February 16, 2020

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Veronica Jones and Anna!

750 years ago
1270

War
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeated the Livonian Order in the Battle of Karuse on the frozen Baltic Sea between the island of Muhu and the mainland.

390 years ago
1630

War
Dutch forces led by Hendrick Lonck captured Olinda in what was to become part of Dutch Brazil.

210 years ago
1810

Born on this date
Cushing Eells. U.S. missionary. Mr. Eells, a Congregationalist missionary, founded Whitman College, the oldest educational institution in the state of Washington, at Walla Walla in 1859.

180 years ago
1840

Born on this date
Allan McLean. U.K.-born Australian politician. Mr. McLean, a native of Scotland, moved to Australia as a child. He represented Gippsland North in the Victorian Legislative Assembly (1880-1901), holding several cabinet posts and serving as Premier of Victoria (1899-1900). Mr. McLean opposed Australian federation, but entered federal politics after it took effect in 1901, and represented Gippsland in the House of Representatives (1901-1906) as a member of the Protectionist Party, serving as Minister for Trade and Customs (1904-1905). Mr. McLean narrowly lost in seat in the 1906 federal election, and died on July 13, 1911 at the age of 71, after long suffering from a rheumatic condition.

120 years ago
1900

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Winnipeg Victorias 4 @ Montreal Shamrocks 5 (Montreal won best-of-three challenge series 2-1)

Harry Trihey scored 3 goals--giving him 7 for the series--as the Shamrocks edged the Victorias at Montreal Arena to retain possession of the Cup.

110 years ago
1910

Born on this date
Jerry Lester. U.S. entertainer. Mr. Lester was a nightclub comic and singer who briefly replaced Jack Carter as host of the television variety program Cavalcade of Stars in 1950, and soon became the first host of the late-night talk and variety show Broadway Open House. He left the program in 1951, and appeared and hosted various shows until he retired from show business in 1975 after developing Alzheimer's disease. Mr. Lester died on March 23, 1995 at the age of 85.

100 years ago
1920

Politics and government
Joseph-Octave Samson was elected Mayor of Quebec City; he had been a city councillor from 1908-1910, serving on four different committees.

90 years ago
1930

Soccer
The Romanian Football Federation joined the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

80 years ago
1940

At the movies
A Chump at Oxford, directed by Alfred J. Goulding, and starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, opened in theatres.



War
A Gallup Poll reported that Americans favoured staying out of the European war by a margin of 68%-32%. The Royal Canadian Air Force's No. 110 Army Cooperation Squadron sailed for Britain, the first of 48 RCAF squadrons to go overseas. 299 British prisoners were freed from the German tanker Altmark when it was seized in Norwegian waters by sailors from the British destroyer HMS Cossack and taken to Leith, Scotland.

World events
The German merchant chip Koenigsberg returned to Paraguay after being challenged by a Brazilian gunboat.

Sport
The Pan-American Committee of the Amateur Athletic Union met in New York to discuss the possibility of staging Pan-Am Games in the near future.

75 years ago
1945

Abominations
Dr. Joseph Schwartz, European director of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, estimated that only 1-1.5 million of 6 million Jews were still alive on the European continent.

War
The United States War Department announced that draft registrants under the age of 38 who were not physically qualified for general military service, but who had left essential war jobs, were being inducted into the Army. In a 17-mile gain on the Oder River, Soviet forces came to within 62 miles southeast of Berlin. U.S. paratroopers and sea assault units invaded Corregidor, making quick advances against little Japanese resistance.

Labour
The World Trade Union Congress in London adopted a program for participation in the peace settlement, including these points:
1. Authorities occupying Germany shall recognize the voice of labour;
2. The trade union movement should be consulted on the use of material and mapower for the restoration of Germany;
3. that Dumbarton Oaks was obligated to put an end to international cartels and monopolies;
4. that provision should be made for labour representation in the United Nations.

St. Paul, Minnesota radio station KSTP ended an 11-month fight against American Federation of Musicians President James Petrillo, and gave in to union demands to employ an additional eight musicians for 22 hours per week at $52 each.

Politics and government
The United States House of Representatives passed the George bill, divorcing lending agencies from the Commerce Department.

Journalism
The government of Argentina closed the anti-U.S. newspapers Cabildo and Pampero on the grounds that they were printed on imported newsprint and that this was protested by several foreign ministers.

Drew Pearson, author of the column Washington Merry-Go-Round, started a suit for libel against columnist Westbrook Pegler, charging Mr. Pegler with writing that Mr. Pearson was "a miscalled news broadcaster specializing in falsehoods and smearing people with political and personal motivation."

70 years ago
1950

On television tonight
Escape, on CBS
Tonight’s episode: The Great Fog, starring Florida Friebus and Howard Wierum

Died on this date
Schuyler Otis Bland, 77. U.S. politician. Mr. Bland, a Democrat, represented Virginia's 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1918-1950. He was Chairman of the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries from 1933-1947 and 1949 until his death from a cerebral hemorrhage.

Religion
Konrad Cardinal von Preysing, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Berlin, placed the East German Socialist Unity Party under episcopal ban, and forbade all priests in Berlin and the Soviet zone of Germany from supporting the Communists.

Crime
Former U.S. Justice Department employee Judith Coplon dismissed Archibald Palmer, her lawyer in her New York espionage trial, for allegedly striking her.

Economics and finance
Former British officials in Burma warned the Royal Empire Society in London that Burma faced economic collapse and invasion from Communist China in the absence of large amounts of foreign aid.

Labour
United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis extended his demands in the current miners' strike to include a guarantee of 200 days' work per year and a reduction of the work day to 7½ hours.

60 years ago
1960

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, hosted by John Newland, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Lovers, starring Vanessa Brown and John Beal



Defense
The U.S. Navy submarine USS Triton began Operation Sandblast, setting sail from New London, Connecticut, to begin the first submerged circumnavigation of the globe.

50 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head--Johnny Farnham (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Awazu ni Aishite--Hiroshi Uchiyamada and Cool Five

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Venus--The Shocking Blue (2nd week at #1)

On the radio
The Challenge of Space, on Springbok Radio
Tonight’s episode: Time Must Have a Stop

Weather
It hit -50 F in Yellowknife, and this blogger walked to and from Yellowknife Public School. At least we didn’t have to go outside for recess or lunch hour.

World events
Moments after a South African court dropped charges against 22 Negroes under the Suppression of Communism Act, the defendants were rearrested under the Terrorism Act. They were accused of being members of a banned party; of having contact with "guerrilla fighters;" and of having "encouraged feelings of hostility between the races."

Diplomacy
The Arab nations received a pledge of "necessary support" from the U.S.S.R. A brief statement issued by the Soviet press agency Tass seemed to combine the pledge of further military aid with a reaffirmation of Soviet desires for a diplomatic settlement to the Middle East.

Disasters
At least 80 died when a train plunged into a ravine south of Kaduna, Nigeria. Later, 52 who had been injured I the wreck were killed when a truck carrying them to a hospital crashed.

Boxing
Joe Frazier (25-0) scored a technical knockout over Jimmy Ellis (27-6) at the beginning of the 5th round to win the unified world heavyweight championship at Madison Square Garden in New York. Mr. Ellis had won the World Boxing Association title in 1968 in an elimination tournament after Muhammad Ali had been stripped of the title in 1967 for refusing induction into the United States Army. Mr. Frazier hadn’t participated in the WBA tournament, but had been recognized as champion by the New York State Athletic Commission as well as in Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. The World Boxing Council’s title had been vacant, and the WBC recognized Mr. Frazier as champion after this win. On the undercard, George Foreman improved his record to 16-0 with a 10-round unanimous decision over Gregorio Peralta (77-6-8) in another heavyweight bout.





40 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Disco Bambina--Heather Parisi (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Rap-O Clap-O--Joe Bataan

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Rapper's Delight--Sugarhill Gang (3rd week at #1)
2 Nederland, Die Heeft De Bal--André Van Duin & Het Nederlands Elftal
3 Rap-O Clap-O--Joe Bataan
4 Do That to Me One More Time--Captain & Tennille
5 Crying--Don McLean
6 Que Sera Mi Vida--Gibson Brothers
7 An Englishman in New York--Godley & Creme
8 I Have a Dream--ABBA
9 Babe--Styx
10 On My Radio--The Selecter

Singles entering the chart were Peralydumm by BZN (#26); On the Radio by Donna Summer (#29); The Plastic Age by the Buggles (#36); and Rock 'n' Roll High School by the Ramones (#37). Rock 'n' Roll High School was the title song of the movie.

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Do That to Me One More Time--Captain & Tennille
2 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
3 Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers
4 Cruisin'--Smokey Robinson
5 Rock with You--Michael Jackson
6 Yes, I'm Ready--Teri DeSario with K.C.
7 Sara--Fleetwood Mac
8 Longer--Dan Fogelberg
9 On the Radio--Donna Summer
10 Desire--Andy Gibb

Singles entering the chart were Off the Wall by Michael Jackson (#53); Ride Like the Wind by Christopher Cross (#61); Sexy Eyes by Dr. Hook (#71); Voice of Freedom by Jim Kirk and the TM Singers (#73); Women by Foreigner (#77); Call Me by Blondie (#80); Cars by Gary Numan (#81); What I Like About You by the Romantics (#85); Small Paradise by John Cougar (#88); Desire by the Rockets (#89); You are My Heaven by Roberta Flack with Donny Hathaway (#91); and Brass in Pocket by the Pretenders (#92). Call Me was from the movie American Gigolo (1980).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Cruisin'--Smokey Robinson
2 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
3 Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers
4 Do That to Me One More Time--Captain & Tennille
5 Rock With You--Michael Jackson
6 Sara--Fleetwood Mac
7 Yes, I'm Ready--Teri DeSario with K.C.
8 Longer--Dan Fogelberg
9 This is It--Kenny Loggins
10 On the Radio--Donna Summer

Singles entering the chart were Off the Wall by Michael Jackson (#79); Sexy Eyes by Dr. Hook (#80); Call Me by Blondie (#82); Women by Foreigner (#83); What I Like About You by the Romantics (#84); Voice of Freedom by Jim Kirk and the TM Singers (#85); Pilot of the Airwaves by Charlie Dore (#86); Set Me Free by Utopia (#88); Cars by Gary Numan (#89); I Shoulda Loved Ya by Narada Michael Walden (#90); My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys by Willie Nelson (#96); The Walk by the Inmates (#97); and Where Does the Lovin' Go by David Gates (#98).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
2 Yes, I'm Ready--Teri DeSario with K.C.
3 Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers
4 Longer--Dan Fogelberg
5 Cruisin'--Smokey Robinson
6 Rock With You--Michael Jackson
7 Sara--Fleetwood Mac
8 Do That to Me One More Time--Captain & Tennille
9 On the Radio--Donna Summer
10 This is It--Kenny Loggins

Singles entering the chart were Ride Like the Wind by Christopher Cross (#58); Off the Wall by Michael Jackson (#69); Voice of Freedom by Jim Kirk and the TM Singers (#76); Sexy Eyes by Dr. Hook (#80); Call Me by Blondie (#83); Set Me Free by Utopia (#86); Where Does the Lovin' Go by David Gates (#87); Women by Foreigner (#88); What I Like About You by the Romantics (#89); Years by Wayne Newton (#91); Ravel's Bolero by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra (#97); and Let's Go Rock and Roll by KC & the Sunshine Band (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Please Don't Go--KC & the Sunshine Band
2 Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers
3 Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
4 We Don't Talk Anymore--Cliff Richard
5 Rapper's Delight--Sugarhill Gang
6 Rock With You--Michael Jackson
7 Video Killed the Radio Star--The Buggles
8 Do That to Me One More Time--Captain & Tennille
9 This is It--Kenny Loggins
10 Escape (The Pina Colada Song)--Rupert Holmes

Singles entering the chart were Refugee by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (#77); Back on My Feet Again by the Babys (#83); Communication Breakdown by Chilliwack (#91); Baby Talks Dirty by the Knack (#93); I Wanna Be Your Lover by Prince (#95); Lost Her in the Sun by John Stewart (#97); and Dirty Water by the Inmates (#100).

World events
Iranian President Abolhassan Bani-Sadr delivered a televised address in which he outlined Iran’s conditions in order for the hostage crisis at the U.S. embassy in Tehran to be resolved. Mr. Bani-Sadr said that Iran had three demands: U.S. self-criticism of its past role in Iran; a guarantee that the United States would not interfere in Iranian affairs in the future; and a guarantee that the U.S. would not try to prevent Iran’s prosecution of the deposed Shah.

Olympics
Men’s hockey @ Lake Placid, New York
Finland 4 Canada 3
U.S.A. 5 Norway 1

Hockey
NHL
Pittsburgh 1 @ Montreal 8
Washington 5 @ Vancouver 3

30 years ago
1990

Scandal
In a closed Los Angeles courtroom, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan began two days of videotaped testimony for use in the trial of former national security adviser John Poindexter. Admiral Poindexter was on trial for his role in the Iran-Contra scandal.

Economics and finance
The United States Commerce Department reported that the merchandise trade deficit, which stood at $108.58 billion for all of 1989, was the lowest since 1984. Exports rose 13% in 1989, imports only 7.3%.

Hockey
NHL
Vancouver 2 Edmonton 2

25 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Don't You Know--Pandora (2nd week at #1)

20 years ago
2000

At the movies
This blogger (with attractive female company) attended a preview screening of Boiler Room, starring Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Ben Affleck, and Ron Rifkin. The film went into general release on February 18.



Died on this date
Marceline Day, 91. U.S. actress. Miss Day, born Marceline Newlin, appeared in 64 movies from 1924-1933, including London After Midnight (1927); The Beloved Rogue (1927); The Cameraman (1928); The Wild Party (1929); and Trent's Last Case (1929). She was the younger sister of actress Alice Day, and they appeared in two movies together.

Lila Kedrova, 90. Russian-born actress. Miss Kedrova won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Zorba the Greek (1964). She overacted in a supporting performance in Torn Curtain (1966), and also appeared in The Kremlin Letter (1970). 20 years after her Oscar-winning performance, Miss Kedrova won a Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role--Musical) for playing the same role in the Broadway production of Zorba the Greek. She died in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, one of two Canadian cities (Toronto was the other) where she maintained a residence.

Diplomacy
Austrian People’s Party leader Joerg Haider made a surprise visit to Montreal.