June 16, 2021

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Glory Bella and Oksana!

275 years ago
1746

War
Austrian and Sardinia forces defeated a Franco-Spanish army in the Battle of Piacenza in northern Italy.

210 years ago
1811

War
Survivors of an attack the previous day by Tla-o-qui-aht (Nootka) Indians on board the Pacific Fur Company's ship Tonquin intentionally detonated a powder magazine on the ship, destroying it and killing about 100 attackers.

175 years ago
1846

Religion
The Papal conclave of 1846 elected Cardinal Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, who took the name Pope Pius IX, beginning the longest reign (32 years) in the history of the papacy. He replaced Gregory XVI, who had died on June 1.

150 years ago
1871

Academia
The Universities Tests Act 1871 allowed students to enter the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Durham without religious tests (except for those intending to study theology).

125 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Murray Leinster. U.S. author. Mr. Leinster, whose real name was William Fitzgerald Jenkins, wrote more than 1,500 short stories and novels, 14 movie scripts, and hundreds of radio and television scripts, mainly in the genre of science fiction, in a career spanning more than 50 years. He also invented the front projection process used in movie special effects. Mr. Jenkins died on June 8, 1975, eight days before his 79th birthday.

110 years ago
1911

Business
The forerunner of International Business Machines was incorporated in Endicott, New York as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company.

80 years ago
1941

Television
The National Broadcasting Company applied to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for permission to establish commercial stations in New York, Washington, and Philadelphia.

War
Allied forces drove north on the Lebanese coast to within 10 miles of Beirut; naval battles off the coast were reported.

Diplomacy
The U.S.A. ordered Germany to close all 24 of her consulates in the United States in the United States, as well as the German Library of Information in New York; the German Railway and Tourist Agencies; and Transocean News Service by July 10, 1941, becaude they allegedly engaged in activities "of an improper and unwarranted character."

Defense
A Brazilian embassy official in Washington said that the United States and Brazil were negotiating in Rio de Janeiro for the construction of air bases on the Brazilian coast. Because of the current shortage, U.S. Defense Oil Coordinator Harold Ickes prevented the shipment of 252,000 gallons of lubricating oil to Japan. Mr. Ickes declared that if the European war was lost, "it may be because of the recalcitrance of the Aluminum Company of America." He accused Alcoa of seeking absolute control of all aluminum sources in the United States. U.S. Senator Patrick McCarran (Democrat--Nevada) introduced a bill providing for a separate air force.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Treasury Department revealed that the funds of the German-American Bund and other Fascist organizations had been frozen at the order of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Boxing
Lou Salica (54-11-12) retained his world bantamweight title with a unanimous 15-round decision over Tommy Forte (41-9-2) at Shibe Park in Philadelphia.

75 years ago
1946

War
At his trial in Belgrade on war crimes charges, Yugoslavian Chetnik leader Draja Mikhailovich denied all personal responsibility for the 23,000 murders charged by the prosecution against the Chetniks.

Diplomacy
The Jewish Agency for Palestine declared that the Palestine Inquiry Commission's plan for Jewish immigration should be implemeted immediately, but that creation of a Jewish state was the only "just" solution to the Palestine problem.

Politics and government
British Viceroy of India Sir Archibald Wavell invited 14 Indian leaders representing all groups to serve in an interim government, as further negotiations for Indian independence broke down.

Science
The Federation of American Scientists announced the formation of a "Committee for Foreighin Correspondence" to promote "worldwide exchange of information."

Economics and finance
U.K. Food Minister John Strachey said that Britain had reached "the limit" in aiding starving nations.

Business
U.S. Attorney General Tom Clark approved the sale of a $200-million government steel plant in Geneva, Utah to U.S. Steel for about $47.5 million.

Labour
Ford Motor Company ended a five-week shutdown in Detroit, recalling 65,000 workers.

Golf
Lloyd Mangrum defeated Byron Nelson and Vic Ghezzi in two 18-hole playoff rounds to win the U.S. Open at Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood, Ohio. The three were tied with 4-under-par scores of 284 after 4 rounds, and all shot even par 73s in the first playoff round on Sunday morning. On Sunday afternoon, Mr. Mangrum shot 72 again, one stroke ahead of Messrs. Nelson and Ghezzi. First prize money was $1,500, and each of the playoff competitors received a bonus of $333. For Mr. Mangrum, it was his only victory in a major tournament.



70 years ago
1951

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Aba Daba Honeymoon--Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): How High the Moon--Les Paul and Mary Ford (Best Seller--8th week at #1; Disc Jockey--8th week at #1; Jukebox--7th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 How High the Moon--Les Paul and Mary Ford
2 Too Young--Nat "King" Cole
3 On Top of Old Smoky--The Weavers and Terry Gilkyson
--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
4 Mockin’ Bird Hill--Les Paul and Mary Ford
--Patti Page
5 Sound Off (The Duckworth Chant)--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
6 Jezebel--Frankie Laine
7 I Apologize--Billy Eckstine
8 Mister and Mississippi--Patti Page
--Dennis Day
9 Rose, Rose, I Love You--Frankie Laine
10 Unless--Eddie Fisher
--Guy Mitchell

Singles entering the chart were My Resistance is Low by Hoagy Carmichael (#32); These Things I Offer You (For a Lifetime) by Sarah Vaughan (#34); and I’m in Love Again by Henri Rene and his Orchestra featuring April Stevens (#38).

Died on this date
Andy Strong, 23. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Strong was a rookie center fielder with the Crowley Millers of the Class C Evangeline League, batting .339 in 16 games. He had taken his position to begin the bottom of the 6th inning of a game at Alexandria, Louisiana against the Aces, when he was struck by lightning and killed instantly. The game had just resumed after a delay because of a thunderstorm.

Diplomacy
The U.S.A. became the 12th nation to ratify the Organization of American States charter when President Harry Truman signed the document in Washington.

Health
The U.S. Public Health Service issued the report of a conference of state dental directors which claimed that fluoridation of public water reduced tooth decay by two-thirds.

Golf
Ben Hogan shot a 3-under-par 67 on the final round at Oakland Hills Country Club in Birmingham, Michigan to win the U.S. Open for the second straight year, finishing with a 7-over-par total score of 287, 2 strokes ahead of Clayton Heafner. First prize money was $4,000.





60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Surrender--Elvis Presley (4th week at #1)

On television tonight
The Lawless Years, starring James Gregory, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Louy K: Part 4 Heydays of the Organization

Died on this date
Benny Bowcock, 81. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Bowcock was a second baseman who played 14 games with the St. Louis Browns (1903), batting .320 with 1 home run and 10 runs batted in. He hit .269 in 1,524 games in 14 seasons in the minor leagues (1902-1915), including 10 years with the Fall River Indians of the New England League.

Chuck Miller, 71. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Miller was an outfielder who batted .188 with no home runs and 3 runs batted in in 40 games with the St. Louis Cardinals (1913-1914). He played at least 877 games in 10 seasons in the minor leagues (1909-1924).

Mack Hillis, 59. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Hillis played second base with the New York Yankees (1924) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1928), batting .243 with 1 home run and 7 runs batted in in 12 games. He played at least 802 games in 10 seasons in the minor leagues (1922-1934).

Space
The U.S.A. launched Discoverer 25, a satellite and capsule whose mission was to test improvements of orbital period controls, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

Baseball
Lew Krausse, Jr. (1-0), who had just graduated from high school, made his major league debut as a pitcher with the Kansas City Athletics, giving up just 3 hits, walking 5, striking out 6, and batting 2 for 3 with a sacrifice as the Athletics blanked the Los Angeles Angels 4-0 before 25,869 fans at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City. Mr. Krausse's father had pitched in the major leagues and had ended his career with a shutout for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1932.

The Boston Red Sox scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning and 8 in the 4th as they came back from a 6-0 deficit to defeat the Washington Senators 14-9 before 14,081 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Gary Geiger, Carl Yastrzemski, and Vic Wertz each drove in 3 runs for Boston.

The Cincinnati Reds scored all their runs in the 8th inning as they beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 before 10,508 fans at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. Don Demeter hit a home run with 2 out in the bottom of the 7th to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead. Ken Hunt (7-3) allowed 3 hits in 7 innings to get the win.

Billy Williams hit a grand slam in the 3rd inning and his Chicago Cubs scored 5 more runs in the 4th as they beat the San Francisco Giants 12-6 before 20,622 fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

Lou Burdette (5-5) pitched a 5-hitter and hit a solo home run in the 5th inning to open the scoring, outduelling Sandy Koufax as the Milwaukee Braves edged the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 before 32,860 fans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mr. Koufax (9-3) allowed 8 hits and 2 earned runs in 6.1 innings, with 8 strikeouts.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): I Did What I Did for Maria--Tony Christie

Died on this date
John Reith, 1st Baron Reith, 81. U.K. broadcast executive. Lord Reith joined the British Broadcasting Company, Ltd. as its general manager in 1922, and became its managing director in 1923. In 1927 he became Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation, and held the position until 1938. Lord Reith established the tradition of independent public broadcasting in the United Kingdom. He served as Britain's Minister of Information under Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, and as Minister of Transport under Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II.

Steve Partenheimer, 79. U.S. baseball player and businessman. Dr. Partenheimer played third base at Amherst College (1910-1913) before playing 1 game with the Detroit Tigers, batting 0 for 2 with a hit by pitch and making 3 assists and an error on June 28, 1913. He then played 3 years in the New York State League. Dr. Partenheimer obtained a doctorate from Columbia University and spent 50 years in the tire business. While working with Mansfield Tire & Rubber Company, he was credited with developing a "run flat" tire that allowed military combat vehicles to run at high speed even after being punctured by bullets or shellfire.

Politics and government
The Polynesian Panther Party was founded in Auckland by six young Pacific Islanders. The group included Samoans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, and a few Māori. Many were university students.

Baseball
The Montreal Expos traded infielder Jimy Williams to the New York Mets for infielder Tony Canzano. Mr. Williams had played in 43 games for the Winnipeg Whips of the AAA International League, but had been suspended for a week. Mr. Canzano had played in 19 games with the Tidewater Tides of the International League. Mr. Williams was assigned to Tidewater, Mr. Canzano to Winnipeg.

Bill Stoneman (9-4) allowed just 1 hit--a single by Cito Gaston with 1 out in the 7th inning--and singled home Clyde Mashore with the second run of a 2-run 5th inning as the Montreal Expos shut out the San Diego Padres 2-0 before 23,623 fans at Jarry Park in Montreal. Mr. Stoneman struck out 14 batters and walked just 1. Losing pitcher Dave Roberts (5-6) allowed 8 hits in a complete game.

Pete Rose led off the game with a single, advanced to second base on a ground out by Hal McRae, and scored on a single by Lee May for the game's only run as the Cincinnati Reds edged the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0 before 19,232 fans at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis. Don Gullett (7-2) pitched a 4-hitter to outduel Al Santorini (0-3), who allowed 6 hits in 8 innings.

After Rod Carew tripled to lead off the top of the 9th inning, Cesar Tovar singled him home and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Rich Reese as the Minnesota Twins broke a 1-1 tie and held on to defeat the Cleveland Indians 2-1 before 6,220 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. The Indians scored a run in the bottom of the 9th and had runners on first and second bases with 1 out, but Stan Williams relieved Tom Hall (3-4) and retired pinch hitter Frank Baker on a popup to second base and Ray Fosse on a fly ball to left field to end the game.

Ed Brinkman scored Cesar Gutierrez with a sacrifice fly and Aurelio Rodriguez scored Gates Brown with a sacrifice bunt as the Detroit Tigers scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to offset the go-ahead run in the top of the 8th and defeated the Chicago White Sox 6-5 before 18,799 fans at Tiger Stadium. Walt Williams doubled with 2 out in the 9th, but pinch hitter Lee Richard flied out to right field to end the game.

The Oakland Athletics hit 5 solo home runs and Vida Blue (14-2) pitched a 6-hitter with 8 strikeouts as the Athletics beat the Washington Senators 5-1 before 19,893 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mike Epstein hit home runs his first 2 times at bat, giving him a record-tying 4 straight over 2 games. Joe Rudi also homered in his first 2 at bats, and Dave Duncan hit the other Oakland home run. The homers were the only hits against Denny McLain (4-12), who lasted just 3 innings. Washington second baseman Lenny Randle batted 1 for 4 and made 3 assists in his first major league game.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Medley--Stars on 45 (3rd week at #1)
2 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
3 Sukiyaki--A Taste of Honey
4 All Those Years Ago--George Harrison
5 Nobody Wins--Elton John
6 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
7 I Love You--Climax Blues Band
8 This Little Girl--Gary U.S. Bonds
9 Another One Rides the Bus--"Weird Al" Yankovic
10 Winning--Santana

Singles entering the chart were Modern Girl by Sheena Easton (#14); A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) by Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio (#16); The One that You Love by Air Supply (#19); and She Wants to Know by Lisa Dal Bello (#20).

Died on this date
Hal Block, 67. U.S. comedian and writer. Mr. Block was one of the top comedy writers of the 1940s, working with Bob Hope, Abbott, and Costello, and many others, achieving success in radio and Broadway, and making major contributions to United Services Overseas (USO) tours during World War II. He was a regular panelist on the television quiz show What's My Line? (1950-1953), but his style of humour clashed with others on the show, and he ignored warnings about his behaviour, resulting in his dismissal. Mr. Block's career in entertainment gradually declined over the next few years, and by 1960 he was working in the investment business. He died two months after being severely burned in a fire in his apartment.

Americana
U.S. President Ronald Reagan awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to Ken Taylor, Canada's former Ambassador to Iran, for helping six Americans escape from Iran during the hostage crisis of 1979–1981; he was the first foreign citizen bestowed the honour.

Business
Chicago Cubs' owner Bill Wrigley announced his plan to sell the National League baseball team to the Chicago Tribune Company for $20.5 million, ending 65 years of ownership of the Cubs by the Wrigley family.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Saskatchewan (1-2) 1 @ Edmonton (3-0) 17

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): I'll Do 4 U--Father MC featuring Mary J. Blige (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)--De La Soul

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in his Kiss)--Cher
2 Jesus Loves You--Bow Down Mister
3 Joyride--Roxette
4 How to Dance--Bingoboys featuring Princessa
5 Bobby Brown--Frank Zappa
6 Secret Love--Bee Gees
7 Wind of Change--Scorpions
8 The One and Only--Chesney Hawkes
9 Last Train to Trancentral--The KLF
10 Blue System--Lucifer

Singles entering the chart were Last Train to Trancentral; and Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) by De La Soul (#20).

Died on this date
Lanny Harris, 51. U.S. baseball umpire. Mr. Harris came to the National League as a replacement umpire during the strike of regular umpires in 1979, and worked 851 games until he was fired after the 1985 season. He died of a brain tumour.

Leslie Mahaffy, 14. Canadian murder victim. Miss Mahaffy was a Grade 9 student at M.M. Robinson High School in Burlington, Ontario. She was kidnapped by Paul Bernardo, and strangled to death after 24 hours of rape and abuse by Mr. Bernardo and Karla Homolka.

Diplomacy
Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney held a joint news conference in Deidesheim, Germany with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. Mr. Mulroney wanted more aid to the U.S.S.R., and expressed concern over the possibility of Québec separatiing from Canada.

Golf
Payne Stewart and Scott Simpson were tied for the lead after four rounds of the U.S. Open at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, necessitating an 18-hole playoff round the following day.



Baseball
Otis Nixon of the Atlanta Braves stole 6 bases to tie the major league single-game record of Eddie Collins, who had done it twice in 1912. The Braves lost 7-6 to the Montreal Expos.

The Cincinnati Reds scored a run in the 8th inning and 2 unearned runs in the 9th to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-6 before 41,905 fans at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.

The Baltimore Orioles scored 5 runs in the top of the 7th inning to break an 8-8 tie as they defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 13-8 before 50,273 fans at SkyDome in Toronto.

Tom Bolton (6-4) and Jeff Reardon combined for a 6-hit shutout to win the pitching matchup over Kirk McCaskill as the Boston Red Sox defeated the California Angels 2-0 before 32,433 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Mr. McCaskill allowed 7 hits and 2 earned runs in 8 innings in pitching a complete game. Boston third baseman Wade Boggs singled home both runs in the 5th inning.

The Minnesota Twins scored 2 runs in the top of the 10th inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 4-2 before 20,725 fans at Cleveland Stadium.

The Kansas City Royals scored 8 runs in the top of the 2nd inning as they beat the Chicago White Sox 9-4 before 42,074 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago.

Greg Vaughn hit a grand slam with none out in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Milwaukee Brewers an 11-7 win over the Oakland Athletics before 28,774 fans at County Stadium in Milwaukee.

Steve Buechele doubled to lead off the bottom of the 15th inning and scored on a 1-out double by Mario Diaz to give the Texas Rangers a 4-3 win over the New York Yankees before 37,691 fans at Arlington Stadium.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Coco Jamboo--Mr. President

#1 single in Switzerland: Coco Jamboo--Mr. President (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Scotland (OCC): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Mel Allen, 83. U.S. sportscaster. Mr. Allen, born Melvin Allen Israel, was known as the radio--and later, television--voice of the New York Yankees from 1939-1964 (except for several years during World War II) and 1976-1985. He also broadcast home games of the New York Giants (1939-1940, 1942); Milwaukee Braves (1965); and Cleveland Indians (1968). Mr. Allen hosted the syndicated television program This Week in Baseball from its beginning in 1977 until his death, and also broadcast professsional and college football.

Politics and government
Russians voted in the country's first independent presidential election; the result was a runoff between President Boris Yeltsin, the eventual winner, and a Communist challenger.

Golf
Steve Jones won the U.S. Open at Oakland Hills Country Club in Birmingham, Michigan with a 2-under-par score of 278, one stroke ahead of Tom Lehman and Davis Love III. Mr. Love missed a 3-foot putt for par on the last hole. First prize money was $425,000.



Basketball
NBA
Finals
Seattle 75 @ Chicago 87 (Chicago won best-of-seven series 4-2)

Michael Jordan scored 22 points and added 7 assists as the Bulls defeated the SuperSonics before 24,544 fans at United Center to win their fourth title in six years. Dennis Rodman added 19 rebounds for the Bulls, and tied the Finals record he had set in the first game of the series with 11 offensive rebounds. Detlef Schrempf led the SuperSonics with 23 points.



20 years ago
2001

Edmontonia
The Hope Foundation of Alberta, where this blogger was employed as the librarian, held its fund-raising event known as the "Mega Auction" at the Universiade Pavillion. Unfortunately, attendance was low and the foundation barely broke even. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Baseball
The University of Miami Hurricanes routed the Stanford University Cardinal 12-1 to win the College World Series at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha. Miami's Charlton Jimerson, a 5th-round draft choice of the Houston Astros, was voted the series' most valuable player.

10 years ago
2011

Scandal
U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner (Democrat--New York) announced his resignation from Congress, bowing to the furor caused by his sexually charged online dalliances with a former pornography actress and other women.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Winnipeg (0-1) 15 @ Montreal (1-0) 27