April 18, 2019

1,660 years ago
359

Born on this date
Gratian. Roman Emperor, 367-383. Gratian, the son of Emperor Valentinian, was given the title of Augustus as Junior Emperor by his father in 367, and became senior Augustus in 375. He and his brother Valentinian II were co-Emperors in the entire empire from 378-379, and in the west from 379 until Gratian was assassinated at the age of 24 by rebel general Andragathius on August 25, 383. Gratian was regarded as a successful ruler for several years, but degenerated into a life of indolence after the deaths of some of his more able counsellors.

1,110 years ago
909

Died on this date
Dionysius II. Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, 896-909. Dionysius II succeeded Theodosius Romanus, and was succeeded in turn by John V.

330 years ago
1689

Died on this date
George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys, 43. Welsh judge and politician. Lord Jeffreys was Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1683-1685, enforcing the policy of King James II and acquiring the nickname "The Hanging Judge." He served as Lord Chancellor of England and Wales from 1685-1688, but was captured by the forces of William of Orange during the Glorious Revolution and imprisoned in the Tower of London, where he died of kidney disease, 27 days before his 44th birthday.

Protest
A mob of provincial militia in citizens in Boston rose up in rebellion against New England Governor Sir Edmund Andros.

260 years ago
1759

Born on this date
Jacques Widerkehr. French musician and composer. Mr. Widerkehr was a cellist who was known for composing symphonies concertantes for several wind instruments. He died in April 1823, the month of his 64th birthday.

225 years ago
1794

Born on this date
William Debenham. U.K. businessman. Mr. Debenham co-founded the Debenhams retail store chain in 1813 when he became a partner of William Clark, who had founded the business in 1778. The corporate name was changed to Clark & Debenham in 1813, and the business was incorporated as Debenhams Limited in 1905. Mr. Debenham died on September 24, 1863 at the age of 69.

200 years ago
1819

Born on this date
Carlos Manuel de Céspedes del Castillo. Cuban revolutionary leader. Mr. Céspedes was a plantation owner who freed his slaves and made the declaration of Cuban independence in 1868 which started the Ten Years' War (1868-1878), ultimately leading to Cuban independence, and earning Mr. Céspedes the nickname "Father of the Motherland." He was deposed in a leadership coup in 1873, and was killed by Spanish troops on February 27, 1874 at the age of 54.

Franz von Suppé. Austro-Hungarian composer and conductor. Mr. Suppé composed about 30 operettas and 180 other stage works. His overtures, especially Leichte Kavallerie (Light Cavalry)) (1866) are still regularly performed. Mr. Suppé died on May 21, 1895 at the age of 76.

160 years ago
1859

Died on this date
Tatya Tope, 44 or 45. Indian military officer. Tatya Tope, born Ramachandra Panduranga, was a general who commanded Indian forces in the sepoy rebellion against British rule in 1857. After the revolt was put down, Tatya Tope continued as a guerrilla fighter until he was arrested by the British and hanged in Shivpuri.

130 years ago
1889

Born on this date
Jessie Street. Indian-born Australian activist. Lady Street, the wife of Chief Justice Sir Kenneth Whistler Street, supported suffragism and other fashionable "progressive" causes, earning the nickname "Red Jessie" from her detractors. She was Australia's first and only female delegate to the establishment of the United Nations. Lady Street died on July 2, 1970 at the age of 81.

120 years ago
1899

Born on this date
Bill Bayne. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Bayne played with the St. Louis Browns (1919-1924); Cleveland Indians (1928); and Boston Red Sox (1929-1930), compiling a record of 31-32 with an earned run average of 4.84 in 199 games, batting .290 with 1 home run and 13 runs batted in. He won at least 143 games and lost at least 103 in 398 games in 12 seasons in the minor leagues (1919, 1924-1937). Mr. Bayne died after a long illness on May 22, 1981 at the age of 82.

Britannica
The St. Andrew's Ambulance Association was granted a royal charter by Queen Victoria.

110 years ago
1909

Religion
Joan of Arc was beatified in Rome.

100 years ago
1919

Born on this date
Virginia O'Brien. U.S. actress and singer. Miss O'Brien was known for her humourous deadpan singing style in movie musicals such as The Big Store (1941); Thousands Cheer (1943); and Till the Clouds Roll By (1946). She died on January 16, 2001 at the age of 81.

80 years ago
1939

Politics and government
Robert Menzies was elected as leader of the United Australia Party, following the death of Prime Minister Joseph Lyons.

75 years ago
1944

War
About 2,000 Allied planes raided Germany, striking at military targets in the Berlin area. The British Broadcasting Corporation broadcast a warning to French citizens telling them "that the time is very short" and to prepare for an Allied invasion. Soviet troops captured Balaklava, Crimea, 9 miles southeast of Sevastopol. Japanese forces opened a new drive in the Chinese province of Honan, advancing 23 miles from Chungmow. The Allies reported gains against Japanese troops in several parts of the Imphal plain in the Indian state of Manipur.

Diplomacy
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill told the House of Commons that something may be salvaged out of the League of Nations in the plans for postwar machinery to maintain peace.

Baseball
Irv Hall doubled home Dick Siebert with 2 out in the top of the 12th inning to break a 2-2 tie as the Philadelphia Athletics edged the Washington Nationals 3-2 before an opening day crowd of 27,000 at Griffith Stadium in Washington.

Hank Borowy pitched a 5-hitter to win the pitchers' duel over Yank Terry as the defending World Series champion New York Yankees shut out the Boston Red Sox 3-0 before an opening day crowd of 9,973 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Johnny Lindell opened the scoring by leading off the 2nd inning with a home run.

Vern Stephens led off the 9th inning with a home run to give the St. Louis Browns a 2-0 lead as they held on to defeat the Detroit Tigers 2-1 before an opening day crowd of 28,034 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. With 2 out in the bottom of the 9th, Pinky Higgins homered and Jimmy Outlaw singled. George Caster then relieved starting pitcher Jack Kramer and walked Don Ross before getting Bob Swift to ground into a force play to end the game. Mr. Kramer allowed 6 hits and 1 earned run in 8 2/3 innings to get the win over Dizzy Trout, who allowed 6 hits and 2 earned runs in a complete game.

Hank Wyse pitched a 5-hitter to win the pitchers' duel over Bucky Walters as the Chicago Cubs shut out the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 before an opening day crowd of 30,154 at Crosley Field in Cincinnati in a game that was played in only 1 hour 17 minutes. Mr. Walters pitched 7 perfect innings, allowing 2 hits and a base on balls in the 4th and a hit in the 9th, resulting in all the scoring.

Hugh Luby doubled home 2 runs with 2 out in the bottom of the 7th inning to enable the New York Giants to defeat the Boston Braves 2-1 before an opening day crowd of 15,551 at the Polo Grounds in New York. Bill Voiselle pitched a 6-hitter to win the pitchers' duel over Al Javery, who pitched an 8-hit complete game.

Andy Seminick batted 2 for 3 with a triple, base on balls, 2 runs, and a run batted in to help the Philadelphia Blue Jays defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers 4-1 before an opening day crowd of 11,910 at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Dick Barrett pitched a 6-hit complete game victory for the Philadelphia club, playing its first game as the Blue Jays, renamed from Phillies by team owner Bill Cox.

Max Lanier pitched a 2-hitter to win the pitchers' duel over Preacher Roe as the defending National League champion St. Louis Cardinals shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 before an opening day crowd of just 4,030 fans at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. Mr. Roe singled in the 3rd inning for the first Pittsburgh hit.

70 years ago
1949

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

Defense
The keel for the aircraft carrier USS United States was laid down at Newport News Drydock and Shipbuilding in Virginia. The "supercarrier" was designed with the primary mission of carrying long-range bomber aircraft that could carry a heavy enough load to undertake nuclear bombardment missions. However, construction was cancelled five days later, resulting in the Revolt of the Admirals.

Politics and government
Eire officially ended its allegiance to the British crown as the Republic of Ireland Act went into effect.

Law
The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated "quick" Nevada divorces in which the couple involved were not personally involved in the proceedings.

Crime
The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington upheld the conviction on passport fraud charges of Gerhard Eisler, a German and accused Soviet spy who had concealed his Communist affiliations when applying for a U.S. passport.

Labour
A special U.S. presidential commission on labour relations in nuclear facilities recommended the creation of a three-man board to mediate atomic energy labour disputes.

Baseball
The New York Yankees released pitcher Bill Bevens. Mr. Bevens had played with the Yankees from 1944-1947, and was best known for coming within 1 out of a no-hitter in the fourth game of the 1947 World Series, giving up a double to pinch hitter Cookie Lavagetto, which not only ruined the no-hit bid, but gave the Brooklyn Dodgers a 3-2 win. He had played just 2 games in 1948 with the Newark Bears, the Yankees' farm team in the AAA International League, compiling a 0-0 record with a 2.25 earned run average in 8 innings.

U.S. President Harry Truman threw out the first ball to open the American League regular season as the Washington Nationals scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to edge the Philadelphia Athletics 3-2 before 26,000 fans at Griffith Stadium in Washington. Pinch hitter Sherry Robertson led off the bottom of the 9th with a double, and pinch hitter Bud Stewart followed with a double to drive him home with the tying run, and advanced to third base when Gil Coan singled. Sam Dente was intentionally walked to load the bases, and after Buddy Lewis was retired on a foul popup, Clyde Vollmer singled home Mr.Stewart to end the game. Ray Scarborough pitched a 7-hit complete game victory, while losing pitcher Dick Fowler allowed 11 hits and 2 earned runs in pitching a complete game defeat.

Ken Heintzelman pitched a 5-hitter to win the pitchers' duel over Johnny Sain as the Philadelphia Phillies shut out the defending National League champion Boston Braves 4-0 before an opening day crowd of 9,195 at Braves Field. The Phillies scored the necessary runs in the top of the 1st inning when Richie Ashburn led off with a single, and advanced to second and third bases by beating throws by Mr. Sain to the respective bases on consecutive ground balls. Mr. Sain then walked home 2 runs. Mr. Sain pitched a 7-hit complete game, allowing 3 earned runs.

60 years ago
1959

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Smoke Gets in Your Eyes--The Platters (10th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes--The Platters (4th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Tom Dooley--The Kingston Trio (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): It Doesn't Matter Anymore--Buddy Holly

U.S. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Come Softly to Me--The Fleetwoods (2nd week at #1)
2 Venus--Frankie Avalon
3 (Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such as I--Elvis Presley
4 Pink Shoe Laces--Dodie Stevens
5 Never Be Anyone Else But You--Ricky Nelson
6 It's Just a Matter of Time--Brook Benton
7 Since I Don't Have You--The Skyliners
8 I Need Your Love Tonight--Elvis Presley
9 Guitar Boogie Shuffle--The Virtues
10 Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)--The Impalas

Singles entering the chart were 77 Sunset Strip by the Frank Ortega Trio (#38, charting with the version by Don Ralke); Kansas City by Wilbert Harrison (#66); Endlessly by Brook Benton (#76); Frankie's Man, Johnny by Johnny Cash (#92); Does Your Heart Beat for Me? by Betty Johnson (#93); I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself by Buddy Knox (#96); Dream Lover by Bobby Darin (#97); Lonely Saturday Night by Don French (#99); A Teenager in Love by Dion and the Belmonts (#100); and Caramba by the Champs (also #100).

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Mila Levashova!

Died on this date
Irving Cummings, 70. U.S. actor and director. Mr. Cummings, born Irving Caminsky, was a popular leading man in silent movies in the 1910s and '20s before becoming a director. He was known for directing Technicolor musicals in the 1930s and '40s, but his only Academy Award nomination was for the Western In Old Arizona (1928).

David Chapman Bull, 67. U.S. physician. Dr. Bull was a pioneer in blood transfusion.

Diplomacy
India and Pakistan announced the conclusion of a one-year agreement on the division of the Indus River and its tributaries for purposes of irrigation.

Politics and government
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower nominated Christian Herter to succeed John Foster Dulles as Secretary to State. Mr. Dulles, suffering from advancing cancer, had resigned two days earlier.

Crime
National Guardsmen stormed a cell block at Montana State Prison to release 21 hostages held by inmates, following the fatal shooting of a deputy warden over a lights-out dispute.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Toronto 3 @ Montreal 5 (Montreal won best-of-seven series 4-1)

Marcel Bonin's goal with 10:05 remaining in the 2nd period proved to be the winner as the Canadiens defeated the Maple Leafs before 14,701 fans at the Montreal Forum to become the first team to win four consecutive Stanley Cup championships. Mr. Bonin's goal gave Montreal a 4-1 lead, and Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion scored on a powerplay with 35 seconds remaining in the period to make the score 5-1. Frank Mahovlich scored with 7:53 remaining in the 3rd period to make it 5-2, and Bert Olmstead scored with 3:41 remaining.



50 years ago
1969

Hit parade
Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)--The 5th Dimension (2nd week at #1)
2 Hair--The Cowsills
3 Gitarzan--Ray Stevens
4 Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'--Crazy Elephant
5 What Can the Matter Be--The Poppy Family
6 Galveston--Glen Campbell
7 November Snow--Rejoice
8 Rock Me--Steppenwolf
9 You've Made Me So Very Happy--Blood, Sweat & Tears
10 Sweet Cherry Wine--Tommy James and the Shondells

Singles entering the chart were Playgirl by Thee Prophets (#20); Love is Just a Four-Letter Word by Joan Baez (#21); Badge by Cream (#22); Hawaii Five-O by the Ventures (#24); Time is Tight by Booker T. & the M.G.'s (#26); Twenty-Five Miles by Edwin Starr (#28); Tricia Tell Your Daddy by Andy Kim (#29); and Mini-Skirt Minnie by Wilson Pickett (#30).

Edmonton's top 10 (CJCA)
1 Galveston--Glen Campbell
2 Hair--The Cowsills
3 Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)--The 5th Dimension
4 Long Green--The Fireballs
5 Things I'd Like to Say--The New Colony Six
6 Mendocino--Sir Douglas Quintet
7 Rock Me--Steppenwolf
8 Time of the Season--The Zombies
9 The Letter--The Arbors
10 Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'--Crazy Elephant

War
U.S. President Richard Nixon charged that North Korea's downing of a U.S. reconnaissance plane three days earlier was "unprovoked" and "without warning", and ordered resumption of the flights under naval protection.

Defense
U.S. President Richard Nixon declared that he would "fight as hard as I can" for the Safeguard anti-ballistic missile system as pro- and anti-ABM debate heated up in Congress. According to Mr. Nixon, an inferior arms position would impair America's "diplomatic credibility," adding that the ABM was "absolutely essential for the security of the country."

World events
Gustav Husak, the new Czechoslovak Communist Party chief, told the nation that the party would not tolerate any resistance to its decisions, and warned against "counterrevolutionary" elements. "I am not afraid of that expression," he said, although observers noted that none of the top leadership had used it since the Soviet invasion the previous August.

Academia
Harvard Corporation, the executive body of Harvard University, endorsed a faculty proposal to downgrade campus military training to an "extracurricular activity." That day protesting students voted at a mass meeting to suspend the student strike for a week.

Disasters
For the second time in five days, a tornado hit East Pakistan. 60 were killed and 5,000 left homeless.

An apartment house fire in Atlantic City, New Jersey killed 4 and injured 24.

Boxing
Jose Napoles (60-4) won the world welterweight title when defending champion Curtis Cokes (55-10-3) retired at the end of the 13th round at the Forum in Inglewood, California.



Hockey
CHL
Adams Cup
Finals
Oklahoma City 1 @ Dallas 6 (Dallas led best-of-seven series 3-1)

40 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Bright Eyes--Art Garfunkel (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
Real People, on NBC

This was the first broadcast of the program.

Law
A ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States allowed plaintiffs in press libel suits to inquire as to a reporter's "state of mind," judgements, and opinions while preparing material for publication.

Disasters
A New York Airways helicopter crashed at Newark International Airport, killing 3 and injuring 12 of the remaining 15 survivors.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Quarter-Finals
Chicago 0 @ New York Islanders 1 (OT) (New York led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Toronto 1 @ Montreal 5 (Montreal led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Pittsburgh 3 @ Boston 4 (Boston led best-of-seven series 2-0)
New York Rangers 7 @ Philadelphia 1 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Mike Bossy scored at 2:31 of the 1st overtime period to give the Islanders their win over the Black Hawks at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. Billy Smith made 22 saves to get the shutout in goal, while Chicago goalie Tony Esposito made 40 saves.

30 years ago
1989

On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Brightwing

Protest
Thousands of Chinese students demanding democracy tried to storm Communist Party headquarters in Beijing.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that consumer prices, led by energy prices, had risen 0.5% in March.

25 years ago
1994

Hit parade
#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Streets of Philadelphia--Bruce Springsteen (2nd week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 The Sign--Ace of Base (5th week at #1)
2 Streets of Philadelphia--Bruce Springsteen
3 Mr. Jones--Counting Crows
4 Return to Innocence--Enigma
5 Without You--Mariah Carey
6 Love Sneakin' Up on You--Bonnie Raitt
7 Swimming in Your Ocean--Crash Test Dummies
8 Loser--Beck
9 Hasn't Hit Me Yet--Blue Rodeo
10 Anniversary Song--Cowboy Junkies

Singles entering the chart were Push by Moist (#73); Borders and Time by the Rankin Family (#79); The Woman in Me by Heart (#86); Dream On Dreamer by the Brand New Heavies (#90); I'll Take You There by General Public (#92); The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get by Morrissey (#93); and I'll Wait by Taylor Dayne (#97).

World events
Ethnic violence between Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda was said to be spreading throughout the country.

Politics and government
Audrey McLaughlin announced that she would step down as leader of Canada's New Democratic Party as soon as a new leader was chosen.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board raised the federal funds rate--the interest rate banks charged each other on overnight loans--from 3.5%-3.75%, the third such increase in three months, apparently reflecting a concern about the threat of inflation. In response, several leading banks raised their prime lending rates to 6.75%.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
Montreal 3 @ Boston 2 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
New York Islanders 0 @ New York Rangers 6 (Rangers led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Chicago 1 @ Toronto 5 (Toronto led best-of-seven series 1-0)
San Jose 5 @ Detroit 4 (San Jose led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Vancouver 5 @ Calgary 0 (Vancouver led best-of-seven series 1-0)

20 years ago
1999

Hockey
NHL
Pittsburgh 2 @ New York Rangers 1 (OT)

Wayne Gretzky, playing the last game of his 21-year professional career, assisted on the Rangers' goal in the loss to the Penguins at Madison Square Garden; it was his 1,963rd career NHL assist and his 2,857th point.









10 years ago
2009

Baseball
The Cleveland Indians scored 14 runs in the 2nd inning en route to a 22-4 rout of the New York Yankees before 45,167 fans at Yankee Stadium. Anthony Claggett, the second of five New York pitchers, allowed 9 hits and 8 runs--all earned--in 1.2 innings, with 2 bases on balls, 2 strikeouts, and a wild pitch in his first major league game.



With 2 out and nobody on base in the bottom of the 12th inning, Jose Bautista drew a base on balls and Lyle Overbay followed with a home run to give the Toronto Blue Jays a 4-2 win over the Oakland Athletics before 21,698 fans at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Jose Reyes grounded into a force play to score Omir Santos with the game's only run in the bottom of the 7th inning as the New York Mets edged the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0 before 36,312 fans at Citi Field in New York. Johan Santana (2-1) allowed 5 hits in 7 innings to get the win.

Jeremy Hermida hit a 3-run home run with none out in the top of the 11th inning to break a 6-6 tie as the Florida Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 9-6 before 19,864 fans at Nationals Park. The Nationals scored 5 runs in the 1st inning to take a 5-0 lead and led 6-3 after 8, but the Marlins scored 3 in the 9th to tie the score. Washington center fielder Roger Bernardina broke his ankle making a difficult catch in the 8th inning, and missed the rest of the season.

Craig Monroe drove in 6 runs with a pair of 3-run home runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Atlanta Braves 10-0 before 20,755 fans at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Winning pitcher Ian Snell (1-2) allowed 4 hits in 7 innings.

Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a 3-run home run with 2 out to climax a 4-run 9th inning for the San Diego Padres as they beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-5 before 45,007 fans at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

Aramis Ramirez hit a 2-run home run with 2 out in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Chicago Cubs a 7-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals before 40,878 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Chris Young doubled home Eric Byrnes and Mark Reynolds with 2 out in the top of the 9th inning to break a 0-0 tie as the Arizona Diamondbacks shut out the San Francisco Giants 2-0 before 37,409 fans at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Doug Davis (1-2) allowed 8 hits in 8 innings and was credited with the win, while San Francisco starter Tim Lincecum allowed 5 hits in 8 innings without a decision.

Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez each hit 2 home runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they beat the Colorado Rockies 9-5 before 36,765 fans at Dodger Stadium. Ryan Speier, the fourth and last Colorado pitcher, allowed 2 hits and 1 run--earned--in 2 innings, walking 1 batter and striking out 1 in the 90th and last game of his 4-year major league career.