May 8, 2016

500 years ago
1516

Died on this date
Lê Tương Dực, 20 or 21. Emperor of Vietnam, 1509-1516. Lê Tương Dực usurped the throne after assassinating his cousin Lê Uy Mục. Lê Tương Dực was murdered by a group of imperial guards, led by Trịnh Duy Sản. Lê Tương Dực was succeeded as Emperor by Lê Chiêu Tông.

475 years ago
1541

Exploration
Hernando de Soto stopped near present-day Walls, Mississippi and saw the Mississippi River (then known by the Spanish as Río de Espíritu Santo, the name given to it by Alonso Álvarez de Pineda in 1519).

170 years ago
1846

War
American forces commanded by General Zachary Taylor defeated a Mexican force north of the Rio Grande in the Battle of Palo Alto, the first major battle of the U.S.-Mexican War.

130 years ago
1886

Popular culture
The first bottle of Coca-Cola was sold at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia.

125 years ago
1891

Died on this date
John Robertson, 74. U.K.-born Australian politician. Sir John moved to Australia with his family in 1820. He was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1856, and served five terms as Premier of New South Wales (1860-1861, 1868-1870, 1875-1877, August-December 1877, 1885-1886). Sir John was known for his support of political and land reforms.

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, 59. Russian-born U.K. occultist. Mrs. Blavatsky was the leading theoretician of theosophy and co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875.

110 years ago
1906

Crime
American desperado Bill Miner aka the Gentleman Bandit or the Grey Fox, held up, with two accomplices, the Canadian Pacific Railway express at Ducks Creek, British Columbia, near Kamloops. They made off with only $15.00 in cash and a bottle of liver pills, and were captured by the Northwest Mounted Police a few days later after a gunfight in which an officer and one of the robbers was wounded.

80 years ago
1936

Died on this date
Oswald Spengler, 55. German historian. Dr. Spengler had a pessimistic view of the future of Germany and Europe; he was best known for his two-volume work Der Untergang des Abendlandes (The Decline of the West) (1918, 1922). Dr. Spengler died three weeks before his 56th birthday.

Oddities
After being knocked from his mount and trampled by four horses at Bay Meadows track in California, jockey Ralph Neves was pronounced dead and his body was taken to a cold storage facility. He revived, took a taxi to the track, and raced the following day.

75 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Tore Svennberg, 83. Swedish actor and director. Mr. Svennberg was best known in his native country for acting in and directing plays, and was known internationally for his co-starring role in the movie A Woman's Face (1938).

Natalie, 81. Queen Consort of Serbia, 1882-1889. Natalie, born Natalija Keschko, was Queen Consort of Serbia as the wife of King Milan I. She died a week before her 82nd birthday.

War
The German Luftwaffe launched a bombing raid on the English cities of Nottingham and Derby. The United Kingdom claimed that 48 Nazi planes had been destroyed within 30 hours on May 7 and during 8 raids on Britain. The Egyptian government announced that Axis planes had bombed the Suez Canal area for two hours during the night of May 7-8.

Defense
U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull, welcoming naval chiefs of 10 Latin American countries to Washington, said that the American republics must collaborate to increase their common defense against the common danger. U.S. Attorney General Robert Jackson instructed U.S. attorneys to urge uniform sentences of seven years for German and Italian officers and five years for seamen convicted of sabotage aboard seized Axis ships. U.K. economist John Maynard Keynes arrived in New York to confer with U.S. and U.K. officials regarding the Lend-Lease program.

Medicine
Drs. H.L. Friedell and L.M. Rosenthal of the Chicago Tumor Institute reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association that observation of eight patients supported the opinion that tobacco chewing was a causative factor in the development of cancer of the mouth.

Economics and finance
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Vinson priorities bill conferring statutory authority on the Office of Production Management to administer priorities in defense materials and industries. U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau announced that the first week's sale of defense savings bonds and stamps totalled $114,880,000.

Business
The U.S. Treasury Department reported that Louis B. Mayer had earned $697,048 as managing director of Loew's, Inc. in 1940, making him the highest-paid executive in the country.

70 years ago
1946

Music
Glenn Gould, 13, first appeared as a pianist with an orchestra, playing the first movement from Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto with the Toronto Conservatory of Music Orchestra.

War
A U.S. Army-Navy study revealed that 295,867 members of the U.S. armed forces had been killed during World War II.

Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State James Byrnes proposed that the foreign ministers of the U.S.A., U.S.S.R., U.K., and France postpone their negotiations until the start of a 21-nation general peace conference, scheduled for June 15, 1946.

The Arab Higher Committee asked the U.S.S.R. for help in preventing implementation of the Palestine Inquiry Commission report.

Politics and government
U.S.-U.S.S.R. talks in Seoul on the establishment of an interim Korean government, in progress since March 20, adjourned indefinitely due to Soviet refusal to permit participation of the U.S. sponsored Representative Democracy Council, headed by Syngman Rhee.

Energy
The U.S. Civilian Production Administration ordered a "dimout" in 22 Eastern states as the emergency coal supply dwindled to less than enough for a normal 12-hour period.

Protest
Estonian schoolgirls Aili Jõgi and Ageeda Paavel blew up the Soviet memorial which stood in front of the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn.

Medicine
The American Museum of Natural History's first overseas expedition since 1939 flew to Africa to collect small mammals and poisonous plants that may be used in the treatment of polio.

60 years ago
1956

Died on this date
Ches McCance, 41. Canadian football player and curler. Mr. McCance was an end and kicker with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1937-1941, 1945); Winnipeg RCAF Bombers (1942-1943); and Montreal Alouettes (1946-1950). He was known for his colourful, fun-loving personality, and played on Grey Cup championship teams in 1939, 1941, and 1949. Mr. McCance skipped a rink that represented Quebec in the Brier in 1953. Mr. McCance died in his sleep; he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1976.

Oil
Canadian Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce C. D. Howe introduced a bill in the House of Commons to create the TransCanada Pipeline; the bill included an $80-million loan to the company.

50 years ago
1966

Died on this date
Walter Alessandroni. U.S. politician. Mr. Alessandroni was Attorney General of Pennsylvania from January 15, 1963 until he, his wife and other state officials, were killed in a plane crash at Connellsville, Pennsylvania.

Defense
The People's Republic of China exploded its third atomic device, "a nuclear explosion that contained thermonuclear materials."

Baseball
The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals combined for 6 home runs as the Giants won 10-5 before 17,503 fans in the last game ever played at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Jim Ray Hart, Willie McCovey, and Willie Mays homered for San Francisco, while Tim McCarver, Bob Skinner, and Mike Shannon homered for St. Louis. Mr. McCovey's home run was a 3-run blast as a pinch hitter in the 6th inning, and broke a 5-5 tie; Mr. Skinner also homered as a pinch hitter, a 2-run blow in the 4th. George Kernek struck out as a pinch hitter for the Cardinals in the 6th inning, in what turned out to be the 30th and last game of his 2-year major league career. San Francisco first baseman Orlando Cepeda batted 2 for 4 with a double, run, and 2 runs batted in; immediately after the game, he was traded to the Cardinals for pitcher Ray Sadecki. Mr. Cepeda was batting .286 with 3 home runs and 15 RBIs in 19 games with the Giants in 1966, after missing most of the 1965 season with a serious knee injury. Mr. Sadecki was 2-1 with a 2.22 earned run average in 5 games with the Cardinals in 1966. The current grandstand at Busch Stadium--known as Sportsman's Park prior to 1953--had been built in 1909, although baseball had been played on that site since 1867. After the final game there, a helicopter transported home plate to the new stadium, Busch Memorial Stadium.

Frank Robinson and Boog Powell each hit home runs in both games as the Baltimore Orioles swept a doubleheader from the Cleveland Indians 8-2 and 8-3 before 37,658 fans at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore to move into a tie for first place in the American League with the Indians, both teams having records of 15-4.

Pinch hitter Bob Saverine singled home Willie Kirkland with none out in the top of the 10th inning to break a 2-2 tie as the Washington Senators edged the Kansas City Athletics 3-2 before 7,305 fans at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City.

40 years ago
1976

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Ancora tu--Lucio Battisti (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): Baretta's Theme--Sammy Davis, Jr.

#1 single in the U.K.: Fernando--ABBA (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Welcome Back--John Sebastian

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Boogie Fever--Sylvers
2 Welcome Back--John Sebastian
3 Let Your Love Flow--Bellamy Brothers
4 Show Me the Way--Peter Frampton
5 Fooled Around and Fell in Love--Elvin Bishop
6 Silly Love Songs--Wings
7 Right Back Where We Started From--Maxine Nightingale
8 Shannon--Henry Gross
9 Love Hangover--Diana Ross
10 Happy Days--Pratt & McClain with Brother Love

Singles entering the chart were Take the Money and Run by Steve Miller (#87); Turn the Beat Around by Vicki Sue Robinson (#88); Let Her In by John Travolta (#93); America, the Beautiful (1976) by Charlie Rich (#94); Better Days by Melissa Manchester (#96); I'm Easy by Keith Carradine (#97); Save Your Kisses for Me by the Brotherhood of Man (#99); and Norma Jean Wants to be a Movie Star by Sunshine Company (#100). I'm Easy was from the movie Nashville (1975), and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Bohemian Rhapsody--Queen (2nd week at #1)
2 Boogie Fever--Sylvers
3 Love is the Drug--Roxy Music
4 Shout it Out Loud--Kiss
5 Lonely Night (Angel Face)--Captain and Tennille
6 Lorelei--Styx
7 Show Me the Way--Peter Frampton
8 Shannon--Henry Gross
9 Let Your Love Flow--Bellamy Brothers
10 Dream Weaver--Gary Wright

Singles entering the chart were Rock and Roll Love Letter by the Bay City Rollers (#86); Love in the Shadows by Neil Sedaka (#88); No Charge by John Gilbert (#89); Scorpio by David George (#91); Takin' it to the Streets by the Doobie Brothers (#92); Fool to Cry by the Rolling Stones (#93); Ain't Nobody But Me by Supertramp (#94); The Fonz Song by the Heyettes (#97); Sara Smile by Daryl Hall and John Oates (#98); Concrete and Clay by Randy Edelman (#99); and Can't Hide Love by Earth, Wind & Fire (#100).

Politics and government
The Lebanese Parliament elected Elias Sarkis as President, replacing Sleiman Frangie.

Scandal
U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Clarence Kelley apologized to the American public for FBI activities that he termed "clearly wrong and quite indefensible."

Popular culture
The rollercoaster The New Revolution, the first steel coaster with a vertical loop, opened at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita, California.

30 years ago
1986

Politics and government
In the first election since Don Getty had assumed the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party and had taken office as Premier of Alberta in the fall of 1985, the PCs won a reduced majority, taking 61 of 83 seats in the Legislature. The New Democrats, who had won 2 seats in the 1982 election, improved to 16 to become the official opposition, while the Liberals broke through with 4 seats, winning legislative representation for the first time in more than 30 years. Walter Buck and Ray Speaker, longtime MLAs with the Social Credit Party, were both re-elected, but as candidates for the Representative Party, who were participating in their only election. Western Canada Concept MLA Gordon Kesler lost his seat four years after winning a by-election to become the first--and only-- candidate of the western separatist party to get elected.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Clarence S. Campbell Conference Finals
Calgary 2 @ St. Louis 5 (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)

Baseball
The Seattle Mariners, off to a 9-19 start, fired manager Chuck Cottier. Marty Martinez took over as manager for that day’s game--and lost--before Dick Williams was hired the following day. In his only game under Mr. Martinez, the Mariners lost 4-2 to the Boston Red Sox before 8,319 fans at the Kingdome in Seattle, with all the Boston runs coming in the 7th inning after Seattle had taken a 2-0 lead.

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Wind of Change--Scorpions

On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight’s episode: Graduation

Died on this date
Rudolf Serkin, 88. Austro-Hungarian musician. Mr. Serkin, a native of Bohemia, was a classical pianist who was a child prodigy and performed internationally before emigrating to the United States shortly after the start of World War II. He was known as one of the 20th century's foremost interpreters of the music of Beethoven, making recordings from the 1940s to the '80s. Mr. Serkin taught at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and was its director from 1968-1976.

Jean Langlais, 84. French musician and composer. Mr. Langlais was the organist at the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde in Paris (1945-1988), and toured across Europe and the United States. He composed more than 250 pieces, mainly organ works and masses.

Personal
This blogger flew to St. John’s to begin a vacation in Atlantic Canada.

Crime
Gambler Howie Spira was convicted of attempting to extort money from New York Yankees’ owner George Steinbrenner. Mr. Spira had already extorted $40,000 from Mr. Steinbrenner.

Labour
1,400 United Steelworkers of America workers end strike at Brunswick Mining and Smelting; cost local economy $40 million in lost wages. Bathurst, New Brunswick

20 years ago
1996

Died on this date
Garth Williams, 84. U.S. illustrator. Mr. Williams illustrated children's books from the mid-1940s to the 1980s. He died 22 days after his 84th birthday.

Luis Miguel Dominguín, 69. Spanish bullfighter. Mr. Dominguín, born Luis Miguel González Lucas, began his career at the age of 11, was one of Spain's most popular bullfighters in the 1940s and '50s.

Politics and government
The main political parties in South Africa agreed on the country's new constitution.

Economics and finance
The Ontario government of Premier Mike Harris cut provincial income taxes by 30%.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Western Conference Semi-Finals
Detroit 4 @ St. Louis 5 (OT) (Detroit led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Colorado 3 @ Chicago 2 (3 OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)

10 years ago
2006

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
Buffalo 2 @ Ottawa 1 (Buffalo led best-of-seven series 2-0)
New Jersey 2 @ Carolina 3 (OT) (Carolina led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Western Conference Semi-Finals
Edmonton 1 @ San Jose 2 (San Jose led best-of-seven series 2-0)