November 8, 2017

150 years ago
1867

Americana
General Rosseau, representing the United States, was at New Archangel to formally accept the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States.

Politics and government
John Rose was sworn in as Canadian Minister of Finance, replacing Alexander Galt.

Disasters
More than 300 lives were lost in the explosion of a colliery in Glamorgan, Wales.

A boiler exploded in Pittsburgh, killing 12 and injuring 30.

130 years ago
1887

Died on this date
Doc Holliday, 36. U.S. dentist and gunfighter. John Henry Holliday was a dentist who developed tuberculosis soon after beginning his practice in Griffin, Georgia at the age of 21. He moved to the Southwest for his health, and became friends with Wyatt Earp. The two ended up in Tombstone, Arizona, and Dr. Holliday was deputized by Mr. Earp's brother Virgil on October 26, 1881 in order to aid the Earps against the Clantons in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Dr. Holliday spent his last years in Colorado, where he died from tuberculosis.

125 years ago
1892

Politics and government
Grover Cleveland, who had served as 22nd President of the United States of America from 1885-1889, was elected again, defeating incumbent Benjamin Harrison. Mr. Cleveland, representing the Democratic Party along with vice-presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson, captured 277 electoral votes to 145 for Mr. Harrison and vice-presidential candidate Whitelaw Reid, and 22 electoral votes for Populist Party presidential candidate James B. Weaver and vice-presidential candidate James G. Field. Mr. Cleveland took 46.0% of the popular vote to 43.0% for Mr. Harrison and 8.5% for Mr. Weaver. Other candidates receiving popular votes--but no electoral votes--included Norman Thomas (Socialist), 2.2%; William Z. Foster (Communist), 0.3%; William David Upshaw (Prohibition), 0.2%; William Hope Harvey (Liberty), 0.1%; and Verne Reynolds (Socialist Labor), 0.1%.

Terrorism
Anarchists in Paris set off dynamite explosions.

Labour
The New Orleans general strike began, uniting Negro and white American trade unionists in a successful four-day general strike action for the first time.

100 years ago
1917

Politics and government
The first Council of People's Commissars was formed in Russia; the council included Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Josef Stalin.

Journalism
Canada's daily newspapers founded the Canadian Press as a co-operative cross-Canada news gathering service, setting up offices in the Maritimes, Ontario, Québec, and British Columbia.

80 years ago
1937

Abominations
The Nazi exhibition Der ewige Jude (The Eternal Jew) opened in Munich.

70 years ago
1942

War
German spy Werner Janowski landed from German submarine U-518 off New Carlisle, Quebec; he iwas arrested a day later by the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and was persuaded to become a double agent, feeding the Germans with false information. Canadian warships helped to back Allied landings in Algeria and French Morocco as part of Operation Torch, the first major seaborne invasion by the Allies. Royal Canadian Navy Captain Frederick Peters rammed his cutter, HMS Walney, into a line of of ships blocking access to Oran harbour during Operation Reservist (part of Operation Torch). The attack, to prevent the Vichy French from sabotaging the harbour, was a failure; Capt. Peters, badly wounded, was captured, but was released on November 10, 1942 when the French garrison surrendered. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in face of point blank fire and the explosion of his ship, but was killed in a plane crash before the award ceremony. A French Resistance coup took place in Algiers, in which 400 civilian French patriots neutralized the Vichyist XIXth Army Corps after 15 hours of fighting, and arrested several Vichyst generals, allowing the immediate success of Operation Torch in Algiers. Surrounded Axis forces at Matruh surrendered to the British as the Allied pursuit of German and Italian forces into Libya continued. U.S. and U.K. officials assured Spain and Portugal that the North African invasion was in no way intended as preparation for a move into the Iberian Peninsula. U.S. ground troops penetrated central and northern Papua to the vicinity of Buna.

Diplomacy
The Vichy French regime severed diplomatic relations with the United States.

Radio
The U.S. Office of War Information and Federal Communications Commission announced that the U.S. government had seized station WRUL in Boston after negotiations for leasing the station's facilities had failed.

Hockey
NHL
Maurice "Rocket" Richard of the Montréal Canadiens scored his first National Hockey League goal, at the Montreal Forum in his third career game.

70 years ago
1947

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Near You--Francis Craig and his Orchestra (8th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Near You--Francis Craig and his Orchestra (5th week at #1)
--Larry Green and his Orchestra
--The Andrews Sisters
--Alvino Rey and his Orchestra
--Elliot Lawrence and his Orchestra
2 I Wish I Didn't Love You So--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Dinah Shore
--Dick Haymes
--Betty Hutton
3 Feudin' and Fightin'--Dorothy Shay
--Jo Stafford
--Bing Crosby and the Jesters
4 I Have But One Heart (O Marinariello)--Vic Damone
5 When You were Sweet Sixteen--Perry Como and the Satisfiers
6 You Do--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Margaret Whiting
--Bing Crosby and Carmen Cavallaro
--Dinah Shore
--Vic Damone
7 I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now--Ted Weems and his Orchestra with Perry Como
--Perry Como
8 Kate (Have I Come Too Early, Too Late)--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
9 Peg o' My Heart--The Harmonicats
--The Three Suns
--Art Lund
--Buddy Clark
--Clark Dennis
10 Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)--Tex Williams and his Western Caravan
--Phil Harris and his Orchestra

Singles entering the chart were Too Fat Polka (I Don’t Want Her) (You Can Have Her) (She’s Too Fat for Me) by Arthur Godfrey (#21) and It Takes a Long Long Train with a Red Caboose (To Carry My Blues Away) by Peggy Lee (#38).

Theatre
All My Sons, written by Arthur Miller and directed by Elia Kazan, closed at the Coronet Theatre on Broadway in New York after 320 performances.

Economics and finance
The U.S. President's Committee on Foreign Aid, headed by Commerce Secretary Averell Harriman, issued a report urging Congress to appropriate $12.7-17.2 billion over the next four years for Marshall Plan aid to Europe. The report also recommended expansion of the World Bank's lending operations, and encouragement of private loans to Europe.

The British government of Prime Minister Clement Attlee imposed potato rationing for the first time since World War I, allowing a weekly quota of three pounds per person.

Politics and government
The U.S. Civil Service Commission named a 20-man Loyalty Review Board headed by Washington attorney Seth Richardson as the highest administrative appeal panel for dismissed federal employees.

Basketball
PBLA
St. Joseph (1-5) 36 @ Waterloo (1-4) 45
New Orleans (3-4) 62 @ Grand Rapids (2-2) 67
Oklahoma City (1-3) 53 @ St. Paul (5-2) 60
Springfield (1-6) 51 @ Birmingham (4-2) 72

Football
IRFU
Toronto (7-4-1) 12 @ Ottawa (8-4) 11
Montreal (6-6) 27 @ Hamilton (2-9-1) 19

ORFU
Semi-Finals
Ottawa 16 @ Toronto Balmy Beach 7

Fred Doty scored the first touchdown and Len Cassidy the second as the Argonauts came back from an 11-0 deficit to edge the Rough Riders at Lansdowne Park. George Hall and Beaver Dalton scored touchdowns and Buck Rogers added a convert for Ottawa in the 1st half, but Mr. Doty got the Argonauts on the scoreboard in the 2nd half. Joe Krol converted and surprised the Rough Riders by taking the Ottawa kickoff and kicking the ball back; it dribbled over the Ottawa goal line and Mr. Cassidy fell on it for a touchdown, converted by Mr. Krol.

The Alouettes scored 19 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to defeat the Tigers before 5,000 fans at Civic Stadium. With Hamilton leading 19-8, Tigers' halfback Joe Soyka attempted a pass from his own end zone, only to have it fall into the arms of Montreal tackle Herb Trawick for a touchdown. Virgil Wagner then scored 2 touchdown, converting the second. Tommy Cates scored the first Montreal touchdown in the 3rd quarter, which came between sensational Hamilton scores. Jack Stewart rushed 80 yards for a touchdown, and after Mr. Cates scored, Frank Filchock fielded the kickoff and lateralled to Joey Pal, who returned it 85 yards for a touchdown. Bus Stephens scored the first Hamilton TD in the 2nd quarter.

The Trojans took advantage of Balmy Beach fumbles to score 14 of their 16 points in upsetting the defending Ontario Rugby Football Union champions at Maple Leaf Stadium. Moe Segal recovered 2 Toronto fumbles in the span of 3 plays, setting up a field goal by Joe Farley to give Ottawa a 9-7 halftime lead. The Trojans opened the scoring in the 1st quarter on a touchdown by George Gilmour, converted by Mr. Farley. Balmy Beach took the lead in the 2nd quarter on a touchdown by Norm Millen, converted by Bruce Coulter, and a single by Bob Cunningham. Ottawa quarterback and coach Wally Masters scored a touchdown in the 3rd quarter to make the score 14-7, and Mr. Farley and Jim McFaul scored the final point when he blocked Mr. Coulter's punt into the Toronto end zone, and Mr. Coulter recovered. Mr. Cunningham suffered a dislocated collarbone in the game.

Canadian university
Queen's (0-4-1) 5 @ Toronto (4-1) 15
McGill (0-4-1) 0 @ Western Ontario (5-0) 22

Bruce Cummings threw touchdown passes to John Roe and Ted Toogood, converted them both, and added a 25-yard field goal to lead the Varsity Blues over the Gaels before 16,000 fans at Varsity Stadium. Quarterback Al Lenard handled the Queen's scoring with a field goal and 2 singles.

Bob McFarlane, George Curtis, and George Arnott scored touchdowns for the Mustangs as they shut out the Redmen before 7,000 fans at J.W. Little Memorial Stadium in London.

Baseball
Brooklyn Dodgers' first baseman Jackie Robinson was named major league baseball's first Rookie of the Year in voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Mr. Robinson batted .297 with 12 home runs, 48 runs batted in, 125 runs, and a National League-leading 29 stolen bases in 151 games in helping the Dodgers win the NL pennant. He finished with 129 points in the voting, followed by New York Giants' pitcher Larry Jansen (105); New York Yankees' pitcher Frank Shea (67); Philadelphia Athletics' first baseman Ferris Fain (43); and Cincinnati Reds' outfielder Frank Baumholtz (42).

60 years ago
1957

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Tu n'as pas très bon caractère--Dalida

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): That'll Be the Day--The Crickets (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
Harbor Command, starring Wendell Corey
Tonight's episode: Fisherman's League

Space
U.S. Defense Secretary Neil McElroy ordered the Army to prepare "for launching a scientific satelllite by use of a modified Jupiter-C test vehicle."

Diplomacy
U.K. Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd rejected Soviet proposals for an East-West summit under present conditions.

Press and radio in Egypt rnewed pleas for Jordan's Palestinian refugees to overthrow the regime of King Hussein and destroy the Hashemite dynasty.

Defense
The United Kingdom conducted its first successful hydrogen bomb test, over Kiritimati in the Pacific Ocean.

Politics and government
William Rogers was sworn in as Attorney General in the cabinet of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, succeeding Herbert Brownell.

Disasters
Pan Am Flight 7, a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser on the first leg of a round-the-world flight, disappeared between San Francisco and Honolulu. All 36 passengers and 8 crew members were killed, but the wreckage and bodies weren't discovered until a week later. No definitive cause has ever been determined.

50 years ago
1967

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Baby, Now that I've Found You--The Foundations

Australia's top 10 (Go-Set)
1 The Last Waltz--Engelbert Humperdinck (3rd week at #1)
2 Itchycoo Park--Small Faces
3 (The Lights Went Out In) Massachusetts--The Bee Gees
4 The Letter--The Box Tops
5 It Must Be Him--Vikki Carr
6 Lightning's Girl--Nancy Sinatra
7 Homburg--Procol Harum
8 Hole in My Shoe--Traffic
9 Living in a Child's Dream--Masters Apprentices
10 Dream Girl--Davy Jones

Singles entering the chart were My Prayer/Don't Let Your Left Hand Know by the Vibrants (#19); Alternate Title by the Monkees (#26); The Cat in the Window (The Bird in the Sky) by Petula Clark (#33); Gimme Little Sign by Brenton Wood (#37); and Ambush by Maria Dallas (#39). Alternate Title was the alternate title used for the single release in the United Kingdom and Australia for the song that was originally released as Randy Scouse Git on the album Headquarters (1967); the song was never released as a single in North America.

At the movies
The Ernie Game, written and directed by Don Owen and starring Alexis Kanner, Jackie Burroughs, Anna Cameron, and Leonard Cohen, opened in theatres in Canada.

Diplomacy
U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey concluded his eight-day tour of Asia. He had discussed the Vietnam War and other problems with Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and his cabinet. In Indonesia, Mr. Humphrey countered talk and rumours unfavourable to the United States and its Asian policies.

Disasters
A dynamite explosion at a construction project in central Peru resulted in the deaths from gas fumes of 15 workers.

40 years ago
1977

On television tonight
Family, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Little Brother

Died on this date
Bucky Harris, 81. U.S. baseball player and manager. Stanley Raymond Harris was a second baseman with the Washington Nationals (1919-1928) and Detroit Tigers (1929, 1931), batting .274 with 9 home runs and 508 runs batted in in 1,263 games. He became manager of the Nationals in 1924 at the age of 27, and led them to the World Series championship that year--still the only World Series title for a Washington team--and the American League pennant in 1925, earning the nickname "The Boy Wonder." Mr. Harris managed the Senators through 1928, and again from 1935-1942 and 1950-1954, and also managed the Detroit Tigers (1929-1933, 1955-1956); Boston Red Sox (1934); Philadelphia Phillies (1943); and New York Yankees (1947-1948), leading the Yankees to the World Series championship in 1947, and narrowly missing the AL pennant in 1948. His major league career record as a manager was 2,158-2,219 (.493). Mr. Harris was general manager of the Red Sox from 1959-1960, with little success. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975, elected by the Veterans' Committee--a questionable choice. Mr. Harris died on his 81st birthday.

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Where the Streets Have No Name--U2

#1 single in Switzerland: You Win Again--Bee Gees (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France: La Bamba--Los Lobos (4th week at #1)

Terrorism
11 people were killed and at least 63 injured when a bomb exploded at a Remembrance Day service in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (12-6) 18 @ Toronto (11-6-1) 20
Saskatchewan (5-12-1) 14 @ British Columbia (12-6) 34

Lance Chomyc’s 55-yard field goal on the last play of the game gave the Argonauts their first win of the season over the Blue Bombers before 21,042 fans—including this blogger—on a rainy Sunday at Exhibition Stadium. The winning kick was Mr. Chomyc’s 6th field goal in 7 attempts; he had been successful from 38, 54, 46, 47, and 32 yards earlier, and had scored a single on his only miss with 1:32 remaining in the game. Hank Ilesic’s 47-yard punt single in the 3rd quarter accounted for the other Toronto point. Mark Seale scored his only CFL touchdown for the Blue Bombers in the 2nd quarter when he recovered a fumble by Argonaut quarterback Gilbert Renfroe in the Toronto end zone. Winnipeg quarterback Tom Clements rushed 1 yard for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter, just after completing a 67-yard pass to Jeff Boyd. Darrell Smith of the Argonauts caught 7 passes for 104 yards, and teammate Paul Pearson caught 5 for 91. Mr. Boyd caught 3 for 86, while teammate Sheldon Gaines, playing his second and last CFL game, caught 3 for 37. Mr. Clements and Tom Muecke split the quarterbacking for the Blue Bombers, while Mr. Renfroe went the distance for Toronto, completing just 18 of 46 passes, but for 308 yards. The Blue Bombers had won the first 2 games of the season between the teams, including a 24-23 win at Winnipeg Stadium a week earlier. This game began a tradition of bad feelings between the teams that lasted for at least a decade. The Argonauts took 16 penalties for 159 yards, and defensive lineman Jearld Baylis was disqualified in the 3rd quarter shortly after taking 2 penalties for objectionable conduct and another for roughing the passer to extend a drive that ended with Trevor Kennerd kicking a field goal for the Blue Bombers. Mr. Baylis recorded 2 of the Argonauts’ 6 sacks as the Toronto defense limited the Blue Bombers to 178 yards of net offense.

Defensive back Darrell Hemphill, playing his only CFL game, made 2 interceptions and returned the first 39 yards for a touchdown just 1:41 into the game as the Lions beat the Roughriders before 38,730 fans at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver. Ray Crouse rushed 20 times for 114 yards and a touchdown, while backfield mate Anthony Parker added 87 yards on 13 carries as the Lions rushed for 237 yards. Mr. Crouse also caught 2 passes for 62 yards. Roy Dewalt started at quarterback for B.C. and played the 1st half, rushing 25 yards for a touchdown. Condredge Holloway played the 2nd half at quarterback for the Lions and completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jan Carinci. David Conrad scored the only Saskatchewan touchdown on a 4-yard pass from Kent Austin on the last play of the 3rd quarter. Mr. Hemphill, who had been on the B.C. practice roster or injured list all season, was named the CFL’s defensive star of the week for his performance; he didn’t play in the Western Final and retired in the off-season, and remains the only player to earn a star of the week award for every CFL game he ever played.

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): End of the Road--Boyz II Men (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Birthday Song--Power Pack (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Sweat (A La La La La Long)--Inner Circle (6th week at #1)

Business
Conrad Black's Hollinger Inc. acquired Torstar's 22.5% stake in Southam Inc. for $259 million; the chain's losses this year totalled $186 million. Southam owned 19 dailies, with sales of 1.5 million copies, and also Coles Books stores.

Football
CFL
Hamilton (11-7) 48 @ Toronto (6-12) 35
Ottawa (9-9) 6 @ Winnipeg (11-7) 18
Saskatchewan (9-9) 17 @ Calgary (13-5) 40

Toronto quarterback Rickey Foggie completed 2 touchdown passes to Eddie Brown as the Argonauts jumped to an early 14-0 lead, but Paul Osbaldiston kicked a field goal late in the 1st quarter to get the Tiger-Cats on the scoreboard, and then the Tiger-Cats exploded for a record-tying 38 points in the 2nd quarter to take a 41-14 halftime lead, coasting from there to victory before 29,075 fans at SkyDome. Don McPherson completed touchdown passes to Nick Mazzoli and Earl Winfield; Scott Walker returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown; Lee Knight rushed 1 yard for a TD; Mr. Osbaldiston kicked another field goal; and linebacker John Zajdel returned a fumble 2 yards for a touchdown. Mr. Osbaldiston converted all Hamilton touchdowns. The 38 points tied a single-quarter record set by the Edmonton Eskimos in the 2nd quarter of a 62-11 win over the Montreal Alouettes at Commonwealth Stadium on September 26, 1981. In the 3rd quarter, Lance Chomyc scored 2 single points on missed field goals, and Mr. Knight rushed 1 yard for his second TD of the game with 1 second remaining as the Tiger-Cats took a 48-16 led into the 4th quarter. Mike Kerrigan, one of three Toronto quarterbacks who saw action, completed a 19-yard TD pass to Anthony Cooley, converted by Mr. Chomyc. Kevin Smellie then ran for a pair of 1-yard touchdowns, with unsuccessful 2-point convert attempts following both. Mr. Foggie, Mr. Kerrigan, and John Congemi all played quarterback for the Argos, combining to complete 32 of 61 passes for 485 yards and 3 interceptions. Mr. Cooley led all receivers with 111 yards on 5 receptions, while teammate Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, in his final CFL game, caught 2 passes for 68 yards.

Michael Richardson caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Matt Dunigan in the 1st quarter and rushed 4 yards for a TD in the 2nd quarter as the Blue Bombers defeated the Rough Riders before 27,589 fans at Winnipeg Stadium to take first place in the East Division. Mr. Richardson led all rushers with 81 yards on 20 carries. Ottawa quarterback Tom Burgess completed just 9 of 29 passes for 116 yards and 3 interceptions. Mr. Dunigan was just 6 for 16 for 77 yards, while backup Danny McManus was 4 for 8 for 76
yards.

Doug Flutie completed 26 of 40 passes for 394 yards and touchdowns to Dave Sapunjis and Allen Pitts to lead the Stampeders over the Roughriders before 22,740 fans at McMahon Stadium. The Stampeders led 34-3 at halftime on Mr. Flutie’s 2 TD passes and touchdown rushes by Andy McVey and Eric Mitchel. The Roughriders scored 2 touchdowns in the 3rd quarter on passes from Kent Austin of 5 yards to Mike Saunders and 65 yards to Don Narcisse. Mr. Austin completed a pass to Mr. Saunders for a 2-point convert after the first touchdown. Mr. Pitts led all receivers with 144 yards on 10 receptions, while Mr. Sapunjis caught 8 for 117. Saskatchewan linebacker Tyrone Jones received 5 penalties for objectionable conduct and was ejected before the 2nd-half kickoff after swatting side judge Jamie Kramer, one of three officials attempting to escort him off the field. The Saskatchewan loss gave them third place in the West Division, clinching second place for the Edmonton Eskimos.

20 years ago
1997

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Barbie Girl--Aqua (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Candle in the Wind 1997--Elton John (7th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Savoir aimer--Florent Pagny (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Barbie Girl--Aqua

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Barbie Girl--Aqua (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Barbie Girl--Aqua (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Chart Information Network): Barbie Girl--Aqua (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Candle in the Wind 1997/Something About the Way You Look Tonight--Elton John (5th week at #1)

Environment
Chinese engineers diverted the Yangtze River to make way for the Three Gorges Dam.