December 27, 2019

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Marilyn Draper and Ana!

560 years ago
1459

Born on this date
Jan I. King of Poland, 1492-1501. Jan I acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Casimir IV; his reign included unsuccessful military efforts against the Ottoman Turks. King Jan I died on June 17, 1501 at the age of 41, and was succeeded by his brother Aleksander I.

210 years ago
1809

Born on this date
Alexandros Rizos Rangavis. Greek writer and diplomat. Mr. Rangavis wrote philological works, plays and poetry. He held various educational and diplomatic posts, including Greek Ambassador to Germany (1874-1886). He was one of the Greek representatives at the Congress of Berlin (1878). Mr. Rangavis died on June 28, 1892 at the age of 82.

140 years ago
1879

Born on this date
Sydney Greenstreet. U.K.-born U.S. actor. Mr. Greenstreet spent many years as a stage actor before making his movie debut in The Maltese Falcon (1941). His movies included Across the Pacific (1942); Casablanca (1942); Passage to Marseille (1944); The Mask of Dimitrios (1944); Three Strangers (1946); The Hucksters (1947); Ruthless (1948); and Flamingo Road (1949). Many of these movies also featured Peter Lorre in the cast. Mr. Greenstreet starred as the title character of the radio series The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe (1950-1951), and died from complications of diabetes and Bright's disease on January 18, 1954, 22 days after his 74th birthday.

100 years ago
1919

Born on this date
Charles Sweeney. U.S. military aviator. Major General Sweeney served with the U.S. Army Air Forces (later renamed the U.S. Air Force) from 1941-1979, but was best known as the pilot of the B-29 bomber Bockscar, which dropped the atomic bomb Fat Man on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. He died on July 16, 2004 at the age of 84.

Died on this date
Achilles Alferaki, 73. Russian composer and politician. Mr. Alferaki was Mayor of Taganrog (1880-1888) before serving as Chancellor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and director of the Russian Telegraph Agency. He wrote two operas and more than 100 Romantic compositions.

90 years ago
1929

Abominations
U.S.S.R. Communist Party General Secretary Josef Stalin ordered the "liquidation of the kulaks as a class."

80 years ago
1939

War
Finnish forces held off a Soviet attack in the Battle of Kelja.

Disasters
Erzincan, Turkey was hit by an earthquake, killing 30,000.

75 years ago
1944

Died on this date
Amy Beach, 77. U.S. composer. Mrs. Beach was a pianist who became the first successful female American composer when her Gaelic Symphony was performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1896. She wrote about 150 songs, as well as works for piano, and other compositions.

Movies
The New York Film Critics Circle named Going My Way as the Best Picture of 1944, with Leo McCarey winning for Best Director and Barry Fitzgerald for Best Actor. Talullah Bankhead was named Best Actress for her performance in Lifeboat.

War
U.S. Army forces under General George Patton cut a northward path through the German salient in Belgium to relieve troops surrounded at Bastogne. U.S. forces captured Manhay, Humain, Surre, Boluide, and Boschleiden. Nazi elite troops were ordered to fight to the last man in house-to-house combat against Soviet troops in Budapest. U.S. air strikes drove off the Japanese task force on Mindoro Island in the Philippines.

Politics and government
A conference in Athens of Greek political leaders agreed to a regency under Archbishop Damaskinos.

Economics and finance
The U.S. War Production Board ordered a reduction in the use of lead for civilian production in 1945 because of war needs.

Labour
Harry Bridges, president of the Congress of Industrial Organizations International Longshoremen's Union, asked the U.S. Supreme Court for a final adjudication of the order to deport him to Australia.

70 years ago
1949

On the radio
Philo Vance, starring Jackson Beck
Tonight’s episode: The Identical Murder Case

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Case of Lady Sannox, starring Stella Adler, Henry Brandon, and Berry Kroeger



Died on this date
Andrew Johnson, 89. Swedish-born U.S. inventor. Mr. Johnson invented the combine harvester and other machines.

Movies
The New York Film Critics Circle named All the King's Men as the Best Picture of 1949, with Broderick Crawford winning for Best Actor. Other awards were: Best Director--Carol Reed (The Fallen Idol); Best Actress--Olivia de Havilland (The Heiress); Foreign Language Film--Ladri di biciclette (Bicycle Thieves aka The Bicycle Thief).

Literature
The $10,000 Harper award went to Max Steele for his first novel, Debby.

Asiatica
Ceremonies in Amsterdam and Jakarta marked the formal establishment of the United States of Indonesia, ending the Dutch East Indies after more than 300 years of Dutch rule.

Defense
The U.S. Air Force ended a two-year investigation of flying saucer reports by denying their authenticity.

Crime
Pre-trial testimony in the Judith Coplon-Valentin Gubitchev espionage case in New York produced a statement from a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent that Ms. Coplon's telephone line had been illegally tapped, reversing earlier government contentions that all evidence had been gathered legally.

Journalism
Argentine President Juan Peron sued the newspapers Prensa and Nacion for claiming that he had enriched himself through the presidency.

Economics and finance
U.S. headquarters in Tokyo announced plans to give private firms control over Japanese imports.

60 years ago
1959

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Le marchand de bonheur--Les Compagnons de la chanson (7th week at #1)

On the radio
Ungdomsteatern, on Sveriges Radio
Today's episode: De tre studenterna, starring Georg Arlin as Sherlock Holmes and Ragnar Falck as Dr. Watson

This adaptation of A. Conan Doyle’s story The Adventure of the Three Students was reportedly the first Sherlock Holmes radio broadcast in Sweden.

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Graduating Class, starring Wendy Hiller, Gigi Perreau, Jocelyn Brando, and Robert H. Harris

Politics and government
The French protectorate islands of Wallis and Futuna, northeast of the Fiji Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, voted to become French overseas territories.

Labour
The International Longshoremen's Association and the Mobile Steamship Association agreed on a contract, averting the resumption of a dock strike in Mobile, Alabama.

Football
NFL
Championship @ Memorial Stadium, Baltimore
New York 16 @ Baltimore 31

Quarterback Johnny Unitas passed for 2 touchdowns and rushed for another to lead the Colts to their second straight championship game win over the Giants. Mr. Unitas hooked up with Lenny Moore for a 60-yard touchdown, converted by Steve Myhra, 4:55 into the 1st quarter to give Baltimore a 7-0 lead. New York came back with field goals by Pat Summerall in each of the first 3 quarters to take a 9-7 lead. Late in the 3rd quarter, Giants’ running back Alex Webster was stopped on a fourth down- and inches-to-to gamble on the Colts’ 28, and that changed the momentum of the game. Mr. Unitas rushed 4 yards for the touchdown that put the Colts ahead at 2:42, and completed a 12-yard pass to Jerry Richardson for another major score at 7:21. Johnny Sample returned an interception 42 yards for another touchdown at 9:31. Mr. Myhra converted all 3 and kicked a 25-yard field goal at 12:40 to make the score 31-9. The Giants finally scored a touchdown when Chuck Conerly passed 32 yards to Bob Schnelker, converted by Mr. Summerall, with just 32 seconds remaining. Mr. Unitas finished with 18 completions in 29 passes for 265 yards; Mr. Moore had 127 yards on 3 catches. Mr. Schnelker led all receivers with 9 receptions for 178 yards. Mr. Sample had 2 interceptions on the day for 76 yards, returned 2 punts for 23, and 1 kickoff for 8. The Giants lost the services of offensive end Kyle Rote for the 2nd half when he left with a concussion. 57,545 fans attended the only NFL championship game to be played at Memorial Stadium.





50 years ago
1969

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Suspicious Minds--Elvis Presley

#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Abbey Road (LP)--The Beatles

#1 single in France: Tu veux ou tu veux pas--Marcel Zanini

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Belinda--Gianni Morandi (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Sugar, Sugar--The Archies (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Two Little Boys--Rolf Harris

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Two Little Boys--Rolf Harris (2nd week at #1)

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Something/Come Together--The Beatles (3rd week at #1)
2 Suspicious Minds--Elvis Presley
3 Penny Arcade--Roy Orbison
4 Picking Up Pebbles--Matt Flinders
5 And When I Die--Blood, Sweat & Tears
6 I'll Never Fall in Love Again--Bobbie Gentry
7 Take a Letter Maria--R.B. Greaves
8 Jean--Oliver
9 The Star--Ross D. Wyllie
10 Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head--Johnny Farnham

Singles entering the chart were Holly Holy by Neil Diamond (#28); Cold Turkey by the Plastic Ono Band (#31); Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head by B.J. Thomas (#36); and Carroll County Accident by Bobby and Laurie (#38).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Marian--The Cats (2nd week at #1)
2 Mighty Joe--Shocking Blue
3 Oh Well!--Fleetwood Mac
4 Cha-La-La, I Need You--The Shuffles
5 Another 45 Miles--The Golden Earring
6 One Million Years--Robin Gibb
7 The Flood--Ginger Ale
8 Maanserenade--Marty
9 Yester-Me Yester-You Yesterday--Stevie Wonder
10 Tonight Today--DBM & T

Singles entering the chart were Winter World of Love by Engelbert Humperdinck (#30); Take Five by the Dave Brubeck Quartet (#36); Without Love by Tom Jones (#38); and Everybody's Talkin' by Nilsson (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Someday We'll Be Together--Diana Ross and the Supremes
2 Leaving on a Jet Plane--Peter, Paul and Mary
3 Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head--B.J. Thomas
4 Down on the Corner/Fortunate Son--Creedence Clearwater Revival
5 Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye--Steam
6 Holly Holy--Neil Diamond
7 Come Together/Something--The Beatles
8 I Want You Back--The Jackson 5
9 Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin
10 Take a Letter Maria--R.B. Greaves

Singles entering the chart were Without Love (There is Nothing) by Tom Jones (#50); I'll Never Fall in Love Again by Dionne Warwick (#51); Monster by Steppenwolf (#71); Hey There Lonely Girl by Eddie Holman (#73); Traces/Memories by the Lettermen (#75); A World Without Music by Archie Bell & the Drells (#92); Theme from Electric Surfboard by Brother Jack McDuff (#95); The Gangs Back Again by Kool & The Gang (#98); Guess Who by Ruby Winters (#99); and The Thrill is Gone by B.B. King (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Someday We'll Be Together--Diana Ross and the Supremes
2 Leaving on a Jet Plane--Peter, Paul and Mary
3 Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head--B.J. Thomas
4 Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye--Steam
5 Holly Holy--Neil Diamond
6 Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin
7 I Want You Back--The Jackson 5
8 Jam Up Jelly Tight--Tommy Roe
9 Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday--Stevie Wonder
10 Down on the Corner--Creedence Clearwater Revival

Singles entering the chart were Without Love (There is Nothing) by Tom Jones (#34); I'll Never Fall in Love Again by Dionne Warwick (#39); Monster by Steppenwolf (#62); Hold On by the Rascals (#73); The Thrill is Gone by B.B. King (#82); Everybody is a Star (#84)/Thank You Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin (#87) by Sly & the Family Stone; Moon Walk Part I by Joe Simon (#88); Lu by Peggy Lipton (#89); Voodoo Woman by Simon Stokes & the Nighthawks (#95); Mornin' Mornin' by Bobby Goldsboro (#97); Come Saturday Morning by the Sandpipers (#98); and Listen to the People by Zager & Evans (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Leaving on a Jet Plane--Peter, Paul and Mary
2 And When I Die--Blood, Sweat & Tears
3 Holly Holy--Neil Diamond
4 Someday We'll Be Together--Diana Ross and the Supremes
5 Heaven Knows--The Grass Roots
6 Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye--Steam
7 Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head--B.J. Thomas
8 Jam Up Jelly Tight--Tommy Roe
9 Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin
10 Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday--Stevie Wonder

Singles entering the chart were Without Love (There is Nothing) by Tom Jones (#75); Hey There Lonely Girl by Eddie Holman (#84); Monster by Steppenwolf (#85); Look-Ka Py Py by the Meters (#86); Can't Take My Eyes Off You by Nancy Wilson (#87); Hold On by the Rascals (#88); How I Miss You Baby by Bobby Womack (#91); He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother by the Hollies (#94); Mornin' Mornin' by Bobby Goldsboro (#96); Lu by Peggy Lipton (#97); Room to Move by John Mayall (#98); Listen to the People by Zager & Evans (#99); and Voodoo Woman by Simon Stokes & the Nighthawks (#100).

War
Leaders of Egypt, Sudan, and Libya concluded a three-day summit in Tripoli and announced after the last session that the Arab western front against Israel had been extended from Libya through Cairo to Khartoum.

Politics and government
Prime Minister Eisaku Satō led his Liberal Democratic Party to another victory in the Japanese general election, taking 288 of 486 seats in the House of Representatives. The LDP total was an increase of 11 from the most recent election in 1967. The Japan Socialist Party, led by Tomomi Narita, lost 50 seats, but still finished second with 90 seats. Komeitō, led by Yoshikatsu Takeiri, increased its total from 25 to 47, finishing third.

Disasters
A Montreal apartment house fire killed 6 people.

Zambian officials reported that rampaging hippopotamuses (hippopotami?) had killed 9 people by overturning their boats on the Namwala River.

Football
NFL
Western Conference Championship
Los Angeles 20 @ Minnesota 23

Minnesota quarterback Joe Kapp rushed 2 yards for a touchdown late in the 4th quarter--converted by Fred Cox--and defensive end Carl Eller sacked Los Angeles quarterback Roman Gabriel for a safety touch to give the Central Division champion Vikings the win over the Coastal Division champion Rams before 47,900 fans at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington. The Rams led 17-7 at halftime on short touchdown passes from Mr. Gabriel to Bob Klein and Billy Truax. Bruce Gossett converted both and added a field goal. Dave Osborn rushed 1 yard for a Minnesota touchdown in the 1st quarter, and did the same in the 3rd quarter. Both were converted by Mr. Cox. Mr. Gossett kicked another field goal in the 4th quarter to give Los Angeles a 20-14 lead. Mr. Gabriel completed 22 of 32 passes, but for just 150 yards; he also rushed 4 times for 26 yards. Mr. Kapp was 12 for 19 in passing for 196 yards, and led the Minnesota ground game with 7 carries for 42. Gene Washington of the Vikings led all receivers with 90 yards on 4 receptions. The loss was the fourth straight for the Rams, who had started the season with 11 straight wins.





40 years ago
1979

Died on this date
Hafizullah Amin, 50. Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council of Afghanistan, 1979. Mr. Amin, a Communist, was Afghanistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs (1978-1979) and became Chairman of the Council of Ministers on March 27, 1979. He came to power in a coup on September 14, 1979, and took the offices of Chairman of the Presidium of the Revolutionary Council and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the People's Democratic Party. Mr. Amin was opposed to excessive Soviet influence, and was murdered the day after 5,000 Soviet troops invaded the country. He was succeeded in his various offices by Babrak Karmal.

War
U.S.S.R. forces seized control of Afghanistan.

Politics and government
Following four hours of heavy street fighting in Kabul and the death of President Hafizullah Amin, a new Afghan government led by Babrak Karmal was installed. Mr. Karmal, a former deputy to Mr. Amin’s Marxist predecessor, Nur Mohammad Taraki, had been in exile in East Germany and Czechoslovakia after his pro-Moscow faction had been purged from the Afghan government.

Disasters
A fire broke out in a 150-year-old prison in Lancaster County, South Carolina, killing 10 inmates and injuring 8 other people.

Hockey
NHL-U.S.S.R.
Exhibition
Super Series '80
Central Red Army 5 @ New York Rangers 2

This was the first game of Super Series ’80.



St. Louis 3 @ Detroit 2

This was the first National Hockey League game at Joe Louis Arena.

30 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Another Day in Paradise--Phil Collins

World events
The Romanian Revolution concluded, as the last minor street confrontations and stray shootings abruptly ended in Bucharest.

War
American military officials released casualty figures regarding the U.S. invasion of Panama which had begun on December 20. 23 U.S. soldiers, 3 American civilians, 297 Panamanian soldiers, and at least 400 Panamanian civilians were killed. 322 U.S. soldiers, 1 American civilian, 123 Panamanian soldiers, and at least 2,000 Panamanian civilians were wounded or injured.

25 years ago
1994

Died on this date
J.B.L. Reyes, 92. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, 1954-1972. Jose Benedicto Luna Reyes began practicing law at the age of 21, and was a law professor and leader of the Philippine resistance against Japanese occupation during World War II. He was appointed to the Court of Appeals after the war, serving on the Court before he was elevated to the Supreme Court. Dr. Reyes was highly regarded, and it was said that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos waited until Dr. Reyes' retirement before imposing martial law. Dr. Reyes served as the first president of the Integrated Bar Association after his retirement, and opposed martial law and the presence of American military bases in the Philippines.

20 years ago
1999

Died on this date
Michael McDowell, 49. U.S. author and screenwriter. Mr. McDowell wrote numerous paperback horror novels, but his best-known work was the screenplay for the movie Beetlejuice (1988). He was a sodomite who died of AIDS.

Terrorism
Indian negotiators opened talks with five hijackers who had seized a plane on December 24 after takeoff from Katmandu, Nepal, and had taken it to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Weather
It was warm enough in Edmonton for this blogger to go out at night wearing shorts.

Football
NFL
New York Jets (7-8) 38 @ Miami (9-6) 31

10 years ago
2009

Protest
On the Day of Ashura in Tehran, Iranian government security forces fired upon demonstrators who were protesting the outcome of the 2009 presidential election, which had taken place on June 12, resulting in the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.