July 12, 2020

1,950 years ago
70

War
The armies of Titus attacked the walls of Jerusalem after a six-month siege.

550 years ago
1470

War
Ottoman forces captured Euboea in Central Greece.

440 years ago
1580

Literature
The Ostrog Bible, one of the early printed Bibles in a Slavic language, was first published in Ostroh in what is now Ukraine.

330 years ago
1690

War
Forces of King William III defeated those of former King James II in the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland.

290 years ago
1730

Born on this date
Josiah Wedgwood. U.K. potter. Mr. Wedgwood founded the Josiah Wedgwood and Sons pottery manufacturing company in 1759, and has been credited with industrializing the manufacture of pottery. He was an abolitionist, and mass-produced an anti-slavery medallion featuring the slogan, "Am I Not a Man and a Brother?" Mr. Wedgwood died of apparent cancer of the jaw on January 3, 1795 at the age of 64.

230 years ago
1790

Law
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was passed in France by the National Constituent Assembly.

150 years ago
1870

Born on this date
Louis II. Prince of Monaco, 1922-1949. Louis II acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Albert I. He tried to keep Monaco neutral during World War II, but he supported the Vichy French regime, leading to conflict with his son Rainier III, who supported the Allies, and who succeeded him on the throne after his death on May 9, 1949 at the age of 78.

140 years ago
1880

Born on this date
Tod Browning. U.S. actor and director. Mr. Browning acted in vaudeville and silent movies from the 1890s through the 1910s, and began directing movies in 1915. He directed Lon Chaney in 10 movies, including The Unknown (1927); London After Midnight (1927); and West of Zanzibar (1928). Mr. Browning was best known for directing the English-language film of Dracula (1931) and Freaks (1932). He died on October 6, 1962 at the age of 82.

130 years ago
1890

Baseball
A local boy with the last name of Lewis, whose first name is lost to posterity, showed up at Eastern Park in Brooklyn, where the Wonders were scheduled to play the Buffalo Bisons in a Players League game. The Bisons were short of pitchers, and Mr. Lewis started on the mound for them. He worked the first 3 innings, giving up 13 hits, 7 bases on balls, and 20 runs, all earned. With the Bisons behind 20-5, Mr. Lewis moved to left field for the rest of the game. The Bisons reduced the deficit but still lost 28-16. Mr. Lewis left the major leagues with a career earned run average of 60.00. He did manage to record 1 strikeout. At bat, Mr. Lewis was 1 for 5 with a run scored.

125 years ago
1895

Born on this date
Oscar Hammerstein II. U.S. songwriter and librettist. Mr. Hammerstein wrote lyrics for 850 songs, and books for numerous musicals in a 40-year career. He teamed with composers such as Otto Harbach and Jerome Kern, but was best known for replacing the late Lorenz Hart as the lyricist for composer Richard Rodgers. Mr. Hammerstein collaborated with Mr. Kern to write Show Boat (1927), and with Mr. Rodgers on Oklahoma! (1943); Carousel (1945); South Pacific (1949); The King and I (1951); and The Sound of Music (1959). Mr. Hammerstein died of stomach cancer on August 23, 1960 at the age of 65.

Kirsten Flagstad. Norwegian singer. Miss Flagstad was an operatic soprano who was best known for her performances of the works of Richard Wagner. She was regarded as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century, performing from the 1910s through the early '50s. Miss Flagstad began performing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1934, but attracted criticism when she followed her husband back to Norway in 1941, spending the rest of World War II under Nazi occupation. She resumed her career after the war, making her farewell performance at the Metropolitan Opera in 1952. Miss Flagstad died of bone cancer on December 7, 1962 at the age of 67, after years of declining health.

R. Buckminster Fuller. U.S. architect and futurist. Mr. Fuller was known for designing geodesic domes, such as the United States Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. He was famous for using such phrases as "Spaceship Earth" and "synergistics," and promoted environmental sustainability. Mr. Fuller suffered a fatal heart attack on July 1, 1983, 11 days before his 88th birthday.

120 years ago
1900

Born on this date
Rudy Miller. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Miller was a utility player who played 2 games with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1929, batting .250 (1 for 4) and drawing 3 bases on balls. He played 448 games in 4 seasons in the minor leagues (1925-1929), and died on January 22, 1994 at the age of 93.

Baseball
Noodles Hahn pitched a no-hitter for the Cincinnati Reds as they blanked the Philadelphia Phillies 4-0 at Redland Field.

110 years ago
1910

Died on this date
Charles Rolls, 32. U.K. automobile executive and aviator. Mr. Rolls and Henry Royce co-founded Rolls-Royce Limited in 1906, two years after they began marketing cars under the name. Mr. Rolls made over 170 balloon ascents, and in 1908 became the second Englishman to fly in an airplane, in an aircraft piloted by Wilbur Wright. On June 2, 1910, Mr. Rolls became the first man to make a non-stop double crossing of the English Channel by plane taking 95 minutes. He became the first Briton to be killed in an aviation accident with a powered aircraft when the tail of his Wright Flyer broke off during a flying display at Hengistbury Airfield, Southbourne, Bournemouth.

100 years ago
1920

Born on this date
Paul Gonsalves. U.S. musician. Mr. Gonsalves was a jazz saxophonist and guitarist who played in the bands of Sabby Lewis, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Duke Ellington. He performed a 27-chorus saxophone solo in the middle of Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, which was credited with reviving Mr. Ellington's career. Mr. Gosalves was a heavy drinker and drug user, and died in London on May 15, 1974 at the age of 54, nine days before Mr. Ellington died.

Beah Richards. U.S. actress. Miss Richards, born Beulah Elizabeth Richardson, appeared in plays, movies, and television programs from the 1950s through the 1990s. She won Emmy Awards for her guest performances in the series Frank's Place (1988) and The Practice (2000); was nominated for a Tony Award for her supporting performance in The Amen Corner (1965); and was nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting performance in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967). Miss Richards was a longtime member of the Communist Party U.S.A. who died on September 14, 2000 at the age of 80.

Pierre Berton. Canadian journalist and author. One of Canada's most famous media personalities, Mr. Berton wrote for several newspapers, but was best known for his many books--especially those on Canadian history--and his appearances on television. His books included a trilogy on the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and two more on the War of 1812. Mr. Berton was a regular panelist on the CBC television quiz show Front Page Challenge for several decades, and hosted his own interview program, The Pierre Berton Show, on CTV from 1962-1973. He died on November 30, 2004 at the age of 84.

Bob Fillion. Canadian hockey player. Mr. Fillion, a native of Thetford Mines, Quebec, played left wing with the Montreal Canadiens (1943-50), scoring 103 points on 42 goals and 61 assists in 327 regular season games, and 7 goals and 4 assists in 33 playoff games. He was a member of Stanley Cup championship teams in 1944 and 1946. He was the last surviving member of the 1944 championship team, and died in Longueuil, Quebec on August 13, 2015 at the age of 95.

War
The Soviet–Lithuanian Peace Treaty was signed in Moscow, by which Soviet Russia recognized the independence of Lithuania in exchange for Lithuania's neutrality and permission to move its troops in the territory that was recognized during its war against Poland.

90 years ago
1930

At the movies
The Unholy Three, directed by Jack Conway, and starring Lon Chaney, Lila Lee, Elliott Nugent, and Harry Earles, opened in theatres. It was a remake of the 1925 silent film of the same name that had also starred Mr. Chaney. It was the only sound film for Mr. Chaney, who died on August 26, 1930 from a throat hemorrhage.

Golf
Bobby Jones became the first golfer to break par for the 4 rounds of the U.S. Open, shooting a 3-over-par 75 to finish with a 5-under-par 287 at Interlachen Country Club in Hopkins, Minnesota, 2 strokes ahead of Macdonald Smith. It was Mr. Jones's fourth U.S. Open title and the third leg of his Grand Slam. Since Mr. Jones was an amateur, Mr. Smith took the first prize money of $1,000.



Baseball
The Chicago White Sox beat the New York Yankees 11-7 in the first game of a doubleheader before 28,000 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago and led 7-4 after 7 innings in the second game, but Yankee pitcher Red Ruffing led off the 8th inning with a home run, and the Yankees scored 6 in the inning and held on for an 11-6 win. Chicago right fielder Carl Reynolds batted 3 for 5 with a home run, double, 2 runs, and 4 runs batted in in the first game, and 4 for 5 with a run and an RBI in the second game.

The Detroit Tigers scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to edge the Washington Nationals 3-2 in the first game of a doubleheader before 22,000 fans at Navin Field in Detroit, and led 4-1 after 5 innings in the second game, but the Nationals came back for a 7-5 win.

The Philadelphia Athletics scored 10 runs in the 3rd inning en route to a 15-7 win over the St. Louis Browns before 3,500 fans at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis.

The Cincinnati Reds scored 5 runs in the top of the 9th inning and withstood a 3-run rally in the bottom of the 9th to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-5 in the first game of a doubleheader before 10,000 fans at National League Park in Philadelphia. Winning pitcher Rube Benton (6-7) pitched a 9-hit complete game and batted 2 for 5 with 3 runs batted in. Eppa Rixey (5-5) pitched a 6-hit complete game for the Reds as they won the second game 6-1 to complete the sweep.

80 years ago
1940

Diplomacy
The United Kingdom recognized the Kingdom of Ethiopia with Haile Selassie as Emperor, promising arms to those who would fight against Italy.

In response to Japan's demand that the Burma Road be closed, the United Kingdom secretly agreed to suspend traffic of certain war materials on the road for the next three months.

Politics and government
A Gallup Poll reported, in a trial heat for the 1940 U.S. presidential election, that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had 53% of the support to 47% for Republican Party candidate Wendell Willkie.

Defense
The Philippine National Assembly began consideration of a bill providing for compulsory military service.

Society
The announcement of the July 15 mobilization of single men in the Canadian armed forces was leading to a frantic search for marriage partners in Quebec, out of fear that the mobilization was only a step towards conscription.

Art
The occupying Nazi government in Paris took all French art treasures under its protection.

Disasters
52 people were killed when a typhoon struck Seoul.

75 years ago
1945

Died on this date
Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen, 49. German military officer. Generalfeldmarschall Richtofen, a cousin of "Red Baron" Manfred von Richtofen, served with the Luftwaffe in both world wars. He was already suffering from a brain tumour when he was taken prisoner by American forces shortly after the German surrender to the Allies in May 1945, and died in captivity.

War
The United States War Department announced that the Army would cease supplying food to civilians in liberated European countries as of September 1, 1945. After taking Tangkiang and Fengkang, Chinese troops reported the capture of Kanhsien in the province of Kiangsi.

Politics and government
The U.S. House of Representatives named Rep. John Wood (Democrat--Georgia) to chair the Un-American Activities Committee.

Economics and finance
Brazil tightened import controls on machinery, rubber, chemicals, and several other products.

U.S. Senator Robert Taft (Republican--Ohio) attacked the Bank for Reconstruction and Development as a guise to "lend our people's and government's money abroad."

Labour
The U.S. National War Labor Board warned the 16,000 striking Firestone Tire and Rubber Company employees in Akron, Ohio that they would be denied contract benefits if they did not return to work by July 16.

70 years ago
1950

At the movies
Vagabunda (Vagabond), directed by Miguel Morayta, and starring Antonio Badú, Leticia Palma, and Luis Beristáin, opened in theatres in Mexico.



War
U.S. Representative Lloyd Bentsen, Jr. (Democrat--Texas) drew cheers in the House when he proposed that President Harry Truman threaten nuclear retaliation against the North Koreans if they refused to abandon South Korea.

Diplomacy
Israel charged that Syrians had fired on an Israeli police launch on the Sea of Galilee, killing one policeman.

Politics and government
U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy (Republican--Wisconsin) charged that the State Department had stripped its files of derogatory material bearing on the loyalty of its employees in 1946.

Medicine
The British Empire Cancer Campaign reported that British scientists would soon use a 30-million-volt synchroton which produced high-energy gamma and X-rays to treat cancer.

Boxing
Jake LaMotta (77-14-3) retained the New York State Athletic Commission version of the world middleweight title with a 15-round unanimous decision over Tiberio Mitri (48-2-3) at Madison Square Garden in New York.



60 years ago
1960

Politics and government
Louis Robichaud was sworn in as Premier of New Brunswick, 15 days after leading his Liberals to victory over the incumbent Conservative government of Premier Hugh John Flemming. Mr. Robichaud became the first Acadian to become N.B. Premier.

During the U.S. Democratic National Convention, the main contenders for the party's 1960 U.S. presidential nomination, Senators John F.Kennedy (Massachusetts) and Lyndon Johnson (Texas), debated each other at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.



Popular culture
The first Etch-a-Sketch went on sale.

Russiana
The main Young Pioneer camp Orlyonok was founded on the eastern shore of the Black Sea.

50 years ago
1970

Protest
150 National Guardsmen helped to enforce a curfew in Michigan City, Indiana to conclude two days of race riots between whites and Negroes. The city’s Negro police chief had to call on state police for assistance.

A nightly curfew was imposed on New Bedford, Massachusetts after four nights of violence in which one Negro youth was killed.

Diplomacy
U.S. officials reported that the first diplomatic initiative on Cuba from the administration of President Richard Nixon was a recent drive to persuade Latin American nations not to relax their boycotts against the Cuban regime of dictator Fidel Castro.

Golf
Jack Nicklaus shot even par 72, 1 stroke better than Doug Sanders in an 18-hole playoff for the British Open at the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland. The Golden Bear had previously won the tournament in 1966. First prize money was £5,250 ($12,600).



Auto racing
Canadian-American Challenge Cup
Denis Hulme of New Zealand earned his first win of the season at Watkins Glen, New York, with Jo Siffert of Switzerland finishing second.

40 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Non so che darei--Alan Sorrenti (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Cara Mia--Jay & the Americans (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Xanadu--Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Xanadu--Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Late at Night--Maywood
2 Cara Mia--Jay & the Americans
3 Lost in Love--Demis Roussos
4 Relight My Fire--Dan Hartman
5 Xanadu--Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra
6 Aloha-Oe, Until We Meet Again--Goombay Dance Band
7 Power--The Temptations
8 Midnite Dynamos--Matchbox
9 Pierrot--Bonnie St. Claire
10 Theme from New York, New York--Frank Sinatra

Singles entering the chart were Could You Be Loved by Bob Marley & the Wailers (#26); Et les Oiseaux Chantaient (...En De Vogels Zongen) by Sweet People (#27); A Lover's Holiday by Change (#36); Hurt So Bad by Linda Ronstadt (#38); and Yet, I Know by Jimmy Frey (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Coming Up (Live at Glasgow)--Paul McCartney & Wings (3rd week at #1)
2 It's Still Rock and Roll to Me--Billy Joel
3 The Rose--Bette Midler
4 Little Jeannie--Elton John
5 Cupid/I've Loved You for a Long Time--Spinners
6 Steal Away--Robbie Dupree
7 Funkytown--Lipps Inc.
8 Magic--Olivia Newton-John
9 Let's Get Serious--Jermaine Jackson
10 Let Me Love You Tonight--Pure Prairie League

Singles entering the chart were Lookin' for Love by Johnny Lee (#67); Save Me by Dave Mason (#75); You're the Only Woman (You & I) by Ambrosia (#76); It Hurts Too Much by Eric Carmen (#77); Upside Down by Diana Ross (#82); Just Can't Wait by the J. Geils Band (#83); You're Supposed to Keep Your Love with Me by Jermaine Jackson (#86); When Things Go Wrong by Robin Lane and the Chartbusters (#87); I'm Alright (Theme from "Caddyshack") by Kenny Loggins (#88); Cheap Sunglasses by ZZ Top (#89); and Half Moon Silver by Hotel (#90). Lookin' for Love was from the movie Urban Cowboy (1980). I'm Alright was from the movie Caddyshack (1980).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 It's Still Rock and Roll to Me--Billy Joel
2 The Rose--Bette Midler
3 Coming Up (Live at Glasgow)--Paul McCartney & Wings
4 Little Jeannie--Elton John
5 Steal Away--Robbie Dupree
6 Cupid/I've Loved You for a Long Time--Spinners
7 Magic--Olivia Newton-John
8 Funkytown--Lipps Inc.
9 Let's Get Serious--Jermaine Jackson
10 Shining Star--Manhattans

Singles entering the chart were Lookin' for Love by Johnny Lee (#73); You're the Only Woman (You & I) by Ambrosia (#77); I'm Alright by Kenny Loggins (#84); Under the Gun by Poco (#85); Upside Down by Diana Ross (#87); Bony Moronie by Cheeks (#95); and When Things Go Wrong by Robin Lane and the Chartbusters (#96).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 It's Still Rock and Roll to Me--Billy Joel
2 Funkytown--Lipps, Inc.
3 Coming Up (Live at Glasgow)--Paul McCartney & Wings
4 The Rose--Bette Midler
5 Cupid/I've Loved You for a Long Time--Spinners
6 Shining Star--Manhattans
7 Little Jeannie--Elton John
8 Let Me Love You Tonight--Pure Prairie League
9 Tired of Toein' the Line--Rocky Burnette
10 Magic--Olivia Newton-John

Singles entering the chart were Lookin' for Love by Johnny Lee (#68); Under the Gun by Poco (#86); Save Me by Dave Mason (#87); You're the Only Woman (You & I) by Ambrosia (#88); Upside Down by Diana Ross (#89); Dynamite by Stacey Lattisaw (#95); Honey, Honey by David Hudson (#96); and Living After Midnight by Judas Priest (#97).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Funkytown--Lipps Inc.
2 Coming Up (Live at Glasgow)--Paul McCartney & Wings
3 The Rose--Bette Midler
4 It's Still Rock and Roll to Me--Billy Joel
5 Little Jeannie--Elton John
6 Against the Wind--Bob Seger
7 Cars--Gary Numan
8 We Live for Love--Pat Benatar
9 Call Me--Blondie
10 Echo Beach--Martha & the Muffins

Singles entering the chart included Shining Star by the Manhattans (#88); Emotional Rescue by the Rolling Stones (#89); I'm Happy Just to Dance with You by Anne Murray (#90); Let's Get Serious by Jermaine Jackson (#93); One Fine Day by Carole King (#97); I Can't Let Go by Linda Ronstadt (#98); and Empire Strikes Back (Medley) by Meco (#100).

Terrorism
Richard Queen, 28, vice-council at the U.S. embassy in Tehran and one of the 53 hostages being held by Islamic militants, was released at the order of Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini and was flown to Zurich for medical treatment. He was then transferred to a U.S. Air Force base hospital in Wiesbaden, West Germany.

30 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Put 'em Under Pressure--The Republic of Ireland Football Squad (7th week at #1)

Protest
1,000 Quebec provincial police officers sealed off all access to the town of Oka, about 19 miles west of Montreal, and prevented Indians from bringing food or supplies to the Mohawk Warriors who were engaged in an armed standoff with the police.

Politics and government
At the 28th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in Moscow, Boris Yeltsin, President of the Russian republic, announced that he was quitting the party because the pace of reform was too slow.

Society
The United States House of Representatives gave overwhelming approval to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which barred discrimination against people with physical or mental disabilities. The act defined disability as a condition that "substantially limits" an important activity such as walking or seeing. The bill covered people with AIDS as well as alcoholics and drug users undergoing treatment. Under the bill’s provisions, all except small businesses were required to hire and promote employment without regard to any disability. Transportation systems were required to purchase new vehicles accessible to the disabled.

Football
CFL
Winnipeg (1-0) 31 @ Ottawa (0-1) 26 (OT)
Hamilton (0-1) 35 @ Saskatchewan (1-0) 38

Damon Allen completed a 30-yard pass to Ken Evraire for a converted Ottawa touchdown with 2 seconds left in regulation time to send the game into overtime. Winnipeg quarterback Tom Burgess threw a touchdown pass to Warren Hudson to provide the winning margin in overtime. 22,911 were in attendance at Lansdowne Park.



Milson Jones ran 33 yards for a touchdown with 59 seconds remaining to give the Roughriders the win in a rematch of the 1989 Grey Cup. Saskatchewan quarterback Kent Austin completed 28 of 53 passes for 348 yards and a touchdown before 24,362 at Taylor Field. Derrick McAdoo and Earl Winfield scored touchdowns for the Tiger-Cats as they came back from a 31-20 deficit to take the lead.



Baseball
Melido Perez pitched a no-hitter and struck out 9 batter, while Lance Johnson made a diving catch to save a hit and also hit a 3-run home run as the Chicago White Sox whipped the New York Yankees 8-0 before 17,586 fans at Yankee Stadium in a game that was called because of rain with 1 out and a runner on second base in the top of the 7th inning.

Mitch Webster doubled home Carlos Baerga and Jerry Browne with 2 out in the top of the 9th inning to give the Cleveland Indians a 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners before 11,291 fans at the Kingdome in Seattle. Messrs. Baerga and Browne drew consecutive bases on balls after there were 2 out and nobody on base.

David Wells and Tom Henke combined to pitch a 5-hitter, while Fred McGriff hit 2 home runs as the Toronto Blue Jays shut out the California Angels 5-0 before 27,365 fans at Anaheim Stadium.

20 years ago
2000

Died on this date
Charles Merritt, 91. Canadian military officer and politician. Lieutenant Colonel Merritt, a native of Vancouver, commanded the Canadian Army's South Saskatchewan Regiment in the August 19, 1942 raid on Dieppe, and was captured, but not before displaying courage that earned him the Victoria Cross. Lt. Col. Merritt spent the rest of the war as a prisoner; upon returning to Canada, he entered politics, and, as a Progressive Conservative, represented Vancouver-Burrard in the Canadian House of Commons from 1945-1949. Mr. Merritt then practiced law, and died in Vancouver.

Politics and government
Matthew Coon Come, a Cree leader from northern Quebec, unseated Phil Fontaine as grand chief of Canada’s Assembly of First Nations.

Energy
An all-party committee on international development severely criticized the British government’s plan to support a new dam in Turkey, saying that it would inundate a sacred place and exacerbate bad relations between the Turkish government and the country’s Kurdish minority.

10 years ago
2010

Died on this date
Pius Njawé, 53. Cameroonian journalist. Mr. Njawé founded the independent newspaper Le Messager in 1979, and used the paper to criticize the autocratic regime of President Paul Biya. Mr. Njawé was arrested more than 125 times, and served time in prison. He was killed in a car accident.

Crime
Polish-born movie director Roman Polanski was declared a free man, no longer confined to house arrest in his Alpine villa, after Swiss authorities rejected a U.S. request for his extradition because of a 32-year-old conviction for having sex with a 13-year-old girl.