August 5, 2016

300 years ago
1716

War
Austrian forces defeated Ottoman Empire forces in the Battle of Petrovaradin in what is now part of Serbia.

220 years ago
1796

War
Napoleon Bonaparte led the French Army of Italy to victory over Austrian forces commanded by Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser in the Battle of Castiglione.

200 years ago
1816

Communications
The British Admiralty dismissed Francis Ronalds' new invention of the first working electric telegraph as "wholly unnecessary," preferring to continue using the semaphore.

170 years ago
1846

Born on this date
Ernst von Fleischl-Marxow. Austrian physiologist. Dr. Fleischl-Marxow was a professor at the University of Vienna who became known for his important investigations on the electrical activity of nerves and the brain, and was also an inventor of new devices which were widely adopted in clinical medicine and physiological research. As a research assistant in his early years, he accidentally cut his thumb while dissecting a cadaver, resulting in amputation, and addiction to morphine and heroin as a reaction to continuing pain. Dr. Fleischl-Marxow was a close friend of Sigmund Freud, who recommended cocaine as a treatment for his morphine addiction. Dr. Fleischl-Marxow followed Dr. Freud's advice, became addicted to cocaine, and returned to the use of morphine, hastening his death on October 22, 1891 at the age of 45.

Diplomacy
The Oregon Treaty (Buchanan-Pakenham Treaty), signed on June 15, 1846, went into effect; it established the 49th Parallel west from the Rocky Mountains as the border between the United States and British North America.

110 years ago
1906

Politics and government
Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar, King of Iran, agreed to convert the government to a constitutional monarchy.

100 years ago
1916

War
Allied forces under the command of British General Sir Archibald Murray defeated an attacking Ottoman army under the command of Friedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein in the Battle of Romani, securing the Suez Canal and beginning the Ottoman retreat from the Sinai Peninsula.

90 years ago
1926

Politics and government
King George V announced the appointment of Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon as Governor General of Canada, effective October 2, 1926. Viscount Willingdon replaced Lord Byng of Vimy.

Adventure
U.S. escape artist Harry Houdini performed his greatest feat, spending 91 minutes underwater in a sealed tank before escaping. The stunt took place in the swimming pool of the Hotel Shelton in New York City, and was designed to show that it was possible to accomplish the feat through natural means, not supernatural powers, as claimed by Egyptian perforfer Rahman Bey.

75 years ago
1941

War
The Battle of Smolensk concluded with Germany capturing about 300,000 Soviet Red Army prisoners. A Japanese Army spokesman said that several Japanese and Soviet border troops had exchanged shots near Manchuli about two weeks earlier after the Soviets had crossed into Manchukuo.

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. established relations with the exiled governments of Norway and Greece in London.

Dispatches from Ankara stated that the United Kingdom had warned the government of Afghanistan against permitting German tourists into the country and urged that those already there be expelled.

Defense
Both houses of the United States Congress accepted and sent to President Franklin D. Roosevelt a conference-approved bill deferring the drafting of men aged 28 or over and permitting 28-year-old draftees to resign. The U.S. Senate defeated Senator Robert Taft's (Republican--Ohio) amendment extending Army service for draftees to a total of 18 months, instead of 30 months, as desired by the Roosevelt administration.

Politics and government
South Carolina Governor Burnet Maybank appointed Roger Peace (Democrat) to serve in the United States Senate until November 4, 1941, succeeding Alva Lumpkin (Democrat), who had died on August 1. Mr. Peace was not a candidate in the subsequent election to fill the seat.

Radio
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission issued a proposed order prohibiting anyone from owning more than one radio station in the same area.

Economics and finance
U.S. Price Control Administrator Leon Henderson told a House of Representatives committee that higher prices were inevitable and that the nation stood "at the brink of inflation." He urged immediate passage of the price and rent control bill.

70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 They Say it's Wonderful--Perry Como
--Frank Sinatra
2 The Gypsy--The Ink Spots
--Dinah Shore
--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
3 Doin' What Comes Natur'lly--Dinah Shore and Spade Cooley and his Orchestra
--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
--Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra
4 Surrender--Perry Como
--Woody Herman and his Orchestra
5 Prisoner of Love--Perry Como
--The Ink Spots
6 To Each His Own--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
--The Modernaires with Paula Kelly
7 I Don't Know Enough About You--The Mills Brothers
--Peggy Lee
8 In Love in Vain--Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest
--Margaret Whiting
9 Laughing on the Outside (Crying on the Inside)--Dinah Shore
--Andy Russell
--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
10 I Know--Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Orchestra
--Andy Kirk and his Orchestra and the Jubalaires

Singles entering the chart were Five Minutes More, with versions by Frank Sinatra; and the Three Suns (#19); Blue Skies by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra (#20); and South America, Take it Away by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters (#26).

On the radio
The Casebook of Gregory Hood, starring Gale Gordon and Howard McNear, on MBS
Tonight's episode: The Double Diamond

Died on this date
Wilhelm Marx, 83. Chancellor of Germany, 1923-1925, 1926-1928. Mr. Marx, chairman of the Centre Party from 1922-1928, was the longest-serving Chancellor of the Weimar Republic. He was a candidate for President in 1925, but was defeated by Paul von Hindenburg.

War
Chinese Nationalist and Communist sources reported clashes across China, from the province of Kiangsi in the south to Manchuria.

World events
British authorities in Palestine placed a security blackout on Haifa, where 2,250 illegal Jewish immigrants were being held aboard ships.

Politics and government
The Jewish Agency executive committee in Paris condemned the Anglo-American federalization plan for Palestine.

The Turkish National Assembly elected Ismet Inonu to his fourth term as President, over Marshal Fevzki Cakmak.

Medicine
The University of Pennsylvania received a small amount of carbon 14 from the U.S. government nuclear facility at Oak Ridge, Tennessee; it was the first radioactive substance to be used in medical research.

Oil
Guatemala granted Standard Oil Company a 50-year concession in the port of San Jose.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Office of Price Administration approved price increases of 8% for cotton textiles and 17% for sheets and towels.

Business
The American Railroads Association denied charges by U.S. Senator Glenn Taylor (Democrat--Idaho) that U.S. railroads had overcharged the government millions of dollars for war shipments.

Labour
A five-day railway strike in Sao Paulo, Brazil ended with a 20% wage increase for workers.

Packard Motor Company in Detroit closed as 7,500 Congress of Industrial Organizations United Auto Workers walked off the job in a dispute over the layoff of foundry workers.

The Major League Baseball Policy Committee met with player representatives to discuss contract reforms.

60 years ago
1956

Died on this date
John Miller Andrews, 85. Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, 1940-1943. Mr. Andrews, a member of the original Northern Ireland parliament in 1921, became leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and Prime Minister in 1940, but backbench dissent forced him from office three years later, and he was replaced by Sir Basil Brooke.

Defense
The Egyptian government recalled reservists to active duty in the Suez crisis.

Labour
The nationwide steel strike in the United States ended after 36 days when 12 major steel companies signed contracts with the United Steel Workers.

Golf
Dutch Harrison won the All American Tam O'Shanter tournament in Chicago; first prize money was $3,420. Louise Suggs won the women's section, taking home $1,000.

50 years ago
1966

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Pretty Flamingo--Manfred Mann (2nd week at #1)

Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Wild Thing--The Troggs
2 Sweet Pea--Tommy Roe
3 Hanky Panky--Tommy James and the Shondells
4 Summer in the City--The Lovin' Spoonful
5 Lil' Red Riding Hood--Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
6 This Door Swings Both Ways--Herman's Hermits
7 Sunny--Bobby Hebb
8 Mother's Little Helper/Lady Jane--The Rolling Stones
9 They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!--Napoleon XIV
10 Little Girl--Syndicate of Sound
Pick hit of the week: Bus Stop--The Hollies
New this week: Look Out Girls--Dino, Desi and Billy
Dianne, Dianne--Ronny and the Daytonas
In the Arms of Love--Andy Williams
Angelica--Barry Mann
Black is Black--Los Bravos

Music
The album Revolver and the single Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles were released in the United Kingdom on Parlophone Records. They were released three days later in North America.

Swimming
Elaine Tanner and members of the Canadian women's freestyle relay team won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, marking the first time that the Canadian maple leaf flag was raised at an international sporting event.

Football
CFL
Hamilton (1-0) 18 @ Toronto (0-1) 8

Fullback Bobby Kuntz and linebacker Herb Paterra scored touchdowns in the 2nd half as the Tiger-Cats broke a 1-1 halftime tie and beat the Argonauts before 28,594 fans at CNE Stadium in the first regular season game for Toronto quarterback Wally Gabler and tight end Mel Profit. Mr. Gabler completed a pass to Bobby Taylor for the Toronto touchdown.

NFL
Pre-season
College All-Star Game @ Soldier Field, Chicago
Green Bay 38 All-Stars 0

University of Missouri quarterback Gary Lane was named the game's Most Valuable Player as the Packers routed the All-Stars before 72,000 fans.



40 years ago
1976

On television tonight
The Beach Boys: It's OK, on NBC

This special showed recent concert footage of the group, along with scenes such as Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as policemen arresting Brian Wilson for "failure to surf."

30 years ago
1986

Diplomacy
Canada adopted sanctions against South Africa for its apartheid policies; the sanctions included bans on air links, new bank loans, and government contracts with majority-owned South African companies.

Baseball
Steve Carlton of the San Francisco Giants struck out Eric Davis of the Cincinnati Reds to become the second man (after Nolan Ryan) to amass 4,000 career major league strikeouts. The Reds won 11-6 before 17,303 fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, scoring 7 runs off Mr. Carlton in 3 1/3 innings.



Jerry Mumphrey hit a 3-run home run with 2 out in the bottom of the 8th inning to breaka 5-5 tie and give the Chicago Cubs an 8-5 win over the New York Mets before 28,211 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Mets had tied the game on a 3-run homer by Keith Hernandez in the top of the 8th.

Dennis Martinez pitched a 4-hit shutout for his first win in a Montreal uniform as the Expos blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 before 8,334 fans at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. Mr. Martinez had been acquired by the Expos from the Baltimore Orioles on June 16, 1986.

The Houston Astros scored 9 runs in the last 2 innings to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-2 before 45,525 fans at Dodger Stadium. Houston third baseman Denny Walling hit home runs in each of the 8th and 9th innings.

The Toronto Blue Jays hit 4 of the game's 5 home runs, but still lost 8-6 to the Kansas City Royals before 30,437 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. Lloyd Moseby hit 2 solo homers and George Bell added another, with Rick Leach hitting a 3-run homer for Toronto. George Brett homered for Kansas City.

Cecil Cooper singled home Paul Molitor with 1 out in the top of the 10th inning to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 2-1 win over the New York Yankees before 22,014 fans at Yankee Stadium.

The Detroit Tigers scored 9 runs in the first 3 innings and held on to defeat the Cleveland Indians 11-9 to complete the sweep of a twi-night doubleheader before 27,300 fans at Tiger Stadium. The first two Detroit batters in the game, Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell, hit home runs, and Mr. Whitaker homered again in the 3rd inning to help the Tigers take a 9-0 lead. Detroit led 11-3 after 7 innings, but Cleveland rallied for 2 in the 8th and 4 in the 9th, and had the potential tying run on first base when the game ended. In the first game, the Tigers trailed 5-2 after 5 1/2 innings, but scored a run in the 6th, and Darrell Evans hit a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 7th to give the Tigers a 6-5 win.

Brian Downing had 2 singles and 2 doubles, while teammate Gary Pettis had 4 singles as the California Angels overcame an early 1-0 deficit to rout the Minnesota Twins 13-1 before 22,689 fans at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Say Yes--Chage and Aska

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Wind of Change--Scorpions (10th week at #1)

Died on this date
Soichiro Honda, 84. Japanese industrialist. Mr. Honda founded Honda Motor Company, Limited in 1948; it remains the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles.

Paul Brown, 82. U.S. football coach. Mr. Brown was the first coach of the Cleveland Browns of the All-American Football Conference in 1946, and the team was named in his honour. He led the Browns to the championship in all four seasons of the AAFC (1946-1949), before the AAFC merged with the National Football League. Mr. Brown then led the Browns to the NFL championship game in their first six seasons, winningin 1950, 1954, and 1955. He pioneered such innovations as hiring full-time assistant coaches, using game film to scout opponents, and the modern face mask. Mr. Brown's methods seemed to lose their effectiveness in the early 1960s, and he was fired after the 1962 season. He was co-owner and first head coach and general manager of the Cincinnati Bengals, who joined the American Football League in 1968 and joined the NFL in the merger of 1970. Mr. Brown led the Bengals to several playoff spots, and retired after the 1975 season, when the Bengals were 11-3, finishing in second place in the American Football Conference Central Division, making the playoffs as a wild card team, but losing to the Oakland Raiders in a divisional playoff game. Mr. Brown compiled a professional record of 213-104-9 in regular season play and 9-8 in post-season games. He was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1967.

Track and field
Sergei Bubka of the U.S.S.R. became the first pole vaulter to clear 20 feet with a vault of 20' ¼" at the Dag Galan Grand Prix meet in Malmo, Sweden.

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Freedom--Robbie Williams (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Gud! Hvor du er deilig--Bjelleklang (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees (6th week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Change the World--Eric Clapton
2 You Learn--Alanis Morissette
3 Give Me One Reason--Tracy Chapman
4 The Only Thing that Looks Good on Me is You--Bryan Adams
5 Jealousy--Natalie Merchant
6 Ahead by a Century--The Tragically Hip
7 Looking for It--Jann Arden
8 Flood--Jars of Clay
9 Tucker's Town--Hootie & the Blowfish
10 Killing Me Softly--The Fugees

Singles entering the chart were Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand by Primitive Radio Gods (#88); I Love You Always Forever by Donna Lewis (#91); Between Heaven and Hell by Zakk Wylde (#95); I Never Liked You by the Doughboys (#97); Stupid Girl by Garbage (#98); and Forgiven, Not Forgotten by the Corrs (#99).

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (2-4) 11 @ Calgary (5-1) 38

Mark McLoughlin tied the league record for field goals in a game with 8 as the Stampeders beat the Roughriders before 26,110 fans at McMahon Stadium.

Baseball
The Montreal Expos and California Angels combined to hit a record 10 home runs as they played to a 6-6 tie in 9 innings in the annual Hall of Fame Game at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York. California bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer hit one of the homers, a 2-run blast as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 8th inning.