November 30, 2015

180 years ago
1835

Born on this date
Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain). U.S. author. The author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884) was born in Florida, Missouri.

175 years ago
1840

Born on this date
Henry Birks. Canadian businessman. Mr. Birks, a native of Montreal, founded the jewellery firm Henry Birks and Sons in Montreal in 1879. He died on April 16, 1928 at the age of 87.

130 years ago
1885

Born on this date
Albert Kesselring. German military officer. Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring served with the Bavarian Army (1904-1918); Reichswehr (1918-1933); and Luftwaffe (1933-1945), serving in both world wars and becoming one of Germany's most decorated officers. He commanded air forces in the invasions of Poland, France, and the U.S.S.R., as well as the Battle of Britain. In 1947, Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring was convicted at Nuremburg of war crimes for ordering the murder of 335 Italian civilians in the Ardeatine massacre in 1944, and for inciting and ordering his troops to kill civilians in reprisals against the Italian resistance movement. He was sentenced to death by firing squad, but the sentence was soon commuted to life imprisonment. Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring was released from prison in 1952 on grounds of ill health because of a cancerous growth in his throat, but he lived until his death from a heart attack on July 16, 1960 at the age of 74.

10 years ago
1915

Born on this date
Brownie McGhee. U.S. musician. Walter Brown McGhee was a blues singer and guitarist, and was best known for his collaborations with harmonicist Sonny Terry in a partnership that ran from the early 1940s to the 1980s. Mr. McGhee died on February 16, 1996 at the age of 80.

Henry Taube. Canadian-born U.S. chemist. Dr. Taube, a native of Neudorf, Saskatchewan, was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for his work on the mechanisms of electron transfer reactions, especially in metal complexes." He died on November 16, 2005, two weeks short of his 90th birthday.

War
The Canadian government published war casualties reported so far: 539 officers and 13,017 men killed in action.

80 years ago
1935

Football
CRU
Eastern Final
Hamilton Tigers 22 Sarnia Imperials 3 @ Toronto

75 years ago
1940

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): The Woodpecker Song--Kate Smith; Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (1st month at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Only Forever--Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra (7th week at #1)

Died on this date
George B. McClellan, Jr., 75. U.S. politician. Mr. McClellan, son of U.S. Civil War Union Army General George McLellan, was a Democrat who represented New York's 12 District in the United States House of Representatives from 1895-1903, and served as Mayor of New York from 1904-1909. He later became a professor of economic history at Princeton University. Mr. McClellan died a week after his 75th birthday.

Married on this date
U.S. actress Lucille Ball married Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz in Greenwich, Connecticut.

War
The Greek Army announced the capture of the Italian base of Pogradec in northeastern Albania. Italian Duce Benito Mussolini's newspaper Il Popole d'Italia stated that Italy would settle her quarrel with Greece alone and without the military help of Germany. Radio reports from Rome announced that the Axis powers had abandoned their plans for the defeat of Britain through actual invasion. Thailand announced the occupation of the French Indochinese districts of Banongkien, Bangkokekrabein, and Patruchai, as well as reprisal air raids on Thakhek and Savannakhet in the undeclared war.

Diplomacy
Japan officially recognized the Chinese government in Nanking in a treaty signed by Lieutenant General Noriyuki Abe and "President" Wang Ching-wei.

Politics and government
Paraguayan President Morinigo established a virtual dictatorship by signing a decree granting him full power to carry out the "Paraguayan revolution."

Economics and finance
The U.S. administration of President Harry Truman announced that a $50-million credit had been given to China and that an additional $50 million load would be made soon.

Society
The United States Census Bureau reported that the excess of males over females in the U.S.A. was being reduced by nearly 100,000 per year, and that in about five years there would be a female majority.

Football
CRU
Grey Cup
Ottawa Rough Riders 8 @ Toronto Balmy Beach 2 (First game of 2-game total points series)

Dave Sprague scored the game’s only touchdown, converted by Rick Perley, while Sammy Sward added 2 singles as the Rough Riders defeated Balmy Beach before 4,998 fans at Varsity Stadium. Bobby Porter’s 2 singles accounted for Balmy Beach’s scoring.

NCAA
Navy defeated Army 14-0 in the annual game between the two defense academies at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia.

70 years ago
1945

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Don't Fence Me In--Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters (3rd month at #1)

Died on this date
Heinz-Wilhelm Eck, 29. German military officer. Kapitänleutnant Eck was in command of the Kriegsmarine submarine U-852 when it sank the Greek merchant ship SS Peleus in the South Atlantic Ocean on March 13, 1944. Kapitänleutnant Eck ordered his crew to use hand grenades and fire automatic weapons into the ship in order to sink it, giving the crew of the Peleus no chance of survival. Kapitänleutnant Eck was captured soon after when U-852 was beached in Somaliland, and was taken prisoner. He was convicted as a war criminal and executed by firing squad at Lüneberg Heath, Germany.

War
At the hearings of the United States Senate committee on the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, evidence was introduced that Admiral Harold Stark, then Chief of Naval Operations, sent warnings to Admiral Husband Kimmel on November 27 and December 3, 1941 regarding possible Japanese attacks. Former Nazi official Rudolf Hess announced that he was sane, that he had been faking amnesia, and that he was ready to go on trial for war crimes in Nuremberg. Field Marshal Count Juichi Terauchi, Japanese commander in Southeast Asia, surrendered to British Lord Louis Mountbatten in Rangoon.

Defense
The Allied Control Council banned military training, war veterans' organizations, and parades in Germany.

Politics and government
The six-party National Liberation Committee in Italy chose Alcide de Gasperi as Prime Minister.

Labour
A labour-management conference in Washington, D.C. ended with agreement on the use of arbitration in contracts with no-strike, no lockout clauses and the strengthening of the U.S. Conciliation Service.

Disasters
400 people were killed when an earthquake and tsunami struck Pasni, India.

34 people were killed and heavy property damage resulted from a two-day storm in New England.

60 years ago
1955

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Domingo Santo Domingo--Die Hilo Hawaiians (1st month at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Les Lavandières du Portugal--Jacqueline François (9th week at #1)

At the movies
The Crooked Web, directed by Nathan Hertz Juran, and starring Frank Lovejoy, Mari Blanchard, and Richard Denning, opened in theatres.



Theatre
The musical Pipe Dream, written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, and starring Helen Traubel, William Johnson, Judy Tyler, George D. Wallace, and Mike Kellin, opened at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway in New York. It recorded the largest advance ticket sale in Broadway history to that date--$1.2 million.

Died on this date
Josip Štolcer-Slavenski, 59. Croatian-born composer. Professor Štolcer-Slavenski completed his studies in Prague, and in 1924 moved to Belgrade, where he spent the rest of his life. He taught at the Music Academy in Belgrade, and wrote orchestral, chamber, and vocal works, often based on Croatian folk music.

50 years ago
1965

On television tonight
The Fugitive, starring David Janssen, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Set Fire to a Straw Man, with guest stars Diana Hyland, Edward Binns, and Joseph Campanella

Baseball
The Boston Red Sox traded shortstop Eddie Bressoud to the New York Mets for outfielder Joe Christopher. Mr. Bressoud batted .226 with 8 home runs and 25 runs batted in in 107 games with the Red Sox in 1965, while Mr. Christopher hit .249 with 5 homers and 40 RBIs in 148 games with the Mets.

Catcher Del Crandall was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates and signed with the Cleveland Indians. The 15-year major league veteran batted .214 with 2 home runs and 10 runs batted in in 60 games with the Pirates in 1965.

40 years ago
1975

Politics and government
Following an appeal over radio and television by President Urho Kekkonen, five parties in Finland formed a "national emergency" coalition government. Led by Prime Minister Martti Miettunen, the Social Democrats took 5 of 18 cabinet posts; the Center and Communist parties each took 4 seats.

Football
NFL
Pittsburgh (10-1) 20 @ New York Jets (2-9) 7
San Francisco (5-6) 17 @ Philadelphia (3-8) 27
New Orleans (2-9) 16 @ Cleveland (2-9) 17
Houston (7-4) 19 @ Cincinnati (9-2) 23
Kansas City (5-6) 14 @ Baltimore (7-4) 28
Chicago (2-9) 7 @ Green Bay (3-8) 28
New York Giants (3-8) 3 @ Dallas (8-3) 14
San Diego (0-11) 10 @ Denver (5-6) 13 (OT)
Atlanta (3-8) 34 @ Oakland (9-2) 37 (OT)

30 years ago
1985

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Election Day--Arcadia (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Only Love--Nana Mouskouri (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Take on Me--A-Ha

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): A Good Heart--Feargal Sharkey (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: I'm Your Man--Wham!

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Separate Lives--Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Separate Lives--Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
2 We Built This City--Starship
3 You Belong to the City--Glenn Frey
4 Broken Wings--Mr. Mister
5 Miami Vice Theme--Jan Hammer
6 Head Over Heels--Tears for Fears
7 Never--Heart
8 Who’s Zoomin’ Who--Aretha Franklin
9 Lay Your Hands On Me--Thompson Twins
10 Be Near Me--ABC

Singles entering the chart were I’m Your Man by Wham! (#45); When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going by Billy Ocean (#55); Everything in My Heart by Corey Hart (#62); The Sweetest Taboo by Sade (#76); The Sun Always Shines on T.V. by A-Ha (#80); Leader of the Pack by Twisted Sister (#83); Can You Feel the Beat by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force (#86); Life in a Northern Town by The Dream Academy (#87); Love in a Vacuum by 'Til Tuesday (#89); and Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground) by Mike + the Mechanics (#90).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Separate Lives--Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin (2nd week at #1)
2 We Built This City--Starship
3 Oh Sheila--Ready for the World
4 Part-Time Lover--Stevie Wonder
5 Alive and Kicking--Simple Minds
6 Cherish--Kool & The Gang
7 You Belong to the City--Glenn Frey
8 Broken Wings--Mr. Mister
8 Lay Your Hands on Me--Thompson Twins
9 Situation Critical--Platinum Blonde
10 Tarzan Boy--Baltimora

Singles entering the chart were That's What Friends are For by Dionne and Friends (with Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder) (#80); I'm Your Man by Wham! (#82); Emergency by Kool & The Gang (#87); Cosmetics by Gowan (#90); Burning Heart by Survivor (#96); Go by Asia (#97); and Goodbye by Night Ranger (#98).

Died on this date
Phil Tucker, 58. U.S. movie director, producer, and editor. Mr. Tucker directed several low-budget films from 1953-1960, and was best known for producing and directing Robot Monster (1953), one of the worst movies ever made. He edited several movies and episodes of television programs in the 1970s and '80s.

Football
CIAU
Vanier Cup @ Varsity Stadium, Toronto
Calgary 25 Western Ontario 6

Lew Lawrick threw touchdown passes to Mike Siroishka and Randy Guy and handed off to Elio Geremia for another touchdown to lead the Dinosaurs over the Mustangs before 16,321 fans for their second Canadian championship in three years. The Mustangs scored first on a touchdown pass from Steve Samways to Rick Wolkensperg, but Jeff Crews’ convert was blocked, and Western Ontario never scored again. Brent Matich converted all 3 Calgary touchdowns and added a field goal and a single. The game was played on a muddy field.



20 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Gangsta's Paradise--Coolio featuring L.V. (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Gangsta's Paradise--Coolio featuring L.V. (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Gangsta's Paradise--Coolio featuring L.V.

War
Operation Desert Storm, the U.S. campaign in the Persian Gulf, officially ended.

Diplomacy
Bill Clinton became the first U.S. President to visit Northern Ireland, where he spoke in favour of the Northern Ireland peace process to a huge rally at Belfast City Hall.

Movies
Walt Disney Studios announced that it would open animation studios in Toronto and Vancouver.

10 years ago
2005

Died on this date
Jean Parker, 90. U.S. actress. Miss Parker, born Luise Stephanie Zelinska, appeared in 70 movies, most of them from 1932-1946. Her movies included Gabriel Over the White House (1933); Little Women (1933); and The Flying Deuces (1939).

Crime
A judge in Montreal overturned the 14 release conditions imposed on convicted killer Karla Homolka.

Religion
John Sentamu became the first Negro archbishop in the Church of England with his enthronement as the 97th Archbishop of York.