May 4, 2021

550 years ago
1471

Died on this date
Edward of Westminster, 17. English royal family member. Prince Edward, the only son of King Henry VI of England and Margaret of Anjou, was invested as Prince of Wales in 1454. He was killed in the Battle of Tewkesbury.

War
In the Wars of the Roses, Yorkist forces of Edward IV defeated a Lancastrian army in the Battle of Tewkesbury.

225 years ago
1796

Born on this date
William H. Prescott. U.S. historian. Mr. Prescott, credited as America's first scientific historian, specialized in political and military history of late Renaissance Spain and the early Spanish Empire. His books included The History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic (1837); The History of the Conquest of Mexico (1843); A History of the Conquest of Peru (1847); and the unfinished History of the Reign of Phillip II (1856–1858). Mr. Prescott died from a stroke on January 28, 1859 at the age of 62.

Horace Mann. U.S. educator and politician. Mr. Mann was the foremost advocate of secular public schooling in the United States from the late 1830s through the 1850s. He was a member of the Massachusetts state legislature (1827-1833), and as a Whig, represented Massachusetts' 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1848-1853). Mr. Mann campaigned unsuccessfully as the Free Soil Party candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 1852, and served as President of Antioch College from 1852 until his death from typhoid fever on August 2, 1859 at the age of 63.

William Pennington. U.S. politician. Mr. Pennington, a Republican, was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly (1828) and Governor of New Jersey (1837-1843). He represented New Jersey's 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1859-1861), and was Speaker of the House (1860-1861). Mr. Pennington died from an accidental morphine overdose on February 16, 1862 at the age of 65.

170 years ago
1851

Born on this date
Thomas Dewing. U.S. artist. Mr. Dewing was known for his paintings of aristocratic American women at the turn of the 20th century. He died on November 5, 1938 at the age of 87.

150 years ago
1871

Baseball
The National Association, baseball’s first professional league, began play at Fort Wayne, Indiana with the home Kekiongas blanking the Cleveland Forest Citys 2-0. Bobby Mathews pitched the shutout. Deacon White of the Forest Citys doubled for the NA’s first hit.

120 years ago
1901

Died on this date
John Jones Ross, 69. Canadian politician. Mr. Ross, a native of Quebec City, was a Conservative who represented Champlain in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada (1861-1867); Quebec Legislative Assembly (September-November 1867); and Canadian House of Commons (1867-1874). He represented Shawinigan in the Legislative Council of Quebec (1867-1901) and the Quebec riding of De la Durantaye in the Canadian Senate (1887-1901). Mr. Ross was Premier of Quebec (1884-1887) and Speaker of the Senate (1891-1896), and was Minister Without Portfolio in the federal government for two months in 1896. He died in Quebec City.

Baseball
The game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds was called with the game tied 4-4 in the 10th inning when fire destroyed the wooden grandstand at Robison Field in St. Louis. The 5,000 fans left in a leisurely manner.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Patsy Garrett. U.S. actress and singer. Miss Garrett had her own radio show in Richmond, Virginia as a child, and was a comic singer on Fred Waring's program Pleasure Time (1938-1945). She appeared in several movies, including the Benji series, but was perhaps best known for her recurring roles in the television comedy series Nanny and the Professor (1970-1971) and Room 222 (1972-1973), and as commerical spokesman for Purina Cat Chow in the 1970s. Miss Garrett died on January 8, 2015 at the age of 93.

Politics and government
The German cabinet of Chancellor Constantin Fehrenbach, leader of the German Democratic Party (DDP), resigned, after the German People's party (DVP) withdrew its support in protest over the government's agreement to fixing Germany's reparation payments to the Allies. The Fehrenbach cabinet was replaced by one led by former Finance Minister Joseph Wirth. The United States expressed no surprise at the fall of Mr. Fehrenbach's cabinet, which took place a week before the deadline for Germany to accept or reject an Allied ultimatum on reparations.

90 years ago
1931

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

Sport
Henri Deglane of France defeated Ed "Strangler" Lewis at the Mont-Royal arena in Montreal to win the world heavyweight professional wrestling title. Mr. Lewis was disqualified by the referee for biting his opponent.

80 years ago
1941

War
The British command in Cairo claimed that the German-Italian attack on the Libyan port of Tobruk had been brought to to a "standstill." 17 military, naval, defense production, economic, and political experts released a statement in New York saying that the United Kingdom could win the European war with American aid.

Diplomacy
French Vice Premier François Darlan returned to Vichy from Paris with German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler's purported demands for political collaboration with Germany as well as industrial and economic cooperation. Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuola rejected a proposal that he visit the United States.

Archaeology
University of Arizona anthropologist Dr. Emil Haury reported that excavations in a cave on Castle Mountain in Arizona proved that the southwestern United States was inhabited by man 5,000 years before Christ.

Economics and finance
A Bolivian spokesman in La Paz said that the government would not consider a Japanese proposal to buy tungsten.

Labour
1,400 American Federation of Labor drivers and other employees went on strike against Pennsylvania Greyhound Lines.

Disasters
The worst floods ever recorded in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul left 60,000 people in Porto Alegre homeless.

75 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Prisoner of Love--Perry Como with Russ Case and His Orchestra (Best Seller--1st week at #1); Oh! What it Seemed to Be--Frankie Carle and His Orchestra with Marjorie Hughes (Airplay--7th week at #1; Juke Box--8th week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--9th week at #1)

War
Chinese Nationalist General Tu Yu-ming said that his troops had "smashed" a surprise Communist attack against the Manchurian city of Mukden.

Defense
Iranian Army officers reported in Tehran that the Soviet Red Army had completed its evacuation of Iran.

Diplomacy
At the Paris Conference of foreign ministers, U.S. Secretary of State James Byrnes suggested that a plebiscite be held in the disputed Yugoslav-Italian border region.

Protest
The "Battle of Alcatraz" ended when U.S. Marines from the nearby Treasure Island Naval Base stopped a two-day riot by prisoners at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary off San Francisco. Five people were killed in the riot.

Horse racing
Assault, with Warren Mehrtens up, won the 72nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville in a time of 2:06 3/5. Spy Song placed second and Hampden finished third in the 17-horse field.



70 years ago
1951

On the radio
Hear it Now, hosted by Edward R. Murrow, on CBS

Tonight's program included a look at America's divorce laws.

At the movies
Roaring City, co-produced and directed by William Berke, and starring Hugh Beaumont, Edward Brophy, and Richard Travis, opened in theatres.



Diplomacy
United Nations Secretary-General Trygve Lie returned to New York from a month-long tour of Europe and the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion arrived in Washington to begin a visit to the United States, and was welcomed by U.S. President Truman.

Defense
The Canadian Department of National Defence formed the 27th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group for service in West Germany with NATO forces; it was created by volunteers from the militia who would enlist for three years in their specific units. The brigade was composed of three infantry battalions: the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion (formed on this day in Valcartier, Québec); the 1st Canadian Rifle Battalion; and the 1st Canadian Highland Battalion. The brigade was posted near Hanover.

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill to raise the maximum strength of the Marine Corps to 400,000, double its present size.

Germanica
The West German government asserted its claim to all German territory as of December 31, 1937, including East Prussia, the Oder-Neisse area, and the Soviet zone of Germany. The West German statement renounced only Austria and the Czech Sudetenland.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Are You Sure--The Allisons (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Blue Moon--The Marcels

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

At the movies
Parrish, written, produced, and directed by Delmer Daves, and starring Troy Donahue, Claudette Colbert, Karl Malden, and Dean Jagger, opened in theatres.



Born on this date
Happy Birthday, John Dea!

Space
The U.S. launch of Mercury-Redstone 3 with Alan Shepard aboard was scrubbed for the second time because of bad weather at Cape Canaveral, Florida. America’s first entry into the manned space race with the U.S.S.R. was rescheduled for the following day.

Aviation
Malcolm Ross and Victor Prather attained a new altitude record for manned balloon flight ascending in the Strato-Lab V open gondola to 113,740 feet (34.67 kilometres).

Protest
The "Freedom Rides" began when U.S. civil rights activists left Washington, D.C. for New Orleans to challenge racial segregation on interstate buses and in bus terminals.

Transportation
Federal Maple, the first of two passenger-cargo ships presented to the Federation of West Indies under the Canada-West Indies Aid Program, was launched at Halifax, Nova Scotia.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep--Middle of the Road

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): (I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson (4th week at #1)

Politics and government
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau set up 37 bilingual districts; government services were now available in both official languages.

Economics and finance
A speculative assault against the American dollar swept the European money markets and threatened the value of the dollar.

Disasters
The Leda clay landslide opened a sinkhole after a rainstorm, and the resulting slide buried part of St. Jean Vianney, Quebec, killing 31 people and destroying 40 houses, with $1 million in damage.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Montreal 1 @ Chicago 2 (2 OT) (Chicago led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Jim Pappin scored the winning goal for the Black Hawks at 1:11 of the 2nd overtime period as they edged the Canadiens at Chicago Stadium. Montreal goalie Ken Dryden was heroic in defeat, stopping 56 of 58 shots.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): 9 to 5 (Morning Train)--Sheena Easton (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Ruby no Yubiwa--Akira Terao (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime--The Korgis

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Fade to Grey--Visage (7th week at #1)

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Tingles (EP)--Ratcat

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Se Stiamo Insieme--Riccardo Cocciante (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): The Grease Megamix--John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Joyride--Roxette (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Joyride--Roxette (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Désenchantée--Mylène Farmer (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in his Kiss)--Cher

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Losing My Religion--R.E.M. (2nd week at #1)
2 One More Try--Timmy T
3 You--Ten Sharp
4 Joyride--Roxette
5 Always on the Run--Lenny Kravitz
6 Mega Mix--Snap!
7 Should I Stay or Should I Go--The Clash
8 Going to the Run--Golden Earring
9 Love and Marriage--Frank Sinatra
10 Liefde is Lekker Maar Lekker is Niet Altijd Liefde--Hanny

Singles entering the chart were Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) by De la Soul (#23); Future Love Paradise by Seal (#24); Ring My Bell by Monie Love vs Adeva (#31); Geef Het Op by Clouseau (#32); Allons a Lafayette by Captain Gumbo (#34); and What About Tomorrows Children by Maggie Reilly (#36).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Baby Baby--Amy Grant (2nd week at #1)
2 Joyride--Roxette
3 I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)--Hi-Five
4 Here We Go--C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams and Zelma Davis
5 Touch Me (All Night Long)--Cathy Dennis
6 I Touch Myself--Divinyls
7 Cry for Help--Rick Astley
8 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart
9 You're in Love--Wilson Phillips
10 I Don't Wanna Cry--Mariah Carey

Singles entering the chart were We Want the Funk by Gerardo (#72); Place in This World by Michael W. Smith (#84); Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless) by Crystal Waters (#94); Life Goes On by Poison (#95); and Can I Call You My Girl by PC Quest (#96).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Baby Baby--Amy Grant (3rd week at #1)
2 Joyride--Roxette
3 I’ve Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat
4 Here We Go--C + C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams and Zelma Davis
5 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart
6 You’re in Love--Wilson Phillips
7 Cry for Help--Rick Astley
8 Touch Me (All Night Long)--Cathy Dennis
9 I Touch Myself--Divinyls
10 I Don’t Wanna Cry--Mariah Carey

Singles entering the chart were We Want the Funk by Gerardo (#71); Place in This World by Michael W. Smith (#79); How Can I Ease the Pain by Lisa Fischer (#81); I'll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes) by Steelheart (#85); Why Should I Cry for You by Sting (#87); Do You Want Me by Salt-N-Pepa (#89); and Ooh La La by David Hallyday (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Joyride--Roxette
2 I’ve Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat
3 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart
4 Cry for Help--Rick Astley
5 Baby Baby--Amy Grant
6 Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You--Robert Palmer
7 Animal Heart--Glass Tiger
8 You’re in Love--Wilson Phillips
9 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.
10 Highwire--The Rolling Stones

Singles entering the chart were Walk My Way by Beth Nielsen Chapman (#61); Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn (#63); On the Outside by Roch Voisine (#66); Too Hot by Alanis (#74); Voices that Care by Voices that Care (#76); Part of Me, Part of You by Glenn Frey (#78); Lift Me Up by Yes (#83); Dangerous by the Doobie Brothers (#88); What Comes Naturally by Sheena Easton (#89); Wash the Rain by World on Edge (#90); and I Rhyme the World in 80 Days by Kish (#93).

Horse racing
Strike the Gold, with Chris Antley aboard, won the 117th running of the Kentucky Derby before 135,554 fans at Churchill Downs in Louisville in a time of 2:03 4/5. Best Pal placed second and Mane Minister finshed third in the 16-horse field.



Baseball
Chris James hit 3-run home runs in each of the 1st and 2nd innings and batted in 9 runs as the Cleveland Indians routed the Oakland Athletics 20-6 before 35,028 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): How Bizarre--OMC (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Con te partirò--Andrea Bocelli (10th week at #1)

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Soirée disco--Boris (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Children--Robert Miles (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Hava Naquila--Party Animals (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Fastlove--George Michael

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Always Be My Baby--Mariah Carey
2 Because You Loved Me--Céline Dion
3 Nobody Knows--The Tony Rich Project
4 Ironic--Alanis Morissette
5 1,2,3,4 (Sumpin' New)--Coolio
6 You're the One--SWV
7 Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)--R. Kelly featuring Ronald Isley
8 Count on Me--Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans
9 Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check/Everything Remains Raw--Busta Rhymes
10 Follow You Down/Til I Hear it from You--Gin Blossoms

Singles entering the chart were The Earth, the Sun, the Rain by Color Me Badd (#46); Please Don't Go by Immature (#57); Kissin' You by Total (#59); Don't Rush by Silk (#91); Scary Kisses by Voice of the Beehive (#93); The World is a Ghetto by Geto Boys featuring Flaj (#94); and I Don't Wanna Be Alone by Shai (#96).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Because You Loved Me--Céline Dion (3rd week at #1)
2 Always Be My Baby--Mariah Carey
3 Ironic--Alanis Morissette
4 You're the One--SWV
5 1,2,3,4 (Sumpin' New)--Coolio
6 Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)--R. Kelly (featuring Ronald Isley and Ernie Isley)
7 Woo-Hah!! (Got You All in Check)--Busta Rhymes
8 Nobody Knows--The Tony Rich Project
9 Count on Me--Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans
10 Doin' It--LL Cool J

Singles entering the chart were Old Man and Me (When I Get to Heaven) by Hootie & the Blowfish (#18); Can't Hang by Xscape featuring MC Lyte (charting with its A-side, Do You Want To, at #68); Tres Delinquentes by Delinquent Habits (#69); Live and Die for Hip Hop by Kris Kross (#74); No More Games by Skindeep featuring Li’l Kim of Junior M.A.F.I.A. (#87); Mr. Ice Cream Man by Master P (#90); and Scarred by Luke (#91).

Horse racing
Grindstone, with Jerry Bailey up, won the 122nd running of the Kentucky Derby before 142,668 fans at Churchill Downs in Louisville in a time of 2:01 3/5. Cavonnier placed second and Prince of Thieves finished third in the 19-horse field.



Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
Florida 2 @ Philadelphia 3 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Western Conference Semi-Finals
Chicago 1 @ Colorado 5 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Bonnie Lee Bakley, 44. U.S. model. Miss Bakley was an unsuccessful model who made money selling nude photos of women, including herself. She was married 10 times, with four marriages ending in divorce and five in annulment. Miss Bakley pursued celebrities, including Marlon Brando's son Christian Brando, and actor Robert Blake. Mr. Blake married her after a paternity test showed that he and not Christian Brando was the father of her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Blake went to dinner at Vitello's Restaurant in Studio City; she was shot in his car after he claimed to have gone back inside the restaurant to retrieve a gun he'd left behind. In March 2005, Mr. Blake was found not guilty of murder and of one count of hiring a former stuntman to murder Miss Bakley. A second charge of hiring the killer was dropped after the jury dealocked 11-1 in favour of acquittal. Eight months later, a civil suit brought by Miss Bakley's three eldest children resulted in Mr. Blake being found liable for her wrongful death.

Transportation
Jean Pelletier, longtime Chief of Staff for Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, was appointed the head of VIA Rail.

May 3, 2021

540 years ago
1481

Died on this date
Mehmed II, 49. Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, 1444-1446, 1451-1481. Mehmed "the Conqueror" acceded to the throne upon the abdication of his father Murad II, and defeated a Hungarian crusade. Murad II returned to the throne in 1546, and Mehmed II succeeded him again upon his death. Mehmed II conquered Constantinople in 1453, ending the Byzantine Empire, and achieved several other conquests. Sultan Mehmed made many political and social reforms, encouraged the arts and sciences, and rebuilt Constantinople into a thriving imperial capital. He died after taking ill, perhaps the result of poisoning by his son and successor Bayezid II.

Disasters
The largest of three earthquakes struck the island of Rhodes and caused an estimated 30,000 casualties.

530 years ago
1491

Religion
Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga was baptized by Portuguese Roman Catholic missionaries, adopting the baptismal name of João I.

230 years ago
1791

Politics and government
The Constitution of May 3--the first modern constitution in Europe--was proclaimed by the Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

150 years ago
1871

Born on this date
Emmett Dalton. U.S. criminal. Mr. Dalton was a member of the Dalton Gang of bank and train robbers, and was the only member of the gang to survive an attempt to rob two banks in Coffeyville, Kansas on October 5, 1892, although he received 23 gunshot wounds. Mr. Dalton was pardoned after serving 14 years in prison, and then moved to California. He wrote several books of memoirs, two of which were made into movies. Mr. Dalton died on July 13, 1937 at the age of 66.

Academia
Collège St-Boniface in St. Boniface, Manitoba received a provincial charter.

130 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Eppa Rixey. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Rixey played with the Philadelphia Phillies (1912-1917, 1919-1920) and Cincinnati Reds (1921-1933), compiling a record of 266-251 with an earned run average of 3.15 in 692 games. He was 22-10 with a 1.85 ERA in 1916, and led the National League in wins with 25 in 1922. Mr. Rixey, who never played in the minor leagues, died on February 28, 1963 at the age of 71, after his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame, but several months before the induction ceremony.

125 years ago
1896

Born on this date
V. K. Krishna Menon. Indian politician and diplomat. Mr. Menon, a member of the Indian National Congress Party, was Indian Ambassador to the United Kingdom (1947-1952) and Ambassador to the United Nations (1952-1962). He sat in the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Parliament) (1953-1957) and Lok Sabha (lower house) (1957-1967, 1969-1974), and was India's Minister of Defence (1957-1962). Mr. Menon was regarded, after Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, as the second-most powerful person in India, and was considered to be the architect of the Non-Aligned Movement. He was widely admired by many, especially within India, but his abrasive personality made him hated abroad, especially in the West. Mr. Menon died on October 6, 1974 at the age of 78.

Dodie Smith. U.K. authoress. Miss Smith was a children's novelist and playwright, best known for the novels I Capture the Castle (1948) and The Hundred and One Dalmatians (1956). She died on November 24, 1990 at the age of 94.

120 years ago
1901

Disasters
The Great Fire of 1901 took place in Jacksonville, Florida, destroying the city's downtown.





100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Sugar Ray Robinson. U.S. boxer. Mr. Robinson, born Walker Smith, Jr., was world welterweight champion (1946-1951) and world middleweight champion (1951; 1951-1952; 1955-1957; 1957; 1958-1960). He was considered by many to be the best "pound-for-pound" fighter in history, and was the first to travel with an entourage of hangers-on. Mr. Robinson compiled a professional record of 173-19-6-2, with 108 knockouts, in a career spanning the years 1940-1965, with time out for service in the U.S. Army in 1943-1944 and a retirement from 1952-1955, when he attempted a performing career. He died on April 12, 1989, three weeks before his 68th birthday.

Died on this date
Théodore Pilette, 37. Belgian auto racing driver. Mr. Pilette began racing in 1903, and participated in the 1913 Indianapolis 500, finishing 5th. He was the importer in Belgium for Bugatti and Mercedes, and Mr. Pilette and his mechanic Bruyère died in a road accident in Luxembourg while returning to Brussels from a visit to the Mercedes factories in Stuttgart.

Politics and government
Ireland was partitioned under British law by the Government of Ireland Act 1920, creating Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland.

Economics and finance
West Virginia became the first U.S. state to legislate a broad sales tax, but did not implement it until a number of years later due to enforcement issues.

80 years ago
1941

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)--Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra with Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell (6th week at #1)

War
Reports from London stated that fighting had spread to the Basra area; Iraq attacks on recently-landed British troops were repulsed. The battle at the Habbania airport continued into its second day.

Protest
Sources in Beirut reported that anti-Jewish riots had broken out in Palestine and that Arab nationalists had kidnapped Zionist leaders in reaction to disturbances in Iraq and the arrival of Jewish refugees from the Balkans.

World events
The Italian government of Duce Benito Mussolini announced the annexation of part of Slovenia in Yugoslavia, comprising the city of Ljubljana and surrounding territory.

Radio
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved regulations to foster free competition among stations and strengthen network broadcasting.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Office of Production Management limited the automobile industry to 4,224,152 vehicles in the model year beginning August 1.

Labour
Bethlehem Steel Corporation signed its first contract with a Congress of Industrial Organizations union, the Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers, covering 1,700 workers in its shipyard in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Horse racing
Whirlaway, with Eddie Arcaro aboard, won the 67th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville in 2:01 2/5, a track record at the time. Staretor placed second, and Market Wise finished third. First prize money was $61,275.



75 years ago
1946

Diplomacy
Yugoslavian Vice Premier Eduard Kardelj rejected four Yugoslav-Italian border proposals, and warned that Yugoslavia would not accept any solution which left Slavs under Italian control.

Politics and government
Brazil ousted Communists from government posts, charging that Communist Party leader Luis Carlos Prestes was inciting civil war.

Crime
Kathleen Mary Willsher was sentenced in Ottawa to three years in prison for her involvement in a Soviet spy ring in Canada.

Energy
Delegates to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission were announced, including Bernard Baruch of the United States and Andrei Gromyko of the U.S.S.R.

70 years ago
1951

Britannica
King George VI opened the Festival of Britain in London.



War
The United States Senate Committee on Armed Services and United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations began their closed-door hearings into the relief of General Douglas MacArthur by U.S. President Harry Truman with testimony from Gen. MacArthur, who reiterated his view that the Korean War could only be won through an all-out attack on China.

Crime
Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson (Democrat) signed a bill, the first of its kind in the United States, making narcotics peddling a felony punishable by up to life imprisonment.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Truman appointed 18 members of the newly-reconstituted Wage Stabilization Board, to begin work on May 8 on a backlog of more than 1,000 cases.

Baseball
The New York Yankees scored 11 runs in the top of the 9th inning as they routed the St. Louis Browns 17-3 before 1,612 fans at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis. Gil McDougald batted twice in the 9th inning, hitting a grand slam and a triple and batting in 6 runs. Jackie Jensen followed Mr. McDougald’s triple with one of his own and homered after Mr. McDougald’s grand slam. Allie Reynolds (1-1) pitched a 5-hit complete game victory.

60 years ago
1961

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Paul "Pud" Smith!

Diplomacy
Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba arrived in Washington to begin an 11-day visit to the United States, and was welcomed at Washington's National Airport by U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Mrs. Kennedy. After a conference at the White House, the two leaders issued a communiqué stating that an orderly ending of colonial rule was "essential to the promotion of of human welfare, the consolidation of peace and the encouragement of the striving of African peoples." Mr. Bourguiba addressed a joint session of Congress and spoke at the National Press Club, praising the efforts of the Kennedy administration to appeal to the new nations of the world.

Scandal
Former U.K. Foreign Office aide George Blake, 38, was sentenced in London to 42 years in prison after he had pleaded guilty to spying for the U.S.S.R. In his confession, Mr. Blake said that his political views had changed in favour of Communism during the three years from 1950-1953 when he had been interned by North Korean troops after they had captured Seoul, where he had been stationed. Mr. Blake, after his repatriation, spied for the Soviets while employed by the British Foreign Office in West Berlin and the Middle East.

Baseball
Ellis Burton hit a 2-run home run batting lefthanded and a grand slam batting righthanded, while Tim Thompson also hit a grand slam, all in a 10-run 8th inning for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they routed the Jersey City Giants 15-3 in an International League game at Maple Leaf Stadium. Mr. Burton's feat was a first for organized baseball.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Me and Bobby McGee--Janis Joplin

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Naomi no Yume--Hedva & David (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): My Sweet Lord--George Harrison (7th week at #1)

On the radio
All Things Considered, hosted by Robert Conley, on NPR

This was the first broadcast of the National Public Radio program. The first program was about anti-Vietnam War protests in Washington, D.C.

Canadiana
Queen Elizabeth II, with Prince Philip and Princess Anne, arrived in Victoria to begin a one-week visit to British Columbia for the province's centennial.

Politics and government
Walter Ulbricht, 77, retired as East Germany's leader, citing age and ill health. Erich Honecker, 58, party secretary in charge of military affairs and security, succeeded him as head of the ruling Communist Party.

Protest
Anti-war protesters calling themselves the Mayday Tribe began four days of demonstrations in Washington, D.C., aimed at shutting down the nation's capital.

Basketball
ABA
Finals
Kentucky 117 @ Utah 136 (Utah led best-of-seven series 1-0)

The Stars, trailing 36-25 after the 1st quarter, outscored the Colonels 50-25 in the 2nd quarter as they won before 12,051 fans at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City. Zelmo Beaty and George Stone each scored 26 points for Utah, with Ron Boone adding 24 points. Darel Carrier of Kentucky led scorers with 36 points.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Counting the Beat--The Swingers (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce Music Theatre (4th week at #1)

On television tonight
Ripley's Believe it or Not!, on ABC

Hosted by Jack Palance, this was the pilot for the series that began airing in the fall of 1982.

Died on this date
Nargis, 51. Indian actress. Nargis, born Fatima Rashid, appeared in almost 60 films from 1935-1968. She won the Filmfare Award for her starring performance in Mother India (1957), and won the National Film Award for her starring performance in Raat Aur Din (1967). Nargis was appointed to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, in 1980, but died of pancreatic cancer during her time in office.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Calgary 4 @ Minnesota 6 (Minnesota led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Basketball
NBA
Eastern Conference Finals
Philadelphia 90 @ Boston 91 (Boston won best-of-seven series 4-3)

Larry Bird scored the winning basket with 1 minute 3 seconds remaining in regulation time at Boston Garden as the Celtics came back from a 3-1 deficit in games against the 76ers.

30 years ago
1991

Died on this date
Jerzy Kosiński, 57. Polish-born U.S author. Mr. Kosiński, born Józef Lewinkopf, was best known for the novels The Painted Bird (1965) and Being There (1971); he was accused of plagiarism and fabrication in regard to the former. Mr. Kosiński was beset by several illnesses when he committed suicide by consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and drugs and then suffocating himself by wrapping a plastic bag around his head.

Frank Leja, 55. U.S. baseball player. A native of Holyoke, Massachusetts, Mr. Leja was the New York Yankees’ first "bonus baby"--a teenage player who was given a large bonus to sign with a major league team in the years before the free agent draft came into existence. In order to prevent wealthy major league teams from hoarding the young players, a rule was enforced that a bonus player had to remain on the roster of the major league team for 2 years before he could be sent to the minors. As a result, many of the "bonus babies" saw little or no action in the major leagues for those 2 years, and Mr. Leja was no exception. He was an 18-year-old lefthanded first baseman who stood 6 feet 4 inches and weighed 205 pounds when he joined the Yankees in 1954. Joe Collins was then the Yankees’ regular first baseman, and 23-year-old rookie Bill Skowron was an impressive backup. Mr. Leja played in just 12 games that season--6 at first base--with 1 single in 5 at bats. In 1955 he saw even less action, playing in just 7 games--2 at first base--and was hitless in 2 at bats. Mr. Leja then had some success as a slugger in the minor leagues, but didn’t make it back to the majors until he joined the Los Angeles Angels to begin the 1962 season. He played 7 games--4 at first base--and was let go after batting 0 for 16. Mr. Leja never returned to the major leagues, leaving with 1 hit in 23 at bats--a percentage of .043--with 1 base on balls and 3 runs scored in 26 games. Frank Leja died of a heart attack in Boston.

Economics and finance
Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney promised a 500-job Goods and Services Tax processing centre for Summerside, Prince Edward Island to help a community hard-hit by the closing of its Canadian Armed Forces Base.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Children--Robert Miles (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Aon Focal Eile--Richie Kavanagh (7th week at #1)

Died on this date
Dimitri Fampas, 74. Greek musician and composer. Mr. Fampas was a classical guitarist who had a national and international performing and recording career spanning more than 35 years. He taught at the National Conservatory of Athens, with his students winning several dozen international awards. Mr. Fampas created two guitar orchestras, and composed more than 200 guitar works.

Jack Weston, 71. U.S. actor. Mr. Weston, born Jack Weinstein, was a character actor in numerous films, television programs, and plays, usually in comic roles. He co-starred in the television comedy series My Sister Eileen (1960-1961) and The Hathaways (1961-1962), and co-starred in the movie (1981) and television series (1984) The Four Seasons.

Alex Kellner, 71. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Kellner played with the Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics (1948-1958); Cincinnati Redlegs (1958); and St. Louis Cardinals (1959), compiling a record of 101-112 with an earned run average of 4.17 in 321 games. His best season was 1949, when he was 20-12 with a 3.75 ERA; he tied for the American League lead in losses in 1950 (20), and led the AL in losses in 1951 (14).

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
New York Rangers 3 @ Pittsburgh 4 (Pittsburgh led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Western Conference Semi-Finals
St. Louis 2 @ Detroit 3 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 1-0)

20 years ago
2001

Diplomacy
The United States lost its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Commission; it was restored a year later.

Health
Saskatchewan provincial authorities said that contaminated drinking water in North Battleford had caused the illness of over 100 people and the deaths of 3.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Jackie Cooper, 88. U.S. actor. Mr. Cooper appeared in Our Gang comedies as a child, and was nominated for an Academy Award at the age of 9 for his starring performance in Skippy (1931), which was directed by his uncle Norman Taurog. Mr. Cooper co-starred with Wallace Beery in several movies, most notably The Champ (1931). He served with the U.S. Navy in World War II, rising to the level of captain, and starred in the television comedy series The People's Choice (1955-1958) and Hennesey (1959-1962). Mr. Cooper was vice president of program development at Columbia Pictures Screen Gems TV division from 1964-1969, and directed television programs as well as acting until his retirement in 1989.

Thanasis Veggos, 84. Greek actor and director. Mr. Veggos appeared in more than 140 movies and television programs--mainly comedies--from 1954-2010. He died 26 days before his 85th birthday, after several months of hospitalization.

Baseball
Francisco Liriano (2-4) pitched a no-hitter for the Minnesota Twins, walking 6 batters and striking out only 2, as the Twins edged the Chicago White Sox 1-0 before 20,901 fans at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Jason Kubel's 3rd home run of the season, with 1 out in the top of the 4th inning, provided all the scoring against Edwin Jackson (2-4), who allowed 6 hits in 8 innings.

May 2, 2021

410 years ago
1611

Literature
The English-language version of the Bible authorized by King James I of England--popularly known as the King James version--began publication over a period of five days.

210 years ago
1811

Journalism
Henry Chubb founded the New Brunswick Courier newspaper in Saint John. The Courier became a training ground for many prominent newspapermen, and championed the rights of the elected Assembly during the struggle for Responsible Government in the 1830's.

120 years ago
1901

Baseball
The Boston Americans scored 9 runs in the 2nd inning and added 10 in the 3rd as they beat the Philadelphia Athletics 23-12 before 2,841 fans at Columbia Park in Philadelphia. Every man in the Boston lineup had at least 1 hit and 2 runs. Parson Lewis (1-0) pitched a complete game victory, allowing 19 hits and 11 earned runs, while Pete Loos (0-1) started and took the loss in his only major league appearance, giving up 2 hits, 4 bases on balls, and 3 earned runs in 1+ inning.

Algie McBride batted 4 for 6 with 2 doubles, 4 runs, and 5 runs batted in to help the Cincinnati Reds defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 16-12 before 3,000 fans at Robison Field in St. Louis. Bill Phillips (2-0) pitched a 17-hit complete game victory, allowing 10 earned runs, while batting 2 for 4 with 3 runs and a run batted in.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Satyajit Ray. Indian film director and writer. Mr. Ray, probably the most famous director in Bollywood history, was known for such films as Pather Panchali (1955); Aparajito (1956); Apur Sansar (The World of Apu) (1959); and Agantuk (The Stranger) (1991). He was honoured with an Academy Award for lifetime achievement just before his death on April 23, 1992, nine days before his 71st birthday.

80 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Penelope Delta, 66 or 67. Greek authoress. Miss Delta wrote historical novels for teenagers, which have influenced popular perceptions of Greek culture and history. She died five days after taking poison on the day that German troops entered Athens.

Television
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission authorized the full commercialization of television broadcasting beginning July 1, 1941.

War
Following the coup d'état against Iraq Crown Prince 'Abd al-Ilah earlier in the year, the United Kingdom launched the Anglo-Iraqi War to restore him to power.

Defense
The American Legion's executive committee urged U.S. convoys to deliver war materials to Britain. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt urged in a letter to Office of Production Management chiefs William Knudsen and Sidney Hillman that the machine tool industry go on a 24-hour day, 7-day workweek. In a letter to House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman Robert Doughton (Democrat--North Carolina), President Roosevelt urged a "minimum" $3.5-billion tax increase to cover defense costs.

Science
Dr. Rubby Sherr and Professor Kenneth Bainbridge of Harvard University reported the transmutation of mercury into radioactive gold and platinum.

Economics and finance
U.S. Price Administrator Leon Henderson said that the government was prepared to fix prices for staple commodities, food, and clothing to prevent unwarranted price inflation.

Business
General Mills began shipping a new cereal called "Cheerioats" to six test markets; the cereal was later renamed "Cheerios."

75 years ago
1946

At the movies
The Postman Always Rings Twice, starring Lana Turner and John Garfield, opened in theatres.



Diplomacy
The Arab Higher Committee sent a letter described as "the next thing to an ulitmatum" to the British cabinet, warning of a national struggle against the recommendations of the Palestine Inquiry Commission.

Politics and government
Dutch Overseas Territories Minister J.H.A. Logemann announced that a tentative agreement for an Indonesian Republic under Netherlands sovereignty had been reached at The Hague.

Protest
The "Battle of Alcatraz" between inmates and guards at Alcatraz Prison off San Francisco began.

Academia
The Argentine government of President Juan Peron took over six universities, placing them under federal directors after students engaged in anti-Peron demonstrators.

Transportation
The U.S. Office of Defense Transportation ordered an embargo on all non-essential rail freight and a 25% reduction in passenger service in order to conserve coal during the miners' strike.

Economics and finance
U.K Chancellor of the Exchequer Hugh Dalton was named a governor of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, succeeding the recently-deceased John Maynard Keynes.

U.S. President Harry Truman asked Congress to vote funds for 34 government corporations, including the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, promising to discontinue them as soon as inflationary pressures eased.

60 years ago
1951

At the movies
I was a Communist for the F.B.I., directed by Gordon Douglas, and starring Frank Lovejoy, opened in theatres in New York City.



War
Israeli-Syrian fighting broke out again in the demilitarized border zone between the Huleh swamp and the Sea of Galilee. 20 Syrians and 4 Israelis died as a result of Syrian attempts to keep the Israelis from drainnig the swamp.

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees released a summary of the October 1950 conference on Wake Island between President Harry Truman and Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command General Douglas MacArthur which confirmed earlier reports that Gen. MacArthur had misled President Truman on the possibility of Chinese intervention in Korea.

Diplomacy
Japanese Emperor Hirohito paid his first visit to Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command General Matthew Ridgway in Tokyo.

Crime
A U.S. federal jury in Newark, New Jersey convicted Dr. John Jones, veterinarian and former Army meat inspector, of taking part in a conspiracy which had defrauded the government of $1 million by passing inferior-grade meat bought by the Army in 1947-1948 as top-grade beef.

Boxing
Former world heavyweight champion Joe Louis (63-2) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Omelio Agramonte (42-12) at Olympia Stadium in Detroit. It was the Brown Bomber's second decision over Mr. Agramonte within three months.



50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Are You Sure--The Allisons

On television tonight
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, hosted by John Newland, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Prisoner, starring Anton Diffring, Faith Brook, and Catherine Feller



Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Pearl Necklace, starring Hazel Court, Ernest Truex, and Jack Cassidy

Thriller, hosted by Boris Karloff, on NBC
Tonight's episode: A Good Imagination, starring Edward Andrews, Patricia Barry, and Ed Nelson



Space
The liftoff of Mercury-Redstone 3 with Alan Shepard aboard, scheduled to be the U.S.A.’s entry into the manned space race, was scrubbed and postponed until May 4 because of bad weather at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Transportation
The Canadian Pacific Ocean liner RMS Empress of Canada, the new flagship of the Canadian Pacific fleet, arrived at Montréal on her maiden voyage, eight days after departing Liverpool.

Agriculture
The government of Canada announced that it had negotiated an agreement to sell 6 million tons of wheat, barley, and flour, with a total value of about $362 million, to the People's Republic of China in one of the biggest grain sales in Canadian history. The agreement between the Canadian Wheat Board and China Resources Company, covering a period from June 1, 1961 to December 1963, was negotiated in Hong Kong from the Canadian side by Agriculture Minister Alvin Hamilton. The terms of the sale were 25% cash and the balance in 270 days. Canada guaranteed credit up to $50 million.

Baseball
Mickey Mantle hit a grand slam in the top of the 10th inning to lead the New York Yankees to a 6-4 win over the Minnesota Twins before 16,669 fans at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington. It was the Yankees’ first game in Minnesota.

50 years ago
1971

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
New York 2 @ Chicago 4 (Chicago won best-of-seven series 4-3)

Bobby Hull scored the series-winning goal at 4:24 of the 3rd period, and Chico Maki put the game and series away with an empty-net goal as the Black Hawks eliminated the Rangers at Chicago Stadium.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Sarà perché ti amo--Ricchi e Poveri (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Vienna--Ultravox (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Making Your Mind Up--Bucks Fizz (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Chi Mai (Theme from The Life and Times of David Lloyd George)--Ennio Morricone

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Making Your Mind Up--Bucks Fizz (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Angel of Mine--Frank Duval & Orchestra
2 Vienna--Ultravox
3 Without Your Love--Roger Daltrey
4 Can You Feel It--The Jacksons
5 One Night Affair--Spargo
6 Making Your Mind Up--Bucks Fizz
7 Jealous Guy--Roxy Music
8 Chanson D'Amour--BZN
9 You Better You Bet--The Who
10 9 to 5--Dolly

Singles entering the chart were Double Dutch Bus by Frankie Smith (#21); Fantastic Voyage by Lakeside (#27); Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington, Jr. (#32); Dancing Dynamo by Sugar and the Lollipops (#35); and People Alone by Randy Crawford (#37). People Alone was from the movie The Competition (1980).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
2 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
3 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
4 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
5 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
6 Rapture--Blondie
7 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
8 While You See a Chance--Steve Winwood
9 Living Inside Myself--Gino Vannelli
10 I Can't Stand It--Eric Clapton and his Band

Singles entering the chart were The Waiting by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (#61); You Make My Dreams by Daryl Hall & John Oates (#82); Sweet Baby by Stanley Clarke/George Duke (#83); Can You Feel It by the Jacksons (#89); Mercy, Mercy, Mercy by Phoebe Snow (#90); and Shaddap You Face by Joe Dolce (#94).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton (3rd week at #1)
2 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
3 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
4 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
5 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
6 Rapture--Blondie
7 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
8 Her Town Too--James Taylor and J.D. Souther
9 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
10 Somebody’s Knockin’--Terri Gibbs

Singles entering the chart were The Waiting by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (#59); You Make My Dreams by Daryl Hall & John Oates (#85); Sweet Baby by Stanley Clarke/George Duke (#87); and You’re So Easy to Love by Tommy James (#90).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton (2nd week at #1)
2 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
3 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
4 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
5 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
6 Rapture--Blondie
7 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
8 Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon
9 While You See a Chance--Steve Winwood
10 Somebody's Knockin'--Terri Gibbs

Singles entering the chart were The Waiting by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (#72); Give a Little Bit More by Cliff Richard (#76); Fool in Love with You by Jim Photoglo (#82); Is it You by Lee Ritenour (#84); Sweet Baby by Stanley Clarke/George Duke (#86); You Make My Dreams by Daryl Hall & John Oates (#87); Say What by Jesse Winchester (#88); Shaddap You Face by Joe Dolce (#89); I Can Take Care of Myself by Billy and the Beaters (#90); and Seven Year Ache by Rosanne Cash (#94).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
2 Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce
3 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
4 While You See a Chance--Steve Winwood
5 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
6 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
7 Wasn’t That a Party--The Rovers
8 Celebration--Kool & the Gang
9 I Missed Again--Phil Collins
10 You Better You Bet--The Who

Singles entering the chart were Medley by Stars on 45 (#41); Hold on Loosely by .38 Special (#46); Find Your Way Back by Jefferson Starship (#47); Winning by Santana (#48); and Sukiyaki by A Taste of Honey (#50).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 You Better You Bet--The Who
2 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
3 Somebody's Knockin'--Terri Gibbs
4 Time Out of Mind--Steely Dan
5 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
6 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
7 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
8 Watching the Wheels--John Lennon
9 Too Much Time on My Hands--Styx
10 High School Confidential--Rough Trade

Singles entering the chart were Say You'll Be Mine by Christopher Cross (#23); A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) by Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio (#24); and This Little Girl by Gary U.S. Bonds (#29).

Horse racing
Pleasant Colony, with Jorge Velasquez up, won the 107th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville in a time of 2:02. Woodchopper placed second and Partez finished third in the 21-horse field. First prize money was $317,200.



Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
New York Islanders 5 @ New York Rangers 1 (Islanders led best-of-seven series 3-0)

Baseball
PCL
Vancouver 6 @ Edmonton 7

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in his Kiss)--Cher

Law
Former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Bertha Wilson was named to head a Canadian Bar Association task force to improve the status of women in the legal profession; she retired in November 1990 after 8 years on the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court of Canada struck down 190-year-old law that let the Crown jail people found not guilty by reason of insanity, or commit them to a mental institution indefinitely.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Clarence S. Campbell Conference Finals
Minnesota 3 @ Edmonton 1 (Minnesota led best-of-seven series 1-0)

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Children--Robert Miles

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Children--Robert Miles (2nd week at #1)

Politics and government
The Prince Edward Island Legislature adjourned, and the dual-member riding system was ended. Instead of 16 two-member ridings, the legislature would henceforth have a single member representing each of 27 ridings.

Economics and finance
French Prime Minister Alain Juppe called for a 2% cut in expenditures.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
Florida 2 @ Philadelphia 0 (Florida led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Western Conference Semi-Finals
Chicago 3 @ Colorado 2 (OT) (Chicago led best-of-seven series 1-0)

20 years ago
2001

Scandal
A U.S. federal grand jury indicted the former chairmen of the world’s two largest auction houses--Sotheby’s and Christie’s--for overcharging their customers.

Baseball
Johnny Oates resigned as manager of the Texas Rangers, with the team off to an 11-17 start to the season. Mr. Oates had been the team’s manager since 1995, and had led them to American League West Division titles in 1996, 1998, and 1999. Interim manager Jerry Narron avoided defeat in his first game when the game at The Ballpark in Arlington was called because of rain after 3 innings, with the Rangers trailing the Chicago White Sox 6-0.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date (?)
Osama bin Laden, 54. Saudi Arabian terrorist. Mr. bin Laden, the son of construction magnate Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden, founded the terrorist organization al-Qaeda in 1988. He was expelled from Saudi Arabia in 1992, relocated to Sudan, and eventually settled in Afghanistan after being forced to leave Sudan in 1996. Mr. bin Laden was best known as the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. He was allegedly shot and killed by U.S. Navy SEAL Team 6 in a private residential compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. However, his body was quickly buried at sea, and intelligence agencies in countries such as Pakistan believed that Mr. bin Laden had died years earlier from kidney disease.

Politics and government
The Conservative Party, led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, won a majority of seats in the House of Commons in the Canadian federal election. The Conservatives won 166 of 308 seats, an increase of 23 seats from their total going into the election. The New Democratic Party, led by Jack Layton, finished second and achieved official Opposition status for the first time, taking 103 seats, an increase of 67. Most of the NDP seats were won in Quebec, as voters in that province decided to punish the Liberal Party and Bloc Québécois. The Liberals, led by Michael Ignatieff, dropped from 77 seats to 34 in the worst showing in their history. The BQ, led by Gilles Duceppe, dropped from 43 seats to 4. The Green Party won its first seat as party leader Elizabeth May was elected in the British Columbia riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands. Pierre-Luc Dusseault, 19, was elected as an NDP riding in Sherbrooke, Quebec, becoming the youngest MP in Canadian history.

Health
An E. coli outbreak struck Europe, mostly in Germany, leaving more than 30 people dead and many others sickened.

May 1, 2021

850 years ago
1171

Died on this date
Diarmait Mac Murchada, 60-61 (?). King of Leinster, 1126-1171. Diarmait Mac Murchada acceded to the throne of Leinster, a kingdom in Ireland, upon the death of his older brother Énna. Diarmait was the king who invited the first wave of English settlers, planted by the Norman conquest. During his reign, the indigenous Celtic Christian Church in Ireland came under the jurisdiction of the Holy See through a bull issued to the Normans by Pope Adrian IV. King Diarmait was deposed in 1167 by High King of Ireland Ruaidri Ua Conchobair (Rory O'Connor), but regained the throne with English and Welsh military support. King Diarmait was succeeded as King of Leinster by his son Domhnall Caomhánach.

290 years ago
1731

Died on this date
Johann Ludwig Bach, 54. German composer. Mr. Bach, a third cousin of Johann Sebastian Bach, was a violinist whose catalogue of 39 compositions includes 17 cantatas.

200 years ago
1821

Born on this date
Henry Ayers. U.K.-born Australian politician. Sir Henry was a carpenter when he emigrated to South Australia in 1840; he worked as a law clerk and mine manager before entering politics. He was a member of the South Australia Legislative Council from 1857-1893, and served five terms as Premier of South Australia (1863-1864, 1865, 1867-1868, October-November 1868, 1872-1873). Sir Henry died on June 11, 1897 at the age of 76.

170 years ago
1851

Britannica
Queen Victoria opened the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London.







150 years ago
1871

Born on this date
Emiliano Chamorro Vargas. President of Nicaragua, 1917--1921, 1926. Mr. Chamorro participated in a failed coup attempt against President José Santos Zelaya in 1893, but after Mr. Zelaya was removed by a coup in 1909, Mr. Chamorro became Chairman of the Constituent Assembly and leader of the Nicaragua's Conservative Party. He helped to suppress a revolt against President Adolfo Díaz in 1911, and was rewarded by being appointed Ambassador to the United States, serving until 1916. He was elected President with American assistance, and used his term to try to pay off Nicaragua's creditors. Mr. Chamorro was defeated by Carlos José Solórzano in the 1923 presidential election, but led a successful coup against Mr. Solórzano in March 1926. However, Mr. Chamorro failed to win American support, a civil war ensued, and he was forced to resign in favour of Mr. Díaz in November 1926. Mr. Chamorro held ambassadorial posts to several European countries in later years, and died on February 26, 1966 at the age of 94.

130 years ago
1891

Baseball
Cy Young was the winning pitcher as the Cleveland Spiders defeated the Cincinnati Reds 12-3 before about 9,500 fans in the first major league game at League Park in Cleveland.

125 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Mark W. Clark. U.S. military officer. General Clark served in both world wars and the Korean War. He was best known for commanding the United States Fifth Army, and later the 15th Army Group, in the Italian campaign in World War II, and led the Fifth Army when it captured Rome in June 1944. He was heavily criticized for ignoring the orders of his superior officer, U.K. Gen. Harold Alexander, and allowing the 10th German Army to escape in his drive to take Rome. Gen. Clark died on April 17, 1894, two weeks before his 88th birthday.

J. Lawton Collins. U.S. military officer. General Collins, nicknamed "Lightning Joe," was related to other U.S. Army generals, and was the uncle of astronaut Michael Collins. He joined the U.S. Army in 1917, and served for 39 years. Gen. Collins served in the Pacific and European theatres of operations during World War II; he was Chief of Staff of the United States Army (1949-1953) and special representative of the United States in Vietnam with ambassadorial rank (1954-1955). Gen. Collins died on September 12, 1987 at the age of 91.

Politics and government
Sir Charles Tupper was asked by Governor General the Earl of Aberdeen to serve as Canada's 6th Prime Minister on the resignation of Sir Mackenzie Bowell. Sir Charles chose Hugh John Macdonald as Minister of the Interior and Superintendent General of Indian Affairs.

Labour
The Canadian Public Printing Bureau adopted an eight hour work day.

120 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Heinz Eric Roemheld. U.S. composer. Mr. Roemheld was a child prodigy as a pianist, and performed in the United States and Europe, performing his scores for silent movies. He wrote music for more than 400 films, and won the Academy Award for his original score for Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942). Mr. Roemheld is perhaps best known as the composer of the song Ruby, from the movie Ruby Gentry (1952). He died of pneumonia on February 11, 1985 at the age of 83.

110 years ago
1911

Diplomacy
Philippe Ray was appointed Canadian Commissioner to France.

100 years ago
1921

Society
The Québec government took control of the sale of liquor in the province when the Alcoholic Beverages Act created the Commission des liqueurs du Québec, today's SAQ; with near universal prohibition of alcoholic beverages in North America, Québec was the only 'wet' jurisdiction on the continent for a time.

90 years ago
1931

Americana
The Empire State Building, then the world's tallest at 102 storeys, opened in New York City.



80 years ago
1941

At the movies
Citizen Kane, co-written by, directed by, and starring Orson Welles, received its premiere screening at the Palace Theatre in New York City.



War
German and Italian forces launched a major attack on the Libyan port of Tobruk, breaking through the city's outer defenses. Reports from London indicated that additional troops had been landed at Basra, Iraq over the protests of the Iraqi government. Iraqi Prime Minister Rashid Ali Beg Gallani asserted that the new arrival of British troops violated the Anglo-Iraqi treaty.

Defense
U.S. Senator Joseph Guffey (Democrat--Pennsylvania) urged that the U.S. Navy convoy merchant ships to Britain. U.S. Senator Charles Tobey (Republican--New Hampshire) claimed that "pressure" from President Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated his anti-convoy resolution; he told Mr. Roosevelt to "keep your hands off the Congress." U.S. defense bonds and stamps ranging from 10c-$10,000 went on sale at post offices and banks. The U.S. Senate passed and sent to President Roosevelt the $3,415,521,750 naval appropriations bill.

Diplomacy
Chinese Foreign Minister Dr. Kuo Tai-chi said that America, Britain, and China should form an ABC combination, pooling their economic and natural resources to crush totalitarianism.

Transportation
U.S. President Roosevelt asked Congress for funds to complete a 1,500-mile stretch of the Inter-American highway from the southern border of Mexico across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama to the Panama Canal at a cost estimated at $20 million.

Science
Dr. Robley Evans of Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that new methods of determining geological ages indicated that life had existed on Earth much longer than previous estimates of 500 million years, and that man may be much older than the one million years now commonly accepted.

Economics and finance
The British Ministry of Economic Warfare urged the United States to boycott the Axis and freeze Axis funds in the United States.

Business
Albert W. Hawkes of Congoleum-Nairn Inc. was elected president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Labour
Workers at the Phelps-Dodge plant in Elizabeth, New Jersey voted to end their three-week strike.

75 years ago
1946

Diplomacy
The Paris Peace Conference concluded that the islands of the Dodecanese should be returned to Greece by Italy. Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov rejected proposals for a quadripartite military commission to enforce armistice terms in Italy, claiming that the United Kingdom and United States might seek to send similar commissions to the Balkan states.

British Prime Minister Clement Attlee told the House of Commons that the United Kingdom would not carry out the recommendations of the Palestine Inquiry Commission "single-handed," and asked what share of responsibility the United States was willing to take.

Crime
A British court sentenced physicist Alan Nunn May to 10 years' hard labour under the Official Secrets Act for having passed information calculated to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy, i.e. the U.S.S.R. Dr. Nunn May had worked on atomic bomb research in Canada at Chalk River, Ontario, and his spying was discovered in the revelations of cipher clerk Igor Gouzenko, who had defected from the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa on September 5, 1945.

Politics and government
The United States Senate confirmed William Hastie as Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Defense
U.S. Navy Secretary James Forrestal said that the pending bill for armed services unification would give too much powere to a supreme chief of staff.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Harry Truman asked Congress to appropriate $600 million already authprized for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Agency for the 1946 fiscal year.

Labour
The three-year Pilbara strike of Indigenous Australians began when at least 800 Aboriginal pastoral workers walking off the large Pastoral Stations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and from employment in the two major towns of Port Hedland and Marble Bar. They were striking for human rights recognition and payment of fair wages and working conditions.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 1.66 million strikers caused a record loss of 54.7 million man-days in the first quarter of 1946.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight’s episode: No Friend Like an Old Friend, starring Judith Evelyn, Ruth Ford, and Tom Helmore

War
The 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group was sent to join United Nations forces in Korea. Chinese Communist forces halted their drive on Seoul.

Defense
The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee released General Albert Wedemeyer's secret 1947 report to President Harry Truman on the Korean situation, showing that Gen. Wedemeyer had accurately forecast the invasion of South Korea by Soviet-controlled North Korean Communists.

Politics and government
Nicaraguan President Anastasio Somoza completed the unexpired term of the late Victor Manual Roman y Reyes and began a regular six-year term.

The pro-Indian Kashmiri government summoned a Constituent Assembly to "frame a constitution" for the state.

Two "right-wing" socialist groups in Italy merged to form the new anti-Communist Italian Socialist Party.

Protest
Iran's outlawed Tudeh Party staged a pro-Soviet demonstration in Tehran with 30,000 participants.

Law
Leonard Nicholson was appointed Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; he served until March 31, 1959.

Crime
The U.S. Senate Crime Investigating Committee issued a third interim report, accusing Ambassador to Mexico William O'Dwyer of aiding crime while Mayor of New York by failing to take effective action against top gangsters in their gambling, narcotics, waterfront, bookmaking, and murder rackets.

Americana
The American Mothers Committee of the Golden Rule Foundation named Dr. Mary Sloop, a North Carolina physician, as the American Mother of 1951.

Labour
Federal officials in the southwestern United States began a "get-tough" policy of enforcing existing regulations against hiring illegal Mexican migrant workers.

Baseball
Mickey Mantle his his first major league home run to help the New York Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox 8-3 before 14,776 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Yogi Berra also homered for New York. Minnie Minoso, in his first game with Chicago, hit a 2-run homer in his first at bat.

Pinch hitter Lou Limmer doubled in three runs and scored himself as the Philadelphia Athletics erupted for 8 runs in the top of the 11th inning to break a 1-1 tie and defeat the Detroit Tigers 9-1 before 3,583 fans at Briggs Stadium in Detroit.

Mickey Vernon hit a solo home run with 1 out in the top of the 13th inning to break an 8-8 tie as the Washington Nationals edged the St. Louis Browns 9-8 before 3,346 fans at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Quince Años Tiene Mi Amor--Dúo Dinámico (7th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Et maintenant--Gilbert Bécaud

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Runaway--Del Shannon (2nd week at #1)
2 Mother-in-Law--Ernie K-Doe
3 I've Told Every Little Star--Linda Scott
4 A Hundred Pounds of Clay--Gene McDaniels
5 Blue Moon--The Marcels
6 But I Do--Clarence "Frogman" Henry
7 Take Good Care of Her--Adam Wade
8 One Mint Julep--Ray Charles
9 You Can Depend on Me--Brenda Lee
10 On the Rebound--Floyd Cramer

Singles entering the chart were That Old Black Magic by Bobby Rydell (#53); Little Devil by Neil Sedaka (#56); Hello Mary Lou by Ricky Nelson (#73); Those Oldies But Goodies (Remind Me of You) by Little Caesar and the Romans (#80); Buzz Buzz A-Diddle-It by Freddy Cannon (#88); Raindrops by Dee Clark (#90); Big Big World by Johnny Burnette (#92); You're Gonna Need Magic by Roy Hamilton (#93); Count Every Star by Donnie and the Dreamers (#94); Moody River by Pat Boone (#95); Halfway to Paradise by Tony Orlando (#96); A Cross Stands Alone by Jimmy Witter (#97); The Kissin' Game by Dion (#99); and Rama Lama Ding Dong by the Edsels (#100).

Abominations
Cuban dictator Fidel Castro announced that Cuba was now a socialist state and that he had banned elections.

Diplomacy
Habib Bourguiba, President of Tunisia, arrived in Ottawa to start a two-day visit to Canada.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Morning--Steve Montgomery

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): 4 marzo 1943--Lucio Dalla (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Hot Love--T. Rex (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Double Barrel--Dave and Ansel Collins

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 I'll Be Gone--Spectrum
2 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson
3 The Pushbike Song--The Mixtures
4 What is Life/Apple Scruffs--George Harrison
5 Knock Three Times--Dawn
6 My Sweet Lord--George Harrison
7 Armstrong--Reg Lindsay
8 Have You Ever Seen the Rain/Hey Tonight--Creedence Clearwater Revival
9 Amazing Grace--Judy Collins
10 Your Song--Elton John

Singles entering the chart were Another Day by Paul McCartney (#25); and Oye Como Va by Santana (#54).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Funny, Funny--The Sweet
2 Mozart - First Movement Symphony No. 40--Waldo De Los Rios
3 True Love that's a Wonder--Sandy Coast
4 Underneath the Blanket Go--Gilbert O'Sullivan
5 Loop di Love--J. Bastós
6 Those Words--Sandra & Andres
7 Du--Peter Maffray
8 Power to the People--John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
9 In Your Eyes (I Can See the Lies)--Tee-Set
10 Proud Mary--Ike & Tina Turner

Singles entering the chart were Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones (#15); It Don't Come Easy by Ringo Starr (#20); United by Drafi (#30); Rosetta by Georgie Fame & Alan Price (#33); A Day Begins by Greenfield & Cook (#36); O Daar Heb Je Ze Weer by Jack De Nijs (#37); The Leader by Unit Gloria (#38); and I'm a Bum by the Gloomys (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night (3rd week at #1)
2 Put Your Hand in the Hand--Ocean
3 Never Can Say Goodbye--The Jackson 5
4 What's Going On--Marvin Gaye
5 I Am...I Said/Done Too Soon--Neil Diamond
6 If--Bread
7 Stay Awhile--The Bells
8 Another Day/Oh Woman, Oh Why--Paul McCartney
9 Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)--The Temptations
10 Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It)--Daddy Dewdrop

Singles entering the chart were Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones (#40); It Don't Come Easy by Ringo Starr (#49); Reach Out I’ll Be There by Diana Ross (#66); Feelin’ Alright by Grand Funk Railroad (#78); Reach Out Your Hand by the Brotherhood of Man (#80); I’m Comin’ Home by Dave Edmunds (#87); A Mama and a Papa by Ray Stevens (#88); Jumpin' Jack Flash by Johnny Winter (#89); The Drum by Bobby Sherman (#90); Music is Love by David Crosby (#95); The Electronic Magnetism (That's Heavy, Baby) by Solomon Burke (#96); and Be Good to Me Baby by Luther Ingram (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night (3rd week at #1)
2 Put Your Hand in the Hand--Ocean
3 Never Can Say Goodbye--The Jackson 5
4 I Am...I Said--Neil Diamond
5 Stay Awhile--The Bells
6 Another Day--Paul McCartney
7 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Aretha Franklin
8 If--Bread
9 What’s Going On--Marvin Gaye
10 We Can Work it Out--Stevie Wonder

Singles entering the chart were The Drum by Bobby Sherman (#49); Reach Out I’ll Be There by Diana Ross (#60); Nathan Jones by the Supremes (#69); I Cried by James Brown (#70); You’re My Man by Lynn Anderson (#72); I’m Comin’ Home by Dave Edmunds (#76); Feelin’ Alright by Grand Funk Railroad (#77); A Mama and a Papa by Ray Stevens (#85); House at Pooh Corner by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (#87); Hot Love by T. Rex (#88); Love's Made a Fool of You by Cochise (#92); Be Nice to Me by Runt (#95); Funky Nassau - Part I by the Beginning of the End (#97); Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian) by the Raiders (#98); and Sea Cruise by Johnny Rivers (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night (3rd week at #1)
2 Never Can Say Goodbye--The Jackson 5
3 Put Your Hand in the Hand--Ocean
4 I Am...I Said--Neil Diamond
5 Another Day/Oh Woman, Oh Why--Paul McCartney
6 What’s Going On--Marvin Gaye
7 Stay Awhile--The Bells
8 If--Bread
9 Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)--The Temptations
10 She's a Lady--Tom Jones

Singles entering the chart were Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones (#77); Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On by Edwin Starr (#80); The Drum by Bobby Sherman (#84); Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling in Love) by the Main Ingredient (#93); House at Pooh Corner by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (#94); Brownsville by the Joy of Cooking (#95); Ajax Liquor Store by Hudson & Landry (#96); L.A. International Airport by Susan Raye (#97); Feelin’ Alright by Grand Funk Railroad (#98); and Happy by Hog Heaven (#100).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night (2nd week at #1)
2 I Am...I Said--Neil Diamond
3 Jodie--Joey Gregorash
4 Another Day--Paul McCartney
5 One Toke Over the Line--Brewer and Shipley
6 Carry Me--Stampeders
7 Power to the People--John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
8 Eighteen--Alice Cooper
9 If--Bread
10 Woodstock--Matthews’ Southern Comfort

Singles entering the chart were Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones (#45); It Don’t Come Easy by Ringo Starr (#54); I’m Comin’ Home by Dave Edmunds (#61); Toast and Marmalade for Tea by Tin Tin (#67); Hello Mom by the Mercey Brothers (#69); Cool Aid by Paul Humphrey and his Cool Aid Chemists (#71); I Love You for All Seasons by Fuzz (#81); Baby Let Me Kiss You by King Floyd (#99); and Bridge Over Troubled Water by Aretha Franklin (#100).

Calgary’s Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Tillicum--Syrinx
2 I Am...I Said--Neil Diamond
3 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night
4 Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It)--Daddy Dewdrop
5 Another Day--Paul McCartney
6 A Country Boy Named Willy--Spring
7 Eighteen--Alice Cooper
8 I Play and Sing--Dawn
9 Indian Reservation--Raiders
10 Snow Blind Friend--Steppenwolf
Pick hit of the week: Garden of Ursh--Karen Young

Diplomacy
U.S. Secretary of State William Rogers began a five-nation tour of the Middle East to evaluate chances of settling the Arab-Israeli dispute.

Transportation
The U.S. passenger railroad system Amtrak (the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) went into service, combining and streamlining the operations of 18 intercity passenger railroads, linking about 300 cities.

Horse racing
Canonero II, a "dark" horse from Venezuela ridden by Gustavo Avila, won the 97th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville in a time of 2:03 1/5. First prize money was $145,500; Canonero II, so lightly regarded that he had been placed in the mutuel field at 8-1 odds, paid $19.40 to win. Jim French, with Angel Cordero, Jr. aboard, placed second, with Bold Reason third in the 20-horse field. Unconscious, the 5-2 pre-race favourite, finished fifth.



40 years ago
1981

Hit parade #1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): In the Air Tonight--Phil Collins (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Stop the Cavalry--Jona Lewie (5th week at #1)

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce Music Theatre (9th week at #1)
2 I am the Beat--Look
3 Give Me Back My Love--Maywood
4 Here is My Love--Tommy Dee
5 Woman--John Lennon
6 Spend the Night in Love--The Four Seasons
7 Twilight Café--Susan Fassbender
8 Song for You--Chicago
9 Gypsy Girl--David Scobie
10 Antmusic--Adam & the Ants

The only single entering the chart was Santa Maria by Alan Garrity (#20).

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce Music Theatre
2 In the Air Tonight--Phil Collins
3 Fade to Grey--Visage
4 Woman--John Lennon
5 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
6 Flash--Queen
7 Amoureux solitaires--Lio
8 Vienna--Ultravox
9 Angel of Mine--Frank Duval & Orchestra
10 Some Broken Hearts Never Mend--Telly Savalas

Singles entering the chart were Jealous Guy by Roxy Music (#11); Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz (#12); and Fremde Erde by Roy Black (#15).

On the radio
Nightfall, on CBC
Tonight's episode: Breaking Point

Personal
This blogger spent an enjoyable evening with the CPR Stockholders of Edmonton, our local Sherlock Holmes society, at the Jagerbeiz, a Swiss restaurant. Appropriately, the quiz for the occasion was on the short story The Final Problem.

Oil
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau imposed a special tax of $1.15 per barrel to pay for Petro-Canada's purchase of Petrofina.

Economics and finance
The government of Canada started the Sport Select baseball pool; it met the opposition of the provinces and major league baseball.

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Joyride--Roxette (8th week at #1)

On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight’s episode: The House That Jack Built

Died on this date
Richard Thorpe, 95. U.S. movie director. Mr. Thorpe, born Rollo Thorpe, directed more than 180 movies in a career running from the early 1920s through 1967. His films included Night Must Fall (1937); The Thin Man Goes Home (1945); and Jailhouse Rock (1957).

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Prince of Wales Conference Finals
Pittsburgh 3 @ Boston 6 (Boston led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Baseball
Nolan Ryan, 44, pitched his seventh and last major league no-hitter as the Texas Rangers blanked the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 before 33,439 fans at Arlington Stadium.



Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics broke Lou Brock's major league career record, stealing his 939th base in a 7-4 win over the New York Yankees before 36,139 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mr. Brock was in attendance to salute Mr. Henderson.

Willie Randolph singled home Jim Gantner with 2 out in the bottom of the 19th inning to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 10-9 win over the Chicago White Sox before 13,973 fans at County Stadium in Milwaukee. Mr. Randolph had just 2 hits in 9 at bats, but his first hit had been a single to score Bill Spiers with the tying run with 2 out in the 15th as the Brewers rallied for 3 runs after the White Sox had scored 3 runs in the top half of the inning to take a 9-6 lead.

25 years ago
1996

Died on this date
Luana Patten, 57. U.S. actress. Miss Patten appeared in the movie Song of the South (1946) and So Dear to My Heart (1949), and in numerous television programs until retiring from acting in 1968. She died of respiratory failure.

Politics and government
Sheila Copps resigned as Canada's Deputy Prime Minister in the face of public pressure to fulfill an election promise to resign if the Goods and Services Tax was not abolished; eight days earlier, Ms. Copps had admitted that the tax could not be abolished.

Economics and finance
The Nova Scotia government of Premier John Savage tabled a bill that would require future governments to present a balanced budget.

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Chandra Levy, 24. U.S. civil servant. Miss Levy was a federal government intern who went missing in Washington, D.C. She was having an affair with Representative Gary Condit (Democrat--California), which led to his being widely suspected in her disappearance. Due to police incompetence, Miss Levy's remains weren't discovered until May 2002, when they were discovered in Rock Creek Park. Ingmar Guandique, a Salvadoran who was in prison serving sentences for assaulting two women in Rock Creek Park, was convicted in 2010 of Miss Levy's murder and sentenced in February 2011 to 60 years in prison.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Ted Lowe, 90. U.K. sportscaster. Mr. Lowe was a snooker commentator for BBC and ITV from 1969-1996; his husky, hushed tones earned him the nickname "Whispering Ted."

Henry Cooper, 76. U.K. boxer. Sir Henry, a heavyweight, compiled a record of 40-14-1 in a professional career from 1954-1971. He defeated Brian London in 1959 to win the British and British Empire heavyweight titles, and added the European heavyweight title with a win over Karl Mildnberger in 1968, holding all three titles until a narrow and controversial loss to Joe Bugner in his last fight. Sir Henry was best known for his two fights against Muhammad Ali, knocking down the contender, then known as Cassius Clay, in 1963 before losing by technical knockout because of cuts in the 5th round, and then fighting Mr. Ali for the world championship in 1966, suffering another TKO loss because of cuts in the 6th round. Sir Henry died two days before his 77th birthday.

Religion
Pope Benedict XVI beatified Pope John Paul II, moving his predecessor a step closer to sainthood.