris Montez (#95); Truly Julie's Blues (I'll Be There) (#96)/Remember the Rain (#100) by Bob Lind; I Love You 1000 Times by the Platters (#98); The Big Hurt by Del Shannon (#99); Cool Jerk by the Capitols (also #100); and Come On Let's Go by the McCoys (also #100).

Died on this date
George Ohsawa, 72. Japanese philosopher. Mr. Ohsawa, born Nyoichi Sakurazawa, founded the Macrobiotic diet, and was largely responsible for popularizing Oriental concepts of health in the West.

Music
Johnny Rivers performed at Edmonton Gardens, with the Batgirls as an opening act.

40 years ago
1976

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Mississippi--Pussycat (6th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Rocky--Frank Farian (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Fernando--ABBA (4th week at #1)

Protest
Thousands of people marched in Boston to protest anti-busing violence earlier in the year.

Hockey
WHA
Avco World Trophy
O'Keefe Cup Finals
Calgary 1 @ Winnipeg 6 (Winnipeg led best-of-seven series 1-0)

U.S. Championship Quarter-Finals
Indianapolis 1 @ New England 2 (New England led best-of-seven series 3-1)
San Diego 1 @ Houston 3 (Houston led best-of-seven series 2-0)

30 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Dover-Calais--Style (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Harold Arlen, 81. U.S. songwriter. Mr. Arlen, born Hyman Arluck, wrote the music for over 500 songs, including such standards as Get Happy; Stormy Weather; and Blues in the Night. He and lyricist E.Y. Harburg won the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song for Over the Rainbow, from The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Otto Preminger, 80. Austro-Hungarian-born U.S. movie director. Mr. Preminger first achieved major success with the film noir drama Laura (1944), but was best known for directing movies that challenged Hollywood taboos and censorship. His films included Forever Amber (1947); The Moon is Blue (1953); The Man with the Golden Arm (1955); and Anatomy of a Murder (1959). He also acted in several movies, most notably Stalag 17 (1953).

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Montreal 1 @ Hartford 2 (OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)
Washington 5 @ New York Rangers 6 (OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)

25 years ago
1991

Adventure
31-year-old French yachtsman Christophe Auguin won the 27,000-mile, eight-month-long BOC solo race around the world aboard the 60-foot-long sailboat Groupe Sceta. Mr. Auguin’s closest rival, Alain Gautier, stalled just 212 miles from the finish.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Boston 2 @ Montreal 6 (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)
Pittsburgh 3 @ Washington 1 (Pittsburgh led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Baseball
The Philadelphia Phillies, who had started the season with a record of 4-9, fired Nick Leyva as manager and replaced him with Jim Fregosi. Mr. Fregosi’s debut as Philadelphia manager was a 2-1 loss to the New York Mets before 20,187 fans at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.

20 years ago
1996

Died on this date
P. L. Travers, 96. Australian-born U.K. authoress. Pamela Lyndon Travers, born Helen Lyndon Goff, moved to England at the age of 25. She was known for writing the novel Mary Poppins (1934) and various sequels through 1988.

Jean Victor Allard, 82. Canadian military officer. General Allard was the first French-Canadian to become Chief of Defence Staff, a position he held from 1966-1969.

War
The government of Sierra Leone and rebels agreed to a cease-fire in the five-year civil war, and a timetable for peace talks was arranged.

5,000 U.S. Marines were reported to be waiting in ships off the coast of Liberia, four days after a shaky cease-fire had taken hold between factions in the country.

Health
The European Union confirmed its ban on imports of British beef because of mad cow disease.

Economics and finance
Canadian Finance Minister Paul Martin announced that Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland had agreed to replace their provincial sales taxes and the federal Goods and Services Tax with a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Conference Quarter-Finals
Philadelphia 4 @ Tampa Bay 1 (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)
New York Rangers 4 @ Montreal 3 (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)
Toronto 1 @ St. Louis 5 (St. Louis led best-of-seven series 3-1)
Detroit 6 @ Winnipeg 1 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 3-1)
Chicago 2 @ Calgary 1 (3 OT) (Chicago won best-of-seven series 4-0)

10 years ago
2006

Died on this date
Phil Walden, 66. U.S. record producer and manager. Mr. Walden co-founded Capricorn Records, a label based in Macon, Georgia, in 1969. He used the label to help popularize Southern rock with artists such as the Allman Brothers Band, the Marshall Tucker Band, and Elvin Bishop. Mr. Walden also managed singer Otis Redding, comic actor Jim Varney, and actor Billy Bob Thornton. When former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter was campaigning for the Democratic Party U.S. presidential nomination in 1976, Mr. Walden provided much-needed financial support, and thus contributed to Mr. Carter's eventual victory.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Conference Quarter-Finals
Tampa Bay 4 @ Ottawa 3 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
Edmonton 4 @ Detroit 2 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
San Jose 3 @ Nashville 0 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
Anaheim 4 @ Calgary 3 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Vesa Toskala earned the shutout in goal for the Sharks as they blanked the Predators at Gaylord Entertainment Center.