April 16, 2019

1,950 years ago
69

Died on this date
Otho, 37. Roman Emperor, 69. Otho, the grandson of a senator, allied himself with Galba in his revolt against Nero in 68. After Nero's suicide, Galba became Emperor, but he was murdered by the Praetorian Guard, and Otho was proclaimed Emperor on January 15, 69. A rebellion led by Germania Inferior commander Vitellius culminated in the Battle of Bedriacum on April 15. Otho was forced to retreat, and committed suicide rather than continue fighting. He was succeeded by Vitellius, who became the third of four Emperors in 69.

330 years ago
1689

Died on this date
Aphra Behn, 48. English writer. Mrs. Behn was one of the first Englishwomen to earn a living as a writer. She wrote poetry and novels, and was one of the most popular playwrights in England in the 1670s. Mrs. Behn's novel Oroonoko (1688), based on her experiences in Surinam 20 years earlier, is regarded as one of the first literary works promoting the abolition of slavery. Mrs. Behn died after several years of failing health and poverty.

230 years ago
1789

Politics and government
U.S. President-elect George Washington left his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia for his inauguration in New York.

220 years ago
1799

War
French forces commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte drove Ottoman Turks across the River Jordan near Acre in the Battle of Mount Tabor.

180 years ago
1839

Born on this date
Antonio Starabba, Marchese di Rudinì. The Marchese di Rudinì, a Liberal, was Prime Minister of Italy from 1891-1892 and 1896-1898. He died on August 6, 1908 at the age of 69.

175 years ago
1844

Born on this date
Anatole France. French author. Mr. France, born François-Anatole Thibault, was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for Literature "in recognition of his brilliant literary achievements, characterized as they are by a nobility of style, a profound human sympathy, grace, and a true Gallic temperament." He died on October 12, 1924 at the age of 80.

160 years ago
1859

Died on this date
Alexis de Tocqueville, 53. French politician and political scientist. Viscount de Tocqueville represented Manche in the Chamber of Deputies (1839-1848) and National Assembly (1848-1851), and was France's Minister of Foreign Affairs from June-October 1849. He was best known for his two-volume Democracy in America (1835/1840) and The Old Regime and the Revolution (1856), in which he analyzed the improved living standards and social conditions of individuals as well as their relationship to the market and state in Western societies. Democracy in America was inspired by his travels in the United States in the erly 1930s. Viscount de Tocqueville died after a long battle with tuberculosis.

130 years ago
1889

Born on this date
Charlie Chaplin. U.K.-born film actor and director. Sir Charles was one of the most important figures in the history of cinema. His character "The Little Tramp" in short comedy films was perhaps the most famous character of the silent film era. He later made feature films, including The Kid (1921); The Gold Rush (1925); The Circus (1928); City Lights (1931); Modern Times (1936); The Great Dictator (1940); Monsieur Verdoux (1947); and Limelight (1952). Mr. Chaplin ran afoul of the Hollywood blacklist in the 1950s because of alleged Communist sympathies, left the U.S. in 1952, and didn't return to the United States until 1972, when he was awarded an honourary Academy Award for lifetime achievement. Sir Charles composed the music for many of his films, and his score for Limelight won an Academy Award, although it was for the year 1972, since the film hadn't been commercially screened in Los Angeles until that year. Sir Charles, who was knighted in 1975, died on December 25, 1977 at the age of 88.

125 years ago
1894

Canadiana
Prime Minister John Thompson narrowly failed to bring Newfoundland into Confederation, as a conference in Ottawa failed to agree on terms.

120 years ago
1899

Died on this date
Emilio Jacinto y Dizon, 23. Filipino military officer. General Jacinto was one of the highest-ranking officers of the Philippine Revolution; he died of cholera.

100 years ago
1919

War
The Polish Army launched the Vilna offensive to capture Vilnius in modern Lithuania.

Protest
Mohandas Gandhi organized a day of "prayer and fasting" in response to the killing of Indian protesters in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre by the British colonial troops three days earlier.

80 years ago
1939

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Toronto 1 @ Boston 3 (Boston won best-of-seven series 4-1)

Roy Conacher scored with 2:06 remaining in the 2nd period to break a 1-1 tie, and Flash Hollett scored with 37 seconds remaining in regulation time as the Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs at Boston Garden to win their second Stanley Cup championship, and their first in 10 years.

Baseball
PCL
The Hollywood Stars swept a doubleheader from the Portland Beavers at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles to extend their winning streak to 15 games. The second game was a 16-7 slugfest that was called after 5 innings so that Wrigley Field could be set up to accommodate the next day's world heavyweight championship bout between champion Joe Louis and challenger Jack Roper.

75 years ago
1944

War
Soviet troops advanced more than 30 miles along the southeast coast of Crimea and captured 40 localities, including the port of Yalta. Allied forces started bombing Belgrade, killing about 1,100 people; The bombing fell on the Orthodox Christian Easter.

Defense
United States Army Freight and Passenger (FP) ship FP-344 was launched at the Kewaunee Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. In 1966 it was transferred to the Navy and renamed USS Pueblo.

Politics and government
Soviet Commissar of Foreign Affairs Andrei Vishinsky announced that the U.S.S.R. and U.S.A. had agreed to create a new Italian government representing all democratic elements.

U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur denied that he was a candidate for President of the United States in the November 1944 election.

Labour
In an unprecedented decision, the U.S. National War Labor Board ruled that American News Company was justified in discharging nine workers who struck to compel payment of wage increases that had not been approved by the NWLB.

Disasters
39 people were killed and more than 500 injured when a tornado swept through northeastern Georgia and western South Carolina, causing heavy property damage.

70 years ago
1949

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Rambling Rose--Perry Como; Tony Pastor (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard) (Best Seller): Cruising Down the River--Russ Morgan and his Orchestra (4th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Cruising Down the River--Russ Morgan and his Orchestra (4th week at #1)
--Blue Barron and his Orchestra
--Jack Smith and the Clark Sisters
2 Far Away Places--Bing Crosby
--Perry Como
--Margaret Whiting and the Crew Chiefs
3 Forever and Ever--Russ Morgan and his Orchestra
--Perry Como
4 So in Love--Gordon MacRae
--Dinah Shore
5 Galway Bay--Bing Crosby
6 Sunflower--Russ Morgan and his Orchestra
--Jack Fulton
7 Red Roses for a Blue Lady--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
8 Down by the Station--Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
9 Powder Your Face with Sunshine (Smile! Smile! Smile!)--Evelyn Knight and the Stardusters
--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
10 "A" You're Adorable (The Alphabet Song)--Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae
--Perry Como with the Fontane Sisters

Singles entering the chart were Again, with versions by Vic Damone; Mel Torme; and Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra (#31). Again was originally from the movie Road House (1948).

On the radio
Pat Novak For Hire, starring Jack Webb, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Go Away, Dixie Gillian

Tales of Fatima, starring Basil Rathbone, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Duet and Death

Diplomacy
Czechoslovakia and Hungary signed a friendship and mutual security treaty in Budapest.

World events
U.S. and U.K. crews established a Berlin airlift record by flying 12,941 tons of supplies into the city.

Politics and government
General Husni Zayim formed a new Syrian cabinet, appointing himself as Prime Minister, Interior Minister, and Defense Minister.

Journalism
The U.S. Women's National Press Club named former U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt as the winner of the Woman of the Year Award for her work on the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Labour
A five-week Railway Express Agency strike in New York ended after the company agreed to restore 10,000 abolished jobs in return for acceptance of the terms that prevailed before the strike by the American Federation of Labor Brotherhood of Railway Clerks.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Detroit 1 @ Toronto 3 (Toronto won best-of-seven series 4-0)

Cal Gardner's goal with 15 seconds remaining in the 2nd period broke a 1-1 tie and proved to be the winner as the Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings at Maple Leaf Gardens to win their third straight Stanley Cup championship. Max Bentley scored with 4:50 remaining in regulation time to give Toronto a 2-goal lead. Ted Lindsay scored the Production Line's first goal of the series to give Detroit a 1-0 lead, but Toronto goalie Turk Broda held the fort until Ray Timgren, Mr. Gardner, and Mr. Bentley scored for the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs became the first team to win three straight Stanley Cups since the Ottawa Silver Seven in 1903-04-05.

Basketball
NBL
Finals
Oshkosh 70 @ Anderson 74 (Anderson led best-of-five series 1-0)

60 years ago
1959

On television tonight
The Lawless Years, starring James Gregory, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Nick Joseph Story

This was the pilot and first episode of the series.



Terrorism
Four Cubans opposed to the regime of Prime Minister Fidel Castro seized a domestic Cuban airliner in flight and forced the pilot to fly them to Miami.

Defense
U.S. Defense Secretary Neil McElroy, rejecting Soviet efforts to impose a 10,000-foot ceiling on Western military flights to Berlin, said that the United States would exercise its right to fly aircraft in Berlin air corridors "at whatever altitude we choose."

Politics and government
An interim Maltese constitution placing all authority in an appointed Executive Council head by Governor Sir Robert Laycock went into effect.

A U.S. Federal Court in Macon, Georgia ruled unconstitutional a provision of the 1957 Civil Rights Act giving the federal government the right to sue for injunctions against violations of Negro voting rights.

Economics and finance
The Soviet news agency Tass reported that U.S.S.R. economic aid to Iraq had begun with a $55-million loan.

Labour
14,000 B.F. Goodrich Company and 18,000 Firestone Tire & Rubber Company workers, all members of the United Rubber Workers union, went on strike in the United States.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Montreal 3 @ Toronto 2 (Montreal led best-of-seven series 3-1)

Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion's goal with 4:04 rermaining in regulation time proved to be the winner as the Canadiens held on to edge the Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens, with all the scoring coming in the 3rd period. Billy Harris opened the scoring at 3:45, but Ab McDonald, Ralph Backstrom, and Mr. Geoffrion scored in a span of 6 minutes 2 seconds to give Montreal a 3-1 lead. Mr. Geoffrion assisted on the first 2 Montreal goals. Frank Mahovlich scored with 1:24 remaining to close the scoring.

50 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Israelites--Desmond Dekker and the Aces

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da/While My Guitar Gently Weeps--The Beatles (5th week at #1)
2 Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)--Peter Sarstedt
3 Edge of Reality/If I Can Dream--Elvis Presley
4 Build Me Up Buttercup--The Foundations
5 Adios Amor--Jose Feliciano
6 Crimson and Clover--Tommy James and the Shondells
7 Dizzy--Tommy Roe
8 Indian Giver--1910 Fruitgum Co.
9 Stand by Your Man--Tammy Wynette
10 Fox on the Run--Manfred Mann

Singles entering the chart were I Can Hear Music by the Beach Boys (#18); Sorry Suzanne by the Hollies (#30); Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da by the Marmalade (#32); Mendocino by Sir Douglas Quintet (#38); and Boom Bang-a-Bang by Lulu (#40).

War
The United States Defense Department said that the plane shot down the previous day by North Korea, a propeller-driven U.S. Navy 4-engine EC-121 electronic craft with 31 men aboard, had been on a routine reconnaissance track over international waters and "at all times during its mission was far outside any claimed territorial air space of North Korea." There were cries of outrage in the United States, and Rep. L. Mendel Rivers (Democrat--South Carolina) called for a reprisal. Secretary of State William Rogers urged caution, asserting: "The weak can be rash; the powerful must be more restrained."

Politics and government
The possible appointment of Franklin Long as the new director of the U.S. National Science Foundation was reported to be blocked by the administration of President Richard Nixon, largely because of Dr. Long's opposition to anti-ballistic missiles. Dr. Long wrote that ABM would generate "strong pressure toward acceleration of the arms race."

Environment
The Michigan state agriculture commission voted to ban the sale of the pesticide DDT, which was said to have imperilled life in Lake Michigan.

Hockey
CHL
Adams Cup
Finals
Oklahoma City 2 @ Dallas 6 (Dallas led best-of-seven series 2-1)

40 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Heart of Glass--Blondie (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Miserarete--Judy Ongg

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Too Much Heaven--Bee Gees

Defense
Central Intelligence Agency director Admiral Stansfield Turner said in testimony before the United States Senate that the loss of two listening posts in Iran would set the U.S. back five years in her ability to monitor Soviet missile tests and development.

Politics and government
Karim Sanjabi, Iran's foreign minister, resigned amid mounting "trials" and executions of former pro-Shah officials.

Terrorism
Palestinian terrorists attempting to hijack an El Al airliner at Brussels airport were thwarted by police.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Quarter-Finals
Chicago 2 @ New York Islanders 6 (New York led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Toronto 2 @ Montreal 5 (Montreal led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Pittsburgh 2 @ Boston 6 (Boston led best-of-seven series 1-0)
New York Rangers 2 @ Philadelphia 3 (OT) (Philadelphia led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Mike Bossy scored 3 goals to lead the Islanders over the Black Hawks at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale.

The Canadiens overcame an early 2-0 deficit to defeat the Maple Leafs at the Montreal Forum.

Bill Barber scored the tying goal with 4:58 remaining in regulation time and Ken Linseman scored the winning goal 44 seconds into the 1st overtime period as the Flyers edged the Rangers at the Spectrum.

WHL
The Calgary Wranglers defeated the Lethbridge Broncos 7-3 to take a 3 games to 2 lead in their Western Hockey League junior playoff series.

30 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Like a Prayer--Madonna (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Like a Prayer--Madonna (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Jocko Conlan, 89. U.S. baseball player and umpire. John Bertrand Conlan was an outfielder with the Chicago White Sox (1934-1935), batting .263 with no home runs and 31 runs batted in in 128 games. He played at least 12 years in the minor leagues from 1920-1932. Mr. Conlan filled in briefly as an umpire in a major league game in 1935, and began making umpiring a career a year later, beginning in the minor leagues. He worked 2 games in the American League in 1935 and 3,615 games in the National League from 1941-1965, in addition to five World Series and six major league All-Star Games. Mr. Conlan was best known for an argument with Los Angeles Dodgers' coach Leo Durocher on April 16, 1961, in which Mr. Durocher attempted to kick dirt on Mr. Conlan's shoes, but his foot slipped, and he kicked Mr. Conlan in the shin instead. Mr. Conlan responded by kicking Mr. Durocher's shins, and Mr. Durocher decided to end the bout when he realized that his own shins were bleeding, while the umpire was wearing shin guards and steel-toed boots. Mr. Conlan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as an umpire in 1974.

Crime
The last of 15 mutilated bodies were found buried near Matamoros, Mexico, near the U.S. border. The bodies had been discovered over a period of five days. Five suspects were arrested who said that the victims had been sacrificed to ensure that their killers, who were drug traffickers, would be protected from police.

Baseball
Kelly Gruber of the Toronto Blue Jays became the first Toronto professional player to hit for the cycle in a 15-8 victory over the Kansas City Royals before 35,210 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. He scored 4 runs and drove in 6 as the Blue Jays came back after giving up 6 runs in the top of the 1st inning.

Gary Gaetti hit 2 home runs and a single, driving in 6 runs, to help the Minnesota Twins defeat the New York Yankees 9-4 before 30,195 fans at Yankee Stadium.

The Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers each hit 3 home runs as the Rangers won 9-6 before 16,030 fans at Tiger Stadium. All the homers were hit by different players.

Glenn Braggs singled home pinch runner Mike Felder with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 4-3 win over the Cleveland Indians before 18,147 fans at County Stadium in Milwaukee. Mr. Felder was running for B.J. Surhoff, who led off the inning with a single.

Walt Weiss singled home pinch runner Lance Blankenship with 1 out in the top of the 9th inning to break a 2-2 tie as the Oakland Athletics edged the Chicago White Sox 3-2 before 20,969 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Mr. Blankenship was running for Terry Steinbach, who singled with 1 out.

Bert Blyleven pitched a 4-hitter for the California Angels as they routed the Seattle Mariners 10-0 before 10,621 fans at the Kingdome in Seattle. Brian Brady made his major league debut with the Angels, doubling home a run as a pinch hitter in the 9th inning.

Nelson Santovenia doubled to lead off the top of the 11th inning and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Hubie Brooks to break a 4-4 tie as the Montreal Expos edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 before 18,107 fans at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. Steve Carter made his major league debut with the Pirates, drawing an intentional walk as a pinch hitter and scoring one of 4 Pittsburgh runs in the bottom of the 6th.

Rick Mahler pitched a 6-hitter and had a hit of his own, while his teammates did all the scoring in the top of the 1st inning as the Cincinnati Reds shut out the San Diego Padres 5-0 before 36,774 fans at Jack Murphy-San Diego Stadium.

25 years ago
1994

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): It's Alright--East 17 (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Serenata Rap--Jovanotti (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Dimension Divertida--Paco Pil (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): The Most Beautiful Girl in the World--The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (Love Symbol)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Streets of Philadelphia--Bruce Springsteen (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Streets of Philadelphia--Bruce Springsteen

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Without You--Mariah Carey (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Everything Changes--Take That (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Bump n' Grind--R. Kelly (2nd week at #1)
2 The Sign--Ace of Base
3 Without You/Never Forget You--Mariah Carey
4 Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm--Crash Test Dummies
5 The Power of Love--Celine Dion
6 So Much in Love--All-4-One
7 Whatta Man--Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue
8 The Most Beautiful Girl in the World--The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (Love Symbol)
9 Now and Forever--Richard Marx
10 Streets of Philadelphia--Bruce Springsteen

Singles entering the chart were Beautiful in My Eyes by Joshua Kadison (#79); Part Time Lover/I'm Still in Love with You by H-Town/Al B. Sure! (#86); Gonna Love You Right by After 7 (#93); The Right Time by I to I (#94); Play My Funk by Simple E (#96); and It Ain't Hard to Tell by Nas (#97). Gonna Love You Right and Play My Funk were from the movie Sugar Hill (1994). The Right Time was from the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Sign--Ace of Base (3rd week at #1)
2 Without You--Mariah Carey
3 The Most Beautiful Girl in the World--The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (Love Symbol)
4 Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm--Crash Test Dummies
5 So Much in Love--All-4-One
6 Streets of Philadelphia--Bruce Springsteen
7 Now and Forever--Richard Marx
8 Whatta Man--Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue
9 Baby, I Love Your Way--Big Mountain
10 Bump n' Grind--R. Kelly

Singles entering the chart were I'll Take You There by General Public (#54); Got Me Waiting by Heavy D & Boyz (#88); and I'll Wait by Taylor Dayne (#90).

Died on this date
Ralph Ellison, 80. U.S. author. Mr. Ellison was a Negro scholar and Communist who eventually became disillusioned with Communism. He was best known for his novel Invisible Man (1952).

War
Serb forces in Bosnia used a surface-to-air missile to down a British reconnaissance and attack jet as the jet was attempting to fire on a Serbian tank.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
Montreal 2 @ Boston 3 (Boston led best-of-seven series 1-0)

20 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Skip Spence, 52. Canadian-born U.S. musician. Alexander Lee Spence, a native of Windsor, Ontario, moved with his family to San Jose, California in the late 1950s. He became a rock musician in the San Francisco Bay area in the 1960s, and played drums on Jefferson Airplane's first album. Mr. Spence then left the group and co-founded the group Moby Grape, playing lead guitar. Heavy use of drugs and a diagnosis of schizophrenia destroyed his life, much of which he spent in institutions or living on the street. Mr. Spence died of lung cancer, two days before his 53rd birthday.

Economics and finance
In Ottawa, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien announced that China would cut tariffs on some Canadian imports.

Hockey
NHL
Wayne Gretzky of the New York Rangers announced that the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins two days hence would be the last of his 21-year professional career.

10 years ago
2009

Business
The forestry firm Abitibi-Bowater filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States, and said that it would soon do so in Canada.