February 12, 2021

1,120 years ago
901

Died on this date
Antony II. Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, 893-901. Antony Kauleas was appointed by Byzantine Emperor Leo VI to succeed Stephen I, the emperor's own brother, as head of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Antony II generously endowed monastic foundations and was credited with several miracles. He was succeeded by Nicholas I.

1,080 years ago
941

Died on this date
Wulfhelm. English clergyman. Wulfhelm was Roman Catholic Bishop of Wells (923-925) before serving as Archbishop of Canterbury from 926 until his death. He advised King Æthelstan on his law codes, and gave lands to monasteries. Wulfhelm was succeeded as Archbishop of Canterbury by Oda.

480 years ago
1541

South Americana
Santiago, Chile was founded by Pedro de Valdivia.

250 years ago
1771

Born on this date
Adolf Fredrik, 60. King of Sweden, 1751-1771. Adolf Fredrik was prince-bishop of Lübeck (1727-1750) before being elected to succeed King Fredrik I. He was regarded as little more than a figurehead monarch, with the Riksdag of the Estates holding the real power. King Adolf Fredrik died after eating a heavy meal, and was succeeded by his son Gustav III, who seized the throne in a coup.

140 years ago
1881

Born on this date
Anna Pavlova. Russian-born U.K. ballerina. Miss Pavlova joined the Imperial Russian Ballet and performed with them and Ballet Russes before forming her own company. She was best known for perfroming The Dying Swan. Miss Pavlova moved to London in 1912, and toured the world until her death from pneumonia on January 23, 1931, 20 days before her 50th birthday, after suddenly taking ill while travelling from Paris to The Hague.

125 years ago
1896

Died on this date
Ambroise Thomas, 84. French composer. Mr. Thomas wrote orchestral, chamber, and ballet music, keyboard and vocal works, but was best known for his more than 20 operas, particularly Mignon (1866) and Hamlet (1868). He was appointed as a professor at the Conservatoire de Paris in 1856, and was its director from 1871 until his death.

120 years ago
1901

Business
John Lineham, A.P. Patrick, and George Leeson formed The Rocky Mountain Development Company, a mining firm.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Charles Mathiesen. Norwegian speed skater. Mr. Mathiesen won the gold medal in the men's 1,500-metre competition at the 1936 Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. He won the 1938 European Allround championship, and won numerous silver and bronze medals in European and world championships from 1934-1946, with his career interrupted by World War II from 1941-1945. Mr. Mathiesen died on November 7, 1994 at the age of 83.

100 years ago
1921

World events
Bolsheviks launched a revolt in Georgia as a preliminary to the Red Army invasion of Georgia.

90 years ago
1931

Radio
Pope Pius XI, the future Pope Pius XII, and Guglielmo Marconi were on hand as Vatican Radio began broadcasting on shortwave.

At the movies
Dracula, directed by Tod Browning, and starring Bela Lugosi, received its premiere screening at the Roxy Theatre in New York City.



80 years ago
1941

War
The German heavy cruiser Hipper sank seven British ships between the Azores and Portugal. Major General Erwin Rommel arrived in Tripoli to take command of the German-Italian front in Libya. General Grigori Zhukov was appointed chief of the Soviet Red Army's general staff and vice commissar of defense.

Diplomacy
Spanish dictator Generalissimo Francisco Franco and Italian Duce Benito Mussolini met in Bordighera, Italy.

Defense
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved seven House of Representatives amendments to the Lend-Lease bill, and added an amendment requiring authorizations and appropriations from Congress before giving aid to foreign nations. Senator Gerald Nye (Republican--North Dakota) attacked 1940 Republican Party U.S. presidential candidate Wendell Willkie's support for Lend-Lease, while New York City District Attorney Thomas Dewey supported the bill's passage.

Oil
Standard Oil Company (New Jersey) announced that it had developed a new process for cracking petroleum, employing the fluid instead of the intermittent type of catalytic cracking, which simplified and lowered the cost of operation and improved the quality of the gasoline.

Labour
U.S. Attorney General Robert H. Jackson announced the approval of new deportation procedures against Congress of Industrial Organizations leader Harry Bridges, a native of Australia, under the new provisions of the Alien Registration Act of 1940.

75 years ago
1946

On television today
Public ceremonies celebrating the Lincoln's Birthday holiday were transmitted by NBC from Washington to New York by coaxial cable; it was the first such transmission to take place.



Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State James Byrnes revealed that the U.S.S.R. had demanded, at the Allied Council of Foreign Ministers, sole trusteeship of the former Italian colony of Tripolitania.

The U.S. State Department issued a Blue Book accusing the government of Argentina of complicity with Germany during World War II and continued protection of Nazi interests.

Politics and government
Soviet military authorities announced the formation of an all-Korean Central Government of North Korea.

The Japanese home office announced that 1,931 candidates were seeking election to the reformed House of Representatives.

U.S. Representatives Hugh De Lacy (Democrat--Washington) and John Rankin (Democrat--Mississippi) were ruled off the House floor after a dispute over Rep. Rankin's reference to newsman Walter Winchell as "a little slime-mongering kike."

Medicine
A New York State Senate committee killed two bills outlawing the use of dogs in medical experiments.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Treasury Department released Dutch assets of $1.8 billion, which had been frozen when German forces had occupied the Netherlands during World War II.

Labour
The U.S. United Auto Workers rejected General Motors' offer of an 18½c-per-hour wage increase, and broke off negotiations.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Lights Out, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Curtain Call, starring Otto Kruger, Alan Bunce, and Elinor Randel



Married on this date
Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi of Iran was married in Tehran to Soraya Esfandiari, the daughter of a once-rebellious Iranian tribal chief.

War
South Korean forces executed 187 alleged Communist collaborators in Kochang, following their conviction by a summary court-martial. As United Nations forces neared Seoul, U.K. Prime Minister Clement Attlee warned the United States against a renewed crossing of the 38th Parallel without specific UN approval.

Diplomacy
Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru reiterated his country's neutrality in the East-West conflict.

Argentine President Juan Peron threatened to use force to win claims on Antarctic regions currently held by Britain.

Oddities
The U.S. Office of Naval Research announced that the "flying saucers" seen by many people since 1947 were all 100-foot plastic balloons used by the Navy for high-altitude cosmic ray research.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Harry Truman asked Congress to approve $180 million in famine relief for India despite political differences with Prime Minister Nehru over Korea.

U.S. President Truman renominated five Reconstruction Finance Corporation directors in defiance of a Senate Banking subcommittee, which had accused the agency of political favouritism in graning loans.

60 years ago
1961

Space
The U.S.S.R. launched Sputnik 8 into Earth orbit, and then scored a space first by launching a probe from that satellite. The probe, called Venera (Venus) 1, was sent toward Venus, and Soviet spokesmen said it was expected to pass within 62,500 miles of that planet on May 19-10, 1961. The Soviet announcement said that Venera 1 was a 1,419-pound "automatic interplanetary space station," "blazing the first path to the planets of the solar system." U.S. President John F. Kennedy cabled congratulations to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.





World events
Brigadier Iyassu Mengasha of Ethiopia, chief of staff of the United Nations force in the Congo, flew to Elizabethville, capital of the Congolese secessionist province of Katanga, to lead a UN investigation into the disappearance and alleged escape from police custody of deposed Congolese Premier Patrice Lumumba and two fellow prisoners. Brig. Mengasha was rebuffed by the Katanga government on the grounds that it was "an internal Katanga matter."

Figure skating
American champion Laurence Owen won the gold medal in the women's singles competition at the North American Championships in Philadelphia. Canadian champion Wendy Griner won the silver medal, and Sonia Snelling of Canada won the bronze medal.



50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): My Sweet Lord--George Harrison (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): My Sweet Lord--George Harrison (3rd week at #1)

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Knock Three Times--Dawn
2 I Hear You Knocking--Dave Edmunds
3 Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow--The Dealians
4 Gypsy Woman--Brian Hyland
5 No Matter What--Badfinger
6 Looky Looky--Giorgio
7 I Think I Love You--The Partridge Family
8 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson
9 See Me, Feel Me--The Who
10 Mango Mango--Tidal Wave

The only single entering the chart was Sailing by Fuzz (#20).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 One Bad Apple--The Osmonds (2nd week at #1)
2 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson
3 If You Could Read My Mind--Gordon Lightfoot
4 I Hear You Knocking--Dave Edmunds
5 Amos Moses--Jerry Reed
6 Sweet Mary--Wadsworth Mansion
7 Watching Scotty Grow--Bobby Goldsboro
8 Born to Wander--Rare Earth
9 Stay Awhile--The Bells
10 Have You Ever Seen the Rain/Hey Tonight--Creedence Clearwater Revival

Singles entering the chart were Theme from "Love Story" by Francis Lai and (Where Do I Begin) Love Story by Andy Williams (#20); For All We Know by the Carpenters (#22); Put Your Hand in the Hand by Ocean (#24); Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted by the Partridge Family (#26); Ain't it a Sad Thing by R. Dean Taylor (#27); Mama's Pearl by the Jackson 5 (#28); Eighteen by Alice Cooper (#29); and Proud Mary by Ike & Tina Turner (#30).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKVN)
1 If You Could Read My Mind--Gordon Lightfoot
2 Amazing Grace--Judy Collins
3 If I were Your Woman--Gladys Knight & the Pips
4 Remember Me--Diana Ross
5 Apeman--The Kinks
6 Have You Ever Seen the Rain/Hey Tonight--Creedence Clearwater Revival
7 Born to Wander--Rare Earth
8 We Gotta Get You a Woman--Runt
9 Your Song--Elton John
10 One Bad Apple--The Osmonds

Singles entering the chart were Proud Mary by Ike & Tina Turner (#24); Theme from Love Story by Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus (#26); Celia of the Seals by Donovan (#28); Wild World by Cat Stevens (#29); and Oh What a Feeling by Crowbar (#30).

Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson (2nd week at #1)
2 Knock Three Times--Dawn
3 Bridget the Midget (The Queen of the Blues)--Ray Stevens
4 My Sweet Lord--George Harrison
5 I Hear You Knocking--Dave Edmunds
6 Your Song--Elton John
7 Band Bandit--Tundra
8 Put Your Hand in the Hand--Ocean
9 Stay Awhile--The Bells
10 All Things Must Pass (LP track)--George Harrison

On television tonight
The Interns, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Challenger

Died on this date
James Cash Penney, 95. U.S. businessman. Mr. Penney founded the J. C. Penney department store chain, opening his first store in Kemmerer, Wyoming in 1902. He moved the business to Salt Lake City in 1916 and incorporated as J.C. Penney Company. Mr. Penney was very wealthy by the late 1920s, but was almost wiped out by the stock market crash in 1929. A physical collapse resulting in a stay in a sanitarium ensued; Mr. Penney reportedly became a Christian after hearing a hymn, but he became a 33rd Degree Mason in 1945. Mr. Penney relinquished daily operations of his company, but remained as chairman of the board until 1946, and honourary chairman until his death.

Politics and government
William Davis, Ontario's Minister of Education and Minister of University Affairs, defeated Minister of Mines Allan Lawrence by 44 votes on the fourth ballot to become Ontario Progressive Conservative Party leader at the party's convention at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, succeeding John Robarts. Mr. Davis succeeded Mr. Robarts as Premier of Ontario on March 1.

Disasters
At least 42 were killed and 23 injured when a bridge near Cocuy, Colombia collapsed and hurled a truck into a river.

Boxing
Ken Buchanan (39-1) retained his World Boxing Association world lightweight title and won the World Boxing Council title with a unanimous 15-round decision over Ruben Navarro (24-3-2) at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.



Jeff White (20-3-1) won a 15-round decision over former world bantamweight champion Lionel Rose (39-6) in a featherweight bout at Milton Tennis Courts in Brisbane, Australia.

40 years ago
1981

War
It was reported that the Zimbabwean government of Prime Minister Robert Mugabe had used helicopter gunships and mortars against insurgents on the outskirts of the city of Bulawayo, and that Mr. Mugabe was threatening to use air force fighter planes against them. More than 100 people had been killed. The guerrillas were divided into two factions: those loyal to Mr. Mugabe and those loyal to Joshua Nkomo, who had been Minister of Internal Affairs until being demoted by Mr. Mugabe.

Hockey
NHL
Winnipeg 6 @ New York Rangers 8

Ed Johnstone scored 2 goals and 2 assists to help the Rangers defeat the Jets at Madison Square Garden. Dave Christian scored 3 goals for the Jets, who were outshot 40-15 in the first 2 periods and 55-26 for the game.



30 years ago
1991

World events
China announced that an entrepreneur and a political organizer little-known outside China had each been sentenced to 13 years in prison for counter-revolutionary activities associated with the pro-democracy demonstrations of June 1989.

Economics and finance
U.S. President George Bush’s Council of Economic Advisers predicted that the recession would end soon. Their report attributed the recession to the jump in oil prices after the August 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, a credit crunch, and a decline in consumer confidence, and called on the Federal Reserve Board to increase the money supply.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Jesus to a Child--George Michael (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Spaceman--Babylon Zoo (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Missing (Todd Terry Remix)--Everything but the Girl (2nd week at #1)

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Time--Hootie & the Blowfish
2 One Sweet Day--Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men
3 Missing--Everything But the Girl
4 One of Us--Joan Osborne
5 Wildest Dreams--Tom Cochrane
6 Better Off as We Are--Blue Rodeo
7 Name--Goo Goo Dolls
8 Exhale (Shoop Shoop)--Whitney Houston
9 You'll See--Madonna
10 Beautiful Life--Ace of Base

Singles entering the chart were Love Won't Find Us Here by Mae Moore (#82); Follow You Down by Gin Blossoms (#86); The River by the Rankin Family (#91); Taffy by Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories (#93); and Street Fighting Man by the Rolling Stones (#94). Street Fighting Man was a live recording of a song that had been a hit single for the Rolling Stones in 1968.

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Kristina Söderbaum, 88. Swedish-born German actress. Miss Söderbaum, who moved to Berlin around 1933, was known for her work in Nazi-era movies, and was considered to be representative of the ideal Aryan woman. She met director Veit Harlan while attending acting classes in Berlin in 1935; they were married in 1939, and she starred in 10 of his movies, including Jud Süß (1940) and Kolberg (1945). Miss Söderbaum fell into disfavour after World War II, and made no films until Mr. Harlan was permitted to resume his career in 1950. They made several more films together until his death in 1964, after which Miss Söderbaum became a fashion photographer.

Space
The U.S. NASA probe NEAR Shoemaker landed on the asteroid Eros, 196 million miles from Earth. The 1,100-pound craft had orbited Eros for a year and had sent back 160,000 photographs and other data. Eros is 21 miles long, 8 miles wide, and 8 miles thick. One purpose of the mission was to gain information on how earthlings might protect themselves from a collision with an asteroid.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Betty Garrett, 91. U.S. actress and singer. Miss Garrett was known for her performances in Broadway musicals and movies such as Neptune's Daughter (1949); On the Town (1949); and My Sister Eileen (1955). She and her husband, actor Larry Parks, were blacklisted in Hollywood for some time in the 1950s for previous affiliation with the Communist Party, but she made a comeback, and was known in later years for recurring supporting roles in the television comedy series All in the Family (1973-1975) and Laverne & Shirley (1976-1981). Miss Garrett died of an aortic aneurysm.

Peter Alexander, 84. Austrian entertainer. Peter Alexander Neumayer was one of the most popular entertainers in the German-speaking world in the last half of the 20th century, appearing in more than 40 movies--mainly in comic roles--and placing 459 songs on the German singles charts. He hosted his own television program (1963-1966, 1969-1996), and won numerous awards.

Kenneth Mars, 75. U.S. actor. Mr. Mars apppeared as a live actor in numerous television programs and as a voice actor in television cartoons and animated films. He provided the voice of King Triton in The Little Mermaid (1989); The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000); and the television series (1992-1994). Mr. Mars died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.