Monday 31 March 2008

March 31, 2008

130 years ago
1878


Born on this date
Jack Johnson
. U.S. boxer. Mr. Johnson was the first Negro to hold the world heavyweight title, defeating Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia on December 26, 1908. Mr. Johnson's victory, and his flamboyant lifestyle--which included sexual relationships with white women--inspired much outrage, and launched an era of "White Hope" contenders for the title. Mr. Johnson easily defeated all comers, most famously former world champion Jim Jeffries, who came out of a five-year retirement in 1910 to fight Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson scored a 15-round knockout, becoming the only man to knock Mr. Jeffries down. U.S. authorities instigated charges against Mr. Johnson for violating the Mann Act, which prohibited transporting women across state lines for immoral purposes. Mr. Johnson then fled the United States, and spent the next several years abroad. He defended his title in Havana against white American Jess Willard on April 5, 1915, and was knocked out in the 26th round. Mr. Johnson returned to the United States in 1920 to serve his prison sentence, and was released in 1921; he continued to box for years after that, but was never a serious title contender again. Mr. Johnson recorded an official professional record of 71-11-11-3; he had many unofficial fights. He was killed in a car accident on a highway in North Carolina at the age of 68 on June 10, 1946, while driving angrily away from a diner that had refused to serve him.

90 years ago
1918


Died on this date
Gordon Flowerdew, 33
. U.K.-born Canadian military officer. Lieutenant Flowerdew, a native of Norfolk, England who emigrated to British Columbia, died the day after being wounded while leading C Squadron of Lord Strathcona's Horse in the Canadian Cavalry Brigade in the "Last Great Cavalry Charge" against German forces in the Battle of Moreuil Wood in France. Lt. Flowerdew was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for valour during the battle.

80 years ago
1928

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Gordie Howe!

A native of Floral, Saskatchewan, "Mr. Hockey" played 25 years at right wing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League from 1946-1971. In 1972 he was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, then came out of retirement a year later. He joined the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association in 1973, playing there with his sons Mark and Marty from 1973-1977. When the Aeros folded, the Howes joined the New England Whalers, playing with them during the WHA’s last two seasons (1977-1979). When the Whalers joined the NHL as the Hartford Whalers, Gordie Howe played the 1979-80 season with them before retiring for good.

I don’t have time to go into detail on Gordie Howe’s records. His 26 seasons, 1,767 games, 801 goals, 1,049 assists, and 1,850 points were NHL career regular season records at the time of his retirement. In six seasons in the WHA he played 419 regular season games, scoring 174 goals, 334 assists, 508 points. From 1948-49 through 1954-55 the Red Wings finished first seven straight seasons, winning four Stanley Cups (1950, ‘52, ‘54, ‘55). In his first two years in the WHA, Mr. Howe led the Aeros to the Avco World Trophy (1974 and ‘75).

My favourite Gordie Howe statistic: In the 22 seasons from 1948-49 through 1969-70, he was a first or second team all-star in every season but one (1954-55). Even in the one year that he missed out, he scored 9 goals and 11 assists in 11 playoff games in leading the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup. Mr. Howe was a first team NHL all-star at the age of 41, and a first team WHA all-star in his first two seasons in that league.

I saw him play in person twice: On January 21, 1975, he played in the WHA All-Star Game at the Edmonton Coliseum, and set up his son Mark with the game’s first goal, and on January 29, 1977, he scored the Aeros’ final goal in a 6-4 win over the Calgary Cowboys at the Stampede Corral in Calgary.

Britannica
King George V created his third son Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester, Earl of Ulster, and Baron Culloden, titles that linked him with England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Disasters
Earthquakes in Turkey killed 38 in Smyrna and vicinity, and destroyed many buildings there, including those at Tourboli.

80 years ago
1938


Hockey
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
New York Americans 0 @ Chicago 1 (2OT)

Cully Dahlstrom scored at 13:01 of the 2nd overtime period to give the Black Hawks the win over the Americans at Chicago Stadium.

60 years ago
1948


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Anniversary Song--Al Jolson; Bing Crosby (5th month at #1)

Theatre
The New York Drama Critics Circle announced its awards for 1947-48. A Streetcar Named Desire was named Best American Play, while The Winslow Boy by Terrence Rattigan was Best Foreign Play.

Born on this date
Al Gore
. U.S. politician. Mr. Gore, the son of a United States Congressman and Senator, was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1977-1985, and the Senate from 1985-1993, representing Tennessee (despite the fact that he’s actually spent a huge chunk of his life as a resident of Washington, D.C.). He served as Vice-President under Bill Clinton from 1993-2001, losing a close and controversial decision to George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election. In recent years, Mr. Gore has gained a lot of weight while propagandizing about global warming. His propaganda efforts were rewarded with a share of the Nobel peace Prize in 2007. Those who believe that the earth has been visited by space aliens in recent decades can point to Mr. Gore as evidence--he was born nine months after space aliens supposedly landed at Roswell, New Mexico.

War
Land mines destroyed an Arab train near Haifa, killing 40 people and injuring 60.

Chinese Nationalist forces announced plans to withdraw from all ports on the Shantung peninsula except Chefoo.

Labour
A presidential inquiry board investigating the current coal miners' strike issued a report pinning responsibility for the walkout on United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis.

50 years ago
1958

Hit parade

#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Tequila--The Champs (Best Seller--3rd week at #1; Disc Jockey--1st week at #1; Top 100--3rd week at #1)

War
The Israeli-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission imposed a cease-fire in the border area east of Lake Huleh.

Defense
The U.S.S.R. proclaimed a unilateral halt in its atomic and hydrogen weapons tests and appealed to the U.S.A. and U.K. for similar action as a step toward an international agreement banning future tests.

Politics and government
In the biggest landslide in Canadian history, the Progressive Conservatives, led by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, took 208 of 265 seats in the House of Commons in the federal election. The Liberals, who had held power for 22 years prior to losing a close election in June 1957, were reduced to 49 seats in Lester Pearson’s first campaign as party leader. The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation took 8 seats, and Social Credit none.

The Supreme Soviet approved Premier Nikita Khrushchev's cabinet revision which reestablished the post of First Deputy Premier, to be filled by Anastas Mikoyan and Frol Kozlov. Former Premier Nikolai Bulganin retained his position in the Supreme Soviet presidium.

Pakistani President Iskander Mirza dismissed East Pakistan Governor A.K. Fazlul Huq for the unconstitutional dismissal of East Pakistan Chief Minister Ataur Rahman Khan.

The Cuban Congress voted President Fulgencio Batista "extraordinary powers" over industry, transportation, and communications for 45 days.

Basketball
NBA
The all-star team chosen by a poll of sportswriters and broadcasters consisted of Bob Pettit (St. Louis Hawks; Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman (Boston Celtics); George Yardley (Detroit Pistons); and Dolph Schayes (Syracuse Nationals).

40 years ago
1968


Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Delilah--Tom Jones

Politics and government
U.S. President Lyndon Johnson delivered a nationally-televised address on the war in Vietnam. During the 40-minute address, Mr. Johnson announced the unilateral halting of bombing of 90% of the territory of North Vietnam, and asked North Vietnam to make some movement toward the peace conference table. President Johnson dropped a bombshell of his own at the end of his speech when he announced, "I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President." The President’s decision was believed to have been sparked by his relatively poor showing in the New Hampshire showing against war opponent Eugene McCarthy on March 12, and the officially announced candidacy of Senator Robert F. Kennedy four days later.

Golf
Tony Jacklin won the Greater Jacksonville Open with a score of 273. First prize money was $20,000.

Hockey
CPHL
Adams Cup
Semi-Finals
Oklahoma City 2 @ Tulsa 3 (Tulsa led best-of-seven series 1-0)

30 years ago
1978


Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): It's a Heartache--Bonnie Tyler (4th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Das Lied der Schlümpfe--Vader Abraham & Die Schlümpfe (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France: We Will Rock You/We are the Champions--Queen (2nd week at #1)

Diplomacy
In Brazil, U. S. President Jimmy Carter met with six prominent Brazilians, some of whom had publicly opposed the military regime of President Ernesto Geisel. However, President Carter also publicly stressed the American need for stronger ties with Brazil, and seemed to have eased tensions slightly. Later, President Carter flew to Nigeria, where he was joined by United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young. Mr. Carter called for withdrawal of the 16,000 to 17,000 Cuban troops in Ethiopia and for majority-rule governments in Rhodesia and Namibia.

Defense
British troops withdrew from Malta, leaving Malta fully independent.

Politics and government
French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing reappointed Premier Raymond Barre to head the government.

Scandal
David Begelman, former head of Columbia Pictures, was charged with embezzling $40,000 from the company. He had resigned on February 9 amid controversy over financial practices in the movie industry. Mr. Begelman was said to have accomplished the theft by illegally endorsing cheques made out to director Martin Ritt, actor Cliff Robertson, and Los Angeles restaurateur Pierre Groleau. In fact, it was Mr. Robertson who blew the whistle, after Mr. Begelman had forged his signature.

Hockey
CHL
Salt Lake City 1 @ Dallas 3
Kansas City 8 @ Tulsa 2

25 years ago
1983


World events
Three Soviet citizens were expelled from Britain and accused of espionage.

Politics and government
37 members of the United States House of Representatives wrote to President Ronald Reagan expressing concern about possible violations of the Boland Amendment, a law passed in 1982 forbidding the use of U.S. defense funds to help overthrow the Sandanista government of Nicaragua.

Disasters
An earthquake in southern Colombia killed at least 250 people.

20 years ago
1988


Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): I Should Be So Lucky--Kylie Minogue (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
William McMahon, 80
. Prime Minister of Australia, 1971-1972. Mr. McMahon, a Liberal, was a member of parliament from 1949-1982. He became Prime Minister on March 10, 1971 when John Gorton resigned. Mr. McMahon's government was defeated by the Labour Party in the general election of December 2, 1972.

Politics and government
15-year school board member Dianne Cunningham won an Ontario provincial by-election in the riding of London North. Ms. Cunningham’s win gave the Progressive Conservatives 20 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, far behind the governing Liberals and opposition New Democrats. London North was held by Ron Van Horne of the Liberals from 1977-1987; Mr. Van Horne was named to the cabinet of Premier David Peterson as minister in charge of seniors’ services when the Liberals came to power in 1985, and had easily retained his seat in the election of September 10, 1987. However, Premier Peterson dropped him from cabinet, and Mr. Van Horne resigned his seat effective December 31, 1987. Of the seven candidates in the by-election, five (including those of all three major parties) were women.

Economics and finance
The United States Senate approved $47.9 million in humanitarian aid for the Contras in Nicaragua and for children injured in the war between the Contras and the Sandanistas.

Saturday 29 March 2008

March 30, 2008

170 years ago
1838


Politics and government
John Lambton, Lord Durham was appointed Governor-in-Chief of Lower Canada and Governor General of British North America, with his term to begin May 29.

160 years ago
1848


Canadiana
The City of Fredericton was incorporated.

150 years ago
1858

Born on this date
De Wolf Hopper
. U.S. actor. Mr. Hopper starred in more than 30 Broadway musicals, including Castles in the Air (1890); Wang (1891); and John Phillip Sousa's El Capitan (1896), which met with great success in London. His favourite role was Old Bill in The Better Ole (1919). Mr. Hopper was most famous for reciting Ernest Lawrence Thayer's poem Casey at the Bat. He first recited the poem in public in August 1888, and did it about 10,000 times over the years. He released a recorded version in 1906, and also in an experimental sound film in 1923 in Lee De Forest's Phonofilm process. Mr. Hopper died on September 23, 1935 at the age of 77.

Siegfried Alkan. German composer. Mr. Alkan, a distant relative of Felix Mendelsson, was a pianist and music store owner who also worked in the insurance business. His compositions consisted mainly of songs. Mr. Alkan was a victim of "Kristallnacht" on November 9, 1938, when his store was vandalized, his piano and other instruments were thrown into the street, and his scores were scattered and lost. He died on December 24, 1941 at the age of 83.

90 years ago
1918


Hockey
Stanley Cup
Finals
Vancouver 1 @ Toronto 2 (Toronto won best-of-five series 3-2)

Corb Denneny's goal at 12:30 of the 3rd period broke a 1-1 tie as the Arenas edged the Millionaires at Arena Gardens to become the first National Hockey League team to win the Stanley Cup. Mr. Denneny's goal came 2 minutes after Cyclone Taylor had tied the game with his 9th goal of the series.

80 years ago
1928

Died on this date
Frank B. Willis, 56
. U.S. Senator. Senator Willis dropped dead in Delaware, Ohio as the Republican Glee Club was singing the chorus of The End of a Perfect Day, and thousands of fellow townsmen were pledging him their support in the coming presidential primaries. Mr. Willis had served in the Ohio House of Representatives (1900-1904) and the United States House of Representatives (1911-1915) before becoming the first Republican to be elected Governor of Ohio. He defeated incumbent James M. Cox to win the 1914 gubernatorial election and served from 1915-1917. He lost his bid for re-election to Mr. Cox in 1916 and again in 1918. Mr. Willis placed Warren G. Harding’s name in nomination at the 1920 Republican National Convention. Mr. Willis was elected to the United States Senate in 1920 the same day that Mr. Harding won the presidential election. Mr. Harding promptly resigned his Senate seat, allowing Mr. Willis to assume his seat early. After placing Warren Harding's name in nomination at the 1920 Republican National Convention, Willis was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1920, replacing Harding, who then resigned his seat to take the presidency, allowing Willis to take his seat early. During his Senate tenure, Willis served from 1923 to 1928 as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Territories and Insular Possessions, which had jurisdiction over territories including Alaska, Hawaii, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico.

World events
In Rome, Italian Premier Benito Mussolini published a decree abolishing all Catholic youth organizations (such as the Catholic Boy Scouts) that were at all educational. The decree abolished all educational organizations for Italian youth except the official fascist training groups: the Bililla and the Avanguardista.

Britannica
King George V of Great Britain revived the title of Duke of Gloucester (previously in use from 1385-1834) and conferred it upon his third son, Prince Henry, who was to turn 28 on March 31. The title gave Prince Henry a seat in the House of Lords.

Crime
In Berlin, Julius Barmot and his brother Henry were given jail sentences for bribing officials of banks from whom they obtained loans running into millions of marks. Julius was sentenced to 11 months; Henry got 6 months.

70 years ago
1938


Disasters
Five coal miners were killed and five injured in a gas explosion and fire in the Hinton Collieries at Hinton, Alberta.

60 years ago
1948


On the radio
The Casebook of Gregory Hood, starring Elliott Lewis, on MBS

50 years ago
1958

On television tonight

Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Bull in a China Shop, starring Dennis Morgan, Estelle Winwood, Elizabeth Patterson, Ellen Corby, and Ida Moore

40 years ago
1968


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France: Riquita--Georgette Plana

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): La tramontana--Antoine (4th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Cinderella Rockefella--Esther and Abi Ofarim (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Cinderella Rockefella--Esther and Abi Ofarim
2 Kom Uit De Bedstee Mijn Liefste--Egbert Douwe
3 Lady Madonna--The Beatles
4 De Kat Van Ome Willem--Wim Sonneveld with Hetty Blok, Leen Jongewaard, De Jonkies, and the Orchestra of Harry Bannink
5 The Legend of Xanadu--Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich
6 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
7 Delilah--Tom Jones
8 Words--The Bee Gees
9 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann
10 Prikkebeen--Boudewijn De Groot en Elly Norman

Singles entering the chart were Congratulations by Cliff Richard (#35); Kiss Me Goodbye by Petula Clark (#36); What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong (#38); and Jennifer Juniper by Donovan (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Valleri--The Monkees
2 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
3 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
4 La-La - Means I Love You--The Delfonics
5 Young Girl--The Union Gap
6 (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone--Aretha Franklin
7 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann
8 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde--Georgie Fame
9 Lady Madonna--The Beatles
10 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition

Singles entering the chart were Look to Your Soul by Johnny Rivers (#69); Take Good Care of My Baby by Bobby Vinton (#72); Mony Mony by Tommy James and the Shondells (#84); Goodbye Baby (I Don’t Want to See You Cry) by Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart (#86); Me, the Peaceful Heart by Lulu (#87); Every Man Oughta Have a Woman by William Bell (#91); I Truly, Truly Believe by the Temptations (#93); Baby You're So Right for Me by Brenda and the Tabulations (#96); Funky Talk (Part 1) (East) by Dyke and the Blazers (#97); and Unwind by Ray Stevens (#99). I Truly, Truly Believe was the B-side of I Wish it Would Rain, charting at #27.

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde--Georgie Fame (2nd week at #1)
2 Valleri--The Monkees
3 La-La - Means I Love You--The Delfonics
4 The Unicorn--The Irish Rovers
5 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company
6 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann
7 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition
8 Walk Away Renee--Four Tops
9 (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone--Aretha Franklin
10 Kiss Me Goodbye--Petula Clark

Singles entering the chart were 100 Years by Nancy Sinatra (#77); Honey by Bobby Goldsboro (#80); You've Still Got a Place in My Heart by Dean Martin (#81); The Unknown Soldier by the Doors (#82); Goodbye Baby (I Don’t Want to See You Cry) by Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart (#84); Sherry Don't Go by the Lettermen (#86); Red Red Wine by Neil Diamond (#88); Can't Find the Time by Orpheus (#90); Cowboys to Girls by the Intruders (#91); She'll Be There by Vikki Carr (#93); In Some Time by Ronnie Dove (#94); Lonely is the Name by Sammy Davis, Jr. (#95); I Love You by People (#97); Wind Song by Wes Montgomery (#99); and The Bonnie and Clyde by the New Vaudeville Band (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Lady Madonna/The Inner Light--The Beatles
2 The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp--O.C. Smith
3 Too Much Talk--Paul Revere and the Raiders
4 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company
5 Kiss Me Goodbye--Petula Clark
6 The Unicorn--The Irish Rovers
7 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs
8 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann
9 Cry Like a Baby--The Box Tops
10 Little Green Apples--Roger Miller

Singles entering the chart were Call Me Lightning by the Who (#23); Rice is Nice by the Lemon Pipers (#24); Black Day in July by Gordon Lightfoot (#25); The Good, the Bad and the Ugly by Hugo Montenegro, his Orchestra and Chorus (#27); Forever Came Today by Diana Ross & the Supremes (#28); Young Girl by the Union Gap (#29); and Alone Again Or by Love (#30).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Valleri--The Monkees
2 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann
3 Young Girl--The Union Gap
4 Summertime Blues--Blue Cheer
5 Lady Madonna--The Beatles
6 The Unicorn--The Irish Rovers
7 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly--Hugo Montenegro, his Orchestra and Chorus
8 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition
9 Itchycoo Park--Small Faces
10 Too Much Talk--Paul Revere and the Raiders
Pick hit of the week: Playboy--Gene and Debbe

Born on this date
Happy 40th birthday, Celine Dion!
The native of Charlemagne, Quebec was one of Canada’s biggest stars in the 1990s, and remains a popular concert draw. Her 1996 album Falling Into You won Grammy awards for Album of the Year and Best Pop album. Her hit singles include themes from the popular movies Beauty and the Beast (title song); Sleepless in Seattle (When I Fall in Love, a duet with Clive Griffin); Up Close and Personal (Because You Loved Me); and Titanic (My Heart Will Go On). My Heart Will Go On won the Grammy for Best Record of 1998. Miss Dion has won many Juno Awards for her achievements in the Canadian recording industry; she’s been chosen Best Female Artist six times. Oddly, she never won for Canadian Entertainer of the Year (although that category was discontinued after 1996), and her only Juno for Best Single came in 1993 for her duet with Peabo Bryson on Beauty and the Beast.

Died on this date
Bobby Driscoll, 31
. U.S. actor. Bobby Driscoll was one of the most talented child actors ever to appear on screen, and one of the first to become a casualty. Mr. Driscoll made his movie debut at the age of 6 in an uncredited bit part in Lost Angel (1943). He made enough of an impression to be given another uncredited bit role in The Fighting Sullivans (1944). Other bit parts followed for the next two years, until Walt Disney signed young Bobby in 1946 as his first live-action star. Bobby’s first movie with Disney, released in 1946, was Song of the South. The film was a major hit, and made Bobby Driscoll a star. Bobby starred with Burl Ives in So Dear to My Heart in 1948, another Disney success. The Window, released in 1949, featured Bobby as a boy who has trouble convincing his parents that he’s just seen a murder. His performance was so remarkable that he was given a special Academy Award as the outstanding juvenile actor of 1949. Bobby followed this performance with another Disney hit, playing Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island (1950), which resulted in Bobby receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. While Bobby was making successful movies in the late 1940s and early ‘50s, he was also making occasional radio appearances (usually on Family Theater), and appeared in a few television shows during TV’s so-called "Golden Age." He was a guest on Walt Disney’s first television Christmas special in 1950. Bobby’s last notable movie success was as the model and voice for Disney’s animated version of Peter Pan in 1953. By this time he was in his teens, and adolescence wasn’t kind to Bobby Driscoll. He suffered from severe acne, which necessitated a lot of makeup, when he could get roles on screen at all. His parents took him out of the Hollywood Professional School, and enrolled him in the public Westwood University High, where he graduated n 1955. In this setting, his fame was more of a liability than an asset, and Bobby was the frequent target of derision. He was unable to fit in with the popular kids, and ended up associating with others. He began experimenting with drugs; his first brush with the law came in 1956, when a marijuana bust resulted in the charge being dismissed. A rash marriage in 1957 produced three children, before ending in divorce in 1960. Despite his personal problems, Mr. Driscoll was still able to land the occasional acting assignment. His last feature film, The Party Crashers (1958), also marked the final screen appearance for Frances Farmer, who had been a promising young actress in the 1930s. Mr. Driscoll last appeared on television in 1960, when he appeared in episodes of two different series--The Best of the Post and The Brothers Branaghan--that both aired on November 5. Mr. Driscoll’s drug use had escalated into a heroin habit, resulting in a criminal conviction in 1961. He served his sentence in the Narcotic Rehabilitation Center of the California State Penitentiary at Chino. Paroled in 1962, he was clean and ready to go, but no one would hire him because of his drug record. In 1964 he moved to New York in an attempt to get a fresh start, but found Broadway no more willing to hire him than Hollywood. He ended up at The Factory, Andy Warhol’s counterculture headquarters, where he indulged his talent (apparently considerable) for painting. In 1965 Bobby Driscoll made his final film appearance in a Factory production, a 12-minute underground short called Dirt. In late 1967 or very early 1968 Mr. Driscoll left The Factory and disappeared into Manhattan’s underground, broke and disillusioned. On March 30, 1968, two boys playing in a deserted East Village tenement on East 10th Street discovered Mr. Driscoll’s body. He was unidentified and unclaimed, and was buried in an unmarked pauper’s grave in the New York City Potter’s Field on Hart’s Island. Cause of death was listed as heart failure from hardening of the arteries caused by long-time drug abuse. In the fall of 1969 Mr. Driscoll’s mother, hoping for a reconciliation between Bobby and his father, enlisted Disney studio personnel to help her find her long-lost son. A fingerprint match at the New York Police Department led to the identification of the body in the pauper’s grave on Hart’s Island as that of Bobby Driscoll. The sad details of Mr. Driscoll’s end didn’t become public until Song of the South was re-released in 1971/1972, and reporters interested in Bobby’s whereabouts interviewed his mother.

Hockey
CPHL
Adams Cup
Quarter-Finals
Memphis 2 @ Kansas City 4 (Kansas City led best-of-five series 1-0)

30 years ago
1978

Crime

A United States federal judge ordered the Olin Corporation to set up a $510,000 charity fund as a penalty for illegal firearms sales to South Africa.

Hockey
CHL
Dallas 5 @ Salt Lake City 3

25 years ago
1983

Diplomacy

United States President Ronald Reagan offered to reduce the number of intermediate-range missiles planned for deployment in Europe if the Soviet Union reduced its missiles in Europe and Asia.

20 years ago
1988


Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Allt som jag känner--Tone Norum & Tommy Nilsson (7th week at #1)

Died on this date
Edgar Faure, 79
. Prime Minister of France, 1952; 1955-1956. Mr. Faure, a member of the Radical party, was Prime Minister of France from January 20-March 8, 1952 and February 23, 1955-February 1, 1956, when no party was able to gain a majority in parliament.

Defense
The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 17-2 to endorse a treaty with the Soviet Union on intermediate-range nuclear forces, two days after the Senate Armed Services Committee had approved the deal. The Foreign Relations Committee’s approval came with a condition requiring that any interpretation of the treaty would be in accord with an understanding of its meaning shared by both the executive branch and the Senate at the time of Senate ratification. Also, the President could not adopt an interpretation different from the common understanding without Senate approval. Many senators had criticized the broad interpretation applied by the Reagan administration to the 1972 SALT treaty, which established a basis for proceeding with Strategic Defense Initiative.

Protest
On Land Day, the day that Palestinians in the occupied territories observed the anniversary of the 1976 deaths of six Arabs who were protesting Israel's seizure of land, four Arabs were shot to death and scores were wounded by Israeli soldiers, bringing the numbe of Palestinians killed since December 1987 to at least 112.

Friday 28 March 2008

March 29, 2008

160 years ago
1848


Weather
An ice jam formed at the source of the Niagara River on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, temporarily stopping the flow of water down Niagara Falls for the first time in recorded history.



125 years ago
1883

Religion

The first Junior Christian Endeavor Society was organized, "to promote an earnest Christian life among its members, to increase their mutual acquaintance, to train them for work in the church, and in every way to make them useful in the service of God and their fellow men."

120 years ago
1888


Died on this date
Charles-Valentin Alkan, 74
. French composer. Mr. Alkan was a child prodigy who began playing piano in public at age 7 and began composing at 14. His compositions included Symphony for Solo Piano; Concerto for Solo Piano; and the Grande sonate Les quatre âges. It was long believed that he had been killed when his bookcase had fallen on him, but that has recently been debunked.

100 years ago
1908


Born on this date
Arthur O'Connell
. U.S. actor. Mr. O'Connell appeared in numerous movies and television programs in a career spanning more than 40 years, usually in supporting roles. He was best known for his supporting performances in Picnic (1955) and Anatomy of a Murder (1959), for which he received Academy Award nominations. Mr. O'Connell suffered from Alzheimer's disease in later years, appearing only in television commercials for Crest toothpaste. He died on May 18, 1981 at the age of 73.

80 years ago
1928

Politics and government

It was reported that threats of bombing by gangs had put a crimp in political rallies in the primary campaign at Chicago.

75 years ago
1933

On the radio

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight's episode: A Scandal in Bohemia

70 years ago
1938


Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Toronto 3 @ Boston 2 (OT) (Toronto won best-of-five series 3-0)

Gord Drillon scored 10:04 into overtime to give the Maple Leafs the win over the Bruins at Boston Garden.

50 years ago
1958


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): The Twelfth of Never--Johnny Mathis

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Der lachende Vagabund--Fred Bertelmann (10th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Hello, le soleil brille--Annie Cordy (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Magic Moments/Catch a Falling Star--Perry Como (5th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Tequila--The Champs (3rd week at #1)
2 Sweet Little Sixteen--Chuck Berry
3 Who's Sorry Now--Connie Francis
4 Lollipop--The Chordettes
--Ronald and Ruby
5 Catch a Falling Star--Perry Como
6 26 Miles (Santa Catalina)--The Four Preps
7 It's Too Soon to Know--Pat Boone
8 Are You Sincere--Andy Williams
9 Sail Along Silvery Moon--Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra
10 Breathless--Jerry Lee Lewis

Singles entering the chart were Believe What You Say (#43)/My Bucket's Got a Hole in It (#59) by Ricky Nelson; Tumbling Tumbleweeds by Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra (#45); Bluebirds Over the Mountain by Ersel Hickey (#46); Return to Me by Dean Martin (#50); Every Night (I Pray) by the Chantels (#51); Let's Be Lovers by the Playmates (#55); and Walkin' the Low Road by Randy Sparks (#60).

Politics and government
Joseph Bech resigned as Prime Minister of Luxembourg, but remained as Foreign Minister; he was succeeded as Prime Minister by Pierre Frieden.

40 years ago
1968


Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Why or Where or When--Mr. Lee Grant

Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Lady Madonna--The Beatles
2 Valleri--The Monkees
3 Playboy--Gene and Debbe
4 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
5 Too Much Talk--Paul Revere and the Raiders
6 Young Girl--The Union Gap
7 The Unicorn--The Irish Rovers
8 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition
9 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde--Georgie Fame
10 Thank U Very Much--The Scaffold
Pick of the Week: Maybe Came Today--Diana Ross & the Supremes
New this week: Rainbow Woman--Lee Hazlewood
Soul Serenade--Willie Mitchell
Master Jack--Four Jacks and a Jill
Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day--Stevie Wonder

The McCartney brothers were prominently featured in the top 10. Paul wrote and sang lead on Lady Madonna, while Mike, who wrote and recorded under the name Mike McGear, was a member of The Scaffold, and co-wrote Thank U Very Much.

At the movies
Madigan, directed by Don Siegel and starring Richard Widmark, Henry Fonda, Inger Stevens, and Steve Ihnat, received its premiere screening in New York City.



War
Israeli and Jordanian forces fought an eight-hour artillery duel, in which Israel used airplanes, along the Jordan River.

Hockey
CPHL
Adams Cup
Quarter-Finals
Dallas 2 @ Fort Worth 4 (Fort Worth led best-of-five series 1-0)

30 years ago
1978


Diplomacy
U.S. President Jimmy Carter, on a tour of South America, arrived in Brazil, and immediately raised the two issues that had brought U.S.-Brazilian relations to a "30-year low"--human rights and nuclear proliferation. Brazil had abrogated the U.S.-Brazil military assistance treaty the previous year after Mr. Carter had criticized the human rights record of the Brazilian military government under President Ernesto Geisel. The United States had also opposed a Brazilian plan to import a West German uranium-reprocessing plant that could be used in the production of nuclear weapons. Mr. Carter was given a cool reception by the Brazilian government.

Hockey
NHL
Vancouver 1 @ St. Louis 3

20 years ago
1988


On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight's episode: My Father's Office

Died on this date
Maurice Blackburn, 73
. Canadian composer. Mr. Blackburn worked with the National Film Board of Canada. He and animator Norman McLaren invented the technique of etching sound and image directly onto film.

Ted Kluszewski, 63. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Kluszewski was a first baseman with the Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs from 1947-1957; Pittsburgh Pirates (1958-1959); Chicago White Sox (1959-1960); and Los Angeles Angels (1961), batting .298 with 279 home runs and 1.028 runs batted in in 1,718 games. "Big Klu" was famous for cutting the sleeves off his jerseys in order not to restrict his massive biceps. His best season was 1954, when he hit .326 and led the National League with 49 home runs and 141 RBIs. He drew only 492 bases on balls in his career, but struck out only 365 times. In his only World Series, Mr. Kluszewski batted .391 with 3 homers and 10 RBIs for the White So as they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 6 games in 1959. He also led NL first basemen in fielding percentage for five straight seasons (1951-1955). Mr. Kluszewski was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1962 and had his jersey #18 retired by the team in 1998. He was a batting coach with the Reds during their World Series championship years of 1975 and 1976, and owned a downtown steak house that was a local landmark in Cincinnati.

Politics and government
In the contest for the U.S. presidential nominations, Michael Dukakis won the Democratic primary in Connecticut, while Vice President George Bush won the Connecticut Republican primary. Senator Bob Dole dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination, leaving only Pat Robertson to challenge Mr. Bush.

World events
Two Israeli soldiers who had buried four Arab youths alive were sentenced to prison terms.

Scandal
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Arnold Burns and William Weld, head of the U.S. Justice Department's criminal division, resigned, apparently in displeasure with the legal and ethical controversies surrounding Attorney General Edwin Meese. The two had reportedly informed White House Chief of Staff Howard Baker that prolonged investigations of Mr. Meese had paralyzed the department and undermined its credibility.

Economics and finance
The United States Commerce Department reported that the index of leading economic indicators had risen 0.9% in February.

March 28, 2008

80 years ago
1928


Died on this date
Nathan Stubblefield, 67
. U.S. inventor. Sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Father of Radio," Mr. Stubblefield, a Kentucky melon farmer, pioneered wireless telephony. His devices seem to have worked by audio frequency (later audio frequency earth) induction (creating disturbances in the near-field region), rather than by radio frequency radiation. On January 1, 1902, in Murray, Kentucky, Mr. Stubblefield gave public demonstrations of voice and music transmission to five receiving locations on the courthouse square, witnessed by at least 1,000 persons, apparently using voice frequency transmission through earth conduction, to a radius of one-half mile. Similar successful demonstrations were given at Washington, D.C. on March 20, 1902 and Philadelphia on May 30, 1902. He gradually improved the technology, and on May 12, 1908 was granted U.S. patent 887,357 for his Wireless Telephone, using the voice frequency induction system. He said in the patent that it would be useful for "securing telephonic communications between moving vehicles and way stations". Mr. Stubblefield was distrustful of others who attempted to profit from his invention; he had resigned from the Wireless Telephone Company of America in June 1902 because he regarded his partners' stock promotion methods as fraudulent (which, in fact, they were). He lived as a hermit in a shack for the last 15 years of his life, and died of starvation.

Law
The Albanian parliament adopted a new civil code that included clauses abolishing polygamy, establishing civil marriage, and legally recognizing marriages between Muslims and Christians.

60 years ago
1948

On the radio

The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on MBS, starring John Stanley and Alfred Shirley
Tonight's episode: The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

50 years ago
1958

Hit parade

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Magic Moments--Perry Como (5th week at #1)

On television tonight
Harbor Command, starring Wendell Corey
Tonight's episode: Right to Die

40 years ago
1968


On television tonight
Dragnet 1968, starring Jack Webb and Harry Morgan, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Big Problem

Disasters
60 were reported drowned when a boat capsized near Chapra, India.

Skiing
Rossland, British Columbia hosted the du Maurier International, the first World Cup event ever held in Canada. Hometown heroine Nancy Greene fell in the second run of the slalom (Marielle Goitschel of France won the event), but thrilled the 10,000 spectators when she won the giant slalom, finishing 1.56 seconds ahead of runner-up Florence Steurer of France. Miss Greene clinched the World Cup Giant Slalom title, and put her in position to win the overall championship. France’s Jean-Claude Killy clinched the men’s World Cup title by winning the slalom. Go to www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/ story.html?id=7903416a-62d7-4c07-a0f1-485e32ee79d7 to see John Korobanik’s article.

30 years ago
1978

Diplomacy

U.S. President Jimmy Carter began a tour of South America with a visit to Venezuela, where he made a positive impression on his hosts by delivering two short speeches in Spanish. President Carter and Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez issued a joint statement emphasizing strong agreement on the importance of the Panama Canal treaties, the seriousness of human rights abuses in Nicaragua, and the problem of Cuban military involvement in Africa.

Terrorism
A letter in former Italian Prime Minister (and current kidnapping victim) Aldo Moro's handwriting was delivered to the government. Mr. Moro appealed to the interior minister to negotiate with the terrorists, or he might be forced to reveal state secrets. The government and Mr. Moro's ruling Christian Democratic party refused to negotiate.

20 years ago
1988


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): I Should Be So Lucky--Kylie Minogue (3rd week at #1)

World events
Panamanian troops and plainclothes police entered a hotel in Panama City and seized suspected opponents of the regime of President Manuel Noriega, as well as some foreign journalists. Most of those arrested were soon released.

The Israeli army said it would seal off the occupied territories for three days to frustrate Palestinian demonstrations planned for Land Day, the anniversary of the deaths of six Arabs killed in 1976 when they had protested the seizure of land by the Israeli government.

Diplomacy
The government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega began negotiations with the opposition Contras, as the United States began withdrawing troops from neighbouring Honduras.

Defense
The United States Senate Armed Services Committee voted 18-2 to endorse a treaty with the Soviet Union on intermediate-range nuclear forces.

Politics and government
Representative Dick Gephardt of Missouri suspended active campaigning for the 1988 Democratic Party U.S. presidential nomination.

Thursday 27 March 2008

March 27, 2008

140 years ago
1868


Born on this date
Patty Hill
. U.S. teacher and songwriter. Miss Hill was a leader in the progressive education movement in the late 19th-early 20th century, and developed Patty Hill blocks--large blocks with which children could make giant constructions. She was best known for writing, with her sister Mildred, the song that became Happy Birthday to You. Patty Hill died on May 25, 1946 at the age of 78.

100 years ago
1908


Born on this date
Alberto Semprini
. U.K. musician. Mr. Semprini was a pianist, cellist, composer, and conductor who led radio orchestras, and hosted the BBC radio program Semprini Serenade from 1957 until the early 1980s. He also made numerous recordings. Mr. Semprini died on January 19, 1990 at the age of 81.

60 years ago
1948


Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard) (Best Seller): Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me)--Peggy Lee (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Now is the Hour (Maori Farewell Song)--Bing Crosby (2nd week at #1)
--Gracie Fields
--Margaret Whiting
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
--Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra
2 Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me)--Peggy Lee
3 Beg Your Pardon--Francis Craig and his Orchestra
--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra
--Larry Green and his Orchestra
4 I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover--Art Mooney and his Orchestra
--Russ Morgan and his Orchestra
--The Three Suns
--Uptown String Band
5 Ballerina--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Bing Crosby with the Rhythmaires
--Buddy Clark
6 Serenade of the Bells--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Jo Stafford
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
7 But Beautiful--Frank Sinatra
--Margaret Whiting
8 Golden Earrings--Peggy Lee
9 How Soon (Will I Be Seeing You)--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Bing Crosby and Carmen Cavallaro
--Jack Owens
--Dinah Shore
10 I'm My Own Grandpaw--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians

Singles entering the chart were St. Louis Blues March by Tex Beneke and his Orchestra (#23); Worry Worry Worry by Hal Derwin and his Orchestra (#26); and Humpty Dumpty Heart by Hank Thompson and the Brazos Valley Boys (#35).

50 years ago
1958


Politics and government
Nikita Khrushchev became Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union (Premier) in addition to First Secretary of the Communist Party.

40 years ago
1968


Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Lady Madonna--The Beatles

Australia's top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
2 Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band
3 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs
4 Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)--Johnny Farnham
5 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde--Georgie Fame
6 Green Tambourine--The Lemon Pipers
7 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company
8 Woman, Woman--The Union Gap
9 Tin Soldier/I Feel Much Better--Small Faces
10 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann

Singles entering the chart were Underneath the Arches/Friday Kind of Monday by Johnny Farnham (#24); Cinderella Rockefella by Johnny and Ann Hawker (#28); Everlasting Love by the Town Criers (#29); Walk Away Renee by the Four Tops (#31); Magical Mystery Tour (EP) by the Beatles (#34); and Born to Be Loved by You by Roy Orbison (#39).

Died on this date
Yuri Gagarin, 34
. U.S.S.R. cosmonaut. Mr. Gagarin became famous as the first man in space when he made one orbit around the earth aboard Vostok 1 on April 12, 1961. An experienced Soviet Air Force pilot, Mr. Gagarin was one of 20 men chosen as cosmonauts in 1960. Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov were the best performers in training; the last-minute selection of Mr. Gagarin is believed by some to have been the result of his more modest upbringing, genial personality, and ability to handle media attention. Also, his height of 5’2" made it possible for him to fit into the Vostok spacecraft. Although Mr. Gagarin’s flight was cut short after one orbit because of technical difficulties (unreported at the time), it gave the Soviet system a major propaganda victory. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev claimed the success as a vindication of his program of building up the U.S.S.R.’s missile defense at the expense of conventional weapons. The emphasis on space spectaculars antagonized much of the Soviet military leadership, and contributed to Mr. Khrushchev’s downfall several years later. For years it was reported that Mr. Gagarin had denied seeing any evidence of God while he was in space, but this was refuted in 2006 by a close friend of his, Colonel Valentin Petrov. In an interview, Colonel Petrov claimed that it was actually Mr. Khrushchev who had commented in a speech soon after Vostok 1, "Gagarin flew into space, but didn’t see any God there." According to Colonel Petrov, Mr. Gagarin had been baptized into the Orthodox Church as a child. After his flight, Mr. Gagarin spent the next seven years in "Star City," the cosmonaut headquarters, working on designs for a reusable spacecraft. He then decided to requalify as a pilot, and was killed, along with his instructor, in a routine training flight in a MiG-15UTI near Kirzhach. The weather was poor, and another jet apparently came very close to the MiG, perhaps causing enough turbulence to send the MiG out of control. Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, in his memoirs, recounts that he was flying a helicopter in the vicinity and heard two loud booms in the distance. He concluded that a Sukhoi jet (which he identifies as a Su-15 'Flagon'), flying below its minimum allowed altitude, accidentally passed within 10 or 20 meters of the MiG while breaking the sound barrier. The resulting turbulence would have sent the MiG into an uncontrolled spin. Mr. Leonov believes the first boom he heard was that of the jet breaking the sound barrier, and the second was Mr. Gagarin's plane crashing.

Music
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra performed the opening concert at the Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg.

30 years ago
1978


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Isn't it Time--The Babys

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Hohoemi Gaeshi--The Candies (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Te Amo--Umberto Tozzi (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Clemens Kapuo
. Namibian tribal chief. Chief Kapuo, leader of the Herero tribe, was murdered by gunmen in Windhoek, the territory’s capital. Chief Kapuo was president of the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance, a multiracial party favouring cooperation with South Africa in working toward Namibian independence.

Diplomacy
The United States State Department denounced the Rhodesian internal settlement to transfer power to the black majority. The State Department regarded the settlement as illegal because it regarded the Ian Smith government as illegal, and also regarded the settlement as ineffective, because it would not end fighting.

Basketball
NCAA
Men's Championship
Final @ Checkerdome, St. Louis
Kentucky 94 Duke 88

Forward Jack "Goose" Givens scored 41 points to lead the Wildcats over the Blue Devils for their fifth national title, but their first in 20 years, and the first for Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall.

Hockey
CHL
Dallas 4 @ Salt Lake City 6

25 years ago
1983

Football

In the United States Football League, the Chicago Blitz defeated the Los Angeles Express 20-14.

World events
Soviet leader Yuri Andropov criticized U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, and said that any attempt to achieve military superiority over the Soviet Union would be futile.

20 years ago
1988


Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): One Tree Hill--U2

War
The Sandanista government of Nicaragua freed 100 prisoners as part of a truce agreed to with the Contras four days earlier.

World events
Three days after being convicted of espionage, transmission of information, and aiding the nation's enemies, Mordechai Vanunu was sentenced by an Israeli court to 18 years in prison.

10 years ago
1998

Health

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the male impotence pill sildenafil citrate, better known as Viagra. It was the first pill to be approved for this condition in the United States.

Wednesday 26 March 2008

March 26, 2008

120 years ago
1888


Died on this date
Barghash bin Said, 51 (?)
. Sultan of Zanzibar, 1870-1888. Barghash has been credited with being the last sultan of Zanzibar to rule the island independent of European control. He lost a power struggle with his brother Majid bin Said, the first Sultan of Zanzibar, and spent two years in exile in Bombay. He returned to succeed his brother, becoming the second Sultan of Zanzibar after Majid's death. Barghash was succeeded on the throne by his younger brother Khalifah bin Said, whom Barghhash had imprisoned in 1870 for allegedly trying to overthrow him.

100 years ago
1908


Born on this date
Franz Stangl
. Austrian war criminal. SS-Hauptsturmführer Stangl was a federal policeman who joined the Austrian Nazi Party in 1931 and joined the Schutzstaffel (SS) in May 1938. He was involved with the Nazis' T-4 euthanasia program during Wolrd War II, and was commandant of the extermination camps of Sobibor (April-August 1942) and Treblinka (September 1942-August 1943) in Nazi-occupied Poland. SS-Hauptsturmführer Stangl helped to organize the campaign against Yugoslav partisans and Jews in Trieste from August 1943 until early 1945, when he returned to Vienna because of illness. He was imprisoned by U.S. authorities after the war because of his suspected involvement with T-4, but escaped through a "ratline" to Syria, and then to Brazil, where he lived with his wife and children and worked with Volkswagen do Brasil, under his own name. SS-Hauptsturmführer Stangl was tracked down by Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal and was finally arrested in 1967; he was extradited to West Germany, and convicted in December 1970 of the mass murder of a million people. He was six months into the maximum sentence of life imprisonment in Düsseldorf when he died of heart failure on June 28, 1971 at the age of 63, 19 hours after completing 70 hours of interviews with journalist Gitta Sereni, which concluded with him finally admitting his guilt.

Law
Prince Edward Island became the only province or state in North America where it was illegal to drive a car, as the Legislative Assembly passed a law to ban all automobiles from its roads; driving a car became punishable by jail, and it was illegal to import cars to the island. The ban was lifted on August 29, 1919.

90 years ago
1918


Died on this date
César Cui, 83
. Russian military officer and composer. Engineer-General Cui was a teacher of fortifications, but is best remembered as a composer of operas, art songs, works for piano, and chamber music. He was one of The Five, with Mily Balakirev, Modest Mussorgsky, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, and Alexander Borodin, who were dedicated to creating a distinctly Russian kind of music.

80 years ago
1928

Crime

At Lowden, Iowa, Great War veteran Lambert H. Meier, 32, who had been fired as postmaster because of a small shortage in his accounts, shot and killed his wife and three children and then himself (it would have been more newsworthy if he had shot himself and then killed his wife and children).

Bombs were exploded in the homes of United States Senator Charles S. Deneen (in the Englewood district of Chicago) and Circuit Judge John A. Swanson (on Crandon Avenue). Judge Swanson was the candidate for State’s Attorney from the Deneen organization.

Franciana
The Charlemagne Tower at Tours collapsed.

70 years ago
1938


Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Chicago 3 @ Montreal 2 (OT)

Paul Thompson scored 11:49 into overtime to give the Black Hawks the win over the Canadiens at the Montreal Forum.

50 years ago
1958


Movies
The Academy Awards for 1957 were presented at the RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. The winners included: Picture--The Bridge on the River Kwai; Director--David Lean (The Bridge on the River Kwai); Actor--Alec Guinness (The Bridge on the River Kwai); Actress--Joanne Woodward (The Three Faces of Eve); Supporting Actor--Red Buttons (Sayonara); Supporting Actress--Miyoshi Umeki (Sayonara).

Space
The United States launched the satellite Explorer 3 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

40 years ago
1968


Hit parade
#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Lady Madonna--The Beatles

On television tonight
The Invaders, starring Roy Thinnes, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Inquisition

This was the 43rd and final episode of the series.



30 years ago
1978

Diplomacy

Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia called on the United States and Great Britain to convene a meeting with the patriotic front guerillas and to support the Anglo-American plan for majority rule in Rhodesia.

Golf
Hubert Green won the Heritage Classic in Hilton Head, South Carolina with a score of 277. First prize money was $45,000.

Hockey
CHL
Fort Worth 2 Tulsa 2

WCHL
Portland 3 @ Calgary 3

This blogger was in attendance as Wayne Babych scored late in the 3rd period to give the Winter Hawks their tie against the Wranglers at the Stampede Corral.

25 years ago
1983

Hockey

Among the various Saturday games in the National Hockey League, the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Calgary Flames 5-2; Toronto Maple Leafs edged the Quebec Nordiques 2-1; Montreal Canadiens beat St. Louis Blues 6-5; and the Edmonton Oilers whipped the Los Angeles Kings 9-3.

20 years ago
1988


Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: Perdere l'Amore--Massimo Ranieri (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): (I've Had) The Time of My Life--Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes (8th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car--Billy Ocean

#1 single in France (SNEP): Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You--Glenn Medeiros (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Drop the Boy--Bros

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Don't Turn Around--Aswad

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Don't Turn Around--Aswad

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Man in the Mirror--Michael Jackson

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Man in the Mirror--Michael Jackson
2 Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley
3 Father Figure--George Michael
4 Endless Summer Nights--Richard Marx
5 Out of the Blue--Debbie Gibson
6 Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car--Billy Ocean
7 I Get Weak--Belinda Carlisle
8 I Want Her--Keith Sweat
9 Just Like Paradise--David Lee Roth
10 Rocket 2 U--The Jets

Singles entering the chart were Always on My Mind by Pet Shop Boys (#76) and Breakaway by Big Pig (#89).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley (2nd week at #1)
2 Father Figure--George Michael
3 Pump Up the Volume--M/A/R/R/S
4 She's Like the Wind--Patrick Swayze (featuring Wendy Fraser)
5 Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car--Billy Ocean
6 I Get Weak--Belinda Carlisle
7 Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)--Sway
8 Just Like Paradise--David Lee Roth
9 Endless Summer Nights--Richard Marx
10 Man in the Mirror--Michael Jackson

Singles entering the chart were She's Having a Baby by Dave Wakeling (#74); That's When I Need You by the Jitters (#79); I Wanna Be a Flintstone by Screaming Blue Messiahs (#95); Girlfriend by Pebbles (#88); Shattered Dreams by Johnny Hates Jazz (#93); The Language of Love by Tu (#95); Prove Your Love by Taylor Dayne (#96); and Mama Likes to Rock and Roll by Terry Kelly (#97). She's Having a Baby was the title song of the movie.

Politics and government
In the race for the 1988 Democratic Party nomination for president of the United States, Jesse Jackson scored an upset victory in the Michigan caucuses, taking 55% of the vote to 28% for Michael Dukakis. Mr. Jackson’s victory was the first ever by a black presidential candidate in a major industrial state. Missouri Congressman Dick Gephardt, whose criticism of foreign automobile manufacturers had been expected to boost his support in Michigan, polled just 13% of the vote.

10 years ago
1998

Diplomacy

U.S. President Bill Clinton, speaking in Cape Town, said that the United States had a "profound stake" in South Africa’s new democracy.

Edmontonia
Capitol Square, at 10065 Jasper Avenue, closed its doors after 22 ½ years as a movie theatre complex in order to be converted to office space. After the old Capitol Theatre had been closed in November 1972 and subsequently torn down, Capitol Square was erected in its place and opened on Friday, October 10, 1975 as Edmonton’s first downtown movie multiplex. The movies that played at the opening were: Rollerball; Death Race 2000; Love and Death; and Three Days of the Condor. The movies that played there on Thursday, March 26, 1998 were: L.A. Confidential; The Wedding Singer; Dark City; Hush; Wag the Dog; and Eve’s Bayou. Capitol Square operated as a second-run theatre (with discount prices) toward the end, but apparently didn’t draw enough moviegoers to keep going. I went to Eve’s Bayou just a couple of days before closing (I liked to go on $2 Tuesdays), and though I didn’t see many people there, I saw no indication that the place was about to shut down.

Monday 24 March 2008

March 25, 2008

175 years ago
1833

Theatre

Edmund Kean, regarded in his time as the greatest actor ever, was playing Othello at Covent Garden, with his son Charles as Iago. At the words "Villain, be sure," in scene 3 of act iii, he suddenly broke down, and crying in a faltering voice, "O God, I am dying. Speak to them, Charles," fell insensible into his son’s arms. It turned out to be Edmund Kean's last performance; he died on May 15 at the age of 44.

160 years ago
1848

Politics and government

Conservative Gerrit Schimmelpenninck took office as Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

80 years ago
1928


Died on this date
C.L. Lankford, 17
. U.S. youth. Clumsiness was responsible for the death of Mr. Lankford when the Atlanta youth stumbled over the brink of the north precipice of Georgia’s Stone Mountain and plunged 800 feet to his death near the carved figure of General Robert E. Lee.

Politics and government
General Antonio Carmona, acting President and Prime Minister, was elected President of the Republic of Portugal by popular vote.

Disasters
A flock of 1,000 wild swans that had landed in the night were swept over Niagara Horse Shoe Falls, and many were killed when they struck the ice floes in the gorge below.

70 years ago
1938

Music

The Ink Spots recorded the song That Cat is High.

50 years ago
1958


Aviation
The delta-winged interceptor aircraft Avro CF-105 Arrow, with chief development pilot Jan Zurakowski at the controls, made its first flight at the A.V. Roe headquarters at Malton, Ontario, taking off and landing without a hitch. The plane was intended to serve as the Royal Canadian Air Force’s interceptor for the 1960s and beyond.

Boxing
Sugar Ray Robinson, aged 37, gained a 15-round split decision over Carmen Basilio, 31, the New York State onion farmer, at Chicago Stadium to become the world middleweight champion for a record fifth time.

40 years ago
1968


Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Yūbe no Himitsu--Tomoko Ogawa

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): I'm Coming Home--Tom Jones

On television tonight
The Monkees, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Frodis Caper

This was the 58th and final episode of the series.

Golf
George Archer won the Pensacola Open with a score of 268. First prize money was $14,000.

30 years ago
1978

Hit parade

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Gianna--Rino Gaetano (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Mull of Kintyre--Wings (9th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Wuthering Heights--Kate Bush (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Wuthering Heights--Kate Bush (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Night Fever--Bee Gees (2nd week at #1)

Terrorism
The kidnappers of Aldo Moro announced that they had begun a "people's trial" of the former Italian Prime Minister, accusing him of being the leading representative of a repressive regime for 30 years.

Labour
The United Mine Workers of America ratified a settlement, ending the longest strike in the industry’s history after 110 days.

Hockey
NHL
New York Rangers 5 @ Toronto 2

Toronto defenceman Mike Pelyk scored the first Toronto goal--his first National Hockey League goal in 4 years--but it wasn't enough to keep the Maple Leafs from losing to the Rangers at Maple Leaf Gardens in the national Hockey Night in Canada telecast.

CHL
Kansas City 3 @ Salt Lake City 5

25 years ago
1983

At the movies

The Outsiders, a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on S.E. Hinton’s novel about troubled teenagers in Oklahoma in the 1960s, opened in theatres . It’s a rather strange movie; Mr. Coppola directed it as though he were making a Douglas Sirk 1950s melodrama, but that approach didn’t fit the setting. The most remarkable feature of the movie is the young cast, which included Matt Dillon; Ralph Macchio; Patrick Swayze; Rob Lowe; Emilio Estevez; and Leif Garrett. Those who saw the film in the spring of 1983 forecast a great career for C. Thomas Howell, who played Ponyboy, the central character. Few would have predicted (in fact, I don’t know if anybody did predict) that the cast member with the most successful career would turn out to be Tom Cruise, whose part in The Outsiders was so small as to be almost invisible. A few months after this movie came out, Mr. Cruise hit it big with Risky Business, and he’s been a big star ever since. C. Thomas Howell’s career, on the other hand, quickly tanked. He made a few forgettable (and forgotten) movies, and was best-known for marrying Rae-Dawn Chong. The Outsiders remains Mr. Howell’s most (only?) memorable movie--a fate that would have amazed moviegoers and critics in the spring of 1983.

Died on this date
Bob Waterfield, 62
. U.S. football player. Mr. Waterfield was a quarterback with the University of California at Los Angeles Bruins before joining the U.S. Army in World War II. He was drafted by the Cleveland Rams in 1944 and joined them in 1945, leading them to the NFL championship, and winning the Joe F. Carr Trophy--by unanimous vote--as the league's Most Valuable Player. The Rams moved to Los Angeles in 1946, and Mr. Waterfield played with them through 1952, starring as a kicker and punter, and sharing quarterbacking duties with Norm Van Brocklin in his last four seasons. The Rams were West Division champions in 1949 and 1950, and won the NFL championship in 1951. Mr. Waterfield was known for his ability to throw the deep ball, and finished his career with 97 touchdown passes. He also kicked 315 extra points and 60 field goals, while punting for a 42.6-yard average and making 20 interceptions. Mr. Waterfield married actress Jane Russell in 1943, and he became a movie producer after his football career ended. The couple were divorced in 1968. Mr. Waterfield was named head coach of the Rams in 1960, but resigned after 8 games of the 1962 season after compiling a record of just 9-24-1. He was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1965.

Carry Back, 25. U.S. race horse. Carry Back won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1961 (with John Sellers aboard), and was the leading money-winning horse that year ($565,349 U.S.). In 61 races he recorded 21 wins, 11 places, and 11 shows, with lifetime winnings of $1,241,165.

20 years ago
1988


Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Tell it to My Heart--Taylor Dayne (4th week at #1)

Crime
A sensational murder trial ended in New York City when the defendant, Robert Chambers, Jr., admitted that he had caused the death of his victim, Jennifer Levin. Miss Levin, 18, had been found strangled in Central Park in 1986 and Mr. Chambers, then 19, had been charged with second-degree murder. The two had left a bar at 4:30 A.M. and gone to the park. Mr. Chambers told police that he had killed Miss Levin unintentionally during a session of "rough sex" in which she had tied his hands with her panties and hurt him. He said that he had responded in a frenzy and had strangled her accidentally. During the ninth day of jury deliberations, Mr. Chambers pled guilty to first-degree manslaughter, admitting that he had intended to injure Miss Levin. Under the plea bargain, Mr. Chambers would have to serve at least five years in prison. Don’t you just love plea bargaining? It makes things easier for the legal profession, but it’s hard to see how it helps the cause of justice.

March 24, 2008

80 years ago
1928

Aviation

U.S. Army Colonel Charles Lindbergh ended his 5-day series of air trips for members of Congress in Washington with a total of 29 trips and 334 passengers.

70 years ago
1938


Hockey
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Boston 0 @ Toronto 1 (2OT)

George Parsons scored at 1:31 of the 2nd overtime period to give the Maple Leafs the win over the Bruins at Maple Leaf Gardens.

50 years ago
1958


Hit parade
#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Tequila--The Champs (Best Seller--2nd week at #1; Top 100--2nd week at #1); Catch a Falling Star--Perry Como (Disc Jockey--1st week at #1)

Popular culture
Rock and roll singer Elvis Presley was drafted into the U.S. Army, and was inducted in Memphis.

40 years ago
1968


Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): The Legend of Xanadu--Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich

Diplomacy
The United Nations Security Council unanimously condemned the Israeli use of a force of 15,000 men to cross into Jordan three days earlier to wipe out guerrilla bases which had been used to stage raids against Israel.

Politics and government
The National Assembly of Panama voted to oust President Marco Robles, 10 days after impeaching him for interfering in the political campaign for an election scheduled for May 12. Mr. Robles had ignored the earlier vote, and was waiting for a Supreme Court ruling on the move. The Assembly named Max Delvalle to succeed Mr. Robles as President. Mr. Robles again refused to recognize the Assembly’s action, and was backed by the 4,800-man Guard unit. Clashes began between the Guard and angry Panamanians.

Disasters
61 were killed when an Irish International Viscount 4-engine turboprop crashed into the Irish Sea.

30 years ago
1978


Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): It's a Heartache--Bonnie Tyler (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Das Lied der Schlümpfe--Vader Abraham & Die Schlümpfe

#1 single in France: We Will Rock You/We are the Champions--Queen

War
Somalia announced that it had completed its withdrawal of forces from Ethiopia’s Ogaden region in accordance with a promise made on March 9.

25 years ago
1983

Diplomacy

Speaking to the United Nations Security Council, Victor Hugo Tinoco, deputy foreign minister of Nicaragua, charged that rebel troops invading Nicaragua from Honduras had been created by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Jeane Kirkpatrick, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., denied the allegation, and claimed that the fighting was the result of a spontaneous revolt against the Nicaraguan government.

Defense
The Soviet press agency TASS charged that the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative, announced by President Ronald Reagan the night before, announced that the anti-ballistic missile system would violate the terms of the 1972 SALT treaty. The Democrats, responding to the President’s address, rejected his claim that the United States was weaker than Russia.

20 years ago
1988


Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): I Should Be So Lucky--Kylie Minogue

Personal
This blogger found out that he was a winner of one of the second prizes in the Canadian Football League's contest to guess who would be chosen on the 1987 All-Canadian All-Star team. My prize was a copy of Canadian artist Ken Danby's print The Grey Cup, which Mr. Danby had done for the 75th Grey Cup observance in 1987. 495 copies of the print were made. The first prize was a trip to the 1988 Grey Cup in Ottawa.

World events
After a 7-month secret trial, Mordechai Vanunu, an employee at a bomb-making factory in Israel, was convicted of espionage, transmission of information, and aiding the nation’s enemies. For an undisclosed 6-figure sum, Mr. Vanunu had disclosed secrets of Israel’s atomic weapons program to the Sunday Times of London. Independent observers said that Mr. Vanunu’s revelations showed that Israel had a greater nuclear capability than western observers had assumed, and that Israel could build up to 200 bombs, as well as neutron and hydrogen weapons.

10 years ago
1998


Diplomacy
U.S. President Bill Clinton, speaking in Kampala, Uganda, indulged in his vomit-inspiring habit of confessing other people’s sins when he expressed regret for America’s role in African slavery (conveniently ignoring the slavery that was currently going on in Africa).

Crime
In U.S. President Clinton’s home state of Arkansas, Mitchell Johnson, 13, and his 11-year-old cousin Andrew Golden, opened fire at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, killing 4 girls and a teacher, and wounding 11. The older boy, who had a history of torturing animals, had apparently vowed to get revenge on all the girls who had broken up with him (a rather large number, it seems). The names of the victims should be mentioned: Natalie Brooks, 11; Paige Ann Herring, 12; Stephanie Johnson, 12 (no relation to Mitchell Johnson); Brittheny R. Varner, 11; Shannon Wright, 32 (teacher).

Sunday 23 March 2008

March 23, 2008

170 years ago
1838


Politics and government
George Arthur arrived in Toronto to succeed Sir Francis Bond Head as Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada.

120 years ago
1888


Soccer
In England, 10 clubs gathered to found the Football League, the world's oldest professional Association Football league.

110 years ago
1898


Born on this date
Louis Adamic
. Slovenian-born U.S. author. Mr. Adamic, a native of what was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, emigrated to the United States at the and of 1913, and became an American citizen in 1918. He wrote articles and books promoting socialism in the United States and the Yugoslav National liberation struggle led by Marshal Josip Broz Tito. Mr. Adamic was plagued by failing health when he reportedly shot himself to death on September 4, 1951 at the age of 53; some people suspected that he had been assassinated by a Balkan faction, but no definitive proof of that has surfaced.

80 years ago
1928


Died on this date
George McDonald
. Canadian criminal. The first private execution in the province of Quebec took place at 5:37 A.M. when Mr. McDonald, killer of Lachine taxi driver Adelaird Bouchard, was hanged at the Valleyfield Jail. Mr. McDonald’s wife had also been sentenced to death for the crime, but her sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

75 years ago
1933

Law

The German parliament passed the so-called Ermaechtigungsgesetz, popularly known as the Enabling Act, by a two-thirds majority over the opposition of the SPD on March 24, 1933, just a month after a fire had badly damaged the Reichstag. Valid for four years, the act, formally known as the Law to Remedy the Distress of the People and the Nation, was renewed in 1937 and remained in force until World War II ended in 1945. Under its terms, Hitler and the Nazis could ignore the civil liberties provisions in the German constitution and issue decrees without having them passed by parliament. Some people may notice a similarity between the Enabling Act and the Patriot Act in the United States--a terrorist act of dubious origin leads to legislative approval for dictatorial powers for the executive branch of government, and the abolition of civil liberties.

60 years ago
1948


On the radio
The Casebook of Gregory Hood, starring Elliott Lewis, on MBS

50 years ago
1958

On television tonight

Alfred Hitchcock Presents on CBS
Tonight's episode: Flight to the East

Politics and government
The ruling Progressive Citizens' Party won 9 of 15 seats in the Landtag in the Liechtensteinian general election. The PCP remained in a coalition with the Patriotic Union, who won the remaining 6 seats.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade

#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France: Il est cinq heures, Paris s'éveille--Jacques Dutronc

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): La tramontana--Antoine (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Bleib bei mir--Roy Black (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Cinderella Rockefella--Esther and Abi Ofarim (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding (2nd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Kom Uit De Bedstee Mijn Liefste--Egbert Douwe
2 De Kat Van Ome Willem--Wim Sonneveld with Hetty Blok, Leen Jongewaard, De Jonkies, and the Orchestra of Harry Bannink
3 Cinderella Rockefella--Esther and Abi Ofarim
4 Words--The Bee Gees
5 The Legend of Xanadu--Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich
6 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
7 Lady Madonna--The Beatles
8 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann
9 Pictures of Matchstick Men--The Status Quo
10 It's the End--The Buffoons

Singles entering the chart were Lady Madonna; In Een Rijtuigje by Wim Sonneveld & Leen Jongewaard (#33); If I were a Carpenter by the Four Tops (#34); Rosie by Don Partridge (#37); Fire Brigade by the Move (#39); and Simon Says by the 1910 Fruitgum Company (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (7th week at #1)
2 Valleri--The Monkees
3 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company
4 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
5 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition
6 (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls--Dionne Warwick
7 (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone--Aretha Franklin
8 La-La - Means I Love You--The Delfonics
9 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann
10 Young Girl--The Union Gap

Singles entering the chart were Lady Madonna by the Beatles (#21); Sherry Don't Go by the Lettermen (#67); 100 Years by Nancy Sinatra (#68); You've Still Got a Place in My Heart by Dean Martin (#74); Cowboys to Girls by the Intruders (#78); Call Me Lightning by the Who (#80); Honey by Bobby Goldsboro (#83); The Unknown Soldier by the Doors (#87); Red Red Wine by Neil Diamond (#93); She'll Be There by Vikki Carr (#95); I Found You by Frankie Laine (#96); In Some Time by Ronnie Dove (#97); I Love You by People (#99); and Baby Please Don't Go by the Amboy Dukes (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde--Georgie Fame
2 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company
3 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition
4 Walk Away Renee--Four Tops
5 (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls--Dionne Warwick
6 Everything that Touches You--The Association
7 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding
8 Too Much Talk--Paul Revere and the Raiders
9 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
10 Kiss Me Goodbye--Petula Clark

Singles entering the chart were Forever Came Today by Diana Ross & the Supremes (#67); Delilah by Tom Jones (#74); Sit with the Guru by Strawberry Alarm Clock (#76); Up on the Roof by the Cryan' Shames (#78); Call Me Lightning by the Who (#82); I Will Always Think About You by the New Colony Six (#83); I Got the Feeling by James Brown and the Famous Flames (#86); Do What You Gotta Do by Al Wilson (#87); Funky Street by Arthur Conley (#88); Soul Coaxing (Ame Caline) by Raymond Lefevre and his Orchestra (#90); Our Corner of the Night by Barbra Streisand (#92); I'll Say Forever My Love by Jimmy Ruffin (#93); Sweet Inspiration by the Sweet Inspirations (#94); The Impossible Dream by the Hesitations (#95); I Need You by (#96); Master Jack by Four Jacks and a Jill (#97); The Good, the Bad and the Ugly by Hugo Montenegro, his Orchestra and Chorus (#98); (You Can’t Let the Boy Overpower) The Man in You by Chuck Jackson (#99); and Turn on Your Love Light by the Human Beinz (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Simon Says--1910 Fruitgum Company (2nd week at #1)
2 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs
3 Too Much Talk--Paul Revere and the Raiders
4 The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp--O.C. Smith
5 Kiss Me Goodbye--Petula Clark
6 Skip a Rope--Henson Cargill
7 Springfield Plane--Kenny O'Dell
8 Lady Madonna/The Inner Light--The Beatles
9 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde--Georgie Fame
10 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding

Singles entering the chart were The Unicorn by the Irish Rovers (#24); Jennifer Juniper by Donovan (#26); Tapioca Tundra by the Monkees (#27); You've Got to Be Loved by the Montanas (#29); and Playboy by Gene and Debbe (#30).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)--Manfred Mann
2 Summertime Blues--Blue Cheer
3 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly--Hugo Montenegro, his Orchestra and Chorus
4 Itchycoo Park--Small Faces
5 Lady Madonna--The Beatles
6 Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition was In)--The First Edition
7 Valleri--The Monkees
8 The Unicorn--The Irish Rovers
9 Love is Blue (L'Amour est Bleu)--Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra
10 Too Much Talk--Paul Revere and the Raiders
Pick hit of the week: Young Girl--The Union Gap

Died on this date
Edwin O’Connor, 49
. U.S. writer. Mr. O’Connor was a television critic for Boston newspapers, but is best remembered for his 1956 novel The Last Hurrah, whose title became part of the American vernacular. The novel, about an aging machine politician (reminiscent of former Boston mayor James Curley) was made into a successful movie in 1958. Mr. O’Connor’s next novel, The Edge of Sadness (1961), was about a middle-aged priest, and earned Mr. O’Connor the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1962. Other novels included The Oracle (1951); I Was Dancing (1964); and All in the Family (1966). Mr. O’Connor died from a cerebral hemmorhage.

30 years ago
1978


Died on this date
Bill Kenny, 63
. U.S. singer. Mr. Kenny joined the vocal group The Ink Spots in 1936, and his high tenor helped to give the group a distinctive sound. On November 6, 1936, they became the first black performers to appear on television, in an NBC/RCA demonstration. Their first major hit was If I Didn’t Care in 1939. Many hits followed, including Address Unknown (1939); My Prayer (1939); When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano (1940); Whispering Grass (1940); Do I Worry (1940); Java Jive (1940); Shout, Brother, Shout (1942); Don't Get Around Much Anymore (1942); I Can't Stand Losing You (1943); Cow-Cow Boogie (1944 - with Ella Fitzgerald); Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall/I'm Making Believe (1944 - both with Ella Fitzgerald); and The Gypsy (1946). Many of these records made # 1 on early versions of the US pop charts--The Gypsy was their biggest chart success, staying at the # 1 position for 13 weeks. Bill Kenny’s brother Herb joined the group for a period in the 1940s. Bill Kenny also made recordings without The Ink Spots; many of these were spirituals. From June 24-30 1954 The Ink Spots performed at the Gatineau Club in Hull, Quebec, followed by a week at the Bolero Bar in Wildwood, New Jersey from July 8-14. At the end of the gig, Mr. Kenny told the rest of the group that The Ink Spots were finished, and everybody went home. Mr. Kenny then pursued a solo career. Mr. Kenny moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1961, and made occasional concert appearances in B.C. and elsewhere. From May 22-July 10, 1966 he hosted a Sunday afternoon show of easy listening music on CBC television called The Bill Kenny Show. His health gradually declined, and he died of a respiratory disease. The Ink Spots were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 (as an influence), and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.

War
200 French paratroopers were among a force of United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) troops which had been moved into Lebanon in order to enforce a ceasefire between Israeli forces and Palestinian terrorists.

Scandal
Rep. Charles C. Diggs, Jr., a Democrat from Michigan, and the senior black member of the House of Representatives, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of taking kickbacks from three Congressional employees and keeping on his Congressional payroll three other employees who did no work for Congress. The indictment charged that the kickbacks and illegal payments amounted to more than $101,000 between 1973 and 1977. Rep. Diggs was also charged with 14 counts of mail fraud and 21 counts of making false statements to the government. Rep. Diggs was on a tour of Africa as chairman of the Subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee when the charges were announced. He denied the charges and complained that they showed "an unfortunate insensitivity" to his mission in Africa, and could undermine a meeting in which he was to join President Jimmy Carter for talks in Nigeria.

Environment
The Olin Corporation and three of its former officials were indicted on charges of concealing the dumping of 38 tons of mercury into the Niagara River at Niagara Falls, New York from 1970 to 1977. Environmental officials said that the mercury represented a serious hazard to anyone eating the fish caught in the river.

25 years ago
1983


Died on this date
Barney Clark, 62
. U.S. medical patient. A Utah dentist, Dr. Clark died 112 days after receiving the world’s first artificial heart at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City. Dr. Clark had been critically ill with a degenerative heart disorder at the time of the implantation, but had made a significant recovery. The artificial heart worked well until the end; death was attributed to "vascular collapse, resulting from a multitude of causes." The heart was shut off only after doctors determined that Dr. Clark was "essentially dead."

Defense
U.S. President Ronald Reagan, in an address to the American people, called for development of a new antiballistic missile system that would destroy Soviet missiles before they could hit U.S. targets. The new system would employ a great deal of new technology--much of it still on the drawing boards--possibly including lasers, microwave devices, particle beams, and projectile beams. Mr. Reagan’s proposal marked a shift in U.S. strategy, which had previously relied on the threat of massive nuclear retaliation to deter an attack. The program, titled Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), was quickly mischaracterized by the ignorant and anti-Reagan media as "Star Wars".

Most of Mr. Reagan’s address had been devoted to an appeal for his proposed increases in defense spending, and he used declassified intelligence photographs to support his claims that the Soviets were "spreading their military influence in ways that can directly challenge our vital interests..."

The defense ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) said that U.S. intermediate-range missiles would be deployed as scheduled in December unless the U.S. and U.S.S.R. reached an accord in the Geneva disarmament talks.

At a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Victor Hugo Tinoco, deputy foreign minister of Nicaragua, claimed that 2,000 rebels backed by the United States had invaded Nicaragua from Honduras, and that the Honduran army was massing near the border.

20 years ago
1988


Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Allt som jag känner--Tone Norum & Tommy Nilsson (6th week at #1)

Weather
It was such a beautiful day in London, Ontario that this blogger was able to wear shorts outside for the first time in 1988.

War
Western journalists, brought to the Iraqi town of Halabja by Iran to view the bodies of those killed in an Iraqi attack on March 16, concluded their three-day visit. The U.S. State Department denounced the attack as a "particularly grave violation" of the Geneva convention on chemical warfare.

After three days of talks in the southern Nicaraguan town of Sapoa, representatives of the Sandanista government of Nicaragua and the anticommunist Contras announced a 60-day ceasefire. Defense Minister Humberto Ortega signed for the government, and Contra leader Adolfo Calero signed for his side. The Contras were to assemble in special zones but would be allowed to keep their weapons. The Sandanistas agreed to free 3,300 prisoners convicted of violating Nicaraguan security laws or of affiliating with the regime of the late dictator Gen. Anastasio Somoza. The parties agreed to resume negotiations.

World events
The Presidium (ruling council) of the Soviet Parliament rejected demands from Armenians in the Armenian Republic and Armenians in Azerbaijan for reunification, saying in a resolution that it would be intolerable for groups to pressure authorities to redraw political boundaries.

Economics and finance
The United States House of Representatives voted 319-102 in favour of a budget for 1989--to take effect on October 1, 1988--of $1.2 trillion. More spending was projected for fighting AIDS and drug abuse, for education, and for space exploration, with only slight spending increases for military and non-military spending.

The United States Labor Department reported that consumer prices had risen 0.2% in February. The Commerce Department reported that the gross national product had risen a revised 4.8% in the fourth quarter of 1987 and that the growth for the entire year, as revised, was 4.0%.

10 years ago
1998


Movies
The overrated blockbuster Titanic tied Ben-Hur's 1959 record by winning 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Director (James Cameron). Other winners included Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt (Actor and Actress, respectively, for As Good as it Gets), Kim Basinger (Supporting Actress for L.A. Confidential, which should have won for Best Picture), and Robin Williams (Supporting Actor for Good Will Hunting).

Diplomacy
U.S. President Bill Clinton began a 12-day tour of Africa with a speech in Accra, Ghana, pledging more U.S. interest and aid.

Politics and government
Russian President Boris Yeltsin dismissed his entire cabinet, including Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin.