April 8, 2016

875 years ago
1141

Britannica
English clergy declared Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I, monarch in place of King Stephen, who had been captured at the Battle of Lincoln two months earlier. She assumed the title "Lady of England and Normandy."

150 years ago
1866

Defense
Italy and Prussia allied against the Austrian Empire.

130 years ago
1886

Politics and government
British Prime Minister William Gladstone introduced the first Irish Home Rule Bill in the British House of Commons.

120 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Antonio Riva. Chinese-born Italian military aviator. Capitano Riva, the son of an Italian merchant, was a flying ace in World War I, with seven confirmed and seven unconfirmed aerial victories. He was executed at the age of 55 on August 17, 1951 by a firing squad in Peking with Japanese citizen Ruichi Yamaguchi after being convicted of being involved in a plot to assassinate Chairman Mao Zedong and other high-ranking Communist officials on October 1,1950.

Yip Harburg. U.S. songwriter. Mr. Harburg, born Isidore Hochberg, was best known for his work in the 1930s, writing the lyrics for songs such as Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?; April in Paris; and It's Only a Paper Moon. He wrote the lyrics for the songs in the movie The Wizard of Oz (1939), and shared the Academy Award with composer Harold Arlen for Best Original Song (Over the Rainbow). Mr. Harburg died on March 5, 1981 at the age of 84.

Health
The New Brunswick government moved provincial patients with leprosy (Hansen's Disease) into a new stone building in Tracadie where they could live and receive treatment. The Tracadie lazaretto was the only building in 19th-century Canada specifically for leprosy patients.

110 years ago
1906

Died on this date
Auguste Deter, 55. German medical patient. Mrs. Deter, suffering from dementia, was first seen by Dr. Alois Alzheimer on November 25, 1901, and became the first person diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

100 years ago
1916

Died on this date
Bob Burman, 31. U.S. auto racing driver. Mr. Burman won the initial 250-mile Prest-O-Lite Trophy Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909, and participated in the first five Indianapolis 500s (1911-1915), with a best finish of sixth in 1915. He was killed in a road race in Corona, California, 15 days before his 32nd birthday, when his car rolled over; three spectators were also killed, and five seriously injured.

80 years ago
1936

Died on this date
Róbert Bárány, 59. Austrian physician. Dr. Bárány was awarded the 1914 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for his work on the physiology and pathology of the vestibular apparatus"--i.e., the sensory system related to balance and spatial orientation. Dr. Bárány died two weeks before his 60th birthday.

75 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Marcel Prévost, 78. French author and playwright. Mr. Prévost was best known for novels about women from a masculine point of view. His most notable works included the novel Les Demi-Vierges (1894) and the four-act play La Plus Faible (1904). Mr. Prévost directed the Revue de France from 1922-1940. He died 23 days before his 79th birthday.

War
German troops advanced to within 23 miles of Salonika, Greece, and captured Skopeje in southern Yugoslavia. An Italian communique said that Italian and German motorized columns had reoccupied Dernia, Libya. Mexican President Manuel Avila Camacho issued a decree expropriating the 12 German and Italian merchant ships taken into custody at Tamico and Veracruz.

Diplomacy
Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka, en route home from Rome and Berlin, extended his stay in Moscow for three days.

Defense
Japanese Prime Minister Prince Fumimaro Konoye said that Japan's foreign policy continued to be based on the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy.

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent a message to King Peter II of Yugoslavia denouncing Germany's "criminal assault" on Yugoslavia, and promising "all material assistance possible."

Journalism
U.S. President Roosevelt denied that he favoured press censorship, but criticized newspapers that had published news of the arrival of the British battleship Malaya in New York for repairs two days earlier.

Labour
U.S. Office of Production Management Associate Director General Sidney Hillman and National Defense Mediation Board Vice Chairman William H. Davis told the House of Representatives Military Affairs Committee that they opposed legislation to ban strikes.

Breaking a 38-year precedent in which Ford Motor Company refused to negotiate with any union official, Ford official Harry Bennet and Congress of Industrial Organizations President Philip Murray conferred on a settlement of the United Auto Workers strike at Ford's plant in River Rouge, Michigan.

The CIO Longshoremen's and Warehouseman's Union denounced deportation proceedings against its president, Harry Bridges--a native of Australia--and adopted a constitution excluding political affiliation as a qualification for membership.

Boxing
World heavyweight champion Joe Louis (48-1) retained his title with a technical knockout of Tony Musto (29-11-1) at 1:36 of the 9th round at St. Louis Arena. Referee Arthur Donovan stopped the fight because of a severe cut suffered by Mr. Musto.



Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Detroit 1 @ Boston 2 (Boston led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Terry Reardon scored with 6:25 remaining in regulation time and Roy Conacher scored exactly 4 minutes later as the Bruins came from behind to edge the Red Wings at Boston Garden. Mud Bruneteau scored for Detroit at 2:41 of the 3rd period. Frank Brimsek won the goaltending duel over Johnny Mowers.

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 (4th week at #1)
--Frank Sinatra
--Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra
--Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest
2 Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief--Betty Hutton
--Les Brown and his Orchestra
3 Personality--Johnny Mercer
--Bing Crosby
4 You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)--Les Brown and his Orchestra
--Perry Como
5 One-zy, Two-zy (I Love You-zy)--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
--Phil Harris and his Orchestra
6 Symphony--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra with Clyde Rogers
--Bing Crosby
--Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
--Jo Stafford
7 Day by Day--Frank Sinatra
8 Shoo Fly Pie (And Apple Pan Dowdy)--Stan Kenton and his Orchestra
--Dinah Shore
9 I'm Always Chasing Rainbows--Perry Como
--Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest
10 Prisoner of Love--Perry Como

The only single entering the chart was the version of Personality by Bing Crosby.

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

Died on this date
Yeh Ting; Teng Fa; Wang Jo-fei; Pang-hsien. Chinese politicians. Generals Yeh Ting and Teng Fa and Messrs. Wang Jo-fei and Pang Hsien were prominent Communists who were aboard a U.S. Army plane bound for Yenan, and were killed with the American crew when the plane crashed in the northwestern part of the province of Shansi.

Diplomacy
The 21st League of Nations Assembly convened in Geneva to end the organization, which had been superceded by the United Nations.

U.S. Secretary of State James Byrnes announced that the U.S.S.R. and U.K. had agreed to meet in Paris on April 25 for a foreign ministers' meeting preparatory to a general peace conference.

Hector McNeil of the United Kingdom was elected chairman of the United Nations Special Committee on Refugees and Displaced Persons at its opening session in London.

United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Victor Hoo reported that negotiations had begun to bring the U.K.-mandated areas of Tanganyika, Togoland, and the Cameroons, and the Belgian-mandated Ruanada-Urundi under UN trusteeship.

Defense
The U.S. State Department said that Argentina would be welcome as a signatory of the proposed hemispheric defense treaty if it eliminated "Axis influences."

The U.S. government reported that the U.S. was still spending about $500 million per year on the development of atomic energy and the atomic bomb.

Politics and government
Greek Populist Party leader Constantin Tsaldaris said that he favoured continued cooperation with the Western Allies, and promised to hold a plebiscite on the return of King George II to Greece.

Economist Harold Laski, chairman of the British Labour Party's National Executive Committee, issued a pamphlet opposing a proposed Labour-Communist merger on the grounds that the Communists wanted a one-party system.

Energy
Électricité de France, the world's largest utility company, was formed as a result of the nationalization of a number of electricity producers, transporters and distributors.

Labour
The U.S. Wage Stabilization Board approved an 18 1/2c-per-hour increase for 110,000 employees of General Electric.

60 years ago
1956

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Portrait of Jocelyn, starring Philip Abbott and Nancy Gates

Studio One, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Arena, written by Rod Serling, directed by Franklin Schaffner, and starring Wendell Corey, Chester Morris, John Cromwell,and Leora Dana



Golf
Jack Burke, Jr. won the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, finishing with a 1-over par scored of 289, one stroke ahead of amateur Ken Venturi. First prize money was $6,000. It was the first Masters to have the third and fourth rounds televised (on CBS), and the last to be played without a 36-hole cut.



Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Montreal 3 @ Detroit 0 (Montreal led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Jean Beliveau scored in each of the first 2 periods and Floyd Curry scored in the 3rd period as the Canadiens shut out the Red Wings at Olympia Stadium. Jacques Plante posted the shutout to win the goaltending duel over Glenn Hall.

50 years ago
1966

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: These Boots are Made for Walkin'--Nancy Sinatra

Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Lovedrops--Barry Allen (2nd week at #1)
2 Nowhere Man--The Beatles
3 Daydream--The Lovin' Spoonful
4 19th Nervous Breakdown--The Rolling Stones
5 Time Won't Let Me--The Outsiders
6 The Ballad of the Green Berets--SSgt Barry Sadler
7 Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)--Cher
8 I Fought the Law--Bobby Fuller Four
9 Woman--Peter & Gordon
10 Walkin' My Cat Named Dog--Norma Tanega
Pick hit of the week: I'm Comin' Home, Cindy--Trini Lopez
New this week: The Power of Love--The Everly Brothers
Remember the Rain--Bob Lind
Dum-De-Da--Bobby Vinton
Monday, Monday--The Mamas and the Papas
Speak Her Name--David & Jonathan

Space
The United States launched the first Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO-1) from Cape Kennedy, Florida.

40 years ago
1976

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Preliminary Round
Los Angeles 1 @ Atlanta 0 (Los Angeles won best-of-three series 2-0)
Toronto 0 @ Pittsburgh 2 (Best-of-three series tied 1-1)
St. Louis 2 @ Buffalo 3 (OT) (Best-of-three series tied 1-1)
New York Islanders 3 @ Vancouver 1 (New York won best-of-three series 2-0)

Rogie Vachon posted the shutout in goal for the Kings as they eliminated the Flames at the Omni, while Michel Plasse posted the shutout in goal for the Penguins as they evened their series with the Maple Leafs at Civic Arena. Danny Gare scored 11:43 into the 1st overtime period to give the Sabres their win over the Blues at War Memorial Auditorium.

30 years ago
1986

Politics and government
Movie actor and director Clint Eastwood was elected mayor of Carmel, California.

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Lady Navigation--B'z

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Se mustamies--Hausmylly (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Joyride--Roxette

On television tonight
Hollywood Detective, on A&E
Tonight's episode: The Muse

This short-lived (six episodes) series starred Tony Peck, the son of Gregory Peck, as Barkley Nunn, a private detective in Hollywood in the 1930s, whose cases usually involved well-known writers. This episode, the first in the series, featured Ian Buchanan as F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Separate But Equal: Part II, on ABC

This made-for-television movie about the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case before the U.S. Supreme Court starred Sidney Poitier as Thurgood Marshall, Burt Lancaster as John W. Davis, and Richard Kiley as Chief Justice Earl Warren. It was Mr. Lancaster's last performance.



World events
U.S. President George Bush visited a refugee camp on the Iraq-Turkey border, heard pleas for help, and promised an international relief effort.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
St. Louis 2 @ Detroit 5 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Chicago 6 @ Minnesota 5 (Chicago led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Calgary 3 @ Edmonton 4 (Edmonton led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Los Angeles 1 @ Vancouver 2 (OT) (Vancouver led best-of-seven series 2-1)

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): La cosa mas bella--Eros Ramazzotti

#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Firestarter--The Prodigy (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Children--Robert Miles (3rd week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Ironic--Alanis Morissette (2nd week at #1)
2 1979--Smashing Pumpkins
3 Nobody Knows--The Tony Rich Project
4 Follow You Down--Gin Blossoms
5 Because You Loved Me--Céline Dion
6 I Want to Come Over--Melissa Etheridge
7 Birmingham--Amanda Marshall
8 Wonderwall--Oasis
9 Missing--Everything But the Girl
10 Don't Cry--Seal

Singles entering the chart were Count on Me by Whitney Houston (#79); Voice of Eujena by Brother Cane (#84); You Don't Know Me at All by Don Henley (#89); Another Cup of Coffee by Mike + the Mechanics (#91); Screwed it Up by Limblifter (#94); Big Bang Baby by Stone Temple Pilots (#95); The Mountains Win Again by Blues Traveler (#98); and June Afternoon by Roxette (#99).

Died on this date
León Klimovsky, 89. Argentine-born Spanish film and television director. Mr. Klimovsky directed his first movie in 1947, and settled in Spain in the 1950s. He always wanted to make great mainstream films, but settled for commercial exploitation movies and television programs. Mr. Klimovsky retired in 1979, and died in Madrid from a heart attack.

Ben Johnson, 77. U.S. actor and stuntman. Mr. Johnson was known for acting in Western movies; he won an Academy Award for his supporting performance in The Last Picture Show (1971).

Mick Young, 59. Mr. Young was National Secretary of the Australian Labour Party (1969-1973); Member of Parliament for Port Adelaide (1974-1988); Leader of the House of Representatives (1983, 1984-1988); Special Minister of State (1983-1987); Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1987-1988); and National President of the Australian Labour Party (1986-1988). He resigned from Parliament over allegations concerning fund-raising during the 1987 election, although he was cleared of any wrongdoing. Mr. Young died of leukemia.

Protest
Hundreds of pro-Unionist Protestants clashed with police during a march through a Roman Catholic section of Belfast, marking the beginning of the annual "marching season" in Northern Ireland.

10 years ago
2006

Crime
The bodies of eight men, all shot to death, were found in a field near Shedden, Ontario. The murders were soon linked to the Bandidos Motorcycle Club.