August 20, 2017

1,100 years ago
917

War
Bulgarian Empire forces commanded by Czar Simeon I decisively defeated Byzantine forces commanded by Leo Phocas in the Battle of Achelous, near the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

550 years ago
1467

War
Both sides claimed victory in the Second Battle of Olmedo in Spain, which took place as part of a succession conflict between King Henry IV of Castile and his half-brother Alfonso, Prince of Asturias.

150 years ago
1867

Diplomacy
The United States closed its legation in Rome.

Emperors Napoleon III of France and Franz Josef I of Austria met for talks in Salzburg.

125 years ago
1892

Economics and finance
U.S. President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation retaliatory upon Canada by establishing tolls on the Sault Ste. Marie Canal.

100 years ago
1917

Died on this date
Adolf von Baeyer, 81. German chemist. Dr. Baeyer was awarded the 1905 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "[for] the advancement of organic chemistry and the chemical industry, through his work on organic dyes and hydroaromatic compounds."

War
Troops from Manitoba took part in the Battle of Hill 70 at Loos, France,, which lasted from August 15-25, 1917.

90 years ago
1927

Politics and government
Liberal Party leader and Minister of Finance John MacLean was sworn in as Premier of British Columbia, succeeding John Oliver, who had died three days earlier.

80 years ago
1937

Labour
The Miramichi Strike began, as 1,500 millworkers and longshoremen along the Miramichi River at Bathurst, New Brunswick struck 14 lumber firms for increased wages.

75 years ago
1942

Died on this date
István Horthy, 37. Hungarian politician and military aviator. First Lieutenant Horthy was the eldest son of Regent Admiral Miklós Horthy, and was named Deputy Regent on February 19, 1942. István Horthy was a fighter pilot in the Magyar Királyi Honvéd Légierő (Royal Hungarian Air Force), and was killed in a plane crash in Russia.

70 years ago
1947

Hockey
NHL
The Montreal Canadiens traded centre Buddy O'Connor and defenseman Frank Eddolls to the New York Rangers for left winger Joe Bell, defenseman Hal Laycoe, and amateur player George Robertson.

60 years ago
1957

Space
U.S. Air Force Major David Simons concluded a 32-hour voyage to the stratosphere in Manhigh II, the second high-altitude balloon flight in Project Manhigh.

Football
CRU
IRFU
Toronto (0-1) 28 @ Montreal (1-0) 29
Hamilton (0-1) 7 @ Ottawa (1-0) 20

Baseball
Bob Keegan pitched the only major league no-hitter of 1957, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 6-0 win over the Washington Senators in the second game of a twi-night doubleheader before 22,815 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The White Sox scored 5 runs in the 3rd inning. Pete Runnels hit a 2-run home run as part of a 3-run 4th inning as the Senators won the first game 5-4.

The Cleveland Indians withstood a 3-run 9th-inning rally and held on to edge the Boston Red Sox 5-4 before 11,474 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. The Red Sox had runners on first and second bases with 2 out, but Jimmy Piersall grounded into a force play at second base to end the game. Cleveland left fielder Gene Woodling batted 4 for 4 with a home run, double, 2 runs, and 2 runs batted in.

The Kansas City Athletics managed just 2 hits against Bob Turley, but they came back-to-back and produced the game's only run as the Athletics edged the New York Yankees 1-0 before 23,737 fans at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City. With 1 out in the bottom of the 5th inning, Woodie Held doubled and scored on a single by Tim Thompson. Mr. Turley pitched a complete game, falling to 10-4 for the season. Ralph Terry pitched a 6-hit shutout, improving his 1957 record to 4-7.

Duke Snider hit a home run in each game as the Brooklyn Dodgers swept a twi-night doubleheader from the Cincinnati Reds 11-5 and 6-5 in 12 innings before 16,132 fans at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Mr. Snider's homer in the second game came with the bases empty and 1 out in the bottom of the 12th inning, ending the game. Ed Roebuck allowed 3 hits and 1 unearned run in 5 2/3 innings of relief to get the win in the first game, while driving in 2 runs with his first major league home run in the 7th inning and a single in the 8th.

Stan Musial homered in each game to help the St. Louis Cardinals sweep a doubleheader from the New York Giants 4-3 and 3-2 before 13,198 fans at the Polo Grounds in New York. Sam Jones and Von McDaniel each pitched complete game victories.

Stan Lopata led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a home run to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs in the first game of a doubleheader before 15,129 fans at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. Dick Farrell pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief of Curt Simmons to get the win over Moe Drabowsky, who pitched a complete game in taking the loss. Ernie Banks hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 4th inning to help the Cubs win the second game 5-2.

Eddie Mathews tripled home Red Schoendienst with 1 out and scored on a single by Hank Aaron to break a 1-1 tie as the Milwaukee Braves scored 2 runs in the top of the 9th inning to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 before 21,328 fans at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Warren Spahn pitched a 7-hit complete game victory to improve his 1957 record to 15-8.

50 years ago
1967

At the movies
Countdown, directed by Robert Altman and starring Robert Duvall, Joanna Moore, and James Caan, opened in theatres in the United Kingdom.



Music
The Monkees performed at Denver Coliseum.

Edmontonia
Edmonton's first "love-in," organized by Vern Minow, 31, took place at Coronation Park from 1 P.M.-9 P.M. 5,000 people attended, according to police estimates, many of them apparently just curious spectators; the number of youths was estimated at 1,500. Only one arrest occurred--Ronnie Michael Rebus, 18, was charged with possession of an offensive weapon--a 10-inch knife (he was given a suspended sentence a few days later). Music was provided by the Family Dogs, a band from Vancouver.

40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Ti Amo'--Umberto Tozzi (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Yes Sir, I Can Boogie--Baccara (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): Cokane in My Brain--Dillinger (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Daddy's Little Girl--Brendan Quinn

#1 single in the U.K (BMRB): Angelo--The Brotherhood of Man

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Best of My Love--Emotions

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Best of My Love--Emotions
2 I Just Want to Be Your Everything--Andy Gibb
3 Whatcha Gonna Do?--Pablo Cruise
4 (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher--Rita Coolidge
5 Easy--Commodores
6 Handy Man--James Taylor
7 You Made Me Believe in Magic--Bay City Rollers
8 You and Me--Alice Cooper
9 Just a Song Before I Go--Crosby, Stills & Nash
10 Barracuda--Heart

Singles entering the chart were The Martian Boogie by Brownsville Station (#76); Look What You've Done to My Heart by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. (#85); Dog Days by Atlanta Rhythm Section (#89); Can't You See by the Marshall Tucker Band (#99); and Since I Fell For You/I'm Falling in Love by Hodges, James and Smith (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 I Just Want to Be Your Everything--Andy Gibb (3rd week at #1)
2 Whatcha Gonna Do?--Pablo Cruise
3 My Heart Belongs to Me--Barbra Streisand
4 (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher--Rita Coolidge
5 Da Doo Ron Ron--Shaun Cassidy
6 I'm in You--Peter Frampton
7 You and Me--Alice Cooper
8 Knowing Me, Knowing You--ABBA
9 You Made Me Believe in Magic--Bay City Rollers
10 Undercover Angel--Alan O'Day

Singles entering the chart were Something Better by Chilliwack (#82); Jungle Love by the Steve Miller Band (#85); Heaven on the Seventh Floor by the Mighty Pope (#95); Magic Fly by Kebekelektric (#96); Love Gone By by Dan Fogelberg (#97); Hurry Sundown by the Outlaws (#98); I Believe You by Dorothy Moore (#99); and Nothing But a Breeze by Jesse Winchester (#100).

Space
The United States launched Voyager 2, an unmanned spacecraft carrying a 12-inch copper phonograph record containing greetings in dozens of languages, samples of music and sounds of nature, toward the outer four planets of the solar system.

30 years ago
1987

Health
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney imposed a total ban on smoking in public service offices, starting January 1, 1988. Smoking by government employees at all public service counters ended immediately.

Labour
70,000 Hyundai auto workers in South Korea returned to work, the day after the company had agreed, under government pressure, to recognize a new union.

Football
CFL
British Columbia (5-3) 26 @ Calgary (3-6) 31

Tim Petros rushed 15 times for 140 yards and a touchdown as the Stampeders beat the Lions before 24,377 fans at McMahon Stadium in the first game for the Stampeders under head coach Lary Kuharich, who had replaced the fired Bob Vespaziani. Mr. Petros’ touchdown came in the 2nd quarter, less than 3 minutes after Calgary quarterback Rick Johnson had thrown an 8-yard touchdown pass to Emanuel Tolbert. Vince Goldsmith scored the other Calgary touchdown on a 1-yard return of a fumble by B.C. quarterback Roy Dewalt. Andre Francis returned an interception 49 yards in the 1st quarter for the first B.C. touchdown, and Ray Crouse rushed 4 yards for the Lions’ only offensive TD with 2:48 remaining in regulation time to make the score 28-26. A 2-point convert attempt was unsuccessful, and J.T. Hay kicked a 29-yard field goal with 1:10 remaining to give the Stampeders a 5-point lead. Mr. Crouse rushed 16 times for 90 yards, while teammate Jim Sandusky caught 6 passes for 156 yards. Mr. Johnson completed just 9 of 22 passes for 87 yards.



25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Rhythm is a Dancer--Snap! (2nd week at #1)

At the movies
Christopher Columbus: The Discovery, starring Georges Corraface, Marlon Brando, Tom Selleck, and Rachel Ward, opened in theatres in Germany.



Died on this date
Walter Lincoln Hawkins, 81. U.S. chemist and inventor. Mr. Hawkins was a pioneer of polymer chemistry who worked at Bell Laboratories for 34 years. He was instrumental in designing a long-lasting plastic to sheath telephone cables, enabling the introduction of telephone services to thousands of Americans, especially those in rural communities. Mr. Hawkins became the first Negro to be elected to the National Academy of Engineering (1975), and was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1992, shortly before his death from heart failure.

World events
Iraq sentenced a British man named Paul Ride to seven years in prison for "illegal entry" into the country.

Journalism
Intimate photographs of Sarah, Duchess of York and American businessman John Bryan were published by the London tabloid Daily Mirror.

Politics and government
Canada’s premiers and constitutional negotiators unanimously backed the principle of self-government for native people. The agreement also stipulated that no new land rights would be granted under self-government and that native laws must not contravene the constitutional dictum of “peace, order and good government.”

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (3-4) 9 @ Ottawa (4-3) 20
Toronto (2-5) 16 @ Edmonton (6-1) 39

The Rough Riders made 5 interceptions off Saskatchewan quarterback Kent Austin as they beat the Roughriders before 24,020 fans at Lansdowne Park. One of those making interceptions was Less Browne, whose interception was the 67th of his CFL career, breaking the career record formerly held by Larry Highbaugh. Ottawa quarterback Tom Burgess threw touchdown passes to Stephen Jones and Treamelle Taylor, while Mr. Austin completed a touchdown pass to Don Narcisse.

Tom Muecke, who was named to replace injured starting quarterback Tracy Ham during the pre-game warmup, completed 19 of 27 passes for 268 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the Eskimos over the Argonauts in front of a Commonwealth Stadium crowd of 30,186. The first 2 of Mr. Muecke’s touchdown passes went to Jim Sandusky in the 1st quarter, and the other went to Blake Marshall in the 2nd quarter. Mr. Marshall also rushed 1 yard for a touchdown in the 2nd quarter as the Eskimos built a 31-3 halftime lead. Henry “Gizmo” Williams scored the only Edmonton touchdown of the 2nd half on a 90-yard punt return in the 3rd quarter. John Congemi completed a 13-yard pass to Kevin Smellie for the only Toronto touchdown with 1:13 remaining in the game. Mr. Muecke’s performance earned him the award as the CFL’s offensive star of the week. Rookie Dechane Cameron played the 4th quarter at quarterback for the Eskikmos, completing 1 of 5 passes for 15 yards in his first regular season game action. Mr. Sandusky led all receivers with 8 catches for 151 yards. Michael Soles of the Eskimos rushed 8 times for 59 yards, while teammate Blake Ezor, in his best CFL game, rushed 12 times for 50 yards.

20 years ago
1997

Transportation
Hudson Bay Railway, owned by Omnitrax of Denver, Colorado, took over operation of former Canadian National Railway lines from The Pas, Manitoba to Flin Flon, Lynn Lake, and Churchill.

10 years ago
2007

Died on this date
Leona Helmsley, 87. U.S. businesswoman. Mrs. Helmsley, born Lena Rosenthal, was a real estate tycoon in New York City who was nicknamed "The Queen of Mean" for her tyrannical behaviour. She served 19 months in prison from 1992-1994 for income tax evasion.

Roch La Salle, 79. Canadian politician. Mr. La Salle, a Progressive Conservative, represented the Quebec riding of Joliette in the Canadian House of Commons from 1968-1988. He was Minister of Supply and Services in the cabinet of Prime Minister Joe Clark (1979-1980), and Minister of Public Works in the cabinet of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney (1984-1987). Mr. La Salle was the only PC Member of Parliament from Quebec from 1980-1984; he resigned from the cabinet after being charged with influence peddling and accepting a bribe, but the case was eventually dropped. Mr. La Salle died two weeks after his 79th birthday.

Disasters
China Airlines Flight 120, a Boeing 737-800, caught fire and exploded after landing at Naha Airport in Okinawa, Japan on a flight from Taiwan. Three people on the aircraft and one member of the ground crew sustained injuries, but fortunately, no one was killed.