March 31, 2018

300 years ago
1718

Born on this date
Mariana Victoria of Spain. Queen consort of Portugal, 1750-1777. Mariana Victoria, the daughter of King Philip V of Spain, married the future King Joseph I of Portugal in 1729, and was his Queen consort from his accession to the throne in 1750 until his death on February 24, 1777. She served as regent during the last few months of her husband's reign and the first few months of the reign of their daughter, Queen Maria I. Queen Mariana Victoria died on January 15, 1781 at the age of 62.

140 years ago
1878

Born on this date
Jack Johnson. U.S. boxer. Mr. Johnson was the first Negro to hold the world heavyweight title, defeating Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia on December 26, 1908. Mr. Johnson's victory, and his flamboyant lifestyle--which included sexual relationships with white women--inspired much outrage, and launched an era of "White Hope" contenders for the title. Mr. Johnson easily defeated all comers, most famously former world champion Jim Jeffries, who came out of a five-year retirement in 1910 to fight Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson scored a 15-round knockout, becoming the only man to knock Mr. Jeffries down. U.S. authorities instigated charges against Mr. Johnson for violating the Mann Act, which prohibited transporting women across state lines for immoral purposes. Mr. Johnson then fled the United States, and spent the next several years abroad. He defended his title in Havana against white American Jess Willard on April 5, 1915, and was knocked out in the 26th round. Mr. Johnson returned to the United States in 1920 to serve his prison sentence, and was released in 1921; he continued to box for years after that, but was never a serious title contender again. Mr. Johnson recorded an official professional record of 71-11-11-3; he had many unofficial fights. He was killed in a car accident on a highway in North Carolina at the age of 68 on June 10, 1946, while driving angrily away from a diner that had refused to serve him.

125 years ago
1893

Transportation
New Brunswick's first electric trolley cars appeared on the streets of Saint John.

100 years ago
1918

Born on this date
Charles Russell. U.S. actor. Mr. Russell appeared in 17 movies from 1943-1950, but was best known as the first actor to regularly play the title character of the radio series Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (1949-1950). He died on January 18, 1985 at the age of 66.

Ted Post. U.S. film and television director. Mr. Post directed movies such as Hang 'Em High (1968) and Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), but was best know for directing numerous television programs from the 1950s through the 1980s. He died on August 20, 2013 at the age of 95.

Died on this date
Gordon Flowerdew, 33. U.K.-born Canadian military officer. Lieutenant Flowerdew, a native of Norfolk, England who emigrated to British Columbia, died the day after being wounded while leading C Squadron of Lord Strathcona's Horse in the Canadian Cavalry Brigade in the "Last Great Cavalry Charge" against German forces in the Battle of Moreuil Wood in France. Lt. Flowerdew was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for valour during the battle.

Economics and finance
Daylight saving time went into effect in the United States for the first time, as a cost-saving measure during World War I.

90 years ago
1928

Britannica
King George V created his third son Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester, Earl of Ulster, and Baron Culloden, titles that linked him with England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Disasters
Earthquakes in Turkey killed 38 in Smyrna and vicinity, and destroyed many buildings there, including those at Tourboli.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals (First games of 2-game total goals series)
Montreal Canadiens 2 Montreal Maroons 2
Boston 1 @ New York Rangers 1

80 years ago
1938

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
New York Americans 0 @ Chicago 1 (2OT)

Cully Dahlstrom scored at 13:01 of the 2nd overtime period to give the Black Hawks the win over the Americans at Chicago Stadium.

75 years ago
1943

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): I Don't Want to Walk Without You--Harry James and his Music Makers (2nd month at #1)

Theatre
The musical Oklahoma! by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II opened at the St. James Theatre on Broadway in New York.

War
Soviet forces captured Anastasevsk, an important German defense base north of Novorossiisk on the Black Sea.

Music
Erich Leinsdorf, 32, a conductor of the Metropolitan Opera Company Orchestra, was appointed to succeed Artur Rodzinski as conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra for three years.

Aviation
Bendix Aviation President Ernest Breech said that a revolutionary device had been developed that would conquer the hazards of blind flying and fog in commercial aviation.

Labour
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations leaders resumed peace negotiations that had begun six years earlier, discussing the 1942 proposed agreement covering jurisdictional disputes and "no raiding."

Economics and finance
The U.S. Office of Price Administration placed ceiling prices on all used commercial motor vehicles in roder to curb speculators.

Disasters
At least 400 people were killed and 2,000 injured when an ammunition depot exploded in the harbour area of Naples.

70 years ago
1948

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Anniversary Song--Al Jolson; Bing Crosby (5th month at #1)

Theatre
The New York Drama Critics' Circle announced its awards for 1947-48. A Streetcar Named Desire was named Best American Play, while The Winslow Boy by Terrence Rattigan was Best Foreign Play.

War
Land mines destroyed an Arab train near Haifa, killing 40 people and injuring 60.

Chinese Nationalist forces announced plans to withdraw from all ports on the Shantung peninsula except Chefoo.

Labour
A presidential inquiry board investigating the current coal miners' strike issued a report pinning responsibility for the walkout on United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis.

Basketball
BAA
Quarter-Finals
Chicago 77 @ Boston 81 (Best-of-three series tied 1-1)

60 years ago
1958

Hit parade
#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Tequila--The Champs (Best Seller--3rd week at #1; Disc Jockey--1st week at #1; Top 100--3rd week at #1)

War
The Israeli-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission imposed a cease-fire in the border area east of Lake Huleh.

Defense
The U.S.S.R. proclaimed a unilateral halt in its atomic and hydrogen weapons tests and appealed to the U.S.A. and U.K. for similar action as a step toward an international agreement banning future tests.

Politics and government
In the biggest landslide in Canadian history, the Progressive Conservatives, led by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, took 208 of 265 seats in the House of Commons in the federal election. The Liberals, who had held power for 22 years prior to losing a close election in June 1957, were reduced to 49 seats in Lester Pearson’s first campaign as party leader. The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation took 8 seats, and Social Credit none.

The Supreme Soviet approved Premier Nikita Khrushchev's cabinet revision which reestablished the post of First Deputy Premier, to be filled by Anastas Mikoyan and Frol Kozlov. Former Premier Nikolai Bulganin retained his position in the Supreme Soviet presidium.

Pakistani President Iskander Mirza dismissed East Pakistan Governor A.K. Fazlul Huq for the unconstitutional dismissal of East Pakistan Chief Minister Ataur Rahman Khan.

The Cuban Congress voted President Fulgencio Batista "extraordinary powers" over industry, transportation, and communications for 45 days.

Basketball
NBA
The first all-star team chosen by a poll of sportswriters and broadcasters consisted of center Bob Pettit (St. Louis Hawks); forwards George Yardley (Detroit Pistons); and Dolph Schayes (Syracuse Nationals); and guards Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman (Boston Celtics). The second team was composed of center Bill Russell (Boston Celtics); forwards Cliff Hagan (St. Louis Hawks) and Maurice Stokes (Cincinnati Royals); and guards Tom Gola (Philadelphia Warriors) and Slater Martin (St. Louis Hawks).

50 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Delilah--Tom Jones

Died on this date
Grover Lowdermilk, 83. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Lowdermilk played with five major league teams from 1909-1920, compiling a record of 23-39 with an earned run average of 3.58 in 122 games, and batted .131 with no home runs and 6 runs batted in. He was 5-5 with a 2.79 ERA in 20 games with the Chicago White Sox when they won the American League pennant in 1919, and finished the first game of the World Series, allowing 1 earned run in 1 inning. Mr. Lowedermilk played at least 12 seasons in the minor leagues from 1907-1922, compiling a 181-121 record. He was 33-10 in 44 games with the Mattoon Giants of the Class D Eastern Illinois League as a rookie in 1907, and was 25-14 with a 1.70 ERA in 50 games with the Columbus Senators of the American Association in 1917.

Politics and government
U.S. President Lyndon Johnson delivered a nationally-televised address on the war in Vietnam. During the 40-minute address, Mr. Johnson announced the unilateral halting of bombing of 90% of the territory of North Vietnam, and asked North Vietnam to make some movement toward the peace conference table. President Johnson dropped a bombshell of his own at the end of his speech when he announced, "I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President." The President’s decision was believed to have been sparked by his relatively poor showing in the New Hampshire showing against war opponent Eugene McCarthy on March 12, and the officially announced candidacy of Senator Robert F. Kennedy four days later.



Golf
Tony Jacklin won the Greater Jacksonville Open with a score of 273. First prize money was $20,000.

Hockey
CPHL
Adams Cup
Semi-Finals
Oklahoma City 2 @ Tulsa 3 (Tulsa led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Basketball
NBA
Eastern Division Semi-Finals
New York 105 @ Philadelphia 123 (Philadelphia led best-of-seven series 3-2)
Detroit 96 @ Boston 110 (Boston led best-of-seven series 3-2)

Western Division Semi-Finals
Chicago 99 @ Los Angeles 122 (Los Angeles won best-of-seven series 4-1)
San Francisco 103 @ St. Louis 129 (San Francisco led best-of-seven series 3-2)

ABA
Western Division Semi-Finals
New Orleans 100 @ Denver 108 (Best-of-five series tied 2-2)

40 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): It's a Heartache--Bonnie Tyler (4th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Das Lied der Schlümpfe--Vader Abraham & Die Schlümpfe (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France: We Will Rock You/We are the Champions--Queen (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Charles H. Best, 79. U.S.-born Canadian physiologist and biochemist. Dr. Best, born in Maine to parents from Nova Scotia, moved to Toronto in 1915. As a medical student at the University of Toronto, he assisted Dr. Frederick Banting in the discovery of Insulin in 1921.

Music
Stompin' Tom Connors held a press conference two days after the Juno Awards, and said he was returning his six awards because they were not supporting artists who lived and worked in Canada, and too often went to people who had left Canada.

Diplomacy
In Brazil, U. S. President Jimmy Carter met with six prominent Brazilians, some of whom had publicly opposed the military regime of President Ernesto Geisel. However, President Carter also publicly stressed the American need for stronger ties with Brazil, and seemed to have eased tensions slightly. Later, President Carter flew to Nigeria, where he was joined by United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young. Mr. Carter called for withdrawal of the 16,000 to 17,000 Cuban troops in Ethiopia and for majority-rule governments in Rhodesia and Namibia.

Defense
British troops withdrew from Malta, leaving Malta fully independent.

Politics and government
French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing reappointed Premier Raymond Barre to head the government.

Law
The Ontario Provincial Parliament passed an Ontario law reform providing for equal division of family assets following marriage break-up.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Commerce Department announced that imports in February had exceeded exports by $4.52 billion, giving the United States the largest trade deficit in its history and putting the figure in the red for the 21st consecutive month.

Scandal
David Begelman, former head of Columbia Pictures, was charged with embezzling $40,000 from the company. He had resigned on February 9 amid controversy over financial practices in the movie industry. Mr. Begelman was said to have accomplished the theft by illegally endorsing cheques made out to director Martin Ritt, actor Cliff Robertson, and Los Angeles restaurateur Pierre Groleau. In fact, it was Mr. Robertson who blew the whistle, after Mr. Begelman had forged his signature.

Hockey
CHL
Salt Lake City 1 @ Dallas 3
Kansas City 8 @ Tulsa 2

30 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): I Should Be So Lucky--Kylie Minogue (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
William McMahon, 80. Prime Minister of Australia, 1971-1972. Mr. McMahon, a Liberal, was a member of parliament from 1949-1982. He became Prime Minister on March 10, 1971 when John Gorton resigned. Mr. McMahon's government was defeated by the Labour Party in the general election of December 2, 1972.

Politics and government
15-year school board member Dianne Cunningham won an Ontario provincial by-election in the riding of London North. Ms. Cunningham’s win gave the Progressive Conservatives 20 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, far behind the governing Liberals and opposition New Democrats. London North was held by Ron Van Horne of the Liberals from 1977-1987; Mr. Van Horne was named to the cabinet of Premier David Peterson as minister in charge of seniors’ services when the Liberals came to power in 1985, and had easily retained his seat in the election of September 10, 1987. However, Premier Peterson dropped him from cabinet, and Mr. Van Horne resigned his seat effective December 31, 1987. Of the seven candidates in the by-election, five (including those of all three major parties) were women.

Economics and finance
The United States Senate approved $47.9 million in humanitarian aid for the Contras in Nicaragua and for children injured in the war between the Contras and the Sandanistas.

25 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): No Limit--2 Unlimited (6th week at #1)

On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Little Women

Died on this date
Mitchell Parish, 92. Lithuanian-born U.S. songwriter. Mr. Parish, born Michael Pashelinsky, emigrated to the United States with his family as an infant. He wrote lyrics to such songs as Stardust; Stars Fell on Alabama; Deep Purple; Sweet Lorraine; and Volare.

Brandon Lee, 28. U.S. actor. Mr. Lee, the son of martial artist and actor Bruce Lee, also became a martial artist, and was on the verge of movie stardom. He landed the starring role in The Crow (1994); with just eight days of filming remaining, Mr. Lee was killed in a shooting accident while filming a scene. Oddly, Bruce Lee had died (of a cerebral edema) at the young age of 32 in 1973.

Diplomacy
Former U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance announced his intention to resign as United Nations mediator in the Balkans.

Hockey
NHL
The National Hockey League announced a realignment of teams and divisions, and adopted a playoff format in which teams in each conference were seeded from first place through eighth.

20 years ago
1998

Died on this date
Bella Abzug, 77. U.S. politician. Mrs. Abzug, a Democrat, was a lawyer and activist, known for supporting liberal causes and for wearing large hats. She represented New York's 19th District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971-1973 and New York's 20th District from 1973-1977. Mrs. Abzug had numerous unsuccessful electoral campaigns in later years, but remained influential as an activist until her death from heart disease.

Tim Flock, 73. U.S. auto racing driver. Mr. Flock was a stock car driver during the early years of NASCAR, and was Grand National Series Champion in 1952 and 1955. He drove in 1987 NASCAR races, winning 39, and finishing in the top 10 129 times. Mr. Flock died of throat and liver cancer.

Joel Ryce-Menuhin, 64. U.S. musician and psychologist. Mr. Ryce-Menuhin, born Joel Rice, married Yaltah Menuhin, the sister of violinist Yehudi Menuhin, and the two performed together as pianists from 1960 until illness forced him to retire. He then became a Jungian psychotherapist, writing and editing books on Jungian psychology and books with his wife on music.

10 years ago
2008

Died on this date
Jules Dassin, 96. U.S.-born film director. Mr. Dassin was known for film noir dramas such as Brute Force (1947); The Naked City (1948); and Night and the City (1950), but went to Europe in the early 1950s after being blacklisted in Hollywood. He achieved success in France and Greece, directing movies such as Rififi (1955) and Never on Sunday (1960).