April 8, 2019

1,075 years ago
944

Died on this date
Wang Yanxi. King/Emperor of Min, 939-944. Wang Yanxi, the 28th son of Wang Shenzhi (Emperor Taizu), became King of the Ten Kingdoms Period state of Min in 939 after overthrowing his nephew Wang Jipeng (Emperor Kangzong). Wang Yanxi claimed the title of Emperor in 941. He was opposed by his brother Wang Yanzheng, who created the breakaway state of Yin in 943 and declared himself its emperor. Wang Yanxi was assassinated, with Zhu Wenjin, one of his military commanders, succeeding him as Emperor of northeastern and southern China, and Wang Yanzheng continuing as ruler of northwestern China.

130 years ago
1889

Born on this date
Adrian Boult. U.K. orchestra conductor. Sir Adrian conducted the City of Birmingham Orchestra (1924-1930, 1959-1960); BBC Symphony Orchestra (1930-1950); and London Philharmonic Orchestra (1950-1959). He championed the work of British composers, and made many recordings that are still widely available. Sir Adrian conducted recording sessions and was a guest conductor for various orchestras until the end of 1978. He died on February 22, 1983 at the age of 93.

110 years ago
1909

Born on this date
John Fante. U.S. author and screenwriter. Mr. Fante was best known for "The Bandini Quartet," a series of four novels published from 1938-1985, the second of which, Ask the Dust (1939), is widely regarded as "the great Los Angeles novel." He wrote numerous screenplays, most of which were unproduced; among the few that were made into movies were Full of Life (1956); Jeanne Eagels (1957); and Walk on the Wild Side (1962). Mr. Fante died after a long battle with diabetes on May 8, 1983, a month after his 74th birthday.

Died on this date
Helena Modjeska, 68. Polish-born actress. Mrs. Modjeska, born Jadwiga Benda, was known for Shakespearean and tragic roles on stage in Poland and then in America, after moving to the United States in 1876. She retired from acting in 1907, and died of Bright's disease.

100 years ago
1919

Born on this date
Ian Smith. Prime Minister of Rhodesia, 1964-1979. Mr. Smith served in the British Royal Air Force during World War II and suffered serious wounds. As a Liberal, he was first elected to the Parliament of Southern Rhodesia in 1948. He joined the new Federal Party in 1953, and co-founded the Rhodesian Front in 1962 in an effort to gain dominion status for the colony. Mr. Smith took office as Prime Minister in 1964; when the new British government of Prime Minister Harold Wilson refused to grant dominion status to Rhodesia despite doing so for backward Negro colonies, Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence in November 1965, resulting in the country's international isolation. Mr. Smith eventually was willing to recognize the principle of black majority rule, and resigned as Prime Minister in favour of Bishop Abel Muzorewa in 1979, when the country became known as Zimbabwe Rhodesia. Elections in early 1980 resulted in a black majority government, with Robert Mugabe as Prime Minister. The country became known as Zimbabwe, and soon became a Marxist dictatorship. Mr. Smith remained as Leader of the Opposition until 1987. He moved to South Africa for medical treatment in 2005, and died of a stroke in Cape Town on November 20, 2007 at the age of 88.

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--6th week at #1); Mairzy Doats--The Merry Macs (Jukebox--4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Maria Bard, 43. German actress. Miss Bard was a stage actress who appeared in several films, including Berlin-Alexanderplatz (1931). She committed suicide, reportedly for political reasons.

War
Royal Canadian Air Force dive bombers began attacks on French railway yards to damage supply routes prior to D-Day. The Soviet Red Army reached the Czech frontier at Zhabye, just east of the Tartar Pass. In their drive on Odessa, Soviet units took another 30 places, including Gildendorf, only 8 miles northeast of Odessa. Allied forces drove the Japanese from one vital point north of Imphal and generally improved their position in the Indian state of Manipur. U.S. Selective Service Director Lewis Hershey instructed local draft boards to complete action on registrants under 26 years of age before calling older men.

70 years ago
1949

On television tonight
Your Show Time, hosted and narrated by Arthur Shields, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Manchester Marriage, starring Jan Clayton and Richard Travis

Died on this date
Santiago Alba y Bonifaz, 76. Spanish politician. Mr. Alba was first elected to the Cortes as a member of the Unión Nacional in 1901, switching his affiliation to the Partido Liberal in 1903. He held various cabinet posts from 1906-1923, but went into exile in France from 1923-1930 while Spain was under the dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera. Mr. Alba went into exile in Portugal after the start of the Spanish Civil War in 1936; he returned to Spain in 1945, but was uninvolved in politics.

Kathy Fiscus, 3. U.S. accident victim. Miss Fiscus was playing with her sister and cousin near her home in San Marino, California, when she fell 100 feet down a well. The continuous coverage of the rescue effort over Los Angeles station KTLA was a landmark in television news coverage, and was nominated for an Emmy Award.







Literature
Beau James: The Life and Times of Jimmy Walker, a biography of the former Mayor of New York by Gene Fowler, was published by Viking Press.

War
Fighting was renewed in Burma as a surrender of rebellious Karen forces in the Rangoon area failed to take place as scheduled.

General Lucius Clay of the U.S. military government in Germany completed his review of the Malmedy massacre cases, pardoning 37 of the 43 Germans sentenced to death for the killing of American prisoners on December 17, 1944.

World events
The Guatemalan government announced the suppression of a two-day guerrilla uprising near the Mexican border.

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. vetoed South Korea's request for admission to the United Nations.

Defense
U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson announced plans to provide military aid to North Atlantic Treaty partners at the request of Western European foreign ministers.

Politics and government
The Western Allies announced an agreement on a plan for merging their German zones and dissolving their military governments in conjunction with the creation of a West German state.

The U.S. Senate confirmed President Harry Truman's appointment of Ernest Gruening to a third term as Governor of Alaska.

Economics and finance
The United Kingdom banned the export of goods of "potential military value" to the U.S.S.R. and Eastern Europe.

The U.S. Commerce Department lifted export quotas on copper, brass, and other nonferrous metals, minerals, and manufactured items.

Society
The Massey Commission, headed by diplomat Vincent Massey, was created to look at the advancement of arts, literature, and science in Canada. Its creation was a response to the crisis that existed in Canadian universities. The Government of Quebec, which feared federal interventions in its areas of jurisdiction, refused to participate in the work of the commission when it visited Montreal on November 26, 1949. The Commissioners, who in addition to Mr. Massey were Henri Lévesque, Arthur Surveyer, Norman Mackenzie, and Hilda Neatby, tabled their final report in June 1951. The Commission's report inspired, among other things, the founding of the National Library of Canada and the creation of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Toronto 3 @ Detroit 2 (OT) (Toronto led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Joe Klukay scored at 17:13 of the 1st overtime period to give the Maple Leafs their win over the Red Wings at Olympia Stadium.

Basketball
BAA
Finals
Minneapolis 94 @ Washington 74 (Minneapolis led best-of-seven series 3-0)

George Mikan scored 35 points to lead the Lakers over the Capitols before 4,919 fans at Uline Arena. Matt Zunic and Jack Nichols each scored 12 points for Washington.

60 years ago
1959

Died on this date
Luis Alberto de Herrera, 85. President of the National Council of Administration (Prime Minister) of Uruguay, 1925-1927. Mr. Herrera was Uruguayan Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States from 1902-1904 before leading the National Party for the better part of 50 years. He frequently sought the presidency, but was unsuccessful in achieving it, although the National Party scored a breakthrough in the 1958 general election, several months before Mr. Herrera's death.

World events
The Tibetan government supported by the People's Republic of China met in Lhasa and urged Tibetans to help the Chinese Army quell the uprising.

Defense
The Iraqi government disclosed that it had armed the Communist-dominated popular Resistance Force and had extended its authority outside Baghdad to border areas.

Technology
A team of computer manufacturers, users, and university people led by U.S. Naval Reserve Commander Grace Hopper met to discuss the creation of a new programming language that would be called COBOL.

Economics and finance
Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash disclosed plans to withdraw Turkish Cypriots from mixed Greek-Turkish areas in order to create a separate Turkish economy on the island.

50 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Atlantis--Donovan (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Win Noyes, 79. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Noyes played with the Boston Braves (1913); Philadelphia Athletics (1917, 1919); and Chicago White Sox (1919), compiling a record of 11-15 with an earned run average of 3.76 in 49 games. He was 10-10 with a 2.95 ERA in 27 games with the Athletics in 1917, but was in the military in 1918, and failed to regain his effectiveness thereafter. Mr. Noyes had a record of 120-74 in seven seasons in the minor leagues from 1910-1916, with four 20-win seasons.

Haskell Karp. U.S. medical patient. Mr. Karp, the first man to live with an artificial heart and a transplanted heart, died in Houston, 65 hours after the transplant.

Labour
The United States Department of Justice filed its first discrimination suit against a major southern textile company, charging Canon Mills with bias in both employment and the rental of company housing. It marked the first time that the government had moved against segregated company-owned housing.

Disasters
13 were killed and 3 were missing in the blast of an explosives factory in Dottington, Switzerland.

Baseball
The Montreal Expos sent $100,000 and pitchers Jack Billingham and Skip Guinn to the Houston Astros to complete the January 22, 1969 trade in which the Expos had traded first baseman Donn Clendenon and outfielder Jesus Alou to the Astros for outfielder Rusty Staub. Mr. Clendenon had refused to report to the Astros, not wanting to play for manager Harry Walker.

The Montreal Expos withstood a 4-run 9th-inning rally, and held on to defeat the New York Mets 11-10 before 44,541 fans at Shea Stadium in New York in the first major league game ever played by a Canadian-based team. Mudcat Grant was the starting pitcher for the Expos, but he was knocked out of the box early. One of his relievers, Dan McGinn, hit the Expos’ first home run, off Mets’ ace Tom Seaver. For Mr. McGinn, it was his only major league home run. Rusty Staub and Coco Laboy each homered for Montreal in the 8th inning; Mr. Laboy's 3-run homer came in his first major league game. The Mets had runners on first and second bases with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th when Carroll Sembera struck out Rod Gaspar to end the game.







Dick Selma pitched a 5-hit complete game and hit 2 singles to win the pitchers' duel over Don Wilson as the San Diego Padres, in their first major league game, edged the Houston Astros 2-1 before 23,370 fans at San Diego Stadium.

Randy Hundley singled with 1 out in the bottom of the 11th inning and Willie Smith followed with a home run to give the Chicago Cubs a 7-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies before 40,796 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Philadelphia third baseman Don Money's second home run of the game, a 3-run blast, had tied the game 5-5 in the 9th inning, and his double in the 1th had driven home Johnny Callison with a run to give the Phillies a 6-5 lead. Chicago first baseman Ernie Banks also drove in 5 runs, with a pair of homers and a single.





Pinch hitter Joe Keough singled home Joe Foy from third base with 1 out in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Kansas City Royals, in their first major league game, a 5-4 win over the Minnesota Twins before 17,688 fans at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City. Mr. Keough's hit came against Minnesota relief pitcher Dick Woodson, who was facing his first major league batter. Lou Piniella, in his first game in a Kansas City uniform, made his first 4 major league hits in 5 at bats, with a double, run, and run batted in.

Tommy Harper led off with a double and Mike Hegan followed with a home run to begin a 4-run 1st inning as the Seattle Pilots, in their first major league game, held on to defeat the California Angels 4-3 before 11,930 fans at Anaheim Stadium. Seattle starting pitcher Marty Pattin allowed 2 hits and 2 runs--earned--in 5+ innings to get the win. The Angels scored a run in the 9th and had runners on first and third bases, but relief pitcher Jack Aker retired Rick Reichardt on a ground ball to third base to end the game.



Pinch hitter Dalton Jones scored Tony Conigliaro with a sacrifice fly in the 11th inning to break a 4-4 tie as the Boston Red Sox edged the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 before 36,100 fans at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Mr. Conigliaro, playing his first game since being hit in the eye by a pitch in August 1967, singled in the 4th inning and hit a 2-run home run in the 10th to give Boston a 4-2 lead, only to have Frank Robinson respond with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to tie the score. Mr. Conigliaro also drew 2 bases on balls, including one leading to the winning run.

Denny McLain pitched a 3-hit complete game and singled in a run to help the Detroit Tigers open defense of their 1968 World Series championship with a 6-2 win over the Cleveland Indians before 53,572 fans at Tiger Stadium. Cleveland starting pitcher Luis Tiant, who had led the American League in earned run average in 1968, allowed 8 hits and 5 runs--all earned--in 5+ innings to take the loss.

40 years ago
1979

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Tragedy--Bee Gees (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Heart of Glass--Blondie (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Breece D'J Pancake, 26. U.S. author. Mr. Pancake wrote short stories about his native rural West Virginia. He committed suicide by shooting himself; the motives remain unclear.

Terrorism
The Palestine Liberation Organization vowed to increase military and political activities against Egypt and Israel--especially within occupied territories--in retaliation for the Egypt-Israel peace treaty.

Environment
Thousands were evacuated near Crestview, Florida after a freight train carrying toxic chemicals derailed, threatening an area of 80 square miles with toxic fumes.

Energy
Voters in Austin, Texas approved a bond issue for construction of a local nuclear power plant in the first test of American public opinion on nuclear power since the Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania.

Auto racing
USAC Championship Car
A.J. Foyt won the Coors 200 at Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas; it was his second win in as many races.

Hockey
NHL
Toronto 3 @ Boston 6
Montreal 0 @ Detroit 1

The Canadiens' loss to the Red Wings at Olympia Stadium on the last day of the regular season allowed the New York Islanders to finish first in the overall standings; the Islanders finished with 116 points, the Canadiens with 115.

30 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Esatto--Francesco Salvi (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Like a Prayer--Madonna

#1 single in France (SNEP): Pour toi Arménie--Charles Aznavour and various artists (9th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Like a Prayer--Madonna (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Alles Kan Een Mens Gelukkig Maken--René Froger & Het Goede Doel (3rd week at #1)
2 Like a Prayer--Madonna
3 Eternal Flame--Bangles
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 Everybody Needs Somebody to Love--The Blues Brothers
8 Belfast Child (EP track)--Simple Minds
9 I'd Rather Jack--The Reynolds Girls
10 Are You My Baby?--Wendy & Lisa

Singles entering the chart were Too Many Broken Hearts by Jason Donovan (#24); She's a Mystery to Me by Roy Orbison (#27); Kokomo by the Beach Boys (#28); Hit the Rap Jack by Debbie D (#30); Twins by Philip Bailey & Little Richard (#33); and When Love Comes to Town by U2 with B.B. King (#36). Twins was the title song of the movie.

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 The Look--Roxette
2 Eternal Flame--Bangles
3 Girl You Know it's True--Milli Vanilli
4 She Drives Me Crazy--Fine Young Cannibals
5 Like a Prayer--Madonna
6 Stand--R.E.M.
7 My Heart Can't Tell You No--Rod Stewart
8 Dreamin'--Vanessa Williams
9 Walk the Dinosaur--Was (Not Was)
10 Funky Cold Medina--Tone Loc

Singles entering the chart were Patience by Guns N' Roses (#66); Cry by Waterfront (#78); Circle by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians (#80); You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet by Figures on a Beach (#91); Coming Home by Cinderella (#92); I'll Be You by the Replacements (#93); and Similar Features by Melissa Etheridge (#94).

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Girl You Know it's True--Milli Vanilli
2 The Look--Roxette
3 Eternal Flame--Bangles
4 She Drives Me Crazy--Fine Young Cannibals
5 Like a Prayer--Madonna
6 Stand--R.E.M.
7 My Heart Can't Tell You No--Rod Stewart
8 The Living Years--Mike + the Mechanics
9 Walk the Dinosaur--Was (Not Was)
10 Dreamin'--Vanessa Williams

Singles entering the chart were Buffalo Stance by Neneh Cherry (#70); Cry by Waterfront (#75); Repetition by Information Society (#77); Patience by Guns N' Roses (#80); Circle by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians (#83); Round and Round by New Order (#85); Baby Baby by Eighth Wonder (#87); Don't Take My Mind on a Trip by Boy George (#90); and Coming Home by Cinderella (#93).

25 years ago
1994

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

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Streets of Philadelphia--Bruce Springsteen (3rd week at #1)

World events
Western nations prepared evacuation efforts as the slaughter continued between Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda.

The Governor of the Afghan province of Faryab resigned and fled, as forces loyal to warlord General Rashid Dostrum took control of several districts.

Politics and government
Morihiro Hosokawa announced his resignation as Prime Minister of Japan pending selection of a successor, amid allegations that he had profited illegally from a 100-million yen loan from a trucking company in 1982. Mr. Hosokawa said that he had repaid the loan but acknowledged that he had not repaid interest on the loan.

Hockey
NHL
New York Rangers 5 Toronto 3

Baseball
Kent Mercker (1-0) pitched a no-hitter, walking 4 batters and striking out 10, as the Atlanta Braves blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0 before 36,546 fans at Dodger Stadium. Losing pitcher Pedro Astacio (0-1) allowed 5 hits and 4 runs--all earned--in 7.2 innings, walking 2 batters and striking out 11. Chan Ho Park made his major league debut on the mound for Los Angeles, pitching the 9th inning and allowing a hit, 2 bases on balls, 2 runs--both earned--and striking out 2 batters.





Steve Trachsel and two relief pitchers combined to pitch a 3-hitter for the Chicago Cubs as they shut out the Montreal Expos 4-0 before 47,001 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Dennis Martinez allowed 3 hits and 1 run--earned--in 6 innings in taking the loss.

Jeff Branson singled to lead off the bottom of the 10th inning and scored on a single by Barry Larkin to give the Cincinnati Reds a 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies before 27,868 fans at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. Kevin Mitchell drove in 3 runs for the Reds with a pair of home runs.

Scott Sanders and Trevor Hoffman combined to pitch a 2-hitter, while Keith Lockhart hit his first 2 major league home runs, as the San Diego Padres shut out the Florida Marlins 4-0 before 12,850 fans at Jack Murphy-San Diego Stadium.

Jim Abbott and two relievers combined to pitch a 4-hitter for the New York Yankees as they shut out the Detroit Tigers 4-0 before 20,222 fans at Yankee Stadium.

Tim Naehring doubled home 3 runs and scored on an error by catcher Ron Karkovice on the same play as the Boston Red Sox scored 4 runs in the top of the 8th inning to overcome a 6-4 deficit and defeat the Chicago White Sox 8-6 before 42,890 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Tim Raines hit 2 home runs and a single for the White Sox.

The Oakland Athletics scored 2 runs in the top of the 10th inning to break an 8-8 tie and held on to defeat the Minnesota Twins 10-9 before 17,271 fans at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. Minnesota center fielder Kirby Puckett batted 5 for 6 with a double and 4 runs batted in, and was on third base with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th, but relief pitcher Billy Taylor retired Dave Winfield and Matt Walbeck to end the game.

20 years ago
1999

Diplomacy
Iraq rejected a proposal from the United Nations to permit resumption of UN arms inspection inside Iraq. The proposal included relaxed sanctions and a more generous food-for-oil arrangement under which Iraq would sell oil to meet basic human needs.

Politics and government
Haryana Gana Parishad, a political party in the Indian state of Haryana, merged with the Indian National Congress Party.

10 years ago
2009

Died on this date
Tori Stafford, 8. Canadian murder victim. Victoria Stafford was abducted while on her way home from Oliver Stephens Public School in Woodstock, Ontario. She was raped, tortured, and murdered, with her body not being discovered until July 19, 2009. Michael Rafferty, 28 , was convicted of first-degree murder, and Terri-Lynne McClintic, 18, was convicted of being an accessory to murder.

Terrorism
Somali pirates hijacked the U.S.-flagged cargo ship MV Maersk Alabama. The crew retook the ship four days later, and Navy sharpshooters killed two pirates holding the ship's American captain, Richard Phillips.