June 5, 2017

1,000 years ago
1017

Died on this date
Sanjō, 41. Emperor of Japan, 1011-1016. Sanjō, born Iyasada-shinnō, was the second son of Emperor Reizei, and succeeded Emperor Ichijō. Sanjō abdicated in 1016 and was succeeded by his cousin Go-Ichijō.

200 years ago
1817

Transportation
The first Great Lakes steamship, PS Frontenac, was launched from Kingston, Upper Canada.

180 years ago
1837

Americana
Houston was incorporated as a city by the Republic of Texas.

150 years ago
1867

Born on this date
Max Warburg. German banker. Mr. Warburg, scion of a Hamburg banking family, was director of M. M. Warburg & Co., was a member of the Hamburg parliament, and began advising Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1903. He served on the board of the German Reichsbank under governor Hjalmar Schach (1933-1935), but sold the bank after the Nazis passed the anti-Semitic Nuremberg Laws, and emigrated to the United States in 1938. Mr. Warburg died in New York City on December 26, 1946 at the age of 79.

100 years ago
1917

War
Conscription began in the United States as "Army registration day."

80 years ago
1937

Horse racing
War Admiral, with Charley Kurtsinger up, completed his Triple Crown by winning the 69th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, New York, in a time of 2:28 3/5, despite a torn heel apparently injured in the starting gate. Sceneshifter placed second.



75 years ago
1942

War
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed congressional resolutions declaring war on Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. Canadian, British, Australian, and New Zealand representatives signed an agreement in Ottawa for expansion and extension of the Commonwealth Air Training Program in Canada through March 1945. In the Battle of Midway, the U.S. Navy claimed to have inflicted "heavy damage" upon Japanese forces. Frederick V. Williams and David W. Ryder were sentenced in Washington to 16 months-4 years in prison for violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act by serving as Japanese propaganda agents.

Academia
The U.S. professional fraternity Phi Beta Kappa voted to eliminate its constitutional clause limiting membership to white males.

Economics and finance
The U.S. House of Representatives abolished the Civilian Conservation Corps and refused to fund the National Youth Administration war worker training program. The U.S. War Production Board set up the nine-man Foods Requirement Committee, to be chaired by Agriculture Secretary Claude Wickard.

70 years ago
1947

Music
The New York Music Critics Circle named Aaron Copland's Symphony No. 3 the best orchestral work and Ernst Bloch's Quartet No. 2 the best chamber work of the past season.

War
The United States Senate ratified the Italian, Hungarian, Romanian, and Bulgarian peace treaties.

Diplomacy
The United States withheld recognition of the new Nicaraguan regime of Anastasio Somoza "pending further developments."

Politics and government
In a move to improve the foreign image of his government, Argentine President Juan Peron ousted federal police chief Filomena Velcazo, who had earlier organized and commanded strong-arm Peronist squads.

Economics and finance
U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall, speaking at Harvard University, outlined an aid program for Europe that came to be known as the Marshall Plan.

Labour
French Prime Minister Paul Ramadier accused Communists of instigating recent strikes of bakers and oil workers, and said that he would not grant wage demands he considered inflationary.

60 years ago
1957

Died on this date
Pete Wilson, 71. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Wilson played with the New York Highlanders in 1908 and 1909, compiling a record of 9-8 with an earned run average of 3.26 in 20 games.

Abominations
The People's Republic of China's Health Ministry issued orders legalizing abortion and encouraging contraceptive birth control measures.

Academia
The Hungarian parliament ordered the revival of compulsory university courses in Marxism and Leninism to combat the "cultural-counter-revolution" of anti-Communist intellectuals.

Energy
The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission disclosed that U.S. and U.K. officials had reached agreement on the exchange of information on the development of nuclear power.

Health
Nuclear physicist Ralph Lapp warned the U.S. Joint Congressional Atomic Energy subcommittee on radiation that explosion of a 2,500-megaton hydrogen bomb would cause 16 million defective children, 120 million stillbirths, and 140 million embryonic deaths.

Track and field
Narcotics expert Dr. Herbert Berger urged the American Medical Association House of Delegates in New York to investigate the use of stimulative drugs, particularly amphetamine, by athletes to improve their performances.

Baseball
Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox, Sherm Lollar, and Dave Philley each had 2 hits to help the Chicago White Sox defeat the Boston Red Sox 6-2 before 7,173 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The crowd included this blogger's parents. Jim Piersall, Ted Williams and Mickey Vernon each had 2 hits for the Red Sox. Dick Donovan pitched an 8-hit complete game victory to improve his record for the season to 5-1.

The New York Yankees scored 4 runs in the 4th inning and 7 in the 5th as they routed the Cleveland Indians 13-3 before 22,221 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. Gil McDougald and Mickey Mantle hit consecutive home runs for the Yankees in the 4th inning, and Mr. McDougald homered again in the 5th. Bill Skowron doubled in 2 runs in the 4th and hit a solo homer in the 8th, and Andy Carey added 4 RBIs. New York catcher Yogi Berra left the game in the 3rd inning when a foul ball off the bat of Larry Raines broke his mask and nose.

Al Kaline doubled with 1 out in the bottom of the 11th inning and Bill Tuttle singled him home to give the Detroit Tigers a 3-2 win over the Washington Senators before 3,448 fans at Briggs Stadium in Detroit.

Lou Skizas singled and scored in the 2nd inning and led off the bottom of the 4th with a home run that proved to be the deciding run as the Kansas City Athletics edged the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 before 8,322 fans at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City. Gus Zernial blasted a solo homer well over the 420-foot fence in left field for the first Kansas City run in the 1st inning. Arnie Portocarrero allowed 5 hits and 2 earned runs in 7 innings to get the win over Ray Moore, who allowed 8 hits and 3 earned runs in pitching a complete game.

The New York Giants hit 6 home runs, but still lost 9-8 to the Milwaukee Braves before 4,892 fans at the Polo Grounds in New York. Hank Sauer and Red Schoendienst each hit 2 homers for the Giants, with Willie Mays and Whitey Lockman each hitting 1. Joe Adcock hit an inside-the-park 3-run homer for the Braves in the 1st inning, Ernie Johnson hit a 3-run homer in the 3rd, and Bobby Thomson added a solo homer in the 8th. For Mr. Johnson, who allowed 9 hits and 4 runs--all earned--in 7 1/3 innings after relieving starting pitcher Juan Pizarro in the 2nd inning, it was the only home run of his 9-year major league career.

Don Drysdale pitched a 5-hitter and struck out 9 batters to lead the Brooklyn Dodgers over the Chicago Cubs 4-0 before 9,712 fans at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Gino Cimoli led the Brooklyn offense with 2 singles, a run, and 2 runs batted in.

The St. Louis Cardinals scored 4 runs in the top of the 1st inning and coasted to a 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates before 12,570 fans at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Lindy McDaniel pitched a 5-hit complete game victory, striking out 8 batters and walking none.

Gus Bell reached first base on an error by Chico Fernandez to lead off the top of the 11th inning and scored on a 1-out triple by pinch hitter Jerry Lynch to break a 2-2 tie as the Cincinnati Redlegs beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 before 15,771 fans at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia.

50 years ago
1967

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Marionetas en la Cuerda (Puppet on a String)--Sandie Shaw (4th week at #1)

On television tonight
Coronet Blue, starring Frank Converse, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Where You From and What You Done?

This was the episode scheduled to be shown this night, but it was pre-empted and never broadcast.



War
The Six-Day War began as Israeli forces launched a pre-emptive attack on Egypt and destroyed nearly 400 Egypt-based military aircraft.

Law
Justice W.G. Morrow of the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories ruled in R. v. Drybones that section 94(b) of the Indian Act--which prohibited Indians from drinking alcohol off a reserve--contravened section 1(b) of the Canadian Bill of Rights, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race. Joseph Drybones had been found intoxicated in the lobby of the Old Stope Hotel in Yellowknife and charged with violating section 94(b) of the Indian Act. Justice Morrow acquitted Mr. Drybones on the grounds that section 94(b) of the Indian Act violated section 1(b) of the Bill of Rights because Mr. Drybones had been charged with an offense only because he was an Indian.

Protest
Three days of rioting by Negroes in the Roxbury district of Boston concluded; the riots followed a sit-in by Mothers for Adequate Welfare.

Economics and finance
The Royal Canadian Mint was ordered to start converting dimes and quarters to pure nickel as soon as possible in order to head off silver speculators and hoarding.

40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: It Doesn't Matter Anymore--Mark Williams

Died on this date
Rodney Bobick, 25. U.S. boxer. Mr. Bobick, the younger brother of heavyweight boxer Duane Bobick, was also a heavyweight, compiling a professional record of 37-7 from 1972-1977. He defeated future World Boxing Association world champion Mike Weaver, was knocked out by future world champion Larry Holmes, and acted as a sparring partner for world champion Muhammad Ali. Mr. Bobick was still active when he was killed in a car accident.

World events
James Mancham was ousted as Prime Minister of the Seychelles while he was attending the Commonwealth Conference in Britain. 200 armed men, whose leaders remained anonymous, took control of strategic areas on the island of Mahe, where the capital of Victoria is located. Two people were killed in brief fighting, and left-wing Prime Minister France Albert Rene agreed to become President.

Defense
The U.S. administration of President Jimmy Carter announced the withdrawal of 6,000 American troops from South Korea by the end of 1978.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Philadelphia 107 @ Portland 109 (Portland won best-of-seven series 4-2)

The Trail Blazers scored 40 points in the 2nd quarter to take a 67-55 lead, but the outcome wasn't decided until Philadelphia's George McGinnins missed a jump shot in the final seconds of regulation time that would have tied the game. 12,666 fans at Memorial Coliseum saw the home team, in its seventh season, win what remains their only National Basketball Association championship (see also here). Bobby Gross led Portland scorers with 24 points, while Lionel Hollins added 20 and Bill Walton contributed 20 points, 23 rebounds--20 of them defensive--7 assists, and 8 blocked shots. Philadelphia's Julius Erving led all scorers with 40 points, and Mr. McGinnis added 28. Mr. Walton was named the Finals' Most Valuable Player.

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): La Isla Bonita--Madonna (5th week at #1)

Defense
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney tabled a white paper calling for a 15-year expenditure of $200 billion on defense, including 10 nuclear submarines.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that the unemployment rate in May had held level at 6.2%.

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Rhythm is a Dancer--Snap! (3rd week at #1)

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that the unemployment rate in May had increased by 0.3% to 7.5%.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Portland 115 Chicago 104 (OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Danny Ainge scored 6 points in the last minute of overtime as the Trail Blazers upset the Bulls before 18,676 fans at Chicago Stadium. Clyde Drexler led Portland with 26 points and 8 assists, but fouled out with 4:36 remaining in regulation time. Michael Jordan of the Bulls led all scorers with 39 points, and added 10 assists.

20 years ago
1997

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Fire--Scooter (6th week at #1)

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Philadelphia 1 @ Detroit 6 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 3-0)

Sergei Fedorov scored 4 points as the Red Wings came back from an early 1-0 deficit to beat the Flyers at Joe Louis Arena.

10 years ago
2007

Politics and government
Nova Scotia Member of Parliament Bill Casey (Conservative--Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley) was expelled from the Conservative caucus for voting against the budget of the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper; he claimed that it changed the federal equalization formula and gutted the 2005 Atlantic Accord. After his expulsion, Mr. Casey sat as an independent MP, referring to himself as an Independent Progressive Conservative.

Scandal
U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for lying and obstructing an investigation into the leak of the name of a Central Intelligence Agency operative to the media. Mr. Libby's sentence was later commuted by President George W. Bush.