November 23, 2021

800 years ago
1221

Born on this date
Alfonso X. King of Castile and León, 1252-1284. Alfonso X "the Wise" acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Ferdinand III. He was chosen by a dissident faction in Germany to be King of Germany in 1257, but renounced that claim in 1275. King Alfonso created an alliance with England in 1254, and renounced his claim to Gascony. He encouraged learning, and his court included Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Alfonso X engaged in a successful war against Portugal, a less successful war against Grenada, and in his later years, a civil war against his son Sancho IV, who took the throne after King Alfonso died on April 4, 1284 at the age of 62.

150 years ago
1871

Born on this date
William Watt. Australian politician. Mr. Watt, a member of the Liberal Party, was Premier of Victoria from 1912-1913 and 1913-1914 before entering federal politics and representing Balaclava in the Australian Parliament from 1914-1929, serving as Treasurer from 1918-1920 and Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1923-1926. He joined the fledgling Nationalist Party in 1916. Mr. Watt died on September 13, 1946 at the age of 74.

125 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Klement Gottwald. Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia, 1946-1948; President of Czechoslovakia, 1948-1953. Mr. Gottwald became involved in Communist Party activities in the early 1920s, and was elected general secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in 1929. He went into exile in the Soviet Union in 1938, but returned to Czechoslovakia in 1945, and became Prime Minister in a minority government resulting from the 1946 general election, Two years later, the Communists executed a coup d'état, turning the country into a Soviet-dominated dictatorship. Mr. Gottwald was a long-time drunkard, and suffered from heart disease caused by syphilis. He attended the funeral of U.S.S.R. dictator Josef Stalin on March 9, 1953, but suffered a burst artery shortly thereafter, and died on March 14, 1953 at the age of 56.

Ruth Etting. U.S. singer and actress. Miss Etting recorded about 60 top-10 hit singles from 1926-1935, including Love Me or Leave Me (1928) and Ten Cents a Dance (1930). She appeared on Broadway beginning with the Ziegfeld Follies in 1927, and starred in a series of comedy short films from 1929-1936. Miss Etting was primarily known for her tumultuous private life; she was married to Chicago gangster Moe "the Gimp" Snyder from 1922 until their divorce in 1937. He controlled her career, and when in 1938 she began a relationship with her pianist, Myrl Alderman, who was married, Mr. Snyder shot and wounded him in the presence of Miss Etting. Mr. Snyder ended up going to prison, Mr. Alderman ended up getting divorced, and Miss Etting married Mr. Alderman in December 1938. The couple settled near Colorado Springs, where she died on September 24, 1978 at the age of 81.

120 years ago
1901

Football
CRU
Dominion Final
Toronto Argonauts 12 Ottawa College 12 @ Montreal (Replay scheduled for November 30)

100 years ago 1921 Born on this date
Fred Buscaglione. Italian singer and actor. Mr. Buscaglione was popular on stage and in recordings and movies in the mid-late 1950s, playing the comic character of a mobster with a penchant for whiskey and women. He was killed in a car accident in Rome on February 3, 1960 at the age of 38.

80 years ago
1941

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Hindoo in the Wicker Basket

War
U.S.S.R. dispatches conceded that Soviet troops were giving ground at Tula, Mozhaisk, and Kiln before the German offensive. The United Kingdom announced the capture of Barda and Sidi Omar Nuovo, Libya. Cuban President Fulgencio Batista predicted in Havana that the United States would declare war by the following spring, and that "Cuba will be the first nation to enter the war on her side."

Defense
A German news agency announced that 13 powers would attend a conference in Berlin beginning November 25 to discuss the renewal and extension of the Anti-Comintern Pact.

Zionist leader Emanuel Neumann charged that "conspiring and intriguing British bureaucrats" had "sabotaged" plans to create a Jewish army in Palestine.

Football
NFL
Washington (5-4) 13 @ New York (8-2) 20
Chicago Cardinals (3-5-1) 7 @ Cleveland (2-9) 0
Chicago Bears (8-1) 24 @ Detroit (3-6-1) 7
Green Bay (9-1) 54 @ Pittsburgh (1-8-1) 7

The Giants defeated the Redskins at the Polo Grounds to clinch their sixth East Division title in nine years.

75 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Rumors are Flying--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra with Marjorie Hughes (Best Seller--6th week at #1; Juke Box--5th week at #1; Airplay--5th week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Fawzi Husseini. Palestinian politician. Mr. Husseini, a cousin of Arab Higher Committee Chairman Jamal al-Husayni, was assassinated in Jerusalem, reportedly for selling land to Jews. Mr. Husseini advocated dialogue with the Jewish Agency, and his cousin was quoted as saying that Mr. Husseini had "strayed."

War
6,000 civilians were killed when the French naval cruiser Suffren shelled Hai Phong, Vietnam, in continued fighting between French forces and Vietnamese nationalists. The incident led to the First Indochina War.

Diplomacy
Negotiations in the United Nations Security Council on the great power veto ended unsuccessfully when the U.K., U.S.A., China, and France rejected a resolution proposed by U.S.S.R. Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov opposing any modification of veto rights.

U.S. President Harry Truman directed Myron Taylor, his personal representative to the Vatican, to return to Rome after a three-month absence.

Politics and government
Oscar Ewing of New York was named interim chairman of the Democratic National Committee, succeeding Robert Hannegan, who was reportedly on leave "for reasons of health."

Religion
Polish President Boleslaw Bierut said in Warsaw that the Roman Catholic Church must "accept the new state of affairs" in Poland if it was to continue to enjoy its present privileges.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Tales of Tomorrow, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Enemy Unknown, starring Walter Abel, Edith Fellows, and Lon McCallister

Diplomacy
The U.S.A. charged that a U.S. Navy Neptune patrol bomber that had been recently fired upon by Soviet fighter planes in the Vladivostok area was missing.

Defense
The United Kingdom rejected an Egyptian protest against British security measures in the Suez Canal Zone, claiming that the British Army had taken charge only after Egyptian authorities failed to maintain order.

Politics and government
The Philippine cabinet of President Elpidio Quirino resigned, following the recent victory of the opposition Nacionalista Party in nine Senatorial by-elections.

Transportation
Poland reported the production of its first passenger cars in a Warsaw factory.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Walkin' Back to Happiness--Helen Shapiro

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): (Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame/Little Sister--Elvis Presley (3rd week at #1)

On television tonight
The Untouchables, starring Robert Stack, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Jigsaw

At the movies
The Day the Earth Caught Fire, directed, co-produced, and co-written by Val Guest, and starring Janet Munro, Leo McKern, and Edward Judd, opened in theatres in the United Kingdom and Denmark.



Football
NFL
Green Bay (7-2) 17 @ Detroit (5-4-1) 9

AFL
Buffalo (4-7) 14 @ New York (6-5) 21

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Mamy Blue--Pop-Tops

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Mamy Blue--Pop-Tops (7th week at #1)

On television tonight
The Dick Cavett Show, on ABC
The guests on tonight's program were George Harrison and Ravi Shankar.



At the movies
Raga, a documentary from Apple Films, directed by Howard Worth, and featuring musicians including Ravi Shankar, George Harrison, and Yehudi Menuhin, opened in theatres.



Abominations
The People's Republic of China was seated at the United Nations Security Council.

Boxing
Former world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson (53-7-1) knocked out Charlie "Emperor" Harris (8-14-1) at 2:31 of the 6th round of a bout at Multnomah County Expo Center in Portland, Oregon.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Physical--Olivia Newton-John (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Gingiragin ni Sarigenaku--Masahiko Kondō (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Ma Quale Idea--Pino D'Angio (9th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Tainted Love--Soft Cell

War
U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed the top secret National Security Decision Directive 17 (NSDD-17), giving the Central Intelligence Agency the authority to recruit and support Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

Scandal
Five former Boston College basketball players were found guilty in United States District Court in Brooklyn, New York of racketeering and bribery charges for shaving points to fix games during the 1978-79 season. Rick Kuhn, a star forward for the Eagles, spent 28 months in prison.

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): I'm Too Sexy--Right Said Fred (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Black or White--Michael Jackson

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Good Vibrations--Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch featuring Loleatta Holloway

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): James Brown is Dead (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Black or White--Michael Jackson

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa (3rd week at #1)
2 Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn--Gordon
3 Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)--Rozalla
4 The Fly--U2
5 James Brown is Dead--L.A. Style
6 Roodkapje--Pater Moeskroen
7 Change--Lisa Stansfield
8 No Son of Mine--Genesis
9 James Brown is Still Alive!!--Holy Noise featuring the Global Insert Project
10 Hail Hail Rock 'n Roll--Garland Jeffreys

Singles entering the chart were Black or White by Michael Jackson (#13); Ring My Bell by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (#26); I Love Your Smile by Shanice (#31); Go by Moby (#34); Turn Da Music Up by 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor featuring Da Smooth Baron MC introducing Gale Robinson (#36); and Stro-Race by Mannenkoor Karrespoor (#37).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
2 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
3 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
4 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
5 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams
6 Set the Night to Music--Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest
7 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
8 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
9 I Wonder Why--Curtis Stigers
10 Don't Cry--Guns N' Roses

Singles entering the chart were Black or White by Michael Jackson (#35); Mysterious Ways by U2 (#77); Is it Good to You by Heavy D & the Boyz (#78); I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt (#87); I Love Your Smile by Shanice (#93); Love Crazy by Atlantic Starr (#95); Just Another Girlfriend by Hi-Five (#97); and Groovin' by UB40 (#98).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation (2nd week at #1)
2 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
3 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams
4 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
5 Set the Night to Music--Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest
6 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
7 Don't Cry--Guns 'N' Roses
8 Romantic--Karyn White
9 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
10 I Wonder Why--Curtis Stigers

Singles entering the chart included Black or White by Michael Jackson (#38); Mysterious Ways by U2 (#64); and Shining Star by INXS (#89).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams (4th week at #1)
2 Life is a Highway--Tom Cochrane
3 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
4 Get a Leg Up--John Mellencamp
5 What About Now--Robbie Robertson
6 Emotions--Mariah Carey
7 Broken Arrow--Rod Stewart
8 No Son of Mine--Genesis
9 Set the Night to Music--Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest
10 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant

Singles entering the chart were Black or White by Michael Jackson (#58); Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting by the Who (#77); Walkaway by Alanis (#80); Shot of Poison by Lita Ford (#85); On the Verge by the Tragically Hip (#91); Let's Talk About Sex by Salt-N-Pepa (#93); O.P.P. by Naughty by Nature (#97); Do You Feel Like I Feel? by Belinda Carlisle (#98); and Mysterious Ways by U2 (#100).

Died on this date
Klaus Kinski, 65. German actor. Mr. Kinski, born Klaus Nakszynski, appeared in more than 130 films, but was best known for those directed by Werner Herzog, such as Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972); Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979); and Fitzcarraldo (1982). He was known for his emotional volatility, and died of a heart attack.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Wannabe--Spice Girls (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): One & One--Robert Miles featuring Maria Nayler

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): It's All Coming Back to Me Now--Céline Dion (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Aïcha--Khaled (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Freed from Desire--Gala (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): I Can't Help Myself--The Kelly Family (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Breathe--The Prodigy

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 No Diggity--BLACKstreet (featuring Dr. Dre) (3rd week at #1)
2 It's All Coming Back to Me Now--Celine Dion
3 Un-Break My Heart--Toni Braxton
4 Mouth--Merril Bainbridge
5 Nobody--Keith Sweat featuring Athena Cage
6 Pony--Ginuwine
7 I Love You Always Forever--Donna Lewis
8 Where Do You Go--No Mercy
9 Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)--Los Del Rio
10 This is for the Lover in You--Babyface featuring LL Cool J, Howard Hewett, Jody Watley & Jeffrey Daniels

Singles entering the chart were I Finally Found Someone by Barbra Streisand/Bryan Adams (#28); When You're Gone/Free to Decide by the Cranberries (#66); and Every Light in the House by Trace Adkins (#97). I Finally Found Someone was from the movie The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996).

On television tonight
Bob Hope: Laughing with the Presidents, on NBC

With this special, co-hosted by Tony Danza, Mr. Hope ended his 60-year contract with the National Broadcasting Company.



Terrorism
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961, a Boeing 767 jet en route from Addis Ababa to Nairobi with several stops in between, was hijacked by three Ethiopians seeking asylum in Australia. The plane crashed into the Indian Ocean off the coast of Comoros after running out of fuel, killing 125 of 175 passengers and crew on board. The hijackers were all killed.

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Mary Whitehouse, 91. U.K. teacher and activist. Mrs. Whitehouse was an art teacher and activist who was the most prominent figure in the Clean-Up TV movement, protesting against increasing social liberalism in the mainstream media, particularly in the British Broadcasting Corporation. Mrs. Whitehouse was active from the 1960s through the early '90s, receiving much attention, but only occasional success.

O.C. Smith, 69. U.S. singer. Ocie Lee Smith was a jazz and soul singer who performed for more than 40 years. He was the vocalist with Count Basie's band (1961-1965), and recorded numerous singles that reached the popular and rhythm and blues charts from 1967-1987; his biggest hit was Little Green Apples (1968), which reached #2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. Mr. Smith founded and for 16 years pastored the City of Angels Church in Los Angeles; he died of a heart attack.

Bo Belinsky, 64. U.S. baseball pitcher. Robert Belinsky played with the Los Angeles Angels (1962-1964); Philadelphia Phillies (1965-1966); Houston Astros (1967); Pittsburgh Pirates (1969); and Cincinnati Reds (1970), compiling a record of 29-51 with an earned run average of 4.10 in 146 games, batting .131 with no home runs and 6 runs batted in in 148 games. He was 77-77 in 243 games in 11 seasons in the minor leagues (1956-1970). Mr. Belinsky won his first 5 major league starts, peaking with a 5-0 no-hit win over the Baltimore Orioles in his fourth start, on May 5, 1962. He lived a hard-partying lifestyle, including a relationship with actress Mamie Van Doren, that attracted a lot of publicity, but hindered and shortened his career. Mr. Belinsky's life spun out of control after his baseball career ended, descending into drunkenness, drug abuse, and broken marriages. He reportedly came to faith in Jesus Christ some years before his death from a heart attack.

Law
The Convention on Cybercrime was signed in Budapest by representatives of Canada, Japan, the United States, and South Africa.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Jim Rathmann, 83. U.S. auto racing driver. Mr. Rathmann, born Royal Richard Rathmann, was the younger brother of race driver Jim Rathmann, but the two switched first names when the younger brother was 16, borrowing his older brother's identity in order to compete. The younger brother, going by the name of Jim Rathmann, participated in 42 races on the AAA and USAC Championship Car series (1949-1950, 1952-1963), winning three races, most notably the 1960 Indianapolis 500. He finished second in the Indianapolis 500 in 1952, 1957, and 1959. Mr. Rathmann owned a Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership in Melbourne, Florida, and was a friend of Project Mercury astronauts Al Shepard, Gus Grissom, and Gordon Cooper. Mr. Rathmann died several days after suffering a seizure, after a period of declining health.

Politics and government
After 11 months of protests in Yemen, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh signed a deal to transfer power to Vice President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi within 30 days and formally step down by the presidential elections on February 21 2012, in exchange of immunity from prosecution for him and his family.