April 18, 2017

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Mila Levashova!

170 years ago
1847

War
U.S. troops commanded by General Winfield Scott defeated Mexican troops led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna in the Battle of Cerro Gordo near Xalapa, Veracruz.

160 years ago
1857

Religion
Le Livre des Esprits (The Spirits Book) by Allan Kardec was published; it was the first and most important Spiritist work, and is regarded as one of the five fundamental works of Spiritism.

120 years ago
1897

War
War was declared between Greece and the Ottoman Empire.

100 years ago
1917

Born on this date
Ty LaForest. Canadian-born U.S. baseball player. Mr. LaForest, a native of Edmundston, New Brunswick, was a third baseman with the Boston Red Sox in 1945, batting .250 with 2 home runs and 16 runs batted in in 52 games. He came down with pneumonia in the winter of 1946; after suffering a heart attack during spring training in 1947, he died on May 5, 1947, 17 days after his 30th birthday.

75 years ago
1942

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Moonlight Cocktail--Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (8th week at #1)

War
U.S. Army Brigadier General James Doolittle led a squadron of B-52 bombers in a raid on the Japanese cities of Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagoya. It was the first time that Japan proper had been bombed.





7 of 12 new four-engine U.K. Royal Air Force Lancaster bombers were shot down in low-altitude raids over Augsburg, Germany, but the factory there, which manufactured half of the diesel engines used by the German submarine fleet, was reported damaged. Cebu City on Cebu Island in the Philippines fell to Japanese troops after fierce fighting. U.S. Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall said that U.S. bombers and pilots would soon be assisting the Royal Air Force and that "inevitably there would be American troops in commando raids." U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the War Manpower Commission of nine members under the chairmanship of Paul McNutt "to bring about effective mobilization and the maximum use of the nation's manpower" in the war's prosecution.

Politics and government
Pierre Laval took office as Prime Minister of Vichy France.

Diplomacy
Cuban President Fulgencio Batista signed a decree barring all nationals of Axis powers from his country.

Oil
The U.S.A. and Mexico agreed to value U.S. oil properties seized by Mexico in 1938 at $23,995, 991.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Detroit 1 @ Toronto 3 (Toronto won best-of-seven series 4-3)

Sweeney Schriner scored 2 goals and Pete Langelle scored the winning goal at 9:48 of the 3rd period before a record crowd of more than 16,000 at Maple Leaf Gardens as the Maple Leafs became the first team to win a Stanley Cup series after losing the first three games. Syd Howe scored the game’s first goal for Detroit.

70 years ago
1947

Died on this date
Jozef Tiso, 59. President of Slovakia, 1939-1945. Monsignor Tiso, a Roman Catholic priest during his entire political career, joined the Slovak People's Party in December 1918. After the German annexation and occupation of Sudetenland in 1938, Msgr. Tiso served as Prime Minister of the Autonomous Slvak Regon from October 7, 1938-March 9, 1939. He took office as President of Slovakia on October 26, 1939. On July 28, 1940 at a conference in Salzburg, Austria, it was agreed to establish a National Socialist government in Slovakia. Msgr. Tiso led the government until April 3, 1945, when Slovakia was conquered by Soviet forces. Msgr. Tiso was hanged in Bratislava, three days after being convicted by the Czechoslovak National Court (Národný súd) and sentenced to death for "state treason, betrayal of the antifascist partisan insurrection and collaboration with Nazism."

War
British authorities used 3,500 tons of explosives to raze German fortifications and naval facilities on the North Sea island of Heligoland.

Diplomacy
With the U.S.S.R. and Poland abstaining, the United Nations Security Council approved a U.S. resolution ordering the Balkan Inquiry Commission to maintain observers in the Balkans pending Council action. The Security Council rejected a Polish amendment requiring that U.S. aid to Greece be distributed without prejudice "because of race, creed or political belief."

Terrorism
In response to the April 16 execution by British authorities in Palestine of Dov Bela Gruner and three other Irgun Zvai members, other Irgun Zvai terrorists attacked a field dressing station near Nathanya and an armoured car in Tel Aviv, causing two deaths.

Baseball
Burt Shotton took over from Clyde Sukeforth as manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgers had won their first 2 games under Mr. Sukeforth, who replaced Leo Durocher, who had been suspended by Commissioner Happy Chandler for the entire 1947 season.

60 years ago
1957

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Music Vendor)
1 All Shook Up--Elvis Presley
2 Little Darlin'--The Diamonds
--The Gladiolas
3 Round and Round
4 Party Doll--Buddy Knox
--Steve Lawrence
--Wingy Manone and his Orchestra
5 Gone--Ferlin Husky
--Joan Weber
--B. Wayne
6 Mama Look a Boo Boo--Harry Belafonte
--Calypso Carnival featuring King Flash
--Robert Mitchum
7 Come Go with Me--The Dell-Vikings
--Sunny Gale
8 Butterfly--Andy Williams
--Charlie Gracie
--Billy Williams
--Bob Carroll
9 Why Baby Why--Pat Boone
10 Teen-Age Crush--Tommy Sands

Music
The Big Show, headlined by Fats Domino and Chuck Berry, performed at Ottawa Auditorium.

War
United Nations information officers in Cairo reported that UN forces commander General E.L.M. Burns had filed five complaints with Israel and two with Egypt charging truce violations in the Gaza area since the start of UN patrols along the border.

Diplomacy
Charging that "ingrown Stalinist tendencies" had made Soviet leaders perpetuate "their old beliefs about the relations between socialist states," Yugoslavian President Marshal Yosip Tito said that it was essential for Yugoslavia to adhere to its own course and not to be drawn into any "camp."

Charles Bohlen left Moscow after nearly four years as U.S. Ambassador to the U.S.S.R.

Defense
U.S. Defense Secretary Charles Wilson and Air Force Secretary Donald Quarles announced that production of B-52 jet bombers would be slowed in the wake of new intelligence estimates that the U.S.S.R. had fewer intercontinental bombers than previously believed.

Politics and government
Argentine authorities released 91 top Communist Party leaders.

Society
The Florida Senate completed action on a resolution declaring U.S. Supreme Court decisions on school desegregation "null and void" in the state.

Environment
The Japanese Welfare Ministry warned that Japan's atmosphere was "rapidly becoming contaminated" from Soviet nuclear tests and that drinking water should be boiled and all fresh fruit and vegetables washed.

50 years ago
1967

On television tonight
The Invaders, starring Roy Thinnes, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Moonshot



Economics and finance
The Manitoba government of Premier Duff Roblin imposed a 5% sales tax, effective June 1, 1967.

Labour
The Union of Québec Specialized Education Teachers was convicted of contempt of court and fined $2,000 after 2,300 teachers had rejected a 1966 court injunction forbidding them to strike.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Chicago 1 @ Toronto 3 (Toronto won best-of-seven series 4-2)

Brian Conacher, who hadn't scored in 22 games, scored 2 goals, and Pete Stemkowski added another for the Maple Leafs as they eliminated the Black Hawks at Maple Leaf Gardens. Terry Sawchuk was brilliant again in goal for Toronto; for Chicago goalie Glenn Hall, it was his last game in a Chicago uniform.

CPHL
Adams Cup
Finals
Oklahoma City 5 @ Omaha 3 (Oklahoma City led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Philadelphia 124 @ San Francisco 130 (Philadelphia led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Rick Barry scored 55 points and Jim King added 28 as the Warriors beat the 76ers at San Francisco Civic Auditorium. Wilt Chamberlain led the 76ers with 26 points, but missed 7 of 9 free throws, which was the difference in the game.

40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Don't Give Up on Us--David Soul

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Carmen '77--Pink Lady (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): If You Leave Me Now--Chicago (2nd week at #1)

Energy
U.S. President Jimmy Carter delivered a nationally-televised address, calling for a concerted national effort to limit the use of energy. He said that the national energy program should involve citizens in "the moral equivalent of war," because "with the exception of preventing war," the energy crisis "is the greatest challenge that our country will face during our lifetimes." Sacrifices and changes would be required "in every life."

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: Electrica Salsa--OFF (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Walk Like an Egyptian--Bangles

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Respectable--Mel and Kim (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Sailing Home--Piet Veerman (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): The Irish Rover--The Pogues and the Dubliners

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Let it Be--Ferry Aid (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Let it Be--Ferry Aid (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): I Knew You were Waiting (For Me)--Aretha Franklin and George Michael

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now--Starship (3rd week at #1)
2 I Knew You were Waiting (For Me)--Aretha Franklin and George Michael
3 Lean on Me--Club Nouveau
4 Sign 'o' the Times--Prince
5 Don't Dream it's Over--Crowded House
6 Come Go with Me--Expose
7 Tonight, Tonight, Tonight--Genesis
8 Midnight Blue--Lou Gramm
9 The Finer Things--Steve Winwood
10 Walking Down Your Street--Bangles

Singles entering the chart were Black Dog by Newcity Rockers (#86); We are What We Are by the Other Ones (#87); Young Blood by Bruce Willis (#88) Baby Grand by Billy Joel featuring Ray Charles (#89); and Should I See by Frozen Ghost (#90).

Canada’s top 10 (RPM)
1 Lean on Me--Club Nouveau (2nd week at #1)
2 Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now--Starship
3 Somewhere Out There--Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram
4 Don't Dream it's Over--Crowded House
5 Touch Me (I Want Your Body)--Samantha Fox
6 I Knew You were Waiting (For Me)--Aretha Franklin and George Michael
7 The Final Countdown--Europe
8 Wild Horses--Gino Vannelli
9 Let's Go!--Wang Chung
10 Montego Bay--Amazulu

Singles entering the chart were Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi (#87); Do Ya Do Ya (Wanna Please Me) by Samantha Fox (#88); You Keep Me Hangin' On by Kim Wilde (#91); Serious by Donna Allen (#92); Ship of Fools by World Party (#94); If She Would Have Been Faithful by Chicago (#95); Lethal Weapon by Honeymoon Suite (#97); and Don't Give Up by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush (#98).

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
New York Islanders 3 @ Washington 2 (4 OT) (New York won best-of-seven series 4-3)

Pat Lafontaine’s goal at 8:47 of the 4th overtime period gave the Islanders the game and the series at Capital Center in Landover, Maryland. Kelly Hrudey won a brilliant goaltending duel over Bob Mason. One of the reasons the game went so long was because referee Andy Van Hellemond didn’t have the guts to call any penalties in overtime.

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Under the Bridge--Red Hot Chili Peppers

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Kanashimi hayuki no yoni--Shogo Hamada (10th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Why--Annie Lennox

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Quimica--Chimo Bayo (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): She Goes Nana--The Radios (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): You--Ten Sharp (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Under the Bridge--Red Hot Chili Peppers (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Chart Information Network): Deeply Dippy--Right Said Fred

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Save the Best for Last--Vanessa Williams (5th week at #1)

U.S. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Save the Best for Last--Vanessa Williams (3rd week at #1)
2 Tears in Heaven--Eric Clapton
3 Masterpiece--Atlantic Starr
4 Make it Happen--Mariah Carey
5 Remember the Time--Michael Jackson
6 I Can't Dance--Genesis
7 Thinkin' Back--Color Me Badd
8 Too Much Passion--Smithereens
9 Everything Changes--Kathy Troccoli
10 To Be with You--Mr. Big

Singles entering the chart were Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg by TLC (#48); Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot (#78); and Goodbye by Tevin Campbell (#89).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Tears in Heaven--Eric Clapton (2nd week at #1)
2 Thought I'd Died and Gone to Heaven--Bryan Adams
3 Hazard--Richard Marx
4 Human Touch--Bruce Springsteen
5 Save the Best for Last--Vanessa Williams
6 One--U2
7 To Be with You--Mr. Big
8 Make it Happen--Mariah Carey
9 Ain't it Heavy--Melissa Etheridge
10 Justified & Ancient--The KLF (featuring Tammy Wynette)

Singles entering the chart were If You Asked Me To by Celine Dion (#53); Just Take My Heart by Mr. Big (#78); Brand New Set of Lies by Lost and Profound (#83); Feels Like Forever by Joe Cocker (#89); My Lovin' (Never Gonna Get It) by En Vogue (#91); Set This House on Fire by Jamie Dakota (#93); The Life of Riley by Lightning Seeds (#95); and Now More Than Ever by John Mellencamp (#97).

World events
General Abdul Rashid Dostum revolted against President Mohammad Najibullah of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and allied with Ahmad Shah Massoud to capture Kabul.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
Minnesota 4 @ Detroit 3 (Minnesota led best-of-seven series 1-0)
St. Louis 1 @ Chicago 3 (Chicago led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Winnipeg 3 @ Vancouver 2 (Winnipeg led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Edmonton 3 @ Los Angeles 1 (Edmonton led best-of-seven series 1-0)

20 years ago
1997

Hit parade
#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Warum?--Tic Tac Toe (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Do You Wanna Be My Baby?--Per Gessle

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

10 years ago
2007

At the movies
Two days before it officially opened in theatres, this blogger attended a preview screening of Fracture, starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling.

Terrorism
A series of bombings, two of them being suicides, occurred in Baghdad, killing 198 and injuring 251.

Law
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling, upheld a federal ban on partial-birth abortion.

Politics and government
Québec Premier Jean Charest appointed Canada's first sex-balanced cabinet, made up of nine men and nine women. He appointed Yolande James, the first Negro woman elected to the National Assembly of Québec, to the Immigration and Cultural Communities portfolio, making her the province's first Negro cabinet minister.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Conference Quarter-Finals
Buffalo 4 @ New York Islanders 2 (Buffalo led best-of-seven series 3-1)
Atlanta 2 @ New York Rangers 4 (New York won best-of-seven series 4-0)
New Jersey 4 @ Tampa Bay 3 (OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)
Nashville 2 @ San Jose 3 (San Jose led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Scott Gomez scored 12:54 into the 1st overtime period to give the Devils their win over the Lightning at St. Petersburg Times Forum.

Baseball
Mark Buehrle pitched a no-hitter, Jermaine Dye hit a grand slam, and Jim Thome hit 2 solo home runs as the Chicago White Sox shut out the Texas Rangers 6-0 before 25,390 fans at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

The Kansas City Royals scored 2 runs in the top of the 9th to tie the game, and John Buck led off the top of the 10th with a home run to break a 3-3 tie as the Royals edged the Detroit Tigers 4-3 before 27,945 fans at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Chris Snelling led off the bottom of the 13th inning with an infield single, advanced to third base on a double by Mike Restovich, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Felipe Lopez to give the Washington Nationals a 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies before 18,584 fans at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington.

Rich Aurilia singled home Randy Winn with 2 out in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the San Francisco Giants a 6-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals before 40,532 fans at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

The Arizona Diamondbacks scored 3 runs with 2 out in the top of the 12th inning to break a 2-2 tie and defeat the San Diego Padres 6-5 before 26,872 fans at PetCo Park in San Diego.