September 7, 2016

825 years ago
1191

War
Christian forces led by King Richard I of England defeated Ayyubid Sultanate commanded by Saladin in the Battle of Arsuf in what is now Israel.

310 years ago
1706

War
The Siege of Turin ended, leading to the withdrawal of French forces from North Italy.

240 years ago
1776

War
According to American colonial reports, Ezra Lee made the world's first submarine attack in the Turtle, attempting to attach a time bomb to the hull of the British ship HMS Eagle in New York Harbor. No British records of the incident exist.

140 years ago
1876

Crime
Armed citizens in Northfield, Minnesota foiled an attempt by Jesse James and the Cole-Younger Gang to rob the town's bank.

120 years ago
1896

Medicine
The first successful heart surgery was performed by Ludwig Rehn in Frankfurt, Germany when he repaired a stab wound suffered by 22-year-old gardener Wilhelm Justus.

110 years ago
1906

Aviation
Alberto Santos-Dumont flew his 14-bis aircraft at Bagatelle, France, marking the first successful flight of a fixed-wing aircraft.

100 years ago
1916

Labour
U.S. federal employees won the right to Workers' compensation by the Federal Employers Liability Act.

80 years ago
1936

Environment
The last known thylacine died alone in his cage at the Hobart Zoo in Tasmania.

75 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Mario García Menocal, 74. President of Cuba, 1913-1921. Mr. García Menocal, a member of the Conservative Party, was elected in 1912 and re-elected in 1916, but failed in an attempt at re-election in 1924. He fled to the United States after an unsuccessful attempt at a revolution in 1931.

War
Finland announced that her forces had advanced 47 miles to the Svir River, further tightening the blockade around Leningrad.

World events
The U.S.S.R. issued a decree ordering the exile of the entire population of the autonomous German Volga Republic--600,000 people--to Siberia on the ground that "tens of thousands of diversionists and spies" among them were prepared for sabotage at a signal from Germany.

Defense
Brazilian President Getulio Vargas declared that any aggression upon the Western Hemisphere "will find us the greatest bloc of various nationalities [that] ever got together in any defensive alliance."

Politics and government
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities Chairman Rep. Martin Dies (Democrat--Texas) urged the dismissal of Office of Price Administration Administrator Leon Henderson and four other OPA officials on the ground that they sympathized with Communism.

Tennis
Bobby Riggs beat Frank Kovacs 8–6, 7–5, 3–6, 4–6, 6–2 in the men's singles final at the U.S. National Championships in Forest Hills, New York, while Sarah Palfrey Cooke defeated Pauline Betz 7–5, 6–2 to win the women's singles title.

Golf
Byron Nelson finished with a 10-under-par score of 278 to win the $11,000 Tam O'Shanter Open in Chicago.

Football
NFL
Pittsburgh (0-1) 14 @ Cleveland (1-0) 17

Baseball
The Washington Nationals swept a doubleheader from the Philadelphia Athletics 3-2 and 4-2 at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Ken Chase (6-15) was the winning pitcher in the first game as the Nationals scored all their runs in the top of the 9th inning off losing pitcher Phil Marchildon (10-12), while Early Wynn (1-0) pitched a 6-hitter for his first major league win in the second game, winning the duel over Lum Harris (4-4). Felix Mackiewicz made his major league debut with the Athletics in the 9th inning of the first game, grounding out as a pinch hitter for Mr. Marchildon.

The Boston Braves had 20 hits in the first game and 15 in the second as they swept a doubleheader from the Philadelphia Phillies 17-6 and 10-1 before 7,161 fans at Braves Field. Dale Jones made his major league debut as a relief pitcher for the Phillies in the first game, allowing 6 hits, 2 bases on balls, and 4 runs--2 earned--in 2.1 innings, and flying out in his only at bat. John Dudra made his major league debut at third base for the Braves in the second game, playing the final 2 innings without handling a chance.

Dolph Camilli hit 2 home runs and drove in 5 runs and Joe Medwick batted 4 for 5 with a double, triple, and 3 runs batted in as the Brooklyn Dodgers routed the New York Giants 13-1 in the first game of a doubleheader before 34,361 fans at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. In the second game, Mr. Medwick singled home Billy Herman and Pete Reiser in the 9th inning to tie the game 3-3, and Mr. Reiser singled home Mickey Owen with 2 out in the bottom of the 10th to give the Dodgers a 4-3 win to complete the sweep. New York second baseman Odell "Bad News" Hale played the 1,062nd and last game of his 10-year major league career in the second game, batting 0 for 3 with a base on balls and making an error which contributed to the tying run in the 9th inning.

Relief pitcher Harry Gumbert's 2-run home run climaxed a 5-run 7th inning as the St. Louis Cardinals broke a 6-6 tie and beat the Cincinnati Reds 11-7 in the first game of a doubleheader before 22,322 fans at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. The Reds had tied the game with 5 runs in the top of the 7th. Elmer Riddle (16-4) pitched a 7-hitter to win the pitchers' duel over Mort Cooper (13-6) as the Reds won 5-2 in the second game, which was called because of darkness after 8 innings.

70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): To Each his Own--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra with Stuart Wade (Best Seller--2nd week at #1); To Each his Own--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra with Eddy Howard and Trio (Airplay--6th week at #1; Juke Box--2nd week at #1); To Each his Own (Honor Roll of Hits--4th week at #1)

Americana
Marilyn Buferd, representing California, was named Miss America 1946 at the annual pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey.





Aviation
U.K. Royal Air Force Group Captain E.M. Donaldson set a world speed record of 616 miles per hour in a Gloster Meteor jet over Littlehampton, England.

Diplomacy
The Paris Peace Conference's Italian Political and Territorial Commission rejected a Brazilian proposal that the questions of Trieste and the Itlaian-Yugoslavian frontier be postponed for one year.

Defense
U.S. President Harry Truman announced his decision to suspend further atomic testing, claiming that tests already conducted were sufficient for "a proper evaluation of the bomb." The U.S. Navy revealed that the new battleship Kentucky and battlecruiser Hawaii were being redesigned as "guided missile warships."

World events
Acting Greek Prime Minister Stylianos Gonatas reinstated martial law as a result of internal disorders following the September 1 referendum on the Greek monarchy.

Politics and government
Jawaharlal Nehru, leader of India's interim government, said in a radio address that free India would stand aside from "power politics" and continue working against "the curse of untouchability."

Protest
Riots between Muslims and Hindus in Bombay continued for the seventh day, and spread to Calcutta and other cities, leaving 220 dead and 659 injured.

Labour
The Congress of Industrial Organizations United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers ended an eight-month strike against Phelps-Dodge Copper Products in New Jersey with an agreement providing for an 18 1/2c hourly wage increase.

Football
CRU
IRFU
Ottawa (1-0) 34 @ Hamilton (0-1) 17
Montreal (0-0-1) 10 @ Toronto (0-0-1) 10

WIFU
Calgary (2-0) 6 @ Saskatchewan (0-2) 0

ORFU
Windsor (1-0) 8 @ Ottawa (0-1) 1
Hamilton (0-1) 14 @ Sarnia (1-0) 16

Bill Wusyk kicked 2 field goals for the Stampeders as they shut out the Roughriders at Taylor Field in Regina for the second straight game.

4,500 fans were in attendance at Lansdowne Park to see the Rockets defeat the Trojans.

60 years ago
1956

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)--Doris Day (5th week at #1)

Aviation
A plastic helium-filled balloon released by the University of Minnesota reached an altitude of 143,000 feet, the highest balloon ascension to date.

Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles met with French Ambassador to the United States Herve Alphand and British diplomats to discuss the Suez Canal situation.

The U.S.S.R. rejected a West German request for bilateral negotiations on German reunification.

Journalism
Brazilian police seized 27,000 copies of the opposition magazine Maquis and arrested several editors for attempting to move copies to a warehouse.

Football
ORFU
Sarnia (2-2) 7 @ Kitchener-Waterloo (2-1) 37
Toronto (3-0) 17 @ London (0-2) 6

Billy Graham scored 4 touchdowns, 5 converts, and a single to lead the Dutchmen over the Golden Bears. Ed Bishop scored the other K-W touchdown, while Bill McKeever scored a TD for Sarnia.

Don Robison scored a touchdown and convert and Sam Laverty also scored a touchdown for Balmy Beach as they beat the Lords at Labatt Park. Gino Cappelletti added a field goal and convert for Toronto. Dale Creighton scored a touchdown for London.

50 years ago
1966

At the movies
Fahrenheit 451, directed by François Truffaut, and starring Oskar Werner, Julie Christie, and Cyril Cusack, received its premiere screening at the Venice Film Festival.



40 years ago
1976

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Dancing Queen--ABBA (3rd week at #1)

Hockey
Canada Cup
Canada 4 Sweden 0

30 years ago
1986

Religion
Desmond Tutu, a universalist, became the first black to become leader of the Anglican Church in South Africa.

Football
CFL
Hamilton (4-6) 23 @ Toronto (7-3) 25
Montreal (2-8) 22 @ Edmonton (7-3) 37

J.C. Watts relieved starter Condredge Holloway at quarterback and led a comeback from a 17-point deficit as the Argonauts edged the Tiger-Cats before 28,531 fans at Exhibition Stadium.



Matt Dunigan threw 3 touchdown passes and Damon Allen rushed for another TD as the Eskimos beat the Alouettes in a sloppy performance before 37,332 fans at Commonwealth Stadium. It was the first CFL game for Edmonton punt returner and receiver Henry "Gizmo" Williams.

Baseball
Mike Aldrete's double in the 1st inning was his team's only hit, and drove in the game's only run, as the San Francisco Giants edged the Montreal Expos 1-0 before 15,171 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Mike Krukow (15-8) pitched a 2-hit shutout, while Montreal pitchers Floyd Youmans (12-10) and Tim Burke combined to give up just 1 hit.

Jay Howell (5-10) surrendered consecutive bases on balls to Greg Gross, Steve Jeltz, and pinch hitter Ron Roenicke to force Juan Samuel home with the winning run with none out in the 9th inning as the Philadelphia Philles edged the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 before 25,706 fans at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. Mr. Gross was walked intentionally after Mr. Samuel, who led off with a single, was picked off first base, but was safe at second on an error by first baseman Bill Madlock.

Jim Rice's grand slam highlighted a 5-run 3rd inning as the Boston Red Sox routed the Minnesota Twins 9-0 before 30,359 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. The Red Sox added 4 runs in the 5th. Bruce Hurst (10-7) pitched a 9-hit shutout, striking out 7 batters and walking none.

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Rapput (Senza Fiato)--Claudio Bisio; Rocco Tanica (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): You Could Be Mine--Guns N' Roses (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): La Zoubida--Lagaf' (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (9th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (6th week at #1)
2 The Promise of a New Day--Paula Abdul
3 Every Heartbeat--Amy Grant
4 Fading Like a Flower--Roxette
5 Time, Love and Tenderness--Michael Bolton
6 Wind of Change--Scorpions
7 Crazy--Seal
8 Things that Make You Go Hmmm...--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams
9 I Adore Mi Amor--Color Me Badd
10 The Motown Song--Rod Stewart (with the Temptations)

Singles entering the chart were Hey Donna by Rythm Syndicate (#76); Sometimes (It's a Bitch) by Stevie Nicks (#80); Everyotherday by Or-N-More (#82); She's Gone (Lady) by Steelheart (#89); and I Wonder Why by Curtis Stigers (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (6th week at #1)
2 The Motown Song--Rod Stewart (with the Temptations)
3 Fading Like a Flower--Roxette
4 Something to Talk About--Bonnie Raitt
5 Learning to Fly--Tom Petty
6 Hole Hearted--Extreme
7 Shiny Happy People--R.E.M.
8 It Ain't Over 'til it's Over--Lenny Kravitz
9 Superman's Song--Crash Test Dummies
10 I am Here--The Grapes of Wrath

Singles entering the chart were Emotions by Mariah Carey (#43); Calling Elvis by Dire Straits (#70); Enter Sandman by Metallica (#84); The Way that You Love Me by Rik Emmett (#88); I Can't Wait Another Minute by Hi-Five (#89); The One and Only by Chesney Hawkes (#92); Sometimes (It's a Bitch) by Stevie Nicks (#94); Out in the Cold by Tom Petty (#95); A Gift of Love by Bette Midler (#96); Living with the Law by Chris Whitley (#97); and Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane (#98).

On television tonight
The New WKRP in Cincinnati
Tonight's episode: How Did We Get Here?

This episode, consisting largely of clips of the original comedy series, served as an introduction to the new series, which was shown in syndication, and was a revival of WKRP in Cincinnati, which had aired on CBS from 1978-1982.



Married on this date
Happy Anniversary, Nicki Chang & Ken Powless!

Died on this date
Edwin McMillan, 83. U.S. physicist and chemist. Dr. McMillan worked on the Manhattan Project atomic bomb program during World War II. He and and Glenn Seaborg shared the 1951 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for their discoveries in the chemistry of transuranium elements." Dr. McMillan died 11 days before his 84th birthday.

Ben Piazza, 58. U.S. actor. Mr. Piazza was a character actor in numerous movies and television programs from the 1950s until his death from AIDS.

Disasters
While this blogger was in Calgary attending the reception for the couple mentioned above, a 30-minute hailstorm struck Calgary that caused $400 million in damage, making it, at the time, the most destructive weather disaster in Canadian history in terms of monetary value.

Law
The Alberta Court of Appeal struck down the second conviction of James Keegstra, found guilty of willfully promoting hatred against Jews during his time as a public school teacher in Eckville, Alberta in the early 1980s.

Football CFL
Hamilton (1-9) 25 @ Toronto (7-3) 52

Rocket Ismail scored 3 touchdowns in the 1st half for the Argonauts as they beat the Tiger-Cats before 36,102 fans at SkyDome. Toronto slotback Darrell K. Smith passed Terry Greer to become the Argonauts' leader in career yards receiving, increasing his total to 6,900 yards.



20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Macarena--Los Del Rio (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees (6th week at #1)

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

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Wannabe--Spice Girls

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Wannabe--Spice Girls (7th week at #1)

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I Love You Always Forever--Donna Lewis
2 Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)--Los Del Rio
3 Loungin--LL Cool J
4 Hit Me Off--New Edition
5 Twisted--Keith Sweat
6 Change the World--Eric Clapton
7 Who Will Save Your Soul--Jewel
8 C'mon n' Ride It (The Train)--Quad City DJ’s
9 Only You--112
10 Jealousy--Natalie Merchant

Singles entering the chart were Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First) by John Mellencamp (#51); Let's Make a Night to Remember by Bryan Adams (#64); Shake a Lil' Somethin'... by 2 Live Crew (#79); and Jump On It by Sir Mix-A-Lot (#84).

Died on this date
Bibi Besch, 54. Austrian-born U.S. actress. Miss Besch, born Bibiana Maria Köchert, emigrated to the United States with her family after World War II. She appeared in numerous television programs and several movies from the 1970s until her death from breast cancer.

Boxing
World Boxing Council world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (45-1) regained the World Boxing Association title with a technical knockout of Bruce Seldon (33-4) at 1:49 of the 1st round at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mr. Tyson had previously held the WBA title from 1987-1990.



Football
CFL
British Columbia (2-9) 27 @ Montreal (6-5) 28

Tracy Ham completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Michael Soles with 3:06 remaining in regulation time and Terry Baker converted to give the Alouettes their win over the Lions before 15,161 fans at Olympic Stadium.

CIAU
Alberta 7 @ British Columbia 15

10 years ago
2006

Scandal
Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage confirmed that he was the source of a leak that disclosed the identity of Central Intelligence Agency employee Valerie Plame, saying he didn't realize Ms. Plame's job was covert. Ms. Plame had been named in a column by journalist Robert Novak on July 14, 2003.