April 1, 2018

725 years ago
1293

Religion
Robert Winchelsey left England for Rome, to be consecrated as Archbishop of Canterbury.

700 years ago
1318

War
Berwick-upon-Tweed was captured by Scotland from England.

150 years ago
1868

Born on this date
Edmond Rostand. French poet and dramatist. Mr. Rostand is famous for his play Cyrano de Bergerac (1897). He also wrote two plays in which Sarah Bernhardt starred: La Princesse lointaine (1895, tr. The Princess Faraway, 1899); and L'Aiglon (1900). Mr. Rostand died during the worldwide flu epidemic on December 2, 1918 at the age of 50.

Politics and government
The Act for the Regulation of the Postal Service came into effect providing a uniform postal service throughout Canada, creating the office of Postmaster General of Canada; fixing uniform first class postal rate of three cents; and establishing the Post Office Savings Bank.

125 years ago
1893

Defense
The United States Navy established the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

110 years ago
1908

Defense
The 101st Regiment (Edmonton Fusiliers) was created by a General Order of the Militia Council of Canada. The regiment was, and is, better known as the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, or Loyal Eddies.

The Territorial Force (renamed Territorial Army in 1920) was formed as a volunteer reserve component of the British Army.

100 years ago
1918

Defense
The British Royal Air Force was created by the merger of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.

Protest
5 civilians were killed and 70 wounded in a shootout with soldiers in Québec City after martial law had been proclaimed as the result of anti-conscription riots that had begun on March 28.

Society
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Robert Borden prohibited the interprovincial shipment of liquor (unitl December 1919). The Alberta government declared total prohibition of alcoholic beverages, while the Saskatchewan Temperance Act came into forces, as all bars were forced to close, and liquor sales in clubs and dining cars ceased.

90 years ago
1928

Died on this date
L.S. Peterson. U.S. postal worker. Mr. Peterson, a Democrat, was retiring as postmaster in Douglas, Georgia, and shot and killed one of the clerks and himself. In a letter he accused Republicans of driving him to debt by campaign money levies. The incident shows that "going postal" is not just a recent phenomenon.

Religion
Crown Prince Umberto of Italy headed a procession of pilgrims at Jerusalem worshipping at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, marking the first time since the Crusades that Roman Catholic royalty had entered that church.

Politics and government
Bernardo Irigoyen was elected President of Argentina.

75 years ago
1943

War
German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps forces dug in around Wadi el Akarit, about 20 miles north of Gabes, Tunisia. In the greatest single raid of the North African campaign, nearly 100 U.S. Flying Fortresses bombed the Cagliari harbour and south Sardinian airfields. Japanese forces attempting to invade Yunan Province were driven back into Burma by Chinese troops who pursued them to Mongwa and Mongtsui. Chinese sources claimed that Chinese forces had ambushed several thousand Japanese troops northeast of Kingmen in central Hupeh.

Politics and government
U.K. Viceroy of India Marquess of Linlithgow banned all Indian political leaders from visiting Hindu nationalist leader Mohandas Gandhi, who was interned at Poona.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Boston 2 @ Detroit 6 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 1-0)

70 years ago
1948

At the movies
Devil's Cargo, directed by John F. Link, Sr., and starring John Calvert as the Falcon, opened in theatres.



Theatre
The popular Toronto revue Spring Thaw made its debut at the Museum Theatre. The production, devised by the New Play Society under Dora Mavor Moore and directed by her son Mavor Moore, had three performances. The revue was a combination of topical and satirical songs, dances, and skits, mostly on Canadian subjects. It ran annually in Toronto from 1948 through 1971, and again in 1980 and 1981. The revue toured Canada in 1962, 1964, 1967, and 1980. Directors, writers and performers included Wayne and Shuster; Pierre Berton; Dinah Christie; Jack Duffy; Barbara Hamilton; Rich Little; Catherine MacKinnon; Don Harron; and Don Francks. According to Ross Stuart in Canadian Theatre Review: "After the Dumbells, Spring Thaw was the most significant phenomenon in the development of musical theatre in Canada. Although it followed in the tradition of earlier revues, it far excelled them all."

World events
Communist forces responded to the introduction of the Deutsche Mark by attempting to force the Western powers to withdraw from Berlin, while the U.S. began airlifting supplies to the city.

The Brazilian government of President Eurico Gaspar Dutra reported the suppression of an attempted leftist coup and the arrest of several Communist leaders in the state of Sao Paulo.

Defense
The U.S. administration of President Harry Truman announced the upcoming retirement of Air Force Chief of Staff Carl Spaatz and his replacement by General Hoyt Vandenberg.

Politics and government
South Korean rightist leaders Kim Koo and Kimm Kiu Sic accepted a North Korean invitation to participate in a conference in Pyongyang, charging that United Nations-sponsored elections in the U.S. zone would lead to the permanent division of Korea. Both men opposed Syngman Rhee, the leader considered most likely to win a UN-sponsored election.

The Faroe Islands gained autonomy from Denmark.

Economics and finance
The British government of Prime Minister Clement Attlee took over operation of the country's electrical industry.

Education
The U.S. Senate passed a $300-million aid-to-education bill sponsored by Sen. Robert Taft (Republican--Ohio) intended to ensure a yearly expenditure of at least $50 per student in every state.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Toronto 2 @ Boston 3 (Toronto led best-of-seven series 3-1)
New York 1 @ Detroit 3 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 3-2)

Basketball
BAA
Quarter-Finals
New York 77 @ Baltimore 84 (Baltimore won best-of-three series 2-1)

Semi-Finals
Philadelphia 62 @ St. Louis 69 (St. Louis led best-of-seven series 3-2)

60 years ago
1958

At the movies
Teacher's Pet, starring Clark Gable, Doris Day, Gig Young, and Mamie Van Doren, opened in theatres.

War
Opening their promised drive against the Cuban government, Fidel Castro's guerrillas isolated Santiago, capital of Oriente Province, by severing the city's land communications.

Diplomacy
Following three days of talks between the Moroccan and Spanish foreign ministries, Spain announced an agreement giving Morocco control of the former Spanish protectorate area of Southern Morocco.

Defense
Denouncing the Soviet test ban declaration as nothing but "propaganda," U.S. State Secretary John Foster Dulles announced that U.S. nuclear tests would continue, to aid in the development of "cleaner" nuclear weapons.

Society
Japanese brothels employing an estimated 100,000 prostitutes were closed as anti-prostitution laws went into effect.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the $1.85-billion bill to stimulate housing construction.

Labour
One million French transport and public utility workers struck for 24 hours to support demands for wage increases in public services and nationalized industries.

Boxing
Hogan "Kid" Bassey (55-11-2) retained his world featherweight title with a knockout of Ricardo Moreno (29-4-1) at 2:58 of the 3rd round at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles.



Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Montreal 4 @ Detroit 3 (Montreal won best-of-seven series 4-0)
New York 5 @ Boston 2 (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)

Rocket Richard scored 3 goals and Dickie Moore added another as the Canadiens came from a 3-1 deficit with 3 goals in the 3rd period to eliminate the Red Wings at Olympia Stadium. Mr. Richard's third goal of the game, and his seventh of the series, came at 9:56 of the 3rd period, 49 seconds after Mr. Moore had tied the game, and stood as the winner.

Dean Prentice and Andy Bathgate scored shorthanded goals and Mr. Bathgate added another into an empty net as the Rangers defeated the Bruins at Boston Garden.

50 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): (The Lights Went Out In) Massachusetts--The Bee Gees

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): I'm Coming Home--Tom Jones (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
The Andy Griffith Show, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Mayberry R.F.D.

This was the 249th and final episode of the program, setting up the spinoff series Mayberry R.F.D..



Died on this date
Lev Landau, 60. U.S.S.R. physicist. Dr. Landau was awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physics for his development of a mathematical theory of superfluidity that accounts for the properties of liquid helium II at a temperature below 2.17 K (-270.98 °C.). He died as the result of injuries received in an auto accident seven years earlier, from which he never fully recovered.

War
Operation Pegasus, with a force of 30,000 American and South Vietnamese troops, was launched in an attempt to relieve the U.S. Marine base at Khesanh, under siege from North Vietnamese forces.

Politics and government
The National Museum of Canada was transferred to the new National Museums of Canada Corporation under the Department of the Secretary of State. The Human History Branch became the National Museum of Man; the Natural History Branch became the National Museum of Natural Sciences; and the Science and Technology Branch beaoms the National Museum of Science and Technology. William E. Taylor was the first Director of the National Museum of Man.

The Board of Broadcast Governors (BBG) was renamed the Canadian Radio-Television Commission, under the Broadcasting Act; today it's known as the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Economics and finance
Trading volume on the New York Stock Exchange hit a record 17,730,000 shares.

Basketball
NBA
Eastern Division Semi-Finals
Boston 111 @ Detroit 103 (Boston won best-of-seven series 4-2)
Philadelphia 113 @ New York 97 (Philadelphia won best-of-seven series 4-2)

40 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Gianna--Rino Gaetano (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Mull of Kintyre--Wings (10th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Wuthering Heights--Kate Bush (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Wuthering Heights--Kate Bush (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Night Fever--Bee Gees (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Denis--Blondie (3rd week at #1)
2 Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees
3 Big City--Tol Hansse
4 Only a Fool--The Mighty Sparrow with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires
5 Wuthering Heights--Kate Bush
6 U.O. Me (You Owe Me)--Luv'
7 Fantasy--Earth, Wind & Fire
8 Red Hot--Robert Gordon with Link Wray
9 If I Had Words--Scott Fitzgerald and Yvonne Keeley with the St. Thomas More School Choir
10 Rosita--George Baker

Singles entering the chart were Follow You Follow Me by Genesis (#26); Rock 'n Roll by Gruppo Sportivo (#28); Come Away by Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurus with Jona Lewie (#30); Charlie's Angels by Donna Lynton (#35); and Charlie Chaplin by Mieke (#38).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Night Fever--Bee Gees (3rd week at #1)
2 Can't Smile Without You--Barry Manilow
3 Lay Down Sally--Eric Clapton
4 Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees
5 Emotion--Samantha Sang
6 Thunder Island--Jay Ferguson
7 I Go Crazy--Paul Davis
8 Jack and Jill--Raydio
9 If I Can't Have You--Yvonne Elliman
10 Dust in the Wind--Kansas

Singles entering the chart were You're the One that I Want by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (#65); Make You Feel Love Again by Wet Willie (#76); Wheel in the Sky by Journey (#83); Mama Let Him Play by Doucette (#86); Deacon Blues by Steely Dan (#87); Dance Across the Floor by Jimmy "Bo" Horne (#94); I Can't Stand the Rain by Eruption (#95); and Down the Road by B.T.O. (#96). You're the One that I Want was from the movie Grease (1978).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Night Fever--Bee Gees
2 Emotion--Samantha Sang
3 (Love Is) Thicker than Water--Andy Gibb
4 I Go Crazy--Paul Davis
5 Can't Smile Without You--Barry Manilow
6 Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees
7 Sometimes When We Touch--Dan Hill
8 Lay Down Sally--Eric Clapton
9 What's Your Name--Styx
10 Thunder Island--Jay Ferguson

Singles entering the chart were Two Doors Down by Dolly Parton (#91); It's Never Too Late by Midnight (#95); A Hit Song by Ron Mahonin (#96); On Broadway by George Benson (#97); Music, Harmony and Rhythm by Brooklyn Dreams (#98); Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) by Billy Joel (#99); and Too Much, Too Little, Too Late by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams (#100).

Academia
The Philippine College of Commerce, through a presidential decree, became the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Hockey
NHL
Boston 1 @ Montreal 7
Buffalo 2 @ Toronto 3
Washington 2 @ New York Islanders 3
Pierre Bouchard scored 2 goals and an assist for the Canadiens as they routed the Bruins at the Montreal Forum in the national Hockey Night in Canada telecast. The Bruins’ lineup for that game included Dennis O’Brien, who became the first man to play with four National Hockey League teams in the same season. Mr. O’Brien, a defenseman, played 13 games with the Minnesota North Stars to begin the 1977-78 season; this was followed by 16 games with the Colorado Rockies, 23 with the Cleveland Barons, and 16 with the Bruins, a total of 68 games.

Darryl Sittler scored his 44th goal of the season at 2:03 of the 3rd period to break a 2-2 tie as the Maple Leafs edged the Sabres at Maple Leaf Gardens in the southern Ontario telecast of Hockey Night in Canada. Dave "Tiger" Williams scored the first 2 Toronto goals in the 1st period. Mike Palmateer made 37 saves to win the goaltending duel over Don Edwards.

Rookie Mike Bossy scored his 50th goal of the season on a powerplay with 8:08 remaining in the game and scored his 51st on a powerplay with 5 seconds remaining to enable the Islanders to defeat the Capitals at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale.

Baseball
The Houston Astros scored 3 runs in the 1st inning, 2 in the 2nd, and 3 in the 8th as they easily beat the Texas Rangers 8-1 in a spring training game before 5,100 fans at Ray Winder Field in Little Rock, Arkansas. J.R. Richard started on the mound for Houston and allowed just 2 hits in 7 scoreless innings to even his spring training record at 1-1. Doyle Alexander pitched the first 6 innings for Texas, allowing 5 runs--2 earned--to fall to 2-3 for the spring.



30 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Tell it to My Heart--Taylor Dayne (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Jim Jordan, 91. U.S. actor. Mr. Jordan was the male star of the radio series Fibber McGee and Molly, with Molly being played by Mr. Jordan’s real-life wife Marian. The Jordans began their radio careers on WENR in Chicago in 1927 doing two series: Luke and Mirandy, and The Smith Family. In 1931 they created a series called Smackout for WMAQ in Chicago. All these series were situation comedies in rural settings. Smackout was picked up by the National Broadcasting Company in April 1933 and ran until August 1935. Fibber McGee and Molly, a series developed by Mr. Jordan, began running on NBC on April 16, 1935. It took five years to become a big hit, but it eventually became one of the most popular series on radio, running until mid-1953. Fibber and Molly made appearances in short segments on the NBC series Monitor from 1957-1959 under the title Just Molly and Me. The Jordans were set to renew their contract with NBC when Marian died of cancer in 1961.

World events
The United States sent more Marines into Panama, while the Pentagon rejected a charge by Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega that the U.S. was planning military action against his regime. U.S. officials said the move was intended to demonstrate support for ousted President Eric Delvalle and others who opposed Gen. Noriega.

Diplomacy
A 60-day case-fire between the Sandanista government of Nicaragua and Contra rebels formally took effect.

Scandal
James McKay, the independent counsel investigating U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese on a variety of matters, said that he did not plan to seek an indictment of him, "based on the evidence developed to date."

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that the unemployment rate had continued to edge downward to 5.5% in March.

Hockey
NHL
Toronto 3 @ Detroit 7

Los Angeles 6 @ Calgary 3

Shawn Burr scored 2 goals and Adam Oates added a goal and 3 assists for the Red Wings as they beat the Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena in the last Maple Leafs’ game to be telecast on the independent Hamilton station CHCH, and the last for Erik Thomas as TV play-by-play broadcaster. Mr. Thomas decided to observe the occasion (which also happened to be April Fools’ Day) by spicing up his call of the game with some voice impressions. His Danny Gallivan impression was so good that it fooled me; I thought Mr. Gallivan had actually taken over the mike for a few minutes. Mr. Thomas’s antics were more entertaining than the game.

Luc Robitaille scored his 49th and 50th goals of the season to help the Kings defeat the Flames at Olympic Saddledome.

25 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Onpa kadulla mittaa--Kolmas Nainen

Died on this date
Alan Kulwicki, 38. U.S. race car driver. Mr. Kulwicki was a stock car driver who was NASCAR's Rookie of the Year in 1986, and winner of the Winston Cup championship in 1992. He was killed in a plane crash in Tennessee after making a promotional appearance in Knoxville.

Terrorism
The United States indicted four Palestinians on charges of plotting to kill Jews and blow up the Israeli embassy in Washington as part of Abu Nidal's terrorist network.

Television
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission ordered cuts in the prices of cable TV services and ordered cable companies to cancel any increases imposed since Congress had voted to regulate the industry.

20 years ago
1998

Disasters
Floods in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec forced 2,000 people from their homes.

10 years ago
2008

Died on this date
Jake Warren, 86. Canadian bureaucrat and diplomat. Mr. Warren, a native of Howard Township, Ontario, was Deputy Minister of Trade and Commerce (1958-1960, 1964–1971), and was Canada's representative to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (1960-1964). He was Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (1971-1974) Canadian Ambassador to the United States (1975-1977). Mr. Warren died in Ottawa, nine days before his 87th birthday.

Abominations
The U.S. Defense Department made public a legal memo dated March 14, 2003, that approved the use of harsh interrogation techniques (i.e., torture) against terror suspects.