June 14, 2017

350 years ago
1667

War
The Raid on the Medway by the Dutch fleet near Chatham, England ended after five days, resulting in the worst ever defeat of the Royal Navy.

240 years ago
1777

Americana
The Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag.

210 years ago
1807

War
Emperor Napoleon I's French Grande Armée defeated the Russian Army in the Battle of Friedland in Poland (modern Russian Kaliningrad Oblast), ending the War of the Fourth Coalition.

150 years ago
1867

Politics and government
The Haitian National Assembly adopted a constitution which abolished the Presidency for life, the duration of the authority vested in the Chief of the Executive Power being fixed at four years. On the same day, Protector of the Republic General Sylvain Salnave was elected President.

130 years ago
1887

Transportation
The Canadian Pacific steamer SS Abyssinia arrived back in Vancouver harbour with a cargo of tea, first class passengers, and the first transpacific mail after a 14-day trip from Yokohama, Japan; it was the first passenger ship from the Orient to dock at Vancouver. Her passengers reached Montreal on June 27.

125 years ago
1892

Disasters
A tornado raged down the Ottawa Valley between Renfrew and Montréal, killing 12 people.

110 years ago
1907

Abominations
Norway granted women the right to vote.

90 years ago
1927

Died on this date
Jerome K. Jerome, 68. U.K. author. Mr. Jerome was known for his humourous writings, especially his travelogue Three Men in a Boat (1889). He died two weeks after suffering a stroke and cerebral hemorrhage.

80 years ago
1937

On the radio
The Happy Gang, on CRCT

This was the first broadcast of the long-running lunchtime program, hosted by Bert Pearl. CRCT was a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation affiliate in Toronto; the program and the station moved to the CBC network four months later.

Americana
Pennsylvania became the first (and only) state to celebrate Flag Day officially as a state holiday.

Economics and finance
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Marihuana Tax Act.

75 years ago
1942

Diplomacy
Mexico and the Philippines became the 27th and 28th members of the United Nations when their representatives signed the United Nations pact of January 1 at the White House in Washington.

Labour
The U.S. Fair Employment Practices Commission ruled that two Chicago locals of the American Federation of Labor Steamfitters Protective Association and Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union had prevented Negroes from working on defense contracts.

70 years ago
1947

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Mam'selle--Art Lund (2nd week at #1)

Theatre
Life with Father set a record with 3,183 consecutive performances on Broadway in New York.

Politics and government
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities denounced the Southern Conference on Human Welfare, which had invited former U.S. Vice President Henry Wallace to speak in Washington, as a "deviously camouflaged Communist front."

Economics and finance
U.S.S.R. authorities in Germany announced the formation of a German Economic Commission to advise economic agencies in the Soviet occupation zone of Germany.

Golf
The fourth round of the U.S. Open at St. Louis Country Club in Ladue, Missouri concluded with Lew Worsham and Sam Snead tied for the lead with 2-under-par scores of 282, necessitating an 18-hole playoff the following day.

60 years ago
1957

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Bambino--Dalida (11th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Yes Tonight, Josephine--Johnnie Ray (2nd week at #1)

At the movies
Tammy and the Bachelor, starring Debbie Reynolds, Walter Brennan, and Leslie Nielsen, opened in theatres.



World events
A Haitian military junta headed by General Antonio Kebreau ousted provisional President Daniel Fignole on the grounds that he had undermined the morale of the armed forces and imperiled Haiti's "internal security" during his brief rule.

The People's Republic of China released U.S. Jesuit missionaries Rev. Charles McCarthy and Rev. John Houle on completion of their four-year sentences for espionage.

Defense
The U.S.S.R. accepted Western demands for an international system to enforce any future agreement on the suspension of nuclear tests.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Senate passed and sent to the House of Representatives a $3.84-billion foreign aid authorization bill, including provisions for the creation of a $2 billion fund for overseas economic development loans.

Religion
The United Presbyterian Church, meeting in New Concord, Ohio, voted to merge with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

50 years ago
1967

Hit parade
Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 This is My Song--Petula Clark (2nd week at #1)
2 When I was Young--Eric Burdon & the Animals
3 Somethin' Stupid--Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra
4 Puppet on a String--Sandie Shaw
5 A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You--The Monkees
6 The Girls in Paris--Lee Hazlewood
7 New York Mining Disaster 1941--Bee Gees
8 Ciao Baby--Lynne Randell
9 The Happening--The Supremes
10 Dedicated to the One I Love--The Mamas and the Papas

Singles entering the chart were Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon by Neil Diamond (#35); Buried and Dead by Masters Apprentices (#37); It Takes Two by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston (#38); and Sweet Soul Music by Arthur Conley (#40).

At the movies
To Sir, with Love, starring Sidney Poitier, opened in theatres.



Music
Simon & Garfunkel were at Columbia Studios in New York City, where they recorded the song You Don't Know Where Your Interest Lies.

Space
The United States launched the probe Mariner 5 from Cape Kennedy, Florida toward Venus.

Politics and government
Alexander Trowbridge took office as U.S. Secretary of Commerce; he had been acting Secretary since January 19, replacing the departed John T. Connor.

40 years ago
1977

Died on this date
Robert Middleton, 66. U.S. actor. Mr. Middleton, born Samuel Messer, was one of this blogger's favourite character actors in movies such as The Desperate Hours (1955); The Court Jester (1955); and A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966), and in numerous television programs, usually playing villains. He also played Mr. Marshall, Ralph Kramden's boss in several Honeymooners sketches on The Jackie Gleason Show in the 1950s. Mr. Middleton died of congestive heart failure.

Politics and government
Voting in state and territorial elections in India concluded with the Janata Party winning eight of ten state governments and one of two territorial governments up for election. Nine of the ten had states had been controlled by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's Indian National Congress Party. A coalition of five left-wing parties led by the Communist Party (Marxist) won in West Bengal, while a regional party won in Tamil Nadu.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Toronto (0-0-1) 7 @ Ottawa (0-0-1) 7

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Livin' On a Prayer--Bon Jovi

#1 single in Switzerland: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)--Whitney Houston

#1 single in France: Viens boire un p'tit coup à la maison--License IV (10th week at #1)

Died on this date
Curt Boettcher, 43. U.S. record producer and songwriter. Mr. Boettcher (he spelled his name "Becher" at times) was one of the most skilled and innovative producers of pop music recordings in the United States in the mid-1960s. His productions included the debut album by the Association as well as a group he formed called The Millennium, and another studio group called Sagittarius. In the late 1970s, Mr. Boettcher worked briefly with the Beach Boys.

Religion
Pope John Paul II concluded his visit to Poland with a mass in Warsaw.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Boston 93 @ Los Angeles Lakers 106 (Los Angeles won best-of-seven series 4-2)

The Lakers outscored the Celtics 30-12 in the 3rd quarter before 17,505 fans at the Forum in Inglewood, California as they ended Boston's reign as National Basketball Association champions. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 32 points, while teammate Magic Johnson scored 16 points and added 19 assists and 8 rebounds, and was named the Finals' Most Valuable Player.



25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Jump--Kris Kross

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): It's My Life--Dr. Alban

#1 single in Switzerland: To Be with You--Mr. Big (7th week at #1)

Environment
The Earth Summit concluded in Rio de Janeiro, with delegates approving a statement calling on all countries to develop their forest resources in such a way as to minimize damage to the ecosystem. The Rio Declaration and Agenda 21 outlined cleanup strategies and means to encourage environmentally sound development. More than 150 of the 178 countries represented had signed the global warming treaty, calling for limits on emissions of greenhouse gases.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Portland 93 @ Chicago 97 (Chicago won best-of-seven series 4-2)

Michael Jordan scored 33 points as the Bulls came back from a 79-64 3rd-quarter deficit to defeat the Trail Blazers before 18,676 fans at Chicago Stadium to win their second straight National Basketball Association championship. Mr. Jordan was named the Finals' Most Valuable Player for the second straight year. Clyde Drexler and Jerome Kersey each scored 24 points for Portland.



20 years ago
1997

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Around the World--Daft Punk (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Midnight in Chelsea--Bon Jovi

#1 single in France (SNEP): Alane--Wes

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Ecuador--Sash!

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): María--Ricky Martin (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): MMMBop--Hanson

#1 single in the U.K. (Chart Information Network): MMMBop--Hanson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): I'll Be Missing You--Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112

On the radio
Gilmour's Albums, on CBC

Clyde Gilmour ended the program after more than 40 years because of illness. Gilmour's Albums, which featured Mr. Gilmour playing records from his own eclectic collection, was the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's longest-running, highest-rated one man program. Mr. Gilmour died on November 7, 1997 at the age of 85.

Died on this date
Richard Jaeckel, 70. U.S. actor. Mr. Jaeckel was a character actor who was known for playing tough guys in numerous movies and television programs. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting performance in Sometimes a Great Notion (1970). Mr. Jaeckel died of cancer.

10 years ago
2007

Died on this date
Kurt Waldheim, 88. 9th President of Austria, 1986-1992. Secretary-General of the United Nations, 1972-1981. Mr. Waldheim was a diplomat whose posts included that of Austrian Ambassador to Canada (1956-1960). A member of the Austrian People's Party, he served as Austria's Foreign Minister from 1968-1970 and was an unsuccessful candidate for President of Austria in 1971 before accepting the United Nations post. In 1985-1986, while Mr. Waldheim was campaigning for the Austrian presidency, reviews of his service in the German Wehrmacht during World War II indicated that he had lied about his service, including his knowledge of war crimes.

World events
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared an emergency after the Hamas terrorist group effectively took control of the Gaza Strip.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Hamilton (1-0) 35 @ Winnipeg (0-1) 23

Basketball
NBA
Finals
San Antonio 83 @ Cleveland 82 (San Antonio won best-of-seven series 4-0)

The Cavaliers scored 14 consecutive points to take their first lead of the series early in the 4th quarter, but the Spurs came back with a 12-3 run to win the championship before 20,562 fans at Quicken Loans Arena. Manu Ginóbili led San Antonio with 27 points and 5 assists, while LeBron James led Cleveland with 24 points and 10 assists. San Antonio guard Tony Parker was named the Finals' Most Valuable Player.