November 28, 2018

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Dede Hill and Chris Milner!

900 years ago
1118

Born on this date
Manuel I. Emperor of the Byzantine Empire, 1143-1180. Manuel I succeeded his father John II on the throne. He engaged in various military campaigns and was highly regarded in his time, but some modern historians attribute his good reputation to the Komnenos dynasty that he was a member of, and connect him with the subsequent decline of that dynasty. Manuel died of a slow fever on September 24, 1180 at the age of 61, and was succeeded on the throne by his son Alexios II.

175 years ago
1843

Diplomacy
The Kingdom of Hawaii was officially recognized by the United Kingdom and France as an independent nation.

150 years ago
1868

Born on this date
František Drdla. Czech musician and composer. Mr. Drdla had a successful career as a concert violinist, and wrote three operettas, a violin concerto, and several orchestral and chamber works, but was primarily known for composing light works for violin and piano. He died on September 3, 1944 at the age of 75.

125 years ago
1893

Politics and government
The Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Richard Seddon, was re-elected with an increased majority of seats in general electorates in the New Zealand general election. The Liberals won 51 of 70 seats, an increase of 13 from the most recent election in 1890. The Conservatives, led by William Rolleston, won 14 seats, a decrease of 11. Five independent candidates were elected. Voting in the four Māori electorates took place on December 20, 1893. This was the first N.Z. general election in which women were allowed to vote.

110 years ago
1908

Born on this date
Michael Adekunle Ajasin. Nigerian politician. Mr. Ajasin was involved in Nigerian politics before and after the country gained its independence from British colonial rule in 1960. He sat in the Federal House of Representatives from 1954-1966, and was Governor of Ondo from 1979-1983, winning re-election shortly before a military coup took over Nigeria. Mr. Ajasin died on October 3, 1997 at the age of 88.

Claude Lévi-Strauss. Belgian-born French anthropologist and ethnologist. Professor Lévi-Strauss has been called one of the "fathers of modern anthropology." He was a major figure in the field of structural anthropology, arguing that human characteristics are the same everywhere and that cultures are determined by their interrelationships. Professor Lévi-Strauss's best-known book was Tristes Tropiques (1955); he died on October 30, 2009, 29 days before his 101st birthday.

Disasters
A coal mine explosion in Marianna, Pennsylvania killed 154 men, leaving only one survivor.

Football
CRU
Dominion Final
McGill University 17 @ Hamilton Tigers 21

This was the last dominion final prior to the donation of the Grey Cup in 1909.

U.S. college
Army 6 Navy 4 @ Franklin Field, Philadelphia

90 years ago
1928

Diplomacy
U.S. President-elect Herbert Hoover continued his goodwill tour of Latin America with a visit to San Jose, Costa Rica.

Crime
A 37-year-old bootlegger, whose name wasn't mentioned, was sentenced in Flint, Michigan by Circuit Court Judge Brennan to life in prison for a fourth offense against the state's liquor laws. He was said to be the first "simon pure" bootlegger to be sentenced to life imprisonment under Michigan's habitual criminal law. Other "lifers" in the state had had other felonies interspersed with their bootlegging activities, according to official records.

Protest
The 300-member student body of Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois began a five-day strike in protest against the college's efforts to cut its budget by "streamlining" the academic program by dropping some majors and courses. While the students boycotted classes, they conducted tutorials in residence halls and fraternity houses in order to keep up in their course work. One of the leaders of the strike was freshman Ronald Reagan, 17.

Bowling
O. Stein and R. Nelson set a two-man record, pinning 1,393 in games in the Mid-West tournament in St. Louis.

80 years ago
1938

Died on this date
William McDougall, 67. U.K.-born psychologist. Dr. McDougall taught at University College London and Oxford before moving to the United States, serving as a professor of psychology at Harvard University (1920-1927) and then at Duke University, where he established the Parapsychology Laboratory under J.B. Rhine. Dr. McDougall was important in the development of the theory of instinct and of social psychology, and wrote a number of influential textbooks. He was an opponent of behaviourism, and used an approach he called hormic psychology, arguing that behaviour was generally goal-oriented and purposive. Dr. McDougall was a eugenicist who believed in a form of Lamarckism (the inheritance of acquired characteristics), and believed that there was an animating principle in matter. He was critical of spiritualism, but researched psychic phenomena.

75 years ago
1943

Died on this date
Aleksander Hellat, 62. Estonian politician and diplomat. Mr. Hellat was commander of the militia during the revolution of 1917-1918 that saw the creation of the Republic of Estonia. He was Mayor of Tallin (1918-1919); Estonian Minister in Riga (1920-1922); and Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs (1922-1923, 1927). After the U.S.S.R. seized control of Estonia in 1940, Mr. Hellat was sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to 10 years at a prison camp in Siberia, where he died.

War
U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and U.S.S.R. dictator Josef Stalin met in Tehran for their first conference during World War II. British troops in Italy began a new drive from the west bank of the Sangro River, advancing six miles. Soviet forces further hemmed in retreating Germans with the capture of Sharybovka, 18 miles southeast of the rail junction of Zhlobin. U.S. troops on Bougainville Island advanced 800 yards against stiff opposition. Australian troops moving up the New Guinea coast with tank and plane support advanced to within a mile of the important rail junction of Bonga.

Crime
The Mexican Supreme Court refused to intervene in the conviction of Jacques Mornard for the 1940 murder of exiled Soviet Communist figure Leon Trotsky.

70 years ago
1948

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring John Stanley and George Spelvin (Wendell Holmes), on MBS
Tonight's episode: The Well Advertised Murder

Politics and government
Former Japanese Prime Minister Hitoshi Ashida resigned as president of the Democratic Party, following the discovery of his involvement in a bribery scandal.

Academia
The U.S. National Executive Council of Phi Kappi Psi upheld the suspension of the fraternity's Amherst College chapter for admitting a Negro.

Labour
A strike by 2,000 workers at Johns-Manville plant in Asbestos, Quebec began; the strike lasted until 1950.

60 years ago
1958

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Hoots Mon--Lord Rockingham's XI

Politics and government
The territorial assemblies of Gabon, Chad, Congo, and Mauritania chose to become autonomous republics within the French Community.

World events
The Yugoslavian government issued amnesty decrees freeing 838 prisoners and shortening the terms of 1,178 others.

Defense
The U.S. Air Force fired a three-stage Atlas missile "the full intercontinental range" of 6,325 miles for the first time.

Labour
Refusing to meet the wage demands of striking railway workers, Argentine President Arturo Frondizi issued a mobilization decree outlawing the strike and drafting all rail workers into the army.

Sport
A three-judge U.S. federal court in New Orleans ruled that a 1956 Louisiana law banning sports meets between whites and Negroes was unconstitutional.

Boxing
Mike DeJohn (36-5-1) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Willi Besmanoff (39-14-7) in a heavyweight bout at Madison Square Garden in New York.



Hockey
NHL
Punch Imlach, who had recently moved up from assistant general manager to general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, fired coach Billy Reay and replaced him with himself. The Maple Leafs were in sixth and last place in the standings at the time.

50 years ago
1968

On television tonight
Dragnet 1969, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Public Affairs: DR-14



40 years ago
1978

On television tonight
The Paper Chase, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Kingsfield's Daughter



Law
A court in Quebec declared the provincial government's Bill 101, making French the only working language in Quebec, to be ultra vires, i.e., beyond the province's jurisdiction.

Hockey
NHL
Montreal 3 Philadelphia 0

30 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Don't Worry Be Happy--Bobby McFerrin (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You--Glenn Medeiros (2nd week at #1)

Economics and finance
The prime lending rate charged by major U.S. banks rose from 10% to 10.5%, its highest level since May 1985.

Business
The Québec Nordiques of the National Hockey League were sold to local interests.

25 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: It Keeps Rainin' (Tears from My Eyes)--Bitty McLean

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)--Meat Loaf (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)--Meat Loaf (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Please Forgive Me--Bryan Adams

Died on this date
Garry Moore, 78. U.S. television personality. Mr. Moore, born Thomas Garrison Morfit III, worked in radio in the 1930s and '40s, but was best known as the host of several television programs, most notably the game shows I've Got a Secret (1952-1964) and To Tell the Truth (1969-1976). He hosted several versions of his own variety program, The Garry Moore Show, from 1950-1958; 1958-1964; and 1966-1967. The Garry Moore Show helped to launch the careers of performers such as Carol Burnett, Jonathan Winters, Alan King, and Don Adams.

Jerry Edmonton, 47. Canadian-born U.S. musician. Mr. Edmonton, a native of Oshawa, Ontario, was born Gerald McCrohan. He was the drummer with the rock group Jack London and the Sparrows in the 1960s; the group changed its name to Steppenwolf and enjoyed considerable success in the late 1960s and early '70s. Mr. Edmonton's brother Dennis, who wrote songs under the name Mars Bonfire, was also a member of the group. Jerry Edmonton was killed in a car accident in Santa Barbara, California.

Diplomacy
The British government of Prime Minister John Major confirmed that for several years it had been in contact, through intermediaries, with the outlawed Irish Republican Army. Transcripts of exchanged messages released the following day indicated that the parties were exploring ways to end violence in Northern Ireland. The transcripts, if accurate, indicated that the IRA was willing to end its terrorist bombings and participate in dialogue that would lead to peace.

Football
CFL
Grey Cup @ McMahon Stadium, Calgary
Edmonton 33 Winnipeg 23

Lucius Floyd and Jim Sandusky scored touchdowns and Sean Fleming added 2 converts, 6 field goals, and a single as the Eskimos held on to defeat the Blue Bombers before 50,035 fans at McMahon Stadium. Mr. Floyd opened the scoring with a 4-yard rush 7:10 into the game, after Bruce Dickson blocked a Bob Cameron punt. Damon Allen completed a 2-yard pass to Jim Sandusky for another touchdown just 3 minutes later. Mr. Fleming converted and kicked a 41-yard field goal 2 minutes later to give Edmonton a 17-0 lead after the 1st quarter. Mr. Fleming added a single on a missed field goal and kicked a 26-yard field goal in the 2nd quarter to make the score 21-0 before Michael Richardson got Winnipeg on the scoreboard with a 2-yard touchdown rush, converted by Troy Westwood with 2:42 remaining in the 1st half. Mr. Fleming kicked a 45-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining, and Mr. Westwood replied with a 48-yard FG on the last play to leave the Eskimos with a 24-10 halftime lead. The Blue Bombers scored all the points in the 3rd quarter on a 1-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown by Sammy Garza, converted by Mr. Westwood with 1:56 remaining. Mr. Westwood kicked a 32-yard field goal at 4:19 of the 4th quarter to reduce Winnipeg's deficit to 24-20, but Mr. Fleming kicked field goals of 15 and 32 yards to make the score 30-20 with 5:07 left in regulation time. Mr. Westwood kicked his third FG, from 32 yards with 2:44 remaining, to draw the Blue Bombers to within 30-23, but Mr. Fleming put the game away with a 19-yard field goal with 6 seconds remaining. The Blue Bombers sacked Mr. Allen 5 times, recovered 2 Edmonton fumbles, and made an interception, but Winnipeg turned the ball over 7 times, losing 5 fumbles--including one by wide receiver David Williams on the game's final play--and giving up 2 interceptions. Mr. Allen, who completed 16 of 28 passes for 238 yards and rushed 14 times for 90 yards, was named the game's Most Valuable Player, while Mr. Fleming was named the game's outstanding Canadian. David Williams led all receivers with 7 receptions for 118 yards. Mr. Richardson, who had led the CFL during the regular season with 925 yards rushing, was held to 26 yards on 10 carries. The game marked the first Grey Cup championship for Ron Lancaster as a head coach after playing on championship teams in 1960 and 1966. The temperature at game time was 6 C, considerably warmer than the -21 (with windchill of -35) for the western final in the same stadium a week earlier. This blogger was able to get a last-minute flight to Calgary. CBC sportscaster Brian Williams was kind enough to let me into the stadium for a brief glance at the field before the game; I was able to get a $91 ticket for $60 from someone selling it outside the stadium (tickets were going for much less as game time approached, but I wanted to get in before it started); I ended up in the end zone next to an attractive woman and got a kiss from her after the game; and I made it to the Eskimos' hotel after the game in time to see the team come in with the Grey Cup.



20 years ago
1998

Football
CIAU
Vanier Cup @ SkyDome, Toronto
Saskatchewan 24 Concordia 17

Linebacker Trevor Ludtke recovered an opposition fumble in the Concordia end zone with 2:08 remaining in regulation time to break a 17-17 tie as the heavily-favoured Huskies narrowly defeated the Stingers before 15,157 fans. Concordia had the ball on its own 18-yard lne when quarterback Jon Kronemeyer faded back to pass and was grabbed by Saskatchewan linebacker Michael Milo. Mr. Kronemeyer pitched the ball backward to running back Evan Davis, but the ball sailed over Mr. Davis's head and bounced along the goal line; Mr. Davis ran along the goal line in stead of forward, and fumbled into the end zone when he was hit by defensive lineman Brent Dancey, and Mr. Ludtke recovered. Todd Lynden scored the other Saskatchewan touchdown on a 9-yard pass from quarterback Ryan Reid with 1:56 remaining in the 2nd quarter to break a 3-3 tie. Matt Kellett converted both TDs and added 3 field goals and a single. The Stingers scored both their touchdowns in the 3rd quarter, on a 55-yard rush by Mr. Davis and a 56-yard interception return by Greg Casey. David Miller-Johnston converted both Concordia TDs and added a field goal. Doug Rozon led the Huskies' offense with 23 carries for 140 yards and 2 pass receptions for 28 yards. Saskatchewan defensive back Kurtis Albers set a Vanier Cup record with 3 interceptions, with the last coming on the last play of the game.