July 31, 2021

280 years ago
1741

War
Charles Albert of Bavaria invaded Upper Austria and Bohemia.

130 years ago
1891

Baseball
Amos Rusie pitched a no-hitter for the New York Giants as they shut out the Brooklyn Bridegrooms 6-0 at the Polo Grounds in New York. Mr. Rusie walked 8 batters and hit 1. Adonis Terry took the loss.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
George Liberace. U.S. musician. Mr. Liberace, the elder brother of pianist Lee Liberace, served on his brother's television program in the 1950s as violin accompanist and orchestral arranger; the partnership ended after the commercial and critical failure of the movie Sincerely Yours (1955). George Liberace was a restaurateur, music publisher, and television station manager in later years, and died of leukemia on October 16, 1983 at the age of 72.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Peter Benenson. U.K. lawyer. Mr. Benenson, born Peter Solomon, founded the human rights organization Amnesty International in 1961. He died on February 25, 2005 at the age of 83.

90 years ago
1931

Television
The experimental station W2XAB (now (WCBS-TV), which used a mechanical broadcasting system, opened in New York. The first broadcast featured New York Mayor Jimmy Walker, singer Kate Smith, and pianist and composer George Gershwin.

80 years ago
1941

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square--Vera Lynn; West End Players (3rd month at #1)

War
The U.S.S.R. reported that Soviet forces had driven the Germans back in the Smolensk area. Japanese Prime Minister Prince Fumimaro Konoye said that Japan must move ahead to create a "Greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere" and prepare for war.

Reports from Peru and Ecuador stated that border hostilities between the countries had ceased at 6 P.M. after Ecuador agreed to cancel a previous order for general mobilization.

Diplomacy
U.S. Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles said that the Japanese bombing of the U.S. gunboat Tutulia near the Chinese capital of Chungking was a closed incident, after the Japanese government expressed regret and offered to pay for damages.

Defense
U.S. Army Brigadier General Lewis Hershey, deputy director of U.S. Selective Service, was named director, and was immeidately confirmed by the Senate.

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created an Economic Defense Board, with Vice President Henry Wallace as Chairman, to advise him on economic defense measures and prepare for postwar economic reconstruction.

Oil
U.S. Interior Secretary Harold Ickes recommended that 100,000 gasoline and oil filling stations on the Eastern seaboard close from 7 P.M. to 7 A.M. daily, beginning August 3, to alleviate the growing oil and gasoline shortage.

Abominations
Under instructions from German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler, Nazi official Hermann Göring ordered SS General Reinhard Heydrich to "submit to me as soon as possible a general plan of the administrative material and financial measures necessary for carrying out the desired Final Solution of the Jewish question."

Politics and government
Egyptian Prime Minister Hussein Sirry Pasha formed a new cabinet, including five pro-British Saadist Party members, five Liberals, and five independents.

Religion
The Berlin news commentary Dienst aus Deutschland reported that Fuehrer Adolf Hitler had banned Christian Science in Germany.

Economics and finance
The Japanese government announced that Australian, Burmese, and Malayan assets in Japan would be frozen effective August 1, 1941.

Business
Several American importers filed suit against the Japanese liner Tatuta Maru seeking possession of goods aboard the vessel, which had docked in San Francisco the previous day.

Baseball
The St. Louis Browns and Boston Red Sox split a doubleheader before 25,000 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. The Browns scored 6 runs in the top of the 9th inning to win the first game 16-11, and the Red Sox won the second game, which was called after 7½ innings because of a thick mist covering the field, 4-1. Roy Cullenbine hit a grand slam in the first game for the Browns, drove in 5 runs, and scored 5, while Ted Williams hit a grand slam for the Red Sox.

Charlie Keller hit a 3-run home run with 2 out in the bottom of the 13th inning to give the New York Yankees a 6-3 win in the first game of a doubleheader before 14,795 fans at Yankee Stadium. Spud Chandler pitched a 4-hit shutout and Joe DiMaggio hit a solo homer and singled in 2 runs as the Yankkes completed the sweep with a 5-0 win in the second game, which was called after 7½ innings because of darkness.

Pinch hitter Chuck Aleno singled home Eddie Joost and Ernie Koy with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Cincinnati Reds a 6-5 win over the New York Giants before 1,660 fans at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.

Stu Martin had 3 singles and drove in 5 runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Boston Braves 9-8 before 1,870 fans at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The Pirates led 9-1 after 7 innings, but the Braves scored 5 in the 8th inning and 2 in the 9th.

75 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): I'm Beginning to See the Light--Ella Fitzgerald and the Ink Spots; Duke Ellington (1st month at #1)

Diplomacy
U.S. Army Captain Harold Cobin and Lieutenant George Wyatt were released by Soviet authorities in Berlin after being held for 26 days on espionage charges.

The U.S. Senate ratified a treaty establishing relations with the Philippine Republic.

Terrorism
An arms cache, counterfeiting equipment, and almost a million dollars in forged government bonds were discovered by British troops in Tel Aviv's largest synagogue.

Politics and government
The United States Senate killed an anti-poll tax bill be refusing to limit debate on the measure.

Energy
U.S.S.R. representative Andrei Gromyko told the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission that the U.S. proposal for international inspection of atomic energy developments was an infringement of national sovereignty.

Aviation
Curtiss-Wright Corporation demonstrated a new million-dollar pilot training device capable of simulating all flight conditions.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Harry Truman signed a bill authorizing the Treasury to sell silver at 90.5c per ounce and liberalizing railroad unemployment compensation and retirement benefits.

Business
The U.S. Senate-House of Representatives conference committee sent President Truman the Wheeler-Reed railroad bill, which would allow termination of bankruptcy proceedings against seven major railroads, including the Missouri Pacific and the New Haven & Rock Island, showing specific improvements in their financial positions.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: A Vision of Death, starring Jerome Cowan and Henry Hull

War
U.S. planes completed a heavy two-day bombardment of the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

Politics and government
Dan Abel Kimball took office as U.S. Secretary of the Navy, following Francis Matthews' appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.

Crime
A U.S. federal jury in Los Angeles indicted 12 California Communist Party leaders who had been seized five days earlier by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on conspiracy charges.

Oil
The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company shut down its Abadan refinery, idling 50,000 Iranian workers.

Economics and finance
The U.S.A. cancelled its trade concessions to Czechosolvakia under the Geneva Agreement.

U.S. President Harry Truman signed a weakened Defense Production Act, extending wage, price, rent and credit controls to mid-1952, but labelled it "the worst I ever had to sign."

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Estando Contigo--Dúo Dinámico

#1 single in France (IFOP): Nous les amoureux--Jean-Claude Pascal (5th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Tossin' and Turnin'--Bobby Lewis (4th week at #1)
2 I Like it Like That (Part 1)--Chris Kenner
3 The Boll Weevil Song--Brook Benton
4 Dum Dum--Brenda Lee
5 Hats Off to Larry--Del Shannon
6 Quarter to Three--U.S. Bonds
7 Last Night--Mar-Keys
8 Together--Connie Francis
9 Let's Twist Again--Chubby Checker
10 Yellow Bird--Arthur Lyman Group

Singles entering the chart were Amor by Ben E. King (#72); It's Gonna Work Out Fine by Ike & Tina Turner (#76); Missing You by Ray Peterson (#85); Teardrops in My Heart by Joe Barry (#86); I'll Never Smile Again by the Platters (#87); A Little Bit of Soap by the Jarmels (#89); The Mountain's High by Dick and Deedee (#90); Dedicated (To the Songs I Love) by the 3 Friends (#91); Run, Run, Run by Ronny Douglas (#92); Now and Forever by Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra (#94); Transistor Sister by Freddy Cannon (#95); When We Get Married by the Dreamlovers (#97); Don't Forget I Love You by the Butanes (#98); Summer Souvenirs by Karl Hammel, Jr. (#99); and The Bells are Ringing by the Van Dykes (#100).

Golf
Jerry Barber shot a 3-under par 67 to defeat Don January by 1 stroke in an 18-hole playoff to win the PGA Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois. First prize money was $11,000.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Hamilton (1-2) 25 @ Montreal (0-2) 16

Baseball
Major League All-Star Game 2 @ Fenway Park, Boston
National League 1 @ American League 1 (9 innings)

The first major league All-Star Game to end in a tie took place when the NL and AL were tied after 9 innings before 31,851 fans, and the game was called because of heavy rain. Rocky Colavito of the Detroit Tigers hit a home run for the AL run with 1 out in the 1st inning.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Joy to the World--Three Dog Night (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Pensieri e parole--Lucio Battisti (9th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Sometimes--Red Hurley

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Get it On--T. Rex (2nd week at #1)

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Eagle Rock--Daddy Cool (4th week at #1)
2 Too Young to Be Married--The Hollies
3 Mozart: Symphony No. 40 In G Minor K.550 1° Movement (Allegro Molto)--Waldo de Los Rios
4 I Don't Know How to Love Him--Helen Reddy
5 Brown Sugar--The Rolling Stones
6 (Where Do I Begin) Love Story--Andy Williams
7 It Don't Come Easy--Ringo Starr
8 Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It)--Daddy Dewdrop
9 Love Her Madly--The Doors
10 Hot Love--T. Rex

Singles entering the chart were I Hear Those Church Bells Ringing by Dusk (#37); Lady Rose by Mungo Jerry (#39); Malt and Barley Blues by McGuinness Flint (#42); Banner Man by Blue Mink (#44); Double Barrel by Dave & Ansil Collins (#51); and Future of Our Nation by Masters Apprentices (#53).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Manuela--Jacques Herb (2nd week at #1)
2 Zou Het Erg Zijn Lieve Opa--Wilma met Vader Abraham
3 Rumba Tamba--Martin Wulms and his Orchestra
4 Co Co--The Sweet
5 Chicago--Graham Nash
6 Get Down and Get with It--Slade
7 Middernacht--Gebroeders Brouwer
8 Che Sará--José Feliciano
9 When You are a King--White Plains
10 Hocus Pocus--Focus

Singles entering the chart were One Way Wind by Cats (#16); Borriquito by Peret (#17); Riders on the Storm by the Doors (#22); De Clown by Ben Cramer (#26); Sweet Hitch-Hiker by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#30); Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Waldo De Los Rios (#31); and Santa Fe by Titanic (#35).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 You've Got a Friend--James Taylor
2 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders
3 It's Too Late/I Feel the Earth Move--Carole King
4 Mr. Big Stuff--Jean Knight
5 Draggin' the Line--Tommy James
6 How Can You Mend a Broken Heart--The Bee Gees
7 Don't Pull Your Love--Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
8 Take Me Home, Country Roads--John Denver with Fat City
9 Sooner or Later--The Grass Roots
10 What the World Needs Now/Abraham, Martin and John--Tom Clay

Singles entering the chart were Spanish Harlem by Aretha Franklin (#69); Where Evil Grows by the Poppy Family (#77); Like an Open Door by the Fuzz (#82); Wedding Song (There is Love) by Paul Stookey (#87); Go Down Gamblin' by Blood, Sweat & Tears (#88); It's the Real Thing--Pt. I by the Electric Express (#90); It's About Time by the Dillards (#92); Love Me by the Impressions (#95); Do You Know What I Mean by Lee Michaels (#97); You've Got to Earn It by the Staple Singers (#99); and Good Enough to Be Your Wife by Jeannie C. Riley (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Don't Pull Your Love--Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
2 Mr. Big Stuff--Jean Knight
3 You've Got a Friend--James Taylor
4 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders
5 Draggin' the Line--Tommy James
6 How Can You Mend a Broken Heart--The Bee Gees
7 Bring the Boys Home--Freda Payne
8 Here Comes that Rainy Day Feeling Again--The Fortunes
9 I Don't Want to Do Wrong--Gladys Knight & the Pips
10 Take Me Home, Country Roads--John Denver with Fat City

Singles entering the chart were Spanish Harlem by Aretha Franklin (#54); Slipped, Tripped and Fell in Love by Clarence Carter (#65); Go Down Gamblin' by Blood, Sweat & Tears (#67); Stick-Up by the Honey Cone (#80); Sweet City Woman by the Stampeders (#83); Tired of Being Alone by Al Green (#84); K-Jee by the Nite-Liters (#87); Wedding Song (There is Love) by Paul Stookey (#88); Where Evil Grows by the Poppy Family (#89); Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep by Mac and Katie Kissoon (#96); I Likes to Do It by People's Choice (#99); and We've Got a Dream by Ocean (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders (3rd week at #1)
2 Mr. Big Stuff--Jean Knight
3 Don't Pull Your Love--Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
4 You've Got a Friend--James Taylor
5 Draggin' the Line--Tommy James
6 How Can You Mend a Broken Heart--The Bee Gees
7 Bring the Boys Home--Freda Payne
8 Take Me Home, Country Roads--John Denver with Fat City
9 I Don't Want to Do Wrong--Gladys Knight & the Pips
10 Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)--Marvin Gaye

Singles entering the chart were Spanish Harlem by Aretha Franklin (#58); Where You Lead by Barbra Streisand (#66); Stick-Up by the Honey Cone (#73); Come Back Home by Bobby Goldsboro (#86); I Likes to Do It by People's Choice (#89); Tired of Being Alone by Al Green (#90); Fox Huntin' by Daddy Dewdrop (#94); Good Enough to Be Your Wife by Jeannie C. Riley (#96); K-Jee by the Nite-Liters (#97); Hymn 43 by Jethro Tull (#98); and I Love the Way You Love by Betty Wright (#100).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Don't Pull Your Love--Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
2 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders
3 Sweet City Woman--Stampeders
4 Signs--Five Man Electrical Band
5 You've Got a Friend--James Taylor
6 Where Evil Grows--The Poppy Family
7 It’s Too Late—Carole King
8 Draggin' the Line--Tommy James
9 How Can You Mend a Broken Heart--The Bee Gees
10 Mr. Big Stuff--Jean Knight

Singles entering the chart were Smiling Faces Sometimes by the Undisputed Truth (#58); Reason to Believe by Rod Stewart (#70); Go Down Gamblin' by Blood, Sweat & Tears (#71); Candy Apple Red by R. Dean Taylor (#75); Don't Let Your Pride Get You Girl by Joey Gregorash (#76); Mare Take Me Home by Matthews' Southern Comfort (#95); Poor Little Pearl by Billy Joe Royal (#96); You've Got a Friend by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (#97); Whatcha See is Whatcha Get by the Dramatics (#98); I Just Want to Celebrate by Rare Earth (#99); and Where You Lead by Barbra Streisand (#100).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Never Ending Song of Love--Delaney & Bonnie & Friends (2nd week at #1)
2 Draggin' the Line--Tommy James
3 It's Too Late--Carole King
4 You've Got a Friend--James Taylor
5 Moon Shadow--Cat Stevens
6 Sweet City Woman--Stampeders
7 Mighty Clouds of Joy--B.J. Thomas
8 Don't Pull Your Love--Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
9 Take Me Home, Country Roads--John Denver with Fat City
10 Talking in Your Sleep--Gordon Lightfoot
Pick hit of the week: Liar--Three Dog Night

Space
Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and Jim Irwin became the first to deploy the lunar rover.

Baseball
Pat Dobson (15-4) pitched a 5-hitter for his twelfth straight win, and eighth in July, leading the Baltimore Orioles over the Kansas City Royals 4-0 before 13,222 fans at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Brooks Robinson doubled home Frank Robinson and Merv Rettenmund to climax a 3-run 1st inning, and scored the final run in the 4th on a single by Mr. Dobson.

Rick Monday batted in 3 runs with a pair of home runs, Sal Bando batted 4 for 5 with 2 doubles, a run, and 3 runs batted in, and Gene Tenace was 3 for 4 with a home run, double and 3 RBIs for the Oakland Athletics as they routed the Cleveland Indians 9-1 before 15,341 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. Chuck Dobson (10-1) pitched a 5-hit complete game victory.

With 2 out and nobody on base in the top of the 12th inning, Syd O'Brien singled and scored ona double by Gerry Moses to break a 2-2 tie as the California Angels edged the Detroit Tigers 3-2 before 13,853 fans at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers had runners on first and third bases with 1 out in the bottom of the 12th, but Tony Taylor's bunt was fielded by California first baseman Jim Spencer, who retired Mr. Taylor and threw to third baseman Ken McMullen, who tagged out Ike Brown at home plate, ending the game. Willie Horton accounted for the Detroit scoring with home runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings, with his second homer being inside the park. Clyde Wright (10-10) allowed 6 hits in 11.2 innings to win the pitchers' duel over Mickey Lolich (16-8), who allowed 9 hits and struck out 14 batters, walking none in a complete game.

Jim Lonborg (6-4) pitched a 3-hitter and singled and scored the final run in a 4-run 5th inning for the Boston Red Sox as they shut out the Chicago White Sox 6-0 before 9,618 fans at White Sox Park. Mr. Lonborg's single followed a 3-run home run by Duane Josephson, who doubled home the game's final run in the 8th.

Pinch hitter Bobby Pfeil drew a bases-loaded base on balls with 2 out in the bottom of the 16th inning to score pinch runner Terry Harmon, giving the Philadelphia Phillies a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals before 19,269 fans at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. Mr. Harmon was running for Deron Johnson, who led off the inning with a single. Winning pitcher Darrell Brandon (5-4) allowed 2 hits in 5 scoreless innings of relief, while losing pitcher Moe Drabowsky (5-1) allowed just 1 hit in 5.2 innings, but walked 3 batters.

Dave Kingman, playing his second major league game, made his first hit--a double as a pinch hitter in the 4th inning to drive in a run, and hit his first home run--a grand slam in a 7-run 7th inning--to help the San Francisco Giants outslug the Pittsburgh Pirates 15-11 before 18,834 fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Willie Stargell drove in 5 runs for the Pirates with his 35th and 36th homers of the season. Frank Duffy singled and scored as a pinch hitter for the Giants in the 7th, and struck out to end the inning. Jim Barr, the second of four San Francisco pitchers, allowed 5 hits and 3 runs--all earned--in 2.1 innings, striking out 4 batters and walking none, and making a sacrifice bunt in his only plate appearance in his major league debut.

Steve Garvey doubled home Manny Mota and Dick Allen to climax a 4-run 8th inning for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 before 26,087 fans at Dodger Stadium. Al Downing (13-6) allowed 3 hits and 1 earned run in 8 innings to outduel Don Gullett (11-4), who took a 1-0 lead into the 8th.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes (2nd week at #1)

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes (3rd week at #1)
2 Kids in America--Kim Wilde
3 More and More--Joe Dolan
4 Stand and Deliver--Adam & the Ants
5 Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)--Ottawan
6 Nightmare--Peach
7 When I'm Gone--Albert Hammond
8 Do You Feel My Love--Eddy Grant
9 Louise (We Get it Right)--Jona Lewie
10 In the Air Tonight--Phil Collins

Singles entering the chart were Chequered Love by Kim Wilde (#11); and For Your Eyes Only by Sheena Easton (#14).

Died on this date
Omar Torrijos Herrera, 52. Maximum Leader of Panama, 1968-1981. General Torrijos, a "progressive" but anti-Communist dictator, took power in a military coup in 1968. He negotiated the treaty with U.S. President Jimmy Carter in 1977 that gave Panama full control of the Panama Canal Zone on December 31, 1999. Gen. Torrijos was killed in a plane crash near Penonome, generating speculation that he had been assassinated.

Labour
50 days into the major league baseball players' strike, owners and players came to an agreement that featured a complicated pooling system for free agents.

Football
CFL
British Columbia (4-0) 52 @ Calgary (2-2) 29

Larry Key scored 4 touchdowns for the Lions, and the Lions scored 4 touchdowns in the 4th quarter as they defeated the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium.

30 years ago
1991

Defense
U.S. President George Bush and U.S.S.R. President Mikhail Gorbachev signed START (STrategic Arms Reduction Treaty) in Moscow, agreeing to reduce their stockpiles of nuclear warheads by about one-third.

Football
CFL
Saskatchewan (1-3) 24 @ Edmonton (3-1) 54

Tracy Ham completed 20 of 30 passes for 288 yards and 4 touchdowns--2 to David Williams--as the Eskimos beat the Roughriders before 28,138 fans at Commonwealth Stadium.



25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Killing Me Softly--The Fugees (3rd week at #1)

Economics and finance
The governments of Canada and Israel signed a free trade deal that lifted tariffs from industrial products and gave duty-free access to agricultural products.

Olympics
Annie Pelletier won a bronze medal for Canada in the women's 3-metre diving event at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta; Gia Sissaouri, in the 57-kilogram wrestling division, won Canada's second medal of the day when he competed in the final and took the silver medal.

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Francisco da Costa Gomes, 87. 15th President of Portugal, 1974-1976. General Costa Gomes was one of several military leaders who made up the National Salvation Junta after the Carnation Revolution in 1974, and was named to the presidency by the junta, replacing António de Spínola, who had resigned. Mr. Costa Gomes was made a Field Marshal in 1982.