September 15, 2016

400 years ago
1616

Education
The first public and free school in Europe was established in Frascati, Italy on the initiative of Joseph Calasanz.

200 years ago
1816

Disasters
The British Royal Navy vessel HMS Whiting was wrecked on the Doom Bar on the coast of Cornwall while on anti-smuggling patrol.

175 years ago
1841

Died on this date
Alessandro Rolla, 84. Italian musician and composer. Mr. Rolla was a violist and violinist who was an innovator in technique on both instruments, which he played as leader of the Ducale Orchestra in Parma (1782-1802) and leader and orchestra director of the La Scala Orchestra in Milan (1802-1833). He wrote 12 symphonies, 20 violin concertos, 15 viola concertos, eight ballets, and numerous chamber works. Mr. Rolla is known today mainly as the teacher of legendary violinist Niccolò Paganini.

100 years ago
1916

Born on this date
Margaret Lockwood. Indian-born U.K. actress. Miss Lockwood was popular in the 1930s and '40s on stage and in movies such as The Lady Vanishes (1938); The Stars Look Down (1940); and The Wicked Lady (1945). She died on July 15, 1990 at the age of 73.

War
The 22ème Régiment (Québec); 25th Regiment (Nova Scotia); and 26th Regiment (New Brunswick) battalions took Courcelette, France, and over 1000 prisoners; as British launched a new Battle of the Somme offensive, with tanks being used for the first time in modern warfare. Alberta's 49th Battalion as well as Saskatchewan troops fought in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, part of the Battle of the Somme.

90 years ago
1926

Died on this date
Rudolf Christoph Eucken, 80. German philosopher. Dr. Eucken was awarded the 1908 Nobel Prize in Literature "in recognition of his earnest search for truth, his penetrating power of thought, his wide range of vision, and the warmth and strength in presentation with which in his numerous works he has vindicated and developed an idealistic philosophy of life."

80 years ago
1936

Baseball
Johnny Allen (20-10) was forced to leave after pitching 4.1 hitless innings, but still earned the win as the Cleveland Indians beat the Boston Red Sox 13-2 before just 800 fans at League Park in Cleveland. Oral Hildebrand finished the game on the mound for the Indians, while Hal Trosky led their attack with a single, double, and his 39th and 40th home runs of the season. Jennings Poindexter (0-1) made his major league debut as Boston's starting pitcher, and he lasted just 1/3 inning, allowing 1 hit, 4 bases on balls, and 4 runs--all earned--in taking the loss.

The Washington Nationals scored 7 runs in the 2nd inning as they defeated the St. Louis Browns 13-7 in the first game of a doubleheader at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. The Nationals scored 4 runs in the 4th inning as they completed the sweep with a 6-1 win in the second game, which was called after 6 innings.

75 years ago
1941

War
Chinese authorities in Chungking claimed that 30,000 Chinese troops of the Japanese-sponsored government in Nanking had mutinied during an inspection the previous week, proclaiming their allegiance to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. Peruvian planes bombed and machine-gunned the Ecuadorian settlements of Tendales, Pagua, and Tenguel.

Defense
U.K. Supply Minister Lord Beaverbrook wired all tank factories urging them to speed up output the following week, when every tank produced in Britain would be sent directly to the Russian frontlines. U.S. Navy Secretary Frank Knox told the American Legion convention in Milwaukee that beginning the next day, the United States Navy would provide protection for ships of every flag carrying Lend-Lease supplies between U.S. waters and Iceland.

World events
German authorities in Oslo announced that the state of emergency proclaimed on September 10 would be lifted at 5 A.M. the next day.

Diplomacy
Averell Harriman, head of the U.S. mission to Moscow, arrived in London and conferred with U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The Argentine Chamber of Deputies voted 78-1 in favour of a resolution censuring German Ambassador Baron Edmund von Thurmann for directing Nazi activities in Argentina.

Politics and government
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Solon J. Buck as national archivist, succeeding Dr. R.D.W. Connor, who had resigned.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Office of Production Management ordered a cut of 48.4% in the December 1941 output of passenger automobiles, limiting production to 204,848 units.

Labour
40,000 Congress of Industrial Organizations coal miners in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee went on strike for a union shop.

Football
CRU
WIFU
Regina (1-2) 6 @ Vancouver (1-1) 7

Only 1,500 fans were in attendance to see the Grizzlies record their only win.

Baseball
Pete Reiser's home run off a tired Paul Derringer broke a 0-0 tie and the Brooklyn Dodgers scored 5 runs in the top of the 17th inning and beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-1 before 5,961 fans at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. Johnny Allen pitched the first 15 innings for the Dodgers, and Hugh Casey (14-9) picked up the win in relief. Mr. Derringer (11-14) pitched 16+ innings, allowing 14 hits and 3 runs--2 earned--in taking the loss.

Lefty Gomez (15-4) allowed 9 hits and 2 earned runs in 8.1 innings to win the pitchers' duel over Al Smith (10-13) as the New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Indians 4-2 before 2,775 fans at Yankee Stadium. It was the second and last major league game for 17-year-old Cleveland first baseman Vern Freiburger, who singled in a run with his only major league hit, and made 6 putouts and 3 assists in the field, and participated in a double play. It was the fifth and final major league game for Cleveland right fielder Buck Frierson, who batted 2 for 3 with a base on balls and a run, and made 1 putout.

Harlond Clift singled home Joe Grace with 2 out in the top of the 10th inning to break a 3-3 tie and give the St. Louis Browns a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Athletics before 700 fans at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Winning pitcher Bob Harris (11-13) and losing pitcher Fred Caligiuri (1-1) both pitched complete games.

The Washington Nationals scored 5 runs--all earned off Hal Newhouser in 1 2/3 innings and held on to defeat the Detroit Tigers 8-5 before 1,500 fans at Griffith Stadium in Washington. Winning pitcher Dutch Leonard (17-12) allowed 8 hits and 5 earned runs in a complete game.

70 years ago
1946

Television
CBS demonstrated a colour television which was "suitable for commercial manufacture."

Politics and government
The German Socialist Unity Party won large victories in communal elections in the Soviet-occupied provinces of Mecklenburg and Brandenburg, but Social Democrats carried elections in the British zone.

Bulgaria was officially proclaimed a People's Republic.

The U.S.S.R.'s secret police organization, the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs (NKVD), was renamed Ministry of Internal Affairs (MGB).

Society
The U.S. Federal Security Agency reported that the U.S. divorce rate in 1945 had risen to one-third the total number of marriages that had taken place that year.

Disasters
A Royal Canadian Air Force Dakota transport plane crashed near Estevan, Saskatchewan while returning the lend-lease Cornell aircraft to the United States, killing 21 RCAF pilots from 124 Squadron.

Football
AAFC
Miami (0-2) 14 @ San Francisco (1-1) 21

60 years ago
1956

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)--Doris Day

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Heimweh--Freddy Quinn (8th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)--Doris Day (6th week at #1)

#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel--Elvis Presley (Best Seller--5th week at #1; Jukebox--3rd week at #1); Don't Be Cruel--Elvis Presley (Disc Jockey--2nd week at #1; Top 100--2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Don't Be Cruel--Elvis Presley
2 Hound Dog--Elvis Presley
3 My Prayer--The Platters
4 Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)--Doris Day
5 Canadian Sunset--Hugo Winterhalter and his Orchestra with Eddie Heywood
--Andy Williams
6 Tonight You Belong to Me--Patience and Prudence
7 Honky Tonk (Parts 1 and 2)--Bill Doggett
8 Allegheny Moon--Patti Page
9 The Fool--Sanford Clark
--The Gallahads
10 Theme Song from Song for a Summer Night (Parts 1 and 2)--Mitch Miller and his Orchestra

Singles entering the chart were Chains of Love (#41)/Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love) (#42) by Pat Boone; Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love) by the Four Aces (#42, charting with the version by Pat Boone); Earthbound by Mario Lanza (#47, charting with the version by Sammy Davis, Jr.); I Love Mickey by Mickey Mantle and Teresa Brewer (#50); and The Green Door by Jim Lowe (also #50). Mr. Boone's version of Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love) was from the movie Friendly Persuasion (1956).

On television tonight
The Honeymooners, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Dial J for Janitor



Space
Dr. Sydney Chapman, president of the International Geophysical Year preparatory committee, announced a U.S.-U.S.S.R. agreement to standardize tracking instruments used in their 1957-58 Earth satellite projects.

Diplomacy
Egyptian President Gamal Nasser rejected the Suez Canal Users' Association plan.

Defense
Iraq and Egypt assured Jordan of military aid in any conflict with Israel.

Golf
Harvie Ward retained his U.S. men's amateur title, defeating Charles Kocsis in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Football
CRU
IRFU
Montreal (4-2) 9 @ Ottawa (2-4) 20

WIFU
Winnipeg (3-3) 6 @ Calgary (2-5) 16
British Columbia (3-4) 8 @ Edmonton (6-1) 34

ORFU
Rochester (0-4) 21 @ Sarnia (3-3) 27

Dick Dixon scored 3 touchdowns and Andy Sokol scored another as the Golden Bears beat the Rockets at Norm Perry Park. Babe Russo scored 2 touchdowns for Rochester and Roy King scored his fourth touchdown of the season for the Rockets, all of which were converted by Harry Stuber.

50 years ago
1966

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): All or Nothing--Small Faces

Space
The Gemini 11 crew of Pete Conrad and Dick Gordon splashed down to conclude their three-day mission.



Boxing
George Chuvalo (37-13-2) knocked down Bob Avery (15-9-2) five times and finally out exactly 2 minutes into the 2nd round of their heavyweight bout at Edmonton Gardens. On the undercard, Carl Moore (16-14-6) knocked out Louis Chavez (0-1) in the 3rd round, and Bobbie Coleman (1-1) won a 6-round split decision over Harry Tarpin (1-1).

Buster Mathis (13-0) won a 10-round split decision over Bob Stallings (12-6) and Fate Davis (26-2-1) won a a 10-round unanimous decision over Walter Kelly (8-8-4) in heavyweight bouts at the Armory in Akron, Ohio.

40 years ago
1976

Politics and government
Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Miki dismissed 13 ministers and appointed 13 new ministers to his cabinet.

Hockey
Canada Cup @ Montreal Forum
Finals
Canada 5 Czechoslovakia 4 (OT) (Canada won best-of-three series 2-0)

Darryl Sittler scored the winning goal on Vladirmir Dzurilla at 11:33 of overtime as Canada won the first Canada Cup. Bobby Orr of Canada was named the tournament's most valuable player.



30 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Venus--Bananarama

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Easy Lady--Spagna

On television tonight
L.A. Law, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Pilot

The long-running dramatic series began with this two-hour (including commercial breaks) episode (see video).

Died on this date
Virginia Gregg, 70. U.S. actress. Miss Gregg appeared in character roles in numerous radio and television programs, as well as movies, from the 1940s to the 1980s. She died of lung cancer.

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (7th week at #1)

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Do the Limbo Dance--David Hasselhoff
2 Wind of Change--Scorpions
3 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
4 Bacardi Feeling (Summer Dreamin')--Kate Yanai
5 Sailing on the Seven Seas--OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark)
6 Any Dream Will Do--Jason Donovan
7 Bobby Brown--Frank Zappa
8 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.
9 Gypsy Woman (La Da Dee La Da Da)--Crystal Waters
10 Bow Down Mister--Jesus Loves You

Singles entering the chart were Come with Me to Paradise by Tony Christie (#29); and Pandora's Box by OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark) (#30).

Died on this date
John Hoyt, 85. U.S. actor. Mr. Hoyt, born John Hoysradt, was one of this blogger's favourite character actors in numerous radio and television programs, and in movies such as When Worlds Collide (1951). and Attack of the Puppet People (1958).

Smoky Burgess, 64. U.S. baseball player. Forrest Harrill Burgess was a catcher with the Chicago Cubs (1949, 1951); Philadelphia Phillies (1952-1955); Cincinnati Reds (1955-1958); Pittsburgh Pirates (1959-1964); and Chicago White Sox (1964-1967), batting .295 with 126 home runs and 673 runs batted in 1,691 games. He was with the Pirates when they won the 1960 World Series. In his later years, Mr. Burgess played primarily as a pinch hitter, and in his final season, he didn't play in the field at all. Mr. Burgess had 145 pinch hits, which was the major league career record until it was broken by Manny Mota in 1979.

Warner Troyer, 59. Canadian journalist. Mr. Troyer, a native of Cochrane, Ontario, worked at various radio stations in western Canada, and was a newscaster with CHED when the Edmonton station began broadcasting in 1954. Mr. Troyer appeared on the CBC television news program This Hour has Seven Days in the mid-1960s, and was one of the original co-hosts of the CBC television news program The Fifth Estate (1975-1976). He devoted his later years to environmental causes, and wrote books such as No Safe Place (1977). Mr. Troyer died of throat cancer.

Space
Astronauts on board the U.S. space shuttle Discovery with mission STS-48 deployed the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, containing the Canadian Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII).

Football
CFL
Edmonton (7-4) 41 @ Saskatchewan (3-8) 36
Toronto (7-4) 24 @ Calgary (8-3) 36

Warren Jones made his first CFL start at quarterback for the Eskimos before 24,166 fans at Taylor Field in Regina, replacing the injured Tracy Ham, and produced a win despite completing just 12 passes. It was the first CFL game for Edmonton slotback Chris Armstrong--whose 2 receptions were both called back on penalties--and the last Eskimo appearance for wide receiver David Williams, who caught 3 passes for 30 yards. Jerry Kauric, wearing #9 instead of his previous #4, returned as the Eskimos' kicker after spending 1990 with the NFL's Cleveland Browns and kicked 2 big field goals, including one from 51 yards. Craig Ellis and Blake Marshall each scored 2 touchdowns for the Eskimos. Former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Tom Muecke made his first appearance in an Edmonton uniform, dressing as the backup to Mr. Jones.

The Calgary defense knocked Toronto quarterback Matt Dunigan with an injury, and Calgary linebacker Dan Wicklum sent Toronto running back/receiver Rocket Ismail to hospital with a concussion as the Stampeders beat the Argonauts before 26,122 fans at McMahon Stadium.



Baseball
Pinch hitter Mike Fitzgerald drew a base on balls with the bases loaded and 2 out in the top of the 10th inning to force home Tom Foley with the winning run as the Montreal Expos edged the Chicago Cubs 6-5 before 25,601 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Chico Walker hit 2 home runs for Chicago, while Larry Walker homered for Montreal.

Sid Bream's grand slam was the big blow of a 5-run 1st inning as the Atlanta Braves routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-1 before 45,541 fans at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Steve Avery (16-8) pitched a 4-hit complete game and also singled in a run.

Rookie Ray Lankford hit for the cycle to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-2 win over the New York Mets before 26,379 fans at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis. Winning pitcher Rheal Cormier (3-3) pitched a 9-hit complete game.

Jose Canseco hit 2 home runs, scored 3 runs, and drove in 6 as the Oakland Athletics beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-5 before 50,315 fans at SkyDome in Toronto.

Luis Rivera drew a base on balls with the bases loaded and 2 out in the top of the 8th inning to force Mike Greenwell home with the winning run as the Boston Red Sox edged the New York Yankees 5-4 before 22,303 fans at Yankee Stadium. Boston second baseman Jody Reed batted 4 for 5 with a home run, double, run, and 3 runs batted in.

Alvin Davis batted 4 for 4 with a home run, double, run, and 4 runs batted in to help the Seattle Mariners defeat the Kansas City Royals 14-7 before 20,019 fans at Royals Stadium. Pat Lennon made his major league debut with the Mariners in the 8th inning when he pinch hit for Mr. Davis, doubling in a run and coming around to score. Chris Howard made his major league debut in the 6th when he replaced Dave Valle as the Mariners' catcher; he doubled in his first major league plate appearance in the 8th and scored. Warren Cromartie came to bat as a pinch hitter for Kansas City in the 9th and grounded into a game-ending double play; for Mr. Cromartie, it was the 1,107th and last game of his 10-year major league career.

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Twisted--Keith Sweat (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Wannabe--Spice Girls

#1 single in Scotland (OCC): Breakfast at Tiffany's--Deep Blue Something

Died on this date
Andy Pilney, 83. U.S. football coach and baseball player. Mr. Pilney was head coach at Tulane University from 1954-1961, compiling a record of 25-49-6. He played football and baseball at the University of Notre Dame and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 1936 National Football Leage draft, but chose to pursue a professional baseball career. Mr. Pilney played in the minor leagues from 1936-1939, and played in 3 games with the Boston Bees in 1936, batting 0 for 2.

Football
CFL
Ottawa (3-8) 18 @ Saskatchewan (3-9) 16

The Rough Riders scored 2 touchdowns late in the 4th quarter as a result of interceptions to defeat the Roughriders before 19,567 fans at Taylor Field in Regina. It turned out to be the Rough Riders' last win ever.



Edmonton (7-5) 14 @ Hamilton (5-7) 20

Mike Kerrigan passed for 286 yards and a touchdown and Paul Osbaldiston kicked 4 field goals as the Tiger-Cats defeated the Eskimos before 17,301 fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Mr. Kerrigan's performance gave him 17,581 career yards passing, breaking Bernie Faloney's club record. The Eskimos were without Danny McManus at quarterback because of injury, so rookie backup Cody Ledbetter made his first start and completed a 5-yard pass to Tony Burse for the only Edmonton touchdown. Henry "Gizmo" Williams, who had been out all season because of injury, played his first game of the season for the Eskimos, returning 4 punts for 118 yards, 3 kickoffs for 106 yards, and 2 missed field goals for 56 yards for a total of 280 yards. He lost a sure touchdown when Don Blair was penalized for an illegal block on a punt return when Mr. Williams was at the Hamilton 5-yard line and would have scored anyway. Warren Jones played briefly at quarterback for the Eskimos in the final game of his 8-year CFL career.



Baseball
Joe Carter singled in the go-ahead run in the 3rd inning and hit a solo home run in the 5th inning as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 3-1 before 36,268 fans at SkyDome in Toronto. Winning pitcher Woody Williams allowed 5 hits in 8 innings, with Derek Jeter's home run leading off the 3rd inning being the only run against him. Toronto first baseman John Olerud was hit by pitches twice, giving the Blue Jays a total of 81 for the season, a major league club record.

Troy O'Leary singled home Lee Tinsley with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Boston Red Sox a 9-8 win over the Chicago White Sox before 32,452 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Mo Vaughn hit 2 home runs and drove in 5 runs for Boston, while Chicago first baseman Frank Thomas hit 3 homers. Danny Tartabull and Robin Ventura also homered for Chicago; all of the White Sox' home runs were hit off Boston strting pitcher Tim Wakefield, but were all hit with the bases empty.

Brady Anderson led off the game with the first of five Baltimore home runs as the Orioles beat the Detroit Tigers 16-6 before 13,764 fans at Tiger Stadium. Cal Ripken hit 2 homers for the Orioles, and Bobby Bonilla hit a grand slam for Baltimore in the 8th inning. Tony Clark homered twice for Detroit.

Geronimo Berroa scored on an error by center fielder Kenny Lofton after a single by Terry Steinbach to break a 9-9 tie and give the Oakland Athletics a 10-9 win over the Cleveland Indians before 42,226 fans at Jacobs Field in Cleveland.

The Los Angeles Dodgers scored a run in the bottom of the 7th inning and 4 in the 8th to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 before 35,803 fans at Dodger Stadium.

The Pittsburgh Pirates scored 6 runs in the top of the 10th inning to break a 5-5 tie and defeat the San Francisco Giants 11-9 to complete the sweep of a doubleheader before 21,998 fans at 3Com Park in San Francisco. The Pirates led 5-1 going into the 9th, but the Giants rallied for 4 runs to send the game into extra innings. The Giants scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 10th and had runners on first and third bases with 2 out, but pinch hitter Kim Batiste struck out to end the game. Pittsburgh left fielder Mike Kingery batted 2 for 4 with a double, 2 runs, and was hit by a pitch, reaching base in his last 3 plate appearances and scoring after the last 2 while making 3 putouts in 9 innings in the field, in the 819th and last game of his 11-year major league career. The Pirates won the first game 4-1, with Jon Lieber (8-5) winning the pitchers' duel over Kirk Rueter (5-8).

10 years ago
2006

Died on this date
Oriana Fallaci, 77. Italian journalist. Miss Fallaci was known for her coverage of war and revolution and her interviews with world leaders. In her later years, she was an outspoken critic of Islam.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (6-7) 9 @ Calgary (8-5) 43

Henry Burris passed for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns and Sandro DeAngelis kicked 5 field goals as the Stampeders routed the Blue Bombers before 26,843 fans at McMahon Stadium. Winnipeg surrendered 5 turnovers.