August 26, 2017

225 years ago
1792

Born on this date
Manuel Oribe. President of Uruguay, 1835-1838. Mr. Oribe, a member of the White Party, was forced from office after three years as President, but led a rebel army and laid siege to Montevideo from 1843-1851 before his forces were defeated. He died on November 12, 1857 at the age of 65.

125 years ago
1892

Born on this date Jesse Barnes. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Barnes played with the Boston Braves (1915-1917, 1923-1925); New York Giants (1918-1923); and Brooklyn Robins (1926-1927), compiling a record of 152-150 with an earned run average of 3.22 in 422 games, batting .214 with 1 home run and 69 runs batted in in 435 games. He led the National League with 25 wins in 1919, won 20 games in 1920, and helped the Giants win World Series championships in 1921 and 1922, pitching a no-hitter in 1922 and posting a 2-0 record with a 1.17 ERA in 4 World Series games, with both his wins coming in 1921. Mr. Barnes was 84-58 in 185 games in 8 seasons in the minor leagues (1912-1915, 1927-1930), and helped the Toledo Mud Hens of the American Association win the 1927 Junior World Series, posting a 2-0 record in the JWS as the Mud Hens defeated the Buffalo Bisons of the International League 4 games to 1. Mr. Barnes and his brother Zeke pitched against each other several times in the major and minor leagues, and played on a barnstorming team with their brother Clark in the early 1930s. Mr. Barnes was a policeman in El Dorado, Kansas for 17 years after his playing career was over. He died of a heart attack on September 9, 1961 at the age of 69.

170 years ago
1847

Africana
Liberia was proclaimed an independent republic.

150 years ago
1867

Defense
Brigadier General Canby replaced Major General Daniel Sickles at Charleston, South Carolina as commander of the Second Military District, on the order of President Andrew Johnson.

100 years ago
1917

Born on this date
Len Eshmont. U.S. football player. Mr. Eshmont was a halfback at Fordham University, and a teammate of future coaching great Vince Lombardi. Mr. Eshmont played professionally with the New York Giants of the National Football League in 1941, and then served in World War II. He played with the San Francisco 49ers of the All-America Football Conference from 1946-1949. In 5 years of professional football, Mr. Eshmont played 57 games, rusheing 282 times for 1,345 yards (4.8 yard average), with 7 touchdowns, and caught 54 passes for 915 yards (16.9 yard average) and 6 touchdowns. He later served as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia, and died of infectious hepatitis on May 12, 1957 at the age of 39. The 49ers created the Len Eshmont Award, presented annually to the 49er player who best exemplifies the "inspirational and courageous play" of Mr. Eshmont.

Died on this date
William Lane, 65. U.K.-born Australian journalist and social reformer. Mr. Lane went to Canada at the age of 16 and then to Detroit, working as a reporter with the Detroit Free Press before settling in Australia in 1885. He wrote for several newspapers and founded two of his own, promoting socialism and opposing non-white immigration to Australia. With his family and almost 240 followers, Mr. Lane went to Paraguay and founded the colony New Australia in 1893. Like all utopian socialist communities, it collapsed in failure, and Mr. Lane returned to Australia in 1899. He resumed journalism, and took a more conservative, pro-British Empire stance until his death, 11 days before his 66th birthday.

75 years ago
1942

Abominations
At Chortkiv, Ukrainian police and German Schutzpolizei deported 2,000 Jews to Bełżec extermination camp. 500 of the sick and children were murdered on the spot. This continued until the next day.

Diplomacy
N.Z. Prime Minister Peter Fraser conferred with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House.

70 years ago
1947

At the movies
Thunderbolt, a documentary about the U.S. Army Air Forces' participation in Operation Strangle in Italy in 1944, directed by William Wyler and John Sturges, opened in theatres.





Defense
The U.S. Navy reported that voluntary enlistments were growing but still below the 15,000 monthly goal needed to maintain the authorized naval strength of 400,000 by July 1948.

Space
The University of California's Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton announced the discovery of a new minor planet called "Wirtanen's Object," less than 10 miles in diameter in an orbit about 156 million miles from the Sun.

60 years ago
1957

Hit parade
#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Tammy--Debbie Reynolds (Best Seller--1st week at #1; Disc Jockey--2nd week at #1); (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/Loving You--Elvis Presley (Top 100--7th week at #1)

Defense
The U.S.S.R. announced that it had successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Football
WIFU
Calgary (3-0) 22 @ British Columbia (1-2) 20

50 years ago
1967

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): All You Need is Love/Baby, You're a Rich Man--The Beatles (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France: Adios Amor--Sheila (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Nel sole--Al Bano

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): All You Need is Love--The Beatles (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)--Scott McKenzie (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)--Scott McKenzie (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Ode to Billie Joe--Bobbie Gentry

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Ode to Billie Joe--Bobbie Gentry
2 All You Need is Love--The Beatles
3 Baby I Love You--Aretha Franklin
4 Light My Fire--The Doors
5 Words--The Monkees
6 Pleasant Valley Sunday--The Monkees
7 Mercy, Mercy, Mercy--The Buckinghams
8 Reflections--Diana Ross and the Supremes
9 Heroes and Villains--The Beach Boys
10 A Girl Like You--The Young Rascals

Singles entering the chart were Twelve Thirty by the Mamas and the Papas (#58); Gettin' Together by Tommy James and the Shondells (#62); Museum by Herman's Hermits (#63); I Make a Fool of Myself by Frankie Valli (#64); There's Always Me by Elvis Presley (#65); In the Heat of the Night by Ray Charles (#71); Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms) by Percy Sledge (#72); Anything Goes by Harpers Bizarre (#76); Put Your Mind at Ease by Every Mother's Son (#85); I Dig Rock and Roll Music by Peter, Paul and Mary (#86); Our Song by Jack Jones (#87); Casanova (Your Playing Days are Over) by Ruby Andrews (#89); Laura (Tell Me What He’s Got that I Ain’t Got) by Brook Benton (#92); Hey Joe by Cher (#95); Forget It by the Sandpebbles (#96); and It Must Be Him by Vikki Carr (#99). In the Heat of the Night was the title song of the movie.

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 All You Need is Love--The Beatles
2 Pleasant Valley Sunday--The Monkees
3 Baby I Love You--Aretha Franklin
4 A Girl Like You--The Young Rascals
5 To Love Somebody--The Bee Gees
6 Light My Fire--The Doors
7 My Mammy--The Happenings
8 Thank the Lord for the Night Time--Neil Diamond
9 Cold Sweat (Part 1)--James Brown and the Famous Flames
10 More Love--Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

Singles entering the chart were Anything Goes by Harpers Bizarre (#68); Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone by Martha & the Vandellas (#77); I Feel Good (I Feel Bad) by the Lewis & Clarke Expedition (#79); Gimme Little Sign by Brenton Wood (#81); The Sweetest Thing This Side of Heaven by Chris Bartley (#86); Turn the World Around by Eddy Arnold (#88); Agnes English by John Fred and his Playboy Band (#89); It Could Be We're in Love by the Cryan' Shames (#90); You've Gotta Pay the Price by Al Kent (#91); Bring it Down Front by the Jon/Lee Group (#92); Last Minute Miracle by the Shirelles (#93); Knock on Wood by Otis and Carla (#94); I Dig Rock and Roll Music by Peter, Paul and Mary (#95); Yesterday's Today by the Fifth (#96); Little Bit Hurt by Julian Covey (#97); Sugar Man by Keith (#98); Museum by Herman's Hermits (#99); and Take a Look by Aretha Franklin (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 To Sir with Love--Lulu
2 Silence is Golden--The Tremeloes
3 Good Times/San Franciscan Nights--Eric Burdon & the Animals
4 To Love Somebody--The Bee Gees
5 Reflections--Diana Ross and the Supremes
6 All You Need is Love/Baby, You're a Rich Man--The Beatles
7 (I Wanna) Testify--The Parliaments
8 Zip Code--The Five Americans
9 Sunny Goodge Street--Tom Northcott
10 Bluebird--Buffalo Springfield

Singles entering the chart were Try, Try, Try by Jim Valley (#26); Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie by Jay and the Techniques (#31); The Letter by the Box Tops (#33); Happy by the Sunshine Company (#36); Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil by Jefferson Airplane (#38); I Dig Rock and Roll Music by Peter, Paul and Mary (#39); and I Need You by the Other Half (#40).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 To Sir with Love--Lulu (3rd week at #1)
2 Good Times/San Franciscan Nights--Eric Burdon & the Animals
3 Silence is Golden--The Tremeloes
4 Zip Code--The Five Americans
5 Ode to Billie Joe--Bobbie Gentry
6 To Love Somebody--The Bee Gees
7 Reflections--Diana Ross and the Supremes
8 The Wind Cries Mary--The Jimi Hendrix Experience
9 All You Need is Love/Baby, You're a Rich Man--The Beatles
10 Thank the Lord for the Night Time--Neil Diamond

Singles entering the chart were I Had a Dream by Paul Revere and the Raiders (#25); Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil by Jefferson Airplane (#27); Twelve Thirty by the Mamas and the Papas (#28); I Dig Rock and Roll Music by Peter, Paul and Mary (#29); and She Knows by Bobby Darin (#30).

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Viktoriya!

Music
The Beach Boys performed at Honolulu International Center for the second of two nights of concerts that were recorded and intended to be released as a live album titled Lei'd in Hawaii. Brian Wilson accompanied the group for his first live appearances since 1964, while Bruce Johnston declined to accompany the rest of the group to Hawaii.

The Monkees performed at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon, the second of three concerts that provided the material for the album Live 1967, released in 1987.

Football
CFL
Toronto (2-2) 22 @ Montreal (1-2) 34

Continental League
Toronto (1-0) 22 @ Akron (0-1) 7

Clem Turner rushed for a pair of 1-yard touchdowns and added a convert and a field goal as the Rifles beat the Vulcans before 5,000 fans in the Akron club's first game ever. Bob Blakley rushed 6 yards for the other Toronto TD. Sonny Gibbs passed to Ray Winston for the Akron touchdown in the 2nd quarter, converted by Billie Fletcher. Eagle Day, playing his first game since being released by the Toronto Argonauts, played the entire game at quarterback for the Rifles, completing 9 of 18 passes for 116 yards. Mr. Gibbs was 18 for 31 for 230 yards.

40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Yes Sir, I Can Boogie--Baccara (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Magic Fly--Space

#1 single in France: Love Me Baby--Sheila and Black Devotion (4th week at #1)

Died on this date
H. A. Rey, 78. German-born U.S. author and illustrator. Mr. Rey, born Hans Augusto Reyersbach, and his wife Margret created the Curious George series of children's books, published from 1939-1966.

Law
Bill 101 (La Charte de la langue française) received royal assent in Quebec, making French the official language of Québec.

Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance concluded a four-day visit to the People's Republic of China in an attempt to advance the prospect of full diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Scandal
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued an 800-page report charging that New York City Mayor Abraham Beame, City Comptroller Harrison Goldin, six New York banks, and the brokerage firm Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, and Smith had all knowingly misled purchasers of New York City bonds in 1974-75 by not informing them of the city's deteriorating financial situation. Five of the banks--Chase Manhattan, Citibank, Morgan Guaranty Trust, Manufacturers Hanover Trust, and Bankers Trust--were accused of selling their own city notes while encouraging other investors to buy.

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): It's a Sin--Pet Shop Boys (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Georg Wittig, 90. German chemist. Dr. Wittig shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Herbert C. Brown "for their development of the use of boron- and phosphorus-containing compounds, respectively, into important reagents in organic synthesis."

Defense
West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl offered to dismantle 72 Pershing missiles in order to clear a roadblock to a U.S.A.-U.S.S.R. treaty on intermediate nuclear forces. West Germany controlled the missiles, but the United States controlled their nuclear warheads. The Soviet Union wanted the missiles eliminated as part of an overall INF treaty.

Law
A three-judge appeals court panel in Atlanta unanimously reversed a district court ruling banning 44 textbooks from Alabama public schools because they promoted the “religion” of “secular humanism.” The district judge, W. Brevard Hand, had held that the textbooks violated the constitutional ban on government establishment of religion. The panel found no evidence that the “omission of certain facts regarding religion from the textbooks of itself constituted an advancement of secular humanism” or hostility to other religions. The ruling held that a constitutional mandate requiring neutrality on religion had been stretched incorrectly “into an affirmative obligation to speak about religion.”

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Abba-esque--Erasure (10th week at #1)

Scandal
The Iran-Contra trial of former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency official Clair George, who had once run the CIA’s worldwide clandestine operations, ended in a mistrial. Mr. George had been charged with lying to Congress and to investigators about what he knew about the sale of arms to Iran and the diversion of proceeds to the Nicaraguan Contras. Jurors reported that they were deadlocked on all nine counts.

Football
CFL
Ottawa (4-4) 16 @ Toronto (3-5) 24

The Argonauts scored 2 touchdowns in the last minute of regulation time to beat the Rough Riders before 44,922 fans at SkyDome. Ottawa led 13-3 after 3 quarters, but Mike Kerrigan, who relieved starter John Congemi at quarterback, rushed 1 yard for the first Toronto touchdown with 8:49 remaining in the 4th quarter, and completed a pass to Paul Nastasiuk for a 2-point convert to make the score 13-11. Terry Baker kicked a 44-yard field goal to give the Rough Riders a 16-11 lead, but Mr. Kerrigan completed a 43-yard touchdown pass to Darrell K. Smith to give the Argonauts a 17-16 lead with exactly 1 minute remaining. A 2-point convert attempt was unsuccessful, but Toronto linebacker Jeff Braswell put the game away when he intercepted a Tom Burgess pass and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown just 18 seconds after Mr. Smith’s touchdown.

20 years ago
1997

Abominations
64-100 people were massacred in Beni Ali, Algeria.

10 years ago
2007

Died on this date
Gaston Thorn, 78. Prime Minister of Luxembourg, 1974-1979. Mr. Thorn, a member of the Democratic Party, was a Member of the European Parliament from 1959-1969, and held several other cabinet posts in addition to the office of Prime Minister. He was President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1975, and President of the European Commission from 1981-1985. Mr. Thorn died eight days before his 79th birthday.