April 7, 2017

250 years ago
1767

War
Burmese troops completed the sacking of the Siamese city of Ayutthaya, ending the Burmese–Siamese War.

130 years ago
1887

Economics and finance
The British Columbia Legislature passed An Act to aid the Development of Quartz Mines, allowing cash advances to $60,000 and a $12,000 grant to erectors of a mill or smelter capable of treating 20 tons of quartz per day.

100 years ago
1917

Born on this date
R. G. Armstrong. U.S. actor. Robert Golden Armstrong, Jr. was a character actor who appeared in numerous movies and television programs--especially Westerns--in a career that spanned more than 50 years. He died on July 27, 2012 at the age of 95.

Died on this date
Spyridon Samaras, 55. Greek composer. Mr. Samaras was perhaps the most important member of the Ionian School of Heptanesian composers who were influenced by the Italian tradition. He was known for his operas, including Flora mirabilis (1886) and Mademoiselle de Belle-Isle (1905). Mr. Samaras also composed the music for the Olympic Hymn, with lyrics by Kostis Palamas.

90 years ago
1927

Television
The image and voice of U.S. Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover were transmitted live from Washington to New York in the first successful long-distance demonstration of television.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Ottawa 0 @ Boston 0 (2 OT) (First game of best-of-three series)

The Senators and Bruins played two 10-minute overtime periods without scoring, and National Hockey League President Frank Calder called the game after the ice at Boston Arena became unplayable. Before the next game two days later, Mr. Calder ruled that the series would go no more than five games, and if the teams were tied after five games, they would share the championship. Ottawa's Alec Connell and Boston's Hal Winkler posted shutouts in goal.

75 years ago
1942

War
German planes attacked Malta and Alexandria, Egypt, while British Royal Air Force bombers attacked the Ruhr and the Rhineland. Japanese trops forced back the centre of the American-Philippine defense line, with heavy casualties on both sides. British troops in Burma retreated more than 40 miles north of Prome after destroying oil and cement installations at Thayetmyo and Allanmyo. U.S. Navy Secretary Frank Knox announced that the Navy would soon accept Negro volunteers, heretofore employed only as messmen, in "reserve components" of the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps for general service in ranks as non-commissioned officers.

Diplomacy
Reports from New Delhi indicated that U.K. Lord Privy Seal Sir Stafford Cripps had made more concessions to Indian leaders, including a promise that an Indian would hold the key defense post if the rest of the Indian Union plan were accepted. Sir Stafford had been sent to India by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Secretary of State for India Leo Amery to secure India's full cooperation in the war effort.

The Vichy French government announced that it had "ordered Ambassador Gaston Henry-Haye to protest to the U.S. State Department against the creation of an American consulate at Brazzaville without obtaining the consent of the legal government of France."

Religion
A report from Stockholm said that virtually all Norwegian clergymen, except Quislings, had resigned as state officials "for reasons of conscience," but would continue to serve their congregations in an unofficial capacity.

Economics and finance
Acting U.S. Secretary of State Sumner Welles and Mexican Foreign Minister Dr. Ezequiel Padilla issued a joint statement in Washington announcing that the United States would aid the development of Mexican industries to speed war production.

U.S. War Production Board Chairman Donald Nelson announced that production of virtually all consumer goods would be halted within three months to speed up conversion to war production.

Labour
Congress of Industrial Organizations President Philip Murray and American Federation of Labor President William Green pledged in Pittsburgh that labour would give its undivided attention to the U.S. war effort with a program of cooperation, maximum production, and no strikes.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Detroit 4 @ Toronto 2 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Don Grosso scored 2 goals for the second straight game for the Red Wings as they beat the Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens.

70 years ago
1947

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Anniversary Song--Al Jolson (4th week at #1)
--Dinah Shore
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
--Tex Beneke with the Glenn Miller Orchestra
--Andy Russell
2 Heartaches--Ted Weems and his Orchestra
--Harry James and his Orchestra
3 Managua, Nicaragua--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
4 Guilty--Margaret Whiting
--Johnny Desmond
5 How are Things in Glocca Morra--Dick Haymes
--Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
--Buddy Clark
--Martha Tilton
6 Linda--Ray Noble and his Orchestra with Buddy Clark
--Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra
7 I'll Close My Eyes--Andy Russell
--Johnny Desmond
8 (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons--King Cole Trio
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
--Dinah Shore
--Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra
9 Jalousie (Jealousy)--Harry James and his Orchestra
--Billy Butterfield and his Orchestra
--Herbie Fields and his Orchestra
10 Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra

The only single entering the chart was His Feet Too Big for De Bed by Stan Kenton and his Orchestra (#21).

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Tom Conway and Nigel Bruce, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Tolling Bell

The Casebook of Gregory Hood, starring Elliott Lewis and Howard McNear, on MBS
Tonight`s episode: The Case of Lover's Lane

Died on this date
Henry Ford, 83. U.S. automobile executive. Mr. Ford built his first automobile in 1896 and founded Ford Motor Company in 1903. Mr. Ford was an early proponent of assembly line manufacturing, which enabled large numbers of cars to be produced quickly and to sell for a price that most people could afford. Ford Motor Company manufactured the Model T from 1908-1927, selling millions of cars, and becoming one of America's wealthiest and most influential men. Mr. Ford began paying his workers a then-unheard of wage of $5 per day in 1914, and introduced a five-day work week in 1926. He published the Dearborn Independent newspaper from 1920-1927, which became a means of spreading anti-Semitic propaganda. Mr. Ford was an economic and political nationalist, and opposed American entry into both world wars; his efforts were unsuccessful. His health failed in later years, but he didn't retire until 1945.

War
In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall, U.S.S.R. Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov accused the United States of violating her 1945 pledge to withdraw her troops from China, arguing that Soviet forces had already been withdrawn, and charging that the presence of foreign soldiers "can but lead to the fanning of the civil war."

Politics and government
Bavarian Communist Party leader Fritz Sperling announced that his party would merge with the U.S.S.R.-sponsored Socialist Unity Party.

Agriculture
The U.S. Agriculture Department announced an emergency allocation of 296,000 long tons of grain for shipment to France, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Egypt, and Latin America.

Economics and finance
Swedish Commerce Minister Gunnar Myrdal was named executive director of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

Labour
American Telephone & Telegraph employees began the first nationwide strike against the Bell System, stopping work in all states except New England, Montana, Virginia, and Indiana, with demands for a $12 weekly wage increase and better fringe benefits. The unions sponsoring the strike were the National Federation of Telephone Workers and several local unions.

60 years ago
1957

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: One More Mile to Go, starring David Wayne, Steve Brodie, and Louise Larabee

This episode was directed by Mr. Hitchcock.

Defense
Washington sources reported that "more than 100,000 persons are engaged in the long-range ballistic missile program," which was expected to cost more than $4 billion before development of the "first proven weapon."

Labour
United Auto Workers of America President Walter Reuther opened the union's annual convention in Atlantic City with a promise of "full support and cooperation" to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Improper Labor-Management Activities.

Protest
The Chilean government cancelled the bus fare increases that had sparked a week of disorders in Valparaiso and Santiago.

Golf
Doug Ford shot a 6-under-par 66 to win the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, finishing with a 5-under-par total of 283, three strokes ahead of Sam Snead. First prize money was $8,750. It was the first Masters with a 36-hole cut.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Boston 123 @ St. Louis 118 (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)

Bob Cousy scored 31 points and Bill Sharman added 24 for the Celtics as they defeated the Hawks at St. Louis Arena. Bob Pettit of the Hawks led all scorers with 33 points.

50 years ago
1967

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Penny Lane--The Beatles (2nd week at #1)

Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 There's a Kind of Hush/No Milk Today--Herman's Hermits (2nd week at #1)
2 A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You--The Monkees
3 Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever--The Beatles
4 Dedicated to the One I Love--The Mamas and the Papas
5 Western Union--The Five Americans
6 Baby I Need Your Lovin'--Johnny Rivers
7 Morningtown Ride--The Seekers
8 Somethin' Stupid--Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra
9 Diamonds and Gold--Willie and the Walkers
10 The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)--Harpers Bizarre
Pick hit of the week: You Got What it Takes--The Dave Clark Five
New this week: Take Me--Brenda Lee
The Wishing Doll--Jackie DeShannon
Shotgun--Wes Dakus
Here Comes My Baby--The Tremeloes
Easy Come, Easy Go--Elvis Presley

Easy Come, Easy Go was the title song of the movie, and was the first track on the six-song extended play soundtrack single.

40 years ago
1977

Died on this date
Siegfried Buback, 57. West German politician. Mr. Buback was West German Attorney General from 1974 until he and his driver were gunned down by members of the Red Army Faction terrorist organization as they sat at a traffic light in Karlsruhe.

Diplomacy
U.S.S.R. leader Leonid Brezhnev and Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat met in Moscow.

Energy
U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced that his administration would "defer indefinitely" all government programs that encouraged the use of plutonium in fuelling commercial nuclear power plants.

Disasters
At least 170 people in four villages were killed when an earthquake struck a mountainous region in western Iran.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Preliminary round
Chicago 1 @ New York Islanders 2 (New York won best-of-three series 2-0)
Pittsburgh 6 @ Toronto 4 (Best-of-three series tied 1-1)
Los Angeles 2 @ Atlanta 3 (Best-of-three series tied 1-1)
Buffalo 7 @ Minnesota 1 (Buffalo won best-of-three series 2-0)

Clark Gillies scored with 5:42 remaining in the 2nd period to break a 1-1 tie as the Islanders eliminated the Black Hawks at Nassau Memorial Veterans Coliseum in Uniondale. Dennis Hull, in what turned out to be his last game as a Black Hawk, opened the scoring with 8:48 remaining in the 1st period, but Jude Drouin tied the score 2 minutes 44 seconds later. Dave Salvian assisted on Mr. Drouin's goal, scoring a point in his only National Hockey League game. It was the last game for Bill White as Chicago's head coach.

Greg Malone scored with 6:03 remaining in regulation time to break a 4-4 tie and Ron Stackhouse scored into an empty net with 37 seconds remaining as the Penguins defeated the Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens.



Eric Vail's goal at 8:47 of the 2nd period held up as the winner as the Flames edged the Kings at Omni Coliseum in Atlanta.

Jim Lorentz scored 3 goals for the Sabres as they eliminated the North Stars at Metropolitan Sports Center in Bloomington.

WHA
Winnipeg 6 @ Calgary 4

Anders Hedberg opened the scoring with his 70th goal of the season and five teammates each scored once as the Jets beat the Cowboys before 3,693 fans at the Stampede Corral. Butch Deadmarsh, Peter Driscoll, Ron Chipperfield, and Don Tannahill scored the Calgary goals. Mr. Tannahill's goal, at 1:42 of the 3rd period, proved to be the last goal of the Calgary franchise, as this turned out to be the Cowboys' last game. They finished the season with a record of 31-43-7, fifth in the Western Division and out of the playoffs.

Baseball
The Chicago White Sox signed pitcher Jim Bouton as a free agent and assigned him to Knoxville of the AA Southern League. Mr. Bouton, 38, had won 21 games with the New York Yankees in 1963, but hadn't pitched in the major leagues since 1970.

The Boston Red Sox released pitcher Mark Bomback, who had been selected by the Red Sox in the 1971 free agent draft, but who had yet to make it to the major leagues.

Doug Ault hit home runs in his first 2 at bats and Alvis Woods homered as a pinch hitter in his first major league plate appearance to help the Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Chicago White Sox 9-5 before 44,649 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto in the first regular season game ever for the expansion Blue Jays. Jerry Johnson allowed 3 hits, 3 bases on balls, and 1 run--earned--in 2 2/3 innings to get the win in relief of starting pitcher Bill Singer, who allowed 11 hits, 3 bases on balls, and 4 runs--3 earned--in 4 1/3 innings. Ken Brett started on the mound for Chicago and allowed 9 hits and 5 runs--all earned--in 3+ innings to take the loss. Richie Zisk, in his first game with the White Sox, hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 1st inning to give Chicago an early lead. Nyls Nyman grounded out as a pinch hitter for Chicago in the 8th inning; it was the 120th and last game of his 4-year major league career. The beginning of the game was delayed in order to clear away snow from the diamond. The game was televised nationally on CBC.





Bump Wills, playing his first major league game, singled home Juan Beniquez with 2 out in the top of the 12th inning to break a 1-1 tie as the Texas Rangers edged the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 before 31,307 fans at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Bert Blyelven allowed 6 hits and struck out 8 batters in pitching a complete game to win the pitchers' duel over Jim Palmer, who allowed 9 hits and 2 earned runs in a complete game. Baltimore designated hitter Eddie Murray made his major league debut, batting 1 for 4.

Frank Duffy drew a base on balls and came around to score on a fielder's choice in the top of the 11th inning to break a 4-4 tie as the Cleveland Indians edged the Boston Red Sox 5-4 before 34,790 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Jim Norris made his major league debut in right field for Cleveland, batting 2 for 6 and making 4 putouts.

Catfish Hunter allowed 3 hits in 7 innings and Sparky Lyle added 2 scoreless innings of relief as the New York Yankees blanked the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 before 43,786 fans at Yankee Stadium. Designated hitter Jim Wynn, playing his first game in a New York uniform, hit a solo home run in the 2nd inning to provide the winning run. For Mr. Wynn, who batted 2 for 3 with a base on balls, it was his 291st and last major league home run. Bill Travers allowed 11 hits and 3 earned runs in 7 2/3 innings to take the loss. It was the first major league game for third base umpire Vic Voltaggio.

Amos Otis batted 4 for 5 with a home run, double, and 3 runs batted in to lead the Kansas City Royals over the Detroit Tigers 7-4 before 46,807 fans at Tiger Stadium. Joe Zdeb made his major league debut in left field for the Royals, batting 1 for 4 with a run and 2 putouts. Steve Kemp made his major league debut with Detroit, striking out as a pinch hitter. Willie Horton played left field for the Tigers, batting 1 for 4 and making 1 putout. It was his first game in the outfield since 1974, and his last game in a Detroit uniform; after being with the Tigers since 1963, he was traded to the Texas Rangers several days later.



Nolan Ryan pitched a 3-hitter, walking 6 batters and striking out 6, as the California Angels blanked the Seattle Mariners 2-0 before 10,144 fans at the Kingdome in Seattle for their second straight shutout. Bobby Grich, the second batter of the game, hit his first home run as an Angel for the winning run. Enrique Romo made his major league debut on the mound for Seattle, allowing 4 hits and 2 earned runs, walking 3 batters and striking out 9 in 7 innings while taking the loss.

30 years ago
1987

Died on this date
Maxine Sullivan, 75. U.S. singer. Miss Sullivan was a jazz singer who performed for more than 40 years, but was best known for her swing version of Loch Lomond (1937). She died after suffering a seizure.

25 years ago
1992

Died on this date
Irvin “Ace” Bailey, 88. Canadian hockey player and coach. Mr. Bailey starred with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1926-1933, scoring 193 points on 111 goals and 82 assists in 313 regular season games and 3 goals and 4 assists in 21 playoff games. He led the National Hockey League in scoring in 1928-29 with 22 goals and 10 assists in 44 games, and was a member of the Maple Leafs' Stanley Cup championship team in 1931-32. Mr. Bailey's career ended on December 12, 1933 when he was hit from behind by Boston Bruins' defenceman Eddie Shore and fractured his skull when his head hit the ice. Mr. Bailey coached the University of Toronto Varsity Blues from 1935-40 and 1945-49, leading the team to three national championships. He also worked as a penalty box timekeeper at Maple Leaf Gardens from 1938-1984. Mr. Bailey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975.

Defense
Iraq agreed to destroy its nuclear weapons complex at Al-Atheer. The International Atomic Energy Agency complained that it was still unable to obtain details of Iraq’s nuclear weapons program.

Diplomacy
The United States and the nations of the European Community recognized the independence of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The U.S.A. also recognized Croatia and Slovenia as independent nations.

Politics and government
Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton won the New York primary for the 1992 Democratic party primary for President of the United States, taking 41% of the vote to 29% for former U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts and 26% for former California Governor Jerry Brown. Mr. Clinton also won primaries in Kansas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Economics and finance
The Canadian Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs announced that the 6,699 business and consumer bankruptcies in February rivalled the record of 6,896 set in October 1991.

20 years ago
1997

Hit parade
Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 One Headlight--The Wallflowers (2nd week at #1)
2 Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)--Aerosmith
3 A Long December--Counting Crows
4 Every Day is a Winding Road--Sheryl Crow
5 You were Meant for Me--Jewel
6 Lovefool--The Cardigans
7 Abuse Me--Silverchair
8 Precious Declaration--Collective Soul
9 Discotheque--U2
10 Dark Horse--Amanda Marshall

Singles entering the chart were Angels and Ordinary Men by Wendy Landis (#86); Clumsy by Our Lady Peace (#87); When I Need You by Rod Stewart (#88); I Don't Want To by Toni Braxton (#91); Freak by Silverchair (#92); Out of My Mind by Duran Duran (#93); It's No Good by Depeche Mode (#94); Alone by the Bee Gees (#95); and Love is All We Need by Mary J. Blige (#96).

10 years ago
2007

Died on this date
Barry Nelson, 89. 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 nine days before his 90th birthday.

Johnny Hart, 76. U.S. cartoonist. Mr. Hart created the comic strip B.C. in 1958 and co-created--with Brant Parker)--the comic strip The Wizard of Id in 1964. Mr. Hart developed strong Christian convictions from the mid-1980s on, and increasingly wove Christian themes into his work, which sometimes resulted in censorship on the part of nice, liberal, tolerant newspapers. Mr. Hart was still active when he had a fatal stroke at his drawing table.