September 12, 2017

170 years ago
1847

War
The Battle of Chapultepec in the Mexican–American War began in Mexico City.

160 years ago
1857

Disasters
The SS Central America sank about 160 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, drowning a total of 426 passengers and crew, including Captain William Lewis Herndon, 43. Captan Herndon ensured the rescue of 152 women and children. The ship was carrying 13–15 tons of gold from the California Gold Rush, and the disaster contributed to the Panic of 1857.

125 years ago
1892

Born on this date
Alfred A. Knopf, Sr. U.S. publisher. Mr. Knopf founded Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. in 1915, publishing European as well as American authors. Mr. Knopf died on August 11, 1984 at the age of 91.

120 years ago
1897

War
Shortly before the beginning of the Tirah Campaign, Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army fought Afghan Pashtun Orakzai tribesmen in the Battle of Saragarhi in what is now Pakistan.

100 years ago
1917

Born on this date
Pierre Sévigny. Canadian politician. Mr. Sévigny, a native of Quebec City and a Progressive Conservative, represented the Quebec riding of Longueuil from 1957-1963. He was Associate Minister of National Defence in the government of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, and had an affair with Gerda Munsinger, who was alleged to be an East German prostitute and spy. The Munsinger affair wasn't revealed until 1966, three years after Mr. Sévigny had lost his seat in the 1963 federal election. Mr. Sévigny died on March 20, 2004 at the age of 86.

80 years ago
1937

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, George Chuvalo! The Canadian heavyweight boxing champion from 1958-1960, 1960-1961 and 1964-1979, who was never knocked down in 93 professional fights, was born in Toronto.

75 years ago
1942

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): (I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo--Glenn Miller and his Orchestra

Americana
Jo-Carroll Dennison, representing Texas, was named Miss America 1942 at the annual pageant in Atlantic City.

War
The British ocean liner RMS Laconia, carrying 2,732 crew members, civilians, Allied soldiers and Italian prisoners of war, was torpedoed off the coast of West Africa by German submarine U-156, and sank with 1,619 dead. U-156 Korvettenkapitän Werner Hartenstein initiated a rescue operation, and was joined by other U-boats, resulting in 1,113 people being rescued. British columns advanced to within 70 miles of Tananarive, the capital of Madagascar. Soviet troops broke through German defenses near Sinyavino on the Volkhov front below Leningrad and repulsed German counterattacks. In the first day of the Battle of Edson's Ridge during the Guadalcanal Campaign, U.S. Marines protecting Henderson Field on Guadalcanal were attacked by Imperial Japanese Army forces.

Diplomacy
U.S. envoy Wendell Willkie arrived in Baghdad and conferred with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Pasha es-Said.

Politics and government
Indian leaders disputed the British claim that the All-India Congress Party had reversed its decision to accept the British plan for postwar Indian independence.

70 years ago
1947

At the movies
The Pearl, co-written and directed by Emilio Fernández, and starring Pedro Armendáriz and María Elena Marqués, opened in theatres in Mexico.

World events
The Venezuelan government reported the suppression of an armed coup attempt in Caracas.

The Polish government ended its third annual Congress of the Recovered Territories in Stettin after reporting that resettlement of areas taken from Germany was nearly complete.

Labour
Heeding the advice of United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis, the American Federation of Labor Executive Council in Chicago voted to boycott the National Labor Relations Board by refusing to submit affidavits verifying that union leaders were not Communists.

The Brotherhoods of Locomotive Engineers and Railroad Trainmen won a 15c hourly wage increase and ended their eight-day strike against United States Steel's Union Railroad.

Medicine
The American College of Surgeons ended a five-day meeting in New York after hearing a report on the discovery of a blood clot preventive called heparin, and witnessing a demonstration of surgery instruction by television.

Baseball
The Sporting News named Brooklyn Dodgers' first baseman Jackie Robinson as its choice for major league baseball's top rookie of 1947.

Ralph Kiner hit his 48th and 49th home runs of the season,with his second homer, a solo shot in the 8th inning, providing the winning margin as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Boston Braves 4-3 before 21,012 fans at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Mr. Kiner had now hit 8 home runs in his last 4 games. Rip Sewell pitched a 7-hit complete game to win the pitchers' duel over Red Barrett, who also pitched a 7-hit complete game. The game was played in 1 hour 37 minutes.

Enos Slaughter doubled home Erv Dusak and Stan Musial with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals an 8-7 win over the Brooklyn Dodgers before 31,957 fans at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. 13 of the game's 15 runs were scored in the last 3 innings, and the Dodgers scored 4 runs in the top of the 9th to take a 7-6 lead. The win moved the second-place Cardinals to within 4 1/2 games of the first-place Dodgers in the National League pennant race.

With 1 out in the bottom of the 9th inning, Ray Mack reached first base on an error by shortstop Ralph LaPointe and scored on a triple by Bobby Sturgeon to give the Chicago Cubs a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of a doubleheader before 4,858 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Cubs completed the sweep with a 7-5 win in the second game.

The Cleveland Indians broke a 0-0 tie with 6 runs in the 4th inning, eventually taking an 11-0 lead before the Boston Red Sox rallied for 4 runs in the 8th and 2 in the 9th to reduce the final margin to 11-6 before 4,855 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Dale Mitchell and Joe Gordon each had 3 hits for the Indians, while Boston third baseman Merrill Combs made a spectacular major league debut, singling off winning pitcher Bob Lemon in his first plate appearance in the 2nd inning, making outs in his next 2 at bats, and then hitting a 3-run home run in the 8th to get the Red Sox on the scoreboard, and singling in a run in the 9th, while making 1 assist in the field.

Roy Cullenbine's 2-run home run in the top of the 2nd inning opened the scoring, and the Detroit Tigers coasted to a 7-2 win over the New York Yankees before 8,501 fans at Yankee Stadium. Art Houtteman pitched a 6-hit complete game victory to improve his 1947 record to 5-1, while Allie Reynolds allowed 8 hits and 5 runs--all earned-- in 6 2/3 innings to take the loss, dropping to 17-8.

Luke Appling scored on an error by catcher Mike Guerra with 2 out in the top of the 10th inning to break a 4-4 tie as the Chicago White Sox edged the Philadelphia Athletics 5-4 before 11,612 fans at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. With 1 out and the bases loaded, pinch hitter Ralph Hodgin grounded to pitcher Bob Savage, who threw to Mr. Guerra at home plate to retire Thurman Tucker, the runner coming in from third base. On the same play, Mr. Guerra made an error that allowed Mr. Appling, who had been on second base at the beginning of the play, to score. In the bottom of the 9th, the Athletics had runners on first and second with 1 out, but Chicago pitcher Earl Harrist retired Mickey Rutner on a fly ball to left field and Mr. Guerra on a popup to catcher George Dickey to end the game. Mr. Harrist allowed 4 hits and no runs in 4 innings of relief to get the win, improving his record for the season to 3-7.

Every man in the St. Louis lineup had at least 1 hit as the Browns beat the Washington Nationals 9-3 before 4,379 fans at Griffith Stadium in Washington. Jack Kramer pitched a 9-hit complete game victory to improve his 1947 record to 10-15, winning the pitching matchup against Early Wynn, who fell to 15-14. Buzz Dozier made his major league debut with the Nationals, pitching the last 2 innings and allowing 1 hit and no runs, walking no batters and striking out 2.

60 years ago
1957

At the movies
A King in New York, written, produced, and directed by, and starring, Charlie Chaplin, received its premiere screening in London.

Died on this date
Albert Cobo, 63. U.S. politician. Mr. Cobo, a Republican, served seven terms as City Treasurer of Detroit from 1935-1949 and was Mayor of Detroit from 1950 until his death from a heart attack. He was succeeded as Mayor by City Council President Louis Miriani.

Diplomacy
Sources in Washington reported that King Saud of Saudi Arabia had sent U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower a personal message urging moderation of the American administration's growing anti-Syrian position, and seeking assurances that the United States would refrain from intervention in internal Arab affairs.

Defense
The command headquarters of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) was established in a blockhouse at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

50 years ago
1967

On television tonight
The Invaders, starring Roy Thinnes, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Saucer

Football
CFL
Ottawa (3-3) 13 @ Calgary (6-1) 20

Peter Liske completed touchdown passes of 23 yards to Terry Evanshen in the 3rd quarter and 68 yards to Bob Paremore in the 4th quarter to lift the Stampeders to a come-from-behind win over the Rough Riders before 19,886 fans at McMahon Stadium. Bo Scott scored the only Ottawa touchdown on a 21-yard pass from Russ Jackson.

40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): You're Moving Out Today--Carol Bayer Sager

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Nagisa no Sindbad--Pink Lady (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Speak Up Mambo (Cuéntame)--The Manhattan Transfer (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Les Haylen, 78. Australian politician. Mr. Haylen, a member of the Labour Party, wrote novels and plays, and represented Parkes in the Australian Parliament from 1943-1963.

Robert Lowell, 60. U.S. poet. Mr. Lowell, a native of Boston, wrote poems about New England, mixing personal confessions into his work. He won Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry in 1947 and 1974, and was Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1947-1948. Mr. Lowell suffered from manic depression for many years, and died of a heart attack.

Steve Biko, 30. S.A. political activist. Mr. Biko, a Xhosa, was an anti-apartheid activist and a leader in the Black Consciouness Movement in South Africa in the 1960s and '70s. He was arrested on August 18, 1977 for violating a 1973 ban on his mobility and was severely beaten while under police interrogation on September 6, but wasn't taken to hospital until September 11. Mr. Biko's death sparked an international outcry of protest and condemnation against South Africa's apartheid regime, whose Justice Minister, James Kruger, claimed that Mr. Biko had died after a hunger strike.

Politics and government
The Norwegian general election resulted in the Labour Party, led by Reiulf Steen, leading with 76 of the 155 seats in the Storting, followed by the Conservative Party, led by Erling Norvik, with 41. Labour's total was an increase of 14 seats from the most recent election in 1973, while the Conservative total was an increase of 12. Labour was short of a majority, and the coalition with the Socialist-Left Party, which won 2 seats--down from 16 in 1973--held power with a majority of just one seat, which wasn't decided until September 15, when a recount took a seat away from the Conservatives. Odvar Nordli remained as Prime Minister.

Disasters
Torrential rains struck the Kansas City, Missouri area, setting off a flash flood that killed at least 26 people.

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: Who's That Girl--Madonna (9th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Voyage, voyage--Desireless (11th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): I Just Can't Stop Loving You--Michael Jackson featuring Siedah Garrett (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): I Just Can't Stop Loving You--Michael Jackson featuring Siedah Garrett (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Where the Streets Have No Name--U2 (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): La Bamba--Los Lobos (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I Just Can't Stop Loving You--Michael Jackson (with Siedah Garrett)
2 La Bamba--Los Lobos
3 Who's That Girl--Madonna
4 Didn't We Almost Have it All--Whitney Houston
5 I Want Your Sex--George Michael
6 Here We Go Again--Whitesnake
7 Can't We Try--Dan Hill (with Vonda Shepard)
8 Only in My Dreams--Debbie Gibson
9 When Smokey Sings--ABC
10 Don't Mean Nothing--Richard Marx

Singles entering the chart were Causing a Commotion by Madonna (#44); Where the Streets Have No Name by U2 (#73); Let's Work by Mick Jagger (#78); Love is Contagious by Taja Sevelle (#82); Sugar Free by Wa Wa Nee (#88); and Come On, Let's Go by Los Lobos (#89). Come On, Let's Go was from the movie La Bamba.

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 La Bamba--Los Lobos (2nd week at #1)
2 Who's That Girl--Madonna
3 I Want Your Sex--George Michael
4 Luka--Suzanne Vega
5 I Just Can't Stop Loving You--Michael Jackson (with Siedah Garrett)
6 Heart and Soul--T'Pau
7 Together (The New Wedding Song)--Joey Gregorash
8 Don't Mean Nothing--Richard Marx
9 Didn't We Almost Have it All--Whitney Houston
10 Funkytown--Pseudo Echo

Singles entering the chart were Something Real by Mr. Mister (#88); You are the Girl by the Cars (#90); The One I Love by R.E.M. (#93); I Need Love by L.L. Cool J (#96); Little Lies by Fleetwood Mac (#97); Holiday by the Other Ones (#98); and U Got the Look by Prince (#99).

Died on this date
John Qualen, 87. Canadian-born U.S. actor. Mr. Qualen, born Johan Kvalen in Vancouver, British Columbia, was a character actor who often played Scandinavians in movies such as Casablanca (1942) and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962).

Football
CFL
Toronto (5-5-1) 20 @ Edmonton (7-4) 42

Henry “Gizmo” Williams returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown in the 1st quarter and Ron Howard returned a blocked field goal 95 yards for a TD late in the 2nd quarter as the Eskimos took a 27-3 halftime lead and coasted to victory over the Argonauts before a season-high Commonwealth Stadium crowd of 40,486. Edmonton quarterback Damon Allen completed touchdown passes to Marco Cyncar and Chris Skinner, and Blake Marshall rushed 3 yards for his first CFL touchdown in the 3rd quarter. Mr. Marshall, carrying the ball for the first time in his CFL career, fumbled going over the Toronto goal line earlier in the quarter and the Argonauts recovered. Mr. Marshall’s touchdown came on his next carry. Mr. Howard’s touchdown came just after Toronto’s Lance Chomyc had missed a field goal. Junior Robinson returned the ball 25 yards and fumbled, and Toronto recovered. Mr. Chomyc attempted another field goal on the next play, but the kick was blocked by James Zachery, and Mr. Howard recovered and went for the touchdown. Tony Johns and Danny Barrett scored touchdowns on short rushes for Toronto in the 4th quarter.

CIS
Alberta 32 @ Calgary 20

The Golden Bears overcame a 19-10 deficit with 22 points in the 4th quarter to defeat the Dinosaurs at McMahon Stadium.

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Amigos Para Siempre--Jose Carreras and Sarah Brightman (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Ichiban erai hito he--Tunnels

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Hanno Ucciso l'Uomo Ragno--883

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Una Historia de Ellegibo--Ellegibo (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): It's My Life--Dr. Alban (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Rhythm is a Dancer--Snap! (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): It's My Life--Dr. Alban (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Chart Information Network): Rhythm is a Dancer--Snap! (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): End of the Road--Boyz II Men (5th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 End of the Road--Boyz II Men
2 Baby-Baby-Baby--TLC
3 November Rain--Guns N' Roses
4 Humpin' Around--Bobby Brown
5 This Used to Be My Playground--Madonna
6 Stay--Shakespears Sister
7 Baby Got Back--Sir Mix-a-Lot
8 Giving Him Something He Can Feel--En Vogue
9 Just Another Day--Jon Secada
10 The One--Elton John

Singles entering the chart were Jump Around by House of Pain (#52); Move This by Technotronic Featuring Ya Kid K (#54); She's Playing Hard to Get by Hi-Five (#78); You Lied to Me by Cathy Dennis (#79); Please Don't Go by K.W.S. (#81); Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! by Voices (#83); I Will Be Here for You by Michael W. Smith (#85); What About Your Friends by TLC (#87); Walking on Broken Glass by Annie Lennox (#90); Love is on the Way by Saigon Kick (#92); and Thorn in My Pride by the Black Crowes (#95).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 The One--Elton John (2nd week at #1)
2 This Used to Be My Playground--Madonna
3 Even Better than the Real Thing--U2
4 Lost Together--Blue Rodeo
5 November Rain--Guns N' Roses
6 Restless Heart--Peter Cetera
7 Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough--Patty Smyth and Don Henley
8 Do I Have to Say the Words?--Bryan Adams
9 Nothing Broken But My Heart--Celine Dion
10 Enid--Barenaked Ladies

Singles entering the chart were Digging in the Dirt by Peter Gabriel (#75); She's Playing Hard to Get by Hi-Five (#83); How About That by Bad Company (#84); It's Only Love by Wall of Silence (#87); Miss Chatelaine by k.d. lang (#88); What God Wants by Roger Waters (#89); Rhythm is a Dancer by Snap! (#90); Would I Lie to You? by Charles & Eddie (#93); Countdown by Lindsey Buckingham (#94); and Winning it All by the Outfield (#97).

At the movies
Mr. Saturday Night, co-written, produced, and directed by Billy Crystal, and starring Mr. Crystal, Julie Warner, and David Paymer, received its premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival.



Died on this date
Anthony Perkins, 60. U.S. actor. Mr. Perkins made his movie debut in The Actress (1953) and starred in movies such as Fear Strikes Out (1957), The Tin Star (1957), and Desire Under the Elms (1958) before playing Norman Bates in Psycho (1960), the role that defined his career. He died of AIDS.

Space
The 50th U.S. space shuttle mission, STS-47, began when Endeavour was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The seven-member crew commanded by Robert L. Gibson included the first Negro spacewoman--Dr. Mae Carol Jemison; the first married couple to travel into space together--Mark Lee and Jan Davis; and the first Japanese citizen--Mamoru Mohri--to ride in a shuttle. Japan was the source of 34 of 43 experiments planned for the eight-day mission.

Albertana
Premier Don Getty officially opened the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin.

World events
Abimael Guzman Reynoso, leader of the Peruvian guerrilla movement Shining Path, was captured by police in Lima. Three other guerrilla leaders were also captured in raids on two houses in Lima. Shining Path’s 12-year rebellion had resulted in 25,000 deaths.

Tennis
Monica Seles of Yugoslavia won her sixth Grand Slam tournament in three years by breezing through the United States Open without dropping a set. She played the entire tourney in little more than seven hours, defeating Arantxa Sanchez Vicario of Spain, 6-3, 6-3 in the women's singles final.

Football
CIAU
Alberta (1-2) 31 @ Calgary 36

Craig Kittleson rushed for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns to help the Dinoasurs defeat the Golden Bears at McMahon Stadium. Jay Hamilton led Alberta with 105 yards rushing--including a 58-yard touchdown to open the scoring--but rushed for only 2 yards in the 2nd half.

20 years ago
1997

Hit parade
#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Men in Black--Will Smith

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Barbie Girl--Aqua (2nd week at #1)

Economics and finance
Quebec Finance Minister Bernard Landry led a delegation of 30 businessmen seeking to establish contacts in Peru and Argentina. Quebec's trade with Argentina currently amounted to $105 million a year: $41 million in exports and $64 million in imports. Business with Peru amounted to $28 million per year in sectors such as telecommunications, newsprint, asbestos, food and mining equipment.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (2-10) 28 @ Montreal (9-3) 29

With 31 seconds remaining in regulation time and the Blue Bombers in field goal range, Montreal safety Tom Europe intercepted a pass from Winnipeg quarterback Chris Vargas that bounced off the hands of running back Dexter Dawson, allowing the Alouettes to escape with a victory before 10,259 fans at Olympic Stadium.

10 years ago
2007

Died on this date
Bobby Byrd, 73. U.S. musician. Mr. Byrd was a keyboard player and singer who was a member of the singing group the Gospel Starlighters, who eventually became the Famous Flames after James Brown joined in the mid-1950s. Mr. Byrd left the group in 1973 and had a solo career. He died of cancer.

Scandal
Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada was convicted of plunder.