November 25, 2017

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Nancy Stella Usma Castro!

350 years ago
1667

Disasters
An earthquake struck Shemakha in what is now Azerbaijan, killing 80,000 people.

180 years ago
1837

War
In the Lower Canada Rebellion, Colonel George Wetherall and 350 British troops charged Thomas Storrow Brown's 100 Patriote rebels holed up in the Manoir of seigneur Pierre-Dominique Debartzch, south of the village of St. Charles, two days after the rebels declared a republic known as the Confederation of the Six Counties, and after Francis Gore's defeat at St. Denis. The British stormed the manor house, then burned the village before leaving; in two hours of fighting, they lost 7 dead and 23 wounded. The Patriotes lost about 30 wounded and 28 dead; some were shot as they swam across the Richelieu River. Mr. Brown fled the battle before it was over, and the spirit of the Patriote forces, elated after the victory of Saint-Denis, was crushed. At St. Eustache, over 1,200 rebels under Dr. Chenier and Girod, a Swiss, dwindled to 250.

150 years ago
1867

Politics and government
The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee reported in favour of the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson; there were two minority reports.

Disasters
Nine people were killed and several injured in a glycerine explosion in South Bergen, New Jersey.

120 years ago
1897

Football
CRU
Dominion Final @ Montreal
Ottawa College 14 Hamilton Tigers 10

100 years ago
1917

War
German troops invaded Portuguese East Africa in an attempt to escape superior British forces to the north and resupply from captured Portuguese materiel. The Germans defeated a Portuguese army of about 1,200 at Negomano on the border of modern-day Mozambique and Tanzania.

80 years ago
1937

Football
NCAA
Denver 7 @ Colorado 37

Byron "Whizzer" White rushed for 2 touchdowns and returned an interception for a third as the Buffaloes won in Boulder.

75 years ago
1942

Radio
Free French leader General Charles de Gaulle halted his broadcasts to the French people from London as long as Jean-Francois Darlan was recognized by the Allies as the leader of the French in North Africa.

War
The minesweeper HMCS Transcona was commissioned for the Royal Canadian Navy at Esquimalt, British Columbia. The U.S.S.R. claimed that an additional 6,000 Germans had been killed this day and another 15,000 prisoners taken in the Russian Stalingrad offensive.

Diplomacy
Addressing the United States Senate, Ecuadorian President Carlos Arroyo del Rio said that his country was doing all it could to facilitate an Allied victory in World War II.

Sultan of Morocco Sidi Mohommed said in a message to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt that Morocco "has no disagreement" with the United States.

Politics and government
Bolivian President Enrique Penaranda del Castillo announced a new cabinet which included representatives of Liberal and Republican-Socialist parties.

Labour
The Boston Symphony Orchestra, the only major non-union orchestra in the United States, signed an agreement with the American Federation of Musicians.

Football
ORFU
Final
Toronto RCAF Hurricanes 24 Toronto Balmy Beach 0

Don Crowe scored 2 touchdowns and Jake Gaudaur added another as the Hurricanes blanked Balmy Beach before 10,000 fans at Varsity Stadium. Eddie Thompson kicked a 37-yard field goal in the 1st quarter to give RCAF a 3-0 lead. Quarterback Bill Stukus completed a 10-yard pass to Mr. Crowe for the game's first touchdown in the 2nd quarter. Mr. Crowe kicked the convert to give the Hurricanes a 9-0 halftime lead. Mr. Gaudaur intercepted a pass by rookie Balmy Beach quarterback Joe Bailey and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. Mr. Thompson's convert gave the Hurricanes a 15-0 lead after 3 quarters. After a punt single by Fred Kijek and a safety touch conceded by Balmy Beach punter Sammy Sward, halfback Charlie Prince threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Mr. Crowe, who also converted to close the scoring in the 4th quarter.

70 years ago
1947

Died on this date
Murray Bowie, 37. Canadian physician. Dr. Bowie was a pensions and medical examiner with the Canadian Department of Veterans Affairs. He was shot to death in his office at the Aylmer Building in Ottawa by World War I veteran Henry Page, 59, who then shot himself in the heart. Mr. Page had recently found out that his 40% pension for a war-related ailment had been reduced to 20%.

Politics and government
New Zealand ratified the Statute of Westminster and thus became independent of legislative control by the United Kingdom.

Siamese Prime Minister Khuang Aphaiwong extended the army's power to suppress anti-government elements until February 12, 1948.

Mikhail Suslov succeeded Georgi Aleksandrov as Soviet propaganda minister and became a Communist Party Central Committee secretary.

U.S. President Harry Truman appointed James Donaldson to succeed Robert Hannegan as U.S. Postmaster General, following Mr. Hannegan' assumption of the presidency of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.

Economics and finance
The Japanese House of Representatives passed the government's coal nationalization bill after raising the 1947-48 budget to $103.3 million.

Labour
A U.S. federal district court in Washington issued a temporary order barring the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen from racial discrimination in promotions.

Top officials of the United Auto Workers of America Allis Chalmers local in Milwaukee resigned in protest against signing National Labor Relations Board affidavits as required by the union's Atlantic City convention.

Business
U.S. Motion Picture Association President Eric Johnston announced that the "Hollywood Ten" screenwriters, directors, and producers who had been cited the previous day for contempt of Congress for failing to cooperate with the House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities would be ousted from their jobs, and asked for laws enabling the entertainment industry "to rid itself of subversive, disloyal elements."

A St. Louis syndicate headed by U.S. Postmaster General Robert Hannegan bought Sam Breadon's 75% interest in the St. Louis Cardinals major league baseball team and its 16-team minor league farm system for an estimated $3 million.

60 years ago
1957

Hit parade
#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Jailhouse Rock/Treat Me Nice--Elvis Presley (Best Seller--6th week at #1); Jailhouse Rock--Elvis Presley (Disc Jockey--1st week at #1; Top 100--4th week at #1);

Diplomacy
The United Nations announced that Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold would fly to the Middle East for talks with Jordanian and Syrian leaders on current unrest in the region.

Defense
The U.S. Senate Armed Forces Preparedness subcommittee opened its inquiry into the apparent U.S. lag behind the U.S.S.R. in military science and technology.

Politics and government
Turkish Prime Minister Adrian Menderes announced the creation of new cabinet posts of Propaganda and Reconstruction ministers.

The U.S.S.R. announced that its 1957 Lenin Peace Prize was being awarded to French poet and author Louis Aragon for "service in the struggle for preserving and strengthening peace."

Technology
General Electric Research Laboratory in Schenectady, New York reported that it had succeeded experimentally in directly converting heat to electricity with a non-moving device.

50 years ago
1967

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): The Last Waltz--Engelbert Humperdinck (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France: La Dernière Valse--Mireille Mathieu (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Parole--Nico e i Gabbiani (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): (The Lights Went Out In) Massachusetts--The Bee Gees

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Homburg--Procol Harum (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Whiskey on a Sunday--Danny Doyle (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Baby, Now that I've Found You--The Foundations (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Incense and Peppermints--Strawberry Alarm Clock

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Rain, the Park and Other Things--The Cowsills
2 Incense and Peppermints--Strawberry Alarm Clock
3 Daydream Believer--The Monkees
4 To Sir with Love--Lulu
5 Soul Man--Sam & Dave
6 Please Love Me Forever--Bobby Vinton
7 Let it All Hang Out--The Hombres
8 I Say a Little Prayer--Dionne Warwick
9 I Can See for Miles--The Who
10 It Must Be Him--Vikki Carr

Singles entering the chart were Okolona River Bottom Band by Bobbie Gentry (#67); Since You Showed Me How to Be Happy by Jackie Wilson (#74); And Get Away by the Esquires (#87); Come See About Me by Jr. Walker & the All-Stars (#88); Too Much of Nothing by Peter, Paul and Mary (#89); Wanted: Lover, No Experience Necessary by Laura Lee (#95); Bend Me, Shape Me by the American Breed (#96); Windy by Wes Montgomery (#99); and More than a Miracle by Roger Williams (#100).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 The Rain, the Park and Other Things--The Cowsills (2nd week at #1)
2 Soul Man--Sam & Dave
3 Please Love Me Forever--Bobby Vinton
4 I Can See for Miles--The Who
5 Your Precious Love--Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
6 Expressway to Your Heart--Soul Survivors
7 Holiday--The Gee Gees
8 It Must Be Him--Vikki Carr
9 She is Still a Mystery--The Lovin' Spoonful
10 Lazy Day--Spanky and Our Gang

Singles entering the chart were Itchycoo Park by Small Faces (#66); Summer Rain by Johnny Rivers (#67); Honey Chile by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (#68); I'm So Proud by Keith (#69); Beautiful People by Kenny O'Dell (#75); Felicidad by Sally Field (#85); What's it Gonna Be by Dusty Springfield (#91); Freedom Bird by the Lewis & Clarke Expedition (#93); Pony with the Golden Mane by Every Mother's Son (#96); Paint it, Black by Chris Farlowe (#97); O-O I Love You by the Dells (#98); Love was Here Before the Stars by Brian Foley (#99); and Peace of Mind by Paul Revere and the Raiders (#100).

Vancouver's top 10 (CKLG)
1 Daydream Believer--The Monkees
2 Next Plane to London--The Rose Garden
3 Itchycoo Park--Small Faces
4 I Say a Little Prayer--Dionne Warwick
5 She is Still a Mystery--The Lovin' Spoonful
6 She's My Girl--The Turtles
7 Ten Little Indians--The Yardbirds
8 The Rain, the Park and Other Things--The Cowsills
9 Lady Bird--Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood
10 Love of the Common People--Wayne Newton

Singles entering the chart were Hello Goodbye/I Am the Walrus by the Beatles (#16); Beautiful People by Kenny O'Dell (#27); Do Unto Others by Paul Revere and the Raiders (#29); and Different Drum by the Stone Poneys (#30). Do Unto Others was the other side of Peace of Mind. I am the Walrus was from the made-for-television film Magical Mystery Tour (1967).

Politics and government
Walter Weir was sworn in as Premier of Manitoba, succeeding Duff Roblin.

Football
CFL
Eastern Finals
Ottawa 0 @ Hamilton 26 (Hamilton won 2-game total points series 37-3)

Joe Zuger threw touchdown passes of 32 yards to Dave Fleming and 60 yards to Willie Bethea in the first 6 minutes of the game, and the Tiger-Cats coasted to victory over the Rough Riders before 21,254 fans at Civic Stadium. The Rough Riders were without defensive back and kicker Don Sutherin because of injury, but his absence as a kicker wasn't noticed. It was the last game for Ottawa defensive back Bob O'Billovich, and the last game in an Ottawa uniform for defensive players such as linebackers Mike Blum and Jim Conroy. Former Hamilton assistant coach Kelley Mote had joined the Rough Riders as an assistant to head coach Frank Clair in 1967, replacing longtime assistant Bill Smyth, who had died suddenly in November 1966. Some of the Ottawa defensive players didn't take to Mr. Mote--including Mr. Conroy, who refused to go onto the field when ordered to late in this game--and retired or were traded after the season. This was the fifth straight game in which the Tiger-Cats didn't allow a touchdown.

CIAU
Canadian College Bowl @ Varsity Stadium, Toronto
Alberta 10 McMaster 9

Alberta linebacker John Wilson made his second interception of the game, on his own 3-yard line with 40 seconds remaining in regulation time, to preserve the Golden Bears' victory over the Marauders before 16,167 fans, as they became the first Western team to win the Vanier Cup. Alberta opened the scoring in the 1st quarter on a 7-yard touchdown rush by quarterback Terry Lampert, converted by Dave Benbow. McMaster tied the game just a minute later when quarterback Dick Waring completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jay Graydon, which was converted. The Marauders scored 2 singles in the 3rd quarter to take a 9-7 lead, but Alberta's Bob Baumback recovered a fumble by McMaster's John Watson at the Marauders' 37-yard line, and Mr. Benbow kicked an 18-yard field goal with 5 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter to provide the winning margin. Alberta linebacker and punter Val Schneider was awarded the Ted Morris Memorial Trophy as the game's Most Valuable Player; he played a steady game on defense, punted for a 39.5-yard average, and filled in briefly in he offensive backfield, rushing twice for 25 yards.



Atlantic Coast League
Championship @ Mount Vernon, New York
Virginia Sailors 20 Westchester Bulls 14

40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Yes Sir, I Can Boogie--Baccara (15th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood--Santa Esmeralda (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France: Singin' in the Rain Part 1--Sheila and Black Devotion (2nd week at #1)

Americana
Shelley Griffiths, representing Anchorage, was named Miss Teenage America 1978. She was the second choice of this blogger; my first choice, Mary-Ann Jones, representing Akron, was a semi-finalist.

Diplomacy
The United Nations General Assembly condemned Israeli occupation of captured Arab lands. Syria ruled out participation in a Geneva conference on Middle East peace under present circumstances, saying that Egyptian President Anwar Sadat's visit to Israel had split the Arab world and encouraged Israel to be intransigent. But the Syrian government indicated that it might make a negotiated settlement with Israel and was not yet ready to join a group of rejectionist states consisting of Libya, Iraq, Algeria, and South Yemen.

West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt concluded his four-day visit to Poland, where he talked with Polish Communist Party First Secretary Edward Gierek.

World events
Former Philippine Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., the leading political opponent of President Ferdinand Marcos, and New People's Army leaders Bernabe Buscayno (Commander Dante) and Lieutenant Victor Corpuz were found guilty by the Philippine Military Commission No. 2 of all charges on subversion, murder, and illegal possession of firearms, and were sentenced to death by firing squad. The death sentences were never carried out; Mr. Aquino was permitted to go to the United States for medical treatment in 1980, decided to stay, and then decided to return in 1983. He was assassinated as he left the plane upon arrival at Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983.

Politics and government
The African National Council and the Zimbabwean African People's Union stated that they were prepared to begin negotiations for black majority rule in Rhodesia.

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Oh Mama--Lili & Susie

At the movies
Planes, Trains and Automobiles, written, produced, and directed by John Hughes, and starring Steve Martin and John Candy, opened in theatres.

Died on this date
Harold Washington, 65. U.S. politician. Mr. Washington, a Democrat was the first Negro to be Mayor of Chicago, serving from 1983 until his death of a heart attack in his office. Before that, he had served in the Illinois House of Representatives (1965-1976) and Senate (1977-1980), and had represented Illinois' 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981-1983.

Disasters
Typhoon Nina pummeled the Philippines with category 5 winds of 165 miles per hour and a surge that destroyed entire villages. At least 1,036 deaths were attributed to the storm.

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): House of Love--East 17

On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Kevin Delivers

At the movies
The Bodyguard, starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, opened in theatres.

Aladdin, an animated film produced, directed, and co-written by Ron Clements and John Musker for Walt Disney Pictures, opened in theatres.

Europeana
The Federal Assembly of Czechoslovakia voted to split the country into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, to take effect on January 1, 1993.

20 years ago
1997

Died on this date
Hastings Kamuzu Banda, 99. Prime Minister of Nyasaland, 1963-1964; Prime Minister of Malawi, 1964-1966; President of Malawi, 1966-1994. Dr. Banda was a physician who practiced in the United Kingdom before returning to his native land--then known as the Central African Federation--in 1958. He was imprisoned for speaking against the colonial administration, but was released in 1960, and became de facto leader of Nyasaland in 1961, officially becoming Prime Minister in 1963, and Prime Minister of Malawi upon the colony's independence in 1964. In 1966, Malawi adopted a new constitution; the country was declared a republic, with Dr. Banda taking office as President. In 1970, the Malawi Congress Party made Dr. Banda President for Life; in 1971 Dr. Banda became President for Life of Malawi itself. Dr. Banda sided with the West in the Cold War and presided over better economic conditions than many black African nations, but he imposed a cult of personality, enriched himself, and was accused of murdering anywhere from 6,000-18,000 people. One of Dr. Banda's most notable achievements was the Decency Dress Act (1973), which prohibited women from wearing pants, and regulated the length of women's skirts, men's trousers, and hair. The end of the Cold War in the early 1990s resulted in a loss of financial support for Dr. Banda's regime, and he finally permitted a referendum in 1993 on whether to continue the one-party state. 64% voted in favour of a multiparty democracy, and Dr. Banda lost a free presidential election in 1994.

Protest
Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers pepper sprayed human rights protesters at the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. When asked to comment, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien said,: "For me, pepper, I put it on my plate." The protesters were peaceful, and had a permit to be there.

10 years ago
2007

Football
CFL
Grey Cup @ SkyDome, Toronto
Saskatchewan 23 Winnipeg 19

Kerry Joseph's 29-yard touchdown pass to Andy Fantuz with 11:30 remaining in regulation time provided the winning margin as the Roughriders held on to defeat the Blue Bombers before 52,230 fans. Mr. Joseph completed just 13 of 34 passes for 181 yards, but led all rushers with 101 yards on 10 carries. Saskatchewan defensive back James Johnson returned an interception 30 yards for the game's first touchdown with 2:34 remaining in the 2nd quarter. Mr. Johnson finished with 3 interceptions for 40 yards, and was named the game's Most Valuable Player, while Mr. Fantuz was the Most Valuable Canadian. Winnipeg quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie, making the first start of his CFL career in relief of injured regular starter Kevin Glenn, completed 15 of 33 passes for 225 yards and 3 interceptions, and a 50-yard pass to Derick Armstrong for the only Winnipeg touchdown at 4:03 of the 3rd quarter. Luca Congi converted both Saskatchewan touchdowns and added 3 field goals. Troy Westwood converted the Winnipeg TD and kicked 2 field goals, opening and closing the scoring. The Blue Bombers also scored 3 safety touches. The Saskatchewan defense limited Winnipeg running back Charles Roberts to 47 yards on 13 rushes and 8 yards on 2 pass receptions.