August 28, 2016

675 years ago
1341

Died on this date
Leo IV, 31-32. King of Armenia, 1320-1341. Leo IV, the last Hethumid King of Cilicia, acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Oshin, and like his father, eventually murdered close family members who may have been a threat to his power. King Leo was strongly pro-Western and favoured a union of the Armenian and Roman Churches. In 1337, Leo IV was forced to conclude a humiliating truce with Egyptian Sultan Al-Nasr Muhammad after an Egyptian invasion, and spent his last years in the citadel at Sis, hoping for Western aid, until he was murdered by his barons. King Leo IV was succeeded by his cousin Constantine II.

575 years ago
1481

Died on this date
Afonso V, 49. King of Portugal, 1438-1481. Afonso V acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Duarte, and lived under a regency until he came of age in 1448. His army conquered Alcácer Ceguer and Arzila in what is now Morocco, earning him the nickname "The African." An unsuccessful campaign against Castile resulted in King Afonso retiring to a monastery, where he died. He was succeeded by his son João II.

325 years ago
1691

Born on this date
Elisabeth Christine von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel. Holy Roman Empress and German Queen, 1711-1740. Elisabeth Christine, the eldest daughter of Ludwig Rudolf, Herzog von Braunschweig-Wolfenbütte and his wife Princess Christine Luise von Oettingen-Oettingen, married the future Holy Roman Emperor Karl VI in 1708, and became Empress when he acceded to the throne upon the death of his brother Joseph I. The couple had four children, but the eldest child and only male, Archduke Leopold John, died at the age of 7 months. Karl VI died in 1740, and Elisabeth Christine lived as a dowager empress until her death on December 21, 1750 at the age of 59.

180 years ago
1836

Americana
The city of Houston, Texas was founded by Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen.

125 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Stanley Andrews. U.S. actor. Mr. Andrews played Daddy Warbucks in the radio series Little Orphan Annie (1931-1936) and "The Old Ranger," the first host of the television Western series Death Valley Days (1952-1964). He died on June 23, 1969 at the age of 77.

100 years ago
1916

Born on this date
C. Wright Mills. U.S. sociologist. A professor at Columbia University from 1946 until his death and a forerunner of "New Left" figures of the 1960s, Dr. Mills was known for his books White Collar (1951) and The Power Elite (1956). He died of a heart attack at the age of 45 on March 20, 1962.

Hélène Baillargeon. Canadian singer and television hostess. Miss Baillargeon, a native of Saint-Martin, Quebec, recorded several albums, but was best known as the hostess of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation children's television program Chez Hélène (1959-1973). She died on September 25, 1997 at the age of 81.

Jack Vance. U.S. author. Mr. Vance was a science fiction, fantasy, and mystery author whose books included The Man in the Cage (1960); The Dragon Masters (1966); and The Last Castle (1966). He died on May 26, 1913 at the age of 96.

War
Germany declared war on Romania, while Italy declared war on Germany.

80 years ago
1936

Baseball
The New York Yankees swept a doubleheader from the Detroit Tigers 14-5 and 19-4 before 24,000 fans at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees scored 11 runs in the 2nd inning of the second game, which was called because of darkness in the middle of the 7th inning. Lou Gehrig hit his 41st and 42nd home runs of the season in the first game, while winning pitcher Johnny Murphy batted 5 for 5 with 3 runs and 5 runs batted in in the second game.

Moose Solters batted 4 for 5 with a double, home run, 2 runs, and 3 runs batted in as the St. Louis Browns beat the Boston Red Sox 8-1 in the first game of a doubleheader before 11,000 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Earl Caldwell pitched a 6-hit complete game victory. In the second game, pinch hitter Wes Ferrell scored Joe Cronin with a fly ball to left field in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Red Sox a 2-1 win. Fritz Ostermueller pitched a 5-hitter to win the pitchers' duel over Jack Knott, who allowed 8 hits and 2 earned runs in going the distance.

The New York Giants scored 6 runs in the top of the 14th inning to break a 1-1 tie as they defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2 before 5,000 fans at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Freddie Fitzsimmons allowed 6 hits and 1 earned run in 13 innings to win the pitchers' duel over Waite Hoyt, who allowed 12 hits and 6 runs--all earned--in 13+ innings.

The Chicago Cubs scored 7 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning and coasted to an 18-3 rout of the Boston Bees before 20,000 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Chicago right fielder Frank Demaree batted 5 for 6 with a home run, triple, 3 runs, and 4 runs batted in.

Bucky Walters pitched a 6-hit shutout and had 2 of the Philadelphia Phillies' 17 hits as they blanked the St. Louis Cardinals 8-0 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. Cotton Pippen made his major league debut as the starting pitcher for the Cardinals and allowed 14 hits and 5 runs--all earned--while taking the loss. He also had 1 hit--a double--in 2 at bats.

75 years ago
1941

War
The U.S.S.R. confirmed that the Dnieper River power plant near Zaporozhe had been destroyed to cover the retreat of Soviet forces in Ukraine. Ali Furanghi, named by Shah Reza Pahlevi as Iran's new Prime Minister, ordered the Iranian Army to cease-fire, on the fourth day of the U.K.-U.S.S.R. invasion.

Diplomacy
Japanese Ambassador to the United States Kichisaburō Nomura presented U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt with a personal letter from Japanese Prime Minister Prince Fujimaro Konoye pleading for a meeting in order to avoid war. Mr. Nomura implored President Roosevelt to keep Prime Minister Konoye's offer secret, since his government could be in jeopardy if news leaked out about his offer to come to the United States to talk to an American president.

Politics and government
Robert Menzies, leader of the United Australia Party coalition, announced his resignation as Prime Minister of Australia. Former Prime Minister Billy Hughes, 78, was elected leader of the UAP, but was considered too old to lead the government, so Country Party leader Arthur Fadden was chosen to lead the coalition, taking office as Prime Minister the following day.

Society
Acting New York Governor Charles Poletti said that he had barred a proposed birth control exhibit at the state fair because state law described the dissemination of information on birth control as "detrimental to the state."

Economics and finance
The Inter-American Financial and Economic Committee announced that an agreement had been reached to use 80-100 Danish, German, and Italian ships immobilized in Latin American ports.

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed a seven-man Supply Priorities and Allocations Board, headed by Vice President Henry Wallace, as the supreme agency for allocating the available supply of materials among military needs, defense-aid needs, economic warfare needs, and civilian needs.

A special U.S. Senate committee headed by Sen. Sheridan Downey (Democrat--California) recommended a minimum pension of $30 per month for all unemployed people over 60 years of age.

Football
NFL
College All-Star Game @ Soldier Field, Chicago
Chicago Bears 37 College All-Stars 13

University of Minnesota running back George Franck was voted the game's Most Valuable Player as the Bears beat the All-Stars before 98,203 fans.

70 years ago
1946

World events
Yugoslavian authorities delivered the bodies of five American soldiers killed on August 19 to the U.S. Army. The soldiers had died when their transport plane had been shot down by Yugoslavian fighters near the Italian border.

Diplomacy
U.S. representatives at the Paris Peace Conference defended Australia's right to present reparations demands against Yugoslavian charges that "big Western countries" sought to interfere in the "home affairs of small European nations." Acting U.S. delegate Herschel Johnson warned the United Nations Security Council that the United States would veto the U.S.S.R.-sponsored membership applications of Albania and Outer Mongolia.

Politics and government
Former U.S. Office of Strategic Services Chief General William Donovan was named to head the American Institute of International Information, a new non-profit organization that would seek information on world problems.

Communications
A long distance call between Milwaukee and an automobile 135 miles away inaugurated the world's first highway mobile radio-telephone system.

Economics and finance
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Clinton Anderson ordered an increase in meat prices over the objections of the Office of Price Administration.

The Jewish National Fund of America forwarded $5 million to Palestine, the largest single contribution yet made to the Zionist cause.

Labour
A joint meeting of American League and National League baseball owners in Chicago voted to give players representation in formulating rules and policies, and agreed to set a minimum salary and establish a pension fund.

Boxing
Johnny Greco (49-7-4) won a 10-round majority decision over defending champion Dave Castilloux (115-22-8) to win the Canadian welterweight title before a Montreal Forum crowd of 14,750, a Canadian record.

60 years ago
1956

World events
The People's Republic of China acknowledged that its fighters had downed a U.S. Navy patrol plane, believing it was a Nationalist Chinese craft.

Diplomacy
Egyptian President Gamal Nasser agreed to discuss settlement of the Suez Canal dispute, saying that he would meet with a committee representing 18 of the 22 nations that had attended the recent London conference.

Defense
U.S.S.R. atomic scientist August Letavet challenged claims that a "clean" nuclear weapon with little radioactive fallout could be developed, stating that all atomic explosions produced radioactive Strontium-90.

Disasters
Flash floods in northern and southeastern Turkey caused 238 deaths.

Sport
England won its biennial cricket tournament with Australia 2 matches to 1 in London.

50 years ago
1966

Music
The Beatles continued their final concert tour with a performance at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.





Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (4-2) 30 @ British Columbia (1-4) 29

Bill Mitchell's 35-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the game was blocked, and Saskatchewan defensive back Larry Dumelie recovered, preserving the Roughriders' win over the Lions before 31,560 fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. Saskatchewan quarterback Ron Lancaster passed to Hugh Campbell for 2 touchdowns and handed off to Paul Dudley for another. Bill Munsey scored 2 B.C. touchdowns, with Willie Fleming and Dave Moton scoring the others.

40 years ago
1976

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Non si puo' morire dentro--Gianni Bella (8th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): Kiss and Say Goodbye--The Manhattans (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Don't Go Breaking My Heart--Elton John and Kiki Dee (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Don't Go Breaking My Heart--Elton John and Kiki Dee (4th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Let 'Em In--Wings
2 Don't Go Breaking My Heart--Elton John and Kiki Dee
3 You Should Be Dancing--Bee Gees
4 Play That Funky Music--Wild Cherry
5 You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine--Lou Rawls
6 I'd Really Love to See You Tonight--England Dan & John Ford Coley
7 Afternoon Delight--Starland Vocal Band
8 (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty--K.C. and the Sunshine Band
9 A Fifth of Beethoven--Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band
10 Kiss and Say Goodbye--The Manhattans

Singles entering the chart were It's OK by the Beach Boys (#80); Fernando by ABBA (#86); I Got to Know by Starbuck (#89); Howzat by Sherbet (#90); Give it Up (Turn it Loose) by Tyrone Davis (#91); Harvest for the World by the Isley Brothers (#93); Detroit Rock City by Kiss (#94); Roxy Roller by Sweeney Todd (#97); and Let's Rock by Ellison Chase (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Don't Go Breaking My Heart--Elton John and Kiki Dee (2nd week at #1)
2 You Should Be Dancing--Bee Gees
3 Let 'Em In--Wings
4 Baby, I Love Your Way--Peter Frampton
5 You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine--Lou Rawls
6 A Fifth of Beethoven--Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band
7 Play That Funky Music--Wild Cherry
8 Got to Get You Into My Life--The Beatles
9 This Masquerade--George Benson
10 A Little Bit More--Dr. Hook

Singles entering the chart were Get Back on the Right Track by Carlyle Miller (#94); Memories are Made of You by Susan Jacks (#95); Makin' of Love by Basic Black and Pearl (#96); Superstar by Paul Davis (#97); That'll Be the Day by Linda Ronstadt (#98); Sunrise by Eric Carmen (#99); and Showdown by Electric Light Orchestra (#100).

Labour
U.S. rubber workers ended a strike that had begun on April 21.

30 years ago
1986

Popular culture
The largest wrestling crowd in Canadian history--69,300--attended a card at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto.

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Alekos Sakellarios, 77. Greek director, screenwriter, and songwriter. Mr. Sakellarios directed more than 60 movies and television programs, and wrote several dozen more, in a career spanning more than 40 years. He wrote lyrics for more than 2,000 songs.

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (2-6) 44 @ Edmonton (5-3) 41

A controversial ruling on a fumble by Edmonton quarterback Tracy Ham went in favour of the Roughriders, resulting in a game-winning 35-yard field goal by Dave Ridgway with 9 seconds remaining in regulation time. It was the Roughriders' first game under head coach Don Matthews, who had replaced the fired John Gregory six days earlier.



Baseball
Jim Eppard of the Salinas Spurs of the California League played all nine positions as the Spurs edged the San Bernardino Spirit 2-1. Mr. Eppard, a lefthander, pitched a scoreless 5th inning and was credited with the win.

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Wannabe--Spice Girls

Divorced on this date
Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales were divorced after 15 years of marriage.

Radio
Veteran broadcaster Peter Gzowski announced his retirement after 15 years as host of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation weekday radio program Morningside.

Politics and government
The Democratic National Convention at United Center in Chicago nominated U.S. President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore for a second term in office.

10 years ago
2006

Died on this date
William F. Quinn, 87. U.S. politician. Mr. Quinn, a Republican, was Governor of the Territory of Hawaii from 1957-1959 and remained in office when Hawaii became a state, serving until 1962, when he was defeated in a bid for re-election. He campaigned unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1976, and died five months after being injured in a fall.

Melvin Schwartz, 73. U.S. physicist. Dr. Schwartz shared the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physics with Leon Lederman and Jack Steinberger "for the neutrino beam method and the demonstration of the doublet structure of the leptons through the discovery of the muon neutrino."