February 24, 2018

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Kavis Reed!

480 years ago
1538

Diplomacy
Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I and John Zápolya, King of Hungary, signed the Treaty of Nagyvárad in Grosswardein/Várad (modern-day Oradea, Romania), dividing the medieval Kingdom of Hungary.

170 years ago
1848

World events
Louis-Philippe I, King of France since 1830, of France abdicated the throne, two days after the outbreak of the French Revolution of 1848.

150 years ago
1868

Politics and government
The United States House of Representatives voted 128-47 to impeach President Andrew Johnson on 11 counts, mainly related to his refusal to implement the Tenure of Office Act, a law passed in 1867 which forbade the President to remove civil officials, including members of his cabinet, without the consent of the Senate. Mr. Johnson had suspended Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, intending to secure a test case of the law in the Supreme Court. The larger issue surrounding the impeachment was Mr. Johnson's opposition to the attempt by radical Republicans to impose their agenda of Reconstruction on the southern states in the years following the Civil War (see also here).

100 years ago
1918

Europeana
The Estonian Declaration of Independence was printed and distributed in the capital city of Tallinn, after having been proclaimed the previous night in Pärnu.

75 years ago
1943

Literature
The novel The Human Comedy by William Saroyan was published in New York by Harcourt.

War
Soviet forces continued to make gains in the Rostov, Kramatorsk, Kharkov, Malo Archangelsk, and Krasnodar sectors, but German resistance in Ukraine began to stiffen. The Axis offensive in central Tunisia was halted and turned around, as Axis forces retreated under the heaviest Allied air assault of the Tunisian campaign.

70 years ago
1948

Diplomacy
U.S. delegate Warren Austin addressed the United Nations Security Council on the Palestine question, avoiding firm commitment to partition or the sending of a UN peacekeeping force to the area.

Politics and government
Czech Communists began forming "action committees" to oust anti-Communist officials in all levels of government, while leftist Zdenek Fierlinger took contol of the Czech Social Democratic Party from conservative socialist Bohumil Lauschmann.

Earl Long defeated Sam Houston Jones in the Louisiana Democratic Party gubernatorial run-off primary, virtually assuring his election in November.

Protest
Workers in Prague held large pro-Communist demonstrations as the Czech Federation of Labour began seizing factories for nationalization.

Economics and finance
The British government of Prime Minister Clement Attlee froze the prices of 9,000 consumer goods at their mid-winter levels, effective March 15.

Boxing
Willie Pep (123-1-1) retained his world featherweight title with a technical knockout of Humberto Sierra (38-8-3) 22 seconds into the 10th round in a heavy rain before 10,000 fans at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

60 years ago
1958

Hit parade
#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Don't/I Beg of You--Elvis Presley (Best Seller--3rd week at #1); Sugartime--The McGuire Sisters (Disc Jockey--2nd week at #1); Get a Job--The Silhouettes (Top 100--1st week at #1)

Politics and government
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Khalil charged that Egypt had interfered in the current Sudanese election campaign "in cooperation with the Communists."

Disasters
25 people were killed when an ammunition train exploded while being unloaded at the Pathankot military post on the India-Kashmir border.

50 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)--Johnny Farnham (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France: Riquita--Georgette Plana (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Canzone--Don Backy

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Mary from Dungloe--Emmet Spiceland

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Everlasting Love--The Love Affair (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Mien Waar Is M'n Feestneus?--Toon (4th week at #1)
2 Words--The Bee Gees
3 Nights in White Satin--The Moody Blues
4 Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band
5 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde--Georgie Fame
6 Bend Me, Shape Me--The American Breed
7 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann
8 Baby, Come Back--The Equals
9 It's the End--The Buffoons
10 Tin Soldier--Small Faces

Singles entering the chart were Pictures of Matchstick Men by the Status Quo (#21); I Get So Excited by the Equals (#33); Turn Around and Start Again by the Cats (#34); (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding (#38); Don't Stop the Carnival by the Alan Price Set (#39); and Back on My Feet Again by the Foundations (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (3rd week at #1)
2 Spooky--The Classics IV
3 I Wish it Would Rain--The Temptations
4 Green Tambourine--The Lemon Pipers
5 Nobody But Me--The Human Beinz
6 (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls--Dionne Warwick
7 I Wonder What She's Doing Tonite--Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
8 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
9 Baby, Now that I've Found You--The Foundations
10 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs

Singles entering the chart were If You Can Want by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (#55); Jealous Love by Wilson Pickett (#57); Will You Love Me Tomorrow by the 4 Seasons (#59); Hey, Hey Bunny by John Fred and his Playboy Band (#78); The Ten Commandments of Love by Peaches and Herb (#79); That's a Lie by Ray Charles (#83); Unchain My Heart by Herbie Mann (#84); Dottie I Like It by Tommy Roe (#88); Looking for a Fox by Clarence Carter (#91); Suddenly You Love Me by the Tremeloes (#92); Little Green Apples by Roger Miller (#96); I Say Love by the Royal Guardsmen (#98); Show Time by the Detroit Emeralds (#99); and L. David Sloane by Michele Lee (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Spooky--The Classics IV
2 Zabadak!--Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich
3 I Can Take or Leave Your Loving--Herman's Hermits
4 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
5 Baby, Now that I've Found You--The Foundations
6 We Can Fly--The Cowsills
7 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs
8 Words--The Bee Gees
9 Nobody But Me--The Human Beinz
10 Strawberry Shortcake--Jay and the Techniques

Singles entering the chart were Maybe Just Today by Bobby Vee and the Strangers (#67); The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo) by Manfred Mann (#69); I Say Love by the Royal Guardsmen (#71); I'm Gonna Make You Love Me by Madeline Bell (#74); Love is All Around by the Troggs (#79); Playboy by Gene and Debbe (#83); Lovey Dovey by Otis and Carla (#85); Dance to the Music by Sly and the Family Stone (#87); Walker Street by the Staccatos (#90); Cab Driver by the Mills Brothers (#92); Dr. Lollipop by the Magic Cycle (#93); Summertime Blues by Blue Cheer (#94); People World by Jim and Jean (#96); At the Top of the Stairs by the Formations (#97); Unchain My Heart by Herbie Mann (#98); For Your Precious Love by Jackie Wilson and Count Basie (#99); and (Mama Come Quick, and Bring Your) Lickin' Stick by George Torrence and the Naturals (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Everything that Touches You--The Association
2 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition
3 Nobody But Me--The Human Beinz
4 Words--The Bee Gees
5 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
6 (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls--Dionne Warwick
7 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
8 1941--Tom Northcott
9 Mr. Soul Satisfaction--Timmi Willis
10 Walk Away Renee--Four Tops

Singles entering the chart were Simon Says by the 1910 Fruitgum Company (#23); Country Girl--City Man by Billy Vera and Judy Clay (#24); Kiss Me Goodbye by Petula Clark (#28); Springfield Plane by Kenny O'Dell (#29); and There Is by the Dells (#30).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (3rd week at #1)
2 Itchycoo Park--Small Faces
3 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition
4 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly--Hugo Montenegro, his Orchestra and Chorus
5 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company
6 Green Tambourine--The Lemon Pipers
7 Words--The Bee Gees
8 Bend Me, Shape Me--The American Breed
9 Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band
10 Skip a Rope--Henson Cargill
Pick hit of the week: My, What a Shame--Dino, Desi and Billy

War
South Vietnamese forces celebrated the recapture of the city of Hue after a battle lasting three weeks, essentially ending the Tet Offensive.

Politics and government
New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller announced that he would be available for a draft for the Republican Party U.S. presidential nomination for 1968.

40 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Ti amo--Umberto Tozzi

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Mull of Kintyre--Wings (7th week at #1)

#1 single in France: Ça plane pour moi--Plastic Bertrand

Disasters
At least 53 passengers were killed and about 100 injured when a passenger train crashed into a trailer truck and derailed in northern Argentina.

21 people were killed and 145 injured when a derailed railroad tanker car loaded with liquid propane exploded in Waverly, Tennessee.

Hockey
CHL
Tulsa 3 @ Fort Worth 4
Dallas 4 @ Salt Lake City 1

30 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Allt som jag känner--Tone Norum & Tommy Nilsson (2nd week at #1)

World events
The South African government of President P.W. Botha took sweeping actions against its black opponents, curtailing the activities of 17 groups and barring the country's largest labour federation from any political involvement. The government also restricted the activities and movements of 18 anti-apartheid leaders. The moves came a week in advance of state elections in Transvaal, where right-wing opponents of Mr. Botha accused his government of coddling opposition blacks. Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu denounced the measures as "rule with the jackboot."

Olympics
Matti Nykanen of Finland became the first person to win three gold medals in ski jumping in a single Winter Olympic games when Finland won the 90-metre men's team event. Mr. Nykanen had previously won the 70-metre and 90-metre men's events at Lake Louise, Alberta.

25 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): No Limit--2 Unlimited

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

Died on this date
Danny Gallivan, 75. Canadian sportscaster. Mr. Gallivan, a native of Sydney, Nova Scotia, was the voice of the Montreal Canadiens on Hockey Night in Canada from 1952-1984, and is fondly remembered as one of of the best--maybe the best--play-by-play broadcasters in hockey history. His colourful use of the English language included such descriptions as "There is, cascading and emanating from the benches and pews occupied by Canadiens' supporters, a groundswell of discontent." Mr. Gallivan was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.

Bobby Moore, 51. U.K. soccer player. Mr. Moore, a defender, played professional soccer from 1958-1978. He was with West Ham United from 1958-1974 and was captain of the English team that won the World Cup in 1966. Mr. Moore ended his career in 1978 with the independent professional club Edmonton Black Gold. He died of liver and bowel cancer.

Politics and government
Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced that he would be resigning from office after the Progressive Conservative Party selected a new leader in June. This blogger was in the national capital region that day, and there were reports of federal government buildings hosting office parties in honour of Mr. Mulroney's announcement. If it hadn't been February, there probably would have been parades in the streets and fireworks. Mr. Mulroney had led his party since June 11, 1983 and had been Prime Minister since September 17, 1984.

20 years ago
1998

Died on this date
Henny Youngman, 91. U.K.-born U.S. comedian. Mr. Youngman, nicknamed "The King of the One-Liners," was born in London but as a child moved with his family to Brooklyn, New York. He was known for delivering one-line jokes, punctuated with interludes of violin playing. Mr. Youngman's most famous line was "Take my wife--please!" When the New York Telephone Company started its Dial-a-Joke line in 1974, over three million people called in one month to hear 30 seconds of Mr. Youngman's material—the most ever for a comedian.

Antonio Prohías, 77. Cuban-born U.S. cartoonist. Mr. Prohias was the foremost cartoonist in Cuba in the 1940s and '50s, but ran afoul of Fidel Castro shortly after Mr. Castro seized power in 1959. Mr. Prohias went to New York in 1960, and found work with Mad magazine, writing and drawing the Spy vs. Spy feature from 1961-1986.

Econommics and finance
Canadian Finance Minister Paul Martin brought in a $151-billion budget, the Canadian government's first balanced budget in 30 years. It included a new $2.5-billion education fund.

Education
An international study was released showing Canadian students placing fifth in science in the world, but only average in mathematics; male students far outperformed female students.

10 years ago
2008

Movies
The Academy Awards for 2007 were presented at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The winners included: Picture--No Country for Old Men; Director--Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men); Actor--Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood); Actress--Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose); Supporting Actor--Javier Bardom (No Country for Old Men); Supporting Actress--Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton).

Died on this date
Larry Norman, 60. U.S. musician. Mr. Norman, a singer-songwriter, has been credited with being the "father of Christian rock." He was a member of the group People, whose single I Love You was a major hit in the spring of 1968. Mr. Norman then left the group and began a solo career, achieving success with albums such as Upon This Rock (1969); Only Visiting This Planet (1972); and In Another Land (1976). His style of music was criticized by churches at the time, but it would have been more appropriate to criticize Mr. Norman's lifestyle, which included two divorces and allegations that he had fathered an illegitimate son. Mr. Norman experienced serious health problems over the years, including a severe heart attack in 1992 that left lasting effects and shortened his life.

Politics and government
Cuba's parliament named Raul Castro the country's new President, ending nearly 50 years of rule by his brother Fidel, who remained as leader of Cuba's Communist Party.