April 16, 2017

150 years ago
1867

Born on this date
Wilbur Wright. U.S. inventor. Mr. Wright and his brother Orville manufactured bicycles in the 1890s before inventing, building, and flying the world's first powered airplane in 1903. Wilbur died of typhoid fever on May 30, 1912 at the age of 45.

130 years ago
1887

Transportation
The rebuilt and enlarged Welland Canal opened for navigation at Thorold, Ontario.

100 years ago
1917

Born on this date
Barry Nelson. U.S. actor. Mr. Nelson, born Haakon Robert Nielsen, appeared in numerous plays, movies, and television programs in a career spanning more than four decades. He was the first actor to portray James Bond, playing the character in an adaptation of Casino Royale that appeared as an episode of the television series Climax! (1954). Mr. Nelson died on April 7, 2007, nine days before his 90th birthday.

World events
Vladimir Lenin returned to Petrograd, Russia from exile in Switzerland.

Economics and finance
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Robert Borden took tariff duties off wheat, flour, and semolina.

80 years ago
1937

Died on this date
Jay Johnson Morrow, 67. U.S. military officer and politician. Brigadier General Morrow was Chief Engineer of the United States First Army and as Deputy Chief Engineer of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. He was military governor of the Philippine province of Zamboanga from 1901-1902 and Governor of the Panama Canal Zone from 1921-1924.

75 years ago
1942

Died on this date
Princess Alexandra of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 63. U.K. Royal Family member. Princess Alexandra was the fourth child and third daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, the second son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Princess Alexandra married Prince Ernst of Hohenlohe-Langenburg in 1896, and they had five children. Princess Alexandra and three of her children joined the Nazi Party in 1937.

Theatre
For the second time since 1935, the New York Drama Critics Circle gave no award for the best American play of the 1941-42 season. Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward was named Best Foreign Play.

War
30 German counter-attacks failed to stop a Soviet assault on the central front in the first major battle of the spring. More than 400 British Spitfire fighter planes and medium bombers swept over German-occupied northern France in almost continuous raids. Japanese troops landed on Panay--fourth island of the Philippine archipelago--from eight transports, and met U.S.-Philippine opposition. Japan was reportedly sending 5 1/2 divisions as reinforcements on the Burma front.

Defense
Colonel Claire Chennault, commander of the American Volunteer Group in Burma, was recalled to active duty in the United States Army and nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to be a brigadier general. The U.S. House of Representatives passed and sent to the Senate a bill to create a women's auxiliary reserve, with age limits of 20-50 years.

Journalism
U.S. Censorship Director Byron Price told the American Society of Newspaper Editors meeting in New York that voluntary censorship would remain in effect as long as newspapers and publishers lived up to their responsibilities.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Office of Price Administration announced that an allowance of one-half pound of sugar per person per week would be standard for the first eight weeks of the sugar rationing program.

Business
Carboloy Inc. Chairman Dr. Zay Jeffries told the U.S. Senate Patents Committee that hs company's patent-pooling with Krupp Steel Works had prevented Germany from stopping U.S. supplies of tungsten carbide and had aided development of economic methods of using the alloy.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Toronto 3 @ Detroit 0 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

Don Metz scored 14 seconds into the 2nd period and Bob Goldham and Billy Taylor scored 32 seconds apart in the 3rd to provide the scoring as Turk Broda won the goaltending duel over Johnny Mowers at Olympia Stadium.

70 years ago
1947

Died on this date
Rudolf Höss, 45. German war criminal. SS-Obersturmbannführer Höss, a member of the Nazi Party since 1922, was commanding officer at the Auschwitz death camp in Poland from 1940-1943 and 1944-1945, and was responsible for the murders of more than one million Jews. He was convicted of crimes against humanity and was executed by hanging on a gallows next to the former crematorium at Auschwitz. In his final few days, SS-Obersturmbannführer Höss acknowledged the evil of his acts, asking God for forgiveness.

Dov Bela Gruner. Palestinian terrorist. Mr. Gruner and three other Irgun Zvai members were hanged by British authorities in Palestine, despite threats of reprisals. Jewish communities in Palestine were held under curfew during the executions.

Diplomacy
U.S. financier and presidential confidant Bernard M. Baruch said in a speech at the South Carolina statehouse, "Let us not be deceived. We are today in the midst of a cold war." It was believed to the be the first use of the term "cold war."

Politics and government
Nationalist Chinese leader Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek appointed General Chang Chun to succeed T.V. Soong as Premier.

Prerssed by Prime Minister Alcide de Gaspari, the Italian parliament gave a vote of confidence to two ministers accused of corruption, but warned that the government must "keep itself free of leftover fascist habits."

Chilean President Gabriel Gonzales Videla swore in a new cabinet consisting of one Democrat and 11 Radicals.

Defense
U.S. President Harry Truman signed a bill creating a permanent Army-Navy Nurse Corps, while the War Department asked Congress to make the Women's Army Corps a permanent part of the regular Army.

Aviation
A converted A-26 Reynolds Bombshell landed in New York after a 20,000-mile round-the-world flight in a record time of 78 hours 55 minutes.

Disasters
America's worst harbour explosion occurred in Texas City, Texas, when the French-registered ship SSGrandcamp, carrying ammonium nitrate fertilizer, caught fire and blew up, devastating the town. Another ship, the Highflyer, exploded the following day. The explosions and resulting fires killed at least 581 people and left 200 others missing.

Basketball
BAA
Finals
Chicago 71 @ Philadelphia 84 (Philadelphia led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Joe Fulks scored 37 points--21 in the 4th quarter--to lead the Warriors over the Stags before 7,900 fans at Philadelphia Arena in the first Basketball Association of America finals game ever played. The Stags made just 26 of 129 shots from the field (20.2%).

60 years ago
1957

Radio
The George Foster Peabody Awards for 1956 were presented by the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia. Edward P. Morgan of ABC was honoured for achievement in news.

Television
The George Foster Peabody Awards for 1956 were presented. Winners included The Ed Sullivan Show; You are There; The Secret Life of Danny Kaye; and Rod Serling, for writing the Playhouse 90 drama Requiem for a Heavyweight.

Diplomacy
West Germany sent a note to the U.S.S.R. urging the Soviets to begin talks on West German-Soviet trade; the repatriation of Germans from the U.S.S.R.; and an exchange of consular officials.

People's Republic of China President Mao Tse-tung told a reception for visiting Soviet President Klimenti Voroshilov that "we are ready to cooperate again" with the Nationalist Chinese government.

Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Victo Khouri protested to the U.S. State Department against passage of the U.S. tanker Kern Hills through the Gulf of Aqaba to Elath, Israel.

Oil
The Iranian government ordered the National Iranian Oil Company to "avoid all transactions with Israel," and called on the international consortium operating Iran's largest fields to prevent oil from being sent through the Gulf of Aqaba to Elath.

Defense
U.S. authorities reported the detonation of another Soviet nuclear test.

Politics and government
U.S. Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield ordered "resumption of normal mail service" after Congress approved $41 million of the $47 million deficiency appropriation requested to finance postal operations for the remainder of fiscal 1947.

Health
The British Atomic Scientists Association published a report warning that hydrogen weapons tests may "eventually produce bone cancer in 1,000 people for every million tons of TNT" yielded by the tests.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Boston 1 @ Montreal 5 (Montreal won best-of-seven series 4-1)

Dickie Moore's goal 14 seconds into the 2nd period proved to be the winner as the Canadiens defeated the Bruins at the Montreal Forum to win their second straight Stanley Cup championship. Andre Pronovost, Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, Don Marshall, and Floyd Curry scored the other Montreal goals. Leo Labine scored the only Boston goal in a game that was characterized by rough play.

50 years ago
1967

Basketball
NBA
Finals
San Francisco 95 @ Philadelphia 126 (Philadelphia led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Hal Greer scored 30 points and Billy Cunningham added 28 as the 76ers beat the Warriors at Philadelphia Arena. Rick Barry led the Warriors with 30 points. The San Francisco defense held Wilt Chamberlain to 10 points.

40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Tu mi rubi l'anima--Collage

#1 single in Switzerland: Swiss Lady--Pepe Lienhard Band (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): Lay Back in the Arms of Someone--Smokie

#1 single in Ireland: Knowing Me, Knowing You--ABBA (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K (BMRB): Knowing Me, Knowing You--ABBA (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Don't Give Up on Us--David Soul

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Don't Give Up on Us--David Soul
2 Rich Girl--Daryl Hall and John Oates
3 Don't Leave Me this Way--Thelma Houston
4 The Things We Do for Love--10 C.C.
5 I've Got Love on My Mind--Natalie Cole
6 So In to You--Atlanta Rhythm Section
7 Southern Nights--Glen Campbell
8 Hotel California--Eagles
9 Right Time of the Night--Jennifer Warnes
10 Lido Shuffle--Boz Scaggs

Singles entering the chart were Dreams by Fleetwood Mac (#61); You are on My Mind by Chicago (#78); Got to Give it Up Pt. 1 by Marvin Gaye (#80); Fly at Night by Chilliwack (#86); High School Dance by the Sylvers (#87); Gonna Fly Now (Theme from "Rocky") by Bill Conti (#88); This is the Way that I Feel by Marie Osmond (#93); Uptown Festival (Part 1) by Shalamar (#96); Gonna Fly Now (Theme from "Rocky") by Maynard Ferguson (#98); Sound and Vision by David Bowie (#99); and Never Have to Say Goodbye Again by Deardorff and Joseph (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 The Things We Do for Love--10 C.C.
2 Don't Give Up on Us--David Soul
3 Dancing Queen--ABBA
4 Don't Leave Me this Way--Thelma Houston
5 Rich Girl--Daryl Hall and John Oates
6 So In to You--Atlanta Rhythm Section
7 Hotel California--Eagles
8 I've Got Love on My Mind--Natalie Cole
9 Southern Nights--Glen Campbell
10 Love Theme from "A Star is Born" (Evergreen)--Barbra Streisand

Singles entering the chart were Are You Ready for Love by Patsy Gallant (#82); Santa Maria by Trooper (#84); You Won't Dance with Me by April Wine (#86); Heard it in a Love Song by the Marshall Tucker Band (#89); Ain't Gonna Bump No More by Joe Tex (#93); Lucille by Kenny Rogers (#94); The Whistler by Jethro Tull (#95); Love's Grown Deep by Kenny Nolan (#96); Disco Inferno by the Trammps (#97); Show You the Way to Go by the Jacksons (#98); Sad Girl by Carl Graves (#99); and Special Arrangement by Sweet Blindness (#100).

Environment
A week after being seized by the U.S. Coast Guard for violating the U.S.A.'s 200-mile limit, the captain of the U.S.S.R. trawler Taras Shevchenko was charged with excessive and illegal catches of two species, becoming the first person to be arraigned since the 200-mile limit had come into effect on March 1, 1977.

Boxing
Earnie Shavers (54-5-1) knocked out Howard Smith (16-2-0-1) at 2:18 of the 1st round of a heavyweight bout at the Aladdin Theater in Las Vegas.



Hockey
IIHF
Men's World Championship
C.S.S.R. 7 Canada 2

NHL
Stanley Cup
Quarter-Finals
Montreal 5 @ St. Louis 1 (Montreal led best-of-seven series 3-0)

WHA
Avco World Trophy
Quarter-Finals
Quebec 4 @ New England 6 (Quebec led best-of-seven series 3-1)
Cincinnati 1 @ Indianapolis 3 (Indianapolis won best-of-seven series 4-0)
Winnipeg 4 @ San Diego 5 (Winnipeg led best-of-seven series 2-1)

CHL
Adams Cup
Semi-Finals
Fort Worth 2 @ Kansas City 3 (Kansas City led best-of-seven series 3-2)
Tulsa 4 @ Dallas 3 (Tulsa won best-of-seven series 4-1)

Bruce Boudreau, sent down from the Toronto Maple Leafs, scored a goal and an assist for the Black Hawks, but they were eliminated by the Oilers at Fair Park Coliseum.

Baseball
Gary Carter's home run leading off the bottom of the 6th inning proved to be the deciding run as the Montreal Expos edged the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 before 18,361 fans for their first win at Olympic Stadium in Montreal in the NBC Game of the Week.

Pinch hitter Jerry Grote's 2-run single climaxed a 4-run 7th inning as the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 before 11,423 fans at Shea Stadium in New York. Nino Espinosa pitched an 8-hit complete game victory in a game that was played in 1 hour 50 minutes.

Dave Roberts doubled home George Hendrick with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the San Diego Padres a 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds before 41,029 fans at San Diego Stadium. The Padres trailed 4-1, but tied the game with 3 runs in the 7th.



Steve Brye singled home Sal Bando with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th inning to climax a 3-run rally as the Milwaukee Brewers edged the New York Yankees 4-3 before 15,913 fans at County Stadium in Milwaukee. The Yankees led 3-1, but Jim Wohlford led off the bottom of the 9th with a single off New York starting pitcher Ken Holtzman, who was then relieved by Sparky Lyle. Cecil Cooper hit a 2-run home run with 1 out to tie the score, and Mr. Bando followed with a triple. Sixto Lezcano was intentionally walked, and stole second base after Don Money struck out for the second out, bringing Mr. Brye to the plate.

Pete Vuckovich, who entered the game to begin the bottom of the 9th inning in relief of starting pitcher Jesse Jefferson, dropped a throw from first baseman Doug Ault on a ground ball to allow the leadoff hitter to reach base, and then walked pinch hitter Jerry Hairston with the bases loaded to force home Oscar Gamble with the winning run as the Chicago Cubs edged the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 before 7,467 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Rookie Toronto left fielder Bob Bailor hit his first major league home run, a solo blast that tied the game 2-2 in the 8th inning.

30 years ago
1987

On television tonight
Our World, hosted by Linda Ellerbee and Ray Gandolf, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Cover Stories: Spring 1960



Protest
100,000 people in Buenos Aires demonstrated in support of Argentinian President Raul Alfonsin, who was refusing to negotiate an amnesty for those who had committed crimes in the military junta’s “dirty war” against dissidents in the 1970s.

Science
The United States Commerce Department announced that inventors would be permitted to patent new forms of animal life through such techniques as gene splicing and genetic engineering. The policy forbade the patenting of new genetic characteristics in humans. A coalition of animal welfare and public policy groups was immediately formed to oppose the new policy. Dr. Michael Fox, a veterinarian and scientific director of the Humane Society, warned that “the entire creative process…is going to be redirected or controlled to satisfy purely human ends,” adding, “We are not only playing God, we are assuming dominion over God.”

Scandal
British Conservative Member of Parliament Harvey Proctor appeared in court to face charges of gross indecency resulting from homosexual acts with two teenagers.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
Hartford 4 @ Quebec 5 (OT) (Quebec won best-of-seven series 4-2)
Philadelphia 5 @ New York Rangers 0 (Philadelphia won best-of-seven series 4-2)
Washington 4 @ New York Islanders 5 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)
St. Louis 0 @ Toronto 4 (Toronto won best-of-seven series 4-2)
Calgary 1 @ Winnipeg 6 (Winnipeg won best-of-seven series 4-2)

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Stay--Shakespears Sister (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Andy Russell, 72. U.S. musician. Mr. Russell, born Andrés Rábago, was of Mexican ancestry, and was a drummer and singer in the bands of Gus Arnheim and Alvino Rey before achieving popularity in the mid-to-late-1940s, singing romantic ballads such as Bésame Mucho and Amor, performing in both English and Spanish. He peaked in popularity in the United States from 1944-1948, releasing 12 singles that reached the Billboard top 10, with I'll Close My Eyes reaching #1 in 1947. Mr. Russell moved to Mexico in 1954, and hosted the television variety program El Show de Andy Russell in Argentina from 1956-1965. He returned to the United States in 1966, and had several hits on the easy listening charts in 1967-1968. Mr. Russell continued to have success in the Latin American market until his retirement in 1989. He died after a stroke.

Neville Brand, 71. U.S. actor. One of the most-decorated soldiers of World War II, Mr. Brand appeared in many movies and television programs, usually as a villain. His most notable movie appearance was in Stalag 17 (1953), and he was memorable playing Al Capone in several episodes of the television series The Untouchables (1959-1961).

World events
Mohammed Najibullah, who had headed a Communist government in Afghanistan, resigned as President and took refuge under the protection of the United Nations in Kabul as rebel armies closed in on the capital city.

Crime
David Milgaard, in prison since 1970 for a murder he’d denied committing, was freed from Stony Mountain Penitentiary in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, following a ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada that had quashed his conviction>, and the decision by the government of Saskatchewan not to retry him.

Scandal
The U.S. House of Representatives ethics committee listed 303 current and former lawmakers who had overdrawn their House bank accounts.

Environment
The Greek tanker Katina P ran aground off Maputo, Mozambique, and 60,000 tons of crude oil spilled into the Indian Ocean.

20 years ago
1997

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
St. Louis 2 @ Detroit 0 (St. Louis led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Chicago 0 @ Colorado 6 (Colorado led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Edmonton 3 @ Dallas 5 (Dallas led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Phoenix 2 @ Anaheim 4 (Anaheim led best-of-seven series 1-0)

10 years ago
2007

Died on this date
Gaétan Duchesne, 44. Canadian hockey player. Mr. Duchesne, a native of Quebec City, played left wing with the Washington Capitals (1981-87); Quebec Nordiques (1987-89); Minnesota North Stars (1989-93); San Jose Sharks (1993-95); and Florida Panthers (1995), scoring 433 points on 179 goals and 254 assists in 1,028 regular season games and 14 goals and 13 assists in 84 playoff games. He died of a heart attack.

Crime
Seung-Hui Cho, 23, a South Korean-born senior undergraduate student, gunned down 32 people at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and wounded 17 before committing suicide.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Conference Quarter-Finals
Buffalo 3 @ New York Islanders 2 (Buffalo led best-of-seven series 2-1)
New Jersey 2 @ Tampa Bay 3 (Tampa Bay led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Nashville 1 @ San Jose 3 (San Jose led best-of-seven series 2-1)