March 19, 2019

740 years ago
1279

Died on this date
Lu Xiufu, 42. Grand Chancellor of China, 1278-1279. Lu Xiufu took office when Emperor Zhao Bing acceded to the throne in May 1278. When it became apparent that Song forces had lost the Battle of Yamen, Lu Xiufu carried Emperor Zhao Bing to a cliff, and they committed suicide by jumping into the sea.

Huaizong, 7. Emperor of China, 1278-1279. Huaizong, born Zhao Bing succeeded his brother Duanzong as Emperor of the Song Dynasty. He was on the throne for 10 months before he died in the arms of Lu Xiufu.

War
Invading forces of the Mongol Yuan dynasty defeated forces of the Song dynasty in the naval Battle of Yamen, resulting in Yuan rule over all of China and the end of the Song dynasty after three centuries.

390 years ago
1629

Born on this date
Aleksei. Czar of Russia, 1645-1676. Aleksei acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Mikhail. Aleksei's' reign saw wars with Poland and Sweden, schism in the Russian Orthodox Church, and the major Cossack revolt of Stenka Razin. Czar Aleksei died on January 29, 1676 at the age of 46, and was succeeded by his son Feodor III.

370 years ago
1649

Politics and government
The House of Commons of England passed an act abolishing the House of Lords, declaring it "useless and dangerous to the people of England."

210 years ago
1809

Born on this date
Fredrik Pacius. German-born Finnish composer. Mr. Pacius has been called the "Father of Finnish music," and wrote the music for the national anthems of both Finland and Estonia. His works included a symphony and several operas. Mr. Pacius died on January 8, 1891 at the age of 82.

170 years ago
1849

Born on this date
Alfred von Tirpitz. German military officer and politician. Großadmiral (Grand Admiral) Tirpitz was Secretary of State of the German Naval Office from 1897-1916, building the Imperial German Navy into one of the most powerful in the world. His advocacy of unrestricted submarine warfare during World War I led to his dismissal by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Großadmiral Tirpitz was a member of the Prussian House of Lords from 1908-1918, and co-founded the pan-Germanic nationalist Deutsche Vaterlandspartei (Fatherland Party) in 1917. As a member of the Deutschnationale Volkspartei (DNVP) (German National People's Party), he sat in the Reichstag from 1924-1928. Großadmiral Tirpitz died on March 6, 1930, 13 days before his 81st birthday.

125 years ago
1894

Born on this date
Moms Mabley. U.S. comedienne. Jackie "Moms" Mabley, born Loretta Aiken, was one of the most popular entertainers on the "Chitlin' circuit" for several decades, eventually becoming known to white audiences through numerous television appearances. She died on May 23, 1975 at the age of 81.

100 years ago
1919

Born on this date
Lennie Tristano. U.S. musician and composer. Mr. Tristano was a jazz pianist who went blind during childhood, but learned to play several instruments. He led various small bands, but resisted commercialization. Mr. Tristano was a teacher of jazz improvisation, and his few recordings were pioneering examples of the use of overdubbing and improvisation. He died of a heart attack on November 18, 1978 at the age of 59.

Died on this date
Emma Bell Miles, 39. U.S. writer. Mrs. Miles, a native of Indiana who moved to Tennessee at the age of 9, wrote poems and short stories about the natural world and culture of southern Appalachia. She died after suffering from tuberculosis for many years.

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Finals
Montreal 0 @ Seattle 7 (Seattle led best-of-five series 1-0)

Frank Foyston scored 3 goals and Muzz Murray added 2 as the Pacific Coast Hockey Association champion Metropolitans routed the National Hockey League champion Canadiens at Seattle Ice Arena in a game played under PCHA rules. Hap Holmes picked up the shutout in goal, with Georges Vezina taking the loss.

90 years ago
1929

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Quarter-Finals (First games of two-game total goals series)
New York Rangers 0 New York Americans 0
Toronto 3 @ Detroit 1

Semi-Finals
Montreal Canadiens 0 @ Boston 1 (Boston led best-of-five series 1-0)

80 years ago
1939

Disappeared on this date
Lloyd Gaines, 27 or 28. U.S. student and civil rights activist. Mr. Gaines, a Negro, filed suit against the University of Missouri after being denied admission to its law school because of his race. The U.S. Supreme Court, in Gaines v. Canada (1938), ruled in his favour, deciding that the "separate but equal" doctrine required the university either admit Mr. Gaines or set up a separate law school for Negroes. The state of Missouri responded by creating Lincoln University School of Law. Mr. Gaines, while waiting for classes to begin, travelled to various cities, working at odd jobs and making speeches. He was last seen leaving a fraternity house in Chicago, ostensibly to buy stamps. Mr. Gaines' disappearance wasn't immediately reported, since he was in the habit of travelling by himself for long periods of time without informing anyone. Mr. Gaines was never seen again, although rumours persist that he ended up in Mexico.

75 years ago
1944

Died on this date
William "Big Bill" Thompson, 74. U.S. politician. Mr. Thompson was Mayor of Chicago from 1915-1923 and 1927-1931. He was the last Republican Party politician to serve as Chicago's mayor (so far). Mr. Thompson won the 1927 election with the support of gangster Al Capone, and was in office when the St. Valentine's Day Massacre took place in 1929.

War
The Soviet Red Army swept across the Dniester River on a 31-mile front and captured more than 40 localities in Bessarabia. After five days of attacks, an entire Japanese convoy of three corvettes and two transports was destroyed off the northeast coast of New Guinea. Japanese troops opened a major offensive from Burma's Chindwin River toward the Indian state of Manipur.

Politics and government
The U.S. administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt made public the responses from the governors of 41 states concerning their positions on the legislation providing for absentee votes by armed services personnel. The responses indicated that 5 states would accept the legislation, 14 were likely to accept, and 18 would probably reject it.

70 years ago
1949

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Buttons and Bows--Dinah Shore and the Happy Valley Boys; Gene Autry (11th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard) (Best Seller): Cruising Down the River--Blue Barron and his Orchestra (2nd week at #1)

U.S. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Far Away Places--Bing Crosby (2nd week at #1)
--Perry Como
--Margaret Whiting and the Crew Chiefs
2 Cruising Down the River--Blue Barron and his Orchestra
--Russ Morgan and his Orchestra
--Jack Smith and the Clark Sisters
3 Powder Your Face with Sunshine (Smile! Smile! Smile!)--Evelyn Knight and the Stardusters
--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
4 Galway Bay--Bing Crosby
5 I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm--Les Brown and his Orchestra
--The Mills Brothers
6 Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Dinah Shore
7 A Little Bird Told Me--Evelyn Knight and the Stardusters
8 Red Roses for a Blue Lady--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
9 Down by the Station--Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
10 So in Love--Gordon MacRae
--Dinah Shore

Singles entering the chart were Forever and Ever, with versions by Russ Morgan and his Orchestra; and Perry Como (#31); and While the Angelus was Ringing (Les Trois Cloches) by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra (#37).

On the radio
Tales of Fatima, starring Basil Rathbone, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Design for Death

Died on this date
James Newland, 67. Australian military officer. Captain Newland joined the Australian Army in 1899 and served in the Second Boer War and both World Wars, earning the Victoria Cross for three actions in April 1917, when he led his troops in assaults on German positions and repulsed German attacks. Captain Newland retired in 1941 with the honourary rank of lieutenant colonel, and died of heart failure.

James Somerville, 66. U.K. military officer. Admiral of the Fleet Sir James commanded the newly-formed Force H in World War II, which destroyed the French battle fleet in Algeria. He later played a major role in the pursuit and sinking of the German battle ship Bismarck, and as Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet, led air strikes against Japanese forces in the Dutch East Indies. Sir James, later Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, died of a heart attack.

Defense
The U.S. Navy announced the first successful launch of a long-range bomber capable of carrying an atomic bomb from an aircraft carrier.

Politics and government
The East German People's Council in Berlin adopted a constitution providing for the creation of a strong central government in a united Germany after the end of the Allied occupation.

Basketball
NCAA
NIT
Final @ Madison Square Garden, New York
San Francisco 48 Loyola 47

60 years ago
1959

Died on this date
Grace Seton Thompson, 86 or 87. U.S. authoress. Mrs. Thompson, who was married to U.S. Boy Scout founder Ernest Thompson Seton, wrote several books about her world travels, and supported female writers as president of the National League of American Pen Women (1926-1928, 1930-1932). She was one of Connecticut's leading suffragists.

Farrant Turner, 63. U.S. military officer. Colonel Turner organized the U.S. Army's Nisei 100th Infantry Battalion, composed of Japanese-Americans. He also served as Hawaiian territorial secretary.

Politics and government
Polish Communist Party First Secretary Wladyslaw Gomulka strengthened his control over the party by promoting three close aides to the party Politburo and dismissing 18 opponents, principally Stalinists, from the 75-member Central Committee.

50 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?--Peter Sarstedt (4th week at #1)

Australia's top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da/While My Guitar Gently Weeps--The Beatles
2 Build Me Up Buttercup--The Foundations
3 Edge of Reality/If I Can Dream--Elvis Presley
4 I Started a Joke/Kilburn Towers--The Bee Gees
5 Star Crossed Lovers--Neil Sedaka
6 Lily the Pink--The Scaffold
7 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
8 Fox on the Run--Manfred Mann
9 Eloise--Barry Ryan
10 Ring of Fire--Eric Burdon and the Animals

Singles entering the chart were Albatross by Fleetwood Mac (#27); Feelin' So Good by the Archies (#33); Blackberry Way by the Move (#34); and Indian Giver by 1910 Fruitgum Co. (#36).

World events
A 100-man task force of British paratroopers, marines, and policemen landed on the tiny island of Anguilla in a dispute dating back to May 1967, when the island pulled out of the Associated State of St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla, made up of former British colonial territories. Although hundreds of the 6,000 inhabitants shouted their protests, there was no resistance to the bloodless invasion, which inspired much humour and satire in the press around the world. Ronald Webster, the island's self-appointed President, vehemently denied a British official's charge that U.S. adventurers and "Mafia types" had plotted a takeover of the 35-square-mile island. With a form of colonial rule restored to the island and Anthony Lee reinstated as Resident Commissioner, Britain justified the invasion on its fear that Anguilla, with its chief natural resource being a small salt pond, could not go it alone.

The Peruvian navy seized two more American tuna boats, fishing 23 and 40 miles, respectively, off Peru's coast. The boats and their crews were held in the port of Talara on charges of illegal fishing, but were released after paying fines of $17,000 and $8,000. It was the second such seizure in a month.

Terrorism
10 days of mob terror in rural East Pakistan had left more than 150 dead and thousands homeless.

Education
A bill guaranteeing a right to English-language education in Quebec, introduced December 9, 1968, was dropped by the Union Nationale government of Premier Jean-Jacques Bertrand after heavy opposition.

Labour
A 21-day strike by 12,700 American Airlines employees ended with a new contract, effective through February 28, 1971, calling for a 25.5% wage increase per hour.

Disasters
The 1,263-foot-tall television mast at Emley Moor transmitting station in Yorkshire, England collapsed due to ice build-up.

40 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Le Freak-Chic (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Young Man (Y.M.C.A.)--Hideki Saijo (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?--Rod Stewart (3rd week at #1)

Music
The album L.A. (Light Album) by the Beach Boys was released on Caribou Records.

Died on this date
Richard Beckinsale, 31. U.K. actor. Mr. Beckinsale co-starred in a number of British television comedy series in the 1970s, most notably Porridge (1974-1977) and Rising Damp (1974-1977). He had completed five of a scheduled six episodes of Bloomers (1979), but didn't show up for rehearsal for the sixth episode, and was found dead at home of an apparent heart attack. He was the father of actress Kate Beckinsale.

Television
The American cable television network C-SPAN, dedicated to airing non-stop coverage of government proceedings and public affairs programming, was launched, beginning with broadcasting proceedings of the U.S. House of Representatives.

War
Kurds in southwestern Iran demanding autonomy clashed with government troops in Sanadaj, inflicting heavy losses.

Defense
The administration of United States President Jimmy Carter pledged $2 billion in arms aid to Egypt and $3 billion toward the cost of Sinai disengagement to Israel after the signing of the Middle East peace treaty.

Politics and government
United States Attorney General Griffin Bell won a reversal in federal appellate court of a contempt citation in a suit by the Socialist Workers party seeking confidential files on 18 informers who had spied on the party.

Hockey
NHL
Boston 4 Toronto 3

30 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): She Drives Me Crazy--Fine Young Cannibals (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart--Marc Almond featuring Gene Pitney (3rd week at #1)

Edmonton's top 10 (CKRA)
1 Lost in Your Eyes--Debbie Gibson
2 Straight Up--Paula Abdul
3 The Living Years--Mike and the Mechanics
4 You Got It--Roy Orbison
5 Wild World--Maxi Priest
6 Lover in Me--Sheena Easton
7 What I Am--Edie Brickell and New Bohemians
8 My Heart Can't Tell You No--Rod Stewart
9 She Drives Me Crazy--Fine Young Cannibals
10 Roni--Bobby Brown

Died on this date
Alan Civil, 59. U.K. musician. Mr. Civil played horn in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, and BBC Symphony Orchestra. He performed the horn solo in the song For No One by the Beatles on their album Revolver (1966), and was one of the musicians playing in the crescendo of the song A Day in the Life on the Beatles' album Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967).

World events
The Egyptian flag was raised at Taba, marking the end of Israeli occupation since the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and the peace negotiations in 1979.

Politics and government
Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) candidate Alfredo Cristiani won the El Salvador presidential election, taking 53.8% of the vote in the first round of voting. Christian Democratic Party candidate Fidel Chávez Mena was second with 36.5%. It marked the first time in Salvadoran history that power was transferred from one democratically elected president to another.

25 years ago
1994

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): It's Alright--East 17 (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: The Rhythm of the Night--Corona (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): The Sign--Ace of Base

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): All for Love--Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting (11th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): La solitudine--Laura Pausini (7th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Je danse le Mia--IAM (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Move on Baby--Cappella (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Doop--Doop

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 The Sign--Ace of Base (2nd week at #1)
2 The Power of Love--Celine Dion
3 Without You/Never Forget You--Mariah Carey
4 Whatta Man--Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue
5 Bump n' Grind--R. Kelly
6 So Much in Love--All-4-One
7 Now and Forever--Richard Marx
8 Breathe Again--Toni Braxton
9 Gin and Juice--Snoop Doggy Dogg
10 Because of Love--Janet Jackson

Singles entering the chart were Somethin' to Ride To (Fonky Expedition) by the Conscious Daughters (#72); Electric Relaxation (Relax Yourself Girl) by A Tribe Called Quest (#76); The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get by Morrissey (#80); I Want You by Juliet Roberts (#89); Completely by Michael Bolton (#91); Dream On Dreamer by the Brand New Heavies (#95); and You by Candlebox (#99).

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Sign--Ace of Base
2 The Power of Love--Celine Dion
3 So Much in Love--All-4-One
4 Without You--Mariah Carey
5 Whatta Man--Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue
6 Now and Forever--Richard Marx
7 Bump n' Grind--R. Kelly
8 Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)--Us3
9 All for Love--Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting
10 Gin and Juice--Snoop Doggy Dogg

Singles entering the chart were The Most Beautiful Girl in the World by The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (Love Symbol) (#22); Baby, I Love Your Way by Big Mountain (#38); Hey D.J. by Lighter Shade of Brown (#43); Mother by Danzig (#46); Indian Outlaw by Tim McGraw (#47); I'm Outstanding by Shaquille O'Neal (#48); And Our Feelings by Babyface (#50); You Know How We Do It by Ice Cube (#51); I'm Ready by Tevin Campbell (#54); Sweet Lullaby by Deep Forest (#57); Zunga Zeng/Body Rock by K7 (#66); and Just Another Day by Queen Latifah (#77).

War
Bosnian Serbs lifted their five-month siege of Maglaj, a Muslim enclave in north-central Bosnia.

20 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Tofilau Eti Alesana, 74. Prime Minister of Samoa, 1982-1985, 1988-1998. Mr. Alesana was first elected to the Legislative Council in 1957, and became health minister in 1958. He helped to draft the constitution of the newly-independent state of Western Samoa, and was one of the founders of the Human Rights Protection Party, which he led to power in 1982. Mr. Alesana was deposed by Parliament in 1985, but regained power three years later, resigning as Prime Minister in November 1998. He died after several years of failing health.

War
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimated that 240,000 people had fled their homes in Kosovo because of the conflict between separatist forces from the Yugoslavian province and Yugoslavian government forces.