July 27, 2016

275 years ago
1741

Born on this date
François-Hippolyte Barthélémon. French-born U.K. musician and composer. Mr. Barthélémon was a violinist who was educated in Paris, and moved to England in 1764. He was known for his operas and burlettas (short comic operas), and also wrote six symphonies and several concertos. Mr. Barthélémon died on July 20, 1808, a week before his 67th birthday.

150 years ago
1866

Born on this date
António José de Almeida. 6th President of Portugal, 1919-1923; Prime Minister of Portugal, 1916, 1916-1917. Dr. Almeida, a physician, was associated with the moderate wing of the Portuguese Republican Party before founding the Evolutionist Party, which became part of the Republican Liberal Party. He was the only President of the First Republic to serve a full four-year term. Dr. Almeida died on October 31, 1929 at the age of 63.

Communications
Cyrus Field and his Anglo-American Telegraph Company finally succeed, after two failures, in laying the first permanent transatlantic telegraph cable, stretching 1,686 miles from Valentia Island, Ireland, to Heart's Content, Newfoundland.

130 years ago
1886

Labour
The Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players, with chapters in most cities with teams in the National League, announced its existence.

125 years ago
1891

Transportation
The last spike was driven on the Calgary and Edmonton Railway, which had begun construction on July 21, 1890. The line reduced a five-day stagecoach journey to a train trip of only a few hours.

120 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Robert George. U.K. military officer and politician. Air Vice Marshal Sir Robert served in both world wars, with posts that included Singapore, Ankara, and Iraq, retiring in 1952. He served as Governor of South Australia (1953-1960), and died on September 13, 1967 at the age of 71 after being hit by a car.

100 years ago
1916

Born on this date
Keenan Wynn. U.S. actor. Mr. Wynn, the son of comedian Ed Wynn, was a character actor who appeared in numerous television programs and movies; he and his father appeared together in the Playhouse 90 television drama Requiem for a Heavyweight (1956). Keenan Wynn died of pancreatic cancer on October 14, 1986 at the age of 70.

75 years ago
1941

War
Japanese troops stationed in Tonkin occupied the southern portion of French Indochina.

The Peruvian government reported a major battle against Ecuadorian forces in the Zaramilla River basin. The Peruvian Foreign Office said that it had not yet replied to the proposed truce in their border war with Ecuador.

70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): The Gypsy--The Ink Spots (10th week at #1)

They Say it's Wonderful was #2, and Doin' What Comes Natur'lly was #3.

Died on this date
Gertrude Stein, 72. U.S. writer. Miss Stein was a Jewish lesbian who spent the last 43 years of her life in France. Her best known work was The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas (1933); Miss Toklas was her lover. See also here.

War
The Nationalist Chinese government in Nanking rejected Communist proposals for a cease-fire, stating that questions of the control of Manchuria, reorganization of the armies, and reopening of communications must be settled first.

Diplomacy
Drafts of tentative peace treaties prepared at the Paris Peace Conference of Foreign Ministers were published, showing that Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary,and Finland would be stripped of war-making potential. Italy would lose her colonies, and Finland would be forced to cede territory to the U.S.S.R.

The Arab Higher Commission rejected a British proposal for a Jewish-Arab conference, calling for an independent Arab Palestine with no Jewish immigration.

60 years ago
1956

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers (2nd week at #1)

Diplomacy
France and the United Kingdom formally protested the previous day's nationalization of the Suez Canal by Egypt. The protests came after French President Guy Mollet and British Prime Minister Anthony Eden summoned their respective cabinets and military leaders for emergency sessions.

Business
The Suez Canal Company called for banks holding the firm's assets to refuse to honour the Egyptian nationalization decree.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Senate completed passage of a $4-billion foreign aid package for fiscal 1957, retaining a rider barring new military aid to Yugoslavia.

Law
The U.S. Senate passed and sent to President Dwight Eisenhower a bill authorizing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to enter a kidnapping investigation in 24 hours instead of one week.

Labour
United Steel Workers of America President David MacDonald and U.S. Steel Vice President John Stevens, representing 12 major steel companies, signed an agreement on basic terms for ending the national steel strike. The terms included a three-year duration for new contracts with direct wage increases totalling 45.6c per hour over the period.

40 years ago
1976

Scandal
Former Japanese prime minister Kakuei Tanaka was arrested on suspicion of violating foreign exchange and foreign trade laws in connection with the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation bribery scandals.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (0-2) 27 @ Ottawa (2-0) 38

30 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Sailing Away--All of Us (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Venus--Bananarama (3rd week at #1)

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Rapput (Senza Fiato)--Claudio Bisio; Rocco Tanica

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)--Crystal Waters (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)--Crystal Waters (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Auteuil, Neuilly, Passy (rap BCBG)--Les Inconnus

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Driver's Seat--Sniff 'n' the Tears (2nd week at #1)
2 More than Words--Extreme
3 Burbujas de Amor--Juan Luis Guerra y 4;40
4 I Wanna Sex You Up--Color Me Badd
5 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
6 La Cumbia--Sailor
7 Mooi Man--Mannenkoor Karrespoor
8 You Could Be Mine--Guns N' Roses
9 Now that We Found Love--Heavy D and the Boyz
10 Rush Rush--Paula Abdul

Singles entering the chart were Baila Mi Rumba by Rumba Tres (#26); Baila Me by Gipsy Kings (#28); Danca Tago-Maga by Kaoma (#30); Ala Li Là (Segâ) by Denis Azor (#34); and Move That Body by Technotronic featuring Reggie (#36).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
2 Right Here, Right Now--Jesus Jones
3 Unbelievable--EMF
4 P.A.S.S.I.O.N.--Rythm Syndicate
5 Summertime--D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
6 Rush Rush--Paula Abdul
7 Piece of My Heart--Tara Kemp
8 Every Heartbeat--Amy Grant
9 It Ain't Over 'til it's Over--Lenny Kravitz
10 Temptation--Corina

Singles entering the chart were I Adore Mi Amor by Color Me Badd (#60); My Name is Not Susan by Whitney Houston (#67); Shiny Happy People by R.E.M. (#71); I Don't Wanna See You by Michael Morales (#88); and Hey Stoopid by Alice Cooper (#99).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Right Here, Right Now--Jesus Jones
2 Unbelievable—EMF
3 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
4 P.A.S.S.I.O.N.--Rythm Syndicate
5 Place in this World--Michael W. Smith
6 Rush Rush--Paula Abdul
7 Every Heartbeat--Amy Grant
8 I Wanna Sex You Up—Color Me Badd
9 Piece of My Heart--Tara Kemp
10 Fading Like a Flower--Roxette

Singles entering the chart were I Adore Mi Amor by Color Me Badd (#60); Shiny Happy People by R.E.M. (#70); Unforgettable by Natalie Cole (Duet with Nat King Cole) (#72); Good Vibrations by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch (featuring Loleatta Holloway) (#75); My Name is Not Susan by Whitney Houston (#77); Motownphilly by Boyz II Men (#82); and Pop Goes the Weasel by 3rd Bass (#87).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Rush Rush—Paula Abdul (4th week at #1)
2 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
3 A Better Love--Londonbeat
4 More than Words—Extreme
5 Fading Like a Flower--Roxette
6 Superman's Song--Crash Test Dummies
7 It Ain't Over 'til it's Over--Lenny Kravitz
8 The Rhythm of Your Love--Glass Tiger
9 Chocolate Cake--Crowded House
10 Something to Talk About--Bonnie Raitt

Singles entering the chart were Time, Love and Tenderness by Michael Bolton (#87); The Promise of a New Day by Paula Abdul (#88); The Path of Thorns by Sarah McLachlan (#89); Shiny Happy People by R.E.M. (#91); Summertime by DJ Jazzy and The Fresh Prince (#92); Miss You in a Heartbeat by the Law (#93); Saving My Heart by Yes (#96); and Piece of My Heart by Tara Kemp (#97).

Died on this date
Ted Pillette, 83. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Pillette, the younger brother of major league pitcher Herman Pillette, played 12 seasons in the minor leagues (1923-1934), mainly in the Class AA Pacific Coast League and the Class A Western League. He played in at least 293 games, winning at least 80 games and losing at least 101.

John Friedrich, 40. West German-born Australian conman. Mr. Friedrich, born Johann Friedrich Hohenberger, was responsible for more scams than this blogger cares to mention. He shot himself to death on his farm near Sale, Victoria, four days after appearing in court on a fraud charge involving almost $300,000.

Crime
2,000 youths in Penticton, British Columbia rioted after a concert by rap star MC Hammer. The youths smashed and looted downtown stores, and wrecked tourist establishments along the beach. 90 were jailed and 60 treated for injuries.

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Macarena--Los Del Rio (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Tic, Tic Tac--Carrapicho (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Wannabe--Spice Girls

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 You're Makin' Me High/Let it Flow--Toni Braxton
2 How Do U Want It/California Love--2Pac featuring K-Ci and JoJo/2 Pac featuring Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman
3 Give Me One Reason--Tracy Chapman
4 Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)--Los Del Rio
5 Twisted--Keith Sweat
6 You Learn/You Oughta Know--Alanis Morissette
7 Change the World--Eric Clapton
8 I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)--R. Kelly
9 C'mon n' Ride It (The Train)--Quad City DJ's
10 Tha Crossroads--Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Singles entering the chart were You Learn/You Oughta Know; Elevators (Me & You) by OutKast (#16); Stupid Girl by Garage (#46); Like a Woman by the Tony Rich Project (#76); Do You Miss Me by Jocelyn Enriquez (#95); Hang 'em High by Sadat X (#98); and Wishes by Nathan Morris (#99). Wishes was from the movie Kazaam (1996).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 You're Makin' Me High/Let it Flow--Toni Braxton (3rd week at #1)
2 How Do You Want It/California Love--2Pac (featuring KC and JoJo)/(featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman)
3 You Learn--Alanis Morissette
4 I Can't Sleep (If I)--R. Kelly
5 C'mon n' Ride It (The Train)--Quad City DJ’s
6 Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)--Los Del Rio
7 Twisted--Keith Sweat
8 Tha Crossroads--Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
9 Give Me One Reason--Tracy Chapman
10 Insensitive--Jann Arden

Singles entering the chart were You Learn; Why Does it Hurt So Bad by Whitney Houston (#40); Mint Car by the Cure (#65); Angeline is Coming Home by the Badlees (#74); and Never Too Busy by Kenny Lattimore (#88).

Terrorism
A pipe bomb spiked with nails and screws exploded at the Atlanta Olympics Centennial Park, killing a 44-year-old Georgia woman and wounding at least 111 (see also here). Turkish television cameraman Melih Uzunyol, 40, died of a heart attack while running to cover the blast. Eric Rudolph was charged in the case in 2003, and pled guilty in 2005. Security guard Richard Jewell, who discovered the bomb and helped to clear the area, was initially suspected but exonerated, as the Federal Bureau of Investigation was criticized for its investigative tactics in the case, and the news media were upbraided for all but trying Mr. Jewell in print and on the air.



Olympics
Donovan Bailey won a gold medal for Canada in Atlanta, running the 100-metre sprint in 9.84, setting a world record. At Lake Lanier, Canadian rowers Marnie McBean and Kathleen Heddle also won gold in the double sculls, becoming Canada's first and only three-time Olympic gold medalists. Both Silken Laumann and Derek Porter rowed to silver for Canada in their single sculls. Canada now had 2 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals in the games.



Football
CFL
Hamilton (4-1) 28 @ British Columbia (0-5) 24

Damon Allen threw 3 touchdown passes in his first game with the Lions, but they still lost to the Tiger-Cats before 12,761 fans at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver, the lowest crowd the Lions had yet drawn since moving into the stadium in 1983.