880 years ago
1141
Britannica
English clergy declared Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I, monarch in place of King Stephen, who had been captured at the Battle of Lincoln two months earlier. She assumed the title "Lady of England and Normandy."
750 years ago
1271
War
The Knights Hospitaller surrendered the Krak des Chevaliers to the army of the Mamluk sultan Baibars.
160 years ago
1861
Died on this date
Elisha Otis, 49. U.S. industrialist. Mr. Otis invented the safety elevator in 1852, which automatically comes to a halt if the hoisting rope breaks. He successfully demonstrated it at the New York World's Fair in 1853, and founded the Otis Elevator Company in Yonkers, New York the same year. Mr. Otis died of diphtheria.
125 years ago
1896
Born on this date
Antonio Riva. Chinese-born Italian military aviator. Capitano Riva, the son of an Italian merchant, was a flying ace in World War I, with seven confirmed and seven unconfirmed aerial victories. He was executed at the age of 55 on August 17, 1951 by a firing squad in Peking with Japanese citizen Ruichi Yamaguchi after being convicted of being involved in a plot to assassinate Chairman Mao Zedong and other high-ranking Communist officials on October 1,1950.
Yip Harburg. U.S. songwriter. Mr. Harburg, born Isidore Hochberg, was best known for his work in the 1930s, writing the lyrics for songs such as Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?; April in Paris; and It's Only a Paper Moon. He wrote the lyrics for the songs in the movie The Wizard of Oz (1939), and shared the Academy Award with composer Harold Arlen for Best Original Song (Over the Rainbow). Mr. Harburg died on March 5, 1981 at the age of 84.
Health
The New Brunswick government moved provincial patients with leprosy (Hansen's Disease) into a new stone building in Tracadie where they could live and receive treatment. The Tracadie lazaretto was the only building in 19th-century Canada specifically for leprosy patients.
110 years ago
1911
At the movies
The silent short film Winsor McCay: The Famous Cartoonist of the N.Y. Herald and His Moving Comics, better known as Little Nemo, directed by Winsor McCay, opened in theatres.
Born on this date
Melvin Calvin. U.S. chemist. Dr. Calvin was awarded the 1961 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for his research on the carbon dioxide assimilation in plants." He and colleagues Andrew Benson and James Bassham discovered the Calvin cycle. Dr. Calvin died on January 8, 1997 at the age of 85.
Science
Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes discovered superconductivity.
100 years ago
1921
Born on this date
Jan Novák. Czechoslovakian composer. Mr. Novák was mainly known for instrumental and choral works, as well as scores for animated films. He died on November 17, 1984 at the age of 63.
Franco Corelli. Italian singer. Mr. Corelli was an operatic tenor who had a major international career from 1951-1976, and performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York from 1961-1975. He died on October 29, 2003 at the age of 82.
90 years ago
1931
Died on this date
Erik Axel Karlfeldt, 66. Swedish poet. Mr. Karfeldt was awarded the 1931 Nobel Prize in Literature posthumously. He died from angina, shortly after an attack of bronchitis.
80 years ago
1941
Died on this date
Marcel Prévost, 78. French author and playwright. Mr. Prévost was best known for novels about women from a masculine point of view. His most notable works included the novel Les Demi-Vierges (1894) and the four-act play La Plus Faible (1904). Mr. Prévost directed the Revue de France from 1922-1940. He died 23 days before his 79th birthday.
War
German troops advanced to within 23 miles of Salonika, Greece, and captured Skopeje in southern Yugoslavia. An Italian communique said that Italian and German motorized columns had reoccupied Dernia, Libya. Mexican President Manuel Avila Camacho issued a decree expropriating the 12 German and Italian merchant ships taken into custody at Tamico and Veracruz.
Diplomacy
Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka, en route home from Rome and Berlin, extended his stay in Moscow for three days.
Defense
Japanese Prime Minister Prince Fumimaro Konoye said that Japan's foreign policy continued to be based on the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy.
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent a message to King Peter II of Yugoslavia denouncing Germany's "criminal assault" on Yugoslavia, and promising "all material assistance possible."
Journalism
U.S. President Roosevelt denied that he favoured press censorship, but criticized newspapers that had published news of the arrival of the British battleship Malaya in New York for repairs two days earlier.
Labour
U.S. Office of Production Management Associate Director General Sidney Hillman and National Defense Mediation Board Vice Chairman William H. Davis told the House of Representatives Military Affairs Committee that they opposed legislation to ban strikes.
Breaking a 38-year precedent in which Ford Motor Company refused to negotiate with any union official, Ford official Harry Bennet and Congress of Industrial Organizations President Philip Murray conferred on a settlement of the United Auto Workers strike at Ford's plant in River Rouge, Michigan.
The CIO Longshoremen's and Warehouseman's Union denounced deportation proceedings against its president, Harry Bridges--a native of Australia--and adopted a constitution excluding political affiliation as a qualification for membership.
Boxing
World heavyweight champion Joe Louis (48-1) retained his title with a technical knockout of Tony Musto (29-11-1) at 1:36 of the 9th round at St. Louis Arena. Referee Arthur Donovan stopped the fight because of a severe cut suffered by Mr. Musto.
Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Detroit 1 @ Boston 2 (Boston led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Terry Reardon scored with 6:25 remaining in regulation time and Roy Conacher scored exactly 4 minutes later as the Bruins came from behind to edge the Red Wings at Boston Garden. Mud Bruneteau scored for Detroit at 2:41 of the 3rd period. Frank Brimsek won the goaltending duel over Johnny Mowers.
75 years ago
1946
Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Oh! What it Seemed to Be--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra (4th week at #1)
--Frank Sinatra
--Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra
--Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest
2 Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief--Betty Hutton
--Les Brown and his Orchestra
3 Personality--Johnny Mercer
--Bing Crosby
4 You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)--Les Brown and his Orchestra
--Perry Como
5 One-zy, Two-zy (I Love You-zy)--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
--Phil Harris and his Orchestra
6 Symphony--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra with Clyde Rogers
--Bing Crosby
--Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
--Jo Stafford
7 Day by Day--Frank Sinatra
8 Shoo Fly Pie (And Apple Pan Dowdy)--Stan Kenton and his Orchestra
--Dinah Shore
9 I'm Always Chasing Rainbows--Perry Como
--Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest
10 Prisoner of Love--Perry Como
The only single entering the chart was the version of Personality by Bing Crosby.
On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on MBS
Tonight's episode: The Disappearing Scientists
Died on this date
Yeh Ting; Teng Fa; Wang Jo-fei; Pang-hsien. Chinese politicians. Generals Yeh Ting and Teng Fa and Messrs. Wang Jo-fei and Pang Hsien were prominent Communists who were aboard a U.S. Army plane bound for Yenan, and were killed with the American crew when the plane crashed in the northwestern part of the province of Shansi.
Diplomacy
The 21st League of Nations Assembly convened in Geneva to end the organization, which had been superceded by the United Nations.
U.S. Secretary of State James Byrnes announced that the U.S.S.R. and U.K. had agreed to meet in Paris on April 25 for a foreign ministers' meeting preparatory to a general peace conference.
Hector McNeil of the United Kingdom was elected chairman of the United Nations Special Committee on Refugees and Displaced Persons at its opening session in London.
United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Victor Hoo reported that negotiations had begun to bring the U.K.-mandated areas of Tanganyika, Togoland, and the Cameroons, and the Belgian-mandated Ruanada-Urundi under UN trusteeship.
Defense
The U.S. State Department said that Argentina would be welcome as a signatory of the proposed hemispheric defense treaty if it eliminated "Axis influences."
The U.S. government reported that the U.S. was still spending about $500 million per year on the development of atomic energy and the atomic bomb.
Politics and government
Greek Populist Party leader Constantin Tsaldaris said that he favoured continued cooperation with the Western Allies, and promised to hold a plebiscite on the return of King George II to Greece.
Economist Harold Laski, chairman of the British Labour Party's National Executive Committee, issued a pamphlet opposing a proposed Labour-Communist merger on the grounds that the Communists wanted a one-party system.
Energy
Électricité de France, the world's largest utility company, was formed as a result of the nationalization of a number of electricity producers, transporters and distributors.
Labour
The U.S. Wage Stabilization Board approved an 18 1/2c-per-hour increase for 110,000 employees of General Electric.
70 years ago
1951
Defense
The U.S. Joint Congressional Atomic Energy Committee issued a 196-page report on Soviet espionage in the United States, charging that atomic spies had accelerated Soviet work on the atomic bomb by 18 months.
Academia
The Institute of International Education reported a record 30,500 foreign students enrolled in U.S. colleges.
Oil
Iranian officials rejected British protests against nationalization of the $500-million Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.
Disasters
19 airmen were killed when their twin-engine C-47 crashed and burned while attempting to land in fog near Charleston, West Virginia.
Golf
Ben Hogan shot a 4-under-par 68 in the final round to win the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia with an 8-under-par total score of 280, 2 strokes ahead of Skee Riegel, who shot a 1-under-par 71 in the final round. First prize money was $3,000. It was the first Masters win for Mr. Hogan.
Basketball
NBA
Finals
New York 84 @ Rochester 99 (Rochester led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Bob Davies scored 24 points while Jack Coleman scored 14 points and grabbed 28 rebounds to help the Royals defeat the Knickerbockers before 4,200 fans at Edgerton Park Arena.
60 years ago
1961
Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Wooden Heart--Elvis Presley (3rd week at #1)
#1 single in Italy: Jealous of You--Connie Francis
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Pigalle--Bill Ramsey (2nd week at #1)
#1 single in the Netherlands (Dutch Top 40): Wooden Heart--Elvis Presley (7th week at #1)
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Wooden Heart--Elvis Presley (3rd week at #1)
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Blue Moon--The Marcels (2nd week at #1)
2 Surrender--Elvis Presley
3 Dedicated to the One I Love--The Shirelles
4 Apache--Jorgen Ingmann and his Guitar
5 Runaway--Del Shannon
6 Pony Time--Chubby Checker
7 Don’t Worry--Marty Robbins
8 But I Do--Clarence "Frogman" Henry
9 Think Twice--Brook Benton
10 On the Rebound--Floyd Cramer
Singles entering the chart were Tenderly by Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra (#67); Sleepy-Eyed John by Johnny Horton (#71); Ain't it, Baby by the Miracles (#80); Foolin' Around by Kay Starr (#82); Frogg by the Brothers Four (#85); What'd I Say by Jerry Lee Lewis (#88); African Waltz by the Cannonball Adderley Orchestra (#91); Daddy's Home by Shep and the Limelites (#96); Are You Sure by the Allisons (#98); Halfway to Paradise by Tony Orlando (#99); It's Never Too Late by Brenda Lee (#100); Ling-Ting-Tong by Buddy Knox (also #100); and Triangle by Janie Grant (also #100). What'd I Say by Jack Eubanks was listed with the version by Jerry Lee Lewis, but not not charted. African Waltz by Johnny Dankworth and his Orchestra was listed with the version by the Cannonball Adderley Orchestra, but not charted.
Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Runaway--Del Shannon (2nd week at #1)
2 After the Hurricane--Paul Evans
3 Blue Moon--The Marcels
4 Flaming Star--Elvis Presley
5 The Great Snow Man--Bob Luman
6 Theme from Dixie--Duane Eddy
7 Mother-in-Law--Ernie K-Doe
8 Baby Blue--The Echoes
9 Running Scared--Roy Orbison
10 Shy Away--Jerry Fuller
Singles entering the chart were Running Scared; Halfway to Paradise by Tony Orlando (#30); Hop Scotch by Santo & Johnny (#37); Tragedy by the Fleetwoods (#38); Peanut Butter by the Marathons (#41); Lulu by Lori Parker (#44); Portrait of My Love by Steve Lawrence (#45); Love or Money by the Blackwells (#46); California Sun by Joe Jones (#47); I'm in the Mood for Love by the Chimes (#48); and Louie Louie by Rockin Robin Roberts (#50).
Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 Runaway--Del Shannon (2nd week at #1)
2 After the Hurricane--Paul Evans
3 Blue Moon--The Marcels
4 Shy Away--Jerry Fuller
5 Flaming Star--Elvis Presley
6 Bumble Boogie--B. Bumble and the Stingers
7 The Great Snow Man--Bob Luman
8 I've Told Every Little Star--Linda Scott
9 Mother-in-Law--Ernie K-Doe
10 On the Rebound--Floyd Cramer
Singles entering the chart were Running Scared by Roy Orbison (#11); Three Little Fishes by Buzz Clifford (#29); What'd I Say by Jerry Lee Lewis (#31); Ballad of the One Eyed Jacks by Johnny Burnette (#34); Abdul's Party by Larry Verne (#35); Tragedy by the Fleetwoods (#36); Little Lonely One by the Jarmels (#37); Hop Scotch by Santo & Johnny (#38); Halfway to Paradise by Tony Orlando (#39); and Love Theme from One Eyed Jacks by Ferrante and Teicher (#40). Ballad of the One Eyed Jacks was "inspired" by the movie.
On television tonight
The Roaring 20's, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Fifth Pin
Space
The United States Air Force launched the satellite Discoverer 23 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Its re-entry capsule separated from the second stage of the Agena B rocket as planned, but the Air Force said that the capsule did not re-enter Earth’s atmosphere due to a series of stabilization problems that developed after orbit. The mission was to test guidance and control of orbit, and lasted 93.1 minutes.
World events
Jose Miro Cardona, president of the Cuban National Revolutionary Council, issued in New York an appeal to all Cubans to join in "an inevitable and just war" to overthrow the Cuban regime of Premier Fidel Castro.
Disasters
A large explosion on board the Dubai-based passenger liner MV Dara in the Persian Gulf killed 238 people.
Boxing
Davey Moore (49-6-1) retained his world featherweight title with a knockout of Danny Valdez (17-6) at 2:48 of the 1st round at Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Chicago 1 @ Detroit 3 (Best of-seven series tied 1-1)
Alex Delvecchio scored 2 goals for the Red Wings as they defeated the Black Hawks at Olympia Stadium. Hank Bassen won the goaltending duel over Glenn Hall.
Basketball
NBA
Finals
Boston 120 @ St. Louis 124 (Boston led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Bob Pettit scored 31 points and grabbed 24 rebounds, while Cliff Hagan scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Hawks defeat the Celtics before 8,468 fans at St. Louis Arena. Bill Russell led the Celtics with 24 points, 23 rebounds, and 9 assists.
50 years ago
1971
Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): She's a Lady--Tom Jones (2nd week at #1)
Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Quarter-Finals
Montreal 7 @ Boston 5 (Best-of seven series tied 1-1)
Toronto 4 @ New York 1 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
Philadelphia 2 @ Chicago 6 (Chicago led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Minnesota 2 @ St. Louis 4 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
Jean Beliveau scored 2 goals and 2 assists as the Canadiens scored 6 goals in the 3rd period after the Bruins had built a 5-1 lead after 2 periods at Boston Garden. Boston defenseman Bobby Orr scored a goal and 3 assists in the 2nd period.
The game at Madison Square Garden was delayed by a 35-minute bench-clearing brawl in the 2nd period. The brawl resulted in 33 penalties totalling 160 minutes, 83 minutes to Toronto. Vic Hadfield of the Rangers threw Toronto goalie Bernie Parent’s mask into the crowd, and Mr. Parent was replaced by Jacques Plante. NHL President Clarence Campbell later levied $16,950 in fines against the 28 players involved.
Jim Roberts scored 2 goals to lead the Blues to victory over the North Stars at St. Louis Arena.
40 years ago
1981
Hit parade
Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates (2nd week at #1)
2 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon
3 Woman--John Lennon
4 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
5 Precious to Me--Phil Seymour
6 Rapture--Blondie
7 The Best of Times--Styx
8 While You See a Chance--Steve Winwood
9 A Little in Love--Cliff Richard
10 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
Singles entering the chart were Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington, Jr. (#19); and Her Town Too by James Taylor and J.D. Souther (#20).
Died on this date
Omar Bradley, 88. U.S. military officer. General Bradley had a distinguished record in World War II, commanding forces in the Allied invasions of Sicily and Normandy. He headed the U.S. Veterans Administration from 1945-1947, and was Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 1948-1949 and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1949-1953, overseeing U.S. military policy during the Korean War. General Bradley was promoted to General of the Army in 1950, becoming the ninth and last (so far) five-star officer in the U.S. armed forces.
War
Lebanese President Elias Sarkis declared a cease-fire in fighting between Christian militiamen and Syrian troops near Zahle, Lebanon.
Diplomacy
Defense ministers of the NATO countries warned the USSR that Soviet military intervention in Poland would harm East-West relations.
Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Preliminary round
Toronto 2 @ New York Islanders 9 (New York led best-of-five series 1-0)
Edmonton 6 @ Montreal 3 (Edmonton led best-of-five series 1-0)
Vancouver 2 @ Buffalo 3 (Buffalo led best-of-five series 1-0)
Quebec 4 @ Philadelphia 6 (Philadelphia led best-of-five series 1-0)
Minnesota 5 @ Boston 4 (Minnesota led best-of-five series 1-0)
Pittsburgh 2 @ St. Louis 4 (St. Louis led best-of-five series 1-0)
Chicago 3 @ Calgary 4 (Calgary led best-of-five series 1-0)
New York Rangers 3 @ Los Angeles 1 (New York led best-of-five series 1-0)
Alan Haworth scored exactly 5 minutes into overtime to give the Sabres their win over the Canucks at War Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo.
Steve Payne scored his third goal of the game against Rogie Vachon 3:34 into overtime to give the North Stars the win over the Bruins at Boston Garden.
Andy Moog, who had played in just 7 NHL games, was the surprise starter in goal for the Oilers as they upset the Canadiens at the Montreal Forum.
The Flames’ win over the Black Hawks at the Stampede Corral was the first Stanley Cup playoff game ever played in Calgary.
30 years ago
1991
Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Lady Navigation--B'z
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Se mustamies--Hausmylly (4th week at #1)
#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Joyride--Roxette
On television tonight
Hollywood Detective, on A&E
Tonight's episode: The Muse
This short-lived (six episodes) series starred Tony Peck, the son of Gregory Peck, as Barkley Nunn, a private detective in Hollywood in the 1930s, whose cases usually involved well-known writers. This episode, the first in the series, featured Ian Buchanan as F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Separate But Equal: Part II, on ABC
This made-for-television movie about the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case before the U.S. Supreme Court starred Sidney Poitier as Thurgood Marshall, Burt Lancaster as John W. Davis, and Richard Kiley as Chief Justice Earl Warren. It was Mr. Lancaster's last performance.
World events
U.S. President George Bush visited a refugee camp on the Iraq-Turkey border, heard pleas for help, and promised an international relief effort.
Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Semi-Finals
St. Louis 2 @ Detroit 5 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Chicago 6 @ Minnesota 5 (Chicago led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Calgary 3 @ Edmonton 4 (Edmonton led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Los Angeles 1 @ Vancouver 2 (OT) (Vancouver led best-of-seven series 2-1)
25 years ago
1996
Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): La cosa mas bella--Eros Ramazzotti
#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Firestarter--The Prodigy (3rd week at #1)
#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Children--Robert Miles (3rd week at #1)
Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Ironic--Alanis Morissette (2nd week at #1)
2 1979--Smashing Pumpkins
3 Nobody Knows--The Tony Rich Project
4 Follow You Down--Gin Blossoms
5 Because You Loved Me--Céline Dion
6 I Want to Come Over--Melissa Etheridge
7 Birmingham--Amanda Marshall
8 Wonderwall--Oasis
9 Missing--Everything But the Girl
10 Don't Cry--Seal
Singles entering the chart were Count on Me by Whitney Houston (#79); Voice of Eujena by Brother Cane (#84); You Don't Know Me at All by Don Henley (#89); Another Cup of Coffee by Mike + the Mechanics (#91); Screwed it Up by Limblifter (#94); Big Bang Baby by Stone Temple Pilots (#95); The Mountains Win Again by Blues Traveler (#98); and June Afternoon by Roxette (#99).
Died on this date
León Klimovsky, 89. Argentine-born Spanish film and television director. Mr. Klimovsky directed his first movie in 1947, and settled in Spain in the 1950s. He always wanted to make great mainstream films, but settled for commercial exploitation movies and television programs. Mr. Klimovsky retired in 1979, and died in Madrid from a heart attack.
Ben Johnson, 77. U.S. actor and stuntman. Mr. Johnson was known for acting in Western movies; he won an Academy Award for his supporting performance in The Last Picture Show (1971).
Mick Young, 59. Mr. Young was National Secretary of the Australian Labour Party (1969-1973); Member of Parliament for Port Adelaide (1974-1988); Leader of the House of Representatives (1983, 1984-1988); Special Minister of State (1983-1987); Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1987-1988); and National President of the Australian Labour Party (1986-1988). He resigned from Parliament over allegations concerning fund-raising during the 1987 election, although he was cleared of any wrongdoing. Mr. Young died of leukemia.
Protest
Hundreds of pro-Unionist Protestants clashed with police during a march through a Roman Catholic section of Belfast, marking the beginning of the annual "marching season" in Northern Ireland.
20 years ago
2001
Politics and government
Possible Peru candidate Alejandro Toledo was leading the Peruvian presidential election, but his failure to achieve a majority of votes forced a runoff election to be held on June 3.
Golf
Tiger Woods shot a 4-under-par 68 in the final round to win the Masters at August National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia with a 16-under-par total score of 272, 2 strokes ahead of David Duval, who shot 67 in the final round. It was Mr. Woods' first Masters win, having already won all three other major tournaments. First prize money was $1,008,000.
10 years ago
2011
Economics and finance
U.S. Congressional and White House negotiators struck a last-minute budget deal ahead of a midnight deadline, averting a federal shutdown and cutting billions in spending.
Frozen In Time: The Great Blizzard of 1888
-
PODCAST The story of the devastating snowstorm that changed New York City
forever. This year marks the 130th anniversary of one of the worst storms
to ev...
2 days ago
