Tuesday 31 May 2011

June 1, 2011

440 years ago
1571


Died on this date
John Story, 66 or 67
. English politician and Roman Catholic martyr. Mr. Story was a law professor and Member of the House of Commons representing various ridings who spent time in prison and then in exile during the reign of King Edward VI (a Protestant), but returned under Queen Mary I (a Roman Catholic). In 1563, five years into the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (a Protestant), Mr. Story was arrested for his opposition to Anglicanism, but fled to Flanders and worked as a pensioner for King Philip II. Mr. Story was lured onto a trading ship at Antwerp in 1570 and was transported to England, where he was tried for treason for his support of the 1569 Northern Rebellion, an attempt to depose Queen Elizabeth. He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. Mr. Story was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886.

210 years ago
1801


Born on this date
Brigham Young
. U.S. religious leader. Mr. Young worked at various jobs before joining the Reformed Methodist Church in 1824. He eventually became disenchanted with Methodism, and converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--popularly known as the Mormon Church--in 1832. Mr. Young became a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1835, and became its president in 1840. He became President of the Church in December 1847 after reorganizing the presidency, and remained in that office for the rest of his life. Mr. Young led the Mormons from Illinois to Utah, and was appointed by U.S. President Millard Fillmore as the territory's first Governor, holding the office from 1851-1858. Mr. Young was an outstanding example of Latter-day Saints doctrine and practices: he was a polygamist with 55 wives and 56 children; prohibited Negroes from the Mormon priesthood; and led the church during the Utah War against the United States. Mr. Young died on August 29, 1877 at the age of 76, reportedly of peritonitis from a ruptured appendix.

190 years ago
1821


Business
The North West Company merged with the Hudson's Bay Company, to operate for the next 21 years under the name of the Hudson's Bay Company.

180 years ago
1831


Canadiana
The Census of Lower Canada began, running through October 1, 1831.

Exploration
Sir James Ross first discovered the position of the North Magnetic Pole on the west coast of Boothia Peninsula in what is now Nunavut. He took possession of the North Magnetic Pole and adjoining territory in the name of King William IV, and erected a cairn.

150 years ago
1861


Died on this date
John Quincy Marr, 36
. C.S. military officer. Captain Marr served with the Warrenton Rifles in Virginia, and was killed in the Battle of Fairfax Court House five days after his 36th birthday, becoming the first Confederate soldier killed by a Union soldier in the American Civil War.

War
The Battle of Fairfax Court House, an early battle in the American Civil War, was fought in Fairfax County, Virginia, with inconclusive results.

140 years ago
1871


Politics and government
Canada's Library of Parliament was founded in Ottawa.

Communications
The Canadian Post Office issued a pre-stamped, pictureless "postal stationery card," sold for one cent at any post office. The cost included both the postcard and the delivery to any address within the Dominion. The cards were mainly used for business purposes to make appointments, confirm orders and arrange deliveries.

110 years ago
1901


Born on this date
John Van Druten
. U.K.-born playwright and director. Mr. Van Druten was one of the most successful British playwrights of the late 1920s and early 1930s, and continued to be successful after moving to the United States in the late '30s. His plays included The Voice of the Turtle (1943) and I am a Camera (1951). Mr. Van Druten died on December 19, 1957 at the age of 56.

Hap Day. Canadian hockey player and coach. Clarence Henry Day was a left wing, and later, a defenceman with the Toronto St. Patricks and Maple Leafs (1924-37) and New York Americans (1937-38), scoring 86 goals and 116 assists in 586 regular season games, and 4 goals and 7 assists in 51 playoff games. He played with the 1931-32 Stanley Cup championship team, and coached the Maple Leafs from 1940-50, winning Stanley Cups in 1942; 1945; and three straight from 1947-49. Mr. Day was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961, and died on February 17, 1990 at the age of 88.

100 years ago
1911


Canadiana
Canada's population was reported as 7,206,643 on official Census day. 13% of Canada's population made their home in the Maritime Provinces.

Crime
Red Deer, Alberta Police Chief George Bell was shot by transient Arthur Kelly while trying to prevent Mr. Kelly from carrying out a robbery. Local boy scouts, shooed away from the crime scene by adults, found Mr. Kelly hiding in bushes nearby and formed a circle around him until he surrendered to the fire chief. Mr. Bell survived.

90 years ago
1921


Canadiana
Canada's population was reported as 8,788,483 on official Census day. The Maritime Provinces accounted for 11% of the total.

80 years ago
1931


On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: The Golden Pince-Nez

70 years ago
1941


Died on this date
Hugh Walpole, 57
. N.Z.-born U.K. author. Sir Hugh wrote 36 novels, five volumes of short stories, two original plays, and three volumes of memoirs from 1909 until his death from a heart attack. His best-known works may have been the tetralogy of novels collectively known as The Herries Chronicle.

War
The Battle of Crete ended as Crete capitulated to Germany.

Abominations
The Farhud, a pogrom of Iraqi Jews, began in Baghdad. The event occurred in the aftermath of Iraq's defeat in the Anglo-Iraqi War, and the collapse of the pro-Nazi Iraqi government of Prime Minister Rashid Ali.

Economics and finance
The Canadian Unemployment Insurance Act went into effect.

60 years ago
1951


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

Television
General Electric announced the development of the "composite system," a new rival to CBS colour television. Like the RCA method, it was "compatible" with black-and-white receivers, but it differed in sending colours simultaneously instead of in sequence.

Canadiana
Canada's population was reported as 14,009,429 on official Census day; the census also showed that 70% of the population of Québec was now urban. The Maritime Provinces accounted for 9% of the total.

Britannica
Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret visited Belfast despite recent bomb attacks on British property and assassination threats by Irish revolutionaries.



Crime
A U.S. Appeals Court in Washington, D.C. upheld the espionage conviction of former U.S. State Department employee Judith Coplon, but ordered a hearing of her charge that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had tapped her telephone before and during her trial.

Politics and government
Vincent Massey tabled the report of his Massey Commission on Canadian culture; it recommended greater government support for the arts.

Transportation
The International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal issued a new code of standards for the design of international airports.

Business
Titanium Metals Corporation opened the first complete titanium processing plant in Henderson, Nevada.

50 years ago
1961


Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Blue Moon--The Marcels (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Surrender--Elvis Presley

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

Radio
FM multiplex stereo broadcasting was enjoyed by FM listeners in Schenectady, Los Angeles, and Chicago, on the first day it was authorized by the Federal Communications Commission.

Canadiana
Canada's population was reported as 18,238,247 on official Census day. The Maritime Provinces accounted for 8% of the total.

Business
The Canadian Bank of Commerce and Imperial Bank of Canada merged to form the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the largest bank merger in Canadian history.

Boxing
Von Clay (14-4-2) knocked out Kirk Barrow (22-5-1) at 1:06 of the 6th round of a heavyweight bout at Spokane Coliseum.

40 years ago
1971


Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Goin' Back to Indiana--The Jackson 5

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Brown Sugar--The Rolling Stones

Died on this date
Reinhold Niebuhr, 78
. U.S. theologian. Mr. Niebuhr, one of the most influential American theologians of the 20th century, taught at the liberal Union Theological Seminary for more than 30 years. He denied fundamental Christian doctrines and originally was just as liberal in his political views, but eventually, as a "Christian realist," opposed Communism and pacifism, and supported U.S. involvement in World War II and the development of nuclear weapons. Mr. Niebuhr's books included Moral Man and Immoral Society (1932); The Nature and Destiny of Man (1943); and The Irony of American History (1952). Mr. Niebuhr died 20 days before his 79th birthday.

Defense
Brazil announced that its warships and planes would patrol the 200-mile territorial water limit that replaced the former 12-mile limit.

Crime
Police charged 13 prisoners with murder in several deaths during rioting that April at the Kingston Penitentiary in Ontario.

Society
U.S. President Richard Nixon told a press conference that his administration was readying a large "national offensive" against drug addiction, with emphasis on servicemen hooked on hard drugs.

30 years ago
1981


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Jealous Guy--Roxy Music (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Ruby no Yubiwa--Akira Terao (10th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Te Quiero--José Luis Perales

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Medley--Stars on 45 (2nd week at #1)

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Making Your Mind Up--Bucks Fizz (3rd week at #1)
2 Stars on 45--Stars on 45
3 In the Air Tonight--Phil Collins
4 Fade to Grey--Visage
5 Video Life--Bilgeri
6 Jealous Guy--Roxy Music
7 Per Elisa--Alice
8 Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce Music Theatre
9 Vienna--Ultravox
10 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton

Singles entering the chart were Video Life; Angel of the Morning; and Don't Stop the Music by Yarbrough & Peoples (#15).

Died on this date
Carl Vinson, 97
. U.S. politician. Mr. Vinson, a Democrat, represented Georgia's 6th (1914-1933) and 10th (1933-1965) Districts in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was co-sponsor of the Two-Ocean Navy Act (1940), which increased the size of the United States Navy by 70%. Rep. Vinson was Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee (1949-1953, 1955-1965).

Canadiana
Canada's population was reported as 24,343,181 on official Census day.

25 years ago
1986


Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Living Doll--Cliff Richard featuring the Young Ones (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Midnight Lady--Chris Norman (4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Jo Gartner, 32
. Austrian auto racing driver. Mr. Gartner drove in the Formula Two Circuit from 1980-1984, and participated in eight Formula One races during the 1984 season. He was killed in an accident during the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Society
The Québec government of Premier Robert Bourassa reformed its divorce laws, making marriage breakdown the sole cause, and eliminating the notion of fault; couples could now jointly petition for divorce.

Soccer
FIFA World Cup @ Mexico City
Canada 0 Mexico 2

This was Canada's first ever game in the World Cup.

Golf
Pat Bradley edged Patty Sheehan by one stroke to win the LPGA Championship at the Jack Nicklaus Sports Center in Kings Island, Ohio to become the first woman to achieve a career Grand Slam, with victories in all four women’s major tournaments: U.S. Open; du Maurier Classic; Nabisco Championship; and LPGA.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Boston 104 @ Houston 106 (Boston led best-of-seven series 2-1)

The Rockets overcame an 8-point deficit in the 4th quarter to edge the Celtics before 16,016 fans at the Summit. Ralph Sampson led the Rockets with 24 points and 22 rebounds, while Akeem Olajuwon added 23 points. Boston's Kevin McHale led all scorers with 28 points.



20 years ago
1991


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Don't Go Now--Ratcat

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Se Stiamo Insieme--Riccardo Cocciante (12th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): The Grease Megamix--John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (12th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Last Train To Trancentral--The KLF

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Losing My Religion--R.E.M. (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Désenchantée--Mylène Farmer (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in his Kiss)--Cher (5th week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Wind of Change--Scorpions
2 Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)--De La Soul
3 One More Try--Timmy T
4 Just a Groove--Nomad
5 Last Train To Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)--The KLF
6 Future Love Paradise--Seal
7 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.
8 Going to the Run--Golden Earring
9 Strike it Up--Black Box
10 How to Dance--Bingoboys featuring Princessa

Singles entering the chart were Anasthasia by T99 (#21); No Coke by Dr. Alban (#29); Call it What You Want by NKOTB (#31); From Da Soul by Tony Scott (#32); Love is a Wonderful Thing by Michael Bolton (#36); White Men by the Pilgrims (#37); and Special Girl by New Jack Style (#38).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 I Don't Wanna Cry--Mariah Carey (2nd week at #1)
2 More than Words--Extreme
3 I Wanna Sex You Up--Color Me Badd
4 Love is a Wonderful Thing--Michael Bolton
5 Rush Rush--Paula Abdul
6 I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)--Hi-Five
7 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.
8 Touch Me (All Night Long)--Cathy Dennis
9 Silent Lucidity--Queensryche
10 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart

Singles entering the chart were The Dream is Still Alive by Wilson Phillips (#71); P.A.S.S.I.O.N. by Rythm Syndicate (#73); Higher than Hope by Daryl Braithwaite (#78); Elevate My Mind by Stereo MC's (#88); Love Desire by Sandee (#89); Lift Me Up by Yes (#90); Wind of Change by the Scorpions (#91); and Dirty Love by Thunder (#95).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I Don’t Wanna Cry--Mariah Carey
2 More than Words--Extreme
3 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart
4 Here We Go--C + C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams and Zelma Davis
5 Love is a Wonderful Thing--Michael Bolton
6 Touch Me (All Night Long)--Cathy Dennis
7 I Touch Myself--Divinyls
8 I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)--High-Five
9 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.
10 Rush Rush--Paula Abdul

Singles entering the chart were The Dream is Still Alive by Wilson Phillips (#76); P.A.S.S.I.O.N. by Rythm Syndicate (#81); Wind of Change by the Scorpions (#87); It Ain’t Over ‘Til it’s Over by Lenny Kravitz (#88); This Time Make it Funky by Tracie Spencer (#89); and Whenever You Close Your Eyes by Tommy Page (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Rhythm of My Heart--Rod Stewart (2nd week at #1)
2 Baby Baby--Amy Grant
3 I Don’t Wanna Cry--Mariah Carey
4 More than Words--Extreme
5 Love is a Wonderful Thing--Michael Bolton
6 Animal Heart--Glass Tiger
7 Joyride--Roxette
8 Silent Lucidity--Queensryche
9 Touch Me (All Night Long)--Cathy Dennis
10 Losing My Religion--R.E.M.

Singles entering the chart were I Wanna Sex You Up by Color Me Badd (#83); Nothing Hurts by Barney Bentall (#84); True Believers by Keven Jordan (#87); How Can I Ease the Pain by Lisa Fischer (#88); Circle of One by Oleta Adams (#91); Step On by Happy Mondays (#93); Saving All the Love by Candi & the Backbeat (#95); You Can’t Resist It by Lyle Lovett (#96); and When He’s Gone by the Bee Gees (#97).

Died on this date
David Ruffin, 50
. U.S. singer. Mr. Ruffin shared lead singing duties with the soul group the Temptations from 1964-1968, his deep voice complementing Eddie Kendricks' high voice. Mr. Ruffin sang lead on hit singles such as My Girl (1965) ; (Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You that I Need (1967); and I Wish it Would Rain (1968). A cocaine addiction and other issues led to his being fired from the group, and he then embarked on a solo career, with moderate success. Mr. Ruffin, the younger brother of singer Jimmy Ruffin, died of an accidental cocaine overdose after a successful month-long tour with Mr. Kendricks and another former Temptations' lead singer, Dennis Edwards.

Defense
At a meeting in Lisbon, U.S. Secretary of State James Baker and U.S.S.R. Foreign Minister Aleksandr Bessmertnykh reached an agreement on a Conventional Forces in Europe treaty, but terms were not disclosed.

Labour
Louis Laberge retired as president of the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (Federation of Quebec Workers) (FTQ) after seven years in office, and was succeeded by secretary-general Fernand Daoust. Mr. Daoust was succeeded in his position by Clément Godbout.

10 years ago
2001


Died on this date
Hank Ketcham, 81
. U.S. cartoonist. Mr. Ketcham worked as an animator for Walter Lantz and Walt Disney before creating the comic strip Dennis the Menace, named after his young son. Mr. Ketcham wrote and drew the strip until 1994, and won the Reuben Award in 1953 as the outstanding cartoonist in the United States. He died of prostate cancer.

Birendra, 55. King of Nepal, 1972-2001; Aishwarya, 51. Queen of Nepal; Shruti, 24. Princess of Nepal; Nirajan, 22; Dhirendra, 21. Princes of Nepal. Birendra acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Mahendra. King Birendra was internationally educated and well-travelled, and pursued positive relations with India and China. He was an absolute monarch who believed that his country needed firm, decisive government. The king, queen, pricess, and princes were killed, and four others wounded, when Crown Prince Dipendra, 29, who had allegedly argued with his mother over his choice of a bride, went on a rampage with a semi-automatic weapon before turning the gun on himself. He was proclaimed King, but remained in critical condition before dying on June 4.





Terrorism
Saeed Hotari, 22, a Hamas-affiliated Islamist terrorist, blew himself up outside a nightclub in Tel Aviv, Israel, killing 21 people, most of whom were teenage girls.

May 31, 2011

690 years ago
1321


Died on this date
Birger, 40-41
. King of Sweden, 1290-1318. Birger acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Magnus III, and came of age during a civil war involving his brothers, who took him captive in 1306 and imprisoned him in Nyköping Castle. Pressure from King Erik VI of Denmark forced Birger's relase in 1308; he appealed to King Erik for help, and was forced to give up the Royal Domain, remaining King of Sweden in name only. The supporters of King Birger ousted him in 1318, and he died in exile in Denmark.

200 years ago
1811


Politics and government
Sir George Prevost took office as Governor of Lower Canada.

Exploration
James Ross discovered Bellot Strait, dividing Somerset Island from the mainland of Boothia Peninsula--the northernmost point of the North American continentin what is now Nunavut.

Transportation
The Clipper ship Marco Polo, launched April 19 by James Smith at Marsh Creek, Courtenay Bay, New Brunswick, left Saint John, N.B. for Liverpool; it set a record for the passage at 15 days.

110 years ago
1901


Born on this date
Alfredo Antonini
. Italian-born U.S. conductor and composer. Mr. Antonini began his career as an organist and pianist in his native Italy before emigrating to the United States in 1929. He conducted various orchestras in radio broadcasts, recordings, and concerts from the 1940s through the '70s. His eight compositions included tone poems and chamber works. Mr. Antonini died during heart surgery on November 3, 1983 at the age of 82.

100 years ago
1911


Born on this date
Maurice Allais
. French economist and physicist. Professor Allais began his career as a physicist, publishing numerous works, notably on pendular oscillations and the laws of gravitation. He became an economist after a visit to the United States in 1933 during the Depression. Prof. Allais was awarded the 1988 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences "for his pioneering contributions to the theory of markets and efficient utilization of resources." He died on October 9, 2010 at the age of 99.

World events
Mexican President Porfirio Díaz fled the country during the Mexican Revolution.

Transportation
The hull of the Royal Mail Steamer Titanic was launched in Belfast. At the ceremony, a White Star Line employee claimed, "Not even God himself could sink this ship."

90 years ago 1921 Abominations
Mobs of white people attacked the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, killing as many as 300 Negroes, destroying Negro-owned businesses, and leaving 1,256 Negroes homeless.

70 years ago
1941


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square--Vera Lynn; West End Players (1st month at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)--Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra with Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell (10th week at #1)

War
A Luftwaffe air raid on Dublin claimed 38 lives. The United Kingdom completed the re-occupation of Iraq, and returned 'Abd al-Ilah to power as regent for King Faisal II.

Horse racing
Whirlaway, with Eddie Arcaro aboard, won his second straight Triple Crown race, winning the 67th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore in a time of 1:58 4/5. King Cole placed second and Our Boots finished third; only three horses participated.



60 years ago
1951


Television
Moscow radio asserted that television had been invented by a Russian, Professor Boris Rosing, in 1907.

Diplomacy
Western powers at the stalemated Big Four conference in Paris invited the U.S.S.R. to a Big Four foreign ministers meeting, to begin July 23 in Washington.

Defense
U.S. President Harry Truman signed a $6.4-billion supplementary defense appropriation for fiscal 1951.

50 years ago
1961


Africana
The Union of South Africa became the Republic of South Africa, formally severed its affiliation with the Commonwealth of Nations, and inaugurated Charles Swart, its last governor general, as its first president. In his inaugural address, Mr. Swart implied that the racial separation policy of apartheid would continue.

World events
The Rokotov–Faibishenko show trial of financial speculators began in Moscow City Court, despite the Khrushchev Thaw to reverse Stalinist elements in Soviet society.

40 years ago
1971


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Another Day--Paul McCartney

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Mata Au Hi Made--Kiyohiko Ozaki (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Qué Será (Che Sará)--José Feliciano (3rd week at #1)

Americana
In accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 1968, the observance of Memorial Day occurred on the last Monday in May for the first time, rather than on the traditional Memorial Day of May 30.

Law
Sandra Oxner was appointed the first female judge of Nova Scotia Magistrate's Court.

30 years ago
1981


Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Being with You--Smokey Robinson (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Stars on 45--Stars on 45 (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Barbara Ward, Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth, 67
. U.K. economist. Miss Ward was a lifelong Roman Catholic whose religious views influenced her economic views. She advised major Western leaders, urging them to share their countries' prosperity with backward countries. Miss Ward was an early advocate of sustainable development, and has been credited by some with coining the term "spaceship Earth." She was married to Sir Robert Jackson, an Australian administrator of the United Nations; they separated in the early 1970s, but she used his surname when she was given a life peerage in 1976. Baroness Jackson died eight days after her 67th birthday.

Protest
An organized mob of police and government-sponsored Sinhalese paramilitary forces began three days of attacks that led to the burning of the Jaffna Public Library in Sri Lanka.

Environment
Parks Canada declared Carbonear Island, Newfoundland a National Historic Site. Fort Carbonear was an early British post, and was attacked by the French in 1696 and 1705.

Baseball
The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team in major league history to pass one million in home attendance before the end of May, as 46,411 fans saw the Dodgers rout the Cincinnati Reds 16-4 at Dodger Stadium. Every Los Angeles starter had at least 1 hit and 1 run except pitcher Jerry Reuss, who left the game with a strained hamstring after Dave Collins singled to lead off the game.

25 years ago
1986


Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Live to Tell--Madonna (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): J'aimie Le Vie--Sandra Kim

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Wonderful World--Sam Cooke (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Rollin' Home--Status Quo

#1 single in the U.K.: The Chicken Song--Spitting Image (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Greatest Love of All--Whitney Houston (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Greatest Love of All--Whitney Houston (2nd week at #1)
2 Live to Tell--Madonna
3 Why Can’t This Be Love--Van Halen
4 On My Own--Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald
5 West End Girls--Pet Shop Boys
6 What Have You Done for Me Lately--Janet Jackson
7 I Can’t Wait--Nu Shooz
8 If You Leave--Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
9 All I Need is a Miracle--Mike & the Mechanics
10 Be Good to Yourself--Journey

Singles entering the chart were Invisible Touch by Genesis (#39); Love Touch by Rod Stewart (#48); Opportunities by Pet Shop Boys (#68); and Take it Easy by Andy Taylor (#82).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Live to Tell--Madonna (2nd week at #1)
2 Greatest Love of All--Whitney Houston
3 West End Girls--Pet Shop Boys
4 The Power of Love--Jennifer Rush
5 If You Leave--Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
6 Addicted to Love--Robert Palmer
7 What Have You Done for Me Lately--Janet Jackson
8 Let’s Go All the Way--Sly Fox
9 Tender Love--Force M.D.’s
10 Bad Boy--Miami Sound Machine

Singles entering the chart included Invisible Touch by Genesis (#84); Like a Rock by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band (#90); The Best of Me by David Foster and Olivia Newton-John (#92); Love Touch by Rod Stewart (#96); and You Should Be Mine by Jeffrey Osborne (#100).

Died on this date
James Rainwater, 68
. U.S. physicist. Dr. Rainwater shared the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physics with Aage Bohr and Ben Roy Mottelson "for the discovery of the connection between collective motion and particle motion in atomic nuclei and the development of the theory of the structure of the atomic nucleus based on this connection."

Auto racing
Bobby Rahal won the Indianapolis 500, which had been postponed from the previous weekend because of rain.



20 years ago
1991


War
People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) President José Eduardo dos Santos and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) President Jonas Savimbi signed the Bicesse Accords in Lisbon, ending a 16-year civil war and laying out a transition to multi-party democracy in Angola under the supervision of the United Nations' United Nations Angola Verification Mission II (UNAVEM II).

Politics and government
Chief George Martin of Kahnesatake Mohawk Reserve in Quebec failed to block members from voting 526-21 for direct election of a new band council.

Basketball
NBA
Pat Riley, who had coached the Los Angeles Lakers to four National Basketball Association titles in the 1980s, was named head coach of the New York Knickerbockers.

Baseball
The San Diego Padres traded shortstop Garry Templeton to the New York Mets for utility infielder Tim Teufel. Mr. Templeton, who had been traded to the Padres in 1982 for shortstop Ozzie Smith, was batting .193 with 1 home run and 6 runs batted in in 32 games with the Padres in 1991, while Mr. Teufel was batting just .118 in 20 games with the Mets.

Mike Hampton pitched a no-hitter for the San Bernardino Spirit of the Class A California League as they shut out the Visalia Oaks 6-0 in San Bernardino. Troy Mooney pitched a 7-inning no-hitter for the Augusta Pirates of the Class A South Atlantic League as they edged the Savannah Cardinals 1-0.

10 years ago
2001


Died on this date
Arlene Francis, 93
. U.S. actress and television personality. Miss Francis, born Arline Francis Kazanjian, appeared in plays, and movies such as Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932) and All My Sons (1948), and hosted radio programs, but was best known for her work in television, particularly as a panelist on the quiz show What's My Line? (1950-1967, 1968-1975). She died of Alzheimer's disease and cancer.

Economics and finance
Sheila Fraser was appointed Auditor General of Canada, becoming the first woman to hold the position; she retired in May 2011.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Colorado 3 @ New Jersey 1 (Colorado led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Ray Bourque's powerplay goal 31 seconds into the 3rd period broke a 1-1 tie as the Avalanche defeated the Devils before 19,040 fans at Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford. Patrick Roy made 21 saves to win the goaltending duel over Martin Brodeur.

Sunday 29 May 2011

May 30, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Nettee Sly!

630 years ago
1381


Protest
The Peasants' Revolt, led by Wat Tyler, began in England, triggered by royal official John Bampton's attempt to collect unpaid poll taxes in Brentwood, Essex.

580 years ago
1431

Died on this date
Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc), 19
. French heroine. Jeanne d’Arc (anglicized as Joan of Arc) claimed to have received visions of the archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria instructing her to support King Charles VII and recover France from English domination late in the Hundred Years' War. King Charles sent her to the siege of Orléans in 1429 as part of a relief army, and the siege was lifted nine days later, earning Joan the nickname "The Maid of Orleans". King Charles VII was soon consecrated at Reims, and Joan was regarded as a booster of French morale. She was captured by Burgundians--French nobles allied with the English--in May 1430, and was later handed over to the English. Pro-English Bishop of Beauvais Pierre Cauchon convicted Joan of various charges and she was burned at the stake in Rouen, Normandy. A Roman Catholic inquisitorial court authorized by Pope Callixtus III pronounced Joan innocent in 1456 and declared her a martyr.

475 years ago
1536


Married on this date
King Henry VIII of England
and Jane Seymour. Henry VIII took Miss Seymour to be his third wife just 11 days after the execution of his second wife, Anne Boleyn.

380 years ago
1631


Journalism
Gazette de France, the first French newspaper, published its first edition.

160 years ago
1851


Communications
A telegraph line from Saint John, New Brunswick to St. Andrew's, N.B. and the U.S. border opened as part of the Atlantic Cable link through to New York.

130 years ago
1881


Born on this date
Georg von Küchler
. German military officer. Generalfeldmarschall Küchler was from a noble family and joined the Imperial German Army in 1900, serving on the Western Front. He commanded troops in the invasion of Poland at the beginning of World War II, but was removed from command for refusing to use his forces to kill Polish or Jewish civilians. Generalfeldmarschall Küchler did support Nazi racial policy and the war against the Soviet Union. He commanded forces during the invasion of Russia, maintaining the siege of Leningrad from December 1941 until he was relieved of command at the end of January 1944. Generalfeldmarschall Küchler was directly involved in the murder of 240 mental patients in the U.S.S.R. in December 1941. He was arrested by American authorities after the war, and was sentenced in 1948 to 20 years in a Soviet prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity because of his treatment of Soviet prisoners of war. The sentence was reduced to 12 years in 1951, and Generalfeldmarschall Küchler was released in February 1953. He returned to West Germany, and died on May 25, 1968, five days before his 87th birthday.

110 years ago
1901


Born on this date
Alfred Karindi
. Estonian conductor and composer. Mr. Karindi was an organist who taught music for many years and conducted choirs. He wrote choral music as well as works for organ, orchestral music, and chamber pieces. Mr. Karindi died on April 13, 1969 at the age of 67.

New Zealandiana
A 10-man Royal Commission reported unanimously that New Zealand should not become a state of the new Commonwealth of Australia.

100 years ago
1911


Died on this date
Milton Bradley, 74
. U.S. businessman. Mr. Bradley was a draftsman and lithographer before founding the Milton Bradley Company, maunfacturer of board games, in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1860. He was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 2004 and the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006.

Auto racing
Ray Harroun won the first Indianapolis 500, and then retired from auto racing.



90 years ago
1921


Auto racing
Tommy Milton won the Indianapolis 500.



80 years ago
1931


Auto racing
Lou Schneider won the Indianapolis 500.





75 years ago
1936


On the radio
On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Louis Hector and Harry West, on MBS
Tonight’s episode: The Devil’s Foot

Auto racing
Louis Meyer became the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 for the third time.



Baseball
The team from Japan’s Waseda University continued its American tour with a 10-5 win over the University of Chicago. Mr. Wakahara, the Waseda pitcher, gave up 10 hits but struck out 17 batters.

70 years ago
1941


Died on this date
Rama VII, 47
. King of Siam, 1925-1935. King Rama VII, born Somdet Chaofa Prajadhipok Sakdidej, was the last absolute monarch of Siam and, after the revolution of 1932, its first constitutional monarch. He was also the only monarch to date of the Chakri Dynasty to abdicate, which he did after the National Assembly rejected his requests for certain reforms. Rama VII was succeeded on the throne by his 9-year-old nephew Rama VIII. Rama VII went into exile in England, and died there of heart failure.

War
The German command announced that Anglo-Greek resistance had collapsed everywhere in Crete. Greek resistance activists Manolis Glezos and Apostolos Santas climbed on the Acropolis and tore down the German flag, which had been there since April 27, 1941, when Nazi forces had entered Athens. The British government announced that Iraqi Prime Minister Rashid Ali el Gailani had fled to Iran, while British forces advanced to the outskirts of Baghdad. The Vichy French government announced that French troops had crossed the Sahara Desert to the western shore of Lake Chad--the base of General Charles de Gaulle's Free French forces--in an attempt to recover French Equatorial Africa.

Defense
Japanese defense minister Yosuke Matsuoka said that Japan would carry out her obligations under the Tripartite Pact.

Guards were increased around U.S. defense installations and factories after the Federal Bureau of Investigation received reports that sabotage was planned for the Memorial Day weekend.

Diplomacy
U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom John G. Winant returned to Washington to report to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Secretary of State Cordell Hull.

Politics and government
U.S. Senator George Norris (Independent--Nebraska) urged that U.S. presidential and vice presidential candidates be nominated by nationwide primary elections instad of by the current convention method.

Auto racing
Floyd Davis and Mauri Rose combined to win the Indianapolis 500. The two drove separate cars at the start of the race, with Mr. Rose starting from the pole position, and Mr. Davis starting 17th. Mr. Rose retired after 60 laps because of a problem with his spark plugs. When Mr. Davis came in for a pit stop on lap 72, he was relieved by Mr. Rose, who drove the rest of the way to victory. The two drivers were credited as co-winners, the second and last time that happened at the Indianapolis 500.





60 years ago
1951


Died on this date
Hermann Broch, 64
. Austrian-born author. Mr. Broch, a native of Vienna, was considered a major figure in Modernism, although he didn't begin his writing career until he was in his 40s. He emigrated to Britain and then to the United States after the Nazi Anschluss of Austria in 1938, and wrote on politics and worked on mass psychology. Mr. Broch was perhaps best known for his novel Der Tod des Vergil (The Death of Virgil) (1945).

Bernard de Lattre de Tassigny, 23. French military officer. Lieutenant de Lattre joined the French Army at the age of 16, fighting in the liberation of southern France and also in Germany, earning the Médaille militaire and the Croix de guerre. He served in the First Indochina War and won his second Croix de guerre for his actions in the Battle of Dien Mai. Lt. de Lattre was killed during the Battle of the Day River while obeying the orders of his father, General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, to hold the town of Ninh Binh at all costs.

War
Canadian troops in Korea suffered defeat in an operation to scale Hill 467 near Chail-li, not realizing that it was so well-defended; discovering the dangers of a direct assault, the Canadians retreated quickly, still suffering 6 killed and 54 wounded. United Nations forces retook Hwachon Dam in central Korea. Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command General Matthew Ridgway claimed in a Tokyo news conference that the Communists have suffered "a major, severe defeat" in their attempted spring offensive.

French Union forces commanded by General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny retook the stronghold of Ninh Binh, 65 miles south of Hanoi, from Viet Minh guerrillas during the Battle of the Day River.

Defense
Admiral Forrest Sherman, chief of U.S. Naval Operations, told the Senate Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees that the United Nations should join the United States in a naval blockade of Communist China to cut off an "unthinkable" money-making traffic in strategic materials.

Diplomacy
The West German government complained to the Western Allied high commissioners that France was trying to split the Saar from Germany without a plebiscite and in advance of a German peace treaty.

Politics and government
The Irish general election resulted in Fianna Fáil, led by Éamon de Valera, with 69 of 147 seats in the Dáil Éireann, with Prime Minister John Costello's Fine Gael next with 40 seats. Fine Gael improved their total by 8 seats from the most recent election in 1948, while Fianna Fáil improved by 3 seats. The Labour Party was third, dropping from 19 seats to 16. Mr. de Valera was able to obtain enough support from other Dáil Éireann deputies.

Auto racing
Lee Wallard won the Indianapolis 500.



Boxing
World heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles (69-5-1) retained his title with a lopsided 15-round unanimous decision over world light heavyweight champion Joey Maxim (75-17-4) at Chicago Stadium.



50 years ago
1961


Hit parade
#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Are You Sure--The Allisons (5th week at #1)

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on NBC
Tonight's episode: A Secret Life, starring Ronald Howard, Mary Murphy, and Patricia Donahue

Thriller, hosted by Boris Karloff, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Dark Legacy, starring Harry Townes, Henry Silva, and Ilka Windish



Died on this date
Rafael Trujillo Molina, 69
. President of the Dominican Republic, 1930-1938, 1942-1952. Generalissimo Trujillo ruled the Dominican Republic as a dictator, either as President or as military strongman through puppet presidents, from 1930 until his assassination. He was responsible for the deaths of as many as 50,000 people.



Weather
A torrential storm around Buffalo Gap, Saskatchewan dropped 25 centimetres of rain in one hour; one of Canada's most intense rainstorms on record also created the greatest flash flood in Canadian history. A huge dust cloud preceded the storm, which had a black cloud tinged with what onlookers described as greenish, pinkish and brownish colours. Heavy hail also fell, and remained where it had drifted for days afterward.

Disasters
A Venezuelan DC-8 jetliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Lisbon, killing all 62 people aboard.

Auto racing
A.J. Foyt won the Indianapolis 500 for the first time. Eddie Sachs took the lead late in the race, but pitted on lap 197 because pressure in one tire was going down.







Baseball
The St. Louis Cardinals traded shortstop Daryl Spencer to the Los Angeles Dodgers for shortstop Bob Lillis and outfielder Carl Warwick. Mr. Spencer was batting .254 with 4 home runs and 21 runs batted in in 37 games with St. Louis in 1961, while Mr. Lillis was hitting .111 (1 for 19) with 1 RBI in 19 games with Los Angeles, and Mr. Warwick was hitting .091 (1 for 11) with 1 RBI in 19 games with the Dodgers.

Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, and Bill Skowron each hit 2 home runs for the New York Yankees as they routed the Boston Red Sox 12-3 before 19,582 fans at Fenway Park in Boston.



Pinch hitter Don Dillard singled home John Romano from second base with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Cleveland Indians a 4-3 win in the first game of a doubleheader before 13,861 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. The Indians trailed 3-0 before scoring 2 runs in the 7th and 1 in the 8th. The Twins scored 5 runs in the 6th inning of the second game, but still lost 7-5 as the Indians completed the sweep. Mudcat Grant (5-0) allowed 6 hits and 5 earned runs in 6 innings, but still got the win.

Steve Barber (7-3) pitched a 3-hitter and Hal Brown (5-1) allowed 2 hits in 8 scoreless innings for the Baltimore Orioles as they swept a Memorial Day doubleheader from the Chicago White Sox 6-0 and 2-1 before 28,550 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago.

The San Francisco Giants scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning on home runs by Hobie Landrith, Chuck Hiller, and Willie Mays, but still lost 7-6 to the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of a doubleheader before 41,692 fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The teams combined for 7 homers, including the first major league home run for Cincinnati starting pitcher Jim Maloney (2-2), who pitched 5+ innings to get the win. The Reds scored 4 runs in the 3rd inning en route to a 6-4 win in the second game to complete the sweep.

40 years ago
1971


Died on this date
Marcel Dupré, 85
. French musician and composer. Mr. Dupré was professor of organ performance and improvisation at the Paris Conservatoire (1916-1954), and performed more than 2,000 international recitals. He composed more than 120 works, mainly for organ. Mr. Dupré died 27 days after his 85th birthday.

Space
The U.S.A. launched the probe Mariner 9, which was scheduled to reach Mars on November 14, 1971 to begin a 90-day orbit of the planet, intending to produce the best measurements and closest photographs of Mars yet taken. The Soviet probe Mars 2, launched May 19, was scheduled to reach Mars on or around the next day, with Mars 3, launched on May 28, scheduled to reach the planet about a week later.



30 years ago
1981


Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Sarà perché ti amo--Ricchi e Poveri (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Making Your Mind Up--Bucks Fizz (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: You Drive Me Crazy--Shakin' Stevens (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Stand and Deliver--Adam and the Ants (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Stand and Deliver--Adam and the Ants (4th week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 How 'bout Us--Champaign
2 Making Your Mind Up--Bucks Fizz
3 Dance On--Doris D and the Pins
4 De Verzonken Stad--Frank & Mirella
5 This Ole House--Shakin' Stevens
6 Chanson D'Amour--BZN
7 Can You Feel It--The Jacksons
8 Double Dutch Bus--Frankie Smith
9 Rain in May--Max Werner
10 Kids in America--Kim Wilde

Singles entering the chart were The River by Bruce Springsteen (#26); Klap Maar in Je Handen by Peter Koelewijn en Zijn Rockets (#28); Danny by Kit Hain (#33); Attention to Me by the Nolans (#34); Night Train by Steve Winwood (#35); and Merlijn by Bonnie St. Claire (#36).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes (3rd week at #1)
2 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
3 Medley--Stars on 45
4 Sukiyaki--A Taste of Honey
5 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
6 Living Inside Myself--Gino Vannelli
7 Just the Two of Us--Grover Washington, Jr.
8 A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)--Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio
9 Too Much Time on My Hands--Styx
10 Watching the Wheels--John Lennon

Singles entering the chart were Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton (#76); Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through by Jim Steinman (#80); Slow Hand by the Pointer Sisters (#83); Give it to Me Baby by Rick James (#84); It's Now or Never by John Schneider (#85); Come to Me by Aretha Franklin (#86); Sign of the Gypsy Queen by April Wine (#87); In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins (#89); It Didn't Take Long by Spider (#90); and She Did It by Michael Damian (#91).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
2 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
3 Medley--Stars on 45
4 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
5 Sukiyaki--A Taste of Honey
6 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
7 Watching the Wheels--John Lennon
8 Too Much Time on My Hands--Styx
9 Living Inside Myself--Gino Vannelli
10 A Woman Needs Love--Ray Parker, Jr. and Raydio

Singles entering the chart were Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton (#77); Slow Hand by the Pointer Sisters (#84); It's Now or Never by John Schneider (#85); Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through by Jim Steinman (#86); It Didn't Take Long by Spider (#87); In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins (#88); Come to Me by Aretha Franklin (#89); Gotta Get Away by Randy Meisner (#91); and Double Dutch Bus by Frankie Smith (#93).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
2 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
3 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
4 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
5 Medley--Stars on 45
6 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton
7 A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)--Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio 8 Sukiyaki--A Taste of Honey
9 Watching the Wheels--John Lennon
10 Living Inside Myself--Gino Vannelli

Singles entering the chart were Slow Hand by the Pointer Sisters (#78); Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton (#84); It's Now or Never by John Schneider (#85); Come to Me by Aretha Franklin (#88); In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins (#89); Rain in May by Max Werner (#90); and Heartbeat by Taana Gardner (#92).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Angel of the Morning--Juice Newton (3rd week at #1)
2 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes
3 Medley--Stars on 45
4 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
5 Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton
6 Being with You--Smokey Robinson
7 You Better You Bet--The Who
8 Watching the Wheels--John Lennon
9 Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates
10 Too Much Time on My Hands--Styx

Singles entering the chart were Is it You by Lee Ritenour (#46); Nobody Wins by Elton John (#48); Tom Sawyer by Rush (#49); and Lady of the 80's by Loverboy (#50). Nobody Wins was originally written in French by Jean-Paul Dreau under the title Je Veux d’la Tendresse; Gary Osborne wrote new lyrics in English and the title was changed. Mr. John also recorded the song in its original form, and that version was released as a single in France and Quebec.

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes (2nd week at #1)
2 Her Town Too--James Taylor and J.D. Souther
3 Too Much Time on My Hands--Styx
4 Take it on the Run--REO Speedwagon
5 Living Inside Myself--Gino Vannelli
6 Say You'll Be Mine--Christopher Cross
7 Beatles Medley--Stars on 45
8 Watching the Wheels--John Lennon
9 Sweetheart--Franke & the Knockouts
10 I Missed Again--Phil Collins

Singles entering the chart were Sukiyaki by A Taste of Honey (#22); Arc of a Diver by Steve Winwood (#24); America by Neil Diamond (#26); and Gemini Dream by the Moody Blues (#30).

Died on this date
Zia Rahman, 45
. President of Bangladesh, 1977-1981. Lieutenant General Rahman joined the Pakistani Army in 1955, and was in the Bangladeshi Army after East Pakistan declared its independence in 1971. He was Bangladesh's Army Chief of Staff (1975-1978) and founder and Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (1978-1981). Lt. Gen. Rahman reinstated civil and liberties and initiated economic and social reforms, but was the target of frequent assassination attempts. He was assassinated along with several other people when they were gunned down while they were inside a guest house in the city of Chittagong.

Don Ashby, 26. Canadian hockey player. Mr. Ashby, a native of Kamloops, British Columbia, was drafted in the first round (6th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1975, but was something of a disappointment in the NHL, scoring 40 goals and 56 assists in 188 regular season games with the Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies, and Edmonton Oilers from 1975-1981. His best season was 1976-77, when he scored 19 goals and 23 assists in 76 games with the Maple Leafs. Mr. Ashby spent most of the 1980-81 season with the Wichita Wind, a farm team of the Oilers in the Central Hockey League, and 9 scoring 36 goals and 60 assists in 70 games, and 9 goals and 16 assists in 18 playoff games. Shortly after the Wind were eliminated from the playoffs, Mr. Ashby and his wife Terry were driving home to Kamloops when they were hit head-on by a truck. Mr. Ashby suffered serious internal injuries and died in Kelowna several hours later.

Crime
In the wee hours, Edmonton police raided the Pisces Health Spa, a downtown sodomite club. Four men were charged with keeping a common bawdy house, and 56 were charged as found-ins.

25 years ago
1986


Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Midnight Lady--Chris Norman (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
Joe Brown, 60
. Canadian musician. Mr. Brown founded the country music group Family Brown, who performed together from 1967-1990. The group won 18 Canadian Country Music Association awards, and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997.

Perry Ellis, 46. U.S. fashion designer. Mr. Ellis founded the sportswear house Perry Ellis International in 1978. He was a sodomite who died of viral encephalitis--probably AIDS-related.

Weather
I don’t know what the temperature was, but it might have been the most beautiful May day I’d seen since 1968.

Football
CFL
Gold defeated Green 18-8 in the Edmonton Eskimos’ fourth consecutive--and last--intrasquad game at Commonwealth Stadium.

25 years ago
1991


Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in his Kiss)--Cher (5th week at #1)

Law
Canadian Justice Minister Kim Campbell introduced new gun control legislation, boosting penalties for some firearms offences while exempting competition shooters.

Economics and finance
Statistics Canada reported that unemployment insurance payouts were up 34.3% from April 1990; 1.22 million Canadians received benefits, and 10.2% were unemployed.

10 years ago
2001


Died on this date
Denis Whitaker, 86
. Canadian military officer and football player. Brigadier-General Whitaker was a quarterback with the Hamilton Tigers (1937-1939, 1945-1946). He won two Distinguished Service Orders with the Canadian Army during World War II, and led a team of Canadian football players to a 16-6 win over an American team in the Tea Bowl, played in England in 1944. Mr. Whitaker was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

Scandal
Former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas was sent to prison for six months for illegally receiving funds from the oil company Elf Aquitaine from 1989-1992.

Baseball
Felipe Alou, who had managed the Montreal Expos since 1992, was fired as manager and replaced with Jeff Torborg. The Expos had started the 2001 season with a 21-32 record when Mr. Alou was fired. He had guided the team to the best record in major league baseball in 1994 when the players’ strike ended the season in August.

Saturday 28 May 2011

May 29, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Cathy Brown!

275 years ago
1736

Born on this date
Patrick Henry
. U.S. lawyer and politician. The Founding Father who was famous for saying "Give me liberty or give me death!" was born in Studley, Virginia.

150 years ago
1861


Business
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce was founded.

100 years ago
1911


Died on this date
W. S. Gilbert, 74
. U.K. writer. Sir William Schwenck Gilbert wrote plays, short stories, poems, and song lyrics, and was best known for writing the libretti for 14 comic operas with composer Arthur Sullivan (1871-1896), including H.M.S. Pinafore (1878); The Pirates of Penzance (1879); and The Mikado (1885). He was knighted in 1907, and was about to give a swimming lesson to two young women in the lake of his home when one of them got into difficulty in the lake, and Sir W.S. suffered a fatal heart attack when he attempted to rescue her.

Transportation
A Pennsylvania Railroad train carrying the Chicago Cubs baseball team from St. Louis to Pittsburgh set a record by covering the 191 miles from Columbus, Ohio to Pittsburgh in 3 hours and 35 minutes.

Baseball
The Chicago Cubs arrived in Pittsburgh in time for the game after their record-setting train ride and defeated the Pirates 4-1 at Forbes Field, scoring all their runs in the 4th inning. Joe Tinker’s triple was the key hit. King Cole (4-0) pitched a 5-hit complete game victory.

90 years ago
1931


Died on this date
Michele Schirru, 31
. Italian-born anarchist. Mr. Schirru, a native of Sardinia, moved to the Italian mainland at a young age and became an anarchist before emigrating to New York in 1920, becoming an American citizen and becoming involved in anarchist circles. He returned to Europe, associating with anarchists in Paris before returning to Italy in January 1931 and going to Rome with the intention of assassinating Prime Minister Benito Mussolini. Mr. Schirru was arrested on February 3 and attempted suicide by shooting himself in the face at the police station, but the bullet went through both cheeks, and he surived. He was convicted by a Fascist Special Court of intending to assassinate Mr. Mussolini, and on May 28 was sentenced to death. Mr. Schirru was executed by a firing squad; his last words were, "Long live anarchy!"

75 years ago
1936


Baseball
The team from Japan’s Waseda University continued its tour of the United States with an 18-16 loss to the University of Chicago, as the teams combined for 34 hits and 17 errors. Waseda scored 9 runs in the top of the 9th inning, but Chicago scored 5 in the bottom half.

70 years ago
1941


Born on this date
Happy Birthday, John E. Kennedy!


Mr. Kennedy was an infielder with the Washington Senators (1962-1964); Los Angeles Dodgers (1965-1966); New York Yankees (1967); Seattle Pilots (1969); Milwaukee Brewers (1970); and Boston Red Sox (1970-1974), batting .225 with 32 home runs and 185 runs batted in in 856 games. He was born 24 years to the day after John F. Kennedy, and was playing in Washington at the time that John F. Kennedy was President of the United States. John E. Kennedy played in the 1965 and 1966 World Series, batting .167 (1 for 6) in 6 games.

Died on this date
Léo-Pol Morin, 48
. Canadian musician and composer. Mr. Morin, a native of Cap-Saint-Ignace, Quebec, was a classical pianist who was known for his performances of music by modern French composers. Using the pseudonym James Callihou, he composed works based on French-Canadian and Inuit folklore and music. Mr. Morin's compositions included Suite canadienne (1945) and Trois Esquimaux pour piano. He was killed in a car accident in the Laurentian Mountains near Montreal.

War
Candia, Crete's second-largest city, fell to German troops. U.K. Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, in a speech in London, declared that U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" were the "keystone" of British war aims.

World events
Dr. Kurt Heinrich Reith, former German Minister to Austria, was arrested in New York pending deportation proceedings.

Defense
The U.S. Maritime Commission announced that it was requisitioning 13 more merchant vessels for the Navy. The U.S. War Department announced that 8,000 British pilots would be trained annually in the United States beginning June 7, 1941.

Economics and finance
Japanese officials revealed that they had made formal representations to the Netherlands and United Kingdom in an attempt to break the deadlock in the trade negotiations between Japan and the Netherlands East Indies.

U.S. Office of Production Management Priorities Director Edward Stettinius, Jr. signed a general preference order placing steel on a limited priorities basis in order to curb non-essential civilian consumption.

Business
U.S. Federal Judge James Proctor fined the American Medical Association $2,500 and the Medical Society of Washington $1,500 for antitrust law violations.

60 years ago
1951


On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight’s episode: Vamp Till Dead, starring Mary Sinclair

Died on this date
Dimitrios Levidis, 65 or 66
. Greek-born French soldier composer. Mr. Levidis moved to Paris in 1910, served with the French Army in World War I, and became a French citizen. His compositions often included novel combinations and new instruments, such as Poeme Symphonique, pour solo d'Ondes Musicales et Orchestre, op.43-B (1928). In 1934, Mr. Levidis founded the Phaleron Conservatory, which was eventually subsumed into the Hellenic Conservatory.

Fanny Brice, 59. U.S. entertainer. Miss Brice, born Fania Borach, was a singer, comedienne, and actress who made many appearances in plays and films, but was perhaps best know for playing the character Baby Snooks on radio from 1937-1951. She died five days after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage, which occurred two days after the latest episode of The Baby Snooks Show. Miss Brice was the subject of the play (1964) and film (1968) Funny Girl, and the film sequel Funny Lady (1975).

Aviation
Charles Blair, Jr., a Pan American Airways captain, made the first solo flight across the North Pole in a converted P-51.

Politics and government
The United Nations Security Council warned India against sponsoring elections in Kashmir before a UN-supervised plebiscite on the state's political future could be held.

Business
New York City department stores began a price-cutting war when Macy's announced a 6% cut on 5,987 items, following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling against state "fair price" laws.

Disasters
A coal mine explosion in Easington, England killed 80 miners and a rescue worker.

Baseball
The Cleveland Indians signed high school star Billy Joe Davidson, reputed to be their best pitching prospect since Bob Feller, for a reported $150,000, a record figure at the time.

50 years ago
1961


Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Quince Años Tiene Mi Amor--Dúo Dinámico (11th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Et maintenant--Gilbert Bécaud (5th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Travelin' Man--Ricky Nelson
2 Daddy's Home--Shep and the Limelites
3 Running Scared--Roy Orbison
4 Mama Said--The Shirelles
5 Mother-in-Law--Ernie K-Doe
6 Runaway--Del Shannon
7 Breakin' in a Brand New Broken Heart--Connie Francis
8 A Hundred Pounds of Clay--Gene McDaniels
9 I Feel So Bad--Elvis Presley
10 Tragedy--The Fleetwoods

Singles entering the chart were Dance on Little Girl by Paul Anka (#67); Yellow Bird by the Arthur Lyman Group (#71); How Many Tears by Bobby Vee (#77); My Kind of Girl by Matt Monro (#80); Jimmy Martinez by Marty Robbins (#83); I Like it Like That (Part 1) by Chris Kenner (#86); Rainin' in My Heart by Slim Harpo (#87); Who Else But You by Frankie Avalon (#89); Summertime by the Marcels (#90); Big Boss Man by Jimmy Reed (#93); Temptation by the Everly Brothers (#94); Sacred by the Castells (#95); Tonight (Could Be the Night) by the Velvets (#96); Ring of Fire by Duane Eddy (#98); and A Little Feeling (Called Love) by Jack Scott (#100).

Diplomacy
United Auto Workers President Walter Reuther, former U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and Johns Hopkins University President Milton Eisenhower, who had organized a group called the Tractors for Freedom Committee to buy 500 U.S. tractors to donate to Cuba, met in Washington with 10 Cuban rebels who had been paroled by Cuban dictator Fidel Castro after the Bay of Pigs invasion in April and had been sent to the U.S. to negotiate the exchange of tractors for prisoners.

40 years ago
1971


Hit parade
#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Understanding--Peanut Butter Conspiracy (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Theme from Love Story--Francis Lai (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Un banc, un arbre, une rue--Séverine (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Knock Three Times--Dawn (3rd week at #1)

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Another Day--Paul McCartney
2 Me and Bobby McGee--Janis Joplin
3 She's a Lady--Tom Jones
4 Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep--Middle of the Road
--Lally Stott
5 What is Life/Apple Scruffs--George Harrison
6 Amazing Grace--Judy Collins
7 Armstrong--Reg Lindsay
8 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson
9 Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted--The Partridge Family
10 Black and Blue--Chain

Singles entering the chart were Eagle Rock by Daddy Cool (#46); Strange Kind of Woman by Deep Purple (#47); Rags to Riches/Where Did They Go, Lord by Elvis Presley (#48); Bed of Rose's by the Statler Brothers (#54); One Toke Over the Line by Brewer and Shipley (#58); and Too Young to Be Married by the Hollies (#60).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Brown Sugar--The Rolling Stones
2 Soldiers Prayer--Oscar Harris and the Twinkle Stars
3 Underneath the Blanket Go--Gilbert O'Sullivan
4 Rosetta--Georgie Fame & Alan Price
5 Poetas Andaluces--Aguaviva
6 Funny, Funny--The Sweet
7 Loop di Love--J. Bastós
8 Proud Mary--Ike & Tina Turner
9 Love Her Madly--The Doors
10 I Am...I Said--Neil Diamond

Singles entering the chart were Tuesday's Dead by Cat Stevens (#18); Double Barrel by Dave & Ansil Collins (#20); Che Sará by José Feliciano (#23); Mary in the Morning by Guy Fletcher (#24); Cry Baby by Janis Joplin (#25); He's Gonna Step on You Again by John Kongos (#29); Sing Sing Barbara by Laurent & Mardi Gras (#31); and Le Tournesol by Nana Mouskouri (#37).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Brown Sugar--The Rolling Stones
2 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night
3 Never Can Say Goodbye--The Jackson 5
4 Want Ads--The Honey Cone
5 It Don't Come Easy--Ringo Starr
6 Put Your Hand in the Hand--Ocean
7 Bridge Over Troubled Water/Brand New Me--Aretha Franklin
8 Sweet and Innocent--Donny Osmond
9 Me and a You and a Dog Named Boo--Lobo
10 Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It)--Daddy Dewdrop

Singles entering the chart were Walk Away by the James Gang (#89); It's So Hard for Me to Say Good-Bye by Eddie Kendricks (#90); Mr. Big Stuff by Jean Knight (#92); I Know I'm in Love by Chee Chee and Peppy (#93); Your Love is So Doggone Good by the Whispers (#94); Signs by the Five Man Electrical Band (#96); If Not for You by Olivia Newton-John (#98); Love's Made a Fool of You by Cochise (#99); and Love Means (You Never Have to Say You’re Sorry) by Sounds of Sunshine (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Never Can Say Goodbye--The Jackson 5
2 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Aretha Franklin
3 Brown Sugar--Rolling Stones
4 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night
5 Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It)--Daddy Dewdrop
6 Want Ads--The Honey Cone
7 Love Her Madly--The Doors
8 Me and You and a Dog Named Boo--Lobo
9 It Don’t Come Easy--Ringo Starr
10 Put Your Hand in the Hand--Ocean

Singles entering the chart were You’ve Got a Friend by James Taylor (#72); Sooner or Later by the Grass Roots (#75); Bring the Boys Home by Freda Payne (#81); Chicago by Graham Nash (#82); Been Too Long on the Road by Mark Lindsay (#84); Get it On by Chase (#91); Mr. Big Stuff by Jean Knight (#93); Never Ending Song of Love by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends (#95); Don't Say You Don't Remember by Beverly Bremers (#96); You’ve Got a Friend by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (#97); I’ve Found Someone of My Own by the Free Movement (#98); and Love Means (You Never Have to Say You’re Sorry) by Sounds of Sunshine (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Brown Sugar--The Rolling Stones (2nd week at #1)
2 Bridge Over Troubled Water--Aretha Franklin
3 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night
4 Want Ads--The Honey Cone
5 It Don’t Come Easy--Ringo Starr
6 Me and You and a Dog Named Boo--Lobo
7 Never Can Say Goodbye--The Jackson 5
8 Love Her Madly--The Doors
9 Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It)--Daddy Dewdrop
10 Sweet and Innocent--Donny Osmond

Singles entering the chart were Mr. Big Stuff by Jean Knight (#69); I Know I'm in Love by Chee Chee and Peppy (#71); Day by Day (Every Minute of the Hour) by the Continental 4 (#73); I Don't Wanna Lose You by Johnnie Taylor (#75); Chicago by Graham Nash (#78); You've Got a Friend by Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (#83); What You See is What You Get by Stoney and Meatloaf (#88); Get it On by Chase (#89); Walk Away by the James Gang (#96); Double Barrel by Dave & Ansil Collins (#97); Stop, Look, Listen by the Stylistics (#98); Love's Made a Fool of You by Cochise (#99); and If Not for You by Olivia Newton-John (#100).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Joy to the World--Three Dog Night (6th week at #1)
2 Brown Sugar--Rolling Stones
3 Love Her Madly--The Doors
4 It Don’t Come Easy--Ringo Starr
5 Woodstock--Matthews’ Southern Comfort
6 Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It)--Daddy Dewdrop
7 The Drum--Bobby Sherman
8 Me and You and a Dog Named Boo--Lobo
9 Hats Off to the Stranger--Lighthouse
10 Sweet and Innocent--Donny Osmond

Singles entering the chart were Puppet Man by Tom Jones (#77); Done Too Soon by Neil Diamond (#78); You’re My Man by Lynn Anderson (#79); Run, Run by James, John and Francois (#80); This is My Song by Gordon Lightfoot (#82); Funky Nassau by Beginning of the End (#83); Pretend by Rick Pearson (#93); Don’t Pull Your Love by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds (#94); Sea Cruise by Johnny Rivers (#96); "709" by Bobby G. Griffith (#97); Then You Walk In by Sammi Smith (#98); Wishbone by Jackie Mittoo (#99); and Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver with Fat City (#100). This is My Song was from the album Early Lightfoot, a collection of singles and previously-unreleased songs recorded circa 1962-1963; This is My Song was one of the previously-unreleased tracks. The album was reportedly withdrawn at Mr. Lightfoot’s request, but this blogger has a copy. It appeared on the GRT label.

Calgary’s Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--Raiders (3rd week at #1)
2 Albert Flasher--The Guess Who
3 Garden of Ursh--Karen Young
4 Love Her Madly--The Doors
5 If--Bread
6 Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It)--Daddy Dewdrop
7 I Am...I Said--Neil Diamond
8 Brown Sugar--The Rolling Stones
9 It Don’t Come Easy--Ringo Starr
10 Me and You and a Dog Named Boo--Lobo
Pick hit of the week: It’s Too Late--Carole King

Auto racing
Al Unser won the Indianapolis 500 for the second straight year.



Football
CFL
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced the signing of running back Steve Worster, an All-American from the University of Texas.

Baseball
The San Francisco Giants traded outfielder George Foster to the Cincinnati Reds for shortstop Frank Duffy and pitcher Vern Geishert. Mr. Foster had played briefly with the Giants in 1969 and 1970, but was still considered a rookie; he was batting .267 with 3 home runs and 8 runs batted in in 36 games in 1971. Mr. Duffy was batting .188 with 1 RBI in 13 games with the Reds, while Mr. Geishert, who had appeared in 11 games with the California Angels in 1969, was 3-2 with an earned run average of 3.82 in 7 games with the Indianapolis Indians of the AAA American Association, and quit professional baseball after the trade.

Joe Torre tripled home Lou Brock, Matty Alou, and Ted Simmons with none out in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals an 8-7 win over the Atlanta Braves before 47, 598 fans at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis. The Braves had scored 2 runs in the top of the 9th to break a 5-5 tie.

The New York Mets swept a doubleheader from the San Diego Padres 5-1 and 2-1 before 11,324 fans at San Diego Stadium. Tom Seaver (6-2) struck out 10 batters in the opener and singled home a run in the 3-run 8th inning, while Nolan Ryan (6-1) struck out 16 in the second game. New York batters struck out 15 times in the 2 games, and the 41 strikeouts set a major league record for a doubleheader.

Dick Green batted 3 for 3 with 2 home runs, a base on balls, 4 runs, and 3 runs batted in to help the Oakland Athletics defeat the Boston Red Sox 12-8 before 22,572 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Joe Rudi and Angel Mangual also homered for Oakland, while Rico Petrocelli and Carl Yastrzemski hit home runs for Boston.

30 years ago
1981


Hit parade #1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Köppäbävisan--Bengt Pegefelt (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Pour le plaisir--Herbert Léonard

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 This Ole House--Shakin' Stevens (2nd week at #1)
2 Antmusic--Adam & the Ants
3 Jealous Guy--Roxy Music
4 Woman--John Lennon
5 I am the Beat--Look
6 Twilight Café--Susan Fassbender
7 Here is My Love--Tommy Dee
8 Santa Maria--Alan Garrity
9 9 to 5--Dolly Parton
10 Spend the Night in Love--The Four Seasons

Singles entering the chart were Do You Feel My Love by Eddy Grant (#18); Love-Chain Reaction by Joy (#19); and When You Gonna Love Me by City Limits (#20).

Baseball
The Montreal Expos traded right fielder Ellis Valentine to the New York Mets for relief pitcher Jeff Reardon, outfielder Dan Norman, and a player to be named later. Mr. Valentine, in his seventh year with the Expos, was batting .211 with 3 home runs and 15 home runs in 22 games in 1981. Mr. Reardon was 1-0 with 2 saves in 18 games with the Mets in 1981, while Mr. Norman was in the minor leagues that season.

25 years ago
1986


Basketball
NBA
Finals
Houston 95 @ Boston 117 (Boston led best-of-seven series 2-0)

The Celtics outscored the Rockets 34-19 in the 3rd quarter, which made the difference in the game before 14,890 fans at Boston Garden. Larry Bird led Boston with 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.



20 years ago
1991


Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Wind of Change--Scorpions (4th week at #1)

Politics and government
India's Congress (I) Party named former Foreign Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao as its interim leader, succeeding former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who had been assassinated eight days earlier.

10 years ago
2001


Art
Ken Thomson paid $2.2 million at auction in Toronto for Baffin Island by Group of Seven member Lawren Harris, more than double the previous record for a Canadian painting.

Terrorism
Four followers of Osama bin Laden were convicted in New York of a global conspiracy to murder Americans, including the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa that killed 224 people. All were sentenced to life in prison.

Law
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that golfer Casey Martin, who had a disability that made walking difficult, was entitled to use a cart to get around the course during PGA tournaments. The PGA had argued that being able to walk around the course was a requirement for participation.

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Finals
New Jersey 2 @ Colorado 1 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Joe Sakic scored on a powerplay to open the scoring, but Bob Corkum and Turner Stevenson scored to give the Devils a 2-1 lead at the end of the 1st period, and there was no further scoring before 18,007 fans at Pepsi Center in Denver. New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur and Colorado goalie Patrick Roy each faced only 20 shots.



Baseball
The Arizona Diamondbacks edged the San Francisco Giants 1-0 in 18 innings as Erubial Durazo doubled home Steve Finley with the only run before 39,709 fans at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco. Losing pitcher Ryan Vogelsong (0-1) doubled in his first major league at bat to lead off the bottom of the 18th inning. The Giants loaded the bases with 1 out, but Greg Swindell retired Armando Rios and Benito Santiago on outfield flies to end the game.