January 13, 2013

1,310 years ago
703

Died on this date
Jito, 57. Empress of Japan, 686-697. Jito abdicated in favour of her grandson Karu-no-o, who became Emperor Mommu.

1,125 years ago
888

Died on this date
Charles the Fat, 48. Carolingian Emperor, 881-888. Charles, a great-grandson of Charlemagne and the last Carolingian Emperor to rule over a united empire, died less than two months after being deposed.

280 years ago
1733

Americana
James Oglethorpe and 130 colonists arrived in Charleston, South Carolina.

220 years ago
1793

Died on this date
Nicolas Jean Hugon de Basseville, 49. French journalist and diplomat. Mr. de Basseville, a representative of the French revolutionary regime to Rome, was dragged from his carriage in Rome and lynched by a mob who regarded him as having "insulted" Pope Pius VI.

180 years ago
1833

Law
U.S. President Andrew Jackson wrote Vice-President Martin Van Buren to express his opposition to South Carolina's defiance of federal authority. The "Nullification Crisis" had resulted in the resignation of Mr. Van Buren's predecessor, John C. Calhoun, who believed that states--in particular, his own state of South Carolina--had the right to nullify federal laws.

175 years ago
1838

Died on this date
Ferdinand Ries, 48. German composer. Mr. Ries composed seven symphonies and nine concertos for piano and orchestra.

120 years ago
1893

War
The USS Boston, filed with United States Marines, landed at Honolulu to prevent Queen Liliuokalani from abrogating the 1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii, popularly known as the "Bayonet Constitution" because of the threat of force used to intimidate King Kalākaua into signing it.

Politics and government
The Independent Labour Party of the United Kingdom held its first meeting.

90 years ago
1923

Died on this date
Alexandre Ribot, 80. Prime Minister of France, 1892-1893; 1895; 1914; 1917. Mr. Ribot was active in politics for four decades. His laster term as Prime Minister lasted six months, and was marred by French military failures during the Great War.

60 years ago
1953

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Mr. Matches, starring Warren Stevens, Henry Jones, and Eleanor Wilson



40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K.: Long Haired Lover from Liverpool--Little Jimmy Osmond (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Australia (Go-Set): Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me--Mac Davis (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): You're So Vain--Carly Simon (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 You're So Vain--Carly Simon (2nd week at #1)
2 Superstition--Stevie Wonder
3 Me and Mrs. Jones--Billy Paul
4 Clair--Gilbert O'Sullivan
5 Rockin' Pneumonia-Boogie Woogie Flu--Johnny Rivers
6 Superfly--Curtis Mayfield
7 Your Mama Don't Dance--Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina
8 Why Can't We Live Together--Timmy Thomas
9 Crocodile Rock--Elton John
10 Keeper of the Casstle--Four Tops

Singles entering the chart were Love Train by the O'Jays (#70); Don't Leave Me Starvin' for Your Love (Part 1) by Holland-Dozier (#82); Soul Song by Joe Stampley (#85); Love Music by the Raiders (#94); Gypsy by Van Morrison (#95); Boogie Woogie Man by Paul Davis (#96); Slow Motion (Part 1) by Johnny Williams (#98); Think it Over by the Delfonics (#99); and If it's All Right with You by Dottie West (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Clair--Gilbert O'Sullivan
2 It Never Rains in Southern California--Albert Hammond
3 I Am Woman--Helen Reddy
4 Rockin' Pneumonia-Boogie Woogie Flu--Johnny Rivers
5 Daytime Night Time--Keith Hampshire
6 Sweet Surrender--Bread
7 Something's Wrong with Me--Austin Roberts
8 Walk on Water--Neil Diamond
9 Sunny Days--Lighthouse
10 Ventura Highway--America

Singles entering the chart were Jambalaya (On the Bayou) by the Blue Ridge Rangers (#81); You Girl by Lighthouse (#87); Jesus is Just Alright by the Doobie Brothers (#92); Don't Expect Me to Be Your Friend by Lobo (#94); I'm Never Gonna Be Alone Anymore by Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose (#95); and Anthem by Wayne Newton (#99). You Are What I Am (the B-side) was now listed before That Same Old Obsession (the A-side) at #25.

Calgary’s top 10
1 Last Song--Edward Bear (2nd week at #1)
2 Me and Mrs. Jones--Billy Paul
3 You're So Vain--Carly Simon
4 Crocodile Rock--Elton John
5 Keeper of the Castle--Four Tops
6 Pieces of April--Three Dog Night
7 Africa--Thundermug
8 It Never Rains in Southern California--Albert Hammond
9 I'm Stone in Love with You--The Stylistics
10 Clair--Gilbert O'Sullivan
Pick hit of the week: Hi, Hi, Hi--Wings

30 years ago
1983

Diplomacy
Israel and Lebanon agreed to an agenda for negotiations, with Israel seeking an overall normalization of relations, and Lebanon seeking to rid the country of all foreign troops, including the Israeli army.

Crime
In Memphis, Tennessee, eight members of a religious cult were killed in a showdown with police, one day after the group had taken a policeman hostage (the cop had gone to investigate a minor theft. The group, all of whose members were black, were led by a former mental patient, and apparently believed that the world would soon end, and that police were agents of Satan. After other policemen surrounded the house, the captive officer was beaten to death. In the siege that followed, the cultists were all shot in the head.

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Tänd ett ljus--Triad (2nd week at #1)

Diplomacy
Japanese Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita, on his first visit to Washington, met with President Ronald Reagan, but the two leaders were unable to make much progress on the issue of the imbalance of trade between the countries. Japan's surplus was about $52 million U.S. in 1987.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston

On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Alice in Autoland

Died on this date
René Pleven, 91. Prime Minister of France, 1950-1951, 1951-1952. Mr. Pleven was a member of the Free French during World War II and in 1946 helped found the Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance (UDSR), a political party that was meant to be a successor to the wartime Resistance movement. He held several cabinet posts, most notably Defense Minister (1949-1950, 1952-1954). Mr. Pleven was a believer in European integration, and introduced the Pleven Plan, which called for a European Defense Community of France, Italy, West Germany, and the Benelux countries. He turned down an offer from President René Coty to become Prime Minister again, but served as Foreign Minister in 1958.

M. Camargo Guarnieri, 85. Brazilian composer. Mr. Guarnieri, whose first name was Mozart, numbered six symphonies and six piano concertos among his compositions.

Space
The U.S. space shuttle Endeavour, with a five-person crew commanded by John Casper, lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The mission, STS-54, was the third for Endeavour.

War
U.S., U.K., and French fighter jets carried out bombing raids over southern Iraq in reaction to Iraq's violation of a "no-fly" zone that had been established after the Gulf War in 1991.

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Norman Panama, 88. U.S. screenwriter. Mr. Panama, with his partner Melvin Frank, was known for comedy screenplays, particularly for movies starring Bob Hope or Danny Kaye. He and Mr. Frank were nominated for Academy Awards for Road to Utopia (1946); Knock on Wood (1954); and The Facts of Life (1960).

January 12, 2013

240 years ago
1773

Americana
The first public museum in colonial America was established in Charleston, South Carolina.

175 years ago
1838

Religion
Mormon Church leader Joseph Smith and his followers fled Kirtland, Ohio to avoid arrest after a bank founded by Mr. Smith had failed during the panic of 1837.

70 years ago
1943

War
Soviet forces breached the German siege of Leningrad, which had lasted since September 8, 1941.

60 years ago
1953

Edmontonia
The Edmonton Stock Exchange opened for business.

50 years ago
1963

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Return to Sender--Elvis Presley

#1 single in France: L'idole des Jeunes--Johnny Hallyday (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Speedy Gonzales--Peppino di Capri

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Junge, komm bald wieder--Freddy Quinn (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Dance On!--The Shadows (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Go Away Little Girl--Steve Lawrence

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Telstar--The Tornados (3rd week at #1)
2 Go Away Little Girl--Steve Lawrence
3 Limbo Rock--Chubby Checker
4 Bobby's Girl--Marcie Blane
5 Return to Sender--Elvis Presley
6 Hotel Happiness--Brook Benton
7 Pepino the Italian Mouse--Lou Monte
8 Big Girls Don't Cry--The 4 Seasons
9 Tell Him--The Exciters
10 My Dad--Paul Petersen

Singles entering the chart were I'm a Woman by Peggy Lee (#84); All About My Girl by Jimmy McGriff (#85); Al Di La by Connie Francis (#87); The Gypsy Cried by Lou Christie (#89); Rhythm of the Rain by the Cascades (#91); Jellybread by Booker T. and the M.G.'s (#92); Mama Didn't Lie by Jan Bradley (#93); Bossa Nova U.S.A. by the Dave Brubeck Quartet (#98); Little White Lies by the Kenjolairs (#99); Every Day I Have to Cry by Steve Alaimo (#100); and Peppermint Man by Dick Dale and his Del-Tones (also #100).

40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Ich wünsch' mir 'ne kleine Miezekatze--Wums Gesang (4th week at #1)

Music
Elvis Presley and his band conducted a rehearsal concert two days in advance of the Aloha from Hawaii concert at the Honolulu Convention Center, which became the first television program to be broadcast around the world by satellite. A recording of the concert was released as an album many years later.

30 years ago
1983

Died on this date
Nikolai Podgorny, 79. Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., 1965-1977. Mr. Podgorny was First Secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine from 1957-1963 before becoming the Soviet Union's head of state. He was removed from office on June 16, 1977 and replaced by Soviet First Secretary Leonid Brezhnev, ostensibly for opposing detente and increased production of consumer goods. Mr. Podgorny had been removed from the Politburo on May 24, 1977.

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Alan Nunn May, 91. U.K. physicist and U.S.S.R. spy. Dr. Nunn May worked on radar and heavy water projects in England during World War II. A member of the Communist Party since the 1930s, he was a member of the "Cambridge Five" spy network and supplied the U.S.S.R. with U.S. and U.K. atomic secrets. Dr. Nunn May served 6 1/2 years in prison in Britain for espionage after being named in the revelations of defecting Soviet cipher clerk Igor Gouzenko.

Leopoldo Galtieri, 76. President of Argentina, 1981-1982. Mr. Galtieri was one of the leaders of the military junta that took power in Argentina in 1976, rising to the rank of lieutenant general. He became President as a result of a coup that ousted General Roberto Viola, but was removed from office several days after Argentina's humiliating loss to the U.K. in the Falklands War.

Maurice Gibb, 53. U.K. musician. One of the Brothers Gibb from whom the Bee Gees got their name, Mr. Gibb died from complications following intestinal surgery.

Football
NFL
NFC Divisional playoff
San Francisco 6 @ Tampa Bay 31

AFC Divisional playoff
New York Jets 10 @ Oakland 30

The Tampa Bay defense forced 5 turnovers and sacked San Francisco quarterback Jeff Garcia 4 times as the Buccaneers beat the 49ers before 65,599 fans at Raymond James Stadium.

The Oakland defense forced 4 consecutive turnovers and scored 20 unanswered points in the 2nd half to break a 10-10 tie as the Raiders defeated the Jets before 62,207 fans at Network Associates Coliseum.

January 10, 2013

150 years ago
1863

Transportation
The world's first underground railway, the Metropolitan, opened in London between Paddington Station and Farringdon Station.

100 years ago
1913

Born on this date
Gustáv Husák. President of Czechoslovakia, 1975-1989. Mr. Husák succeeded Alexander Dubček as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in 1969, reversing Mr. Dubček's reforms from the "Prague Spring" in 1968. Mr. Husák was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union on January 9, 1983, the day before his 70th birthday. He died on November 18, 1991.

Mehmet Shehu. Premier of Albania, 1954-1981. Mr. Shehu, a Communist, shared power with Enver Hoxha before reportedly committing suicide on December 17, 1981 at the age of 68.

90 years ago
1923

World events
U.S. President Warren G. Harding ordered the withdrawal of American troops from Germany. A post-Great War occupation force of 16,000 had been stationed in Germany since the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, and had been based in Coblenz.

The Klaipeda Revolt continued as Lithuania seized and annexed the Klaipėda Region (Memel Territory).

60 years ago
1953

Hit Parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Half as Much--Rosemary Clooney

#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes--Perry Como (Best seller--1st week at #1); Why Don't You Believe Me--Joni James (Disc Jockey--4th week at #1, Jukebox--3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Why Don't You Believe Me--Joni James (4th week at #1)
--Patti Page
2 Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes--Perry Como
3 The Glow-Worm--The Mills Brothers
4 I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus--Jimmy Boyd
--Spike Jones and his City Slickers
5 It's in the Book (Parts 1 and 2)--Johnny Standley
6 Keep it a Secret--Jo Stafford
7 Takes Two to Tango--Pearl Bailey
8 I Went to Your Wedding--Patti Page
9 Till I Waltz Again with You--Teresa Brewer
10 Oh Happy Day--Don Howard

Singles entering the chart were Mister Tap Toe by Doris Day (#27) and I Keep Telling Myself by the Hilltoppers (#41). I Keep Telling Myself was the B-side of Must I Cry Again, which charted at #26.

50 years ago
1963

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): The Next Time/Bachelor Boy--Cliff Richard and the Shadows (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
Twilight Zone, hosted by Rod Serling, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Thirty-Fathom Grave, starring Mike Kellin, Simon Oakland, David Sheiner, John Considine, and Bill Bixby

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Do You Really Want to Hurt Me--Culture Club (3rd week at #1)

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Faith--George Michael (6th week at #1)

Football
NFL
NFC Divisional playoff
Washington 21 @ Chicago 17

AFC Divisional playoff
Houston 10 @ Denver 34

Darrell Green's 52-yard punt return for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter provided the winning margin as the Redskins came back from a 14-0 deficit with 3 straight converted touchdowns in the 2nd and 3rd quarters to defeat the Bears before 65,268 fans at Soldier Field.

The Broncos took a 24-3 halftime lead and coasted to victory over the Oilers before 75,440 fans at Mile High Stadium.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Die da--Die Fantastischen Vier (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Die da--Die Fantastischen Vier (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (7th week at #1)

Football
NFL
AFC Divisional playoff
San Diego 0 @ Miami 31

NFC Divisional playoff
Philadelphia 10 @ Dallas 34

Dan Marino threw 3 touchdown passes in the 2nd quarter, all of them set up by turnovers, as the Dolphins blanked the Chargers before 71,224 fans at Joe Robbie Stadium. The Miami defense limited San Diego quarterback Stan Humphries to 18 completions in 44 passes for 140 yards and 4 interceptions.

The Dallas defense limited the Philadelphia offense to 178 yards and Troy Aikman threw 2 touchdown passes as the Cowboys beat the Eagles before 63,721 fans at Texas Stadium.

10 years ago
2003

Diplomacy
North Korea announced that it was withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

January 8, 2013

300 years ago
1713

Died on this date
Arcangelo Corelli, 59. Italian musician and composer. Mr. Corelli was a leading violinist and composer of the Baroque era.

150 years ago
1863

War
In the U.S. Civil War, Union forces commanded by Brigadier General Egbert Brown defeated Confederate forces commanded by Brigadier General John Marmaduke in the Second Battle of Springfield in Springfield, Missouri.

125 years ago
1888

Born on this date
Matt Moore. U.K.-born U.S. actor. Mr. Moore and his brothers Tom, Owen, and Joe, and sister Mary, natives of Ireland, emigrated to the United States in 1896, and all went on to successful careers in movies. Matt appeared in at least 221 films, including The Unholy Three (1925) and Coquette (1929). He died on January 21, 1960, 13 days after his 72nd birthday.

90 years ago
1923

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Larry Storch!. The U.S. comic actor, best known for his work on television, was born in New York City.

60 years ago
1953

Died on this date
Hugh Binney, 69. U.K. naval officer. Sir Hugh served in both world wars, rising to the rank of admiral in the Royal Navy. He served as Governor of Tasmania from 1945-1951.

50 years ago
1963

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

40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Ben--Michael Jackson (5th week at #1)

#1 single in France: Le lac majeur--Mort Shuman (2nd week at #1)

Music
The Beach Boys album Holland was released on Brother/Reprise Records. The album was to have been released several months earlier, but was rejected by Reprise Records because it was felt to be lacking a song that would become a hit single. Sail On, Sailor, which had been recorded in Los Angeles instead of Holland, was added to the album, and We Got Love was deleted. Due to an error in following instructions, early German pressings of the album contained the original lineup of songs, while early French and Canadian pressings had We Got Love mentioned on the back cover instead of Sail On, Sailor (I have a copy of the Canadian pressing). Holland was the last studio-recorded album to feature Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar as members of the Beach Boys.

Space
The U.S.S.R. launched the lunar probe Luna 21, whose mission included the deployment of the rover Lunokhod 2.

Scandal
The trial of the five Watergate burglars--the men who had broken into the offices of the Democratic National Committee in the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. on June 17, 1972--began in Washington. Judge John Sirica presided over the trial of James McCord, Frank Sturgis, Bernard Barker, Virgilio Gonzalez, and Eugenio Martinez.

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in France: Hou! La menteuse--Dorothée (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Save Your Love--Renée and Renato (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Save Your Love--Renée and Renato (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Maneater--Daryl Hall & John Oates (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Cash Box): Maneater--Daryl Hall & John Oates (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Canada (RPM): Mickey--Toni Basil (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Gale Page, 72. U.S. actress. Miss Page, born Sally Perkins Rutter, acted and sang in several radio programs, and appeared in 16 movies, including Four Daughters (1938) and its sequels, Four Wives (1939); and Four Mothers (1941). She died of lung cancer.

Tom McCall, 69. U.S. broadcaster and politician. Mr. McCall was a television news broadcaster for many years before serving as Governor of Oregon from 1967-1975.

Football
NFL
Playoffs
First Round
NFC
(8) Detroit 7 @ (1) Washington 31
(6) St. Louis 16 @ (3) Green Bay 41

AFC
(7) New England 13 @ (2) Miami 28
(8) Cleveland 10 @ (1) Los Angeles Raiders 27

Because the players' strike had shortened the regular season to 9 games, the league used a 16-team playoff format, with seedings in each conference determined by the teams' regular season record.

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Always On My Mind--Pet Shop Boys

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): More and More--Captain Hollywood Project (4th week at #1)

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Ron Goodwin, 77. U.K. composer. Mr. Goodwin wrote scores for such movies as Operation Crossbow (1965); Battle of Britain (1969); and Frenzy (1972).

Disasters
70 of 75 passengers and all crew members aboard Turkish Airlines Flight 634 were killed when their plane crashed near Diyarbakır Airport in Turkey.

January 11, 2013

930 years ago
1083

Died on this date
Otto of Nordheim, 62 (?). Duke of Bavaria, 1061-1070. Otto was one of the leaders of the Saxon revolt against Emperor Henry IV.

320 years ago
1693

Disasters
Parts of Sicily and Malta were destroyed by an earthquake as Mount Etna erupted.

170 years ago
1843

Died on this date
Francis Scott Key, 63. U.S, lawyer and poet. Mr. Key is best remembered for writing the words to The Star-Spangled Banner (1814).

150 years ago
1863

War
In the U.S. Civil War, the Battle of Fort Hindman in Arkansas ended in a victory for Union forces under Major General John McClernand over Confederate forces commanded by Brigadier General Thomas Churchill.

The CSS Alabama encountered and sank the USS Hatteras off Galveston Lighthouse in Texas.

120 years ago
1893

Died on this date
Benjamin Butler, 74. U.S. politician. Mr. Butler, a Democrat, then a Republican, then a member of the Greenback Party, represented the 5th, 6th, and 7th Massachusetts Districts in the U.S. House of Representatives in sequence from 1867-1879, and was Governor of Massachusetts from 1883-1884. He was a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, and was one of the managers of the impeachment of U.S. President Andrew Johnson in 1868. Mr. Butler died of complications from a bronchial infection, the day after arguing a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

90 years ago
1923

Died on this date
Constantine I, 54. King of the Hellenes, 1913-1917, 1920-1922. Constantine I, the eldest son of King George I, was commander-in-chief of the Hellenic Army during the Greco-Turkish War in 1897 and during the Balkan Wars in 1912-1913. He acceded to the throne upon the assassination of his father, but abdicated and fled to Switzerland in 1917 and was replaced by his son Alexander I. When Alexander suddenly died in 1920, Constantine I regained the throne, but abdicated again in 1922, and died of heart failure.

World events
Troops from France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr area in an attempt to force Germany to make its Great War reparation payments under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

80 years ago
1933

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: The Haunted Bagpipes

70 years ago
1943

Died on this date
Carlo Tresca, 63. U.S. journalist and labour organizer. Mr. Tresca, a member of Industrial Workers of the World in the 1910s, was an opponent of the Mafia. He was shot dead by a handgun fired from a passing car.

World events
The U.S.A. and U.K. gave up territorial rights in China.

60 years ago
1953

Died on this date
Noe Zhordania, 85. Prime Minister of Georgia, 1918-1921. Mr. Zhordania, a Menshevik, led the government of Georgia until he was forced into exile in France by the Bolshevik invasion of Georgia.

50 years ago
1963

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland: The Next Time/Bachelor Boy--Cliff Richard and the Shadows

Edmonton's top 10 (CJCA)
1 The Night has a Thousand Eyes--Bobby Vee
2 From a Jack to a King--Ned Miller
3 Bobby's Girl--Marcie Blane
4 Return to Sender--Elvis Presley
5 My Dad--Paul Petersen
6 I Saw Linda Yesterday--Dickey Lee
7 Doggie Heaven--Johnny Frye
8 Acapulco 1922--The Tijuana Brass
9 Shake Me I Rattle (Squeeze Me I Cry)--Marion Worth
10 It's Up to You--Rick Nelson

Acapulco 1922 was the B-side of The Lonely Bull, which had charted at #10 the previous week.

On television tonight
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, on CBS
Tonight's episode: What Really Happened, starring Anne Francis, Ruth Roman, and Gladys Cooper

40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland: Whiskey in the Jar--Thin Lizzy (3rd week at #1)

Abominations
Major league baseball owners allowed the American League to institute a designated hitter to bat for the pitcher without requiring the pitcher to leave the game. The National League declined to institute the DH, and still doesn't use it.

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Do You Really Want to Hurt Me--Culture Club

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley (7th week at #1)

Died on this date
Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, 75. U.S. military figure. Mr. Boyington was a fighter ace with the United States Marine Corps during World War II and commanded the "Black Sheep Squadron." He won the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross.

Personal
This blogger began his third and final term at the University of Western Ontario's School of Library and Information Science.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Germany (Media Control): More and More--Captain Hollywood Project (4th week at #1)

Scandal
British Airways apologized for a "dirty tricks" campaign against competitor Virgin Atlantic and agreed to pay damages to Virgin Atlantic and Virgin boss Richard Branson.

10 years ago
2003

Law
Illinois Governor George Ryan commuted the death sentences of 167 prisoners' on the state's death row as a result of allegations that Chicago Police Department detective Joe Burge had used torture to force confessions from criminal suspects between 1972 and 1991.

Football
AFC Divisional playoff
Pittsburgh 31 @ Tennessee 34 (OT)

NFC Divisional playoff
Atlanta 6 @ Philadelphia 20

Joe Nedney missed a 48-yard field goal on the final play of regulation time, but kicked a 26-yard field goal at 2:15 of overtime to give the Titans their win over the Steelers before 68,809 fans at The Coliseum in Nashville.

Donovan McNabb copmpleted 20 of 30 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown as the Eagles defeated the Falcons before 66,452 fans at Veterans Stadium.

January 9, 2013

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Olga!

730 years ago
1283

Died on this date
Wen Tianxiang, 46. Chinese scholar and military leader. Wen, the Duke of Xinguo, was imprisoned in 1278 for refusing to submit to the Yuan forces of Kublai Khan and was finally executed.

520 years ago
1493

Exploration
While sailing near what is now the Dominican Republic, Christopher Columbus saw three manatees and mistook them for mermaids.

225 years ago
1788

Americana
Connecticut entered the Union as the 5th state to ratify the Constitution.

220 years ago
1793

Aviation
Jean-Pierre Blanchard became the first person to fly a balloon in the United States, departing Philadelphia and landing in Deptford Township, New Jersey.

150 years ago
1863

War
In the U.S. Civil War, the Battle of Fort Hindman began in Arkansas.

140 years ago
1873

Died on this date
Napoleon III, 64. Emperor of the French, 1852-1870; 1st President of France, 1848-1852. Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon I, was elected President in 1848 and became the last monarch of France after initiating a coup d'état in 1851. He was captured after the Battle of Sedan during the Franco-Prussian War and was deposed by forces of the new Third Republic.

110 years ago
1903

Australiana
Hallam Tennyson, 2nd Baron Tennyson, eldest son of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, was named Governor-General of Australia. He had been acting Governor-General since the resignation of the Earl of Hopetoun in July 1902, and accepted the appointment for a one-year term at his own suggestion.

Baseball
New York businessmen Frank Farrell and Bill Devery bought the Baltimore Orioles franchise from the American League and moved it to New York, where the team became known as the Highlanders, and, officially in 1913, the Yankees.

100 years ago
1913

Born on this date
Richard Nixon. 37th President of the United States of America, 1969-1974; Vice-President of the United States of America, 1953-1961. The only president to resign from office, Mr. Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, California. This blogger will observe 18 1/2 minutes' silence in honour of the event.

90 years ago
1923

Died on this date
Katherine Mansfield, 34. N.Z.-born U.K. authoress. Miss Mansfield was one of the most celebrated short story writers of the 1910s and early 1920s. She died in France of tuberculosis.

World events
In what became known as the Klaipeda Revolt, the Supreme Committee for the Salvation of Lithuania Minor (SCSLM) usurped power in the Klaipeda Region (Memel Territory) in protest against the League of Nations decision to leave the area as a mandated region under French control.

Aviation
Juan de la Cierva made the first autogyro flight at Cuatro Vientos Airfield in Madrid.

70 years ago
1943

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): White Christmas--Bing Crosby (11th week at #1)

Died on this date
R.G. Collingwood, 53. U.K. philosopher, historian, and archaeologist. Robin George Collingwood was best known for his books The Principles of Art (1938) and The Idea of History (1946). He was known as an authority on Roman Britain, conducting numerous excavations. Professor Collingwood died after a series of strokes.

60 years ago
1953

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Here in My Heart--Al Martino (9th week at #1)

On television tonight
Tales of Tomorrow, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Conqueror's Isle, starring Ray Montgomery

50 years ago
1963

Football
NFL
Cleveland Browns' owner Art Modell fired head coach and general manager Paul Brown. Mr. Brown, after whom the team was named, had been the team's only head coach since its founding in 1946, and had led them to four league championships in the All-America Football Conference (1946-1949) and three more (1950; 1954-1955) after the AAFC merged with the NFL in 1950. Ther Browns' performance had declined slightly in recent years, and the team had posted a 7-6-1 record in 1962.

30 years ago
1983

On the radio
The Stories of Sherlock Holmes, starring Graham Armitage and Kerry Jordan, on Springbok Radio
Tonight’s episode: The Model Wife

Football
NFL
Playoffs
First Round
AFC
(6) New York Jets 44 @ (3) Cincinnati 17
(5) San Diego 31 @ (4) Pittsburgh 28

NFC
(5) Atlanta 24 @ (4) Minnesota 30
(7) Tampa Bay 17 @ (2) Dallas 30

Because the player's strike had shortened the regular season to 9 games, the league used a 16-team playoff format, with seedings in each conference determined by the teams' regular season records.

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in France: Étienne--Guesch Patti (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: La Bamba--Los Lobos (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Fairytale of New York--The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): So Emotional--Whitney Houston

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Cash Box): Faith--George Michael (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Canada (RPM): Faith--George Michael (4th week at #1)

Football
NFL
AFC Divisional playoff
Indianapolis 21 @ Cleveland 38

NFC Divisional playoff
Minnesota 36 @ San Francisco 24

Bernie Kosar completed 20 of 31 passes for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns and Earnest Byner rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown and caught 4 passes for 36 yards and a touchdown as the Browns defeated the Colts before 79,372 fans at Cleveland Stadium.

Anthony Carter caught 10 passes for 227 yards and the Vikings scored 17 points in the 2nd quarter to take a 20-3 halftime lead as they upset the #1-seed 49ers before 63,008 fans at Candlestick Park.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Dur dur d'être bébé!--Jordy (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Dur dur d'être bébé!--Jordy (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston

#1 single in France: Dur dur d'être bébé!--Jordy (12th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Cash Box): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Canada (RPM): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Paul Hasluck, 87. Governor-General of Australia, 1969-1974. Sir Paul was a member of Parliament in Australia from 1949-1969 and a cabinet minister from 1951-1969 before being appointed Governor-General.

Football
NFL
AFC Divisional playoff
Buffalo 24 @ Pittsburgh 3

NFC Divisional playoff
Washington 13 @ San Francisco 20

The Bills forced 4 turnovers and recorded 7 quarterback sacks as they defeated the Steelers before 60,407 fans at Three Rivers Stadium.

Steve Young passed for 227 yards and 3 touchdowns as the 49ers overcame 4 turnovers to end the Redskins' reign as Super Bowl champions before 64,991 fans at Candlestick Park.

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Will McDonough, 67. U.S. sportswriter. Mr. McDonough wrote for the Boston Globe from 1960 until his death of a heart attack. He was best known for his coverage of the National Football League.

January 7, 2013

100 years ago
1913

Born on this date
Johnny Mize. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Mize was a first baseman with the St. Louis Cardinals (1936-1941); New York Giants (1942, 1946-1949); and New York Yankees (1949-1953), batting .312 with 359 home runs and 1,337 runs batted in in 1,884 games. He won the National League batting title in 1939 and led the NL in home runs that year, while tying for the NL lead in home runs in 1940, 1947, and 1948. Mr. Mize was an effective part-time player with the Yankees as they won five straight World Series from 1949-1953. He hit 3 home runs in a game six times, which remains the major league record. Mr. Mize was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981 and died on June 2, 1993 at the age of 80.

70 years ago
1943

Died on this date
Nikola Tesla, 86. Serbian-born U.S. inventor. Mr. Tesla was one of the late 19th and early 20th century's most prominent electrical inventors and engineers, and contributed to the development of alternating current.

60 years ago
1953

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Carleton Hobbs and Norman Shelley, on BBC Home Service
Tonight's episode: The Red-Headed League

I Was a Communist for the FBI, starring Dana Andrews
Tonight’s episode: Little Boy Blue Turned Red

Defense
U.S. President Harry Truman announced in his last State of the Union address that the United States had developed the hydrogen bomb. Mr. Truman warned Soviet leader Josef Stalin that a war provoked by the U.S.S.R. would mark the ruin of the Soviet Union and his homeland.

40 years ago
1973

Crime
Mark Essex fatally shot 10 people and wounded 13 others at a Howard Johnson's hotel in New Orleans before being shot to death by police.

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Do You Really Want to Hurt Me--Culture Club (5th week at #1)

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Trevor Howard, 74. U.K. actor. Mr. Howard appeared in such movies as Brief Encounter (1945); The Third Man (1949); The Heart of the Matter (1953); Von Ryan's Express (1965); and White Mischief (1987).

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Lahja--Klamydia

Politics and government
The Fourth Republic of Ghana was inaugurated, with Jerry Rawlings as President.

January 6, 2013

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Sherlock Holmes, Sheila Hellevang, and Johanna Wegner!

320 years ago
1693

Died on this date
Mehmed IV, 51. Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, 1648-1687. Mehmed the Hunter took the Ottoman throne at the age of 6, but handed over most of his executive power to his Grand Vizier. He was deposed in 1687 and imprisoned in Topkapi Palace in Istanbul.

175 years ago
1838

Communications
Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail first demonstrated the telegraph in their laboratory in Morristown, New Jersey. Mr. Vail sent, and Mr. Morse, in another part of the building, received a message reading: "A patient waiter is no loser".

160 years ago
1853

Died on this date
Benjamin Pierce, 11. U.S. accident victim. The third and youngest child of U.S. President-elect Franklin Pierce and his wife Jane--and the only one to live past the age of 4--Benjamin was riding with his parents on a train from Andover, Massachusetts to Boston when an axle broke and the train went over a 15-foot embankment. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce escaped with minor injuries, but Benjamin was crushed by the car and nearly decapitated as the accident's only fatality.

130 years ago
1883

Born on this date
Kahlil Gibran. Ottoman-born U.S. poet, artist, and philosopher. Mr. Gibran, a native of Ottoman Lebanon, moved to the United States with his family when he was 12. He was a prolific painter before achieving greater success as a writer. Mr. Gibran was raised as a Maronite Christian, but was influenced by Islamic Sufi mysticism and the Baháʼí Faith, and believed in the fundamental unity of religions. He expressed his views in his art and books, the best known of which was The Prophet (1923), a collection of 26 prose poetry fables. Mr. Gibran was a heavy drinker who died on April 10, 1931 at the age of 48, from cirrhosis of the liver, while developing tuberculosis in one lung.

120 years ago
1893

Americana
The Washington National Cathedral was chartered by the United States Congress. U.S. President Benjamin Harrison signed the charter.

100 years ago
1913

Born on this date
Edward Gierek. Polish politician. Mr. Gierek joined the Polish United Workers' Party (Communist) in 1948 and worked his way up through the ranks before replacing Władysław Gomułka as First Secretary of the party in December 1970, and serving as the de facto leader of Poland until he was ousted in September 1980. His reign was marked by a poor economy, which included food shortages, and labour strife, which ultimately forced his dismissal. Mr. Gierek, a coal miner in his youth, died of miner's lung illness on July 29, 2001 at the age of 88.

60 years ago
1953

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Little Camorra, starring William Prince and Mary Sinclair

Politics and government
The first Asian Socialist Conference opened in Rangoon, Burma.

50 years ago
1963

Football
CFL
Steve Owen resigned as head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders after two seasons, shortly after suffering a heart attack. Mr. Owens had coached the New York Giants of the National Football League from 1930-1953, leading them to NFL championships in 1934 and 1938. He came to the Canadian Football League in 1959 as an assistant coach with the Toronto Argonauts and replaced Hamp Pool as head coach early in the season. In a similar scenario the following year, he joined the Calgary Stampeders as an assistant coach and replaced Otis Douglas as head coach early in the season. Mr. Owen was named head coach of the Roughriders on December 29, 1960, and led them to a fourth-place finish in the Western Football Conference in 1961 with a 5-10-1 record. They improved to 8-7-1 in 1962, good enough for third place and a playoff spot. The Roughriders were eliminated in the Western semi-finals, but Mr. Owen was named the winner of the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL's Coach of the Year. The Roughriders, fearing that Mr. Owen might not live much longer, reluctantly accepted his resignation.

NFL
Playoff Bowl @ Orange Bowl, Miami
Detroit 17 Pittsburgh 10

Ken Webb caught a touchdown pass from Milt Plum and rushed for another TD for the Lions as they defeated the Steelers to win the Playoff Bowl for the third straight year. Dick Hoak rushed 6 yards for the Pittsburgh touchdown in the 2nd quarter. Ed Brown started at quarterback for the Steelers, but was relieved in the 2nd half by Bobby Layne, playing the last game of his 15-year Hall of Fame career.



40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me--Mac Davis
2 Popcorn--Hot Butter
3 Ben--Michael Jackson
4 Burning Love--Elvis Presley
5 I Can See Clearly Now--Johnny Nash
6 Too Young--Donny Osmond
7 The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A.--Donna Fargo
8 You're a Lady--Peter Skellern
9 Go All the Way--Raspberries
10 Rock Me Baby--Johnny Farnham

Singles entering the chart were You've Got the Gun by Sherbet (#36) and Mama Weer All Crazee Now by Slade (#39).

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): You're So Vain--Carly Simon

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 You're So Vain--Carly Simon
2 Me and Mrs. Jones--Billy Paul
3 Clair--Gilbert O'Sullivan
4 It Never Rains in Southern California--Albert Hammond
5 Rockin' Pneumonia-Boogie Woogie Flu--Johnny Rivers
6 Superstition--Stevie Wonder
7 You Ought to Be with Me--Al Green
8 Superfly--Curtis Mayfield
9 Funny Face--Donna Fargo
10 Your Mama Don't Dance--Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina

Singles entering the chart were Living Together, Growing Together by the 5th Dimension (#72); Good Morning Heartache by Diana Ross (#82); My Crew by Rita Coolidge (#92); Jesus was a Capricorn by Kris Kristofferson (#94); But I Do by Bobby Vinton (#97); The Message by Cymande (#98); and Dueling Banjos by Eric Weissberg with Steve Mandel (#100). Living Together, Growing Together was from the movie Lost Horizon (1973); the movie was one of the decade's biggest flops, and brought about the end of the songwriting partnership of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Dueling Banjos was from the movie Deliverance (1972).

#1 single in Canada (RPM): I Am Woman--Helen Reddy (4th week at #1)

Calgary’s Top 10
1 Last Song--Edward Bear
2 It Never Rains in Southern California--Albert Hammond
3 Me and Mrs. Jones--Billy Paul
4 Ben--Michael Jackson
5 I'm Stone in Love with You--The Stylistics
6 Keeper of the Castle--Four Tops
7 Crocodile Rock--Elton John
8 You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio--Joni Mitchell
9 Clair--Gilbert O'Sullivan
10 You're So Vain--Carly Simon
Pick hit of the week: Pieces of April--Three Dog Night

Died on this date
Pauline Henry, 84. U.S.-born Canadian woman. Born Pauline Messenger in Ottumwa, Iowa, she married insurance man Roy Henry and settled in Edmonton, where she died. She was this blogger's maternal grandmother, and is fondly remembered and greatly missed.

Hockey
WHA
All-Star Game @ Le Colisee, Quebec
East 6 West 2

Wayne Carleton of the Ottawa Nationals scored a goal and an assist and was named the game's most valuable player as the Eastern Division won the World Hockey Association's first All-Star Game before 5,435 fans. Danny Lawson of the Philadelphia Blazers and Gary Jarrett of the Cleveland Crusaders also each had a goal and an assist, and Ron Ward of the New York Raiders added 2 assists for the East. Johnny McKenzie, Larry Pleau, and Jim Dorey of the New England Whalers each scored a goal for the East, while Gerry Odrowski and Bobby Hull of the Winnipeg Jets scored the Western Division goals.

30 years ago
1983

World events
Kent Kirk, a Danish trawler owner and member of the European parliament, was arrested for illegally entering British waters in protest against a ban on fishing by non-U.K. boats in British coastal waters.

20 years ago
1993

On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight's episode: New Years

Died on this date
Dizzy Gillespie, 75. U.S. musician. Mr. Gillespie was one of the world's most famous jazz trumpeters and was one of the founders of the genre of jazz known as bebop.

Rudolf Nureyev, 54. Russian-born dancer. Mr. Nureyev became one of the world's best-known ballet dancers with the Kirov Ballet. He defected to France in 1961, and eventually became an Austrian citizen.

World events
Indian Border Security Force units killed 55 Kashmiri civilians in Sopore, Jammu, and Kashmir in reprisal after a BSF patrol had been ambushed.

Labour
National Football League owners consented to a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement that granted players unrestricted free agency, while owners were alowed to impose team salary caps.

January 5, 2013

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Laura-Belle Robinson!

370 years ago
1643

Society
The first legal divorce in Britain's American colonies took place when the Quarter Court of Boston granted Anne Clarke of the Massachusetts Bay Colony a divorce from her adulterous husband Denis Clarke.

300 years ago
1713

Died on this date
Jean Chardin, 69. French voyager. Mr. Chardin's 10-volume Voyages de monsieur le chevalier Chardin en Perse et autres lieux de l'Orient is still widely regarded as one of the finest works of scholarship on the Near East and Persia.

190 years ago
1823

Born on this date
José María Iglesias. President of Mexico, 1876-1877. Mr. Iglesias, a lawyer and law professor by profession, was first elected to Congress in 1852, and held several posts, including Secretary of Justice in the Liberal cabinet of President Benito Juárez. He served on the Mexican Supreme Court in the late 1850s, and was President of the Chamber of Deputies in the late 1860s, retiring for health reasons in 1871. Mr. Iglesias was elected President of the Supreme Court in 1873, and ruled the election of Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada as President in 1876 illegal because of fraud. Mr. Iglesias claimed the presidency under the constitution, holding the office from October 31, 1876-January 2, 1877. His presidency was disputed by General Porfirio Díaz, whose forces defeated those of Mr. Iglesias and forced him to flee to the United States on January 16, 1877. He returned to Mexico without incident and declined all invitations for public office, choosing to edit various journals. Mr. Iglesias died on December 17, 1891, 19 days before his 69th birthday.

Died on this date
George Johnston, 58. U.K.-born Australian military officer and politician. Mr. Johnston was Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales in 1808 after his predecessor, Wiliam Bligh, was deposed in the Rum Rebellion.

130 years ago
1883

Born on this date
Döme Sztójay. Prime Minister of Hungary, 1944. Mr. Sztójay, born Dimitrije Stojaković, was Hungarian Ambassador to Germany from 1935-1944. He forged strong ties with the Nazi regime. When German forces occupied Hungary in March 1944, Hungarian Regent Miklós Horthy named Mr. Sztójay as Prime Minister as an alternative to outright Nazi rule. Mr. Sztójay legalized the Arrow Cross party and increased the deportation of Hungarian Jews. Mr. Horthy was able to exert enough pressure to force Mr. Sztójay's resignation on August 29, 1944 in favour of Géza Lakatos. Mr. Sztójay fled Hungary when Soviet troops invaded in April 1945, but he was captured by American forces and returned to Hungary, where he was convicted of war crimes and executed in Budapest by a firing squad on August 22, 1948 at the age of 63.

80 years ago
1933

Died on this date
Calvin Coolidge, 60. 30th President of the United States, 1923-1929. The only president born on July 4, Mr. Coolidge attracted national attention in 1919 when he used his authority as Governor of Massachusetts to end the Boston police strike. He was chosen as Republican presidential candidate Warren G. Harding's running mate in 1920, and became Vice-President on March 4, 1921. When Mr. Harding died suddenly on August 2, 1923, Mr. Coolidge took the oath of office as President from his father, a Vermont Justice of the Peace. Mr. Coolidge won respect for his refusal to shield the members of the "Ohio Gang" from prosecution in the Teapot Dome oil lease scandal which had engulfed the Harding administration in 1923, and easily won re-election in 1924. Mr. Coolidge surprised the nation in 1927 when he announced "I do not choose to run for president in 1928." While he was in the White House, his son Calvin, Jr. died at the age of 16 from an infection, and it's been speculated that it was that tragedy that robbed Calvin, Sr. of his desire for another term. Mr. Coolidge was known as "Silent Cal" for his ability to hold his tongue. His most famous quote was "If you don't say anything, you won't be called on to repeat it." At a social function, a woman bet him she could get him to say more than two words. He replied, "You lose." Mr. Coolidge left office on March 4, 1929, and returned home to Massachusetts. His autobiography, published later that year, gave more space to the blacksmith who worked on his father's farm than to foreign policy. Calvin Coolidge died of natural causes at his home in Northampton. Mister, we could use a man like Calvin Coolidge again.

Americana
Construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge, connecting San Francisco Peninsula with the southern end of Marin County.

70 years ago
1943

Died on this date
Kenneth Walker, 44. U.S. military officer. Mr. Walker was a brigadier general in the United States Army Air Forces who was known for his advocacy of strategic bombardment. He was shot down and killed while leading a bombing raid over Rabaul, New Guinea, and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

50 years ago
1963

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Big Girls Don't Cry/Connie-O--The 4 Seasons

#1 single in France: L'idole des Jeunes--Johnny Hallyday (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Speedy Gonzales--Pat Boone (4th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Junge, komm bald wieder--Freddy Quinn (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Dance On!--The Shadows

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Telstar--The Tornados (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Telstar--The Tornados (2nd week at #1)
2 Limbo Rock--Chubby Checker
3 Go Away Little Girl--Steve Lawrence
4 Bobby's Girl--Marcie Blane
5 Return to Sender--Elvis Presley
6 Big Girls Don't Cry--The 4 Seasons
7 Pepino the Italian Mouse--Lou Monte
8 Hotel Happiness--Brook Benton
9 Zip-A-Dee Doo Dah--Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans
10 You are My Sunshine--Ray Charles

Singles entering the chart were He's Sure the Boy I Love by the Crystals (#74); Hey Paula by Paul and Paula (#85); Little Tin Soldier by the Toy Dolls (#87); Wild Weekend by the Rebels (#88); The Popeye Waddle by Don Covay (#92); What to Do with Laurie by Mike Clifford (#93); My Man--He's a Lovin' Man by Betty LaVett (#97); Big Boat by Peter, Paul and Mary (#98); Call on Me by Bobby Bland (#100); and From the Bottom of My Heart by Dean Martin (also #100).

Died on this date
Rogers Hornsby, 66. U.S. baseball player and manager. One of the greatest hitters in history, "Rajah" was a second baseman with the St. Louis Cardinals (1915-1926, 1933); New York Giants (1927); Boston Braves (1928); Chicago Cubs (1929-1932); and St. Louis Browns (1933-1937), batting .358 with 301 home runs and 1,584 runs batted in in 2,259 games. His career batting percentage is second only to Ty Cobb's .366. Mr. Horsby won 6 straight National League batting titles with the Cardinals (1920-1925) and with the Braves in 1928. He also led the NL in home runs in 1922 and 1925. Mr. Hornsby was the manager of the Cardinals in 1925 and 1926, and managed the Giants and Braves while he played with them. He managed the Cubs from 1930-1932 and the Browns from 1933-1937. After years of playing and managing in the minor leagues, Mr. Hornsby returned to the Browns as manager in 1952, but was disliked by the players and fired by owner Bill Veeck in mid-season. Mr. Hornsby was then hired by the Cincinnati Reds, leading them through the end of the 1953 season. Mr. Hornsby compiled a record of 701-812 in 14 seasons as a majaor league manager, leading the Cardinals to their first World Series championship in 1926. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1942, and died of a heart attack after serving as third base coach for the legendarily-awful expansion New York Mets in 1962.

40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Ich wünsch' mir 'ne kleine Miezekatze--Wums Gesang (3rd week at #1)

25 years ago
1988

Died on this date
Pete Maravich, 40. U.S. basketball player. Pistol Pete's 44.2 average points per game at Louisiana State University (1967-70) is an NCAA record that still stands. Mr. Maravich played in the National Basketball Association with the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Jazz, and Boston Celtics from 1970-1980, retiring because of a leg injury. He was a five-time NBA all-star in his 10-year career. Mr. Maravich came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour at the age of 35, and died in the arms of Dr. James Dobson while on a visit to the headquarters of Focus on the Family. His death was caused by a heart defect so rare (a missing left coronary artery) that it was said that only 2 of every 500 doctors would ever see it during the course of their careers. At the age of 25 Pistol Pete made the eerily prophetic comment that he didn't want to play 10 years in the NBA and die of a heart attack at the age of 40. Fortunately, when that event did happen, he entered into the presence of the Lord.

20 years ago
1993

Environment
The Liberian-registered tanker MV Braer ran aground off the Shetland Islands, resulting in the spilling of 84,700 tons of crude oil into the North Sea.

10 years ago
2003

Football
NFL
AFC Wild Card playoff
Cleveland 33 @ Pittsburgh 36

NFC Wild Card playoff
New York Giants 38 @ San Francisco 39

The Steelers trailed 24-7 in the 3rd quarter, but scored 2 touchdowns in the last 3:06 of regulation time to defeat the Browns before 62,595 fans at Heinz Field. Cleveland led 33-21 until Pittsburgh quarterback Tommy Maddox completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward, reducing the deficit to 33-28 after the convert. The Steelers' defense forced the Browns to punt, and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala rushed 3 yards for a touchdown with 54 seconds remaining to give Pittsburgh the lead. Mr. Maddox passed to Jerome Tuman for a 2-point convert to make the score 36-33. Time ran out with the Browns in possession on the Steeler's 29-yard line. Mr. Maddox completed 30 of 48 passes for 367 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Cleveland quarterback Kelly Holcomb completed 26 of 43 passes for 429 yards and 3 touchdowns.

A 13-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Garcia to Tai Streets with 1 minute left in regulation time provided the winning margin as the 49ers came back from a 38-14 3rd-quarter deficit to edge the Giants before 66,318 fans at San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point. The touchdown drive was set up when veteran New York long snapper Trey Junkin, who had just come out of retirement, made a bad snap on a 42-yard field goal attempt, and the kick went wide. A 2-point convert attempt on Mr. Streets' touchdown was unsuccessful, and the Giants marched into field goal range, but Mr. Junkin made a bad snap again on a 41-yard field goal attempt, and a pass was incomplete. The Giants were penalized for having an ineligible receiver downfield on the play, but the wrong man was flagged, although another New York player was illegally downfield. The Giants protested--and NFL Vice President of Officiating Mike Pereira admitted--that the 49ers should have been penalized for pass interference on the play, which would have resulted in a replay of the down from the San Francisco 23-yard line.

January 4, 2013

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Angela Ieriti, Agness Nyambe, and Aydee Ramirez!

170 years ago
1843

Died on this date
Stevens T. Mason, 31. U.S. politician. Mr. Mason, a Democrat, was a member of a politically powerful family, and was only 19 when he was appointed as acting territorial secretary of Michigan Territory, and was 22 when he was appointed as acting territorial Governor in 1834. He was elected Governor of Michigan in 1835, and was instrumental in guiding the territory into statehood in 1837. Mr. Mason remains the youngest governor of a state in American history. Early in 1838, he aided the state militia in suppressing the Patriot War, an attempt by irregulars to invade and annex parts of Canada. An attempt by Mr. Mason to fund internal improvements through the sale of $5 million in bonds fell through in 1837, and he neglected to run for re-election in 183, leaving office at the expiraton of his term in January 1840. Mr. Mason attempted to establish a private law practice, but had difficulty building a clientele, and died of pneumonia.

150 years ago
1863

Died on this date
Roger Hanson, 35. C.S. military leader. Mr. Hanson was a general in the army of the Confederate States of America who died two days after being wounded in the Battle of Stones River at Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Religion
The New Apostolic Church was established in Hamburg.

110 years ago
1903

Died on this date
Topsy, 27. U.S. circus elephant. An elephant with the Forepaugh Circus, Topsy had killed three people--including an abusive trainer--in three years, and was considered by her owners to be a threat to people. She was electrocuted at Coney Island, New York under the supervision of Thomas Edison, who filmed the event and released it under the title Electrocuting an Elephant (1903).

100 years ago
1913

Died on this date
Alfred von Schlieffen, 79. German military leader. Count Schlieffen was Chief of the Imperial German General Staff from 1891-1906. His 1905 plan for a two-front war against Russia in the east and France in the west was implemented at the beginning of World War I in 1914, but failed to deliver the quick victory that Germany hoped to achieve.

80 years ago
1933

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: Death in the Club Window

70 years ago
1943

Died on this date
Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz, 31. Polish-born Greek athlete and saboteur. Mr. Iwanow-Szajnowicz, a native of Warsaw, moved to Greece with his mother and stepfather in 1926. He was a swimmer who won the national championship in the 100-metre freestyle competition, but moved back to Warsaw, becoming a Polish citizen in 1935 and the top player on the Polish national water polo team. Mr. Iwanow-Szajnowicz aided Polish and Greek resistance fighters in World War II, and was effective in sabotaging German aircraft and U-boats. He was eventually betrayed, captured, escaped, recaptured, and executed by a firing squad in Athens.

War
Russian forces recaptured the German airbase of Chernishkovsky and the railway station of Chernishkov, 100 miles west of Stalingrad. U.S. troops attacked Japanese forces on Guadalcanal and gained high ground near Mount Aesten. Australian and American forces completed the destruction of Japanese forces in the Buna Mission area of New Guinea.

Politics and government
The Panamanian National Assembly voted to continue President Ricardo Adolfo de la Guardia in office for the next two years.

Crime
A District of Columbia grand jury indicted 33 people and the New York Evening Enquirer for sedition, charging them with conspiring to impair the morale and loyalty of the armed forces.

Law
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the three-year statute of limitations nullified the 1941 conviction of former Kansas City Democratic Party boss Tom Pendergast for contempt because of bribes he had received in 1936.

Oil
U.S. Petroleum Administrator Harold Ickes said that only 1 million barrels could be delivered to the East Coast of the United States daily, despite a demand for 1.5 million barrels per day.

Economics and finance
Chase Manhattan Bank of New York reported assets of over $4.5 billion, the first time a bank had listed assets above $4 billion.

50 years ago
1963

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland: Return to Sender--Elvis Presley (4th week at #1)

Edmonton's top 10 (CJCA)
1 The Night has a Thousand Eyes--Bobby Vee
2 Bobby's Girl--Marcie Blane
3 Return to Sender--Elvis Presley
4 My Dad--Paul Petersen
5 From a Jack to a King--Ned Miller
6 I Saw Linda Yesterday--Dickey Lee
7 Go Away Little Girl--Steve Lawrence
8 It's Up to You--Rick Nelson
9 Shake Me I Rattle (Squeeze Me I Cry)--Marion Worth
10 The Lonely Bull--The Tijuana Brass

On television tonight
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Thirty-First of February, starring David Wayne, William Conrad, Elizabeth Allen, Staats Cosworth, and Bob Crane

40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland: Happy Xmas (War is Over)--John Lennon and Yoko Ono

30 years ago
1983

Football
CFL
Don Matthews was named head coach of the British Columbia Lions. Mr. Matthews had been a defensive assistant coach with the Edmonton Eskimos from 1977-1982; during this period the Eskimos had won six straight Western titles and had won the Grey Cup in the last five of these years.

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley (6th week at #1)

10 years ago
2003

Football
NFL
AFC Wild Card playoff
Indianapolis 0 @ New York Jets 41

NFC Wild Card playoff
Atlanta 27 @ Green Bay 7

Chad Pennington completed 19 of 25 passes for 222 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Jets took a 24-0 halftime lead and coasted to victory over the Colts before 78,524 fans at Giants Stadium. Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning completed just 14 of 31 passes for 137 yards and 3 interceptions.

The Falcons took a 24-0 halftime lead and coasted to victory as they handed the Packers their first home playoff loss ever before 65,358 fans at Lambeau Field. The Atlanta defense forced 5 Green Bay turnovers, while Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick rushed for 64 yards and passed for 117.

January 3, 2013

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Bobby Hull!

220 years ago
1793

Born on this date
Lucretia Mott. U.S. social reformer. Mrs. Mott participated in the typical reform movements of the 19th century, including abolition, temperance, and women's suffrage. She died on November 11, 1880 at the age of 87.

190 years ago
1823

Americana
Stephen F. Austin received a grant of land in Texas from the government of Mexico.

130 years ago
1883

Born on this date
Clement Attlee. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1945-1951. Mr. Attlee led the Labour Party to victory over Prime Minister Winston Churchill's governing Conservative party in 1945, and won re-election in 1950 before losing the 1951 election.

125 years ago
1888

Space
The 36-inch refracting telescope at the Lick Observatory in California was used for the first time. It was then the world's largest telescope.

120 years ago
1893

Born on this date
Rudy Widoeft. U.S. musician. Mr. Widoeft was a jazz saxophonist who was popular in the 1910s and '20s, and made over 300 recordings. His ragtime-influenced style waned in popularity in the 1930s, and he almost completely stopped performing in the mid-1930s. Mr. Widoeft was a heavy drinker, and died from cirrhosis of the liver on February 18, 1940 at the age of 47.

Politics and government
Matthew McCauley was acclaimed as Mayor of Edmonton in the city's civic election, while six aldermen were elected to one-year terms.

90 years ago
1923

Born on this date
Hank Stram. U.S. football coach. Mr. Stram was head coach of the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs from 1960-1974 and the New Orleans Saints from 1976-1977, compiling a record of 136-100. He led the Texans to the American Football League championship in 1962, their last year in Dallas. The team moved to Kansas City, winning AFL titles in 1966 and 1969. The Chiefs lost to the Green Bay Packers in the first Super Bowl in 1967 and defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the Super Bowl in 1970. Mr. Stram was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He died on July 4, 2005 at the age of 82.

80 years ago
1933

Died on this date
Wilhelm Cuno, 56. Chancellor of Germany, 1922-1923. Mr. Cuno was Chancellor for 264 days, during which his government allowed France to occupy the Ruhr area.

Jack Pickford, 36. Canadian-born U.S. movie producer and actor. Mary Pickford's younger brother, born John Charles Smith in Toronto, used his family's influence to become an adolescent actor, and later, producer. He joined the U.S. Navy in World War I, but was accused of accepting bribes from wealthy recruits to help keep them out of combat. He was reportedly given a general, instead of dishonourable, discharge, because of his family's influence. Mr. Pickford's first wife, Hollywood star and former Ziegfeld girl Olive Thomas, died in 1920 from swallowing a whole bottle of mercury biochloride (then commonly used as a treatment for syphilis)while the couple was visiting Paris. It was never clearly established whether her death was an accident or a suicide. Mr. Pickford's two subsequent marriages were unsuccessful, and bouts of syphilis, drug use, and drinking ultimately led to his death.

75 years ago
1938

Americana
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the March of Dimes.

70 years ago
1943

Died on this date
Walter James, 79. Australian politician. Sir Walter was Premier of Western Australia from 1902-1904.

60 years ago
1953

Hit Parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Auf Wiederseh'n, Sweetheart--Vera Lynn; Eddy Howard (7th week at #1)

#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus--Jimmy Boyd (Best seller--2nd week at #1); Why Don't You Believe Me--Joni James (Disc Jockey--3rd week at #1, Jukebox--2nd week at #1)

U.S. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus--Jimmy Boyd
--Spike Jones and his City Slickers
2 Why Don't You Believe Me--Joni James
--Patti Page
3 The Glow-Worm--The Mills Brothers
4 Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes--Perry Como
5 I Went to Your Wedding--Patti Page
6 It's in the Book (Parts 1 and 2)--Johnny Standley
7 Because You're Mine--Mario Lanza
8 Takes Two to Tango--Pearl Bailey
9 Keep it a Secret--Jo Stafford
10 Till I Waltz Again with You--Teresa Brewer

Singles entering the chart were Bye Bye Blues by Les Paul and Mary Ford (#14) and No Moon at All by the Ames Brothers and Les Brown and his Band of Renown (#26).

On the radio
Sherlock Holmes, starring Carleton Hobbs and Norman Shelley, on BBC Home Service

This was an adaptation of the play Sherlock Holmes by William Gillette.

Politics and government
Frances Bolton and her son Oliver, both Republicans, became the first mother and son combination to sit in the United States House of Representatives.

50 years ago
1963

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): The Next Time/Bachelor Boy--Cliff Richard and the Shadows

On television tonight
Twilight Zone, hosted by Rod Serling, on CBS
Tonight's episode: In His Image, starring George Grizzard and Gail Kobe

This was the first episode of the season, and the first of 18 episodes made to fit into a one-hour time slot.

40 years ago
1973

Baseball
Cleveland shipping magnate George Steinbrenner bought the New York Yankees from the Columbia Broadcasting System, promising to be a hands-off owner. Mr. Steinbrenner paid $10 million for the franchise, $3.2 million less than CBS had paid for the team in 1964, making CBS the only owner to lose money on the sale of a major league baseball team.

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Do You Really Want to Hurt Me--Culture Club (2nd week at #1)

Football
NFL
Dallas (6-3) 27 @ Minnesota (5-4) 31

Tony Dorsett of the Cowboys set a league record with a 99-yard touchdown rush before 60,007 fans at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.

25 years ago
1988

Football
NFL
NFC Wild Card playoff
Minnesota 44 @ New Orleans 10

AFC Wild Card playoff
Seattle 20 @ Houston 23 (OT)

Anthony Carter returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown and caught a 10-yard pass from halfback Allen Rice for another as the Vikings routed the Saints before 68,546 fans at the Louisiana Superdome in the Saints' first playoff game in their 21-year history. New Orleans opened the scoring on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Hebert to Eric Martin.

Tony Zendejas kicked a 42-yard field goal 8:05 into overtime to give the Oilers their win over the Seahawks before 50,519 fans at the Astrodome.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Die da--Die Fantastischen Vier (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (6th week at #1)

Diplomacy
U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin signed the second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty--Start II--in Moscow, agreeing to reduce their nations' nuclear warheads by 3,000-3,500.

Football
NFL
AFC Wild Card playoff
Houston 38 @ Buffalo 41 (OT)

NFC Wild Card playoff
Philadelphia 36 @ New Orleans 20

Trailing 35-3 early in the 3rd quarter, Buffalo scored 5 straight converted touchdowns to tie the game before Steve Christie kicked a 32-yard field goal in overtime to finish the greatest comeback in NFL history as the Bills edged the Oilers before 75,141 fans at Rich Stadium. Buffalo quarterback Frank Reich completed 21 of 34 passes for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Houston quarterback Warren Moon completed 36 of 50 passes for 371 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Eagles trailed the Saints 20-10 after 3 quarters before 68,591 fans at the Louisiana Superdome, but rallied for 26 unanswered points in the 4th quarter.

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Sid Gillman, 91. U.S. football coach. Mr. Gillman compiled a won-lost record of 81-19-2 as head coach at Miami University (1944-1947) and the University of Cincinnati (1949-1954). He was head coach of the Los Angeles Rams (1955-1959); Los Angeles and San Diego Chargers (1960-1969, 1971); and Houston Oilers (1973-1974), compiling a record of 123-104-7. He led the Chargers to the American Football League championship in 1963. Mr. Gillman was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989, becoming the only coach to be in both halls.

Football
NCAA
Fiesta Bowl @ Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Ohio State 31 Miami (Florida) 24 (2 OT)

Maurice Clarett rushed 5 yards for a touchdown in the 2nd overtime possession to put the Buckeyes ahead, and the Ohio State defense stopped the Hurricanes on four plays from inside the Buckeyes' 2-yard line as Ohio State ended the University of Miami's 34-game winning streak and won its first national championship in 34 years. Miami kicker Todd Sievers had sent the game into overtime with a 40-yard field goal on the last play of regulation time to tie the score 17-17.

January 2, 2013

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Kathy Fincham!

225 years ago
1788

Americana
Georgia became the 4th state to ratify the United States Constitution.

150 years ago
1863

War
In the U.S. Civil War, Union troops under Major General William Rosecrans defeated Confederate troops commanded by Braxton Bragg after three days of fighting in the Battle of Stones River at Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

120 years ago
1893

Diplomacy
Frederick Douglass, renowned American abolitionist and United States minister and general consul in Haiti from 1889-1891, delivered an address at the dedication of the Haitian Pavilion at the Columbian World Exposition in Chicago.

90 years ago
1923

Died on this date
Harrison Hunter, 52. U.S. actor. Mr. Hunter, born in the U.S. to Scottish parents who were on vacation, grew up in Scotland and began his career there before returning to the United States in 1899. He appeared in 14 Broadway productions from 1901-1922, most notably playing the title character in The Bat (1920-1922). After The Bat ended its Broadway run, Mr. Hunter appeared in a touring company's version of the play, but in a different role. While appearing in Boston, he took ill, underwent surgery, and died from complications.

Politics and government
Albert B. Fall resigned as U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a result of the Teapot Dome scandal.

80 years ago
1933

World events
The United States Marine Corps ended more than 20 years of occupation of Nicaragua when the withdrawal of the 5th Marine Regiment.

70 years ago
1943

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): White Christmas--Bing Crosby (10th week at #1)

60 years ago
1953

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Here in My Heart--Al Martino (8th week at #1)

On television tonight
Tales of Tomorrow, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Mask of Medusa, starring Raymond Burr

Died on this date
Guccio Gucci, 71. Italian fashion designer. Mr. Gucci founded the House of Gucci in Florence in 1921, expanding to Rome in 1938, Milan in 1951, and New York in 1952. Mr. Gucci's five sons grew and diversified the firm internationally after his death.

50 years ago
1963

Died on this date
Dick Powell, 58. U.S. actor. Mr. Powell starred in musical movies such as 42nd Street (1933), Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933), and Footlight Parade (1933). In the 1940s he became known for film noir movies such as Murder, My Sweet (1944); Cornered (1945); and Pitfall (1948). Mr. Powell also starred in the radio detective series Rogue's Gallery and Richard Diamond, Private Detective, and starred in the audition episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. He became a director and producer in the 1950s. One of the movies he directed was The Conqueror (1956), which was filmed near St. George, Utah, where testing of nuclear weapons was taking place. Mr. Powell was one of 91 people of a cast and crew of 220 on the film who developed cancer, 46 of whom died from it. Radioactive fallout has been blamed for many of the deaths, although June Allyson, Mr. Powell's third and last wife, attributed his cancer to smoking.

Jack Carson, 52. Canadian-born U.S. actor. A native of Carman, Manitoba, Mr. Carson was a character actor, usually in comic roles. His movies included Destry Rides Again (1939); Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941); Love Crazy (1941); The Male Animal (1942); Arsenic and Old Lace (1944); Mildred Pierce (1945); Romance on the High Seas (1948); A Star is Born (1954); Tarnished Angels (1957); and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958). He also appeared in many television programs in the 1950s and early 1960s before his death from stomach cancer.

War
Viet Cong forces inflicted heavy casualties on South Vietnamese forces at Ap Bac.

40 years ago
1973

Boxing
Masao Ohba (35-2-1) retained his WBA world flyweight title with a knockout of Chartchai Chionoi (57-15-3) at 3:00 of the 12th round at Nihon University Auditorium in Tokyo. It was the last fight for Mr. Ohba, who was killed in a car accident 22 days later. Mr. Chionoi succeeded him as champion.

30 years ago
1983

On the radio
The Stories of Sherlock Holmes, starring Graham Armitage and Kerry Jordan, on Springbok Radio
Tonight’s episode: The Snow of Brendan Woods

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in France: Étienne--Guesch Patti

#1 single in Italy: La Bamba--Los Lobos (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Fairytale of New York--The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Faith--George Michael (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Cash Box): Faith--George Michael (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Canada (RPM): Faith--George Michael (3rd week at #1)

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Dur dur d'être bébé!--Jordy (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Dur dur d'être bébé!--Jordy

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Highland--One More Time (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France: Dur dur d'être bébé!--Jordy (11th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Cash Box): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Canada (RPM): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (3rd week at #1)

Football
NFL
NFC Wild Card Playoff
Washington 24 @ Minnesota 7

AFC Wild Card Playoff
Kansas City 0 @ San Diego 17

Brian Mitchell rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown and added 100 more yards on pass receptions and kick returns as the Redskins defeated the Vikings before 57,353 fans at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.

Marion Butts rushed 54 yards for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter to break a 0-0 tie as the Chargers blanked the Chiefs before 58,278 fans at San Diego-Jack Murphy Stadium.