March 7, 2021

1,860 years ago
161

Died on this date
Antoninus Pius, 74. Emperor of the Roman Empire, 138-161. Antoninus Pius, the son of a consul, held various offices under Emperor Hadrian, was adopted as his son, and succeeded him as Emperor. Antoninus Pius' reign was one of peace, resulting in a large surplus in the treasury; expansion of free access to drinking water throughout the Empire; encouragement of legal conformity; and facilitation of the enfranchisement of freed slaves. A successful military campaign in southern Scotland early in his reign resulted in the construction of the Antonine Wall, marking the northern frontier of the empire. Emperor Antoninus Pius died from an illness, and was succeeded by his adopted sons Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus as co-Emperors.

350 years ago
1671

Born on this date
Robert Roy MacGregor. Scottish outlaw. Mr. MacGregor, popularly known as Rob Roy, fought in Jacobite rebellions, and was branded as an outlaw after defaulting on a loan to increase his cattle herd. He carried on a blood feud for several years against his chief creditor, the Duke of Montrose. Rob Roy spent several years in prison, but was pardoned in 1727, and died on December 28, 1734 at the age of 63. He became a popular cultural figure, inspiring works such as the historical novel Rob Roy (1817) by Sir Walter Scott.

180 years ago
1841

Born on this date
William Rockhill Nelson. U.S. journalist and magnate. Mr. Nelson, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1880 and founded the Kansas City Star, which he ran until his death on April 13, 1915 at the age of 74.

125 years ago
1896

Politics and government
U.S. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill dissolving the northern half of the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington state.

100 years ago
1921

Hockey
NHL
Hamilton 5 @ Ottawa 12
Montreal 4 @ Toronto 6

Cy Denneny scored six goals for the Senators in their victory over the Tigers at the Arena. The games marked the end of the regular season.

80 years ago
1941

War
The United Kingdom announced the final conquest of Italian Somaliland. The first contingent of a British force of 50,000 landed in Greece, while the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force also arrived in Greece. The German submarine U-47, one of the most successful U-boats of World War II under the command of Korvettenkapitän Günther Prien, disappeared without a trace in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Defense
Mexican Foreign Minister Ezequiel Padilla said that Mexico would not hesitate to sign a military pact with the United States in an emergency.

The United States Senate defeated the O'Mahoney amendment to the Lend-Lease bill to bar convoying and other restrictive amendments by a wide margin.

Society
The Delaware General Assembly repealed 200-year-old Sunday blue laws.

75 years ago
1946

Movies
The Academy Awards for 1945 were presented at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. The awards included: Best Picture--The Lost Weekend; Best Director--Billy Wilder (The Lost Weekend); Best Actor--Ray Milland (The Lost Weekend); Best Actress--Joan Crawford (Mildred Pierce); Best Supporting Actor--James Dunn (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn); and Best Supporting Actress--Anne Revere (National Velvet).



War
The government of Iran reported that rebels in Azerbaijan had incorporated a 60-mile stretch of the northern provionce of Gilan extending from the Soviet border to Shafarud into their autonomous region.

Defense
The U.S.A., U.S.S.R., and U.K. announced a three-way division of 500 German merchant ships, leaving Germany with 100 vessels.

Politics and government
Socialist Paul-Henri Spaak was charged by the Regent to form a new Belgian government.

Music
German orchestra conductor Wilhelm Furtwaengler, barred from performing under a denazification statute, protested to the mayor of Berlin that he had not been given an opportunity to defend himself.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Harry Truman ordered the reopening of homesteading on all public lands in the United States and Alaska except those containing deposits of fissionable materials.

70 years ago
1951

Died on this date
Ali Razmara, 49. Prime Minister of Iran, 1950-1951. Lieutenant General Razmara was with the Imperial Army from 1927, serving as Chief Commadner from 1942 until his appointment as Prime Minister by Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi. He initiated a program of decentralization and reduction of government, and came closer than any other Prime Minister to ratifying the supplemental oil agreement between Iran and the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC). Mr. Razmara was attending a memorial service at the Shah Mosque in Tehran when he was fatally shot three times by Khalil Tahmassebi, a member of the Shia fundamentlaist group Fadayan-e Islam, who was arrested at the scene. Mr. Razmara was succeeded as Prime Minister by Hossein Ala'.

War
Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command General Douglas MacArthur warned that the Korean War would become a "military stalemate" if United Nations forces were not allowed to increase their strength or strike at Chinese Communist sanctuaries in Manchuria. United Nations troops led by General Matthew Ridgway began Operation Ripper, an assault against Chinese forces.

Diplomacy
U.S.S.R. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko told Western representatives in Paris that he would consider Austria as an agenda item if the Trieste question was also included for discussion by the foreign ministers.

Defense
The U.S. Senate approved an amendment to a military manpower bill limiting total armed forces strength to four million men and women.

Crime
Omar Collazo, one of two Puerto Rican nationalists who had attempted to assassinate U.S. President Harry Truman on November 1, 1950, was convicted by a federal grand jury in Washington on two counts of first-degree murder.

Economics and finance
A 1951 U.S.S.R. budget was presented to the Supreme Soviet in Moscow calling for the expenditure of 96 billion rubles ($24.1 billion) on the armed forces, the most of any post-World War II year.

Boxing
Ezzard Charles (68-5-1) retained his National Boxing Association world heavyweight title with a 15-round unanimous decision over Jersey Joe Walcott (49-16-2) at Olympia Stadium in Detroit.



60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Seemann--Lolita (8th week at #1)

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, hosted by John Newland, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Justice, starring Clifford Evans, Meredith Edwards, and Barbara Mullen



Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Kiss-Off, starring Rip Torn, Mary Munday, and Kenneth Patterson

Thriller, hosted by Boris Karloff, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Ordeal of Dr. Cordell, starring Robert Vaughn, Kathleen Crowley, and Robert Ellenstein



Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Carolyn Jagger!

Died on this date
Govind Ballabh Pant, 73. Indian politician. Mr. Pant, a member of the Indian National Congress Party, was Chief Minister of United Provinces (1937-1939, 1946-1950); Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (1950-1954); and Minister of Home Affairs (1955-1961). He died in office from a stroke.

Diplomacy
Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah addressed the United Nations General Assembly and formally outlined his proposal for reorganizing the UN military and civilian program in the Congo. Mr. Nkrumah, who had previously had called for an "all-African" UN force in the Congo, modified his demand to "primarily African," and repeated his demands for disarmament and reorganization of the Congolese army under UN supervision; for temporary expulsion of all foreign diplomatic missions from the Congo; for the reconvening of the Congolese parliament; and for UN-supervised general elections in the Congo.

Society
The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce announced that businessmen and Negro leaders there had agreed to a formula for desegregation of lunch counters and other store facilities. The Negroes agreed to end sit-ins and other demonstrations which had kept the lunch counters closed for three months. It was agreed that the merchants would reopen the lunch counters on a segregated basis temporarily but would desegregate them and other store facilities at the time of desegregation of Atlanta schools, expected that fall. It was stated that more than 500 Negroes who had lost their jobs in stores affected by the sit-ins would be rehired wherever practicable.

Boxing
Von Clay (13-3-2) of Philadelphia won a 10-round decision over U.K. and Commonwealth light heavyweight champion Chic Calderwood (29-1) at Empire Pool, Wembley in London.

50 years ago
1971

War
The cease-fire between Egypt and Israel expired, and although Egypt had refused to approve a formal extension of the truce, the standstill continued.

Politics and government
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, political leader of then East Pakistan (present day-Bangladesh), delivered his historic 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu at the Ramna Race Course in Dhak, announcing a movement of civil disobedience and inspiring the Bengali people to prepare for a war of independence.



Hockey
AHL
Montreal 5 Providence 3 @ Halifax

Montreal goalie Ken Dryden stopped 39 shots in what turned out to be his last game with the Voyageurs as they defeated the Reds. He was called up to the parent Montreal Canadiens of the NHL after the game in order to provide depth behind Rogie Vachon and Phil Myre as they prepared for the Stanley Cup playoffs. In 33 games with the Voyageurs Mr. Dryden posted a goals against average of 2.68 with 3 shutouts.

Baseball
Jim Fairey's 1st-inning home run held up as the Montreal Expos edged the Washington Senators 1-0 in a spring training game at West Palm Beach, Florida that was called because of rain after 6½ innings. Mike Wegener was the winning pitcher over Dick Bosman.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Woman in Love--Barbra Streisand (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Stars on 45--Stars on 45 (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce Music Theatre (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce Music Theatre (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce Music Theatre (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Stars on 45--Stars on 45 (3rd week at #1)
2 Embarrassment--Madness
3 Amoureux Solitaires/Dis Moi que Tu M'aimes--Lio
4 Rock this Town--Stray Cats
5 Imagine--John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
6 Shine Up--Doris D and the Pins
7 If You Could Read My Mind - Special U.S. Disco-Mix--Viola Wills
8 Flip Fluitketel/Er Staat Een Paard in de Gang--André Van Duin
9 In the Air Tonight--Phil Collins
10 While You See a Chance--Steve Winwood

Singles entering the chart were Message of Love by the Pretenders (#33); I Ain't Gonna Stand for It by Stevie Wonder (#34); Ik Heb Zo Waanzinnig Gedroomd by Kinderen Voor Kinderen (#35); Hello Again by Neil Diamond (#36); Hey You Get Ready (Red Light's On) by Thunderstorm (#37); Viva la Musica by Sommerset (#8); and Shaddap You Face by Joe Dolce Music Theatre (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 I Love a Rainy Night--Eddie Rabbitt (2nd week at #1)
2 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
3 Woman--John Lennon
4 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon
5 The Best of Times--Styx
6 Celebration--Kool & The Gang
7 Crying--Don McLean
8 Giving it Up for Your Love--Delbert McClinton
9 The Winner Takes it All--ABBA
10 Hello Again--Neil Diamond

Singles entering the chart were Sweetheart by Franke & the Knockouts (#77); Running Scared by the Fools (#81); Sukiyaki by A Taste of Honey (#83); A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) by Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio (#86); Walking on Thin Ice by Yoko Ono (#87); I Have the Skill by Sherbs (#88); Let Me Go by the Rings (#89); and The Rambler by Molly Hatchet (#92).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon
2 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
3 Woman--John Lennon
4 I Love a Rainy Night--Eddie Rabbitt
5 Celebration--Kool & The Gang
6 The Best of Times--Styx
7 Rapture--Blondie
8 The Tide is High--Blondie
9 Crying--Don McLean
10 Same Old Lang Syne--Dan Fogelberg

Singles entering the chart were Mister Sandman by Emmylou Harris (#74); Sweetheart by Franke & the Knockouts (#77); Running Scared by the Fools (#81); Sukiyaki by A Taste of Honey (#87); Hold on Loosely by 38 Special (#88); A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) by Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio (#89); Lovers After All by Melissa Manchester and Peabo Bryson (#90); Games by Phoebe Snow (#94); and Bon Bon Vie (Gimme the Good Life) by T.S. Monk (#96).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 9 to 5--Dolly Parton (3rd week at #1)
2 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon
3 I Love a Rainy Night--Eddie Rabbitt
4 Woman--John Lennon
5 Celebration--Kool & The Gang
6 The Best of Times--Styx
7 Rapture--Blondie
8 Hello Again--Neil Diamond
9 The Tide is High--Blondie
10 Crying--Don McLean

Singles entering the chart were Mister Sandman by Emmylou Harris (#74); Sweetheart by Franke & the Knockouts (#78); Keep this Train A-Rollin' by the Doobie Brothers (#84); Lovers After All by Melissa Manchester and Peabo Bryson (#86); Sukiyaki by A Taste of Honey (#88); and A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) by Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio (#89).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 The Best of Times--Styx
2 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon
3 Woman--John Lennon
4 The Tide is High--Blondie
5 Hey Nineteen--Steely Dan
6 Ah! Leah!--Donnie Iris
7 Passion--Rod Stewart
8 Celebration--Kool & the Gang
9 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
10 He Can’t Love You--Michael Stanley Band

Singles entering the chart were Hello Again by Neil Diamond (#41); Walking on Thin Ice by Yoko Ono (#48); and What Kind of Fool by Barbra Streisand (Duet with Barry Gibb) (#50).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Turn Me Loose--Loverboy (2nd week at #1)
2 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
3 Wasn't That a Party--The Rovers
4 Miss Sun--Boz Scaggs
5 Every Woman in the World--Air Supply
6 The Best of Times--Styx
7 Stealin' the Night--J.C. Stone
8 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon
9 The Winner Takes it All--ABBA
10 Woman--John Lennon

Singles entering the chart were Fade Away by Bruce Springsteen (#28); Kiss on My List by Daryl Hall & John Oates (#29); and Precious to Me by Phil Seymour (#30).

Died on this date
Bosley Crowther, 75. U.S. journalist. Mr. Crowther was the chief film critic for The New York Times from 1940-1967; he used a scholarly tone and was known for promoting foreign-language films, while his reviews of Hollywood movies were often regarded as unnecessarily mean. Mr. Crowther opposed open displays of patriotism in movies, but advocate greater social responsibility in films. His negative review of Bonnie and Clyde (1967) made him appear out of touch with current opinion, and led to his removal shortly thereafter. Mr. Crowther died of heart failure.

Terrorism
The three Pakistani political dissidents who had hijacked a Pakistani jetliner to Kabul, Afghanistan on March 2 freed two female American and two male Pakistani passengers who had been held hostage, while Pakistan agreed to free five of the 90 political prisoners whose freedom was being demanded by the hijackers.

Hockey
NHL
Edmonton 5 @ Philadelphia 3
Calgary 6 @ Toronto 4
Montreal 2 @ Winnipeg 4

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Do the Bartman--The Simpsons (7th week at #1)

Died on this date
Cool Papa Bell, 87. U.S. baseball player. James Bell was a center fielder in the Negro Leagues with various teams from 1922-1936 and 1942-1946; he also played in teh Dominican Republic in 1937 and in the Mexican League from 1938-1941. He was an eight-time All-Star in the Negro Leagues, with a career batting average of .337. Mr. Bell may have been the fastest player in history; it was said that he could turn the light switch on the wall off and be in bed before the room got dark. Mr. Bell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. He died of a heart attack, several weeks after the death of his wife Clara.

Space
Canadian Industry Minister Benoît Bouchard awarded Spar Aerospace $195 million to design the Mobile Servicing System for the Freedom space station. It would cost $1.2 billion over the next ten years, with 11 companies involved.

War
U.S. Defense Secretary Dick Cheney said that 540,000 U.S. troops could be brought home by mid-summer. Troops began leaving Saudi Arabia.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Born in Africa--Dr. Alban

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Spaceman--Babylon Zoo (6th week at #1)

Politics and government
The inaugural session of the Palestinian National Authority's 88-member legislative council convened.

Abominations
Three U.S. servicemen were convicted in the abduction and rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl, and were sentenced by a Japanese court to up to seven years in prison.

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Frankie Carle, 97. U.S. musician. Mr. Carle, born Francis Carlone, was a pianist and bandleader whose career spanned more than 70 years. He led his own orchestra in the 1930s and from 1945-1955, performing as a solo act thereafter. Mr. Carle's best-known composition was Sunrise Serenade, which was a major hit for Glenn Miller and his Orchestra in 1939. Mr. Carle died 18 days before his 98th birthday.

Politics and government
Ariel Sharon took office as Prime Minister of Israel, pledging to bring security to the country. Meanwhile, the Knesset voted to abandon the direct election of prime ministers after just a five-year experiment, and opted to return to the parliamentary system where members of the Knesset would choose the prime minister.

Diplomacy
U.S. President George W. Bush met with South Korean President Kim Dae Jung in Washington. Mr. Bush told Mr. Kim that he would not soon press forward with efforts by former U.S. President Bill Clinton to reach an agreement with North Korea on missiles and to normalize relations with North Korea. Mr. Kim was eager for talks to continue.

Crime
A girl was arrested in Williamsport, Pennsylvania for allegedly shooting and wounding a classmate.

10 years ago
2011

Law
Reversing course, U.S. President Barack Obama approved the resumption of military trials at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, ending a two-year ban.