April 15, 2019

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Harold Riemer and Danielle Wessel!

1,250 years ago
769

Religion
The Roman Catholic Lateran Council of 769 condemned the Council of Hieria (754) and anathematized its iconoclastic rulings.

130 years ago
1889

Born on this date
Thomas Hart Benton. U.S. artist. Mr. Benton, a native of Neosho, Missouri and longtime resident of Kansas City, Missouri, was a major figure in the Regionalist movement, and was known for his paintings of everyday life in the United States, particularly the Midwest. He died on January 19, 1975 at the age of 85.

A. Philip Randolph. U.S. civil rights activist. Mr. Randolph, a socialist, organized and served as president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925, which was the first labour union in the U.S.A. whose membership was predominantly Negro. He was successful in pressuring U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to ban racial discrimination in defense industries during World War II, and President Harry Truman to desegregate the armed services after the war. Mr. Randolph led the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, culminating in Rev. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Mr. Randolph died on May 16, 1979, 31 days after his 90th birthday.

Died on this date
Father Damien, 49. Belgian clergyman. Father Damien, born Jozef De Veuste, was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1864; in 1873 he began working among the quarantined lepers on the island of Moloka'i, ministering to their physical needs as well as teaching them the Roman Catholic faith. Fr. Damien eventually developed leprosy himself, and died of the disease; he was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

125 years ago
1894

Born on this date
Bessie Smith. U.S. singer. Miss Smith, nicknamed "The Empress of the Blues," was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and '30s, with hit recordings such as Downhearted Blues (1923); St. Louis Blues (1925); and I Ain't Got Nobody (1926). She died on September 26, 1937 at the age of 43, several hours after suffering critical injuries in a car accident on a highway between Memphis, Tennessee and Clarksdale, Mississippi. Miss Smith was taken by ambulance to the G. T. Thomas Afro-American Hospital in Clarksdale, where her right arm was amputated, and she died without regaining consciousness. The circumstances surrounding Miss Smith's death led to the false story that she had been refused admission to a white hospital.

Nikita Khrushchev. First Secretary of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.R., 1953-1964; Premier of the U.S.S.R, 1958-1964. Mr. Khrushchev, "The Butcher of the Ukraine," won a power struggle against rivals Lavrenti Beria, Georgy Malenkov, and Nikolai Bulganin after the death in 1953 of dictator Josef Stalin. Under Mr. Khrushchev, Soviet forces invaded Hungary in 1956 to suppress a popular uprising against that country's Communist government, and the U.S.S.R. became the first country to place a satellite in Earth orbit with the launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957. Mr. Khrushchev delivered a "secret speech" at the Communist Party congress in 1956 denouncing Mr. Stalin's cult of personality, and engaged in the public "kitchen debate" with U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon in 1959. Mr. Khrushchev is perhaps best remembered for allegedly banging his shoe on his desk at the United Nations General Assembly on October 12, 1960 in protest at comments by Philippine delegate Lorenzo Sumulong. Mr. Khrushchev was removed from power in a bloodless coup by party comrades on October 14, 1964, and lived quietly in retirement. He began dictating his memoirs; copies were smuggled out of the country, and the first volume was published in 1970 under the title Khrushchev Remembers. Mr. Khrushchev died on September 11, 1971 at the age of 77.

120 years ago
1899

Soccer
English FA Cup
Final @ Crystal Palace, London
Sheffield United 4 Derby County 1

110 years ago
1909

Baseball
Red Ames of the New York Giants pitched a no-hitter for 9 innings, but gave up a hit in the 10th and 3 runs in the 13th, losing 3-0 to the Brooklyn Superbas at the Polo Grounds in New York. Kaiser Wilhelm pitched a 4-hit shutout, while Mr. Ames finished with a 7-hitter. New York second baseman Art Fletcher made his major league debut, batting 0 for 5, making 7 assists and an error, and starting a double play. New York center fielder Bill O'Hara also played his first majro league game, batting 0 for 3 with 2 bases on balls, while having no fielding chances.

100 years ago
1919

Abominations
Women in New Brunswick were granted the right to vote in provincial elections, after almost 50 years of debating the issue.

75 years ago
1944

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Bésame Mucho (Kiss Me Much)--Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra with Bob Eberly and Kitty Kallen (Best Seller--7th week at #1); Mairzy Doats--The Merry Macs (Jukebox--5th week at #1)

War
Soviet forces took Lyubimovka, only 3 miles north of Sevastopol. U.S. Vice President Henry Wallace was reportedly going to China to reassure Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek that the delay of an all-out Allied effort to take Burma was only temporary.

Diplomacy
U.S. Army Lieutenant General George Patton, in a talk at the opening of a soldiers' club in England, said "it is the destiny of the U.S. and Great Britain to rule the world."

Politics and government
A conference in Naples of leaders of six opposition parties voted 4-1 to cooperate with the government of Prime Minister Pietro Badoglio upon the retirement of King Victor Emmanuel III.

Brazilian President Getulio Vargas said that democracy in Brazil would be restored after World War II.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Civil Service Commission reported that 72% of the 2,797,000 federal employees within the U.S. in October 1943 were on war agency rolls.

70 years ago
1949

On television tonight
Your Show Time, hosted and narrated by Arthur Shields, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Lady or the Tiger, starring Leif Erickson, William Frawley, Peggy Knudsen, and Eve Miller

Died on this date
Wallace Beery, 64. U.S. actor. Mr. Beery appeared in 250 movies from 1913-1949, and was the highest-paid actor in the business. He was best known for his starring roles in The Big House (1930); Min and Bill (1930); The Champ (1931); Treasure Island (1934); and Viva Villa! (1934). Mr. Beery was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in The Big House, and won the Oscar for Best Actor for The Champ (sharing the honour with Fredric March (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)). Mr. Beery was, according to almost all reports, a horrible person. He died of a heart attack, two weeks after his 64th birthday.

Religion
Pope Pius XII issued an encyclical urging Roman Catholic nations in the United Nations to support the internationalization of Jerusalem and other sacred places in the Holy Land.

Law
The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington ruled that U.S. citizens and aliens held by the federal government abroad had the right to seek habeas corpus writs in the United States.

60 years ago
1959

Diplomacy
Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro arrived in Washington to begin an 11-day unofficial speaking tour of the eastern United States and Canada.

Politics and government
John Foster Dulles resigned as U.S. Secretary of State after learning that cancer had spread to his neck.

South Korean President Syngman Rhee announced in Seoul that he would run for a fourth term in order to "fulfill my lifelong desire" to win a free and unified Korea.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Henry Wallich to succeed Paul McCracken as a member of the Council of Economic Advisers.

50 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Atlantis--Donovan (4th week at #1)

Austria's top 10 (Ö3)
1 Ob La Di, Ob La Da--The Beatles (5th week at #1)
2 Eloise--Barry Ryan
3 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
4 Liebesleid--Peter Alexander
5 Lily the Pink--The Scaffold
6 Es wird Nacht, Señorita--Udo Jürgens
7 Sometimes--Mireille Mathieu
8 Atlantis--Donovan
9 Don Juan--Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich
10 First of May--The Bee Gees

Singles entering the chart were Don Juan; First of May; Love is Love by Barry Ryan (#11); (If Paradise Is) Half as Nice by Amen Corner (#14); Touch Me by the Doors (#16); and Something's Happening by Herman's Hermits (#17).

War
North Korean MiGs shot down an unarmed U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane in the Sea of Japan, 100 miles off the Korean coast, killing all 31 on board.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Richard Nixon revealed further details of his revised budget. The largest item was a $1.23 billion cut stemming from a proposal to hike Social Security benefits only 7% instead of the 10% asked by former President Lyndon Johnson. However, funds to relieve hunger were raised to $1.461 billion, $15 million more than Mr. Johnson's proposal. The Justice Department was granted a net spending increase of $16 million to augment personnel in anti-crime programs, hiking its total request to $730 million.

The British government of Prime Minister Harold Wilson made public the details of its proposed budget, which included a tax increase equal to $816 million U.S. and new moves to hold down the money supply. More than 2/3 of the new taxes were to come from businesses.

Science
American scientists, led by a chemist named Dr. Ghiorso, announced the synthesis of two and probably three forms of the heaviest element yet made by man: number 104 in the periodic table of elements. Soviet scientists had reported synthesizing a fourth form of the element, which had not yet been officially named (eventually it became known as Rutherfordium, after Lord Rutherford), and had also reported finding evidence of the existence of another element, number 114, in ancient stained-glass windows.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Los Angeles 0 @ St. Louis 4 (St. Louis led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Larry Keenan opened the scoring at 11:00 of the 1st period, Red Berenson followed with a natural hat trick, and Jacques Plante made 30 saves for his third shutout in the last 4 games as the Blues blanked the Kings at St. Louis Arena, winning the goaltending duel over Gerry Desjardins.

CHL
Adams Cup
Finals
Dallas 6 @ Oklahoma City 4 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

40 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Tragedy--Bee Gees (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Heart of Glass--Blondie (3rd week at #1)

Austria's top 10 (Ö3)
1 Heart of Glass--Blondie
2 Tragedy--Bee Gees
3 Trojan Horse--Luv'
4 Born to Be Alive--Patrick Hernandez
5 Y.M.C.A.--Village People
6 Chiquitita--ABBA
7 Le Freak--Chic
8 In the Navy--Village People
9 Andrea--Fabrizio de André
10 Darlin'--Frankie Miller

Singles entering the chart were Tragedy; Born to Be Alive; In the Navy; Can I Reach You by Jack Goldbird (#14); No Time for a Tango by Snoopy (#19); Mirrors by Sally Oldfield (#21); One Way Ticket by Eruption (#22); Rag Doll by Nighttrain (#24); and Best of Both Worlds by Robert Palmer (#25).

Died on this date
David Brand, 66. Australian politician. Sir David, a Liberal, represented Greenough in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1945-1975, becoming the first member of the Liberal Party to be elected at any level in Australia. He became party leader in 1957, served as Premier of Western Australia from 1959-1971, and remains the state's longest-serving Premier, governing through an era of prosperity. Sir David resigned as leader of Western Australia's Liberal Party in 1973, retired from politics in 1975, and died of heart disease.

Protest
Wall posters in Shanghai demanded human rights and protested the recent arrest of activists there, challenging the previous month's national government directive against such activities.

Disasters
An earthquake in southern Yugoslavia, the strongest ever recorded there, razed 13 villages along the Adriatic coast, killing and injuring hundreds.

Flooding along a 15-mile stretch of the Pearl River inundated Jackson, Mississippi, leaving 15,000 homeless.

Hockey
IIHF Men's World Championship
C.S.S.R. 4 Canada 1

30 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Like a Prayer--Madonna

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Like a Prayer--Madonna (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Pour toi Arménie--Charles Aznavour and various artists (10th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Eternal Flame--Bangles

Austria's top 10 (Ö3)
1 She Drives Me Crazy--Fine Young Cannibals (5th week at #1)
2 Like a Prayer--Madonna
3 Das Phantom der Oper--Alexander Goebel & Luzia Nistler
4 You Got It--Roy Orbison
5 Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart--Marc Almond featuring Gene Pitney
6 Listen to the Voices--Labi Siffre
7 In the Air Tonight ('88 Remix)--Phil Collins
8 Looking for Freedom--David Hasselhoff
9 Twist in My Sobriety--Tanita Tikaram
10 The Way to Your Heart--Soulsister

Singles entering the chart were Looking for Freedom; The Way to Your Heart; Don't Cry for Louie by Vaya Con Dios (#16); I Only Wanna Be with You by Samantha Fox (#21); Four Letter Word by Kim Wilde (#23); Love Train by Holly Johnson (#24); and Komm gib mir deine Hand by Die Pinguine (#29).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Eternal Flame--Bangles
2 Like a Prayer--Madonna
3 Alles Kan Een Mens Gelukkig Maken--René Froger & Het Goede Doel
4 Straight Up--Paula Abdul
5 This Time I Know it's for Real--Donna Summer
6 Mijn Naam is Jaap--André Van Duin presenteert: Jaap Aap en de Apen
7 The Look--Roxette
8 I'd Rather Jack--The Reynolds Girls
9 Are You My Baby?--Wendy & Lisa
10 Everybody Needs Somebody to Love--The Blues Brothers

Singles entering the chart were Paradise City by Guns N' Roses (#25); Real Love by Jody Watley (#31); Ik Kan Het Niet Alleen by De Dijk (#32); and Sleep Talk by Alyson Williams (#34).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 She Drives Me Crazy--Fine Young Cannibals
2 The Look--Roxette
3 Like a Prayer--Madonna
4 Eternal Flame--Bangles
5 Girl You Know it's True--Milli Vanilli
6 Stand--R.E.M.
7 Funky Cold Medina--Tone Loc
8 Superwoman--Karyn White
9 You Got It--Roy Orbison
10 Your Mama Don't Dance--Poison

Singles entering the chart were Through the Storm by Aretha Franklin and Elton John (#56); Miss You Like Crazy by Natalie Cole (#75); Little Jackie Wants to Be a Star by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam (#81); Giving Up on Love by Rick Astley (#89); Stop by Sam Brown (#93); Closer than Friends by Surface (#95); and Cuddly Toy (Feel for Me) by Roachford (#97).

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 She Drives Me Crazy--Fine Young Cannibals
2 The Look--Roxette
3 Like a Prayer--Madonna
4 Girl You Know it's True--Milli Vanilli
5 Eternal Flame--Bangles
6 Stand--R.E.M.
7 I'll Be There for You--Bon Jovi
8 Superwoman--Karyn White
9 My Heart Can't Tell You No--Rod Stewart
10 Heaven Help Me--Deon Estus (with George Michael)

Singles entering the chart were Through the Storm by Aretha Franklin and Elton John (#68); Little Jackie Wants to Be a Star by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam (#75); Veronica by Elvis Costello (#80); I'll Be You by the Replacements (#83); You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet by Figures on a Beach (#84); Miss You Like Crazy by Natalie Cole (#85); Closer than Friends by Surface (#87); and Let Me In by Eddie Money (#90).

Died on this date
Hu Yaobang, 73. Chinese politician. Hu was a leading figure in the Chinese Communist Party, serving as party chairman (1981-1982) and General Secretary (1982-1987). He was a close comrade of Deng Xiaoping. He was considered liberal by the standards of the party, and was removed as General Secretary in favour of Zhao Ziyang after widespread student protests took place in 1987.

Protest
Upon Hu Yaobang's death, the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 began in the People's Republic of China.

Disasters
A human crush occurred at Hillsborough Stadium, home of the Sheffield Wednesday football club, in the English FA Cup Semi-Final in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, resulting in the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
Smythe Division
Vancouver 3 @ Calgary 4 (OT) (Calgary won best-of-seven series 4-3)
Edmonton 3 @ Los Angeles 6 (Los Angeles won best-of-seven series 4-3)

Jim Peplinski scored in overtime at the Olympic Saddledome as the Flames, who had won 3 of the first 4 games of the series, averted their usual annual playoff choke. Mike Vernon's goaltending was a major factor in Calgary's win.

Wayne Gretzky was the star, leading the Kings to victory over his former team at the Forum in Inglewood, California, ending the Oilers' attempt to win the Stanley Cup for the third straight year.

25 years ago
1994

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Without You--Mariah Carey (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Streets of Philadelphia--Bruce Springsteen (4th week at #1)

War
16 Canadian peacekeepers were detained as part of an ongoing campaign of harassment of United Nations forces in Bosnia.

Economics and finance
Representatives of 117 nations gathered in Marrakesh, Morocco to sign the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) treaty, ending the long and contentious Uruguay round of talks and paving the way for the creation of the World Trade Organization.

20 years ago
1999

Space
Two teams of astronomers, one at San Francisco State University and the other at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, announced the discovery of evidence of another solar system--the only one known besides our own--in the constellation Andromeda. None of the three large gaseous planets (similar to Jupiter) was seen directly; their presence was inferred from gravitational tugs on their star, Upsilon Andromedae, about 44 light-years away from earth. The largest and most distant from its star is over 4 times as massive as Jupiter and took 4 years to orbit the star.

World events
For the second day in a row, Pakistan tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji continued his visit to Canada, and agreed to buy $100 million of Canadian wheat.

Politics and government
Abdelaziz Bouteflika was elected President of Algeria with over 70% of the official vote total, the day after six of his rivals had withdrawn from the race, claiming that the election was a fraud. Mr. Bouteflika was the choice of many of the country's military, political, and business establishments. The election occurred against a backdrop of an apparently waning military effort by Islamic fundamentalists to gain power.

Scandal
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, along with her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, was convicted of corruption. The two judges of the trial in Rawalpindi found that the pair had taken kickbacks from a Swiss company that Ms. Bhutto had chosen to monitor collection of import duties. The two were sentenced to five years in prison and fined the equivalent of $8.6 million U.S. Ms. Bhutto, who was in London at the time, said that she would not return to Pakistan until her appeal was heard.

10 years ago
2009

Crime
Police arrested 156 people in early-morning raids against Hells Angels drug and gang activity in Quebec and New Brunswick; arrests were also made in France and the Dominican Republic.