May 6, 2015

175 years ago
1840

Died on this date
Francisco de Paula Santander, 48. 4th President of the Republic of New Granada, 1832-1837. Brigadier General Santander made his name in the revolutionary army during the independence war of the United Provinces of New Grenada in the 1810s and was acting President of Gran Colombia from 1819-1826 before being exiled after being blamed for an assassination attempt on actual President Simón Bolívar. He returned from exile in 1832 to assume the presidency of New Grenada, an office he held for one term.

Politics and government
The U.S. Democratic National Convention concluded at the Assembly Rooms in Baltimore with the renomination of U.S. President Martin Van Buren. The convention declined to name a vice presidential candidate; Vice President Richard M. Johnson was regarded as a liability, and states were left to nominate their own candidates.

125 years ago
1890

Disasters
Fire destroyed the lunatic asylum at Longue-Pointe Quebec, killing 70 inmates.

120 years ago
1895

Born on this date
George Archer-Shee. U.K. military officer. Lieutenant Archer-Shee, the younger half-brother of British Army officer and politician Martin Archer-Shee, was a 13-year-old naval cadet when he was falsely accused of stealing a postal order; his acquittal inspired Terence Rattigan's play The Winslow Boy. Lt. Archer-Shee served with the British Army in World War I, and was killed in the First Battle of Ypres on October 31, 1914 at the age of 19.

Horse racing
Halma, with James Perkins up, won the 21st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville in a time of 2:37.5. Basso placed second and Laureate third in the four-horse field.

110 years ago
1905

Died on this date
Robert Herbert, 73. U.K.-born Australian politician. Sir Robert was a lawyer in London before being appointed Governor of Queensland in 1859. He was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1860, and served as the first Premier of Queensland from 1860 until his resignation on February 1, 1866. Sir Robert wanted to return to England, but was persuaded to form another ministry, which lasted for only three weeks from July-August 1866. He returned to England, where he died.

100 years ago
1915

Born on this date
Orson Welles. U.S. actor and director. Mr. Welles made his mark in theatre, radio, and cinema, but was best known for two things: the October 30, 1938 broadcast of an adaptation of The War of the Worlds on Mercury Theatre of the Air on CBS, which caused panic among many listeners who mistook the radio dramatization for an actual invasion from Mars; and Citizen Kane (1941), considered by many to be the best movie ever made. Mr. Welles died on October 10, 1985 at the age of 70, several hours after being interviewed by Merv Griffin for the latter's television talk show.

Theodore H. White. U.S. historian and journalist. Mr. White, a specialist in Chinese history, was known for his reports from China in the late 1930s and 1940s, but was better known in later years for his The Making of the President series of books covering the U.S. presidential campaigns from 1960 through 1972 and 1980. He died on May 15, 1986, nine days after his 71st birthday.

Baseball
Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox hit the first of his 714 major league home runs in a 4-3 loss in 13 innings to the New York Yankees before 5,000 fans at the Polo Grounds in New York. Mr. Ruth also hit 2 singles in 5 at bats and pitched a complete game in taking the loss, allowing 10 hits with 3 bases on balls and 3 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.

80 years ago
1935

Aviation
A prototype of the fighter aircraft Curtiss P-36 Hawk made its first flight.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Executive Order 7034 created the Works Progress Administration.

75 years ago
1940

Literature
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was awarded the Pulitzer Prize as the most distinguished novel by a U.S. author in 1939.

War
German troops captured the Hegre fortress and Varnes airport in Norway.

Diplomacy
Reports in Rome indicated that Pope Pius XII was making overtures to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to play the role of mediator in bringing peace to Europe.

Economics and finance
The United States Senate approved and sent to President Franklin D. Roosevelt a $110-million rivers and harbours bill.

Baseball
The Boston Bees defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-7 in 12 innings before 2,142 fans at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The Pirates used 24 players to set a major league record, while the teams combined to use 40 players, another record.

70 years ago
1945

On the radio
Mildred Gillars, better known as Axis Sally, delivered her last propaganda broadcast to Allied troops.

War
The Prague Offensive, the last major battle of the Eastern Front, began. The U.S. 3rd Army, advancing along a 130-mile front in Czechoslovakia, captured Karlsbad and Pilsen.

Diplomacy
At the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, the Big Four powers (U.S.A.; U.K.; U.S.S.R.; China) agreed on two amendments to the Dumbarton Oaks plan, allowing the General Assembly to recommend action against conditions threatening peace and giving the future world organization jurisdiction over alliances not directed against Axis powers.

Agriculture
The United States Agriculture Department said that European food production was expected to drop 5%-10% and that 12 million tons of food must be imported for the year starting in August 1945.

Abominations
Women voted for the first time in a special election for members to a new constitutional convention in Panama.

Politics and government
New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia announced that he would not seek a fourth term in office.

Labour
Nine Pennsylvania United Mine Workers of America locals defied the U.S. government's order to return to work on May 7.

60 years ago
1955

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White--Perez Prado and his Orchestra (2nd week at #1)

50 years ago
1965

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Ticket to Ride--The Beatles (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Oren Long, 76. U.S. politician. Mr. Long, a Democrat, was the Governor of the Territory of Hawaii from 1951-1953, and represented the state in the United States Senate from 1959-1963. He died after an attack of asthmatic bronchitis.

40 years ago
1975

Died on this date
József Mindszenty, 83. Hungarian clergyman. Cardinal Mindszenty was leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary from October 2, 1945-December 18, 1973. He opposed Nazism and then Communism, and spent eight years of a life sentence in prison before being freed during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Cardinal Mindszenty was granted political asylum by the United States and lived in the American embassy in Budapest until 1971, when he was finally allowed to leave Hungary. He died in exile in Vienna.

Boxing
Former World Boxing Association world heavyweight champion Jimmy Ellis (40-12-1) knocked out Carl Baker (18-25-1) at 2:48 of the 1st round at Orlando Sports Stadium in Orlando, Florida; it was Mr. Ellis's last fight.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Montreal 4 @ Buffalo 5 (OT) (Buffalo led best-of-seven series 3-2)

Rene Robert scored at 5:56 of the 1st overtime period to give the Sabres their win over the Canadiens before 15,863 fans at War Memorial Auditorium. Buffalo led 3-1 in the 1st period on goals by Craig Ramsay, Fred Stanfield, and Gilbert Perreault, but Montreal scored 3 goals to take the lead before Mr. Ramsay scored his second goal of the game with 4:25 remaining in regulation time to tie the game. Jacques Lemaire, Yvan Cournoyer, Doug Risebrough, and Jim Roberts scored for the Canadiens, who were outshot 45-19 in the game.

WHA
Avco World Trophy
Finals
Quebec 3 @ Houston 5 (Houston led best-of-seven series 2-0)

The Aeros and Nordiques combined for 3 goals in a 58-second span early in the 3rd period, with Terry Ruskowski's goal at 3:04 of the period proving to be the winner as the Aeros won before 8,093 fans at Sam Houston Coliseum. The teams were tied 2-2 after 2 periods, with Gordie Howe scoring twice for Houston, and Dale Hoganson and Marc Tardif scoring for Quebec. Gord Labossiere broke the tie at 2:06 of the 3rd period, only to have Mr. Tardif score 31 seconds later to make the score 3-3. Mr. Ruskowski scored 27 seconds later to give the Aeros a 4-3 lead, and Andre Hinse scored with 8:52 remaining to provide the Aeros with an insurance goal.

Basketball
NBA
Conference Finals
Chicago 106 @ Golden State 111 (Best-of-seven series tied 2-2)

Rick Barry scored 36 points to lead the Warriors back from a 39-20 2nd-quarter deficit to defeat the Bulls before 12,787 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena. Bob Love led Chicago with 27 points, while Jerry Sloan added 22 and Chet Walker 21.

Baseball
Joe Coleman pitched a 1-hit complete game for the victory as the Detroit Tigers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 before 11,035 fans at Tiger Stadium. The Brewers scored their runs in the 1st inning when Robin Yount was hit by a pitch, Sixto Lezcano grounded into a force out, and George Scott followed with a 2-run home run. Bill Freehan homered for Detroit.

Mike Jorgensen's grand slam off Rick Reuschel was the big blow of a 5-run 4th inning as the Montreal Expos beat the Chicago Cubs 9-4 before 5,164 fans at Jarry Park in Montreal. Steve Rogers pitched 6+ innings for his first win of the season after 4 losses before being relieved by Chuck Taylor, who retired 9 straight batters to earn his second save of the season.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): We are the World--USA for Africa (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Nikumare Sōna New Face--Kōji Kikkawa

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): One Night In Bangkok--Murray Head

Died on this date
Kirby Higbe, 70. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Higbe played with the Chicago Cubs (1937-1939); Philadelphia Phillies (1939-1940); Brooklyn Dodgers (1941-1943, 1946-1947); Pittsburgh Pirates (1947-1949); and New York Giants (1949-1950), compiling a record of 118-101 with an earned run average of 3.95 in 418 games. His best season was 1941, when he was 22-9, tying teammate Whit Wyatt for the National League lead in wins as the Dodgers won the NL pennant. Mr. Higbe was traded early in the 1947 season because he was one of several Brooklyn players who refused to accept racial integration on the team, with Jackie Robinson becoming the first Negro major league player in the modern era. Mr. Higbe fell on hard times after his playing career was over; he served a brief prison term for passing bad cheques, and after becoming a prison guard, was convicted of smuggling sleeping pills to prisoners. Mr. Higbe's autobiography, The High Hard One, was published in 1967.

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: The Power--Snap!

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Ding Dong--Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung (2nd week at #1)
2 Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor
3 Black Velvet--Alannah Myles
4 The Power--Snap!
5 Das erste Mal tat's noch weh--Stefan Waggershausen & Viktor Lazlo
6 Dub Be Good to Me--Beats International
7 Pump ab das Bier--Werner
8 Infinity (1990's...Time for the Guru)--Guru Josh
9 Hier kommt Kurt--Frank Zander
10 Vogue--Madonna

Singles entering the chart were Von Zeit zu Zeit by Rainhard Fendrich (#25); and 48 Hours by Blue System (#28).

Died on this date
Charles Farrell, 88. U.S. actor. Mr. Farrell was a leading man in movies in the 1920s and 1930s, best known for romantic teamings with Janet Gaynor in such films as 7th Heaven (1927); Street Angel (1928); and Lucky Star (1929). He served as Mayor of Palm Springs, California from 1953-1960.

Politics and government
Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney said that his government was willing to risk continued unpopularity in order to take tough economic measures. "We’re going to take a shellacking for an extended period of time, not because we enjoy it...but because we’re going the right way." He said that Progressive Conservative caucus members were unanimous in endorsing measures such as the Goods and Services Tax even if it meant falling further in public opinion polls. A recent Gallup poll put Mr. Mulroney’s support at a new low of 16%.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Conference Finals
Edmonton 1 @ Chicago 5 (Chicago led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Baseball
Kelly Gruber hit his 8th and 9th home runs of the season to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to an 11-7 win over the Detroit Tigers before 49,206 fans at SkyDome. Cecil Fielder hit 3 homers for Detroit, giving him 10 for the year. The teams combined to hit 10 home runs.

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 before 36,919 fans at the Kingdome in Seattle despite Mariner third baseman Edgar Martinez’s 4 errors.

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Back for Good--Take That

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Sarajevo's børn - Gi dem et håb--Various artists (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Think Twice--Céline Dion

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Scatman (Ski Ba Bop Ba Dop Bop)--Scatman John

#1 single in France (SNEP): Pour que tu m'aimes encore--Céline Dion

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Conquest of Paradise--Vangelis

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Some Might Say--Oasis

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 This is How We Do It--Montell Jordan (4th week at #1)
2 Freak Like Me--Adina Howard
3 Red Light Special--TLC
4 I Know--Dionne Farris
5 Run Away--Real McCoy
6 Candy Rain--Soul for Real
7 Strong Enough--Sheryl Crow
8 I Believe--Blessid Union of Souls
9 Dear Mama/Old School--2Pac
10 Water Runs Dry--Boyz II Men

Singles entering the chart were Every Little Thing I Do by Soul for Real (#66); I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By by Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige (#68); The Way that You Love by Vanessa Williams (#95); Freak Me Baby by Dis `N' Dat featuring 95 South, 69 Boyz & K-Nock (#96); and Rainy Days by General Public (#98).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I Know--Dionne Farris (4th week at #1)
2 This is How We Do It--Montell Jordan
3 Red Light Special--TLC
4 Freak Like Me--Adina Howard
5 I Believe--Blessid Union of Souls
6 Water Runs Dry--Boyz II Men
7 Run Away--Real McCoy
8 Candy Rain--Soul for Real
9 Hold On--Jamie Walters
10 Big Poppa/Warning--The Notorious B.I.G.

Singles entering the chart were Every Little Thing I Do by Soul for Real (#57); I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By by Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige (#62); Don't Take it Personal (Just One of Dem Days) by Monica (#73); Strange Currencies by R.E.M. (#74); Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen (#77); and I Wish by Skee-Lo (#84).

Horse racing
Thunder Gulch, with Gary Stevens up, won the 121st running of the Kentucky Derby before 144,110 fans at Churchill Downs in Louisville in a time of 2:01.27. Tejano Run placed second and Timber Country third in the 19-horse field.



Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
New York Rangers 4 @ Quebec 5 (Quebec led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Washington 5 @ Pittsburgh 4 (Washington led best-of-seven series 1-0)