January 30, 2011

830 years ago
1181

Died on this date
Takakura, 19. Emperor of Japan, 1168-1180. Takakura, born Norihito-shinnō, was the fourth son of Emperor Go-Shirakawa, and acceded to the throne upon the deposal of his nephew Rokujū. He abdicated under pressure in March 1180 in favour of his infant son Antoku.

350 years ago
1661

World events
Two years after his death, English Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell's remains were exhumed for a posthumous execution, and his head was placed on a spike above Westminster Hall in London, where it remained until 1685.

170 years ago
1841

Born on this date
Félix Faure. 7th President of France, 1895-1899. Mr. Faure, a moderate republican, was first elected to the National Assembly in 1881, and held various cabinet posts before being elected President following the resignation of Jean Casimir-Perier. He granted amnesty to anarchist movements, but refused to intervene in the treason conviction of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, thus attracting criticism from French intellectuals and others. President Faure died in office on February 16, 1899, 17 days after his 58th birthday, of a fit of apoplexy while having sex with his mistress, sparking much ribald humour.

Disasters
A fire destroyed two-thirds of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

150 years ago
1861

Born on this date
Charles Martin Loeffler. German-born U.S. musician and composer. Mr. Loeffler was a classical violinist who lived in several countries before moving to the United States in 1881 and becoming an American citizen in 1887. He was assistant concertmaster with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (1882-1903), and the BSO performed his compositions, which included symphonic poems, chamber works, and other instrumental pieces. Mr. Loeffler died on May 19, 1935 at the age of 74.

110 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Rudolf Caracciola. German auto racing driver. Mr. Caracciola was one of the greatest drivers in Europe before World War II, winning the European Drivers' Championship in 1935, 1937, and 1938. He died of liver failure on September 28, 1959 at the age of 58.

100 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Roy Eldridge. U.S. musician. Mr. Eldridge was a jazz trumpeter and occasional singer with a number of bands, including those led by Fletcher Henderson, Gene Krupa, and Artie Shaw. Dizzy Gillespie was one of the musicians who cited Mr. Eldridge as a musical influence. He died on February 26, 1989, 27 days after his 78th birthday.

Aviation
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Terry made the first airplane rescue at sea, saving the life of Canadian aviation pioneer Douglas McCurdy 10 miles from Havana, Cuba. During the Havana air show from January 28-31, Mr. McCurdy had taken off from Key West, Florida to Havana in an attempt to win an $8,000 prize as the first person to accomplish the feat, covering a distance of more than 90 miles. After a two-hour flight, he was in sight of the Havana harbour when the cylinders of his engine exploded, and he made a crash landing in the water. The Terry was one of six U.S. Navy ships covering the course in case of such an emergency. The City of Havana and the Havana Post recognized Mr. McCurdy as having accomplished the flight.

Society
A 1910 amendment to New Zealand's Gaming Act went into effect, banning bookmakers from racecourses, other public places, and hotels.

80 years ago
1931

At the movies City Lights, produced, directed, written by, and starring Charlie Chaplin, received its premiere screening at the Los Angeles Theater.



Protest
2,000 Communists in New York City threatened City Hall, but were beaten back by 300 police officers, some with horses and nightsticks. Several officers were isolated by the mob and beaten.

Popular culture
The world’s first Boy Scout Apple Day was organized by Eli Boyaner in Saint John, New Brunswick.

70 years ago
1941

War
British troops captured Derna, Libya. German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler warned that American ships carrying aid to the United Kingdom would be sunk.

Defense
The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee voted 17-8 in favour of an amended Lend-Lease bill.

Technology
Radio Corporation of America officials described a new and simplified electron microscope that magnified objects up to 100,000 times.

Economics and finance
Brazilian President Getulio Vargas signed a decree creating the National Steel Corporation.

Business
The U.S. War Department awarded a $10-million truck contract to a Chrysler affiliate despite a lower bid from Ford Motor Company, because Ford refused to comply with federal, state, and local labour laws.

A U.S. federal grand jury indicted six companies and nine officials for operating an international magnesium trust since 1927. Two German firms were included.

60 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Rose Garden, starring Mildred Natwick and Estelle Winwood

Died on this date
Ferdinand Porsche, 75. Austro-Hungarian-born German engineer. Mr. Porsche was born in northern Bohemia--today part of the Czech Republic--and chose Czechoslovakian citizenship after World War I. Mr. Porsche created the Lohner-Porsche (the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle), the Volswagen Beetle, and other cars. He founded Porsche AG in Stuttgart in 1931, was granted German citizenship in 1934, and joined the Nazi Party in 1937. Mr. Porsche significantly contributed to the German effort in World War II, designing advanced tanks and various weapons. He and his son Ferry served time in prison after the war as war criminals, but were able to revive the Porsche company in 1949. Ferdinand Porsche died several weeks after suffering a stroke.

Diplomacy
The U.S.A. won a two-week fight for United Nations action against the People's Republic of China when the General Assembly's Political and Security Committee voted 44-7 in favour of a resolution branding the Communist Chinese as aggressors in Korea.

U.S. President Harry Truman and French Prime Minister Rene Pleven concluded two days of talks in Washington, concentrating on European defense problems and Indochina.

Politics and government
The East German People's Chamber unanimously endorsed a rnewed unification bid by Premier Otto Grotewohl, who offered to reduce the size of the People's Police if satisifed about police arrangements in the West.

Society
Georgia Governor Herman Talmadge (Democrat) signed a law banning the public wearing of Ku Klux Klan masks or hoods and outlawing cross-burning and other KKK intimidation practices.

Labour
Railroad switchmen in Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, and Peoria, Illinois struck in support of wage demands of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.

50 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Greenfields--The Brothers Four (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Non, je ne regrette rien--Édith Piaf (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Will You Love Me Tomorrow--The Shirelles
2 Calcutta--Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra
3 Exodus--Ferrante and Teicher
4 Wonderland by Night--Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra
5 Shop Around--The Miracles
6 Angel Baby--Rosie and the Originals
7 Calendar Girl--Neil Sedaka
8 Emotions--Brenda Lee
9 Rubber Ball--Bobby Vee
10 Are You Lonesome To-night?--Elvis Presley

Singles entering the chart were I'm Learning About Love by Brenda Lee (#43); You Can Have Her by Roy Hamilton (#62); Ebony Eyes by the Everly Brothers (#67); Don't Worry by Marty Robbins (#72); (I Wanna) Love My Life Away by Gene Pitney (#77); Close Together by Jimmy Reed (#78); Leave My Kitten Alone by Johnny Preston (#86); Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes) by Carla Thomas (#96); Honky Tonk (Part 2) by Bill Doggett (#98); Bye Bye Baby by Mary Wells (#99); and Wait a Minute by the Coasters (#100). Honky Tonk (Part 2) was a new recording of the tune that had originally been a hit for Mr. Doggett in 1956.

Politics and government
U.S. President John F. Kennedy delivered his first State of the Union message to Congress, saying, "I speak today in an hour of national peril and national opportunity. Before my term has ended, we shall have to test anew whether a nation organized and governed such as ours can endure. The outcome is by no means certain. The answers are by no means clear. All of us together--this administration, this Congress, this nation--must forge these answers." He said that the state of the economy was disturbing "in the wake of 7 months of recession, 3½ years of slack, 7 years of diminished economic growth, and 9 years of falling income." Mr. Kennedy said he would propose within 14 days measures "aimed at insuring a prompt recovery and paving the way for increased long-term growth." He said he would propose expenditures which "will not of and by themselves unbalance the earlier [Eisenhower] budget," but "we will do what must be done." In the field of foreign aid, President Kennedy said he would ask Congress for "authority to establish a new and more effective program for assisting the economic, educational and social development of other countries and continents." He added: "We must increase our support of the United Nations as an instrument to end the cold war instead of an arena in which to fight it."



Diplomacy
Replying to a letter from Congolese President Joseph Kasavubu that he would seek foreign military aid unless the United Nations force acted to put down the revolt against his government by supporters of deposed Premier Patrice Lumumba, UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold said that he would place Mr. Kasavubu’s letter before the Security Council. However, Mr. Hammarskjold implied that the mandate given to the UN force did not permit it to intervene in the Congo’s political struggle.

40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Yo Yo--Chris Andrews (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Vent'anni--Massimo Ranieri (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): My Sweet Lord--George Harrison

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): My Sweet Lord--George Harrison

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 I Think I Love You--The Partridge Family (5th week at #1)
2 My Sweet Lord--George Harrison
3 The Pushbike Song--The Mixtures
4 A Song of Joy--Miguel Rios
5 Fire and Rain--James Taylor
6 Look What They've Done to My Song Ma--The New Seekers
7 We've Only Just Begun--Carpenters
8 Eleanor Rigby--Zoot
9 Lola--The Kinks
10 You Don't Have To Say You Love Me/Patch it Up--Elvis Presley

Singles entering the chart were Black Night by Deep Purple (#36); Lonely Days by the Bee Gees (#52); Circle Game by Buffy Sainte-Marie (#58); Silver Moon by Michael Nesmith & the First National Band (#59); and No Matter What by Badfinger (#60).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Nothing Rhymed--Gilbert O'Sullivan
2 My Sweet Lord--George Harrison
3 Peace Planet (Badinerie from suite no. 2 - J.S.Bach)--Ekseption
4 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson
5 I Hear You Knocking--Dave Edmunds
6 Yesterday, When I was Young--Charles Aznavour
7 Knock Three Times--Dawn
8 Hans Brinker Symphony--Holland
9 Both Sides Now--Euson
10 She Likes Weeds--Tee-Set

Singles entering the chart were Rozen die Bloeien by Corry en de Rekels (#13); Heb Je Nog Een Bloemetje Voor M'n Knoopsgat, Schat? by Toon & Herman (#24); Bridget the Midget by Ray Stevens (#25); She's a Lady by Tom Jones (#26); Everyday's Torture by Jackie Cornell (#35); Elisa by Tony Bass (#36); Pourquoi le Monde est Sans Amour by Mireille Mathieu (#38); and Jij Bent M'n Boterbloem by De Twee Pinten (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Knock Three Times--Dawn (2nd week at #1)
2 My Sweet Lord/Isn't it a Pity--George Harrison
3 Lonely Days--Bee Gees
4 One Less Bell to Answer--The 5th Dimension
5 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson
6 Groove Me--King Floyd
7 I Hear You Knocking--Dave Edmunds
8 Your Song--Elton John
9 One Bad Apple--The Osmonds
10 Stoney End--Barbra Streisand

Singles entering the chart were Mama's Pearl by the Jackson 5 (#47); Have You Ever Seen the Rain/Hey Tonight by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#56); Theme from Love Story by Francis Lai and his Orchestra (#75); Hang on to Your Life by the Guess Who (#82); Triangle of Love (Hey Diddle Diddle) by the Presidents (#92); Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin (#94); Everything is Good About You by the Lettermen (#98); Proud Mary by Ike & Tina Turner (#99); and San Bernadino by Christie (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Lonely Days--Bee Gees
2 Knock Three Times--Dawn
3 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson
4 Groove Me--King Floyd
5 If I were Your Woman--Gladys Knight & the Pips
6 My Sweet Lord--George Harrison
7 Stoney End--Barbra Streisand
8 One Less Bell to Answer--The 5th Dimension
9 Your Song--Elton John
10 It's Impossible--Perry Como

Singles entering the chart were She's a Lady by Tom Jones (#56); Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#63); Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) by the Temptations (#66); Keep the Customer Satisfied by Gary Puckett (#68); Triangle of Love (Hey Diddle Diddle) by the Presidents (#74); I Love You for All Seasons by Fuzz (#75); Hang on to Your Life by the Guess Who (#79); Whole Lotta Love by C.C.S. (#82); Whole Lotta Love by King Curtis and the Kingpins (#85); Proud Mary by Ike & Tina Turner (#86); Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin (#88); Never Marry a Railroad Man by Shocking Blue (#95); Where are We Going by Bobby Bloom (#97); San Bernadino by Christie (#98); and (She's a) Very Lovely Woman by Linda Ronstadt (#99).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Knock Three Times--Dawn (4th week at #1)
2 My Sweet Lord/Isn't it a Pity--George Harrison
3 Lonely Days--Bee Gees
4 Groove Me--King Floyd
5 One Less Bell to Answer--The 5th Dimension
6 Your Song--Elton John
7 It's Impossible--Perry Como
8 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson
9 If I were Your Woman--Gladys Knight & the Pips
10 Love the One You're With--Stephen Stills

Singles entering the chart were Hang on to Your Life by the Guess Who (#62); Keep the Customer Satisfied by Gary Puckett (#66); Theme from Love Story by Francis Lai and his Orchestra (#69); Whole Lotta Love by C.C.S. (#76); Whole Lotta Love by King Curtis and the Kingpins (#80); Everything is Good About You by the Lettermen (#88); Freedom by the Isley Brothers (#90); I Dig Everything About You by the Mob (#93); Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin (#94); Help Me Make it Through the Night by Sammi Smith (#97); From the Very Start by Children (#99); and We'll Have it Made by the Spinners (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Knock Three Times--Dawn (2nd week at #1)
2 Isn't it a Pity--George Harrison
3 Your Song--Elton John
4 Immigrant Song--Led Zeppelin
5 Lonely Days--Bee Gees
6 Love the One You're With--Stephen Stills
7 If You Could Read My Mind--Gordon Lightfoot
8 Sing High, Sing Low--Anne Murray
9 Stoney End--Barbra Streisand
10 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson

Singles entering the chart were If I were Your Woman by Gladys Knight & the Pips (#61); Hang on to Your Life by the Guess Who (#74); Have You Ever Seen the Rain/Hey Tonight by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#75); Mama's Pearl by the Jackson 5 (#77); Cheryl Moana Marie by John Rowles (#81); Theme from Love Story by Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus (#83); Everything is Good About You by the Lettermen (#84); Kagie by Buxton Kastle (#89); Whole Lotta Love by C.C.S. (#92); Theme from "Love Story" by Francis Lai (#93); Together We Two by the Archies (#96); Stay Awhile by the Bells (#97); Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin (#98); Where are We Going by Bobby Bloom (#99); and Superstar by Murray Head (#100).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 My Sweet Lord--George Harrison (6th week at #1)
2 Knock Three Times--Dawn
3 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson
4 Sweet Mary--Wadsworth Mansion
5 Lonely Days--Bee Gees
6 Born to Wander--Rare Earth
7 Sing High, Sing Low--Anne Murray
8 If You Could Read My Mind--Gordon Lightfoot
9 I Hear You Knocking--Dave Edmunds
10 No Matter What--Badfinger
Pick hit of the week: Children--Jimmy Aiello and the Happy Feeling

On the radio
Sherlock Holmes, starring Georg Arlin and Gosta Pruzelius, on Radioteatern (Sweden)
Tonight's episode: The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 4

War
Fatalities for the week in Vietnam numbered 29 Americans, 222 South Vietnamese, and an estimated 776 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): När vi två blir en--Gyllene Tider (8th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Reality--Richard Sanderson

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Love on the Rocks--Neil Diamond (2nd week at #1)
2 Can You Feel It--The Jacksons
3 Passion--Rod Stewart
4 Woman in Love--Barbra Streisand
5 The Tide is High--Blondie
6 (Just Like) Starting Over--John Lennon
7 Man on the Moon--Ballyhoo
8 I'm Alright--Kenny Loggins
9 Give Me the Night--George Benson
10 Celebration--Kool & The Gang

Singles entering the chart were A Lot of Things by Peach (#18); and Hold On by Lastique (#19).

Society
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service moved to expel 3,900 Haitians who had entered the U.S. since October 11, 1980. The Haitians were expected to appeal the decision on the basis that they were seeking asylum from the Haitian regime of "Baby Doc" Duvalier.

Environment
It was learned that the U.S. Interior Department’s Office of Endangered Species had been instructed to de-emphasize its efforts to place on its endangered species list animals and plants that are faced with extinction. Instead, it was to concentrate on the "recovery" of species already on the list. It was to reduce by half the number of species to be examined for listing as endangered, and spend more time planning to take such steps as moving an affected animal or plant to a less dangerous area.

Economics and finance
The United States Commerce Department reported that the index of future economic trends had declined by 0.8% in December 1980, indicating an economic slowdown.

25 years ago
1986

Hit parade
Edmonton's Top 18 (CHED)
1 That's What Friends are For--Dionne and Friends (with Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder)
2 So Far Away--Dire Straits
3 Spies Like Us--Paul McCartney
4 Talk to Me--Stevie Nicks
5 Everything in My Heart--Corey Hart
6 It's Only Love--Bryan Adams and Tina Turner
7 Burning Heart--Survivor
8 Tarzan Boy--Baltimora
9 When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going--Billy Ocean
10 My Hometown--Bruce Springsteen
11 I'm Your Man--Wham!
12 Live is Life--Opus
13 Conga--Miami Sound Machine
14 Rock Me Amadeus--Falco
15 Take Me Home--Phil Collins
16 Say You, Say Me--Lionel Richie
17 Cosmetics--Gowan
18 Go Home--Stevie Wonder

On television tonight
The Twilight Zone, on CITV
Tonight’s episode: The Elevator (starring Stephen Geoffreys and Robert Prescott); To See the Invisible Man (starring Cotter Smith); Tooth and Consequences (starring David Birney)

Diplomacy
Jonas Savimbi, leader of the anti-Communist Angolan rebel group UNITA, met with U.S. President Ronald Reagan in Washington. The two men called for a negotiated settlement of the civil war in that country.

Scandal
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Erik Nielsen, who had been a member of the House of Commons since 1958, admitted that he had secretly listened in on Liberal Party caucus meetings during the 1960s.

20 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Sadeness Part I--Enigma (3rd week at #1)

On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight’s episode: Denial

Died on this date
John McIntire, 83. U.S. actor. Mr. McIntire was a character actor who appeared in movies such as The Asphalt Jungle (1950); Winchester '73 (1950); and The Phenix City Story (1955), and had regular roles in the television series Naked City (1958-1959) and Wagon Train (1961-1965).

John Bardeen, 82. U.S. physicist. Dr. Bardeen is the only person to have won the Nobel Prize in Physics twice: in 1956 with Walter Brattain and William Shockley "for their researches on semiconductors and their discovery of the transistor effect;" and in 1972 with Leon Cooper and John Schrieffer "for their jointly developed theory of superconductivity, usually called the BCS-theory."

War
11 U.S. Marines were reported killed as troops from the U.S.A., Saudi Arabia, and Qatar retaliated against Iraq’s seizure of the Saudi town of Al Khafji the previous day. Seven of the U.S. deaths were from "friendly fire" from a U.S. warplane. U.S. General Norman Schwarzkopf said that the air campaign was on schedule, with two weeks of bombing forcing Iraq to abandon centralized control of its air defense. Canada began military operations in Operation Friction; a Canadian CF-18 Hornet attacked and caused irreparable damage to an Iraqi warship.

Economics and finance
The United States Commerce Department reported that the index of leading economic indicators had edged upward 0.1% in December 199, ending a string of six monthly declines.

Business
The Hudson's Bay Company announced that it was selling its fur business due to declining sales and auction competition; the HBC was originally founded as a fur trading company in 1670.

10 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Jean-Pierre Aumont, 90. French actor. Mr. Aumont, born Jean-Pierre Salomons, appeared in plays, films, and television programs in France and the United States in a career spanning 65 years, with time out for service with Free French Forces in World War II. His movies included Maria Chapdelaine (1934); The Cross of Lorraine (1943); Lili (1953); and The Seven Deadly Sins (1962). Mr. Aumont died of a heart attack, 25 days after his 90th birthday.

Politics and government
The United States Senate voted 75-24 to approve Gale Norton as Secretary of the Interior in the cabinet of President George W. Bush.