December 2, 2016

170 years ago
1846

Born on this date
Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau. Prime Minister of France, 1899-1902. Mr. Waldeck-Rousseau, a Republican, was first elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1877, and served as Minister of the Interior (1881-1885), helping to secure the recognition of trade unions in 1884. He left politics in 1889 to practice law, but returned to politics as Senator for Loire in 1894, and ran unsuccessfully for President in 1895. Mr. Waldeck-Rousseau was asked by President Émile Loubet to form a government in 1899, and he led a coalition cabinet of various factions. The most important achievement of his government was the Associations Bill (1901), putting restrictions on religious associations. Mr. Waldeck-Rousseau's supporters did poorly in the 1902 general election, and he resigned as Prime Minister, remaining in the Senate until his death on August 10, 1904 at the age of 57.

125 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Otto Dix. German artist. Mr. Dix was a painter and printmaker, noted for his ruthless and harshly realistic depictions of German society during the Weimar Republic and the brutality of war. He was regarded by the Nazis as a "degenerate artist," and was fired from his teaching post at the Dresden Academy. Mr. Dix painted mainly religious allegories and scenes of postwar suffering n his later years; he died after a stroke on July 25, 1969 at the age of 77.

Charles H. Wesley. U.S. historian. Dr. Wesley was an African Methodist Episcopal Church minister who taught history at Howard University before serving as President of Wilberforce University (1942-1947) and as founder and President of Central State University (1947-1965). He wrote more than two dozen books, mostly about Negro American history, with several other books about Greek-letter fraternities and Prince Hall Freemasonry. Dr. Wesley died on August 16, 1987 at the age of 95.

Transportation
The Great Northern Railway (GNR) started regular service from the ferry dock at Liverpool (Brownsville) on the Fraser River's south shore opposite New Westminster, British Columbia to Seattle.

120 years ago
1896

Boxing
Sailor Tom Sharkey (21-2-3) won by disqualification over Bob Fitzsimmons (53-7-14-6) in the 8th round at Mechanics Pavilion in San Francisco in a bout that was billed as being for the world heavyweight title, with James J. Corbett currently inactive. Mr. Fitzsimmons knocked down Mr. Sharkey in the 8th inning, and referee Wyatt Earp ruled that Mr. Sharkey had been fouled, and awarded him the bout. Mr. Earp's action was heavily criticized, and there were accusations of a fix, ending up in court.

100 years ago
1916

Died on this date
Paolo Tosti, 70. Italian-born composer. Sir Paolo was mainly known for his light, expressive songs. He began his career in his native Italy, but moved to England in 1875. Sir Paolo began teaching at the Royal Academy of Music in 1894 and became a British subject in 1906, but returned to Italy in 1913, and died in Rome.

80 years ago
1936

Died on this date
John Ringling, 70. U.S. entertainment executive. Mr. Ringling was one of the founders of Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows, which merged with Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1919.

75 years ago
1941

War
Three German divisions reportedly launched a general offensive against guerrilla forces in the western Morava Valley of Yugoslavia. The first units of the new British Far Eastern Fleet, led by the new battleship HMS Prince of Wales, arrived in Singapore.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that he had asked Japan this day to explain why it was pouring troops into French Indochina and that he hoped to get a reply "very shortly."

Defense
The U.S. Navy reported that 33 warships had been launched in November.

Politics and government
The Japanese cabinet was shuffled, with Foreign Minister Shigenori Togo turning over his post to Agriculture Minister Miroyasu Ino.

Crime
In simultaneous raids, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested 30 people in New York, Detroit, and Chicago accused of engaging in interstate traffic of several million dollars' worth of Ford auto parts stolen from Michigan factories.

Education
The Rapp-Coudert committee charged that the Young Communist League had branches in four colleges, high schools, and various teachers' groups in New York.

Economics and finance
U.S. Federal Price Aministrator Leon Henderson told the Economic Club of New York that the cost of living had increased 11% since the beginning of the European war znd would be up 20% by the spring of 1942.

Labour
U.S. Representative Martin Dies (Democrat--Texas), chairman of the House Un-American Activities Committee, charged that 2,000 Congress of Industrial Organizations leaders were or had previously been affiliated with the Communist Party or "auxiliary organizations."

Baseball
Mel Ott, 32, signed a two-year contract as playing manager of the New York Giants. The outfielder had been with the Giants since 1926 and had batted .286 with 27 home runs and 90 runs batted in and 100 bases on balls in 148 games in 1941. He replaced Bill Terry, who had managed the team since 1932, and had led the Giants to a 74-79 record in 1941, fifth in the Natinal League, 25½ games behind the pennant-winning Brooklyn Dodgers.

70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Rumors are Flying--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra (6th week at #1)
--The Andrews Sisters with Les Paul
--Betty Rhodes
--Tony Martin
2 Ole Buttermilk Sky--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
--Helen Carroll and the Satisfiers
--Paul Weston and his Orchestra with Matt Dennis
--Hoagy Carmichael
3 The Old Lamp-Lighter--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
--Hal Derwin
4 Five Minutes More--Frank Sinatra
--Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Orchestra
--The Three Suns
5 This is Always--Harry James and his Orchestra
--Jo Stafford
6 The Things We Did Last Summer--Frank Sinatra
--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
7 South America, Take it Away--Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
--Xavier Cugat and the Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra
8 To Each His Own--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra with Eddy Howard and Trio
--The Ink Spots
--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra with Stuart Wade
--Tony Martin
--The Modernaires with Paula Kelly
9 (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons--King Cole Trio
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
10 Passe--Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Orchestra
--Margaret Whiting

Singles entering the chart were A Gal in Calico, with versions by Tex Beneke with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Bing Crosby with the Calico Kids; A Gal in Calico (#16, charting with the versions just mentioned)/Winter Wonderland (#20) by Johnny Mercer; Winter Wonderland by Perry Como and the Satisfiers (#20, charting with the version by Johnny Mercer); Either it's Love or it Isn't (#22)/I Get the Blues When it Rains (#34) by the Ink Spots; and In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town by Johnny Long and his Orchestra (#28). A Gal in Calico was originally from the movie The Time, the Place and the Girl (1946).

On the radio
The Casebook of Gregory Hood, starring Elliott Lewis and Howard McNear, on MBS
Tonight`s episode: Not Wise, But Too Well

At the movies
Temptation, diected by Irving Pichel, and starring Merle Oberon, George Brent, Charles Korvin, and Paul Lukas, opened in theatres.



War
Rev. Joseph Tiso, President of the wartime collaborationist Slovak Republic, went on trial for war crimes committed in Czechoslovakia during World War II.

Diplomacy
U.S. delegate to the United Nations Thomas Connally presented a resolution to the UN Political and Security Committee barring Spain from all UN activities until a "new and acceptable government" was formed. The action followed a Polish demand that all UN members sever relations with Spain.

Politics and government
The entire Panamanian cabinet resigned after the ministers of public works and education clashed over the site of a trade school.

Exploration
Eight U.S. Navy ships left Norfolk, Virginia to be joined by four more from San Diego and Port Hueneme, California in the largest Antarctic expedition in history.

Energy
Dr. Enrico Fermi revealed in Chicago that the United States now had five controlled nuclear chain reaction piles in operation.

Literature
The Goncourt, France's top literary prize, was won by Jean Jacques Gautier for his first novel, Histoire d'un Faitdivers.

Economics and finance
The U.S.A. and U.K. signed an agreement for the economic merger of their German occupation zones, effective January 1, 1947. A United Press survey found that 13 of 14 leading American economists thought the country faced a depression in the near future.

Labour
U.S. Federal Judge Walter La Guy ruled in Chicago that the Lea Act, aimed at restricting labour practices in the communications industry, was unconstitutional.

Disasters
The Royal Canadian Navy minesweeper HMCS Middlesex ran aground near Halifax and became a total loss.

60 years ago
1956

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Jonathan, starring Georgann Johnson, Corey Allen, and Douglas Kennedy

World events
The Granma reaches the shores of the Cuban province of Oriente; Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and 80 other members of the 26th of July Movement disembarked to initiate the Cuban Revolution.

Olympics
The United States, led by center Bill Russell, defeated the U.S.S.R. 89-55 to win the gold medal in the men's basketball competition at the Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne. Mr. Russell scored 13 points, while teammate K.C. Jones scored 14.

50 years ago
1966

Hit parade
Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Good Vibrations--The Beach Boys
2 Mellow Yellow--Donovan
3 Winchester Cathedral--The New Vaudeville Band
4 Walk Away Renee--The Left Banke
5 Lady Godiva--Peter and Gordon
6 Stop Stop Stop--The Hollies
7 Sugar Town--Nancy Sinatra
8 A Hazy Shade of Winter--Simon and Garfunkel
9 Coming on Strong--Brenda Lee
10 If I Were a Carpenter--Bobby Darin
Pick hit of the week: A Symphony for Susan--The Arbors
New this week: Words of Love--The Mamas and the Papas
Armful of Teddy Bears--Barry Allen
98.6--Keith
Bad Misunderstanding--The Critters
The Bears--The Fastest Group Alive

Died on this date
Giles Cooper, 48. U.K. playwright. Mr. Cooper wrote numerous dramas for BBC radio, some of which were later made into movies and television programs. He died from a fall from a train, probably because he was drunk, although some claim his death was suicide.

Diplomacy
U Thant was unanimously elected to a second term as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Football
The British Columbia Lions traded defensive end Dick Fouts and running back Bill Symons to the Toronto Argonauts for the rights to offensive halfback Jim Young. Mr. Fouts had played with the Argonauts from 1957-1961 before coming to the Lions in 1962 and becoming a key figure in the Lions' Grey Cup championship season in 1964. Mr. Symons, a rookie in 1966, played the last 9 games of the season with B.C. after being cut by the Green Bay Packers. Mr. Young, an alumnus of Queen's University, was the Argonauts' first choice in the 1965 college draft, but had joined the Minnesota Vikings, where he made the team, but missed most of the 1965 and 1966 seasons with injuries.

Baseball
The California Angels traded pitcher Dean Chance and a minor league player to be named later to the Minnesota Twins for first baseman Don Mincher, outfielder Jimmie Hall, and pitcher Pete Cimino. Mr. Chance had been the best pitcher in baseball in 1964 with a record of 20-9, an earned run average of 1.65, and 11 shutouts, but in 1966 he was 12-17 with a 3.06 ERA.

40 years ago
1976

Died on this date
William Tannen, 65. U.S. actor. Mr. Tannen, whose father Julius and brother Charles were also actors, was a character actor in movies and television programs in a career spanning more than 35 years. He was best known for playing Deputy Hal Norton in the television Western series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1956-1958). Mr. Tannen died 15 days after his 65th birthday.

Danny Murtaugh, 59. U.S. baseball player and manager. Mr. Murtaugh was a second baseman with the Philadelphia Phillies (1941-1943, 1946); Boston Braves (1947); and Pittsburgh Pirates (1948-1951), batting .254 with 8 home runs and 219 runs batted in in 767 games. He had four different stints as manager of the Pirates from 1957-1976, compiling a record of 1,115-950, and leading them to World Series championships in 1960 and 1971. Mr. Murtaugh suffered from health problems for years and died of a stroke two months after managing his last game, after already announcing his retirement. This blogger saw the Pirates play in person under Mr. Murtaugh four months before his death.

Politics and government
Fidel Castro became President of Cuba, replacing Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado, who had held the office since July 18, 1959.

30 years ago
1986

Died on this date
Desi Arnaz, 69. Cuban-born U.S. musician and actor. Mr. Arnaz, born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III, was a popular bandleader in Cuba and the United States in the 1940s, but was best known for his marriage to American comedienne Lucille Ball from 1940-1960. The two formed the production company Desilu Productions and co-starred as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo in the television comedy series I Love Lucy (1951-1957) and The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1957-1960). Mr. Arnaz was a heavy smoker who died of lung cancer.

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Boku wa kono hitomi de usowotsuku (僕はこの瞳で嘘をつく)--Chage and Aska

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Let's Talk About Sex--Salt-N-Pepa (3rd week at #1)

Diplomacy
Canada and Poland became the first countries to recognize the newly-independent state of Ukraine.

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Child--Mark Owen (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): I Can't Help Myself (I Love You, I Want You)--The Kelly Family (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)--Backstreet Boys (4th week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Head Over Feet--Alanis Morissette (3rd week at #1)
2 He Liked to Feel It--Crash Test Dummies
3 Black Cloud Rain--Corey Hart
4 Leave it Alone--Moist
5 If it Makes You Happy--Sheryl Crow
6 Beautiful Goodbye--Amanda Marshall
7 Mouth--Merril Bainbridge
8 Everything You've Done Wrong--Sloan
9 Dance Into the Light--Phil Collins
10 How Bizarre--OMC

Singles entering the chart were Betcha by Golly Wow by The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (Love Symbol) (#73); I Finally Found Someone by Bryan Adams and Barbra Streisand (#74); Do to You by Bryan Adams (#75); 100 Years from Now by Huey Lewis and the News (#82); Used to Be Alright by I Mother Earth (#83); Mary (There's Nobody Like You) by the Earthtones (#94); Love Rollercoaster by Red Hot Chili Peppers (#95); To Love You More by Celine Dion (#96); and Don't Speak by No Doubt (#97).

Politics and government
Lucien Bouchard was sworn in as Premier of Québec, replacing Jacques Parizeau.

Michel Gauthier resigned after nine months as interim leader of the Bloc québécois; he was later replaced by Gilles Duceppe in a convention vote.

10 years ago
2006

Died on this date
Mariska Veres, 59. Dutch singer. Miss Veres was best known as lead singer of the rock group The Shocking Blue, who had an international hit single with Venus (1969-1970) and numerous hits in the Netherlands. She died of cancer.

Politics and government
Stéphane Dion defeated Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae to become leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, replacing retiring former Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Ed Stelmach defeated Jim Dinning and Ted Morton to win the leadership of the governing Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta on the second ballot. In the first ballot, a week earlier, Mr. Dinning led, with Mr. Morton second, but lacked the required majority of votes to win. Mr. Stelmach was in third place after the first ballot.