January 12, 2020

325 years ago
1695

War
The Ottoman Empire surrendered the fortress of Gyula, which had been the centre of an Ottoman sanjak (subprovince) in what is now Hungary since 1566, to Habsburg forces.

300 years ago
1720

Died on this date
William Ashhurst, 72. English politician. Sir William, a Whig, represented the City of London in the House of Commons (1689-1690, 1695-1702, 1705-1710), and was Lord Mayor of London (1693-1694). He died after a long illness.

130 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Johannes Vares. Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, 1940-1944. Dr. Vares, a physician who wrote poetry under the pseudonym Johannes Barbarus, led a Communist puppet government after the Soviet conquest of Estonia in 1940. He fled to Russia after the German invasion and occupation of Estonia in 1941, but returned in 1944 after the U.S.S.R. reconquered the country. On April 20, 1944, the Electoral Committee of the Republic of Estonia held a clandestine meeting where they ruled Mr. Vares' appointment to be illegal; he also came under suspicion from the Soviet secret police force NKVD because of his activities in the Estonian war of independence, and committed suicide at Kadriorg Palace in the capital city of Tallinn on November 29, 1946 at the age of 56.

125 years ago
1895

Environment
The National Trust was founded in the United Kingdom.

110 years ago
1910

Born on this date
Patsy Kelly. U.S. actress. Miss Kelly was known as the "Queen of Wisecracks" for her performances as Thelma Todd's sidekick in short comedy films in the 1930s. She won a Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in a revival of No, No, Nanette (1971). Miss Kelly suffered a severe stroke in 1980, and died of cancer on September 24, 1981 at the age of 71.

Luise Rainer. German-born actress. Miss Rainer won Academy Awards for her starring performances in The Great Ziegfeld (1936) and The Good Earth (1937), becoming the first person to win more than one Oscar, and to win them in consecutive years. She quit acting shortly thereafter, making occasional appearances in plays, films, and television programs. Miss Rainer died of pneumonia on December 30, 2014, 13 days before her 105th birthday.

100 years ago
1920

Born on this date
James Farmer. U.S. social activist and politician. Mr. Farmer co-founded the organization that became known as the Congress of Racial Equality, serving as its first national director (1942-1966). He promoted nonviolent action to oppose racial segregation, and organized the first Freedom Ride in the southern United States in 1961. Mr. Farmer was Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in the administration of U.S. President Richard Nixon (1969-1970), but quit the position in frustration with Washington bureaucracy. He died from complications of diabetes on July 9, 1999 at the age of 79.

80 years ago
1940

Television
The experimental NBC station W2XBS in New York City was linked to General Electric’s station WRGB in Schenectady, New York by a radio relay system developed by General Electric, marking "the first time that two television stations broadcast simultaneously the same regular programs.” The first program transmitted from W2XBS to WRGB was a play titled Meet the Wife.

War
In collaboration with the Saturday Review of Literature, the Gallup Poll reported that 31% of American writers polled believed that the United States would enter the European war, while 69% believed the U.S. would stay out of the war. Soviet planes bombed the Finnish cities of Helsinki, Abo, and Lahti for the first time since December 25, 1939.

Diplomacy
Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas asserted that the Monroe Doctrine had been replaced in 1936 by the "principle of American solidarity."

Politics and government
A Gallup Poll indicated that 63% of American voters approved of the performance of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Labour
Apex Hosiery Company of Philadelphia appealed directly to the U.S. Supreme Court to obtain more than $700,000 in alleged damages from a labour union as a result of a sit-down strike in 1937.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers condemned both the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations for conducting a "civil war" that was detrimental to the working man.

Academia
University of Chicago President Robert Hutchins defended the institution's decision to drop football, saying the sport was a handicap to education.

Disasters
23 people in Buenos Aires had died in a heat wave.

75 years ago
1945

War
As Allied armies pushed in on all sides, German forces were in full retreat from their Belgian bulge, abandoning 100 square miles. Soviet forces began a huge offensive against the Germans in Eastern Europe. U.S. forces in the Philippines continued their advance on Luzon unchecked, with the capture of San Carlos and Malasiqui. Terms of the U.K.-ELAS truce in Greece were announced, providing for the cessation of hostilities at 1 A.M. on January 15.

Law
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an order placing Nazi saboteurs in the United States under the jurisdiction of military tribunals, to be tried by military commissions.

Diplomacy
Philippine President Sergio Osmena arrived in the United States for conferences on relief and rehabilitation measures.

Politics and government
Frank Briggs (Democrat) was appointed a United States Senator from Missouri to serve the remaining two years of the term of Vice President-elect Harry Truman.

70 years ago
1950

On television tonight
Escape, on CBS

War
Chinese Nationalist sources reported successful Communist landings on the island of Hainan off the South China coast.

The Commonwealth conference in Colombo, Ceylon urged early action on a Japanese peace treaty.

Politics and government
Mustafa el-Nahhas took office as Prime Minister of Egypt, heading an all-Wafdist cabinet.

Law
The Soviet government revived the death penalty, abolished since 1947, in cases of treason, espionage, and sabotage.

Economics and finance
The United Kingdom and Poland broke off talks on settlement of Poland's pre-World War II debt to Britain and compensation for nationalized British firms.

A U.S. Congressional Joint Economic subcommittee issued a report urging increased Federal Reserve Board authority over national credit policy and public debt at the expense of the Treasury Department.

60 years ago
1960

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, hosted by John Newland, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Earthquake, starring David Opatoshu and Olan Soule



Died on this date
Nevil Shute, 60. U.K. author. Nevil Shute Norway was an aeronautical engineer who was best known for his novels, especially On the Beach (1957). He moved to Australia in 1950 and died of a stroke, five days before his 61st birthday.

50 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Suspicious Minds--Elvis Presley (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Kuroneko no Tango--Osamu Minagawa (10th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Sugar, Sugar--The Archies (9th week at #1)

On the Radio
The Challenge of Space, on Springbok Radio
Tonight’s episode: The Centauries

Music
The single She Cheats on Me/How Do You Start Over by Roy Orbison was released on MGM Records.

War
Fighting in the 31-month Nigerian Civil War ended with the surrender of breakaway Biafra when Biafra’s leader, General Odumegwu Ojukwu, fled with his family on one of the last flights out of the beleaguered Uli airstrip. Major General Philip Effiong took over from Gen. Ojukwu and capitulated in a brief broadcast over Biafra’s mobile radio, declaring, "I am convinced now a stop must be put to the bloodshed." Eight hours later, and shortly after the Nigerian government announced the capture of the Uli airstrip, Maj. Gen. Yakubu Gowon accepted the surrender in another broadcast, and urged all Nigerians to treat the defeated rebels as brothers.

Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. rebuffed American proposals for a Middle East peace settlement as "one-sided and pro-Israel." The rejection withdrew acceptance of certain key points that the U.S. State Department thought had been settled in past negotiations.

Scandal
A U.S. federal grand jury in New York City indicted Nathan M. Voloshen, a reputed influence peddler, and Dr. Martin Sweig, the suspended administrative aide to U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John W. McCormack, on charges of fraud and conspiracy to defraud government agencies.

Disasters
All 23 men on a Greek military plane were killed in a crash during a parachute practice drop northwest of Athens.

40 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Remi, Le Sue Avventure--I Ragazzi Di Remi (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Een Bakske Vol Met Stro--Urbanus (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd (5th week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 I Have a Dream--ABBA
2 David's Song (Who'll Come with Me)--Kelly Family
3 Weekend--Earth and Fire
4 Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)--Pink Floyd
5 Thema Uit "De Verlaten Mijn" - Einsamer Hirte--Gheorghe Zamfir met Orkest o.l.v. James Last
6 Rapper's Delight--Sugarhill Gang
7 Love and Understanding--Mac Kissoon and Family
8 Fly Too High--Janis Ian
9 Walking on the Moon--The Police
10 What's a Matter Baby--Ellen Foley

Singles entering the chart were On My Radio by the Selecter (#23); Rap-O Clap-O by Joe Bataan (#24); Tired of Toein' the Line by Rocky Burnette (#26); Feelin' Lonely by Massada (#34); and Magic Touch by Kiss (#37).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Escape (The Pina Colada Song)--Rupert Holmes (3rd week at #1)
2 Rock with You--Michael Jackson
3 Do That to Me One More Time--Captain & Tennille
4 Send One Your Love--Stevie Wonder
5 Please Don't Go--KC & the Sunshine Band
6 Still--Commodores
7 Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers
8 Ladies Night--Kool & The Gang
9 We Don't Talk Anymore--Cliff Richard
10 Babe--Styx

Singles entering the chart were Too Late by Journey (#81); Let Me Go, Love by Nicolette Larson and Michael McDonald (#82); Remember (Walking in the Sand) by Aerosmith (#84); On the Radio by Donna Summer (#86); Kiss Me in the Rain by Barbra Streisand (#90); Trust Me by Cindy Bullens (#93); and Takin' it Back by Breathless (#96). On the Radio was from the movie Foxes (1980).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Rock With You--Michael Jackson
2 Escape (The Pina Colada Song)--Rupert Holmes
3 Do That to Me One More Time--The Captain and Tennille
4 Ladies Night--Kool & The Gang
5 Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers
6 Jane--Jefferson Starship
7 We Don't Talk Anymore--Cliff Richard
8 Please Don't Go--KC & the Sunshine Band
9 Send One Your Love--Stevie Wonder
10 Cruisin'--Smokey Robinson

Singles entering the chart were Ravel's Bolero by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra (#87) and Goodnight My Love by Mike Pinera (#88). Ravel's Bolero was from the movie 10 (1979).

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Record World): Escape (The Pina Colada Song)--Rupert Holmes (4th week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Escape (The Pina Colada Song)--Rupert Holmes
2 No More Tears/Enough is Enough--Barbra Streisand/Donna Summer
3 Babe--Styx
4 I Don't Like Mondays--The Boomtown Rats
5 Still--Commodores
6 Message in a Bottle--The Police
7 Send One Your Love--Stevie Wonder
8 Take the Long Way Home--Supertramp
9 Please Don't Go--KC and the Sunshine Band
10 Heartache Tonight--Eagles

Singles entering the chart were Daydream Believer by Anne Murray (#78); Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen (#89); September Morn' by Neil Diamond (#93); It's Time by Saga (#97); Romeo's Tune by Steve Forbert (#99); and Changes by Private Eye (#100).

Politics and government
Yugoslavian President Marshal Josip Broz Tito, 87, underwent an operation, ultimately unsuccessful, for removal of a blocked artery from his left leg.

Defense
In order to help strengthen Pakistan’s security after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the U.S.A. offered Pakistan $400 million in economic and military aid over the next two years. U.S. aid to Pakistan had been cut off on April 6, 1979 after it was learned that Pakistan was constructing a uranium enrichment facility that could produce material for an atomic bomb. Half of the new aid would be military credits and would be limited to defensive arms, such as anti-tank weapons; antiaircraft systems; infantry weapons; and artillery and armour.

Boxing
Former world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks (8-2-1) knocked out Alfredo Evangelista (33-5-2) at 2:43 of the 5th round at Resorts International hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.



Hockey
NHL
Philadelphia 3 @ Montreal 4

Vancouver 4 @ Toronto 6

Guy Lafleur scored his 31st goal of the season at 3:16 of the 3rd period to break a 3-3 tie as the Canadiens edged the Flyers at the Montreal Forum in the national Hockey Night in Canada telecast.

Wilf Paiement scored 3 goals and 2 assists, while Darryl Sittler added 2 goals and 3 assists for the Maple Leafs as they defeated the Canucks at Maple Leaf Gardens in a regional Hockey Night in Canada telecast.

30 years ago
1990

Died on this date
Laurence J. Peter, 70. Canadian-born U.S. educator and author. Dr. Peter, a native of Vancouver, British Columbia, was best known for his book The Peter Principle (1969), in which he asserted that employees rose up the hierarchy of their workplace at their levels of competence until they reached their levels of incompetence.

World events
East German Premier Hans Modrow said that no new national security force would be formed before national elections, and admitted that secret police had continued to spy on the political opposition.

Protest
A large crowd gathered in Bucharest to protest the perceived influence of Communists in the leadership of Romania. Ion Iliescu, chairman of the National Salvation Front and interim President, managed to calm the crowd somewhat by announcing that the Communist Party had been outlawed.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that producer prices for all of 1989 had risen 4.8%, the highest rate since a 7.1% increase in 1981.

The Canadian dollar reached 86.5c U.S.

25 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Super Gut--Mo-Do (4th week at #1)

Music
The Allman Brothers Band, Janis Joplin, Neil Young, and Frank Zappa were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

War
Croatian President Franjo Tudjman said that he would not allow United Nations peacekeeping troops to remain in his country after their current mandate expired in March. He said that the 12,000 troops did not "provide conditions necessary for establishing lasting peace and order."

Economics and finance
U.S. President Bill Clinton and U.S. Congressional leaders agreed on a bailout package for Mexico that would grant Mexico as much as $40 billion in loan guarantees. The plan would require the approval of both houses of Congress.

20 years ago
2000

Died on this date
Bobby Phills, 30. U.S. basketball player. Mr. Phills was a guard and forward with the Cleveland Cavaliers (1992-97) and Charlotte Hornets (1997-2000), scoring 5,153 points (11.0 per game). He was known as an excellent defensive player and perimeter shooter. Mr. Phills was killed in a car accident in Charlotte, 23 days after his 30th birthday, when he was driving behind teammate David Wesley at over 100 miles per hour. Mr. Phills' car spun into oncoming traffic and was hit by another car, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Law
Beverley McLachlin was officially sworn in as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno acknowledged that only federal courts could make a determination in the custody battle over 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez, who had been ordered by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service to be returned to his father in Cuba. Temporary custody had been granted to the boy’s Florida relatives on January 10.

Weather
A rare winter thunderstorm boomed over British Columbia’s lower mainland, bringing a variety of precipitation, including rain, hail, and snow.

10 years ago
2010

Disasters
An earthquake registering 7.0 Mw struck 10 miles southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, killing more than 100,000 people in the region's worst earthquake in 200 years.