May 30, 2017

175 years ago
1842

Crime
John Francis attempted to murder Queen Victoria as she drove down Constitution Hill in London with Prince Albert.

125 years ago
1892

Boxing
Peter Jackson (60-3-3-30-2) of Australia won the British Empire heavyweight title by knocking out fellow Australian Frank Slavin (34-3-5-19) in the 10th round at National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London.

110 years ago
1907

Albertana
King Edward VII granted Alberta's Coat of Arms by Royal Warrant, described as: Azure in front of a Range of Snow Mountains proper, a Range of Hills Vert, in base a Wheat Field surmounted by a Prairie both also proper, on a Chief Argent, a St. George's Cross.

100 years ago
1917

Auto racing
Louis Chevrolet, averaging 102.181 miles per hour, won the 250-mile Sharonville Sweepstakes at Cincinnati Motor Speedway. The Indianapolis 500 wasn't held in 1917, so this race took its place for Memorial Day.

90 years ago
1927

Scandal
Police in Lethbridge, Alberta arrested a local evangelist for bootlegging after they discovered that his travel church--a trailer towed behind his car--was actually a working distillery.

Auto racing
George Souders won the Indianapolis 500, averaging 111.551 miles per hour and winning by 8 laps, the largest margin since 1913. He was the first driver to win the race by driving the entire distance without a relief driver or riding mechanic.



80 years ago
1937

On the radio
Repertory Theater of the Air
Tonight’s episode: R.U.R.

R.U.R. was a play written in Czech by Karel Čapek. Premiering in 1921, it introduced the word "robot" to the English language.

Protest
Chicago police shot and killed 10 labour demonstrators, injured 30, and left 28 with serious head injuries from police clubbing during the "Little Steel Strike."

75 years ago
1942

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Tangerine--Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra (4th week at #1)

War
The Mexican Senate followed the previous day's Chamber of Deputies action in voting unanimously to declare war on Germany, Italy, and Japan. British and Canadian planes ravaged Cologne in World War II's first 1,000-plane bomber raid. Over 500 Canadians were involved in the 90-minute saturation attack aimed at crippling Nazi war production; the gothic Cologne Cathedral was miraculously left standing. The Battle of Kharkov ended in a major German victory with the capture of an estimated 200,000 Russian troops. U.K. tank and motorized forces mounted a counter-attack against German forces southwest of Tobruk, Libya.

70 years ago
1947

At the movies
Moss Rose, directed by Gregory Ratoff, and starring Peggy Cummins, Victor Mature, and Ethel Barrymore, opened in theatres.



Died on this date
Shorty Cantlon, 43. U.S. auto racing driver. William Cantlon competed in the Indianapolis 500 11 times from 1930-1947, with a best result of second in 1930. He was killed on lap 40 of the Indianapolis 500 when he swerved to avoid the spinning car of Bill Holland and crashed into the wall.

War
French forces in Madagascar captured Samuel Rakodontrabe, alleged leader of the colony's nationalist rebellion.

Labour
The French General Confederation of Labour urged a relaxation of the government's wage-freezing policy as workers staged short strikes in five industries to enforce wage demands.

Disasters
An Eastern Air Lines DC-4 crashed near Fort Deposit, Maryland, killing all 53 passengers in the worst U.S. air disaster to date.

Auto racing
Mauri Rose, who had shared victory in the Indianapolis 500 with Floyd Davis in 1941, won the race by himself for the first time, averaging 116.338 miles per hour. He passed teammate Bill Holland late in the race, as Mr. Holland, apparently believing he was a lap ahead of Mr. Rose, waved Mr. Rose ahead of him.



60 years ago
1957

Diplomacy
The U.S. State Department ordered Lieutenant Karoly Meszaros, assistant military attache of the Hungarian legation in Washington, to leave the United States, in retaliation for the expulsion of U.S. diplomatic personnel from Budapest.

Politics and government
Prince Souvanna Phouma resigned as Prime Minister of Laos.

Protest
8 people were killed, 70 injured, and 400 arrested in a riot in Beirut by opponents of Lebanese Prime Minister Sami el Solh's pro-Western government.

Auto racing
Sam Hanks won the Indianapolis 500, with an average speed of 135.601 miles per hour. It was his 13th attempt at winning the race, and he announced in victory lane that this was the last time he would participate in the event.



50 years ago
1967

Died on this date
G.W. Pabst, 81. Austrian film director. Georg Wilhelm Pabst's movies included The Joyless Street (1925); Pandora's Box (1929); Diary of a Lost Girl (1929); The Threepenny Opera (1931); and Kameradschaft (1931).

Claude Rains, 77. U.K.-born U.S. actor. Mr. Rains had a distinguished stage career in England before moving to the United States in the early 1930s, and achieving success in movies, starring in The Invisible Man (1933), and receiving Academy Award nominations for his supporting performances in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939); Casablanca (1942); Mr. Skeffington (1944); and Notorious (1946).

Africana
Nigeria's Eastern Region seceded as the independent Republic of Biafra, sparking a civil war.

Defense
Egyptian President Gamal Nasser and King Hussein of Jordan signed a joint defense agreement in Cairo.

Auto racing
The Indianapolis 500 was suspended after 18 laps because of rain, with Parnelli Jones leading; the race was completed the next day.

40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Amayadori--Masashi Sada (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Gavilán o Paloma--Pablo Abraira (6th week at #1)

Died on this date
Wells Twombly, 41. U.S. sportswriter. Mr. Twombly was a columnist with several newspapers before joining the San Francisco Examiner in 1969, and becoming known as one of America's most literate sports columnists, and one who frequently questioned the values and ethics of sports. This blogger regularly read Mr. Twombly's column in The Sporting News in the mid-1970s, and he was my favourite of that newspaper's writers. Unfortunately, Mr. Twombly drank himself to death.

Music
The single Honkin' Down the Highway/Solar System by the Beach Boys was released on Brother/Reprise Records.

Diplomacy
U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter, acting as personal emissary of her husband, President Jimmy Carter, began a 13-day visit to seven Central and South American countries, where she reviewed political and economic questions with heads of government and other officials.

Baseball
Dennis Eckersley pitched a no-hitter, walking just 1 batter and striking out 12, to win the pitchers' duel over Frank Tanana as the Cleveland Indians edged the California Angels 1-0 before 13,400 fans at Cleveland Stadium. Mr. Tanana allowed just 5 hits as his record for the season dropped to 8-2. The only run scored in the 1st inning when Duane Kuiper tripled with 1 out and scored on a sacrifice squeeze bunt by Jim Norris.



Paul Splittorff allowed 5 hits and 1 earned run in 7 1/3 innings to lead the Kansas City Royals over the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 before 20,002 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. Toronto catcher Phil Roof batted 0 for 3 and made 4 putouts and an assist, participating in a double play, in the 857th and last game of his 15-year major league career.

Reggie Jackson and Graig Nettles hit home runs to help the New York Yankees edge the Boston Red Sox 5-4 before 35,521 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Carlton Fisk homered for the Red Sox. Mike Torrez pitched a 7-hit complete game, allowing 3 earned runs, to win the pitchers' duel with Bill Lee, who also pitched a complete game. The game was the national telecast of Monday Night Baseball on ABC, and a memorable moment occurred when sportscaster Howard Cosell turned around to accept a hot dog that was offered to him, only to be struck in the chest at that moment by a foul ball off the bat of Boston third baseman Butch Hobson.

Lee May batted 4 for 5 with 2 home runs, a double, 3 runs, and 5 runs batted in to help the Baltimore Orioles defeat the Minnesota Twins 9-7 before 16,065 fans at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington.

Dave Collins and Bill Stein hit home runs in the first game and Carlos Lopez hit 2 homers in the second game to help the Seattle Mariners sweep a doubleheader from the Texas Rangers 7-4 and 9-3 before 17,844 fans at Arlington Stadium.

Steve Rogers and Stan Bahnsen were the respective winning pitchers as the Montreal Expos swept a Memorial Day doubleheader from the New York Mets 5-1 and 3-2 before 41,033 fans at Shea Stadium in New York. Tony Perez hit a 2-run home run in the first game and Andre Dawson hit a 2-run homer for Montreal in the second game.



Lou Brock and Ken Reitz each batted 4 for 5 as the St. Louis Cardinals routed the Chicago Cubs 14-0 before 25,241 fans at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis. Pete Falcone pitched a 6-hit shutout for the Cardinals.

Mike Ivie batted 2 for 5 with 2 doubles in the first game and 5 for 5 with 3 doubles in the second game, while George Hendrick hit a home run in each game to help the San Diego Padres sweep a doubleheader from the San Francisco Giants 12-8 and 9-8 before 25,807 fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: Let it Be--Ferry Aid (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Multimix--The Communards (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Crockett's Theme--Jan Hammer (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Crockett's Theme--Jan Hammer (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Hold Me Now--Johnny Logan (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now--Starship (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now--Starship (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): With or Without You--U2 (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 With or Without You--U2 (3rd week at #1)
2 The Lady in Red--Chris DeBurgh
3 Always--Atlantic Starr
4 You Keep Me Hangin' On--Kim Wilde
5 Looking for a New Love--Jody Watley
6 Head to Toe--Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
7 Big Love--Fleetwood Mac
8 Wanted Dead or Alive--Bon Jovi
9 Heat of the Night--Bryan Adams
10 I Know What I Like--Huey Lewis and the News

Singles entering the chart were Rhythm is Gonna Get You by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine (#64); Wot's it to Ya by Robbie Nevil (#71); Girls, Girls, Girls by Motley Crue (#78); She Don't Look Back by Dan Fogelberg (#83); Right Next Door (Because of Me) by the Robert Cray Band (#85); and Back in the High Life Again by Steve Winwood (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 (I Just) Died in Your Arms--Cutting Crew (3rd week at #1)
2 With or Without You--U2
3 La Isla Bonita--Madonna
4 Lean on Me--Club Nouveau
5 Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room)--Paul Lekakis
6 Looking for a New Love--Jody Watley
7 Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now--Starship
8 Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You--Glenn Medeiros
9 Heat of the Night--Bryan Adams
10 Moonlight Desires--Gowan

Singles entering the chart were Funkytown by Pseudo Echo (#87); Girls, Girls, Girls by Motley Crue (#91); Every Little Kiss by Bruce Hornsby and the Range (#93); Give Me All Night by Carly Simon (#95); and Dirty Looks by Diana Ross (#96).

Politics and government
The Soviet Politburo dismissed Defense Minister Marshal Sergei Sokolov and Major Aleksandr Koldunov, commander-in-chief of air defense, in reaction to the previous day’s event, when 19-year-old West German Mathias Rust had flown a small plane from Helsinki across 400 miles of Soviet air space and landed in Moscow’s Red Square, a few yards from the Kremlin Wall. General Dimitri Yazov was named the new defense minister.

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): To Be with You--Mr. Big (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Kimi ga iru dakede--Kome Club (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Rhythm is a Dancer--Snap!

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Please Don't Go--Double You (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Please Don't Go--Double You (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Joy--François Feldman (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Please Don't Go--Double You (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Chart Information Network): Please Don't Go/Game Boy--KWS (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Jump--Kris Kross (6th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)--En Vogue (2nd week at #1)
2 Jump--Kris Kross
3 Under the Bridge--Red Hot Chili Peppers
4 One--U2
5 Bohemian Rhapsody--Queen
6 Live and Learn--Joe Public
7 Let's Get Rocked--Def Leppard
8 Save the Best for Last--Vanessa Williams
9 In the Closet--Michael Jackson
10 Damn I Wish I was Your Lover--Sophie B. Hawkins

Singles entering the chart were This is the Way We Roll by Hammer (#83); Last Train to Trancentral by the KLF (#86); Just for Tonight by Vanessa Williams (#89); Make You a Believer by Sass Jordan (#91); Fall in Love Again by Eddie Money (#93); Bad Luck by Social Distortion (#94); and Why by Annie Lennox (#96).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 One--U2 (4th week at #1)
2 Sinking Like a Sunset--Tom Cochrane
3 If You Asked Me To--Celine Dion
4 Let's Get Rocked--Def Leppard
5 Human Touch--Bruce Springsteen
6 Lift Me Up--Howard Jones
7 Under the Bridge--Red Hot Chili Peppers
8 Constant Craving--k.d. lang
9 Damn I Wish I was Your Lover--Sophie B. Hawkins
10 Hold on My Heart--Genesis

Singles entering the chart were Nu Nu by Lidell Townsell (#76): When Lovers Become Strangers by Cher (#77); The Best Things in Life are Free by Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson (#79); Weight of the World by Ringo Starr (#81); Back in the Hand by Corey Hart (#83); and Love of My Life by Carly Simon (#88). The Best Things in Life are Free was from the movie Mo' Money (1992).

Music
Procol Harum and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra performed the second of two concerts at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. This blogger, who had been at the concert the previous night, sneaked in to hear the encore.

Politics and government
Canadian constitutional reform talks in Ottawa broke up with agreement upon a distinct society clause for Québec and native self-government, as well as more provincial powers in immigration, job training, and culture.

Economics and finance
Canada backed United Nations sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro: oil imports, air flights, all trade except food and medicine.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Pittsburgh 1 @ Chicago 0 (Pittsburgh led best-of-seven series 3-0)

20 years ago
1997

Hit parade
#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Lonely--Nana (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Bailando--Paradisio (6th week at #1)

On the radio
Morningside, hosted by Peter Gzowski, on CBC

Mr. Gzowski signed off on his last show in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where he got his start as a journalist. He presided over 3,000 hours of radio and conducted 27,000 interviews for Morningside over 15 years.

Crime
Child molester Jesse K. Timmendequas was convicted in Trenton, New Jersey of raping and strangling a 7-year-old neighbour, Megan Kanka. The case inspired "Megan's Law," which requires that communities be notified when sex offenders move in.

Business
Ohio-based Comair agreed to purchase 30 Canadair Regional Jets from Bombardier for $600 million, with an option for a further $600 million.

Hockey
NHL
Lawyer and Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden was appointed President of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

10 years ago
2007

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Ottawa 0 @ Anaheim 1 (Anaheim led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Samuel Pahlsson scored unassisted with 5:44 left in regulation time to give the Ducks their win over the Senators at Honda Center. Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastian Giguere faced just 16 shots in posting the shutout.