June 18, 2015

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Paul McCartney!

200 years ago
1815

War
The Battle of Waterloo in what was then part of the Netherlands (now in Belgium) resulted in the defeat of the French forces of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte by a combination of Seventh Coalition forces commanded by the Duke of Wellington and Prussian forces commanded by Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. Napoleon was forced to abdicate the throne of France for the second and last time.

170 years ago
1845

Born on this date
Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran. French physician. Dr. Laveran was awarded the 1907 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "in recognition of his work on the role played by protozoa in causing diseases." He died of an unspecified illness on May 18, 1922, a month before his 77th birthday.

100 years ago
1915

Born on this date
Red Adair. U.S. firefighter. Mr. Adair became famous in the 1960s for extinguishing and capping oil well blowouts, and offered his services throughout the world. He died on August 7, 2004 at the age of 89.

Exploration
Vilhjalmur Stefansson sighted new uncharted land at Banks Island, Northwest Territories, and claimed it for Canada.

80 years ago
1935

Protest
Police in Vancouver, British Columbia clashed with striking longshoremen, resulting in a total 60 injuries and 24 arrests.

Baseball
All 7 scheduled major league games were rained out.

75 years ago
1940

War
Addressing the British House of Commons, Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered his "finest hour" speech (download audio here). Also speaking from London, Free French leader General Charles de Gaulle delivered his Appeal of June 18, rallying support of the French resistance to Nazi occupation. The British Royal Air Force's 242 "Canadian" Squadron and other remnants of British forces withdrew from France and embarked for England. German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler and Italian Duce Benito Mussolini met in Munich to hammer out terms for the French armistice. French Admiral Jean Darlan promised the U.K. that under no circumstances would the French fleet fall into German hands.



Defense
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Mackenzie King announced compulsory military training for home defense.

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said that a bill for universal government service for all young men and women would soon be introduced.

Politics and government
Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King reorganized his cabinet with the creation of a War Services Department to aid the country's war effort.

Diplomacy
The United States Congress completed action on a resolution warning European powers against any transfer of territory in the Western Hemisphere.

Economics and finance
The French cruiser Emile Bertin arrived in Halifax with $305 million in gold from the Bank of France; the gold released after World War II.

Baseball
Johnny Berardino’s grand slam off Jim Bagby in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the St. Louis Browns an 11-7 win over the Boston Red Sox before 1,547 fans at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis.

Roy Weatherly doubled with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th inning and Rollie Hemsley followed with a single to score Mr. Weathlerly with the winning run as the Cleveland Indians edged the Washington Nationals 2-1 before 12,500 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. Al Smith pitched a 5-hit complete game to improve to 7-1 for the season, winning the pitchers' duel over Dutch Leonard, who also went the distance and allowed 10 hits and 2 earned runs.

70 years ago
1945

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Sentimental Journey--Les Brown and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Doris Day) (3rd week at #1)
--Hal McIntyre and his Orchestra
--The Merry Macs
2 There! I've Said it Again--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Vaughn Monroe and the Norton Sisters)
--Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra
3 Bell Bottom Trousers--Tony Pastor and his Orchestra
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
--Louis Prima and his Orchestra
4 Laura--Johnnie Johnston
--Woody Herman and his Orchestra
--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
--Dick Haymes
5 Dream--The Pied Pipers
--Frank Sinatra
--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
6 Caldonia--Woody Herman and his Orchestra
--Louis Jordan and the Tympany Five
--Erskine Hawkins and his Orchestra
7 My Dreams are Getting Better All the Time--Les Brown and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Doris Day)
--Johnny Long and his Orchestra and Dick Robertson
--Phil Moore Four
8 You Belong to My Heart--Bing Crosby and Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra
--Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra
9 Candy--Johnny Mercer, Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and His Orchestra
--Dinah Shore
--Johnny Long and his Orchestra and Dick Robertson
10 The More I See You--Dick Haymes
--Harry James and his Orchestra

The only single entering the chart was the version of Sentimental Journey by the Merry Macs.

Died on this date
Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr., 58. U.S. military officer. Lieutenant General Buckner was commanding the U.S. 10th Army on Okinawa when he was hit by artillery fire while inspecting a forward observation post, and died on the operating table. He was one of the four highest-ranking U.S. officers to be killed in action during World War II, and was posthumously promoted to full General by an act of Congress in 1954. Lt. Gen. Buckner was replaced by Major General Roy Geiger, commander of the 3rd Marine Amphibious Corps.

War
The U.S.S.R. reported that 16 Polish underground leaders had confessed to the alleged murders of 594 Soviet officers and terroristic propaganda activities behind Soviet lines.

Diplomacy
The Big Five powers at the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco agreed on a charter provision stating that colonial trusteeships must provide for eventual self-government and social, economic, and educational advancement of the people involved.

Crime
William Joyce, a British subject popularly known as "Lord Haw-Haw," was charged with treason for his pro-German propaganda radio broadcasting during World War II.

Business
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Associated Press bylaws violated the Sherman Act in restraint of commerce in news.

Labour
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the New York Civil Rights Law in ruling that the Railway Mail Association could not limit its labour union to white personnel only.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that "it is not a violation of the Sherman Act for laborers in combination to refuse to work."

60 years ago
1955

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Irma Tovar!

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Melody of Love--The Four Aces; Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Unchained Melody--Al Hibbler (2nd week at #1)

#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White--Perez Prado and his Orchestra (Best Seller--8th week at #1; Disc Jockey--4th week at #1; Jukebox--3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Unchained Melody--Les Baxter and his Orchestra (4th week at #1)
--Al Hibbler
--Roy Hamilton
2 Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White--Perez Prado and his Orchestra
--Alan Dale
3 (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock--Bill Haley and his Comets
4 The Ballad of Davy Crockett--Bill Hayes
--Fess Parker
--Tennessee Ernie Ford
5 A Blossom Fell--Nat "King" Cole
6 Dance with Me Henry (Wallflower)--Georgia Gibbs
7 Learnin' the Blues--Frank Sinatra
8 Something's Gotta Give--The McGuire Sisters
--Sammy Davis, Jr.
9 Honey-Babe--Art Mooney and his Orchestra
10 Whatever Lola Wants--Sarah Vaughan

Singles entering the chart were My One Sin by Nat "King" Cole (#36); The Man in the Raincoat by Priscilla Wright (#39); That Old Black Magic by Sammy Davis, Jr. (#46); Ain't That a Shame, with versions by Pat Boone and Fats Domino (#48); and The Waltz You Saved for Me by Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra (#50).

50 years ago
1965

Hit parade
Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Wonderful World--Herman's Hermits
2 Crying in the Chapel--Elvis Presley
3 Mr. Tambourine Man--The Byrds
4 Help Me, Rhonda--The Beach Boys
5 Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte--Patti Page
6 Voodoo Woman--Bobby Goldsboro
7 Engine Engine #9--Roger Miller
8 Cara, Mia--Jay & the Americans
9 Here Comes the Night--Them
10 For Your Love--The Yardbirds
Pick hit of the week: A Little Bit of Heaven--Ronnie Dove
New this week: What's New Pussycat?--Tom Jones
Yellow-Haired Woman--Frankie Randall
You've Never Been in Love Like That Before--Unit Four Plus Two
I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better--The Byrds

At the movies
I'll Take Sweden, starring Bob Hope, Tuesday Weld, and Frankie Avalon, opened in theatres.

War
The United States used B-52 bombers to attack National Liberation Front guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam.

Law
The British government of Prime Minister Harold Wilson announced that it would introduce a blood alcohol limit for drivers, with penalties for those caught above it.

40 years ago
1975

Personal
This blogger took his oral French exam with Mr. McDuffe, concluding grade 9 at Sir John Franklin Territorial High School in Yellowknife.

Politics and government
Howard Callaway resigned as U.S. Secretary of the Army to head President Gerald Ford's 1976 election campaign.

Baseball
Fred Lynn batted 5 for 6 with 3 home runs and a triple, 4 runs, and 10 runs batted in as the Boston Red Sox scored 12 runs in the first 3 innings and routed the Detroit Tigers 15-1 before 13,029 fans at Tiger Stadium. Mr. Lynn's 16 total bases set a major league record for rookies and tied the American League record set by Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers in 1925 and equalled by Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees in 1932 and Rocky Colavito of the Cleveland Indians in 1959.

Lee May drove in 4 runs with a double and home run, while Tommy Davis batted 4 for 6 with a double, 2 runs, and 3 runs batted in, and Paul Blair also drove in 3 runs as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Cleveland Indians 13-6 before 7,059 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland.

Tony Solaita batted 3 for 3 with 2 home runs, 2 bases on balls, 5 runs, and 4 runs batted in as the Kansas City Royals routed the California Angels 13-0 before 16,365 fans at Royals Stadium. Marty Pattin pitched a 5-hit shutout, while losing pitcher Nolan Ryan allowed 4 hits and 4 runs--all earned--in 2+ innings and left the game in the bottom of the 3rd inning with a pulled groin muscle.

Joe Rudi hit a solo home run in the 6th inning and a grand slam as part of a 6-run 7th inning as the Oakland Athletics outlasted the Minnesota Twins 7-6 before 14,706 fans at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington.

Roy Smalley hit a grand slam off Bill Gogolewski in the 8th inning as the Texas Rangers defeated the Chicago White Sox 10-3 before 11,076 fans at Arlington Stadium. Ferguson Jenkins pitched an 8-hit complete game for the win.

Derrel Thomas, Von Joshua, and Chris Speier each had 3 hits as the San Francisco Giants beat the San Diego Padres 8-1 before 3,114 fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. John Montefusco pitched an 8-hit complete game victory with 9 strikeouts, while San Diego starting pitcher Joe McIntosh lasted just 2/3 inning, allowing 4 hits and 2 bases on balls and 3 runs--2 earned. Roger Angell attended the game with Giants' owner Horace Stoneham, and wrote about it in an article titled The Companions of the Game that was published in the September 22, 1975 issue of The New Yorker, and later in Mr. Angell's book Five Seasons (1977).

Pinch hitter Tommy Hutton hit a 2-run home run off Bob Locker in the top of the 9th inning to break a 7-7 tie as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Chicago Cubs 9-7 before 20,807 fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Mr. Hutton's home run followed a single by first baseman Dick Allen, who also had a double and solo home run in 5 at bats, and scored 4 runs.

Pete Mackanin singled home Nate Colbert with none out in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Montreal Expos a 7-6 win over the New York Mets before 13,194 fans at Jarry Park in Montreal in the Wednesday Expos Baseball telecast on CBC. Mr. Colbert, playing his second game and making his first start at first base since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers three days earlier, doubled twice in 5 at bats, and led off the 10th with his second double just prior to Mr. Mackanin's single. The Mets broke a 3-3 tie with 3 runs in the top of the 8th, but Bob Bailey hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 8th to make the score 6-4, and Gary Carter singled home Pepe Frias and Tim Foli with 2 out to tie the score, as Mr. Bailey was thrown out at home plate attempting to score the winning run. This remains my favourite game that I ever watched on TV.

Ed Kirkpatrick batted 4 for 5 with 2 doubles and 2 runs, and made 2 fine catches in left field to help the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-3 before 22,345 fans at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. Dave Parker batted 3 for 4 with a double, 2 runs, and 2 runs batted in for the Pirates, while Bill Robinson was 2 for 5 with a run and 3 RBIs. Jim Rooker pitched a 6-hit complete game victory. Ron Reed started on the mound for St. Louis and allowed 8 hits and 5 runs--all earned--in 3+ innings in taking the loss. Mike Barlow made his major league debut with the Cardinals, pitching the last 2 innings and allowing 6 hits and 4 runs--3 earned--with 2 strikeouts.

Ron Cey hit a grand slam off Tom Griffin in the bottom of the 1st inning to provide all the scoring as the Los Angeles Dodgers blanked the Houston Astros 4-0 before 47,416 fans at Dodger Stadium. Burt Hooton pitched a 3-hit shutout.

Ed Ricks was the winning pitcher and provided the game's biggest hit, a 3-run home run in the 8th inning, as the Syracuse Chiefs defeated the Pawtucket Red Sox 7-4 in an International League game. The homer was the first of the season for Mr. Ricks and the second of his professional career.

Pitcher Gary Gentry, attempting a comeback with the Jackson Mets of the AA Texas League after being released by the Atlanta Braves, lasted just 3 pitches in a start against the Arkansas Travelers. Mr. Gentry, who had already endured two operations on his right elbow, tore a muscle in that elbow again and left the mound for the last time. The relief pitcher walked the leadoff batter; the base on balls was charged to Mr. Gentry, and so was the run when the baserunner came around to score. Mr. Gentry pitched for the New York Mets from 1969-1972 before being traded to the Braves, with whom he spent much of the 1973-1975 seasons on the disabled list.

Professional baseball returned to Boise, Idaho for the first time in 12 years and Christine Wren worked her first game as the second female umpire in the history of Organized Baseball as the visiting Portland Mavericks defeated the Boise Athletics 8-3 in the season opener for both teams in the Class A Northwest League before 1,642 fans in Boise. Steve Collette hit a 3-run home run in the top of the 1st inning to get the game off to a good start for the Mavericks, who never trailed. Most observers rated Ms. Wren's performance as superior.

30 years ago
1985

Politics and government
The Progressive Conservative government of Ontario Premier Frank Miller was defeated on a series of non-confidence votes by alliance of Liberals and NDP; he resigned next day, ending 42 years of PC rule in Ontario; Liberal leader David Peterson and a 23-member cabinet were sworn into office on June 26.

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Sayonara Jinrui (さよなら人類)--Tama (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Verdammt, Ich Lieb' Dich--Matthias Reim (5th week at #1)

Diplomacy
African National Congress Deputy President Nelson Mandela told a joint session of the Canadian House of Commons and Senate that Canadian support was crucial in ending Apartheid in South Africa.

Environment
Canadian Environment Minister Robert de Cotret brought in legislation to make environmental-impact studies mandatory for federal projects or joint projects.

Business
Canada Post President Donald Lander declared a $149-million profit and $60-million dividend payment to the federal Government; he said the Crown corporation was not yet ready for privatization.

Golf
Hale Irwin defeated Mike Donald in a 19-hole playoff to win the U.S. Open at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois. The two had been tied for the lead after 4 rounds, and were still tied after a complete playoff round of 18 holes. Mr. Irwin birdied the par-4 1st hole to win his third U.S. Open and his first in 11 years.
First prize money was $220,000.



20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Scream--Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Shut Up (and Sleep with Me)--Sin with Sebastian (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)--Scatman John (8th week at #1)

War
Bosnian Serbs freed the last 26 United Nations peacekeepers whom they had taken hostage in late May.

Golf
Corey Pavin shot a 2-under-par 68 in the final round to win the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, with an even par score of 280, 2 strokes ahead of Greg Norman. First prize money was $350,000.