January 28, 2020

420 years ago
1600

Born on this date
Clement IX. Roman Catholic Pope, 1667-1669. Clement IX, born Giulio Rospigliosi, was a Vatican diplomat before being appointed to the College of Cardinals in 1657. He succeeded Alexander VII as pope, and had an uneventful papacy. Clement IX allegedly died of a broken heart, on December 9, 1669 at the age of 69; he was succeeded by Clement X.

130 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Robert Stroud. U.S. criminal and ornithologist. Mr. Stroud was a murderer whose death sentence was commuted to life in prison in solitary confinement, first at Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas (1920-1942), and then at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in California (1942-1959) and Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri (1959-1963). While at Leavenworth, he found a nest with three injured sparrows, and began studying ornithology, eventually writing the book Diseases of Canaries (1933). Mr. Stroud became famous as the "Birdman of Alcatraz," although he was not allowed to keep birds when he was transferred from Leavenworth. Mr. Stroud died on November 21, 1963 at the age of 73.

110 years ago
1910

Born on this date
John Banner. Austro-Huugarian born U.S. actor. A native of Vienna, Mr. Banner was best known for playing Sergeant Schultz in the television comedy series Hogan's Heroes (1965-1971). Like Werner Klemperer, who played Colonel Klink in the series, and Leon Askin, who played General Burkhalter, Mr. Banner was Jewish. He died in Vienna of an abdominal hemorrhage on January 28, 1973, his 63rd birthday.

100 years ago
1920

Defense
The Spanish Legion was founded.

80 years ago
1940

War
Japanese forces tightened their blockade of Tientsin, China.

Diplomacy
Italian Foreign Minister Count Ciano urged a new anti-Comintern grouping, omitting Germany from the revised agreement.

A Gallup Poll reported that 34% of the American people had given thought to an international peace after the war, and favoured the creation of a new international organization and complete disarmament.

Protest
Riots among pacifists, Communists, and military personnel erupted in Auckland, New Zealand.

Religion
The German government of Fuehrer Adolf Hitler denied Vatican charges of persecution against Polish Catholics and the closing of their churches.

75 years ago
1945

Died on this date
Roza Shanina, 20. U.S.S.R. soldier. Senior Sergeant Shanina was a sniper credited with 59 confirmed kills, including 12 during the Battle of Vilnius in 1944. She was killed in action during the East Prussian offensive while shielding a fellow soldier.

War
In a sudden attack, U.S. troops moved norheast of St. Vith and gained up to 2 miles, while French troops to the south threatened to outflank Colmar. Soviet forces captured Memel in Lithuania and cleared German forces from German-Polish Silesia, areas that produced 20% of Germany's coal supply. U.S. troops in the Philippines took Angeles in the province of Pampanga, 44 air miles northwest of Manila. The first convoy of American supplies from India arrived at Wanting in northern Burma over the newly reopened Burma Road. Japanese troops captured Kukong in the province of Kwangtung, the last Chinese strong point on the Hangkow-Canton railway, thus cutting the eastern section of China to the coast from the rest of the country.

Defense
The 27,000-ton aircraft carrier USS Antietam was commissioned in Philadelphia.

Golf
Sammy Byrd won the Texas Open, finishing 1 stroke ahead of Byron Nelson.

70 years ago
1950

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)--Burl Ives; Dinah Shore (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): I Can Dream, Can't I?--The Andrews Sisters with Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra (Best Seller--3rd week at #1; Disc Jockey--4th week at #1; Jukebox--2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I Can Dream, Can't I?--The Andrews Sisters with Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra (4th week at #1)
2 Dear Hearts and Gentle People--Bing Crosby
--Dinah Shore
3 The Old Master Painter--Dick Haymes
--Richard Hayes
--Phil Harris and his Orchestra
4 A Dreamer's Holiday--Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters
--Buddy Clark with the Girl Friends
5 Mule Train--Frankie Laine and the Muleskinners
--Bing Crosby
--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Tennessee Ernie
6 Slipping Around--Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely
7 There's No Tomorrow--Tony Martin
8 I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
9 Don't Cry, Joe--Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra
10 Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo (The Magic Song)--Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae
--Perry Como

Singles entering the chart were Rag Mop, with versions by the Ames Brothers; Ralph Flanagan and his Orchestra; Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra; and Johnnie Lee Wills and his Boys (#33); Blues Stay Away from Me by Owen Braldy and his Quintet (#35); Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy, with versions by Red Foley; and Bing Crosby (#37); and Daddy's Little Girl by the Mills Brothers (#39).

Politics and government
Bolivian President Mamerto Urriolagoitia appointed a new cabinet from his Republican Socialist Union Party after failing in efforts to bring opposition parties into a coalition government.

A new Italian cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Alcide de Gasperi of the Christian Democratic Party, took office following a routine shuffle.

Medicine
Cornell University researchers reported that preliminary tests indicated that the hormone ACTH may prevent some common blindness-producing eye diseases.

Economics and finance
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported the complete disruption of Burma's rice economy by bandits, who stole rice and sold it back to the government at exorbitant prices, forcing sharp curtailment of Burmese rice exports.

The U.S. Veterans Administration reported that war veterans had a "splendid record" so far on repayment of their GI Bill loans.

60 years ago
1960

Hit parade
#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?--Emile Ford and the Checkmates (6th week at #1)

On television tonight
The Untouchables, starring Robert Stack, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The St. Louis Story, with guest stars Leo Gordon, Anthony George, and David Brian

Died on this date
Zora Neale Hurston, 69. U.S. folklorist. Miss Hurston was known for studying and writing about the people of the Negro town of Eatonville, Florida and the surrounding area. Her best-known book was the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937). Miss Hurston died three weeks after her 69th birthday.

Football
NFL
The National Football League announced expansion teams for Dallas to start in the 1960 season and Minneapolis-St. Paul for the 1961 season.

50 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Reflections of My Life--The Marmalade

On television tonight
Then Came Bronson, starring Michael Parks, on NBC
Tonight's episode: That Undiscovered Country...

Politics and government
Two days of voting in Lesotho's first general election since gaining her independence in 1966 concluded with the opposition Basutoland Congress Party taking 36 of 60 seats in Parliament, an increase of 11 from the BCP's total in the most recent election in 1965. The governing Basotholand National Party dropped from 31 to 23 seats, while the Marematlou Freedom Party won the remaining seat. Two days later, the Basotholand National Party staged a coup d'état, annulled the election, dissolved Parliament, and suspended the constitution.

The United States House of Representatives failed by 52 votes to override President Richard Nixon’s veto of the $19.7-billion health, education, and welfare bill. The vote in favour of the bill was 226-191.

Czechoslovakian Premier Oldrich Cernik, 49, resigned at a meeting of the Czechoslovakian Communist Party in Prague and was replaced by pro-Soviet hard-liner Lubomir Strougal, 45. Seven others resigned in a meeting regarded by many observers as a showdown between moderate conservative Gustav Husak, who had succeeded Alexander Dubcek as party leader the year before, and U.S.S.R. hard-liners, who were demanding the purge of all leaders responsible for trying to liberalize Czechoslovakian Communism. After the session, the resignation of Mr. Dubcek, who had left the country three days earlier to take up a new position as Ambassador to Turkey, of his seat on the Central Committee, was announced. Deputy Premier Josef Kempny, who quit with Mr. Cernik, was named to succeed Mr. Strougal as head of the Czechoslovakian Bureau.

Law
A bill coupling an intensified U.S. federal attack on illicit drug traffic and use with a reduction of penalties for possession of some drugs was passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate. The bill included a modified version of the controversial "no knock" provision allowing federal agents to break into a home without warning if they had reason to believe that narcotics would be destroyed if notice were given.

Crime
Judge Julius Hoffman ruled that former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark could make "no relevant or material contribution" to the conspiracy trial of the "Chicago Seven," and refused to permit him to testify as a defense witness. Defense attorney William Kunstler said that he could recall no American criminal case in which a defense witness was barred from testifying.

A jury in Newark found reputed Mafiosos Angelo "Gyp" DeCarlo and Daniel "Red" Cecere guilty on all six charges of violations of the Extortionate Transactions Statute. Two other co-defendants, Peter Landusco and Joseph Polverino, had been granted severance and postponement of trial for medical reasons. The accused each ended up being sentenced to 12 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. The trial concerned the influence of the Mafia over every facet of business, political, and social life in New Jersey.

Society
The South African government announced that Arthur Ashe, the Negro American tennis star, would be refused a visa to play as an individual in the South African open championships, but said that it would permit him to visit as a member of an American Davis Cup team if the team should play in South Africa.

Disasters
A train and bus crash near Johannesburg killed 23 children and injured 13.

A commuter plane flying from Cleveland to Detroit plunged into Lake Erie, killing all 9 aboard.

Boxing
Former world champion Emile Griffith (61-11) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Doyle Baird (28-3-1) before about 7,000 fans at Cleveland Arena in a bout that was billed as being for the North American middleweight title.



40 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Daitokai--Crystal King

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Háblame de Tí--Pecos (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Sun of Jamaica--Goombay Dance Band (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
Family, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Hard Times

World events
The New York Times reported that dissident Soviet physicist Andrei Sakharov, recently exiled to Gorky, was under police supervision and had been forbidden to communicate by telephone or mail with foreigners or even relatives abroad. His wife, Yelena Bonner, brought a written statement from Dr. Sakharov saying that he wanted a public and open trial and did not need a "gilded cage."

Politics and government
U.S. Senator and Democratic Party presidential candidate Ted Kennedy, attempting to recover from his loss to President Jimmy Carter in the previous week’s Iowa caucuses, proposed an immediate six-month wage freeze followed by mandatory wage and price controls; immediate gasoline rationing to help free the nation from dependence on Middle East oil; and the immediate establishment of a United Nations commission to investigate Iranian grievances against the deposed Shah, to begin work as soon as the 50 U.S. hostages in the embassy in Tehran were freed.

Labour
The school system in Chicago shut down when teachers went on strike to protest proposed layoffs and delinquent paycheques. The fiscal crisis of the Chicago school board had been apparent since November 13, 1979 when its credit rating plummeted; it was estimated that the board needed $500-700 million to avoid bankruptcy.

Disasters
USCGC Blackthorn collided with the tanker Capricorn while leaving Tampa, Florida and capsized, killing 23 Coast Guard crew members.

30 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Love Shack--The B-52's (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Girl I'm Gonna Miss You--Milli Vanilli (9th week at #1)

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield (4th week at #1)
2 Another Day in Paradise--Phil Collins
3 Listen to Your Heart--Roxette
4 I Feel the Earth Move--Martika
5 Leave a Light On--Belinda Carlisle
6 Don't Know Much--Linda Ronstadt (featuring Aaron Neville)
7 We Didn't Start the Fire--Billy Joel
8 The Road to Hell (Part 2)--Chris Rea
9 Girl I'm Gonna Miss You--Milli Vanilli
10 Bakerman--Laid Back

Singles entering the chart were This is the Right Time by Lisa Stansfield (#23); Easy by Ice MC (#28); and I'm Not the Man I Used to Be by Fine Young Cannibals (#29).

Died on this date
Sandra "Puma" Jones, 36. U.S. singer. Miss Jones was a member of the Jamaican reggae group Black Uhuru from 1979-1987. She died after a long battle with breast cancer.

Protest
Tens of thousands of Romanian pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets of Bucharest to protest against the interim government of Premier Ion Iliescu.

Football
NFL
Super Bowl XXIV @ Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
San Francisco 55 Denver 10

Joe Montana completed 22 of 29 passes (including 13 straight completions at one point) for 297 yards and 5 touchdowns in leading the 49ers to their second straight Super Bowl win, which was basically over at halftime, when the 49ers led 27-3 before 72,919 fans (see video). Mr. Montana was the game’s Most Valuable Player. Jerry Rice, who caught 7 passes for 148 yards, was on the receiving end of 3 of Mr. Montana’s touchdown passes, with the others going to Brent Jones and John Taylor. Tom Rathman rushed for 2 touchdowns on short runs, and Roger Craig rushed 1 yard for the game’s final major score. Mike Cofer was successful on 7 of 8 convert attempts. Denver quarterback John Elway scored the Broncos’ only touchdown on a 3-yard run in the third quarter. David Treadwell, who had kicked a 42-yard field goal in the first quarter, converted. Mr. Craig led all rushers with 69 yards, and caught 5 passes for 34. Mr. Rathman rushed for 38 yards and caught 4 passes for 43. Mr. Taylor caught 3 passes for 49 yards and returned 3 punts for 38. The 49ers amassed 461 yards in net offense. Mr. Elway completed just 10 of 26 passes for 108 yards and 2 interceptions. Bobby Humphrey led the Broncos with 61 yards rushing and 38 yards on 3 pass receptions. George Seifert, who had replaced the retired Bill Walsh, won the Super Bowl in his first season as an NFL head coach.

25 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Zombie--The Cranberries (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Old Pop in an Oak--Rednex (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Zombie--The Cranberries (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Can You Feel the Love Tonight--Elton John (9th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): No Limit--Irene Moors & de Smurfen

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Cotton Eye Joe--Rednex (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Creep--TLC
2 On Bended Knee--Boyz II Men
3 Another Night--Real McCoy
4 Always--Bon Jovi
5 Take a Bow--Madonna
6 Here Comes the Hotstepper--Ini Kamoze
7 You Gotta Be--Des'ree
8 Before I Let You Go--BLACKstreet
9 Sukiyaki--4 P.M.
10 I'm the Only One--Melissa Etheridge

Singles entering the chart were I Know by Dionne Farris (#61); Everlasting Love by Gloria Estefan (#77); Dreamer by Livin' Joy (#80); Woman to Woman by Jewell (#86); and Hold On by Jamie Walters (#88).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 On Bended Knee--Boyz II Men (9th week at #1)
2 Another Night--Real McCoy
3 Take a Bow--Madonna
4 Here Comes the Hotstepper--Ini Kamoze
5 Creep--TLC
6 Always--Bon Jovi
7 You Want This/70's Love Groove--Janet Jackson
8 I Wanna Be Down--Brandy
9 Hold My Hand--Hootie & the Blowfish
10 Every Day of the Week--Jade

Singles entering the chart were Bang and Blame by R.E.M. (#21); Candy Rain by Soul For Real (#69); Whiney, Whiney (What Really Drives Me Crazy) by Willi One Blood (#73); and I Apologize by Anita Baker (#89).

Diplomacy
The U.S.A. and Vietnam agreed to exchange low-level diplomats and open liaison offices in each other's capital city. Vietnam agreed to pay $208.5 million to settle claims on American property confiscated at the end of the Vietnam War in the 1970s, while the U.S. would unfreeze $130 million in Vietnamese assets in the United States.

Hockey
NHL
Toronto 2 Calgary 1

10 years ago
2010

Economics and finance
U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke won Senate confirmation for a second term.