June 24, 2015

675 years ago
1340

War
In the Battle of Sluys in the Hundred Years' War, the French fleet was almost completely destroyed by the English Fleet commanded in person by King Edward III.

340 years ago
1675

War
King Philip's War, the most devastating war between the British colonists and Indians, began with Indians attacking the Swansea settlement in Massachusetts.

220 years ago
1795

Born on this date
Ernst Heinrich Weber. German physician and psychologist. Dr. Weber has been called the father of experimental psychology, and was the first to conduct experiments with validity. Dr. Weber was especially known for his studies in the sensation of touch; among his discoveries was the Just-Noticeable Difference (JND): the amount of difference necessary in order for people to notice the difference. Dr. Weber died on January 26, 1878 at the age of 82.

140 years ago
1875

Born on this date
Andrew J. May. U.S. politician. Mr. May, a Democrat, represented Kentucky in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1931-1947. In a press conference in June 1943 after returning to the United States from a war junket, Rep. May said that American submarines had a high survival rate because Japanese depth charges were exploding at too shallow a depth. When Rep. May's remarks became known, the Japanese then adjusted their depth charges; Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, commander of the U.S. submarine fleet in the Pacific, estimated that Rep. May's security breach cost the United States Navy as many as ten submarines and 800 crewmen killed in action. Rep. May was defeated in the 1946 election, and in 1947 was convicted by a jury of accepting $53,634 in bribes from munitions dealers Murray and Henry Garsson. He served nine months in prison, but remained active in Democratic Party politics and was granted a full pardon by President Harry Truman in 1952. Mr. May died on September 6, 1959 at the age of 84.

125 years ago
1890

Scandal
Major General Frederick Dobson Middleton was forced to resign his Canadian Militia post after a House of Commons committee criticized him for “unwarrantable and illegal" misappropriation of furs from Métis Charles Bremner during the 1885 resistance.

Baseball
The Chicago Pirates scored 13 runs in the 4th inning and whipped the Brooklyn Wonders 22-3 in a Players League game in Chicago.

120 years ago
1895

Born on this date
Jack Dempsey. U.S. boxer. Mr. Dempsey, "The Manassa Mauler," was one of the people who made the 1920s the so-called "Golden Age of Sport." He won the world heavyweight title with a devastating 3-round knockout of Jess Willard on July 4, 1919. A string of successful defenses followed through 1923. Mr. Dempsey’s 4-round knockout of light heavyweight champion Georges Carpentier at Boyle’s City Acres in Jersey City, New Jersey on July 2, 1921 was the first major sports event ever broadcast on radio, and provided boxing with its first $1 million gate. 80,000 people were in attendance, producing gate receipts of almost $1.8 million. In contrast, Mr. Dempsey’s 15-round decision over Tom Gibbons on July 4, 1923 nearly bankrupted the host town of Shelby, Montana. On September 14, 1923, 82,000 came to the Polo Grounds in New York to see Mr. Dempsey fight Argentinian Luis Angel Firpo, "The Wild Bull of the Pampas." In a wild first round, Mr. Dempsey was knocked out of the ring, but was (illegally) helped into the ring by writers at ringside. Mr. Dempsey knocked out Mr. Firpo in round 2. This fight produced another $1 million gate. Mr. Dempsey was inactive in the ring from 1923-1926. A major black challenger, Harry Wills, was unsuccessful in attempts to arrange a title bout. Finally, on September 23, 1926, 120,757 spectators filled Sesquicentennial Stadium in Philadelphia to see challenger Gene Tunney outpoint Mr. Dempsey over 10 rounds to win the belt. The gate was almost $1.9 million, just beating the 1921 record. Another $1 million gate resulted from Mr. Dempsey’s fight against Jack Sharkey at Yankee Stadium in New York on July 21, 1927. In the 7th round, Mr. Dempsey landed a low blow; when Mr. Sharkey turned to the referee to complain, Mr. Dempsey knocked him out. A rematch with Mr. Tunney took place at Soldier Field in Chicago on September 22, 1927. 104, 943 spectators produced a gate of more than $2.6 million, a record that stood for decades. In the 7th round, Mr. Dempsey knocked Mr. Tunney down. According to a rule just recently adopted, Mr. Dempsey was required to go to a neutral corner during the count. Mr. Dempsey remained in the middle of the ring, and the referee refused to begin his count until Mr. Dempsey went to a neutral corner. Mr. Tunney rose at the count of 9, although he had been on the floor for as long as 14 seconds, by some estimates. "The Battle of the Long Count" concluded with Mr. Tunney retaining his title with another 10-round decision. Mr. Dempsey retired from boxing several months later after compiling a record of 65 wins, 6 losses, 11 draws, and 1 no contest, but remained in the public eye as a successful restaurateur in New York for several decades. He died on May 31, 1983 at the age of 87.

100 years ago
1915

Born on this date
Fred Hoyle. U.K. astronomer. Sir Fred was one of the most famous astronomers of the 20th century, known primarily for the theory of stellar nucleosynthesis. He coined the term "Big Bang" for that theory of the origin of the universe, which he rejected in favour of a "steady state." Sir Fred was also known for his contarian views on a wide range of subjects. He died on August 20, 2001 at the age of 86.

80 years ago
1935

Died on this date
Carlos Gardel, 44. French-born Argentine singer. Mr. Gardel, born Charles Gardes, was known as the "King of Tango" for his many hit recordings in that genre from 1917 until his death in a plane crash in Medellin, Colombia.

75 years ago
1940

War
Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King told Parliament that "The government I lead will not bring in measures for conscription of Canadians for service overseas." French delegates signed a separate peace treaty with Italy. In London, French General Charles de Gaulle claimed that the French empire would continue to fight against the Axis. Operation Collar, the first British Commando raid on occupied France, by No 11 Independent Company, took place. French authorities turned over French-held territory in Shanghai to the Japanese. Japanese naval ships entered Haiphong harbour to observe ships suspected of carrying supplies destined for Nationalist Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek.

Politics and government
King Farouk of Egypt conferred with representatives of all the country's political factions in an effort to form a new cabinet.

Minnesota Governor Harold Stassen gave the keynote address at the opening session of the Republican National Convention at Philadelphia Convention Hall. The party's platform committee adopted the position that the United States should avoid war.

Economics and finance
Canadian Minister of Munitions and Supply C. D. Howe set up the Wartime Industries Control Board.

Canadian Finance Minister J. L. Ralston noted that the $700-million war appropriation may be inadequate, since "events are moving with lighting speed;" his budget imposed a 10% war exchange tax on "non-empire" imports.

Guaranty Trust Company of New York predicted that the U.S. dollar would replace the British pound as the chief international currency.

Journalism
The government of Panama instituted tighter regulation of radio broadcasting in order to curtail the dissemination of false information.

Tennis
At the U.S. Clay Court Championships in Chicago, Don McNeill won the men's title and Alice Marble won the women's title.

70 years ago
1945

Diplomacy
France appealed to U.S. Secretary of State Edward Stettinius to appoint a commission to investigate the Levant crisis, in which French troops were fighting against rebels in Lebanon and Syria.

Indian activist Mohandas Gandhi rejected an invitation to the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco for revision of India's government, but said that he would be available in an advisory capacity.

Journalism
The Shanghai Evening Post and Mercury, the first American newspaper published in free China, announced that it was suspending publication because it was hampered by "wartime censorship restrictions."

Economics and finance
U.S. Labor Secretary Frances Perkins reported that the cost of living had increased 0.7% in May, raising the index to 128% of the 1935-1939 average.

60 years ago
1955

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Unchained Melody--Jimmy Young

50 years ago
1965

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): I'm Alive--The Hollies

At the movies
Cat Ballou, starring Jane Fonda, Lee Marvin, and Michael Callan, opened in theatres.



Music
The Beatles continued their European tour with two shows at Velodromo Vigorelli in Milan.

Diplomacy
South Vietnam severed diplomatic relations with France, charging that France was aiding South Vietnam's enemies.

Boxing
Amos "Big Train" Lincoln (33-7-1) scored a technical knockout of Roberto Davila (11-4) at 1:47 of the 7th round of a heavyweight bout at Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.



40 years ago
1975

Died on this date
Wendell Ladner, 26. U.S. basketball player. Mr. Ladner was a forward in the American Basketball Association from 1970-1975 with the Memphis Pros/Tams; Carolina Cougars; Kentucky Colonels; and New York Nets. He was named to the ABA's All-Rookie team in 1970-71 and was a member of the Nets' 1973-74 championship team. Mr. Ladner was killed in the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 in New York, and his body was identified by the championship ring he was wearing.

Disasters
113 of the 124 passengers and crew aboard Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 from New Orleans to New York were killed when the Boeing 727-225 jet crashed on landing during a severe thunderstorm. It was the deadliest single plane crash in United States history to that date.

Football
CFL
The Canadian Football League All-Star Game between the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes and the CFL All-Stars was scheduled to have been played at Autostade in Montreal, but the game had been cancelled a week earlier because only about 2,000 tickets had been sold.

Baseball
The St. Louis Cardinals sold outfielder Don Hahn to the San Diego Padres. Mr. Hahn was batting .125 (1 for 8) in 7 games with St. Louis since being signed on May 21, after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies, with whom he had batted 0 for 5 in 9 games in 1975.

Tim Hosley drove in 3 runs and five of his teammates, including winning pitcher Bill Bonham, each batted in 2 as the Chicago Cubs beat the Montreal Expos 13-6 before 7,021 fans at Jarry Park in Montreal.

Jerry Koosman pitched a 5-hit complete game for his 100th career major league win as the New York Mets defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 before 19,240 fans at Shea Stadium in New York.

21-year-old starters Larry Christenson and Tom Underwood were the respective winning pitchers as the Philadelphia Phillies swept a twi-night doubleheader from the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 and 8-1 before 50,463 fans at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. In the second game, Pittsburgh starting and losing pitcher Bruce Kison was removed after failing to retire any of the five batters he faced, allowing a hit, 4 bases on balls, and 4 runs--3 earned. It was the second straight game for Mr. Kison in which he was unable to retire a batter. He was relieved by Sam McDowell, who allowed 4 hits and 1 earned run in 4 innings in what turned out to be the final game of his 15-year major league career.

Randy Jones and Brent Strom both pitched complete game victories as the San Diego Padres swept a twi-night doubleheader from the San Francisco Giants 2-1 in 10 innings and 3-0 before 19,817 fans at San Diego Stadium. Mr. Jones allowed 11 hits in the first game, while Mr. Strom allowed just 2 hits in the second game. Enzo Hernandez scored the winning run in the first game when he led off the 10th inning with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mr. Jones, went to third base on a bunt single by Bobby Tolan, and scored when San Francisco second baseman Derrel Thomas made an error on a ground ball by Tito Fuentes. Former San Francisco great Willie McCovey hit a home run in the second game.

George Hendrick hit his second home run of the game, a 3-run blast off Dick Drago with 2 out in the top of the 9th inning, to cap a 4-run rally as the Cleveland Indians beat the Boston Red Sox 8-6 before 15,411 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Tom McCraw played the 9th inning at first base for Cleveland, making 1 putout in the last game of his 13-year major league career.

Catfish Hunter allowed a leadoff home run by Ken Singleton to start the game but allowed just 3 hits and no runs after that as the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 before 19,175 fans at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Losing pitcher Mike Torrez pitched a complete game, allowing 7 hits and 3 earned runs. Rookie right fielder Terry Whitfield drove in 2 runs for New York.

Jim Slaton pitched a 3-hit shutout and Bill Travers pitched an 8-hit complete game victory as the Milwaukee Brewers swept a twi-night doubleheader from the Detroit Tigers 5-0 and 4-2 before 21,199 fans at County Stadium in Milwaukee. Hank Aaron, usually a designated hitter, played left field for Milwaukee in the first game for only the second time all season. He came to bat as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded in the 7th inning of the second game and drew a base on balls to force in a run. George Scott, who had hit a solo home run in the 6th, subsequently singled home 2 runs.

Jorge Orta drove in 4 runs with a home run, single, and sacrifice fly as the Chicago White Sox survived a 3-run 9th-inning rally to defeat the Texas Rangers 7-5 before 6,318 fans at White Sox Park.

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Angel/Into the Groove--Madonna

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Debut/Manhattan Joke--Naoko Kawai

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): We are the World--USA for Africa (6th week at #1)

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Toronto (2-1) 22 @ Ottawa (1-2) 23
Winnipeg (1-2) 22 @ Edmonton (0-3) 7

The Eskimos’ loss to the Blue Bombers on a dreary night at Commonwealth Stadium was the last game for both Dave Cutler and Tom Scott. Mr. Cutler hit the upright on his only field goal attempt, and Mr. Scott didn’t catch a pass, as he saw only brief action in the fourth quarter. Mr. Cutler was the CFL’s career leader in points, field goals, and converts, while Mr. Scott was the career leader in pass receiving yardage and was just one behind the record for career pass receptions. Both players ended up in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, as well as the Edmonton Eskimos’ Wall of Honour.

25 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Eagle Rock--Daddy Cool

#1 single in Switzerland: Black Velvet--Alannah Myles (4th week at #1)

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 I Promised Myself--Nick Kamen (4th week at #1)
2 I Can't Stand It!--Twenty 4 Seven featuring Capt. Hollywood
3 Hey, Wickie--Der Schreckliche Sven & die tollkühnen Plattenreiter
4 Insieme: 1992--Toto Cutugno
5 Black Velvet--Alannah Myles
6 Infinity (1990's...Time for the Guru)--Guru Josh
7 Hier kommt Kurt--Frank Zander
8 Ding Dong--Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
9 Verdammt - ich lieb' dich--Matthias Reim
10 Miles Away--Thomas Forstner

Singles entering the chart were I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by the Chimes (#20); Ooops Up by Snap! (#24); Better the Devil You Know by Kylie Minogue (#27); and Club at the End of the Street by Elton John (#30).

Died on this date
Germán Suárez Flamerich, 83. President of Venezuela, 1950-1952. Professor Suárez was a law professor who served as legal adviser to the military junta that governed Venezuela following the coup that deposed President Rómulo Gallegos in 1948. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1949-1950) and Ambassador to Peru (1950), and was named to succeed the assassinated Carlos Delgado Chalbaud as President, although the real power was in the hands of Defense Minister Marcos Pérez Jiménez. Prof. Suárez spent many years in exile afterward, and eventually resumed the practice of law.

Politics and government
The day after the deadline for approval of the Meech Lake constitutional accord had passed without its ratification, Canadian Prime Minister Mulroney said that there would be no more conferences on Canadian unity without Quebec participation. Jean Chretien, who had been elected leader of the opposition Liberal Party of Canada the previous day, said that he favoured a two-year cooling-off period before attempting a resumption of constitutional discussions.

Protest
Sodomites in the audience disrupted an address by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Louis Sullivan to the 6th annual International AIDS Conference in San Francisco.

Football
CFL
Pre-season
Winnipeg (1-0) 41 Saskatchewan (0-1) 40 @ Saskatoon

Baseball
The Kansas City Royals amassed 23 hits in beating the Minnesota Twins 11-2 before 39,566 fans at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. Kansas City left fielder Jim Eisenreich batted 5 for 5.

Andres Thomas hit a home run off Rick Luecken leading off the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Atlanta Braves an 11-10 win over the San Diego Padres before 16,298 fans at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Mouth--Merril Bainbridge (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): 21 Go'nat historier--Timm & Gordon (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Conquest of Paradise--Vangelis

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Pour que tu m'aimes encore--Céline Dion (7th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Pour que tu m'aimes encore--Céline Dion (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Conquest of Paradise--Vangelis (8th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Unchained Melody/(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover--Robson Green & Jerome Flynn (6th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?--Bryan Adams (4th week at #1)
2 Total Eclipse of the Heart--Nicki French
3 Don't Take it Personal (Just One of Dem Days)--Monica
4 Water Runs Dry--Boyz II Men
5 One More Chance/Stay with Me--The Notorious B.I.G.
6 Scream/Childhood--Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson
7 This is How We Do It--Montell Jordan
8 Waterfalls--TLC
9 I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By--Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige
10 Freak Like Me--Adina Howard

Singles entering the chart were One More Chance/Stay with Me; Hold Me Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me by U2 (#23); Colors of the Wind by Vanessa Williams (#55); Human Nature by Madonna (#57); Sprinkle Me by E-40 (featuring Suga T) (#72); Feels So Good by Xscape (#75); Kiss from a Rose by Seal (#87); Mind Blowin' by Smooth (#88); Foe Life by Mack 10 (#89); and Fire by Subway (#96).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Water Runs Dry--Boyz II Men (5th week at #1)
2 Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?--Bryan Adams
3 Scream/Childhood--Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson
4 Total Eclipse of the Heart--Nikki French
5 Let Her Cry--Hootie & the Blowfish
6 Waterfalls--TLC
7 Don't Take it Personal (Just One of Dem Days)--Monica
8 I Believe--Blessid Union of Souls
9 This is How We Do It--Montell Jordan
10 Can't You See--Total featuring the Notorious B.I.G.

Singles entering the chart were Childhood; One More Chance/Stay with Me by the Notorious B.I.G. (#52); Human Nature by Madonna (#74); Freak Me Baby by Dis ’N’ Dat featuring 95 South, 69 Boyz & K-Noc (#75); I Can't Tell You Why by Brownstone (#80); and Remember Me This Way by Jordan Hill (#90). Remember Me this Way was from the movie Casper (1995).

Sport
Host South Africa defeated New Zealand 15-12 in extra time in the final of the Rugby World Cup before a capacity crowd of 62,000 at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. South African President Nelson Mandela presented South African captain Francois Pienaar with the Webb-Ellis Cup in an iconic post-apartheid moment.



Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Detroit 2 @ New Jersey 5 (New Jersey won best-of-seven series 4-0)

Neal Broten opened the scoring 1:08 into the game and scored the winning goal in the 2nd period as the Devils completed the sweep at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship in their 21-year history. New Jersey forward Claude Lemieux was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs' most valuable player.



Football
CFL
Pre-season
Saskatchewan (0-2) 23 @ Toronto (1-1) 43
Baltimore (2-0) 34 Birmingham (0-2) 0 @ Miami
Shreveport (1-1) 17 @ San Antonio (2-0) 34



10 years ago
2005

Died on this date
Paul Winchell, 82. U.S. actor, ventriloquist, and inventor. Mr. Winchell, born Paul Wilchinsky, was a popular host of children's television programs in the 1950s and '60s. He was known for creating the character dummies Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff. Mr. Winchell provided voices for characters in various cartoons through the 1980s. He was also an accomplished inventor, earning over 30 patents, most notably for an artificial heart.

Football
CFL
Ottawa (0-1) 16 @ Edmonton (1-0) 41

Ricky Ray completed 31 of 45 passes for 354 yards and 2 touchdowns to Jason Tucker, while rushing for 2 touchdowns of his own, as the Eskimos defeated the Renegades before 36,912 fans at Commonwealth Stadium in their first regular season game under head coach Danny Maciocia. Jason Armstead scored both Ottawa touchdowns, the first on a 45-yard punt return in the 2nd quarter, and the second on a 54-yard pass from quarterback Kerry Joseph in the 4th quarter. Derrell "Mookie" Mitchell led Edmonton receivers with 128 yards on 8 receptions.