December 7, 2021

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Angelina Pratt and Elena!

1,500 years ago
521

Born on this date
Columba. Irish-born cleric. Columba was a Roman Catholic missionary who founded several monasteries in Scotland, most notably the abbey on the island of Iona. He died on June 9, 597 at the age of 75. Columba is a Roman Catholic saint and one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.

225 years ago
1796

Politics and government
The United States presidential election concluded with Federalist Party candidate John Adams receiving 71 electoral votes to 68 for Democratic-Republican Party candidate Thomas Jefferson. Under the rules then in place, Mr. Adams was elected President, and Mr. Jefferson was elected Vice President.

U.S. President George Washington delivered his eighth and last annual State of the Union address to Congress. Subjects included relations with Britain and Spain.

180 years ago
1841

Politics and government
U.S. President John Tyler delivered his first annual State of the Union message to Congress. Subjects included foreign relations and the economy.

130 years ago
1891

Died on this date
Arthur Blyth, 68. U.K.-born Australian politician. Sir Arthur grew up in Birmingham and moved to South Australia with his parents at the age of 16. He held various cabinet posts in South Australia, and served three terms as Premier of South Australia (1864-1865, 1871-1872, 1873-1875). Sir Arthur was appointed as South Australia's agent-general in London in 1877, and represented S.A. at the 1887 colonial conference. He died in Bournemouth, England.

125 years ago
1896

Politics and government
U.S. President Grover Cleveland delivered the fourth annual State of the Union message of his second term to Congress. Subjects included foreign relations, the economy, and defense.

110 years ago
1911

Politics and government
U.S. President William Howard Taft delivered the second part of his four-part annual State of the Union message to Congress. Part II dealt with foreign relations.

Hockey
PCHA
Brothers Lester and Frank Patrick founded the Pacific Coast Hockey Association; the original teams were the New Westminster Royals, Victoria Senators, and Vancouver Millionaires.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Swami Maharaj. Indian religious leader. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, born Shantilal Patel, was initiated as a Hindu swami in 1940, and in 1950 was appointed Pramukh (president) of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a major branch of the Hindu denomination Swaminarayan Sampradaya. He built more than 1,100 Hindu temples, and oversaw the growth of BAPS into an international movement. Pramukh Swami Maharaj died on August 13, 2016 at the age of 94.

80 years ago
1941

On the radio
Jergens Journal, with Walter Winchell, on NBC

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Mrs. Warren's Key

On television today
Regularly scheduled programming in New York was interrupted by news of the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

War
The United Kingdom and Canada, New Zealand, and India went to war against Finland, Hungary, and Romania at 12:01 A.M. British time. The Royal Canadian Navy Flower Class corvette HMCS Windflower was rammed by the Dutch freighter Zypenberg in dense fog off the Grand Banks, while escorting convoy SC.58; Windflower sank, and 23 of her ship's company were lost. Moscow radio claimed that Soviet troops had broken though German lines at two points on the Moscow front, annihilating two divisions and recapturing a village near Kalinin. Japanese planes bombed the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and declared war on the United States three hours later, bringing the United States into World War II (see also here). U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the entire country to be on a war footing, and in the evening conferred with his cabinet and congressional leaders on his war message; he also talked by transatlantic telephone with U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Censorship was imposed on all messages leaving the United States by radio and cable. U.S. Senator Gerald Nye (Republican--North Dakota) said that the Japanese attack was "just what Britain planned for us," and that the United States had been "doing its utmost to provoke a quarrel with Japan." Canada, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala declared war on Japan.



Labour
U.S. President Roosevelt's Coal Arbitration Board ruled that all coal mine workers must join the Congress of Industrial Organizations United Mine Workers of America as a condition of employment, thus reversing a decision of the National Defense Mediation Board. The United Brotherhood of Welders, Cutters and Helpers ordered strikers to return to work at an ordnance plant in Morgantown, West Virginia because of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. The New Jersey CIO pledged support for President Roosevelt and denounced United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis for his membership in the America First Committee.

Football
NFL
Chicago Bears (10-1) 34 @ Chicago Cardinals (3-7-1) 24
Brooklyn (7-4) 21 @ New York (8-3) 7
Philadelphia (2-8-1) 14 @ Washington (6-5) 20

75 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Rumors are Flying--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra with Marjorie Hughes (Best Seller--8th week at #1; Juke Box--7th week at #1; Airplay--7th week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--6th week at #1)

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

This is Hollywood, hosted by Hedda Hopper, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Stranger, starring Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Hussey, Roland Morris, and Gerald Mohr

Died on this date
Laurette Taylor, 63. U.S. actress. Miss Taylor, born Loretta Cooney, was best known for starring in the play (1912) and movie (1922) Peg o' My Heart, written for her by her husband, playwright J. Hartley Manners. Heavy drinking contributed to a decline in Miss Taylor's career in the late 1920s, but she made a successful comeback by playing Amanda Wingfield in the original Broadway production of The Glass Menagerie (1945), winning the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Actress. Miss Taylor died of a coronary thrombosis.

Diplomacy
The United States told the United Nations Political and Security Committee that it would not observe a UN decision to break off diplomatic relations with Spain.

The British government postponed the reopening of the London Palestine Conference until January 1947 to allow delegates from the World Zionist Congress to attend after their forthcoming meeting.

Labour
Congress of Industrial Organizations United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis ended the 17-day national coal strike, claiming that the U.S. Supreme Court must be allowed to judge the union-government dispute "free from public pressure induced by the hysteria and frenzy of an economic crisis."

Disasters
A fire at the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta killed 119 people; it was the deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history.

Football
NCAA
The Football Writers Association of America named Notre Dame tackle George Connor as the winner of the Outland Trophy for the outstanding lineman in college football in the United States for 1946.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Tales of Tomorrow, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Sneak Attack, starring Zachary Scott, Barbara Joyce, and Theo Goetz



CBS presented the first surgical operation televised in colour, on a coast-to-coast closed circuit.

World events
Israeli authorities seized a cargo of ammunition bound for Egypt from a French ship in Haifa.

Diplomacy
The United Nations General Assembly voted 54-5 in favour of asking the Security Council to approve UN membership for Italy.

West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, ending a visit to London, criticized the United Kingdom's "lack of interest" in European unification, and urged the British to establish liaison offices with newly-formed European institutions.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Big Bad John--Jimmy Dean (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Tower of Strength--Frankie Vaughan

On television tonight
The Untouchables, starring Robert Stack, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Man Killer

Economics and finance
The Bank of Montreal opened a branch in Tokyo, becoming the first Canadian bank in Japan.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Mamy Blue--Pop-Tops (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Mamy Blue--Pop-Tops (9th week at #1)

War
Indian and Bangladeshi forces defeated Pakistani forces in the Battle of Sylhet in Bangladesh.

Politics and government
Pakistani President Yahya Khan announced the formation of a coalition government with Nurul Amin as Prime Minister and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as Deputy Prime Minister.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Physical--Olivia Newton-John (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Akujo--Miyuki Nakajima (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Ma Quale Idea--Pino D'Angio (11th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Polonäse Blankenese--Gottlieb Wendehals (a.k.a. Werner Böhm)

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Black or White--Michael Jackson (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Black or White--Michael Jackson (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Let's Talk About Sex--Salt-N-Pepa (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Qui a le droit...--Patrick Bruel

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me--George Michael/Elton John

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn--Gordon (2nd week at #1)
2 Roodkapje--Pater Moeskroen
3 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa
4 Black or White--Michael Jackson
5 I Love Your Smile--Shanice
6 Over and Over Again--Robby Valentine
7 Change--Lisa Stansfield
8 James Brown is Still Alive!!--Holy Noise featuring the Global Insert Project
9 The Fly--U2
10 Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)--Rozalla

Singles entering the chart were Mysterious Ways by U2 (#24); Diamonds & Pearls by Prince & the New Power Generation (#25); Ik Vraag Aan Sinterklaas Een Heel Gelukkig Kerstfeest by Henk Temming (#31); Skat Strut by MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob (#35); and Elke Vrouw by Hanny (#36).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Black or White--Michael Jackson
2 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
3 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
4 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
5 All 4 Love--Color Me Badd
6 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
7 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
8 Can't Let Go--Mariah Carey
9 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
10 O.P.P.--Naughty by Nature

Singles entering the chart were Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana (#40); The Unforgiven by Metallica (#65); Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by George Michael/Elton John (#72); Addams Groove by MC Hammer (#84); The Comfort Zone by Vanessa Williams (#86); Diamonds & Pearls by Prince & the New Power Generation (#88); Hearts Don't Think (They Feel) by Natural Selection (#92); and In Paradise by Laissez Faire (#97). Addams Groove was the theme from the movie The Addams Family (1991).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton (2nd week at #1)
2 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
3 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
4 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
5 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
6 Set the Night to Music--Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest
7 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx
8 Street of Dreams--Nia Peeples
9 I Wonder Why--Curtis Stigers
10 No Son of Mine--Genesis

Singles entering the chart were Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by George Michael/Elton John (#65); Diamonds & Pearls by Prince & the New Power Generation (#77); Somewhere, Somebody by Aaron Neville (#86); Too Blind to See It by Kym Sims (#89); and I Love Your Smile by Shanice (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Life is a Highway--Tom Cochrane (2nd week at #1)
2 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
3 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams
4 What About Now--Robbie Robertson
5 No Son of Mine--Genesis
6 Broken Arrow--Rod Stewart
7 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
8 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
9 Get a Leg Up--John Mellencamp
10 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx

Singles entering the chart were All 4 Love by Color Me Badd (#50); Rescued (By the Arms of Love) by Glass Tiger (#80); Convictions of the Heart by Kenny Loggins (#81); One Little Word by the Boomers (#88); The Sky is Crying by Stevie Ray Vaughan (#89); Love Don't Last Forever by Chrissey Steele (#90); Ghosts by Kerri Anderson (#91); Wildside by Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch (#93); and There Will Never Be Another Tonight by Bryan Adams (#96).

Skiing
A.J. Kitt became the first American to win a men's downhill event since the 1984 Winter Olympics when he won the first race of the 1991-92 season at Val D'Isere, France.

Football
NCAA
Navy 24 Army 3 @ Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Wannabe--Spice Girls (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): One & One--Robert Miles featuring Maria Nayler (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): It's All Coming Back to Me Now--Céline Dion (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Aïcha--Khaled (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Freed from Desire--Gala (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Gabbertje--Hakkûhbar

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): I Feel You--Peter Andre

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Un-Break My Heart--Toni Braxton
2 No Diggity--BLACKstreet (featuring Dr. Dre)
3 Nobody--Keith Sweat featuring Athena Cage
4 Don't Let Go (Love)--En Vogue
5 It's All Coming Back to Me Now--Celine Dion
6 Mouth--Merril Bainbridge
7 Pony--Ginuwine
8 I Finally Found Someone--Barbra Streisand/Bryan Adams
9 I'm Still in Love with You--New Edition
10 Where Do You Go--No Mercy

Singles entering the chart were I'm Not Giving You Up by Gloria Estefan (#79); I Like It by the Blackout Allstars (83); and Leavin' by the Tony Rich Project (#95).

Football
NCAA
Army 28 Navy 24 @ Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

20 years ago
2001

War
Afghanistan's Taliban regime surrendered its stronghold in Kandahar.

Economics and finance
Statistics Canada reported an unemployment increase to 7.5%, the highest level since mid-1999.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Harry Morgan, 96. U.S. actor and director. Mr. Morgan, born Harry Bratsberg, had a long career as a character actor in movies, radio, and television, but was best known for portraying Officer Bill Gannon in the television series Dragnet (1967-1970) and Colonel Sherman Potter in the television series M*A*S*H (1975-1983) and AfterMASH (1983-1984).

Bob Burnett, 71. U.S. musician. Mr. Burnett was an original member of the folk group the Highwaymen, who began performing together at Wesleyan University in Ohio in 1958, and continued until 1964. Their version of Michael reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in 1961, and reached #1 in several other countries, while Cotton Fields reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 early in 1962. Mr. Burnett had a long career in law and banking.

Crime
District Attorney of Philadelphia R. Seth Williams announced that prosecutors, with the support of the family of slain police officer Daniel Faulkner, would no longer seek the death penalty for Mumia Abu-Jamal and would accept a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. On December 9, 1981, almost 30 years earlier to the day, Constable Faulkner conducted a traffic stop of Mr. Abu-Jamal's younger brother William Cook, when the confrontation turned physical. Mr. Abu-Jamal, whose taxi was parked across the street, shot Constable Faulkner in the back and then in the head; Constable Faulkner shot his assailant in the stomach before being fatally shot. Mr. Abu-Jamal was convicted in 1982 and sentenced to death, but years of appeals resulted in the sentence being commuted.

Scandal
Ousted Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (Democrat) was sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption.

March 20, 2021

830 years ago
1191

Died on this date
Clement III, 61 (?). Roman Catholic Pope, 1187-1191. Clement III, born Paulion (or Paolo) Scolari, succeeded Gregory VIII. He was involved in a dispute with Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI at the time of his death. Pope Clement III was succeeded in office by Celestine III.

670 years ago
1351

Died on this date
Muhammad bin Tughluq, 60-61 (?). Sultan of Delhi, 1325-1351. Muhammad bin Tughluq acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Ghiyas-ud-din, founder of the Tughluq dynasty. He was a devout Muslim who was interested in medicine and skilled in several languages, but was also described as having a bizarre character. Muhammad bin Tughluq died on his way to Thatta, Sindh, while campaigning in Sindh against the Taghi, a Turkish slave tribe. He was succeeded on the throne by his cousin Firoz Shah Tughlaq.

210 years ago
1811

Born on this date
Napoleon II. Emperor of France, 1815. Napoleon II, the son of Emperor Napoleon I, was designated as his father's successor when Napoleon I abdicated, and was titular Emperor of France from June 22-July 7, 1815. However, the Commission of Government, which held power for two weeks, never formally summoned Napoleon II, who was living in Austria with his mother. He died from tuberculosis on July 22, 1832 at the age of 21, and was succeeded by his cousin Napoleon III, who acceded to the throne in 1852.

190 years ago
1831

Born on this date
Solomon Spink. U.S. politician. Mr. Spink, a Republican, was a lawyer and journalist who was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1864) before moving to Dakota Territory, serving as the territory's secretary (1865-1869) and as its non-voting delegate to the U.S. Congress (1869-1871). He was defeated in his bids for re-election in 1870 and 1876, and died on September 22, 1881 at the age of 50.

Patrick Jennings. U.K.-born Australian politician. Sir Patrick, a native of Ireland, moved to Australia in 1852, became a magistrate in 1857, and eventually settled in New South Wales. He was a member of the N.S.W. Legislative Council (1867-1870), and represented Bogan in the N.S.W. Legislative Assembly (1870-1872, 1880-1887). Sir Patrick was N.S.W. Colonial Secretary (October-December 1885) and Premier (February 1886-January 1887); his government had difficulty dealing witha financial crisis, and he didn't run in the 1887 state election. Sir Patrick was nominated to the Legislative Council in 1890, and died on July 11, 1897 at the age of 66.

170 years ago
1851

Transportation
Edward Serell's Queenston-Lewiston suspension bridge, a 318-metre (1,043 foot) span supported by stone towers, formally opened at Queenston, Canada West.

160 years ago
1861

Disasters
An earthquake destroyed Mendoza, Argentina.

125 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Wop May. Canadian aviator. Wilfrid May, a native of Carberry, Manitoba, moved to Edmonton in 1902. He joined the Canadian Army in 1916 and went to England, but resigned when he was accepted into the Royal Flying Corps, where he rose to the rank of captain. Captain May was credited with 13 combat victories and may have had 5 more, but he was primarily known for the events of April 21, 1918: He chased German pilot Wolfram von Richthofen, but Mr. Richthofen's brother Manfred, the "Red Baron," fired on Capt. May and then chased him before being shot down. Capt. May resigned from the RFC in 1919 and returned to Edmonton, where he and his brother Elgin founded Canada's first "air harbour." Mr. May attracted international attention in January 1929 when he and Vic Horner flew vaccines to Little Red River in northern Alberta in a desperate attempt to save lives and prevent an outbreak of diphtheria. Mr. May helped the Royal Canadian Mounted Police capture Albert Johnson, the "Mad Trapper" of Rat River, Northwest Territories in February 1932. Mr. Johnson seriously wounded an RCMP officer before being killed in a shootout, and Mr. May flew the injured policeman 125 miles to a doctor, saving his life. Mr. May participated in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in World War II, commanding the No.2 Air Observer School in Edmonton and supervising all western schools. He was on vacation in Utah with his son Denny when he died of a stroke on June 21, 1952 at the age of 56.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Alfonso García Robles. Mexican diplomat and politician. Mr. García Robles held various diplomatic posts, and served as Mexico's Foreign Minister from 1975-1976. He and Alva Myrdal shared the 1982 Nobel Peace Prize "[for] their magnificent work in the disarmament negotiations of the United Nations, where they have both played crucial roles and won international recognition." Mr. García Robles died on September 2, 1991 at the age of 80.

100 years ago
1921

Europeana
The Upper Silesia plebiscite, mandated by the Versailles Treaty to determine a section of the border between Weimar Germany and Poland, resulted in 59.4% of the vote going in favour of remaining with Germany and 40.6% in favour of secession from Germany and joining Poland.

90 years ago
1931

Died on this date
Hermann Müller, 54. Chancellor of Germany, 1920, 1928-1930. Mr. Müller, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), was a journalist before first being elected to the Reichstag in 1916. As Foreign Minister (1919-1920), he was one of the German signatories of the Treaty of Versailles. Mr. Müller served as Chancellor from March-June 1920, succeeding in passing several social reforms before the SPD was defeated in the general election. He led a four-party coalition government in his second term as Chancellor, and was successful in negotiating a reduction in Great War reparations and a promise by the Allies to completely remove their forces from the Rhineland by May 1930. Mr. Müller suffered a life-threatening illness in 1929, and his coalition everntually fell apart over budgetary issues; he resigned on March 27, 1930, after President Paul von Hindenburg refused to provide his government with emergency powers to deal with the budgetary crisis. Mr. Müller died after a gall blader operation.

80 years ago
1941

War
German bombers subjected Plymouth, England to its worst raids of the European war. The British battleship Malaya was struck by a German torpedo in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, but there were reportedly no injuries. U.S. Army Colonel Charles Lindbergh said in the article A Letter to Americans in the March 29, 1941 issue of Collier's magazine that the United States was being led toward war "with ever-increasing rapidity and with every conceivable deception."

Defense
U.S. Representative Joseph Mansfield (Democrat--Texas) urged that the Panama Canal be converted to a sea-level canal to lessen the danger of air raids. Seven U.S. warships arrived in Sydney, Australia on a goodwill visit.

Law
U.S. Attorney General Robert Jackson asked Congress to legalize the use of wire-tapping evidence against spies, saboteurs, kidnappers, and extortionists.

Golf
Sam Snead won the North-South Open at Pinehurst, North Carolina.

75 years ago
1946

Died on this date
Fred M. Smith, 72. U.S. religious leader. Dr. Smith was President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was the son of its founder, Joseph Smith III. He succeeded to the presidency in 1915 after his father's death. Dr. Smith obtained his doctorate in psychology from Clark University, and attempted to use social science methods in addressing the problems of his day. He was involved in a controversy in the 1920s over "supreme directional control" of the church, which marred his leadership. Dr. Smith was succeeded in office by his brother Israel.

Disasters
185 people were killed when a train derailed near Aracaju, Brazil.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight’s episode: Telephone Call, starring Russell Collins, Robert Emhardt, and Eileen Heckart



Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Cliff Lander!

Died on this date
Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno, 91. President of Ecuador, 1916-1920; Vice President of Ecuador, 1903-1906. Mr. Baquierzo, a member of the Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party, was Minister of Foreign Affairs (1901-1903) and President of the Senate (1912-1915) in addition to his other offices. His presidency included public works, social reforms such as the abolition of debtors' prisons, and the Muñoz Vernaza-Suárez Treaty, defining the border between Ecuador and Colombia. Mr. Baquierzo continued in public life until 1931 as a Senator and special ambassador. He died in New York.

Politics and government
Indonesian Prime Minister Mohammed Natsir of the Masjumi (Muslim) Party and his coalition cabinet resigned when the powerful Nationalist Party withdrew its support from the government.

Terrorism
Martial law was imposed on Tehran in an attempt to curb terrorism.

Japanica
Fujiyoshida, a city located in Yamanashi Prefecture, in the centre of the main island of Honshū, was founded.

Defense
U.S. Labor Secretary Maurice Tobin established a Women's Advisory Committee on Defense Manpower, naming himself as chairman and former Representative Mary Norton (Democrat--New Jersey) as vice chairman.

Crime
New York Police Commissioner Thomas Murphy announced that there was no organized gambling or police corruption in New York City, following a drive against bookmakers.

Agriculture
France announced plans for a conference of 16 countries to study a Western European agricultural community similar to the recently-created European Coal and Steel Community.

Business
Eva Peron's Social Aid Foundation opened a chain of grocery stores in Buenos Aires to sell goods at slightly lower prices than in privately-operated stores.

Boxing
Rocky Marciano (33-0) scored a technical knockout over Harold Mitchell (3-14-3) at 2:45 of the 2nd round of a heavyweight bout at Hartford Auditorium in Hartford, Connecticut.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Quince Años Tiene Mi Amor--Dúo Dinámico (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Non, je ne regrette rien--Édith Piaf (10th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Surrender--Elvis Presley
2 Pony Time--Chubby Checker
3 Don't Worry--Marty Robbins
4 Where the Boys Are--Connie Francis
5 Dedicated to the One I Love--The Shirelles
6 Apache--Jorgen Ingmann and his Guitar
7 Wheels--The String-A-Longs
8 Ebony Eyes--The Everly Brothers
9 Walk Right Back--The Everly Brothers
10 Baby Sittin' Boogie--Buzz Clifford

Singles entering the chart were (Love Theme from) One Eyed Jacks by Ferrante and Teicher (#75); Fell in Love on Monday (#84)/Shu Rah (#97) by Fats Domino; Foolin' Around by Kay Starr (#89); A Hundred Pounds of Clay by Gene McDaniels (#91); Theme from Dixie by Duane Eddy (#93); (Theme from) My Three Sons by Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra (#94); Some Kind of Wonderful by the Drifters (#95); Seventeen by Frankie Ford (#99); and The Blizzard by Jim Reeves (#100). As the titles indicate, (Love Theme from) One Eyed Jacks was a version of the theme from the movie, and (Theme from) My Three Sons was a version of the theme from the television series.

U.S.A. Top 10 (Music Vendor)
1 Surrender--Elvis Presley
2 Don't Worry--Marty Robbins
3 Pony Time--Chubby Checker
4 Blue Moon--The Marcels
5 Wheels--The String-A-Longs
--Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra
6 Ebony Eyes--The Everly Brothers
7 Dedicated to the One I Love--The Shirelles
8 Where the Boys Are--Connie Francis
9 Apache--Jorgen Ingmann and his Guitar
10 Think Twice--Brook Benton

Singles entering the chart were Brass Buttons by the String-A-Longs (#54); Please Tell Me Why by Jackie Wilson (#56); Runaway by Del Shannon (#57); Model Girl by Johnny Maestro (#88); Tonight I Fell in Love by the Tokens (#90); Some Kind of Wonderful by the Drifters (#91); Apache by Sonny James (#93); Memphis by Donnie Brooks (#94); Like, Long Hair by Paul Revere & the Raiders (#95); Out of a Clear Blue Sky by Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra (#96); Theme from Dixie by Duane Eddy and the Rebels (#97); Early in the Morning by Ray Charles (#98); Ling-Ting-Tong by Buddy Knox (#99); and Little Girl, Little Boy by Al Martino (#100).

World events
Five days after announcing that his country would be leaving the Commonwealth of Nations upon becoming a republic on May 31, South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd received a hero's welcome from thousands of admirers upon his return to Johannesburg.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Rhodesia (Lyons Maid): Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Il cuore e' uno zingaro--Nicola Di Bari (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Another Day--Paul McCartney

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Hot Love--T. Rex

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 My Sweet Lord--George Harrison (6th week at #1)
2 The Pushbike Song--The Mixtures
3 Knock Three Times--Dawn
4 Eleanor Rigby--Zoot
5 I Hear You Knocking--Dave Edmunds
6 Have You Ever Seen the Rain/Hey Tonight--Creedence Clearwater Revival
7 Apeman--The Kinks
8 Band of Gold--Freda Payne
9 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson
10 I'll Be Gone--Spectrum

Singles entering the chart were Amazing Grace by Judy Collins (#46); Wichita Lineman by King Harvest (#48); Hey Diddle Diddle by Co. Shears (#53); Share the Land by the Guess Who (#56); Grandad by Clive Dunn (#57); Armstrong by Reg Lindsay (#58); Good Feeling by Max Merritt and the Meteors (#59); and Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep by Middle of the Road (#60).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Du--Peter Maffray (2nd week at #1)
2 Butterfly--Danyel Gerard
3 Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep--Middle of the Road
4 There's No More Corn on the Brasos--The Walkers
5 Invitation--Earth and Fire
6 Nothing Rhymed--Gilbert O'Sullivan
7 Silver Moon--Michael Nesmith & the First National Band
8 Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep--Lally Stott
9 Mozart - First Movement Symphony No. 40--Waldo De Los Rios
10 Rose Garden--Lynn Anderson

Singles entering the chart were What is Life by George Harrison (#14); Another Day by Paul McCartney (#19); Nathalie by George Baker Selection (#26); Ich bin verliebt in die Liebe by Chris Roberts (#28); Jaren Komen, Jaren Gaan by Anja & Johnny (#35); Maybe I'm Amazed by Fickle Pickle (#36); It's Impossible by Perry Como (#37); and The Song of My Life by Petula Clark (#40).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Me and Bobby McGee--Janis Joplin
2 She's a Lady--Tom Jones
3 Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)--The Temptations
4 One Bad Apple--The Osmonds
5 For All We Know--Carpenters
6 Proud Mary--Ike & Tina Turner
7 Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted--The Partridge Family
8 What's Going On--Marvin Gaye
9 Help Me Make it Through the Night--Sammi Smith
10 If You Could Read My Mind--Gordon Lightfoot

Singles entering the chart were I Won't Mention it Again by Ray Price (#72); Friends by Elton John (#73); Who Gets the Guy by Dionne Warwick (#74); I Don't Blame You at All by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (#79); Man in Black by Johnny Cash (#80); Time and Love by Barbra Streisand (#82); I Think of You by Perry Como (#86); Could I Forget You by Tyrone Davis (#88); Nickel Song by the New Seekers (#90); Soldier's Last Letter by Merle Haggard and the Strangers (#91); Booty Butt by the Ray Charles Orchestra (#92); I'm Girl Scoutin' by the Intruders (#93); Melting Pot by Booker T. & the M.G.'s (#94); Adrienne by Tommy James (#95); Here Comes the Sun by Richie Havens (#96); I Don't Know How to Love Him/Everything's Alright by the Kimberlys (#99); and Me and My Arrow by Nilsson (#100). Friends was the title song from the movie, for which Mr. John performed all the songs.

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)--The Temptations
2 Doesn’t Somebody Want to Be Wanted--The Partridge Family
3 Me and Bobby McGee--Janis Joplin
4 She’s a Lady--Tom Jones
5 One Bad Apple--The Osmonds
6 For All We Know--Carpenters
7 Have You Ever Seen the Rain--Creedence Clearwater Revival
8 Proud Mary--Ike & Tina Turner
9 Mama’s Pearl--The Jackson 5
10 Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You--Wilson Pickett

Singles entering the chart were Friends by Elton John (#52); I Am...I Said by Neil Diamond (#54); If by Bread (#72); Who Gets the Guy by Dionne Warwick (#74); I Play and Sing by Dawn (#81); Someone Who Cares by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition (#82); Time and Love by Barbra Streisand (#83); I Wish I Were by Andy Kim (#85); Booty Butt by the Ray Charles Orchestra (#86); Love Makes the World Go Round by Odds & Ends (#92); Adrienne by Tommy James (#93); Sweet and Innocent by Donny Osmond (#96); Layla by Derek and the Dominoes (#98); L.A. Goodbye by the Ides of March (#99); and C’mon by Poco (#100).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Me and Bobby McGee--Janis Joplin
2 She's a Lady--Tom Jones
3 Have You Ever Seen the Rain/Hey Tonight--Creedence Clearwater Revival
4 One Bad Apple--The Osmonds
5 Amos Moses--Jerry Reed
6 Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted--The Partridge Family
7 For All We Know--Carpenters
8 Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)--The Temptations
9 Mama's Pearl--The Jackson 5
10 Proud Mary--Ike & Tina Turner

Singles entering the chart were I Play and Sing by Dawn (#56); We Can Work it Out by Stevie Wonder (#65); I Am...I Said by Neil Diamond (#69); If by Bread (#77); I Wish I Were by Andy Kim (#80); Friends by Elton John (#83); Timothy by the Buoys (#84); Could I Forget You by Tyrone Davis (#85); Put Your Hand in the Hand by Ocean (#86); I Don't Blame You at All by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (#90); Who Gets the Guy by Dionne Warwick (#93); Someone Who Cares by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition (#95); Love Makes the World Go Round by Odds & Ends (#96); Melting Pot by Booker T. & the M.G.'s (#98); I Believe in Music by Marion Love (#99); and Cool Aid by Paul Humphrey & his Cool Aid Chemists (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Have You Ever Seen the Rain/Hey Tonight--Creedence Clearwater Revival (2nd week at #1)
2 She’s a Lady--Tom Jones
3 Doesn’t Somebody Want to Be Wanted--The Partridge Family
4 Stay Awhile--The Bells
5 Amos Moses--Jerry Reed
6 What is Life--George Harrison
7 For All We Know--Carpenters
8 Mama’s Pearl--The Jackson 5
9 Oye Como Va--Santana
10 One Bad Apple--The Osmonds

Singles entering the chart were I Wish I Were by Andy Kim (#69); Sault Ste. Marie by the Original Caste (#70); I Think of You by Perry Como (#71); Got to Find Someone to Love by Dee Higgins (#85); Man from the City by Humphrey and the Dump Trucks (#89); 20 Years by the Jarvis Street Revue (#97); What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye (#98); Jodie by Joey Gregorash (#99); and All God’s Children by Doug Hutton (#100).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Woodstock--Matthews' Southern Comfort (2nd week at #1)
2 Have You Ever Seen the Rain--Creedence Clearwater Revival
3 I Was Wondering--The Poppy Family
4 Carry Me--Stampeders
5 Theme from Love Story--Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus
6 One Bad Apple--The Osmonds
7 Me and Bobby McGee--Janis Joplin
8 What is Life--George Harrison
9 Stay Awhile--The Bells
10 She's a Lady--Tom Jones
Pick hit of the Week: Ain't it Sad--R. Dean Taylor

Died on this date
Orville Mosher, 85. U.S. historian. "Sir" Orville earned a law degree from Harvard University before receiving a doctorate in history in France. In 1929 he settled to Emporia, Kansas, where he remained for the rest of his life, teaching history at Kansas State Teachers College (now known as Emporia State University) and was curator of the Lyon County History Center from the late 1930s through the 1960s. "Sir" Orville received the 'medaille d'Honneur Academique avec le titre 'Chevalier Lancier d'Honneur' from the French academie in 1963, hence his title. This blogger's father took a course from "Sir" Orville, and the two remained lifelong friends.

Politics and government
Under heavy pressure from Protestant conservatives in a continuing dispute over the tactics to be used against Roman Catholic terrorists, James Chichester-Clark resigned as Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. He was succeeded in both positions three days later by Brian Faulkner.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade #1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): När vi två blir en--Gyllene Tider (15th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Reality--Richard Sanderson (8th week at #1)

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Shaddap You Face--Joe Dolce Music Theatre (3rd week at #1)
2 Celebration--Kool & The Gang
3 Give Me Back My Love--Maywood
4 Stop the Cavalry--Jona Lewie
5 Never Knew Love Like This Before--Stephanie Mills
6 Lady--Kenny Rogers
7 De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da--The Police
8 A Lot of Things--Peach
9 Can You Feel It--The Jacksons
10 Fashion--David Bowie

Singles entering the chart were Gypsy Girl by David Scobie (#16); Rapture by Blondie (#18); and Spend the Night in Love by the Four Seasons (#20).

Protest
At least four two-hour strikes were held in cities in northern Poland to protest harassment by authorities. The leaders of the trade union movement Solidarity broke off all talks with Polish authorities and told union members to prepare to go on strike.

Defense
The United States Defense Department announced that 18 of the 54 military advisers who had been sent to El Salvador would return to the U.S. by July, following the completion of their assignments.

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Joyride--Roxette (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight’s episode: When Worlds Collide

Politics and government
Kuwaiti Premier Crown Prince Saad al-Abdallah Al Sabah and his entire cabinet resigned amid public protest over the government’s failure to supply necessities such as food, electricity, and water.

Yugoslavian President Borislav Jovic, whose March 15 resignation hadn’t been accepted by Serbia, returned to the executive body and resumed his role as Yugoslavia’s head of state.

Keith Spicer issued What We Have Heard So Far--the interim report of the Citizen's Forum on Canada's Future; the Spicer Commission talked to 75,000 Canadians.

Economics and finance
Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada reported that personal and business bankruptcies had reached their highest level ever; up 68% from 1990.

The United States Commerce Department reported that the merchandise trade deficit stood at $7 billion in January.

25 years ago
1996

Crime
A jury in Los Angeles convicted Erik and Lyle Menendez of first-degree murder. A mistrial had been declared on January 28, 1994 in Los Angeles Superior Court in the murder trial of Lyle Menendez, 26, who, with his brother Erik, 23, had been accused of the August 20, 1989 murder of their parents in their Beverly Hills, California home in order to inherit their $14-million estate. The brothers had testified that they had endured years of sexual and emotional abuse from their parents. The brothers had been tried separately, and Erik's trial had also ended in a mistrial on January 13. The brothers had been tried separately, and both juries had been unable to reach verdicts. In one of the trials, the accused admitted killing his mother, but a typically stupid female juror stated afterward to a reporter that she didn't think he'd really done it, prompting conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh to say that women shouldn't be allowed to sit on a jury where the defendant is a hunk. The brothers are currently serving life sentences without possibility of parole.

Health
A scientific report linking mad cow disease and the slow-developing but fatal Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease raised fears about the safety of British beef at home and abroad.

Basketball
NBA
Vancouver 93 @ Atlanta 98



20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Luis Alvarado Martínez, 52. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Alvarado, a native of Puerto Rico, was an infielder with the Boston Red Sox (1968-1970); Chicago White Sox (1971-1974); St. Louis Cardinals (1974, 1976); Cleveland Indians (1974); New York Mets (1977); and Detroit Tigers (1977), batting .214 with 5 home runs and 84 runs batted in in 463 games, earing a reputation for outstanding defensive skills. He concluded his playing career with three seasons in the Mexican League (1979-1981), and returned to Puerto Rico, working in sports and recreation. Mr. Alvarado was coaching youngsters in basketball when he collapsed on the court with a fatal heart attack.

Diplomacy
U.S. President George W. Bush met in Washington with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Mr. Bush assured Mr. Sharon that the United States remained solidly supportive of Israel. The two leaders agreed that Middle East peace talks could not be pressed during the current climate of violence.

Environment
U.S. President George W. Bush repealed a last-minute decision by the previous administration of Bill Clinton to reduce the amount of arsenic traces allowed in drinking water.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board cut interest rates by 0.5%, stating that there was "substantial risk" that the economy would be weak for some time.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 238.35 points.

Disasters
Testifying before a United States Navy investigation, Commander Scott Waddle, commander of the submarine USS Greenville, which had surfaced and collided with a Japanese fishing boat on February 9 with the deaths of nine people on the trawler, accepted full responsibility for the accident, although he added that some of his subordinates had contributed to the accident by failing to follow standard procedures.

The world’s largest oil rig collapsed off the coast of Brazil, about 120 miles north of Rio de Janeiro, and sank into the Atlantic Ocean, five days after one of the structural support beams had been destroyed by three explosions. Ten workers had died, while the rest fought to keep the rig afloat.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Johnny Pearson, 85. U.K. musician. Mr. Pearson was a jazz and pop pianist who directed the orchestra for the BBC television program Top of the Pops (1965-1981). He wrote a catalogue of library music, with many of his pieces used as themes for television series.

Skiing
Jennifer Heil of Canada won a silver medal in dual moguls at the final World Cup event of the season.

March 11, 2020

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Tim Sproule!

275 years ago
1745

Born on this date
Bodawpaya. King of Burma, 1782-1819. Bodawpaya, born Maung Shwe Waing, became king of the Konbaung dynasty after deposing his nephew Phaungkaza Maung Maung, son of his oldest brother Naungdawgyi. Bodawpaya added Arakan to his territory and successfully invaded Assam, but was unsuccessful in attempts to conquer Siam. He fathered 62 sons and 58 daughters by about 200 consorts, and died on June 5, 1819 at the age of 74. Bodawpaya claimed to be the next Buddha or Maitreya, but the claim was rejected by the Sangha (leaders of the Buddhist community).

250 years ago
1770

Born on this date
William Huskisson. U.K. politician. Mr. Huskisson, a Tory, was a financier before entering politics, representing various ridings in the House of Commons in a career spanning more than 30 years, and holding offices such as Secretary of State for War and the Colonies (1827-1828). He was 60 and attending the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway at Parkside station on September 15, 1830 when he stumbled between two trains, and was struck by the locomotive Rocket, suffering injuries that proved fatal several hours later. Mr. Huskisson was the first widely-reported passenger railway fatality.

200 years ago
1820

Died on this date
Benjamin West, 81. American-born U.K. artist. Mr. West, a native of Pennsylvania, painted historical scenes; his most notable painting was The Death of General Wolfe (1770). He travelled to Italy in 1760, and settled in England in 1763, adding religious works to his other paintings.

175 years ago
1845

War
Unhappy with translational differences regarding the Treaty of Waitangi, Māori forces, led by chiefs Te Ruki Kawiti and Hōne Heke, chopped down the British flagpole for a fourth time, and drove settlers out of Kororareka, New Zealand, beginning the Flagstaff War.

170 years ago
1850

Canadiana
Richard Blanshard arrived on Vancouver Island to take up his post as the colony's first Governor.

150 years ago
1870

Died on this date
Moshoeshoe I, 84 (?). King of Basotho, 1822-1870. Moshoeshoe I, the son of a minor chief, formed his own clan in the early 1820s, reigning in Basutoland (now Lesotho). He ceded much territory in a treaty with Britain in the late 1840s, but never suffered a major military defeat, and retained most of his kingdom and all of his culture. Moshoeshoe I was succeeded on the throne by Letsie I.

140 years ago
1880

Born on this date
Harry H. Laughlin. U.S. eugenicist. Mr. Laughlin was director of the Eugenics Record Office from 1910-1939, and was a key figure in influencing the passage of legislation requiring compulsory sterilization of people deemed "unfit" to have children. The Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring passed by Germany's Nazi regime shortly after assuming power in 1933 was based on the model devised by Mr. Laughlin. Ironically, Mr. Laughlin would have qualified for sterilization according to his own standards--he was an epileptic. He died on January 26, 1943 at the age of 62.

130 years ago
1890

Born on this date
Vannevar Bush.. U.S. engineer. Dr. Bush was head of the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) during World War II, and thus oversaw almost all military research and development. He co-founded Raytheon Company and devised the memex, a forerunner of the World Wide Web. Dr. Bush died on June 28, 1974 at the age of 84.

125 years ago
1895

Born on this date
Shemp Howard. U.S. actor. Mr. Howard, born Samuel Horwitz, was a member of the Three Stooges comedy team. He was a founding member with brother Moe and Larry Fine, but left in 1932 to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by his brother Jerome, better known as "Curly." Apart from the Three Stooges, Shemp appeared in comedy movies starring the teams Abbott and Costello, and Olsen and Johnson, and had a notable supporting role in The Bank Dick (1940), starring W.C. Fields. When Curly suffered a stroke in 1946 that forced him into retirement, Shemp rejoined the team, and was still active at the age of 60 when he died of a heart attack in the back of a taxi while returning home from attending a boxing card on November 22, 1955.

100 years ago
1920

Born on this date
Nicolaas Bloembergen. Dutch-born U.S. physicist. Dr. Bloembergen was a student at the University of Utrecht before German authorities closed the university during World War II; he spent two years in hiding before moving to the United States, spending the rest of his career with Harvard University. Dr. Bloembergen and Arthur Schawlow shared two-thirds of the 1981 Nobel Prize in Physics "for their contribution to the development of laser spectroscopy." Dr. Bloembergen died of cardiorespiratory failure on September 5, 2017 at the age of 97.

90 years ago
1930

Americana
William Howard Taft, who had died three days earlier, became the first U.S. President to be buried in the National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.



80 years ago
1940

On the radio



The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: The Retired Colourman

This was the final episode of the season.

War
Brazilian President Getulio Vargas announced his nation's neutrality in the European war. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain told the House of Commons that the Allies would immediately help Finland in her war against the U.S.S.R. if asked to do so by the Finnish government. Japanese Foreign Minister Hachiro Arita announced that he had abandoned the idea that he could alter America's attitude toward Japan's aims in China.

Diplomacy
U.S. Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles met in London with King George VI and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.

Economics and finance
Diplomatic sources in Buenos Aires indicated that Japan and Argentina would sign a trade treaty within a month.

Politics and government
The United States Senate defeated the proposed Brown amendment to extend coverage of the Hatch Act, whose main provision prohibited most employees in the executive branch of the federal government from engaging in certain political activities.

U.S. Postmaster General James Farley withdrew his name from the Ohio primary for the 1940 Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States.

Law
The United Kingdom announced that it would no longer submit to the judgement of the Permanent Court of International Justice at The Hague.

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned an Alabama court decision to execute David Canty, a Negro, for the murder of a white woman, on the grounds that he had been coerced into confessing.

Labour
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a National Labor Relations Board decision ordering the American Manufacturing Company of New York to dissolve a company union.

Medicine
Doctors at Montefiore Hospital in New York reported the development of a hormone to prevent surgical shock.

75 years ago
1945

Literature
The New York Herald Tribune reported the bestselling books to be Cannery Row by John Steinbeck and Great Son by Edna Ferber (fiction), and Brave Men by Ernie Pyle and The Thurber Carnival by James Thurber (non-fiction).

War
1,000 allied bombers harassed the German city of Essen, dropping 4,662 1-ton bombs. The American bridgehead opposite Remagen on the Rhine River was extended to a length of 9 miles and a depth of 3 miles. In Operation Tan No. 2, the Imperial Japanese Navy attempted a large-scale kamikaze attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet anchored at Ulithi atoll. U.S. troops landed secretly on Rombion and Simara Islands in the central part of the Philippines. U.S. forces captured Zamaboanga on Mindanao Island and occupied San Rocque airfield, 4 miles from the town. Chinese troops recaptured Suichwan in the province of Kiangsi, the first former air base in China to be retaken from Japanese forces.

World events
The Empire of Vietnam, a Japanese puppet state, was established, with Bảo Đại as Emperor and Trần Trọng Kim as Prime Minister.

Economics and finance
U.S. Office of War Mobilization Director James Byrnes announced the formation of an interagency committee to coordinate foreign shipments under the direction of Leo Crowley.

Golf
Byron Nelson began a PGA-record 11-tournament winning streak as he teamed with Jug McSpaden in the Miami Four-Ball tournament at Miami Springs Golf Club in Miami, Florida.

70 years ago
1950

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Forever And Ever--Perry Como; Russ Morgan and his Orchestra (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy--Red Foley (Best Seller--4th week at #1; Jukebox--5th week at #1); The Cry of the Wild Goose--Frankie Laine (Disc Jockey--1st week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy--Red Foley (3rd week at #1)
--Bing Crosby
2 Music! Music! Music!--Teresa Brewer with the Dixieland All Stars
3 Rag Mop--The Ames Brothers
--Ralph Flanagan and his Orchestra
--Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra
--Johnnie Lee Wills and his Boys
4 I Said My Pajamas (And Put on My Pray’rs)--Tony Martin and Fran Warren
5 Dear Hearts and Gentle People--Bing Crosby
--Dinah Shore
6 There’s No Tomorrow--Tony Martin
7 The Cry of the Wild Goose--Frankie Laine
8 Daddy’s Little Girl--Dick Todd
--The Mills Brothers
9 Johnson Rag--Jimmy Dorsey and his Original "Dorseyland" Jazz Band
--Jack Teter Trio
--Russ Morgan and his Orchestra
10 Bamboo--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra

Singles entering the chart were If I Knew You were Comin' (I'd've Baked a Cake) by Eileen Barton with the New Yorkers (#28); It's So Nice to Have a Man Around the House by Dinah Shore (#29); Dearie, with versions by Ray Bolger and Ethel Merman; and Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians; Dearie (#31)/Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (I Love You) (#39) by Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae; The Gods were Angry with Me by Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely (#35); Candy and Cake, with versions by Arthur Godfrey; and Mindy Carson (#37); and Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (I Love You) by Bill Lawrence (#39, charting with the version by Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae). The Gods were Angry with Me was the other side of Broken Down Merry-Go-Round, charting at #22.

Died on this date
Charles Windolph, 98. U.S. soldier. Sergeant Windolph joined the U.S. Army in 1871, and participated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876, and earned the Medal of Honor for his actions in the battle, providing cover for his comrades as they went to get water for the wounded. Sgt. Windolph was discharged from the Army in 1883, and worked at the Homestake Mine in South Dakota for 49 years. He was the last surviving white participant in the Battle of Little Big Horn.

Heinrich Mann, 78. German-born author. Mr. Mann, the older brother of novelist Thomas Mann, was also a novelist. He was best known for Der Untertan (1905) and Professor Unrat (1905), the latter of which was adapted into the movie Der Blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) (1930). He was one of the public figures who signed the "Urgent Call for Unity" in 1932, asking German voters to reject the Nazi Party. Mr. Mann fled Germany shortly after the Nazis came to power in 1933, moving first to France, and eventually settling in the United States. He died in Santa Monica, California, 16 days before his 79th birthday and several months before he was scheduled to move to East Germany to become president of the German Academy of Arts.

Arthur J. Dempster, 63. Canadian-born U.S. physicist. Dr. Dempster, a native of Toronto, taught at the University of Chicago from 1916 until his death. In 1918, he developed the first modern mass spectrometer, a scientific apparatus allowing physicists to identify compounds by the mass of elements in a sample, and determine the isotopic composition of elements in a sample. Dr. Dempster discovered the uranium isotope U-235 in 1935, which led to the development of the atomic bomb; Dr. Dempster worked on the Manhattan Project atomic bomb project during World War II.

Asiatica
West, Central, and East Java, West Sumatra, and Madura and Sabang Islands merged to form a single state within the United States of Indonesia.

Defense
The U.S.A. extended its military aid agreement with the Philippines, due to expire in 1951, to 1953.

A Gallup Poll reported that 23% of Americans opposed any attempt to reach an atomic control agreement with the U.S.S.R.

Archaeology
Archaeologists announced the discovery of a clay tablet recording the oldest known murder trial--a 3,800-year-old case--in the Iraqi ruins of ancient Nippur.

Labour
The International Labor Organization granted consultative status to the International Federation of Free Trade Unions.

An 11-day strike of 4,600 American Airlines ground employees ended after the Congress of Industrial Organizations Transport Workers Union dropped its demand for a 20c hourly wage increase.

60 years ago
1960

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Poor Me--Adam Faith

On television tonight
The Twilight Zone, on CBS
Tonight’s episode: A World of Difference, starring Howard Duff, Eileen Ryan, and David White

Died on this date
Roy Chapman Andrews, 76. U.S. paleontologist and explorer. Dr. Andrews was known for his palentological expeditions to Asia in the 1910s and '20s as a proponent of the "out of Asia" view of man's origin. He was best known for his expeiditons to China and Mongolia in the early 1920s, which resulted in the first known discovery of fossil dinosaur eggs. A fossil species of rhinoceros that he discovered in 1922 was named Andrewsarchus in his honour. Dr. Andrews' books included On The Trail of Ancient Man (1926); The New Conquest of Central Asia (1932); and All About Dinosaurs (1953).

Space
The United States launched the satellite Pioneer 5, whose purpose was to study corpuscular radiation and micrometeoroids.



50 years ago
1970

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Wand'rin' Star--Lee Marvin (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
Then Came Bronson, starring Michael Parks, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Ninety-Nine Mile Circle

Died on this date
Erle Stanley Gardner, 80. U.S. author. Mr. Gardner was a lawyer who drew on his experience to create his most famous character, the defense lawyer Perry Mason. The Perry Mason novels inspired a series of movies from 1934-1937; a radio series that ran from 1943-1955; and a television series, starring Raymond Burr, that ran from 1957-1966. Mr. Gardner wrote 140 books, with total sales of about 170 million copies in the United States alone by the time of his death. So popular were his novels at one point that he began publishing under the pseudonym A.A. Fair in order both to avoid overexposure and to see if it was his work or just his name that was selling. Mr. Gardner also created Christopher London, a radio detective series starring Glenn Ford that aired on NBC in 1950.

Terrorism
A bomb blew a 30-foot hole in a brisk wall and tore out the corner of the Dorchester County Court House in Cambridge, Maryland, which was originally scheduled to be the site for the trials of H. Rap Brown, who was facing charges of arson and incitement to riot. The trial had already been moved to Bel Air, Maryland. An unidentified white woman was sought in the bombing.

War
Arguing that "the Senate must not remain silent now while the President uses the armed forces of the United States to fight an undeclared and undisclosed war in Laos," U.S. Senator J. W. Fulbright (Democrat--Arkansas) proposed a Senate resolution challenging President Richard Nixon’s authority to commit American forces to combat in or over Laos without "affirmative action" by Congress. Such a resolution would not be binding.

Hockey
NHL
New York 3 @ Montreal 5

Larry Mickey's goal in the 2nd period gave the Canadiens a 4-1 lead, and proved to be the winner as they beat the Rangers at the Montreal Forum in the national Wednesday night Hockey Night in Canada telecast on CTV. Mr. Mickey's goal came 19 seconds after Tim Horton had scored his first goal in a New York uniform to get the Rangers on the scoreboard. Larry Pleau opened the scoring for Montreal with his first National Hockey League goal. Montreal defenceman Serge Savard broke his left leg in two places when he slid into the goal post in an attempt to check Vic Hadfield in the 3rd period on a play that resulted in the last New York goal. Highlights from the game can be seen on the following video from approximately 45:22-49:06.



40 years ago
1980

Died on this date
Chandra Bhanu Gupta, 77. Indian politician. Mr. Gupta, a member of the Indian National Congress Party, served three terms as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (1960-1963, March-April 1967, 1969-1970).

Politics and government
U.S. presidential primaries took place for the Democratic and Republican Parties in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. President Jimmy Carter won 61% of the vote and 74 delegates to the Democratic National Convention to just 23% and 25 delegates for Senator Ted Kennedy. In his native Georgia, Mr. Carter won 88% and 62 delegates to 9% and 1 delegate for Sen. Kennedy. President Carter completed the sweep by taking 82% of the vote and 43 delegates in Alabama to 13% and 2 delegates for Sen. Kennedy. Former California Governor Ronald Reagan won 57% of the vote in Florida and all 51 delegates to the Republican National Convention. George Bush won 30% of the vote and Rep. John Anderson 9%. Mr. Reagan won 73% and 36 delegates in Georgia to 13% for Mr. Bush and 9% for Mr. Anderson. Mr. Reagan completed his sweep by taking 70% of the vote and 18 delegates to 26% and 9 delegates for Mr. Bush.

War
Pakistani military sources said that Soviet troops were continuing their drive to oust Afghan rebels in the eastern province of Kunar, after gaining control of the road along the Kunar River Valley. These sources reported, however, that insurgents remained in control of every mountain pass leading from Kunar into northern Pakistan.

Crime
Jean Harris was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Dr. Herman Tarnower the previous day at his home in Purchase, New York.

Hockey
NHL
The Edmonton Oilers, fighting to make the playoffs in their first season in the National Hockey League, traded their captain, Ron Chipperfield, to the Quebec Nordiques for goalie Ron Low. In 67 games with the Oilers, Mr. Chipperfield scored 18 goals and 19 assists. Mr. Low had split the season between the Nordiques and Syracuse of the American Hockey League. In 15 games with Quebec he posted a goals-against average of 3.70.

30 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Don't Make Me Over--Sybil

#1 single in Switzerland: Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (3rd week at #1)

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Nothing Compares 2 U--Sinéad O'Connor (2nd week at #1)
2 Get Up! (Before the Night is Over)--Technotronic
3 Bakerman--Laid Back
4 Sit and Wait--Sydney Youngblood
5 Got to Get--Rob 'n' Raz featuring Leila K.
6 Rich in Paradise "Going Back to My Roots"--F.P.I. Project
7 The Message is Love--Arthur Baker and the Backbeat Disciples featuring Al Green
8 All Around the World--Lisa Stansfield
9 Easy--Ice MC
10 Another Day in Paradise--Phil Collins

Singles entering the chart were Fandango by Boris Bukowski (#11); I Don't Know Anybody Else by Black Box (#14); and How am I Supposed to Live Without You by Michael Bolton (#29).

Politics and government
The Supreme Soviet of Lithuania voted 124-0 with 6 abstentions to declare independence from the Soviet Union. Vytautas Landsbergis, a professor of music history, was elected President by the deputies.

General Augusto Pinochet stepped down after 16½ years as dictator of Chile. He was succeeded by Patricio Aylwin.

25 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Another Night--Real McCoy (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Scatman (Ski Ba Bop Ba Dop Bop)--Scatman John (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): A Girl Like You--Edwyn Collins (4th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Zombie--The Cranberries (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Alice, Who the X is Alice--Gompie

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Think Twice--Celine Dion (6th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Take a Bow--Madonna (3rd week at #1)
2 Creep--TLC
3 Candy Rain--Soul for Real
4 Baby--Brandy
5 You Gotta Be--Des'ree
6 Another Night--Real McCoy
7 On Bended Knee--Boyz II Men
8 If You Love Me--Brownstone
9 Strong Enough--Sheryl Crow
10 Hold My Hand--Hootie & the Blowfish

Singles entering the chart were Run Away by Real McCoy (#30); Dear Mama/Old School by 2Pac (#32); Believe by Elton John (#52); No More "I Love You's" by Annie Lennox (#78); People Don't Believe by Scarface featuring Ice Cube (#83); Let Her Cry by Hootie & the Blowfish (#90); I'd Rather Be Alone by IV Xample (#92); Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex (#94); and Let's Get it On by Shabba Ranks (#97).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Take a Bow--Madonna (4th week at #1)
2 Creep--TLC
3 If You Love Me--Brownstone
4 On Bended Knee--Boyz II Men
5 Strong Enough--Sheryl Crow
6 Baby--Brandy
7 Hold My Hand--Hootie & the Blowfish
8 You Gotta Be--Des'ree
9 I Know--Dionne Farris
10 Candy Rain--Soul for Real

Singles entering the chart were Believe by Elton John (#34); Mr. Personality by Gillette (#65); Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex (#66); What I Need by Crystal Waters (#67); This is How We Do It by Montell Jordan (#75); Move it Like This by K7 (#79); For Your Love by Stevie Wonder (#83); What Would You Say by Dave Matthews Band (#84); and Dear Mama by 2Pac (#85).

Skiing
Picabo Street of Sun Valley, Idaho became the first American to clinch a World Cup downhill championship, winning at Lenzerheide, Switzerland to capture her fourth straight victory and fifth of the season.

Hockey
NHL
Chicago 2 @ Toronto 2

20 years ago
2000

Politics and government
Ricardo Lagos was sworn in as President of Chile.

10 years ago
2010

Died on this date
Hans van Mierlo, 78. Dutch journalist and politician. Mr. Van Mierlo was an editor with the Amsterdam newspaper Algemeen Handelsblad (1960-1967) before entering politics as a co-founder of the liberal Democrats 66, leading the party from 1966-1973 and 1986-1998. He was a member of the House of Representatives (1967-1977, 1986-1994, 1998), and held various offices, including Minister of Foreign Affairs (1994-1998) and Deputy Prime Minister (1994-1998). Upon his retirement, Mr. Van Mierlo was granted the honourary title Minister of State.

Merlin Olsen, 69. U.S. football player and actor. Mr. Olsen was a defensive tackle with the Utah State University Aggies (1959-1961) and Los Angeles Rams (1962-1976). He won the Outland Trophy in 1961 as the outstanding lineman in college football in the United States; earned First Team All-Pro recognition five times (1966-1970); Second Team All-Pro honours five times (1963-1965, 1973-1974); and was selected for the Pro Bowl in every season except his last. In the mid-late 1960s, Mr. Olsen and linemates Deacon Jones, Roger Brown, and Lamar Lundy became famous as the "Fearsome Foursome" as they helped the Rams become a championship contender. After his retirement as a player, Mr. Olsen served as a colour commentator on telecasts of National Football League games from 1977-1991. He enjoyed success as an actor in television, best known for playing Jonathan Garvey in Little House on the Prairie (1977-1981) and the title character in Father Murphy (1981-1983). Mr. Olsen's many honours included induction in the College (1980) and Professional (1982) Football Halls of Fame. He died of abdominal cancer, which he claimed was the result of exposure to asbestos during his years as an actor.

Politics and government
Economist and businessman Sebastián Piñera was sworn in as President of Chile.

Disasters
Three earthquakes, the strongest measuring magnitude 6.9 and all centered next to Pichilemu, capital of Cardenal Caro province, hit central Chile during the presidential inauguration ceremony.

February 26, 2020

250 years ago
1770

Born on this date
Anton Reicha. Bohemian-born composer. Mr. Reicha was a flautist who was known for writing wind quintets. He was a theorist and teacher of composition; his students included Franz Liszt, Hector Berlioz, and César Franck. Mr. Reicha was unwilling to have his compositions published, which contributed to the relative obscurity into which he ultimately fell.

Died on this date
Giuseppe Tartini, 77. Italian composer. Mr. Tartini was a violinist who wrote at least 135 concerti for the instrument. His best-known composition is the Devil's Trill Sonata.

170 years ago
1850

Died on this date
Daoguang, 67. Emperor of China, 1820-1850. Daoguang, born Aisin Gioro Mianning, acceded to the throne upon the death of his father Jiaqing. Daogang's reign was marked by the First Opium War (1839-1842) and the beginning of the Taipei Rebellion, which almost brought down the Qing dynasty. He was regarded as well-meaning but ineffective, and was succeeded by his eldest son Xianfeng.

150 years ago
1870

Transportation
A 312-foot-long pneumatic subway, the first in New York City, was opened; funding for a larger version never materialized.

120 years ago
1900

Born on this date
Halina Konopacka. Polish-born athlete and poet. Miss Konopacka won a bronze medal in the shot put and a gold medal in the discus throw at the 1926 Women's World Games in Gothenburg, and a gold medal in the discus throw at the 1930 Women's World Games in Prague. She won the gold medal in the women's discus throw competition at the 1928 Summer Olympic Games in Amsterdam. Miss Konopacka married former Polish Treasury Minister Ignacy Matuszewski in 1928; the couple emigrated to the United States in 1941. Miss Konopacka had poetry published in major magazines, and had at least one collection published. She died on January 28, 1989, 29 days before hier 89th birthday.

100 years ago
1920

At the movies
Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari), directed by Robert Wiene, and starring Werner Krauss and Conrad Veidt, received its premiere screening at the Marmorhaus theatre in Berlin.



Born on this date
Tony Randall. U.S. actor. Mr. Randall, born Aryeh Leonard Rosenberg, appeared in plays, films, and television programs in a career spanning six decades. He was best known for co-starring as Felix Unger in the television comedy series The Odd Couple (1970-1975), winning a Primetime Emmy Award in 1975. Mr. Randall's movies included The Mating Game (1959); Pillow Talk (1959); and 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964). He founded the National Actors Theatre in 1991, and earned a reputation as the greatest talk show guest in the history of television. Mr. Randall underwent coronary bypass surgery in December 1993, but developed pneumonia after the operation, and never left the hospital until his death on May 17, 2004 at the age of 84.

Danny Gardella. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Gardella was a left fielder with the New York Giants (1944-1945) and St. Louis Cardinals (1950), batting .267 with 24 home runs and 85 runs batted in in 169 games. In 1946 he was one of several major league players who jumped to the Mexican League, which was offering more money than the major leagues. Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler responded with a five-year ban on players who jumped to the Mexican League for violating the reserve clause of their contracts. Mr. Gardella challenged the legality of the reserve clause in court, but accepted an offer of amnesty from Mr. Chandler in 1949. Mr. Gardella appeared in 1 game with the Cardinals in 1950, but was then sent back to the minor leagues, where he finished his career in 1951. He died on March 6, 2005, eight days after his 85th birthday.

90 years ago
1930

Died on this date
Mary Whiton Calkins 66. U.S. philosopher and psychologist. Professor Calkins taught Greek and philosophy at Wellesley College before studying psychology at Harvard University under William James. She returned to Wellesley College and taught psychology as part of the philosophy department. Prof. Calkins was known for her research on dreams, memory, and self-psychology. She was subject to much discrimination on account of her sex, most notably denial of a doctorate in Philosophy and Psychology from Harvard, despite earning all the requirements. Prof. Calkins was the first woman in the United States to establish a psychology laboratory (1891) and to be elected president of the American Psychological Association (1905) and president of the American Philosophical Association (1918), as well as being the first woman to hold positions in both associations. She retired in 1929 after teaching at Wellesley College for 40 years; despite Harvard's denial of her degree, Prof. Calkins is regarded as the first woman to get a doctorate in psychology.

80 years ago
1940

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight’s episode: The Reigate Puzzle

Diplomacy
The Pan-American Neutrality Committee established sharp limitations on auxiliary ships of belligerent nations in American territorial waters.

U.S. Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles delivered a confidential message from U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in Rome.

Defense
The United States Air Defense Command was established at Mitchell Field on Long Island, New York.

Journalism
U.S. newsman James R. Young was indicted in Tokyo for violating the Japanese army code by disseminating slanderous material about the Japanese military.

Labour
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that only the National Labor Relations Board, not labour unions, could take the initiative in compelling employers to comply with NLRB orders.

Medicine
Dr. H.J. Corper of National Jewish Hospital in Denver announced the isolation of a tuberculosis vaccine.

Academia
British philosopher Bertrand Russell was appointed a professor at City College of New York.

Education
The U.S. National Education Association's legislative committee charged that U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's policies toward public education were meaningless.

75 years ago
1945

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Rum and Coca-Cola--The Andrews Sisters (2nd week at #1)
--Abe Lyman and his Orchestra
--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
2 Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive--Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and His Orchestra
--Artie Shaw and his Orchestra
--Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
3 Don't Fence Me In--Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Kate Smith
--Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights
4 Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night in the Week)--Frank Sinatra
--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
5 I Dream of You (More than You Dream I Do)--Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
--Andy Russell
--Frank Sinatra
--Perry Como
6 Confessin' (That I Love You)--Ella Fitzgerald and the Song Spinners
--Perry Como
7 I'm Making Believe--The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald
8 There Goes that Song Again--Russ Morgan and his Orchestra
--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
9 Cocktails for Two--Spike Jones and his City Slickers
10 Robin Hood--Les Brown and his Orchestra
--Tony Pastor and his Orchestra

Singles entering the chart were the versions of Rum and Coca-Cola by Abe Lyman and his Orchestra; and Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra; My Dreams are Getting Better All the Time, with versions by Les Brown and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Doris Day); and the Phil Moore Four (#16); Candy, with versions by Johnny Mercer, Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and His Orchestra; and Dinah Shore (#25); Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry by Harry James and his Orchestra (#27); Poor Little Rhode Island by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (#35); I Wanna Get Married by Gertrude Niesen (#36); and I Wonder, with versions by Louis Prima and his Orchestra; and Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra.

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on MBS
Tonight's episode: The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

War
Canadian Army Sergeant Aubrey Cosens was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in Rhine fighting. The Syrian Chamber of Deputies voted approval of a declaration of war against Germany and Japan. U.S. troops in Germany reached 10½ miles west of Cologne and opened artillery barrages against the city. U.S. Marine observation planes began operating from the southern airfield on Iwo Jima.

Diplomacy
The Allies returned the Algerian supply centre of Oran to the French.

Defense
U.S. Army Air Forces commanding General Hap Arnold warned in his annual report that the United States would be the first target in the next war, and that air power would be the next weapon.

Politics and government
U.S. Senator Hugh Butler (Republican--Nebraska) accused President Franklin D. Roosevelt of "secrecy," and demanded that he give Congress an account of the conduct of foreign policy, particularly at the recent Yalta Conference.

Economics and finance
At the Inter-American Conference in Mexico City, the U.S.A. proposed an "economic charter" designed to help the conversion to peacetime economies and raise living standards in the hemisphere.

Society
The U.S. nationwide midnight curfew on entertainment went into effect. In New York City, police were instructed to take the names and addresses of all people violating the curfew.

Labour
In accordance with the Smith-Connally Act, the United Mine Workers of America filed formal notice of a possible strike when contracts expired on March 31, 1945.

70 years ago
1950

Died on this date
Harry Lauder, 79. U.K. entertainer. Sir Harry, a native of Scotland, worked as a coal miner for 10 years before embarking as a singer and actor, becoming a popular music hall and vaudeville performer in Britain and other British Empire countries from the mid-1890s through the mid-1930s, coming out of semi-retirement to entertain troops during World War II. He wrote his own songs, and began making recordings in 1902, with his best-known song being Roamin' in the Gloamin' (1911). Sir Harry was the highest-paid performer in the world by 1911, and was the first British artist to sell a million records, doubling that total by 1928. He died after years of declining health.

World events
The Cairo Egyptian Gazette reported that King Imam Ahmed of Yemen had broken up a revolutionary plot led by his brother, former Education Minister Seif el Islam Ismail, who was now in jail.

Diplomacy
People's Republic of China Chairman Mao Tse-tung (Mao Zedong) and Premier Chou En-lai (Zhou Enlai) returned to China from their negotiations in the U.S.S.R.

Politics and government
Former U.S. Vice President Henry Wallace addressed the Progressive Party's second annual convention in Chicago, disavowing Communism, but assuring the party's Communists that they would not be purged.

Environment
Speaking at a University of Chicago Round Table Conference, four atomic scientists warned that the hydrogen bomb could be made to exterminate the world's entire population by enveloping the globe in radioactive dust.

Business
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission ordered the American Dental Association, six of its officers, and 143 manufacturers and distributors to end an alleged conspiracy to fix prices and curb competition in dental goods.

60 years ago
1960

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Why--Anthony Newley (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Why--Anthony Newley (3rd week at #1)

On television tonight
The Twilight Zone, on CBS
Tonight’s episode: Mirror Image, starring Vera Miles and Martin Milner

Disasters
A New York-bound Alitalia airliner crashed into a cemetery in Shannon, Ireland shortly after takeoff, killing 34 of the 52 people on board.

Olympics
David Jenkins of the U.S.A. won the men's figure skating gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, California. The audience gasped when Mr. Jenkins performed a spectacular "sit spin," fearing he was falling. Mr. Jenkins followed in the footsteps of his brother Hayes, who won the men's singles gold medal in the 1956 games in Cortina, Italy.



Boxing
Eddie Machen (32-2-1) scored a technical knockout of Billy Hunter (17-7-3) at 2:11 of the 9th round of a heavyweight bout at Madison Square Garden in New York.

50 years ago
1970

On television tonight
Dragnet 1970, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Burglary: The Dognappers



Music
The album Hey Jude by the Beatles was released on Apple Records. It was originally to be titled The Beatles Again, and that title appeared on the labels of early copies, including the one owned by this blogger.

Radio
The U.S. network National Public Radio was incorporated, replacing the National Educational Radio Network.

World events
In Saigon, a four-day sojourn in the National Assembly by an opposition deputy, Tran Ngoc Chau, ended when national policemen dragged him away to begin serving a 20-year prison sentence for pro-Communist activity. The arrest came in the face of a legal appeal, which was believed to entitle Mr. Chau to freedom pending a decision.

Politics and government
Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor named Planning and Industry Minister Abdou Diouf as the nation's Prime Minister; the office was being restored after being abolished in 1963.

Terrorism
Jacques Lanctôt and Pierre Marcil were arrested in Montreal for possession of firearms and then released on bail. The Montreal police suspected a plot on their part to kidnap the Israeli consul in Montreal, Moïse Golan. Mr. Marcil was arrested again a month later in connection with this affair, while Mr. Lanctôt participated in the kidnapping of British Trade Commissioner James Cross in October 1970.

40 years ago
1980

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (Hot Press): Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers

World events
There were widespread arrests of Shiite Muslims in Afghanistan suspected of instigating anti-Soviet protests and strikes.

The five-man United Nations commission to investigate Iranian grievances against the deposed Shah received testimony from five Iranian jurists and more than 140 invalids who claimed to be victims of the shah’s regime. Ali Reza Nobari, the governor of Iran’s central bank, testified that "we have documents showing that the total amount of money plundered by the former imperial family was 500 billion rials," equivalent to U.S. $7.14 billion.

Politics and government
Former California Governor and current U.S. Republican Party presidential candidate Ronald Reagan fired his campaign manager, John Sears, who was opposed by conservatives in Mr. Reagan’s campaign for his attempts to moderate Mr. Reagan’s conservative image in order to broaden his support.

Mr. Reagan won the Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire with 50% of the vote; George Bush was second with 24%, followed by Howard Baker with 13% and John Anderson with 10%. Mr. Reagan won 15 delegates to the party’s national convention, while Mr. Bush won 5. President Jimmy Carter won the Democratic primary with 49% of the vote and 10 delegates to Sen. Ted Kennedy’s 38% and 9 delegates and Jerry Brown’s 10%.

Energy
U.S. Energy Department officials said that they foresaw the price of gasoline going to $1.50 per gallon by the end of the year.

30 years ago
1990

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): No Titlist--Rie Miyazawa

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Pump ab Das Bier--Werner Wichtig (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Cornell Gunter, 53. U.S. singer. Mr. Gunter was an original member of the Platters in the early 1950s, before joining the Flairs, and later, the Coasters, with whom he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He was shot to death in his car in Las Vegas.

Defense
The U.S.S.R. began pulling its 73,500 troops out of Czechoslovakia, agreeing to be out by July 1991.

Politics and government
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega conceded defeat to Violetta Chamorro in the previous day’s general election.

Hockey
NHL
Toronto 2 @ Vancouver 5

25 years ago
1995

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Tomorrow--Silverchair (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Old Pop in an Oak--Rednex (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Cotton Eye Joe--Rednex (14th week at #1)

Died on this date
Jack Clayton, 73. U.K. film director. Mr. Clayton directed just seven theatrical films, but they included Room at the Top (1959); The Innocents (1961); and The Great Gatsby (1974). He died of a heart attack three days before his 74th birthday.

Music
This blogger attended a matinee performance of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, with David Hoyt conducting. The guest soloist was violinist Leila Josefowicz.

Scandal
Barings Bank, the United Kingdom's oldest investment banking institute, collapsed after securities broker Nick Leeson lost $1.4 billion by speculating on the Singapore International Monetary Exchange using futures contracts.

Economics and finance
China agreed to take a number of steps to enforce copyright laws and close down the illegal manufacturing of copies of U.S. motion picture and music recordings. The moves came before U.S. tariffs of as much as 100% went into effect on a wide range of goods imported from China.

20 years ago
2000

Died on this date
George L. Street III, 86. U.S. military officer. Captain Street was submariner with the U.S. Navy from 1941-1966. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions above and beyond the call of duty while commanding USS Tirante in March 1945, launching torpedoes that destroyed three Japanese ships in the Yellow Sea.

Scandal
The British government announced that it was suing former British spy David Shayler for breach of confidence over secret service files. Attempts at criminally prosecuting Mr. Shayler for violating the Official Secrets Act had so far proven unsuccessful. Mr. Shayler had fled to France in 1997, and was fighting British attempts to extradite him.

Skiing
Mélanie Turgeon, 23, of Alma, Québéc won a super-giant slalom World Cup race at Innsbruck, Austria, covering the course in 1 minute 32.23 seconds, 0.36 seconds ahead of Austria's Renate Goetschl.