October 4, 2016

740 years ago
1276

Born on this date
Margaret of Brabant. Queen consort of Germany, 1308-1311. Margaret, the daughter of John I, Duke of Brabant and Margaret of Flanders, married Henry, Count of Luxembourg in 1292, and became Queen consort when he accededto the throne in 1308. The couple had 3 children. Queen Margaret accompanied her husband on his Italian campaign, and died at the age of 35 on December 14, 1311, several months after falling ill during the siege of Brescia.

380 years ago
1636

Law
The General Court of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts instituted the first legal code composed in North America.

220 years ago
1796

Born on this date
John Richardson. Canadian-born military officer and author. Major Richardson, a native of Queenston, Upper Canada, served with the British Army in the War of 1812, in the West Indies, and in Spain in the First Carlist War. He was imprisoned for a year in Kentucky after being captured in the War of 1812, and was emotionally haunted by witnessing the execution by Tecumseh's forces of an American prisoner. Maj. Richardson's experiences led him to write novels about North American military events; despite being the grandson of an Ottawa Indian woman, his novels often contained traditional European portrayals of North American Indians. Mr. Richardson's novels included Wacousta (1832) and The Canadian Brothers (1840). He lived in Paris from 1820-1827, travelled throughout Europe, and lived in London before his final military assignment. Maj. Richardson returned to Upper Canada in 1838 and founded newspapers, in addition to writing novels. He was unsuccessful in the position of police superintendent of the Welland Canal (1845-1846), and moved to New York City in 1849. Maj. Richardson was unsuccessful in attempting to establish a literary career in New York, and died in poverty, reportedly of starvation, on May 12, 1852 at the age of 55, and was buried in a pauper's grave.

175 years ago
1841

Born on this date
Prudente de Morais. 3rd President of Brazil, 1894-1898. Mr. Morais was a member of the Liberal Party and a monarchist until 1873, when he became a member of the Republican Party of São Paulo. He sat in the São Paulo Chamber of Deputies in (1885-1887), and was Governor of São Paulo (1889-1890). Mr. Morais then moved in to federal politics, representing São Paulo in the Brazilian Senate (1890-1894), serving as its President (1891-1894). He was President of the Constituent Congress that promulgated the Brazil's first republican Constitution in 1891. Mr. Morai ran unsuccessfully for President of Brazil in 1891, but was elected in 1894 and became the country's first civilian President, the first to be elected by direct popular ballot, and the first to serve a full term. His presidency was marked by the peasant revolt known as the War of Canudos (1896-1897). Mr. Morais died of tuberculosis on December 3, 1902 at the age of 61.

Maria Sophie. Queen consort of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, 1859-1861. Maria Sophie, a daughter of Maximilian Joseph, Duke in Bavaria and Princess Ludovika, married Francesco II, Crown Prince of Naples, Duke of Calabria in 1859, and became queen consort when he acceded to the throne later that year. The couple fled to Rome after the kingdom Giuseppe Garibaldi's forces, and remained there until 1870, and then fled to Bavaria after Rome fell to Italian troops. Francesco II was deposed in 1861, and his kingdom was incorporated into Italy. He died in 1894. Maria Sophie spent some time in exile in Paris, but eventually returned to Bavaria, dying in Munich on January 19, 1825 at the age of 83.

140 years ago
1876

Academia
Texas A&M University opened in College Station as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, becoming the first public institution of higher education in Texas.

125 years ago
1891

Baseball
On the final day of the season, rookie pitcher Ted Breitenstein pitched a no-hitter in his first major league start as the St. Louis Browns blanked the Louisville Colonels 8-0 in the first game of a doubleheader at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. Mr. Breitenstein gave up just 1 base on balls and faced the minimum 27 batters. The games were the last for both clubs as members of the American Association; they joined the National League for 1892.

The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Columbus Solons 8-4 at Milwaukee Athletic Park in the last American Association game for both clubs. The owners of both franchises were bought out after the season by the four AA franchises that entered the National League for the 1892 season.

120 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Dorothy Lawrence. U.K. journalist. Miss Lawrence was a freelance war correspondent who disguised herself as a soldier in order to report from the front line in France during World War I. She was befriended by a British soldier, but after just 10 days in the trenches, fearing discovery if she needed medical attention, Miss Lawrence turned herself in to the commanding sergeant, who placed her under military arrest. She was interrogated and eventually sent back to England, and legally prevented from writing about her experiences during the war. Miss Lawrence succeeded in publishing Sapper Dorothy Lawrence: The Only English Woman Soldier (1919), which was heavily censored. She developed mental problems over the next few years, and was declared insane and institutionalized until her death on October 4, 1964, her 68th birthday.

100 years ago
1916

Born on this date
George Sidney. U.S. film director. Mr. Sidney was known for directing musicals, including Anchors Aweigh (1945); Show Boat (1951); and Pal Joey (1957). He died on May 5, 2002 at the age of 85.

Jan Murray. U.S. comedian. Mr. Murray, born Murray Janofsky, hosted numerous television game shows and appeared on numerous other television programs. He died on July 2, 2006 at the age of 89.

80 years ago
1936

Protest
The British Union of Fascists and various anti-fascist organizations violently clashed in the Battle of Cable Street in the East End of London.

Baseball
World Series
New York Giants 2 @ New York Yankees 5 (Yankees led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Lou Gehrig hit 2 home runs for the Yankees as Monte Pearson won the pitching duel over Carl Hubbell before 66,669 fans at Yankee Stadium.

75 years ago
1941

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Piano Concerto in B Flat--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

This was a version of the introduction to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor.

War
U.S.S.R. dispatches reported that Soviet troops had begun a counter-offensive in southern Ukraine in an attempt to crush the German forces attacking Crimea. The Japanese Army announced in Shanghai that it had occupied Changchow in the Chinese province of Hunan.

Energy
Professor C.C. Furnas of Yale University declared "This generation may very well feel the pinch of partial depletion" of petroleum reserves, and urged the development of a system to convert sunlight to charge electric storage batteries.

Football
CRU
ERFU
Ottawa (1-1) 3 @ Toronto Argonauts (2-0) 7
Toronto Balmy Beach (1-1) 6 @ Montreal (0-2) 1

Exhibition
Fort Lewis 4X4's 0 @ Vancouver Grizzlies (WIFU) 7

Fort Lewis was a United States Army base in Idaho. The game was played under American rules, with Larry Haynes scoring a touchdown, converted by Greg Kabat.

Baseball
World Series

New York Yankees 2 @ Brooklyn Dodgers 1 (New York led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Marius Russo pitched a 4-hitter for the Yankees as they edged the Dodgers before 33,100 fans at Ebbets Field. The game was tied 0-0 in the top of the 7th inning when Mr. Russo hit a line drive that broke the kneecap of Brooklyn starting pitcher Freddie Fitzsimmons. Although the third out was recorded on the play, Mr. Fitzsimmons was out of the game, and reliever Hugh Casey gave up 2 runs in the 8th.

70 years ago
1946

Died on this date
Gifford Pinchot, 81. U.S. politician. Mr. Pinchot, a Republican for most of his career, was Governor of Pennsylvania from 1923-1927 and 1931-1935, but was best known for serving as the first Chief of the United States Forest Service from 1905-1910. He advocated a policy of conservation, but was fired for criticism of President William Howard Taft and Interior Secretary Richard Ballinger.

Barney Oldfield, 68. U.S. auto racing driver. Mr. Oldfield was one of the major figures in the early days of auto racing, becoming, in 1903, the first man to drive at 60 miles per hour. He set other speed records, and was barred by the American Automobile Association for much of his career for participating in "outlaw" events, but the ban was lifted, and Mr. Oldfield raced in the Indianapolis 500 in 1914 and 1916, finishing fifth both times. He died of a heart attack.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Harry Truman issued a statement on the Palestine Conference urging the United Kingdom to permit "substantial immigration" of Jews into Palestine, and supporting the Zionist plan for establishment of a "viable Jewish state."

Defense
The British government of Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced plans to create a Ministry of Defence to coordinate the policies of the three fighting services.

Football
AAFC
New York (3-1-1) 21 @ Buffalo (0-5-1) 13

Baseball
The Montreal Royals, champions of the International League, won the Junior World Series, defeating the Louisville Colonels, champions of the American Association, 4 games to 2. The games were the last for Jackie Robinson in a Montreal uniform.

60 years ago
1956

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): La Plus belle chose au monde--Luis Mariano

Energy
Envoys of 81 nations attending the United Nations Atoms-for-Peace Conference in New York approved a draft chater for a proposed International Atomic Energy Agency.

Defense
The British War Office announced the arrest in Cyprus of 21 Army reservists for an "undisciplined meeting," held to protest their continued recall for the Suez crisis.

Economics and finance
Following a British freeze on Egyptian sterling accounts, Egypt halted local currency exchanges by British shipping agents.

Education
The Nashville publication Southern School News reported that 208 school districts (most of them in border states) had been desegregated since the opening of the 1956-57 school year.

50 years ago
1966

On television tonight
Wojeck, starring John Vernon, on CBC
Tonight's episode: The Cold Smile of Friends: Part 1

The Fugitive, starring David Janssen, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Sharp Edge of Chivalry, with guest stars Robert Drivas, Eduard Franz, and Madlyn Rhue

Personal
This blogger began attending kindergarten in Mrs. Fowler's class in the basement of the Seven Seas restaurant in Edmonton.

Africana
The former British colony of Basutoland became the Kingdom of Lesotho, with King Moshoeshoe II as monarch.

Defense
France ended a series of atomic tests in the Pacific that had begun on July 2 at Mururoa.

40 years ago
1976

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Dancing Queen--ABBA (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Pearl Color ni Yurete--Momoe Yamaguchi

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): El Jardín Prohibido--Sandro Giacobbe (9th week at #1)

Scandal
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz resigned for "gross indiscretion" after being identified as the politician who had made a vulgar remark about Negroes at the Republican National Convention in Kansas City in August. President Ford had reprimanded Mr. Butz on October 1, but was reluctant to dismiss him because of his popularity with farmers. However, there were increasing demands for Mr. Butz's resignation.

Transportation
British Rail began its new 125-miles-per-hour Intercity 'High Speed Train' service.

30 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Easy Lady--Spagna (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): The Lady in Red--Chris de Burgh (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): The Final Countdown--Europe (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): True Blue--Madonna

#1 single in the U.K.: Don't Leave Me This Way--The Communards (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Stuck with You--Huey Lewis and the News (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Stuck with You--Huey Lewis and the News (3rd week at #1)
2 Take My Breath Away--Berlin
3 Higher Love--Steve Winwood
4 Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)--Glass Tiger
5 Dreamtime--Daryl Hall
6 When I Think of You--Janet Jackson
7 Throwing it All Away--Genesis
8 Heartbeat--Don Johnson
9 Two of Hearts--Stacey Q
10 Love-Zone--Billy Ocean

Singles entering the chart were True Blue by Madonna (#43); Love Will Conquer All by Lionel Richie (#55); To Be a Lover by Billy Idol (#70); and Everybody Have Fun Tonight by Wang Chung (#79).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Rumors--Timex Social Club
2 Stuck with You--Huey Lewis and the News
3 Friends and Lovers--Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson
4 Take My Breath Away--Berlin
5 Venus--Bananarama
6 Spirit in the Sky--Doctor and the Medics
7 Higher Love--Steve Winwood
8 Dancing on the Ceiling--Lionel Richie
9 Walk This Way--Run-D.M.C.
10 Glory of Love--Peter Cetera

Singles entering the chart were The Next Time I Fall in Love by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant (#77); Amanda by Boston (#79); To Be a Lover by Billy Idol (#81); Jumpin' Jack Flash by Aretha Franklin (#90); Earth Angel by New Edition (#91); Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money (#95); Wild Wild Life by the Talking Heads (#96); Sandra by Idle Eyes (#98); and California Dreamin' by the Beach Boys (#99).

On television tonight
The Twilight Zone, on CBS
Tonight's episode: What are Friends For?, starring Fred Savage and Lukas Haas; Aqua Vita, starring Mimi Kennedy

Football
CFL
Edmonton (10-3) 24 @ Hamilton (6-7-1) 23

The Tiger-Cats had taken a 23-10 lead over the Eskimos in the 4th quarter before 17,352 fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium when Edmonton quarterback Damon Allen, who had come in to relieve starter Matt Dunigan, promptly connected with Stephen Jones for a 75-yard touchdown pass. Tom Dixon's convert made the score 23-17, and Mr. Allen drove the Eskimos downfield in the final minutes. A sack on second down appeared to have won the game for the Tiger-Cats, but Mr. Allen completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Brian Kelly on third down and 23 yards to go with 56 seconds remaining to put the Eskimos ahead. A 2-point convert attempt was unsuccessful, but the Eskimos held on for the win.

Baseball
Dave Righetti saved both games as the New York Yankees swept a doubleheader from the Boston Red Sox 5-3 and 3-1 before 34,290 fans at Fenway Park in Boston.

Greg Gagne of the Minnesota Twins tied an American League record with 2 inside-the-park home runs in a single game--and later added a triple--as the Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 7-3 before 28,136 fans at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.

John Candelaria (10-2) allowed 2 hits in 6 innings and Vern Ruhle followed with 3 hitless innings as the California Angels blanked the Texas Rangers 2-0 before 23,040 fans at Arlington Stadium. Losing pitcher Ed Correa (12-14) pitched a complete game and allowed just 2 hits, both in the 2nd inning, when Brian Downing drove in both runs with a double.

Mark Gubicza (12-6) allowed 5 hits in 6 innings and Bud Black followed with 3 hitless innings as the Kansas City Royals blanked the Oakland Athletics 2-0 before 13,664 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Losing pitcher Dave Stewart pitched a complete game, allowing 9 hits and 1 earned run. Oakland designated hitter Dusty Baker grounded out and drew 2 bases on balls in the 2,039th and last game of his 19-year major league career.

John Russell singled home Glenn Wilson with 2 out in the bottom of the 14th inning to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 5-4 win over the Montreal Expos before 16,796 fans at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. Mr. Russell's hit followed a single by Juan Samuel, on which Mike Schmidt was thrown out at home plate attempting to score the winning run.

Fernando Valenzuela (21-11) pitched a 5-hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they edged the San Francisco Giants 2-1 before 24,466 fans at Dodger Stadium. Steve Sax singled in the first Los Angeles run and scored the second in a 2-run 3rd inning.

25 years ago
1991

Died on this date
J. Frank Wilson, 49. U.S. singer. Mr. Wilson was the lead singer of J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, who reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and #1 on the Cash Box chart with the song Last Kiss in 1964. He died from drink and diabetes, reportedly having been cheated by his record company and manager out of all the money his hit record had earned.

Environment
The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was opened for signature.

Crime
In Burton, New Brunswick, Dr. John Bowen of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police forensic lab in Ottawa introduced DNA evidence in the trial of murderer Allan Legere, marking the first time in Canada that DNA evidence was presented in a court of law.

Hockey
NHL
The Edmonton Oilers traded veteran centre Mark Messier with a player to be named later and future considerations (Jeff Beukeboom for David Shaw) to the New York Rangers for a player to be named later, Louie DeBrusk, Bernie Nicholls and Steven Rice. Mr. Messier scored 12 goals and 52 assists in 53 regular season games and 4 goals and 11 assists in 18 playoff games in 1990-91, while Mr. Nicholls scored 25 goals and 48 assists in 71 regular season games and 4 goals and 3 assists in 5 playoff games in 1990-91, and no points in 1 game in 1991-92.

Football
CFL
Hamilton (1-13) 17 @ Edmonton (9-5) 18

Hamilton kicker Paul Osbaldiston missed a 54-yard field goal in the final seconds that would have won the game for the Tiger-Cats before 23,128 fans at Commonwealth Stadium. The kick went for a single point and the Eskimos escaped with the win, despite playing poorly.



20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Coco Jamboo--Mr. President (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): How Bizarre--OMC (3rd week at #1)

At the movies
That Thing You Do!, written and directd by Tom Hanks and starring Mr. Hanks with Tom Everett Scott and Liv Tyler, opened in theatres.



Scandal
Canadian Defence Minister David Collenette resigned after admitting that he had violated ethics guidelines by signing a letter to the Immigration Board on behalf of a constituent.

Football
CFL
Edmonton (9-6) 18 @ Montreal (8-6) 32

Tracy Ham threw 3 touchdown passes against his former team to lead the Alouettes over the Eskimos before 17,886 fans at Olympic Stadium. The Montreal defense held the Edmonton offense without a touchdown, as Sean Fleming kicked 5 field goals and a single.

Baseball
American League Division Series
Baltimore 4 @ Cleveland 9 (Baltimore led best-of-five series 2-1)
New York 3 @ Texas 2 (New York led best-of-five series 2-1)

10 years ago
2006

Journalism
Wikileaks, a website for posting leaked government documents, was launched by Julian Assange.

Baseball
National League Division Series
Los Angeles 5 @ New York 6 (New York led best-of-five series 1-0)



American League Division Series
Oakland 5 @ Minnesota 2 (Oakland led best-of-five series 2-0)