Thursday 30 March 2017

March 31, 2017

525 years ago
1492


Abominations
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain expelled Jews who would not convert to Christianity.

100 years ago
1917


Died on this date
Emil von Behring, 63
. German physiologist. Dr. Behring was awarded the 1901 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine--the first ever awarded--"for his work on serum therapy, especially its application against diphtheria, by which he has opened a new road in the domain of medical science and thereby placed in the hands of the physician a victorious weapon against illness and deaths." He was accused of cheating Dr. Paul Ehrlich of his share of the prize.

Americana
After paying Denmark $25 million, the United States took formal possession of the Danish West Indies, renaming them the United States Virgin Islands.

90 years ago
1927


Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Quarter-Finals
Montreal Canadiens 1 @ Montreal Maroons 0 (OT)

Howie Morenz scored at 12:05 of the 1st overtime period as the Canadiens edged the Maroons at the Montreal Forum.

80 years ago
1937


Transportation
Construction began on the Lions Gate Bridge to and from Stanley Park in Vancouver and North Vancouver, British Columbia. The bridge opened for two-way traffic on November 14, 1938, after 1 1/2 years' construction at a cost of $5.8 million, and was officially opened on May 29, 1939 by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during a royal visit to Canada.

75 years ago
1942


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): In the Mood--Glenn Miller and his Orchestra; Joe Loss and his Orchestra (3rd month at #1)

War
Japanese forces invaded Christmas Island, then a British possession. Heavy Japanese assaults against Bataan forced Allied troops to retreat. In Burma, Japanese troops captured Toungoo--which Chinese forces had abandoned--and crossed the Irrawaddy River wst of the city to attack Shwedaung, blocking British forces from the south.

Defense
Reports from Washington stated that no military or naval equipment would be sold to Argentina, which had failed to break off diplomatic relations with the Axis.

Politics and government
Dispatches from New Delhi and London indicated that both the All India Congress Party and the Moslem League opposed the British plan for Indian self-government, because the United Kingdom would maintain control over the country's defense, while Muslims feared that Hindus would dominate the nation.

70 years ago
1947


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Prisoner of Love--The Ink Spots; Perry Como (2nd month at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Anniversary Song--Al Jolson (3rd week at #1)
--Dinah Shore
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
--Tex Beneke with the Glenn Miller Orchestra
--Andy Russell
2 Heartaches--Ted Weems and his Orchestra
--Harry James and his Orchestra
3 Managua, Nicaragua--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
--Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
4 How are Things in Glocca Morra--Dick Haymes
--Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
--Buddy Clark
--Martha Tilton
5 Guilty--Margaret Whiting
--Johnny Desmond
6 Linda--Ray Noble and his Orchestra with Buddy Clark
--Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra
7 I'll Close My Eyes--Andy Russell
--Johnny Desmond
8 (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons--King Cole Trio
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
--Dinah Shore
--Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra
9 Sonata--Perry Como
--Jo Stafford
10 Jalousie (Jealousy)--Billy Butterfield and his Orchestra
--Harry James and his Orchestra
--Herbie Fields and his Orchestra

Singles entering the chart were Roses in the Rain by Frankie Carle and his Orchestra (#15); Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed by Freddy Martin and his Orchestra (#17); Easter Parade, with versions by Perry Como, and Bing Crosby (#18); and You Can't See the Sun When You're Cryin' by the Charioteers (#23).

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Tom Conway and Nigel Bruce, on ABC
Tonight's episode:

The Casebook of Gregory Hood, starring Elliott Lewis and Howard McNear, on MBS
Tonight`s episode: Where There's a Will

Died on this date
Qazi Muhammad, 53 or 54
. President of the Kurish Republic of Mahabad, 1946. Mr. Muhammad founded the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran, and was President of the breakaway Kurdish Republic of Mahabad from January 22-December 15, 1946. After the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Iran, the Kurdish Republic was crushed by Iranian forces. Mr. Muhammad and two of his associates were convicted by a military court of treason, and the three were hanged in Chwarchira Square, in the center of the city of Mahaba. Their bodies were left hanging for two days.

Terrorism
Zionist terrorists dynamited the U.K.-owned Shell-Mex oil tanks in Haifa, causing over $1 million in damage.

Politics and government
The United Kingdom returned the 12 Dodecanese Islands to Greek control.

A U.S. federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. returned a contempt of Congress indictment against 16 Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee officials for failing to supply the House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities with requested records.

Spanish Premier Francisco Franco announced the formation of a Regency Council under a new law that provided for the enthronement of a Spanish king if Mr. Franco died or became incapacitated.

Japan's 92nd Diet, the last under the pre-World War II constitution, adjourned after passing a government plan for parliamentary elections on April 25.

In response to widespread anger over his criticism of the French constitution, General Charles de Gaulle agreed to avoid discussing politics when he appeared in public as a war hero.

Crime
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the life sentence of convicted Nazi agent Maz Haupt, whose son had been executed as a saboteur in 1942.

Technology
General Electric began shipping the first commercially-produced betatron--a type of cyclic particle accelerator-- to Oak Ridge.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Harry Truman signed two control bills passed by Congress: one extended sugar controls to October 31, 1947; the other renewed controls on scarce commodities deemed essential to U.S. foreign commitments.

Business
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the U.S. government's challenge of the sale of the Pullman sleeping car company to 43 railroads.

60 years ago
1957


On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: I Killed the Count: Part 3, starring John Williams and Alan Napier

Music
Elvis Presley performed at Olympia Stadium in Detroit.



Diplomacy
The U.S.S.R. Foreign Ministry issued a statement charging the U.S.A. and U.K. with initiating "direct preparations for an atomic war" during recent talks in Bermuda between U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower and U.K. Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.

The government of Saudi Arabia declared that use of the Gulf of Aqaba by ships visiting the Israeli port of Elath would be an "encroachment on the sovereignty of Saudi Arabia and a threat to its territorial security."

Politics and government
Elections to the Territorial Assembly of the French colony Upper Volta were held, resulting in the Unified Democratic Party (PDU) (an alliance of the Voltaic Democratic Union-African Democratic Rally and the Social Party for the Emancipation of the African Masses) winning 33 of the 70 seats, with the Voltaic Democratic Movement (MDV) second with 24. The two parties formed a government.

Transportation
The first regular convoy of ships to pass through the Suez Canal since its closure in November 1956 entered the waterway at Port Said, Egypt.

Society
A Gallup Poll reported that the proportion of American adults admitting to use of alcoholic beverages had dropped from 67% in 1945 to 58% in 1957.

Health
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission issued complaints against three national distributors of arthritis and rheumatism medicines on charges of falsely advertising that their products--Mentholatum Rub, InfraRub, Heet, and Omega Oil--were "adequate, effective or reliable treatment for...arthritis, rheumatism and related diseases."

Basketball
NBA
Finals
St. Louis 99 @ Boston 119 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Frank Ramsey and Bob Cousey each scored 22 points and five teammates each scored at least 11 as the Celtics routed the Hawks at Boston Garden. Ed Macauley led the Hawks with 19 points.

50 years ago
1967


Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Penny Lane--The Beatles

Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 There's a Kind of Hush/No Milk Today--Herman's Hermits
2 Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever--The Beatles
3 The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)--Harpers Bizarre
4 Baby I Need Your Lovin'--Johnny Rivers
5 Morningtown Ride--The Seekers
6 A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You--The Monkees
7 Dedicated to the One I Love--The Mamas and the Papas
8 Darling Be Home Soon--The Lovin' Spoonful
9 This is My Song--Petula Clark
10 Western Union--The Five Americans
Pick hit of the week: Don't Do It--Micky Dolenz
New this week: Happy Jack--The Who
You Got What it Takes--The Dave Clark Five
Music to Watch Girls By--Andy Williams
I'm a Man--The Spencer Davis Group
I'll Try Anything--Dusty Springfield

Music
Gordon Lightfoot performed the first of his annual series of concerts at Massey Hall in Toronto.

Diplomacy
The U.S.-U.S.S.R. consular treaty which had been approved by the United States Congress on March 16 was signed by President Lyndon Johnson.

Defense
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization completed its withdrawal from France, and opened its Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau, Belgium.

Boxing
Gypsy Joe Harris (18-0) won a 10-round unanimous decision over world welterweight champion Curtis Cokes (45-9-3) in a non-title bout at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Hockey
CPHL
Adams Cup
Semi-Finals
Memphis 5 @ Omaha 4 (OT) (Memphis led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Lou Marcon scored 12:35 into the 1st overtime period to give the Wings their win over the Knights.

40 years ago
1977


Politics and government
The United States Congress voted to give President Jimmy Carter authority to reorganize the executive branch of the government.

30 years ago
1987


On television tomight
Max Headroom, starring Matt Frewer, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Blipverts

This was the first episode of the series, which originated in the United Kingdom with the Channel 4 television film Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future (1985), followed by The Max Headroom Show (1985-1987), which also aired on Channel 4.

World events
At least 69 Salvadoran soldiers were killed by leftists in a raid on El Paraiso, headquarters of El Salvador’s military, in an attempt to overthrow the government. All those killed were enlisted men, as the officers reportedly fled to an underground bunker. At least 60 defenders were reported to be wounded, while only 8 guerrillas were killed in the nighttime strike that included mortar and rocket fire. Among the victims was a U.S. adviser, Staff Sergeant Gregory Fronius.

Crime
U.S. Marine Corporal Arnold Bracy, a guard at the United States embassy in Moscow, was charged with providing Soviet agents with access to sensitive areas of the embassy, including the room where secret messages were coded and decoded. Another guard, Sergeant Clayton Lonetree, had been arrested on March 24 on 24 charges. Military prosecutors said that the two had been enticed by Soviet women into working for the KGB, the Soviet secret police.

Economics and finance
The value of the U.S. dollar hit a post-World War II low against the Japanese yen.

The United States Commerce Department reported that the index of leading economic indicators had risen 0.7% in February.

Two leading U.S. banks, Citibank and Chase Manhattan, raised their prime lending rate from 7.5% to 7.75%, the first increases by major banks since 1984.

25 years ago
1992


Diplomacy
The United Nations Security Council voted to impose sanctions on Libya if they failed by April 15 to turn over to representatives of the Arab League the two men who had been indicted in the U.S.A., U.K., and France in connection with the terrorist bombings of airliners over Scotland in 1988 and Niger in 1989.

Defense
USS Missouri, the last active United States Navy battleship, was decommissioned in Long Beach, California.

Economics and finance
The United States Commerce Department reported that the index of leading economic indicators had risen 0.8% in February.

20 years ago
1997


Hit parade
Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 One Headlight--The Wallflowers
2 Every Day is a Winding Road--Sheryl Crow
3 A Long December--Counting Crows
4 Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)--Aerosmith
5 You were Meant for Me--Jewel
6 Discotheque--U2
7 Dark Horse--Amanda Marshall
8 Lovefool--The Cardigans
9 Abuse Me--Silverchair
10 Resurrection--Moist

Singles entering the chart included Volcano Girls by Veruca Salt (#87); Tumble in the Rough by Stone Temple Pilots (#88); Until I Find You Again by Richard Marx (#89); Raspberry by I Mother Earth (#90); In My Bed by Dru Hill (#96); Say Goodbye by Cheap Trick (#99); and Sign of the Times by Queensryche (#100).

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