April 23, 2013

1,710 years ago
303

Died on this date
Saint George, 23-28 (?). Roman soldier and Christian martyr. George was a tribune in the Guard of Emperor Diocletian. He was decapitated in Nicomedia after proclaiming his Christian faith and refusing to the emperor's face Diocletian's edict to offer a sacrifice to Roman gods.

670 years ago
1343

Protest
Estonians in the Duchy of Estonia, the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek, and the territories of the State of the Teutonic Order began the St. George's Night Uprising in an attempt to rid the areas of Danish and German rulers and landlords.

380 years ago
1633

Europeana
Sweden and the Protestant German monarchy formed the Union of Heilbronn.

200 years ago
1813

Born on this date
Stephen A. Douglas. U.S. politician. Mr. Douglas, a Democrat, represented Illinois in the United States House of Representatives from 1843-1847 and in the U.S. Senate from 1847-1861. He believed in compromise and popular sovereignty--that the people should decide issues such as slavery and territorial expansion, and that these issue should be decided by the local people, not by the federal government. Mr. Douglas is best remembered for his campaign for re-election in 1858, when he engaged in a series of lengthy debates with Republican challenger Abraham Lincoln. While Mr. Douglas emphasized popular sovereignty, Mr. Lincoln stressed slavery as a moral issue. Mr. Douglas was re-elected, but Mr. Lincoln's campaign made him a national figure. In 1860 the Republican Party nominated Mr. Lincoln as its candidate for President of the United States, while the Democrats nominated Mr. Douglas. The Democratic Party was badly divided, as pro-slavery southern Democrats broke with the national party and nominated Vice-President John C. Breckinridge as their presidential candidate. Mr. Douglas became the first presidential nominee to campaign for election in person; he made speaking tours where he opposed southern secessionism and stressed the importance of preserving the Union. Mr. Lincoln won a decisive victory, capturing 180 electoral votes to only 12 for Mr. Douglas. Mr. Douglas urged the South to accept Mr. Lincoln's victory, denouncing secession as criminal. He supported Mr. Lincoln's actions at the beginning of the Civil War in April 1861, but died of typhoid fever on June 3, 1861 at the age of 48.

130 years ago
1883

Politics and government
Conservative party leader Jan Heemskerk Abrahamzoon took office as Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

125 years ago
1888

Born on this date
Georges Vanier. Governor General of Canada, 1959-1967. Mr. Vanier, a native of Montreal, won the Military Cross in 1916 for his actions in the Great War, and lost his right leg in battle two years later. He continued as an army officer and spent several decades as a diplomat before accepting the position as Governor General, becoming the first person of French-Canadian ancestry to be appointed to the post. Mr. Vanier continued the Canadian tradition of vice-regal patronage of amateur sports when he created the Governor General's Fencing Award and donated the Vanier Cup in 1965 for the championship of university football in Canada. Mr. Vanier died in office on March 5, 1967 at the age of 78; Roland Michener was soon appointed to succeed him as Governor General.

Politics and government
Aeneas Mackay, leader of the Anti-Revolutionaire Partij, took office as Prime Minister of the Netherlands, replacing Jan Heemskerk Abrahamzoon.

50 years ago
1963

Space
The U.S.S.R. launched the satellite Cosmos 14.

Law
Robert Taschereau was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. He had been a Puisne (Associate) Justice of the Supreme Court since 1940.

40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Top of the World--Carpenters

#1 single in France: Rien qu'une larme--Mike Brant (4th week at #1)

Diplomacy
U.S. National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger told the annual meeting of Associated Press of a U.S. proposal for "a new Atlantic Charter setting the goals for the future" by the time President Nixon travelled to Europe in the fall. According to Mr. Kissinger, the plan "...creates for the Atlantic nations a new relationship in whose progress Japan can share." He stressed that Europe's economic success had created friction with the United States that could be overcome by a determined commitment on both sides to find cooperative solutions. The United Kingdom and West Germany hailed Mr. Kissinger's proposal, while a European Economic Community spokesman praised the speech as an indication that the U.S. was reducing its involvement in Vietnam.

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in France: Do You Really Want to Hurt Me--Culture Club (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Words--F.R. David

#1 single in the U.K.: Let's Dance--David Bowie (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Come On Eileen--Dexys Midnight Runners & the Emerald Express

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Come On Eileen--Dexys Midnight Runners & the Emerald Express
2 Mr. Roboto--Styx
3 Billie Jean--Michael Jackson
4 Beat It--Michael Jackson
5 Jeopardy--Greg Kihn Band
6 One on One--Daryl Hall & John Oates
7 Der Kommissar--After the Fire
8 Back on the Chain Gang--Pretenders
9 You Are--Lionel Richie
10 Let's Dance--David Bowie

Singles entering the chart were Looking for a Stranger by Pat Benatar (#78); Do You Wanna Hold Me? by Bow Wow Wow (#82); Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant (#83); Too Shy by Kajagoogoo (#84); Front Page Story by Neil Diamond (#86); You Can't Run from Love by Eddie Rabbitt (#87); When I'm with You by Sheriff (#88); The Devil Made Me Do It by Golden Earring (#89); and That's Love by Jim Capaldi (#90).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 She Blinded Me with Science--Thomas Dolby
2 Mr. Roboto--Styx
3 Billie Jean--Michael Jackson
4 Jeopardy--Greg Kihn Band
5 Hungry Like the Wolf--Duran Duran
6 Let's Dance--David Bowie
7 Midnight Blue--Louise Tucker
8 Beat It--Michael Jackson
9 Back on the Chain Gang--Pretenders
10 Do You Really Want to Hurt Me--Culture Club

Singles entering the chart were Welcome to the Heartlight by Kenny Loggins (#41); Some Kind of Friend by Barry Manilow (#42); My Love by Lionel Richie (#44); Affair of the Heart by Rick Springfield (#46); Wishing by A Flock of Seagulls (#49); and Flashdance...What a Feeling by Irene Cara (#50). Flashdance...What a Feeling was from the movie Flashdance (1983).

Died on this date
Buster Crabbe, 75. U.S. swimmer and actor. Mr. Crabbe, a graduate of the University of Southern California, won a bronze medal in the 1,500 metre freestyle swimming event in the 1928 Olympic games at Amsterdam, and followed that with a gold medal in the 400 metre freestyle in the 1932 Olympics at Los Angeles. By that time he’d already made several movie appearances, beginning with Good News in 1930. He appeared in many western and adventure movies, but is best known as the star of the Flash Gordon (1936) and Buck Rogers (1939) serials. Mr. Crabbe also starred in the television series Captain Gallant of the Foreign Legion (filmed in Morocco) from 1955-1957. In 1971, at the age of 64, Mr. Crabbe set a record time for swimmers over 60 in the 400 metre freestyle. He made his last movie appearance in The Comeback Trail in 1982.

Academia
Grant MacEwan Community College held its graduation ceremony at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton. This blogger, who attended GMCC in 1981-82, was on hand to congratulate some of his former classmates.

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): L'Amore Rubato--Luca Barbarossa (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Gimme Hope Jo'anna--Eddy Grant (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Gimme Hope Jo'anna--Eddy Grant (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You--Glenn Medeiros (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Heart--Pet Shop Boys (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Heart--Pet Shop Boys (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Heart--Pet Shop Boys (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Where Do Broken Hearts Go--Whitney Houston

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car--Billy Ocean (2nd week at #1)
2 Devil Inside--INXS
3 Where Do Broken Hearts Go--Whitney Houston
4 Wishing Well--Terence Trent D'Arby
5 Man in the Mirror--Michael Jackson
6 Girlfriend--Pebbles
7 Angel--Aerosmith
8 Pink Cadillac--Natalie Cole
9 Some Kind of Lover--Jody Watley
10 Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley

Singles entering the chart were Foolish Beat by Debbie Gibson (#61); Make it Real by the Jets (#72); Nothin' But a Good Time by Poison (#84); Tall Cool One by Robert Plant (#85); Stand Up by David Lee Roth (#86); and Love Struck by Jesse Johnson's Revue (#90).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car--Billy Ocean (3rd week at #1)
2 Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley
3 Man in the Mirror--Michael Jackson
4 Endless Summer Nights--Richard Marx
5 I Saw Him Standing There--Tiffany
6 Devil Inside--INXS
7 Wishing Well--Terence Trent D'Arby
8 Push It--Salt-N-Pepa
9 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Michael Bolton
10 I'm Still Searching--Glass Tiger

Singles entering the chart were One More Try by George Michael (#79); Say it Again by Jermaine Stewart (#85); Together Forever by Rick Astley (#88); Circle in the Sand by Belinda Carlisle (#91); Piano in the Dark by Brenda Russell (#96); and Talking Back to the Night by Steve Winwood (#97).

Canada's top 10 (The Record)
1 Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car--Billy Ocean (2nd week at #1)
2 Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley
3 Wishing Well--Terence Trent D'Arby
4 I Saw Him Standing There--Tiffany
5 Push It--Salt-N-Pepa
6 Pump Up the Volume--M/A/R/R/S
7 Man in the Mirror--Michael Jackson
8 I'm Still Searching--Glass Tiger
9 Endless Summer Nights--Richard Marx
10 Devil Inside--INXS

Aviation
A Greek man pedalled a self-powered aircraft 74 miles.

Health
The United States instituted a federal ban on smoking during domestic airline flights of 2 hours or less.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Clarence S. Campbell Conference
Division Finals
Detroit 3 @ St. Louis 6 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Calgary 2 @ Edmonton 4 (Edmonton led best-of-seven series 3-0)

20 years ago
1993

Died on this date
César Chávez, 66. U.S. labour activist. Mr. Chávez co-founded the National Farm Workers' Association (later known as United Farm Workers). He was known for his support of the rights of migrant farm workers--especially those of Hispanic ancestry--in the western United States.

Lalith Athulathmudali, 56. Sri Lankan politician. Mr. Athulathmudali was Sri Lanka's Minister of Education, National Security, Trade and Agriculture in the United National Party government of President J.R. Jayewardene in the 1980s. He formed a new party, the Democratic United National Front, after an unsuccessful attempt to impeach Mr. Jayewardene's successor, Ranasinghe Premadasa. Four weeks before Provincial Council elections for the Western Province, Mr. Athulathmudali was assassinated by a gunman in Colombo after an election rally. A Tamil youth named Ragunathan--whose body was found the next day--was initially blamed, but a presidential commission concluded that Mr. Premadasa was directly responsible for the assassination of Mr. Athulathmudali and the death of Mr. Ragunathan, who had been forced to take cyanide. Mr. Premadasa never faced any charges, since he was assassinated by a suicide bomber just eight days after the death of Mr. Athulathmudali.

Politics and government
Eritreans voted overwhelmingly for independence from Ethiopia in a United Nations-monitored referendum.

Scandal
A U.S. Defense Department inquiry found that 175 U.S. Navy personnel could face disciplinary charges for drinking, debauchery, and sexual assault and harassment of 83 women and 7 men at the 35th Annual Tailhook Association Symposium from September 8–12, 1991 at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Clarence S. Campbell Conference
Division Semi-Finals
Chicago 0 @ St. Louis 3 (St. Louis led best-of-seven series 3-0)
Detroit 2 @ Toronto 4 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Vancouver 4 @ Winnipeg 5 (Vancouver led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Calgary 5 @ Los Angeles 2 (Calgary led best-of-seven series 2-1)

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
James H. Critchfield, 86. U.S. intelligence officer. Mr. Critchfield was chief of the Central Intelligence Agency's Near East and South Asia division, in which position he recommended in the early 1960s that the United States support the Ba'ath Party in Iraq against the current government, which was believed to be under Soviet influence. Shortly after joining the agency in 1948, he exploited former Nazi organizations to gain intelligence on the Soviet Union.

Diplomacy
U.S. and North Korean officials met in Beijing to discuss the status of North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

World events
11 of the 55 members of the deposed Iraqi regime of President Saddam Hussein who were being sought by U.S. military officials were now in custody.

Politics and government
After a 10-day stalemate, Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas, his choice for Prime Minister of the Palestinian Territories, reached agreement on the composition of a new cabinet; it included several members loyal to Mr. Arafat. The move paved the way for the U.S.A. to introduce a new peace plan.

Health
The World Health Organization added Toronto to a list of places that should be avoided by travellers because of the risk of severe acute repiratory syndeome (SARS). The move angered Canadian officials.

Crime
Stan and Frank Koebel, the brothers at the centre of the tainted water scandal in Walkerton, Ontario, were charged with 12 offenses, including breach of trust and public endangerment. Seven people had died in 2000 when deadly E. coli bacteria had contaminated the town's water supply, which the brothers had been responsible for.

April 22, 2013

1,775 years ago
238

Politics and government
The Roman Senate outlawed Emperor Maximinus Thrax for his bloodthirsty proscriptions in Rome and nominated two of its members, Pupienus and Balbinus, to the throne.

80 years ago
1933

Died on this date
Henry Royce, 70. U.K. industrialist. With Charles Stewart Rolls, Mr. Royce founded the automobile manufacturer Rolls-Royce Limited, manufacturing their first car in 1904.

60 years ago
1953

On the radio
I Was a Communist for the FBI, starring Dana Andrews

50 years ago
1963

Space
The U.S.S.R. launched the satellite Cosmos 15.

Politics and government
A new government took office in Canada as Prime Minister Lester Pearson and his cabinet were sworn in. Mr. Pearson had led the Liberal Party to a minority government in the April 8 federal election, ending the six-year reign of the Progressive Conservatives under Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.

Education
The Quebec Royal Commission on Education recommended formation of a Quebec Ministry of Education and complete reorganization of education in the province. Education in Quebec was then largely controlled by the Roman Catholic Church.

40 years ago
1973

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Montreal 4 @ Philadelphia 1 (Montreal led best-of-seven series 3-1)

WHA
Avco World Trophy
East Division Finals
New England 2 @ Cleveland 5 (New England led best-of-seven series 3-1)

West Division Finals
Houston 0 @ Winnipeg 2 (Winnipeg led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Gary Jarrett scored 3 goals and Ron Buchanan added 2 more as the Crusaders staved off elimination against the Whalers at Cleveland Arena.

Dunc Rousseau scored with 4:31 remaining in regulation time and Norm Beaudin scored into an empty net in the last minute as the Jets blanked the Aeros at Winnipeg Arena. Ernie Wakely won the goaltending duel over Don McLeod.

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Let's Dance--David Bowie

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Too Shy--Kajagoogoo (4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Earl "Fatha" Hines, 79. U.S. jazz pianist. Mr. Hines was one of the giants in the history of jazz; Count Basie called him "the greatest piano player in the world." "Fatha" began to play piano in the area around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a teenager; he made his first recordings in 1923, and in 1925 settled in Chicago, where he met Louis Armstrong. They played together in Carroll Dickerson’s band, which by 1927 had become Mr. Armstrong’s band, under the direction of Mr. Hines. The band soon became known as the Hot Five; their most famous recording was Weatherbird, a duet between Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Hines. In 1928 (on his 25th birthday) Earl Hines began leading his own band; for more than 10 years Mr. Hines’ band was "The Band" at Al Capone’s Grand Terrace Cafe. From the Grand Terrace, Mr. Hines’ band broadcast on "open mikes," and became the most widely broadcast band in America. Mr. Hines continued to record, and led his band until it broke up in 1947. Mr. Hines rejoined Louis Armstrong’s band in 1949, but left in 1951. "Fatha’s" popularity gradually declined through the 1950s, and he retired in the early 1960s. Mr. Hines was rediscovered as an artist in 1964 after a series of recitals in New York, leading to a busy recording and performing schedule that occupied the rest of his life. In 1966 he topped Downbeat magazine’s international critics’ poll for the magazine’s Hall of Fame, and was also chosen as Downbeat’s "#1 Jazz Pianist" (an honour he went on to win five more times). During a 6-week U.S. State Department-sponsored tour of the U.S.S.R. in 1968, Mr. Hines played to sellout crowds at the Kiev Sports Palace; Soviet authorities subsequently cancelled his Moscow and Leningrad appearances on the grounds of being "culturally dangerous." Earl Hines gave his last performance in Oakland just a few days before his death.

John Louis Evans, 33. U.S. murderer. Mr. Evans was executed for the 1977 robbery and murder in Mobile, Alabama of pawnshop owner Edward Nassar. He became the first person put to death in Alabama's electric chair since 1965. The execution was botched, and it took three attempts and 14 minutes for Mr. Evans to die.

Journalism
The West German magazine Stern announced that it had obtained 60 volumes of diaries written by Adolf Hitler between 1932 and 1945. It was said that the diaries had been flown out of Berlin in the last days of World War II, and that the plane had crashed near Bornersdorf, in present East Germany. The diaries had reportedly been recovered from the crash and come into the hands of a Stern reporter, who bought them with up to $4 million U.S. of the magazine’s money. Stern began publishing the diaries, which consisted mostly of banalities, even while historians argued over their authenticity.

Politics and government
The Italian Socialist Party decided to withdraw from the nation's ruling coalition.

World events
Great Britain performed a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site.

Law
Under Judge Samuel Grange, the Ontario Royal Commission of inquiry into deaths of 28 babies at Hospital for Sick Children began. Nurse Susan Nelles had been wrongly charged in 1981 with the murders of four of the infants.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that the Consumer Price Index had risen 0.1% in March.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
New York Islanders 5 @ New York Rangers 2 (Islanders won best-of-seven series 4-2)
Boston 3 @ Buffalo 5 (Best-of-seven series tied 3-3)

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Heart--Pet Shop Boys

Died on this date
Irene Rich, 96. U.S. actress. Mrs. Rich was a leading lady in movies in the 1920s and ‘30s; her forte was "women’s pictures," usually tearjerkers. Her films included Beau Brummel (1924); Lady Windermere’s Fan (1925); So This is London (1930); Manhattan Tower (1932); The Mortal Storm (1940); Fort Apache (1948); and her last picture, Joan of Arc (1948). Miss Rich achieved success on radio as star of Dear John (a.k.a. The Irene Rich Show), an anthology series that began in 1933 and lasted for more than a decade. Her leading man was Gale Gordon. Miss Rich made one television appearance, in an episode of the Chevrolet Tele-Theatre in 1949.

Personal
It was the last day of the winter term at the University of Western Ontario’s School of Library and Information Science, and for some of us (including this blogger), their last day of classes after 42 weeks--a very enjoyable day indeed. Lunch at J.J. McGinnis’ with Beth Stover and JoAnn Wong added to the occasion. Festivities continued that evening at the Elephant & Castle in downtown London.

Law
Justice Willard Estey retired from the Supreme Court of Canada.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Prince of Wales Conference
Division Finals
Montreal 1 @ Boston 3 (Boston led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Washington 4 @ New Jersey 10 (New Jersey led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Patrik Sundstrom tied the playoff record of 8 points in a playoff game (3 goals and 5 assists) as the Devils routed the Capitals at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford. Mark Johnson scored 4 goals for New Jersey.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Fever--Madonna (2nd week at #1)

At the movies
This blogger, with enjoyable female company, attended a screening of The Black Pirate at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, with musical accompaniment by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. The film was shown in its original two-colour Techicolor form.

Americana
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was dedicated in Washington, D.C.

War
Twelve Balkan experts in the U.S. State Department told Secretary of State Warren Christopher that diplomacy had failed and that it was time to launch military action against Serbs.

Technology
Version 1.0 of the Mosaic web browser was released.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Prince of Wales Conference
Division Semi-Finals
Boston 3 @ Buffalo 4 (OT) (Buffalo led best-of-seven series 3-0)
Quebec 1 @ Montreal 2 (OT) (Quebec led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Pittsburgh 4 @ New Jersey 3 (Pittsburgh led best-of-seven series 3-0)
Washington 3 @ New York Islanders 4 (OT) (New York led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Yuri Kmylev's second goal of the game, on a powerplay at 1:05 of the 1st overtime period, gave the Sabres their win over the Bruins at War Memorial Auditorium.

Vincent Damphousse scored at 10:30 of the 1st overtime period to give the Canadiens their win over the Nordiques at the Montreal Forum.

Ray Ferraro scored at 4:46 of the 1st overtime period to give the Islanders their win over the Capitals at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. Steve Thomas scored the first 2 New York goals, and Pierre Turgeon scored the third Islander goal with 43 seconds remaining in regulation time to send the game into overtime.

Baseball
Chris Bosio pitched a no-hitter to lead the Seattle Mariners over the Boston Red Sox 7-0 at the Kingdome in Seattle.

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Martha Griffiths, 91. U.S. politician. Mrs. Griffiths, a Democrat, represented Michigan's 17th District in the United States House of Representatives from 1955-1974 before becoming the first woman to be elected Michigan's Lieutenant Governor, holding the post from 1983-1991. She was the person most responsible for including prohibition of discriimination on the basis of sex in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Felice Bryant, 77. U.S. songwriter. Born Matilda Genevieve Scaduto, Felice and her husband Boudleaux Bryant wrote country and pop songs such as Bye Bye Love; All I Have to Do is Dream; Love Hurts; and Rocky Top.

Mike Larrabee, 69. U.S. athlete. Mr. Larrabee won the gold medal in the men's 400-metre run at the 1964 Summer Olympic games in Tokyo, and ran the second leg for the U.S. team that won the gold medal in the men's 4 X 400 metre relay run.

Religion
Mirza Masror Ahmad was elected Khalifatul Masih V, Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Hundreds of thousands of Shiite Muslims in Iraq began a journey to Karbala to participate in an annual observance that had been banned by recently-deposed President Saddam Hussein. Many participants called for U.S. forces to leave Iraq.

Politics and government
An election commission declared that incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo had been re-elected President of Nigeria on April 19 with 60% of the vote to 20% for opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari. Mr. Buhari rejected the count, accusing Mr. Obasanjo's party of fraud.

Economics and finance
U.S. President George W. Bush appointed Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan to a fifth term. Mr. Greenspan's current term was to expire in June 2004.

April 21, 2013

940 years ago
1073

Died on this date
Alexander II. Roman Catholic Pope, 1061-1073. Born Anselmo da Baggio in Milan, Alexander tried to suppress simony and enforce clerical celibacy. He opposed using force to convert Jews to Roman Catholicism, but called for a crusade against the Moors in Spain. Alexander II succeeded Nicholas II as pope and was succeeded by Gregory VII.

150 years ago
1863

Religion
Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, declared his mission as "He whom God shall make manifest".

140 years ago
1873

Scandal
The Canadian Parliament passed the Oaths Act, giving the parliamentary select committee investigating the Canadian Pacific Railway Company power to question witnesses under oath. The committee had been convened amid accusations by the opposition Liberals that CPR head Sir Hugh Allan had obtained the charter for the railway by contributing to the governing Conservative party in the federal election campaign of 1872. The Oaths Act was declared unconstitutional three months later.

60 years ago
1953

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Duel, starring Eva Gabor, Roger Dann, Arnold Moss, and Mark Richman



50 years ago
1963

Religion
The Universal House of Justice of the Bahá'í Faith was elected for the first time, on the 100th anniversary of Bahá'í Faith founder Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of his mission.

Boxing
Former world heavyweight champion Ingemar Johansson (26-2) won a 12-round decision over Brian London (28-10) at Johanneshov Ice Stadium in Stockholm. Mr. Johansson was saved by the bell when Mr. London knocked him down in the final seconds, and the bell sounded to end the fight with the count at 4 and Mr. Johansson still on the floor. Mr. Johansson was subsequently suspended from boxing for a month in the interests of his health, but chose to retire instead.



Basketball
NBA
Finals
Los Angeles 126 @ Boston 119 (Boston led best-of-seven series 3-2)

40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K.: Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree--Dawn featuring Tony Orlando

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Killing Me Softly with His Song--Roberta Flack
2 You're So Vain--Carly Simon
3 Dueling Banjos--Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell
4 Crocodile Rock--Elton John
5 Top of the World--Carpenters
6 Funny Face--Donna Fargo
7 I'd Love You to Want Me--Lobo
8 Separate Ways--Elvis Presley
9 Your Mama Don't Dance--The Bootleg Family
10 Do You Want to Dance?--Bette Midler

Singles entering the chart were Dead Skunk by Loudon Wainwright III (#18); Part of the Union by the Strawbs (#25); The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia by Vicki Lawrence (#30); and Blue Moon by Winston Francis (#34).

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree--Dawn featuring Tony Orlando

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia--Vicki Lawrence
2 Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree--Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
3 Little Willy--The Sweet
4 The Cisco Kid--War
5 Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)--Four Tops
6 Sing--Carpenters
7 Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)--Gladys Knight and the Pips
8 Danny's Song--Anne Murray
9 The Twelfth of Never--Donny Osmond
10 Masterpiece--The Temptations

Singles entering the chart were Bad, Bad Leroy Brown by Jim Croce (#79); Hey You! Get Off My Mountain by the Dramatics (#81); You Can't Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones (#82); Only in Your Heart by America (#85); One of a Kind (Love Affair) by the Spinners (#86); You Don't Know What Love Is by Susan Jacks (#91); Fool Like You by Tim Moore (#94); Outlaw Man by David Blue (#96); Percolator by Hot Butter (#97); Long Train Runnin' by the Doobie Brothers (#98); and Music Everywhere by Tufano and Giammarese (#100).

Canada's Top 10 RPM)
1 Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree--Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
2 Killing Me Softly with His Song--Roberta Flack
3 The Cover of "Rolling Stone"--Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show
4 Sing--Carpenters
5 The Twelfth of Never--Donny Osmond
6 You Don't Know What Love Is--Susan Jacks
7 The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia--Vicki Lawrence
8 Dead Skunk--Loudon Wainwright III
9 Daddy's Home--Jermaine Jackson
10 Stir it Up--Johnny Nash

Singles entering the chart were Steamroller Blues by Elvis Presley (#92); Once-Loved Woman, Once-Loved Man by Marty Butler (#96); Hey Miss Maybe by Greg Mittler (#97); Last Tango in Paris by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass (#98); Part of the Union by the Strawbs (#99); and Bitter Bad by Melanie (#100). Last Tango in Paris was a version of the theme from the movie.

Calgary’s Top 10
1 Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree--Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
2 You Don't Know What Love Is--Susan Jacks
3 The Cover of "Rolling Stone"--Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show
4 Little Willy--The Sweet
5 The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia--Vicki Lawrence
6 Walk on the Wild Side--Lou Reed
7 Wildflower--Skylark
8 Dead Skunk--Loudon Wainwright III
9 The Cisco Kid--War
10 Orly--The Guess Who
Pick hit of the week: Stuck in the Middle with You--Stealers Wheel

Died on this date
Arthur Fadden, 79. Prime Minister of Australia, 1941. Sir Arthur, a member of the Country Party, served in the federal House of Representatives from 1936-1958. On August 29, 1941, he became Prime Minister when he was chosen to lead the United Australia Party, a coalition between the Country Party and the National Party that formed the government. Mr. Fadden's budget was defeated on a vote in the House of Representatives on October 3, and Mr. Fadden submitted his government's resignation to Governor General Lord Gowrie that day. Opposition leader John Curtin was officially sworn in as Prime Minister on October 7, ending Mr. Fadden's brief time in office. Sir Arthur died eight days after his 79th birthday.

Hal Ledyard, 41. U.S.-born Canadian football player. A quarterback, Mr. Ledyard is perhaps best remembered for the quarterbacks he backed up and shared playing time with: Y.A. Tittle in San Francisco; Russ Jackson in Ottawa; Kenny Ploen in Winnipeg; and Ron Lancaster in Saskatchewan. An alumnus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he began his professional football career as a third-string quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL in 1953, seeing little action. Mr. Ledyard spent 1954 and 1955 in the United States Army playing quarterback for the football team at the base in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He joined the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union in 1956 and quarterbacked them to their first playoff appearance in five years. In 1957 and 1958, Mr. Ledyard shared the Ottawa quarterbacking duties, first with Tom Dimitroff, and then with Russ Jackson. In 1959 Mr. Ledyard was traded to the Toronto Argonauts, but was cut from the team before the start of the regular season. He then joined the Sarnia Golden Bears as quarterback and punter, and led them to the Ontario Rugby Football Union championship that year. In 1960 Mr. Ledyard added the title of head coach to his quarterbacking and punting duties, but the Golden Bears finished third and last in the ORFU with a 3-7 record. The ORFU ceased to exist as a true senior league after 1960, but Mr. Ledyard was signed by the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He backed up starting quarterback Kenny Ploen as the Blue Bombers won Grey Cups in 1961 and 1962, getting to play when Mr. Ploen would occasionally take a break from quarterbacking to play in the defensive backfield. Perhaps the most memorable moment of Mr. Ledyard's career occurred on August 29, 1963, when he came off the bench late in the game to direct a comeback and throw the winning touchdown pass as the Blue Bombers edged the British Columbia Lions 16-15 at Winnipeg Stadium. Early in the 1965 season Mr. Ledyard was dealt to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he finished the season and his career. When the Roughriders paid a visit to Winnipeg Stadium, Mr. Ledyard was honoured by his former team. He became a permanent resident of Winnipeg, and became a Canadian citizen in 1962. Mr. Ledyard held a number of jobs during and after his playing career, including a season (1971) as colour commentator on CTV's telecasts of CFL Western Conference games. By 1973 he was employed with a beer company, reportedly in a position as an executive that required him to split his time between Winnipeg and California. He was reported to be on either a vacation or a business trip when he drowned at Monterey Bay, off Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Beach in California. The drowning was reported as accidental, but scuttlebutt in Winnipeg said otherwise. Mr. Ledyard's son Grant played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1984-1999. Wayne, an older son, played tight end for the University of Manitoba Bisons football team in the mid-late 1970s.

Diplomacy
The United Nations Security Council voted 11-0 to condemn the April 10 Israeli raids on Arab guerrilla bases in Lebanon and "all acts of violence which endanger or take innocent human lives."

Hockey
WHA
Avco World Trophy
East Division Finals
New England 5 @ Cleveland 4 (New England led best-of-seven series 3-0)

Tim Sheehy scored 2 goals in the 3rd period to enable the Whalers to edge the Crusaders at Cleveland Arena.

30 years ago
1983

Died on this date
Walter Slezak, 80. Austria-Hungarian-born U.S. actor. Mr. Slezak, a native of Vienna, appeared in silent films in Germany, beginning with Sodom und Gomorrha in 1922. He made his first Broadway appearance at the end of 1930 in Meet My Sister, and eventually settled in the United States, although he didn’t appear in a Hollywood movie until Once Upon a Honeymoon in 1942. He was memorable as a resourceful Nazi in Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat (1944), but became a more familiar presence on screen (usually as a villain) in comedies such as The Princess and the Pirate (1944); The Inspector General (1949); Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950); and Bedtime for Bonzo (1951). A return to Broadway brought him a Tony award in 1955 as Best Actor (Musical) for Fanny. Mr. Slezak’s last Broadway appearance took place in The Gazebo, which ran from December 1958 to June 1959. Mr. Slezak made many appearances in television shows, starting with Suspense in 1950-1951, where he appeared in five episodes. In 1966 he played Clock King in a two-part episode of Batman; his last appearance came in a two-part episode of The Love Boat in 1980. By 1983 he was suffering from several illnesses, and he shot himself in the back yard of his home in Flower Hill, New York.

Diplomacy
The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that the United States was expelling three Soviet diplomats for espionage.

Defense
Members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testifying before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, endorsed the proposals of a commission appointed by President Ronald Reagan which recommended building and deploying MX missiles in silos in Nebraska and Wyoming.

Politics and government
John Glenn, former astronaut and current United States Senator from Ohio, announced from his hometown of New Concord his candidacy for the 1984 Democratic party nomination for President of the United States. Meanwhile, the Democrats chose San Francisco as the site of their convention, to be held in July 1984.

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Together Forever--Rick Astley (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): On kesäyö/Viimeinen laulu--Topi Sorsakoski & J. Karjalainen (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
I.A.L. Diamond, 67. Romanian-born U.S. screenwriter. Mr. Diamond was best-known for his screenplays written with and for Billy Wilder from the late 1950s through 1981: Love in the Afternoon (1957); Some Like it Hot (1959); The Apartment (1960); One, Two, Three (1961); Irma La Douce (1963); Kiss Me, Stupid (1964); The Fortune Cookie (1966); The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970); Avanti! (1972); The Front Page (1974); Fedora (1978); and Buddy Buddy (1981). Some of these movies are regarded as classics; the screenplay for The Apartment won the Academy Award. However, Kiss Me, Stupid was a disaster that almost ended Mr. Wilder’s career, and Buddy Buddy was so bad that it did end the careers of both Mr. Wilder and Mr. Diamond. Other movies for which Mr. Diamond wrote screenplays included Murder in the Blue Room (1944); Monkey Business (1952); Merry Andrew (1958); and Cactus Flower (1969).

Politics and government
Al Gore, United States Senator from Tennessee, ended his active campaign for the 1988 Democratic Party U.S. presidential nomination after taking just 10% of the vote in the New York primary two days earlier.

Economics and finance
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 312-107 to approve a trade bill that would mandate tougher steps by the United States government to open up foreign markets and punish unfair trade practices by other countries. Some protection would be granted to industries injured by imports, and the windfall profits tax on oil would be repealed. President Ronald Reagan threatened to veto the bill because he objected to a provision requiring that workers receive 60 days’ notice of a plant closing or layoffs. Mr. Reagan argued that this would discourage the creation of jobs and the expansion of business.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Clarence S. Campbell Conference
Division Finals
St. Louis 0 @ Detroit 6 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Edmonton 5 @ Calgary 4 (OT) (Edmonton led best-of-seven series 2-0)

Wayne Gretzky's second goal of the game, a shorthanded goal at 7:54 of the 1st overtime period, gave the Oilers their win over the Flames at Olympic Saddledome.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Informer--Snow

World events
The Supreme Court of Bolivia in La Paz sentenced former dictator Luis Garcia Meza to 30 years in jail without parole for murder, theft, fraud and violating the constitution.

Protest
A siege by prisoners in Lucasville, Ohio ended after nine days when inmates promised to release the eight guards they had been holding as hostages and return to their cells. The death toll was nine prisoners and a guard.

Environment
U.S. President Bill Clinton announced plans for a timetable to reduce global warming and to sign an international treaty protecting rare and endangered species.

Economics and finance
Democrats in the United States Senate bowed to a Republican filibuster and agreed to limit a bill favoured by President Bill Clinton to $4 billion to extend unemployment vbenefits.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Clarence S. Campbell Conference
Division Semi-Finals
St. Louis 2 @ Chicago 0 (St. Louis led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Toronto 2 @ Detroit 6 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Winnipeg 2 @ Vancouver 3 (Vancouver led best-of-series 2-0)
Los Angeles 4 @ Calgary 9 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

IIHF World Men's Championship @ Munich
Canada 4 Sweden 1

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Nina Simone, 70. U.S. singer and musician. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, Ms. Simone was a jazz singer and pianist who recorded--live and in studio--more than 30 successful albums from 1958-1993. She was a civil rights activist in the 1960s, advocating violent revolution and a separate state for Negroes. Ms. Simone eventually left the United States and spent her last years in France.

Diplomacy
Lieutenant General Jay Garner (retired), head of the U.S. Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance, quietly entered Baghdad and pledged to restore essential services to the Iraqi capital and establish an interim government in the country.

Politics and government
Two days after Olusegun Obasanjo had been re-elected President of Nigeria with 62% of the vote, international monitors expressed concern about fraud and intimidation in some parts of the country.

April 20, 2013

710 years ago
1303

Academia
Sapienza – Università di Roma was instituted by Pope Boniface VIII.

560 years ago
1453

War
Three Genoese galleys escorting a Byzantine transport fought their way through the huge Ottoman blockade fleet and into the Golden Horn in the last naval battle in Byzantine history.

360 years ago
1653

Politics and government
English Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament, what was left of the House of Commons after the execution of King Charles I in 1949. Mr. Cromwell's statement to the House reportedly included the words, "You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately ... Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"

120 years ago
1893

Politics and government
Prince Edward Island amalgamated its Legislative Council with the Assembly.

60 years ago
1953

War
The United Nations and North Korea began exchanging sick and wounded prisoners under Operation "Little Switch."

50 years ago
1963

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): In Dreams--Roy Orbison (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France: L'école est Finie--Sheila

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Come te non c'è nessuno--Rita Pavone (5th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Ich kauf' mir lieber einen Tirolerhut--Billy Mo (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): How Do You Do It--Gerry and the Pacemakers (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): He's So Fine--The Chiffons (4th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 He's So Fine--The Chiffons (4th week at #1)
2 Can't Get Used to Losing You--Andy Williams
3 I Will Follow Him--Little Peggy March
4 Baby Workout--Jackie Wilson
5 Puff the Magic Dragon--Peter, Paul and Mary
6 South Street--The Orlons
7 The End of the World--Skeeter Davis
8 Our Day Will Come--Ruby and the Romantics
9 Young Lovers--Paul and Paula
10 Pipeline--Chantays

Singles entering the chart were Another Saturday Night by Sam Cooke (#70); Ain't That a Shame! by the 4 Seasons (#71); This Little Girl by Dion (#72); Remember Diana by Paul Anka (#73); You Can't Sit Down by the Dovells (#78); El Watusi by Ray Barretto (#83); The Bounce by the Olympics (#88); Two Kinds of Teardrops by Del Shannon (#89); Hot Pastrami with Mashed Potatoes (Part 1) by Joey Dee and the Starliters (#91); If You Need Me, with versions by Solomon Burke; and Wilson Pickett (#94); Mother, Please! by Jo Ann Campbell (#96); Do It--Rat Now by Bill Black's Combo (#97); Shame, Shame, Shame by Jimmy Reed (#98); Da Doo Ron Ron by the Crystals (#100); and Hello Stranger by Barbara Lewis (also #100).

Died on this date
Wilfred O'Neill, 65. Canadian terrorism victim. Mr. O'Neill, a night watchman, was killed by a terrorist bomb placed in a garbage container at the Montreal army recruiting centre. The bomb was the work of the new Front de Libération du Quebec, and Mr. O'Neill was the first victim of the FLQ.

40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Crocodile Rock--Elton John (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Der Junge mit der Mundharmonika--Bernd Clüver (2nd week at #1)

Space
Anik-II was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It was Canada's second communications satellite, and the world's first commercial satellite in orbit.

Scandal
Former U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell, testifying before a grand jury investigating the June 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate office complex in Washington, admitted that he had heard discussions of the bugging plans during the 1972 election campaign, but had never approved them. Prior to his testimony, Mr. Mitchell had maintained that the entire Watergate affair had been a complete surprise and mystery to him.

Hockey
WHA
Avco World Trophy
East Division Finals
Cleveland 2 @ New England 3 (New England led best-of-seven series 2-0)

West Division Finals
Houston 1 @ Winnipeg 5 (Winnipeg led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Larry Pleau scored 2 goals in the 2nd period, which held up through a scoreless 3rd period as the Whalers edged the Crusaders at Boston Arena.

30 years ago
1983

Weather
It was another hot and beautiful day in Edmonton. Those of us in university were able to be outside studying for exams. It was especially enjoyable if you were able to spend some of that time in the company of a lovely lady.

Politics and government
A United States Senate committee approved a bill providing more economic and military aid to Lebanon, as requested by President Ronald Reagan, but required that the president obtain congressional approval for any expanded U.S. military role in Lebanon.

Diplomacy
Talks on the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon were continuing. It was reported that Israel had dropped demands for military outposts inside Lebanon, but was insisting on joint Israeli-Lebanese patrols. Israel also wanted a continued role for Major Saad Haddad, a pro-Israel commander disliked by Lebanese leaders.

Energy
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that a state could bar the development of commercial nuclear power for economic reasons. The decision upheld a California law that forbade the construction of new nuclear plants in the state until the federal government came up with a policy on the storage and disposal of nuclear waste.

Economics and finance
The United States Commerce Department reported that the real gross national product had risen 3.1% in March.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
New York Islanders 7 New York Rangers 2
Calgary 1 @ Edmonton 9 (Edmonton won best-of-seven series 4-1)

Baseball
George Brett belted three home runs, the last a two-run shot in the top of the ninth inning, and drove in seven runs to lead the Royals to an 8-7 victory over the Detroit Tigers at Tiger Stadium.

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Allt som jag känner--Tone Norum and Tommy Nilsson (10th week at #1)

World events
The Washington Post reported that the 10-member inner cabinet of Israel had discussed in advance the assassination of Palestine Liberation Organization military leader Khalil al-Wazir, alias Abu Jihad, who had been gunned down on April 16.

Terrorism
Algerian officials negotiated the release of the more than 30 hostages remaining from a Kuwait Airways airliner that had been hijacked on April 5 and flown to Mashhad, Iran, and eventually to Algiers on April 13.

Scandal
U.S. President Ronald Reagan met with Deputy Attorney General Arnold Burns and William Weld, chief of the justice department's criminal division, both of whom had resigned in March in protest against the leadership of Attorney General Edwin Meese. It was reported that Mr. Weld had told President Reagan that he would have sought an indictment against Mr. Meese if he had been the independent counsel. Another blow came that day when John Shepherd withdrew as Mr. Burns's replacement. Mr. Shepherd's membership in two private clubs, one all-white and one all-male, had become an issue, and he had also been accused of improprieties, which he denied, by a former bookkeeper.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that the consumer price index had risen 0.5% in March.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Prince of Wales Conference
Division Finals
Boston 4 @ Montreal 3 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
New Jersey 5 @ Washington 2 (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Baseball
Claudell Washington hit the 10,000th home run in New York Yankees history in a 7-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.

The Baltimore Orioles set a major league record by losing their 14th consecutive game to start the season. An 8-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers pushed the Orioles past the 1904 Washington Senators and the 1920 Detroit Tigers for the worst start in major league history.

20 years ago
1993

Died on this date
Cantinflas, 81. Mexican comedian and actor. Born Fortino Mario Alfonso Moreno Reyes, Cantinflas was known as the "Charlie Chaplin of Mexico," and was a major movie star there from the late 1930s through the 1970s. His most famous role was as the co-star of Around the World in 80 Days (1956).

Adventure
The 85-foot French catamaran Commodore Explorer, skippered by Bruno Peyron of France, won the Trophy Jules Verne by breaking the 80-day round-the-world sailing barrier in 79 days 6 hours 16 minutes. Mr. Peyron started at Lizard Point on the southwestern coast of England, sailed via the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leewin and Cape Horn, and docked at Ushant, France.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Prince of Wales Conference
Division Semi-Finals
Buffalo 4 @ Boston 0 (Buffalo led best-of-seven series 2-0)
Montreal 1 @ Quebec 4 (Quebec led best-of-seven series 2-0)
New Jersey 0 @ Pittsburgh 7 (Pittsburgh led best-of-seven series 2-0)
New York Islanders 5 @ Washington 4 (2OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

Brian Mullen scored at 14:50 of the 2nd overtime period to give the Islanders their win over the Capitals at Capital Center in Landover, Maryland. Dale Hunter scored 3 goals for the Capitals, with his third coming with 3 seconds remaining in regulation time, sending the game into overtime. Pierre Turgeon scored the first 2 goals for the Islanders.

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Bernard Katz, 92. German-born U.K. biophysicist. Dr. Katz shared the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1970 with Julius Axelrod and Ulf von Euler for his work in nerve biochemistry.

Daijiro Kato, 26. Japanese motorcycle racer. Mr. Kato won 17 of 53 Grand Prix starts from 1995-2003, and was the 2001 250cc world champion. He died two weeks after suffering serious injuries in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Health
The government of China admitted that it had substantially understated the country's total of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases. Officials also cancelled the week-long May Day celebrations and fired the health minister. Estimates of the disease's death rate ranged from 3%-15%.

April 19, 2013

300 years ago
1713

World events
Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, who had no children and no living male heirs, issued the Pragmatic Sanction to ensure that the hereditary possessions of the House of Habsburg could be inherited by a daughter. Charles and his wife Elizabeth Christine became the parents of a girl named Maria Theresa in 1717.

200 years ago
1813

Died on this date
Benjamin Rush, 67. U.S. physician and founding father. Dr. Rush signed the Declaration of Independence and served as Surgeon General in the Continental Army. He was also treasurer of the U.S. Mint from 1797 until his death.

130 years ago
1883

Disasters
Fire destroyed the Quebec National Assembly Buildings in Quebec City.

110 years ago
1903

Died on this date
Oliver Mowat, 82. Canadian politician. Sir Oliver, a native of Kingston, Upper Canada, was a lawyer who articled under John A. Macdonald, but the two eventually became political rivals. He was a Reformer in the 1830s, but later helped to found the Ontario Liberal Party and the Liberal Party of Canada. He entered politics as an alderman in Toronto in 1857, and then represented Ontario South in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada (1858-1864), holding several cabinet posts. Sir Oliver served as ice-Chancellor of the Court of Chancery of Upper Canada (1864-1872), and then re-entered provincial politics, representing Oxford in the Ontario Legislative Assembly and serving as Premier and Attorney General of Ontario (1872-1896), the longest tenure as Premier in the province's history. His time in office was characterized by his consistently successful defense of the constitutional rights of the provinces, in opposition to the strong federal government preferred by Sir John A. Macdonald's Conservative Party and government. Sir Oliver resigned as Premier in order to enter federal politics; when Wilfrid Laurier led the Liberals to victory in the 1896 federal election, he appointed Sir Oliver to the Senate, serving as Government Leader in the Senate, while also holding the offices of Minister of Justice and Attorney General in Mr. Laurier's cabinet (1896-1897). Sir Oliver left politics in November 1897 to accept the office of Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario; he died in office, and was succeeded by William Mortimer Clark.

80 years ago
1933

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Priory School

Economics and finance
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that the United States would be going off the gold standard.

75 years ago
1938

Baseball
Emmett Mueller of the Philadelphia Phillies and Ernie Koy of the Brooklyn Dodgers each hit a home run in their first major league at-bats as Brooklyn defeated Philadelphia 12-5 at National League Park in Philadelphia.

70 years ago
1943

Protest
The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising began when police and Nazi SS auxiliary forces entered Warsaw's Jewish ghetto to complete the process of deporting Jews to death camps, and were surprised by Molotov cocktails and hand grenades thrown by Jewish insurgents.

50 years ago
1963

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): From a Jack to a King--Ned Miller (7th week at #1)

Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Mecca--Gene Pitney (3rd week at #1)
2 I Will Follow Him--Little Peggy March
3 Peanuts--The 4 Seasons
4 Surfin' U.S.A.--Beach Boys
5 Pipeline--Chantays
6 Bo Diddley--Ronnie Hawkins
7 Summer Holiday--Cliff Richard and the Shadows
8 Puff the Magic Dragon--Peter, Paul and Mary
9 He's So Fine--The Chiffons
10 Can't Get Used to Losing You--Andy Williams

On television tonight
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Last Seen Wearing Blue Jeans, starring Michael Wilding, Anna Lee, and Katherine Crawford

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Boston 108 @ Los Angeles 105 (Boston led best-of-seven series 3-1)

40 years ago
1973

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree--Dawn featuring Tony Orlando

Died on this date
Hans Kelsen, 91. Czech-born jurist. Professor Kelsen, a native of Prague, wrote the 1920 Austrian Constitution, which is still in use today. He moved to Germany in 1930, but fled to Geneva after the Nazis took power in Germany in 1933, and settled in the United States in 1940, becoming a professor in the political science department of the University of California. Prof. Kelsen was a supporter of the Nuremberg trials of accused Nazi war criminals after World War II, but was perhaps best known for his textbook Reine Rechtslehre (Pure Theory of Law) (1934/1960), in which he used the philosophy of Immanuel Kant to define legal science. Professor Kelsen's views remain influential and controversial.

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Montreal 2 @ Philadelphia 1 (Montreal led best-of-seven series 2-1)
Chicago 3 @ New York Rangers 1 (Chicago led best-of-seven series 3-1)

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Let's Dance--David Bowie (3rd week at #1)

Edmontonia
The annual Law Day debate at the Edmonton Public Library was on the subject of Sunday store openings. Edmonton Whitemud MLA Keith Alexander spoke against Sunday openings.

Politics and government
A committee of the United States House of Representatives approved a bill providing more economic and military aid to Lebanon, as requested by President Ronald Reagan, but requiring that the president obtain congressional approval for any expanded U.S. military role in Lebanon.

A House committee rejected President Reagan’s request for an additional $50 million in aid to El Salvador.

Defense
U.S. President Ronald Reagan endorsed the recommendations of a commission to build and deploy 100 MX missiles in existing silos in Nebraska and Wyoming. The president said that the Soviet Union would have no motivation to negotiate arms reduction agreements unless the United States modernized its land-based missile systems.

Law
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was not obliged to consider a psychological stress factor before allowing the restart of the undamaged reactor at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania. A serious accident had forced the shutdown of another reactor at the site in 1979. A U.S. court of appeals had held that the NRC had to consider the mental health of those living near the plant.

Economics and finance
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau raised taxes to pay for a four-year, $4.8 billion recovery program, with a projected deficit of $31.3 billion for 1983-84.

The United States Commerce Department reported that personal income had risen 0.6% in March.

Hockey
IIHF World Men's Championship
U.S.S.R. 8 Canada 2

25 years ago
1988

On television tonight
The Wonder Years, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Dance With Me

This was the last episode of the season, and the first I ever saw.

Died on this date
Kwon Ki-ok, 87. Korean aviator. Ms. Kwon was the first female aviator in Korea and the first female pilot in China. After being imprisoned for taking part in the March 1, 1919 protest against Japanese control of Korea, she went into exile in China and rose to the level of Lieutenant Colonel in the Republic of China Air Force. After the end of World War II, Ms. Kwon returned to Korea, where she helped to found the Republic of Korea Air Force and served in South Korea's Ministry of National Defense.

War
Iran admitted that 15 of its sailors had been killed in a U.S. attack on its Sassan oil platform the day before. Iran jets responded by unsuccessfully attacking one of the U.S. ships, the Wainwright. Iranian boats also attacked several commercial vessels and an offshore oil field owned by United Arab Emirates. American A-6 attack planes struck back, sinking one boat and damaging two others. An Iranian frigate attacked two U.S. warships, but in turn was struck and presumed sunk; a second attacking frigate was struck and damaged. U.S. Congressional leaders backed the American military initiative.

Politics and government
Michael Dukakis won the New York Democratic Party primary for the 1988 nomination for President of the United States with 51% of the vote to 37% for Jesse Jackson and 10% for Al Gore. Rev. Jackson took 90% of the black vote, and a narrow margin in New York City, but took only a small fraction of the Jewish vote.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Clarence S. Campbell Conference
Division Finals
St. Louis 4 @ Detroit 5 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Edmonton 3 @ Calgary 1 (Edmonton led best-of-seven series 1-0)

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Germany (Media Control): All that She Wants--Ace of Base (7th week at #1)

Died on this date
George S. Mickelson, 52. U.S. politician. Mr. Mickelson, a Republican, was Governor of South Dakota from 1987 until his death. Mr. Mickelson and all seven other people aboard a state-owned Mitsubishi MU-2 turboprop plane were killed when it crashed into a farm silo about nine miles south of Dubuque, Iowa while flying back to South Dakota after a lobbying trip to Ohio.

Joseph Wallace, 2. U.S. murder victim. Joseph and his younger brother Joshua were taken from a foster family on the orders of two circuit court judges and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and returned to their mother, Amanda Wallace, in Chicago despite her history of mental problems. She then hanged Joseph with an electrical cord.

Abominations
A 51-day standoff between U.S. federal authorities and residents of the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas ended with the deaths of all people in the compound when federal agents began battering the buildings and firing tear gas inside, and fire swept through the buildings. As many as 81 people may have been killed.

War
Croat nationalists and the Bosnian army began a full-scale war against each other, marked by terrorist tactics, in a dispute over the boundary proposed in the Vance-Owen peace plan.

Politics and government
In a national referendum, voters in Italy approved changing the current system of proportional representation in the Senate for one using majority voting. The country had been hit by economic recession and a growing scandal involving the Mafia and many government leaders.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Clarence S. Campbell Conference
Division Semi-Finals
Toronto 3 @ Detroit 6 (Detroit led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Winnipeg 2 @ Vancouver 4 (Vancouver led best-of-seven series 1-0)

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IV, 74. Pakistani religious leader. Mr. Ahmad was Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from 1982 until his death. He and 17 other members of Pakistan's Ahmadiyya community were exiled from Pakistan in 1984, and he spent the rest of his life in England. His successor was Khalifatul Masih V.

Politics and government
Olusegun Obasanjo was re-elected President of Nigeria with a reported 62% of the vote, amid accusations of fraud by his closest challenger. Gunfights between factions erupted in one city.

April 18, 2013

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Mila Levashova!

275 years ago
1738

Academia
The Real Academia de la Historia (Royal Academy of History) was founded in Madrid.

250 years ago
1763

Died on this date
Marie-Josephte Corriveau, 30. Canadian murderess. Ms. Corriveau, better known a "La Corriveau," was hanged near the Plains of Abraham for murdering her second husband Louis Dodier, on January 27, 1763, with a hatchet in his sleep, because of his ill-treatment of her. The corpse of La Corriveau was hung for a month in an iron cage at Lauzon by the Pointe-Levy for passers-by to see.

220 years ago
1793

Journalism
Ontario saw its first newspaper when Louis Roy published the first issue of his broadsheet, the Upper Canada Gazette or American Oracle in Newark. The subscription price was $3.00 per annum; the front page featured a proclamation by Governor Simcoe calling for "the suppression of Vice, Profaneness, and Immorality," and the Speech from the Throne given by King George III on December 13, 1792. Advertisements under twelve lines cost four shillings.

90 years ago
1923

Baseball
74,200 fans attended the first game at Yankee Stadium in New York, and about 25,000 more were turned away. Baseball writer Fred Lieb nicknamed the stadium "The House that Ruth Built," and it was fitting that Yankee right fielder Babe Ruth hit the first home run in the new ballpark, a 3-run blast that helped the Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 in the season opener. Winning pitcher Bob Shawkey gave up just 3 hits in pitching a complete game. The Yankees scored all their runs in the 3rd inning against losing pitcher Howard Ehmke.

70 years ago
1943

Died on this date
Isoroku Yamamoto, 59. Japanese military officer. Admiral Yamamoto was Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy's combined fleet. He opposed Japan's invasion of Manuchuria in 1931, her invasion of China in 1937, and her attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. During an inspection tour of the Solomon Islands, Admiral Yamamoto was killed when his plane was shot down over Bougainville Island by U.S. P-38 fighter planes in what was known as Operation Vengeance. The death of Admiral Yamamoto was a major blow to Japanese morale in World War II.

60 years ago
1953

Hit Parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): I Went to Your Wedding--Patti Page; Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra (4th week at #1)

#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): The Doggie in the Window--Patti Page (Best seller--5th week at #1; Disc Jockey--4th week at #1; Jukebox--3rd week at #1)

U.S. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Doggie in the Window--Patti Page (5th week at #1)
2 I Believe--Frankie Laine
--[Jane Froman]
3 Tell Me a Story--Jimmy Boyd and Frankie Laine
4 Pretend--Nat "King" Cole
5 Your Cheatin' Heart--Joni James
6 Till I Waltz Again with You--Teresa Brewer
7 The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where is Your Heart)--Percy Faith and his Orchestra
8 Wild Horses--Perry Como
9 Tell Me You're Mine--The Gaylords
10 April in Portugal--Les Baxter and his Orchestra

Singles entering the chart were Gomen-Nasai (Forgive Me) by Harry Belafonte (#13, charting with the version by the Tokyo Columbia Orchestra); Somebody Stole My Gal by Johnnie Ray (#24); I'm the King of Broken Hearts by Tony Bennett (#30); The Nearness of You by Bob Manning (#33); and Yes Sir, That's My Baby by Harry Kari and the Six Saki Sippers (#36).

50 years ago
1963

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): How Do You Do It--Gerry and the Pacemakers (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
Twilight Zone, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Incredible World of Horace Ford, starring Pat Hingle, Nan Martin, Ruth White, and Philip Pine

Aviation
The experimental aircraft Northrop X-21A, with National Aeronautics and Space Administration test pilot Jack Wells at the controls, made its first flight.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Finals
Detroit 1 @ Toronto 3 (Toronto won best-of-five series 4-1)

Dave Keon scored 2 shorthanded goals and Eddie Shack scored the winning goal with 6:32 remaining in regulation time as the Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings at Maple Leaf Gardens to win the Stanley Cup for the second straight season. Toronto defenseman Carl Brewer suffered a broken arm late in the game when he attempted to check Detroit's Andre Pronovost along the boards. Johnny Bower won the goaltending duel over Terry Sawchuk.



40 years ago
1973

Politics and government
Cambodian President Lon Nol annunced that his cabinet, headed by Premier Hang Thun Hak, had resigned, and that in the near future a "high political council" consisting of 11 people would be formed.

Scandal
U.S. Attorney General Richard Kleindienst withdrew from the inquiry into the June 1972 break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. amid reports that many of his close associates might be indicted.

Hockey
WHA
Avco World Trophy
East Division Finals
Cleveland 2 @ New England 3 (New England led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Tim Sheehy scored 2 goals, including the winner with 25 seconds remaining in regulation time, as the Whalers edged the Crusaders at Boston Arena.

30 years ago
1983

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Billie Jean--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

Terrorism
An explosion at the U.S. embassy in Beirut killed 63 people and injured at least 100. 16 Americans were among the dead, including the top Middle East analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency. It was believed that the explosives had been ignited from a car or van near the building. A radical Iranian group claimed responsibility, but the government of Iran denied any involvement.

Defense
The defense minister of El Salvador, Jose Guillermo Garcia, resigned after Salvadoran leaders and U.S. military advisers criticized him for not effectively carrying the civil war to the rebels. He was succeeded by Gen. Eugenio Vides Casanova.

Politics and government
United States Senator Fritz Hollings of South Carolina became the fifth declared candidate for the 1984 Democratic party U.S. presidential nomination. While attacking President Reagan’s economic policies, Senator Hollings also warned that simply spending money, as Democrats had done in the past, was not always good policy.

Weather
In striking contrast to 2013, it was a beautiful, hot day in Edmonton, perfect for girl-watching--and the girls were more worth watching in those days.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Boston 6 Buffalo 2
Edmonton 5 @ Calgary 6 (Edmonton led best-of-seven series 3-1)

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): I Should Be So Lucky--Kylie Minogue (6th week at #1)

War
Three U.S. warships bombarded the Sassan Iranian offshore oil platform, and after it was abandoned, U.S. Marines destroyed it. Some Iranians may have been killed during a similar bombardment of the platform off Sirri Island. During a series of Iranian reprisals, a U.S. helicopter gunship disappeared and its two-man crew was presumed lost. Two U.S. vessels repelled an attack by an Iranian missile boat and then sank it. The attacks, approved by President Ronald Reagan, were in response to the discovery of underwater mines in international waters, which President Reagan believed to be the work of Iran.

Iraq reported that it had recaptured the once-important oil port of Fao from Iran.

Diplomacy
Nicaraguan Defense Minister Humberto Ortega said that the Sandanista government would make concessions to the opposition Contras only after a final cease-fire was signed.

World events
John Demjanjuk, who had been extradited to Israel from the United States in 1986, was found guilty of war crimes by an Israeli court in Jerusalem. He had been accused by survivors of the Treblinka, Poland death camp of being "Ivan the Terrible," a guard who had assisted in the persecution of Jews. Mr. Demjanjuk claimed that he was the victim of mistaken identity. A few years after this trial, Mr. Demjanjuk was proven correct when documents released from a Soviet archive indicated that the real "Ivan the Terrible" was an Ivan Marchenko, who looked nothing like Mr. Demjanjuk.

Politics and government
In the contest for the 1988 Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States, Rev. Jesse Jackson won the Delaware caucus vote.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Prince of Wales Conference
Division Finals
Boston 2 @ Montreal 5 (Montreal led best-of-seven series 1-0)
New Jersey 1 @ Washington 3 (Washington led best-of-seven series 1-0)

A delay caused by a power failure prevented the game at the Montreal Forum from being televised, and Chris Cuthbert, who was at the Capital Center in Landover, Maryland to deliver periodic reports on the New-Jersey Washington game, suddenly found himself broadcasting an entire game by himself, including intermissions. Mr. Cuthbert's excellent impromptu performance greatly aided his career.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Give in to Me--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): All that She Wants--Ace of Base (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: No Limit--2 Unlimited (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Young at Heart--The Bluebells (2nd week at #1)

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Prince of Wales Conference
Division Semi-Finals
Buffalo 5 @ Boston 4 (OT) (Buffalo led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Montreal 2 @ Quebec 3 (OT) (Quebec led best-of-seven series 1-0)
New Jersey 3 @ Pittsburgh 6 (Pittsburgh led best-of-seven series 1-0)
New York Islanders 1 @ Washington 3 (Washington led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Clarence S. Campbell Conference
Division Semi-Finals
St. Louis 4 @ Chicago 3 (St. Louis led best-of-seven series 1-0)
Los Angeles 6 @ Calgary 3 (Los Angeles led best-of-seven series 1-0)

Bob Sweeney scored at 11:03 of the 1st overtime period to give the Sabres their win over the Bruins at Boston Garden. Alexander Mogilny scored 2 goals for the Sabres.

The Canadiens led the Nordiques 2-0 with less than 2 minutes remaining in regulation time at Le Colisee, but Martin Rucinsky scored on a powerplay with 1:29 remaining to make the score 2-1, and Joe Sakic scored with 48 seconds remaining to tie the score. Scott Young scored the winning goal at 16:49 of the 1st overtime period.

Basketball
NBA
Cleveland 103 Chicago 94

10 years ago
2003

War
Former Iraqi finance minister Hikmat Mizban Ibrahim al-Azzawi was arrested by U.S. special forces in Iraq, while Emad Husayn Abdullah al-Ani, who had helped to develop a lethal nerve agent in the 1980s, turned himself in to U.S. forces.

April 17, 2013

1,420 years ago
593

Born on this date
Jomei. Emperor of Japan, 629-641. Jomei, born Tamura, was the grandson of Emperor Bidatsu and the son of Prince Oshisakanohikohito-no-Ōe. Jomei succeeded his great aunt Empress Suiko, and was succeeded by his wife and niece Kōgyoku upon his death on November 17, 641 at the age of 48.

320 years ago
1693

Died on this date
Rutger von Ascheberg, 71. Swedish military officer and politician. Count Ascheberg served in several wars, rising to the rank of field marshal. He was Governor-General of Gothenburg and Bohus and Dalsland (1679-1693); Governor-General of Scania, Halland and Blekinge (1680); and Governor-General of Scania and Halland (1680-1693).

170 years ago
1843

Died on this date
Samuel Morey, 80. U.S. inventor. Mr. Morey achieved 20 patents, and was a pioneer in the technology of steamships and internal combustion engines.

150 years ago
1863

War
In the American Civil War, troops under Union Army Colonel Benjamin Grierson attacked central Mississippi, beginning what became known as Grierson's Raid.

70 years ago
1943

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): I've Heard That Song Before--Harry James and his Music Makers with Helen Forrest (7th week at #1)

60 years ago
1953

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): (How Much is) That Doggie in the Window?--Lita Roza

On television tonight
Tales of Tomorrow, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Rival, starring Anthony Ross and Mary Sinclair

Died on this date
Tom Sharkey, 79. U.S. boxer. "Sailor Tom" was a heavyweight who compiled a record of 49-9-6-1-1 in a professional career from 1893-1904, and is regarded as one of the hardest punchers in history. He won by disqualification over Bob Fitzsimmons on Dec. 2, 1896 in a bout that was billed as being for the world heavyweight title, with James J. Corbett currently inactive. Referee Wyatt Earp's decision to call a foul against Mr. Fitzsimmons after Mr. Sharkey was knocked down was heavily criticized, and the result was decided in court in favour of Mr. Sharkey. Mr. Sharkey lost a 20-round decision to Jim Jeffries in 1898, and a 25-round decision to Mr. Jeffries in 1899 in a challenge for the world title that Mr. Jeffries had won earlier in the year. Mr. Sharkey won by disqualification over Mr. Corbett in 1898, and was knocked out in 2 rounds by Mr. Fitsimmons in 1900.

Baseball
With 2 out in the top of the 5th inning and Yogi Berra on first base, Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees hit a home run to left centre field that glanced off a scoreboard before leaving Griffith Stadium in Washington and landing in a backyard of a house at 434 Oak Street, 565 feet from home plate. Mr. Mantle's blast, off Washington pitcher Chuck Stobbs, remains the longest major league home run ever measured. The Yankees defeated the Nationals 7-3.

50 years ago
1963

Scandal
National Football League Commissioner Pete Rozelle suspended two of the league's star players--halfback Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers and defensive tackle Alex Karras of the Detroit Lions--indefinitely for betting on games. The players were reinstated a year later.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Boston 99 @ Los Angeles 119 (Boston led best-of-seven series 2-1)

40 years ago
1973

War
U.S. B-52 and F-11 bombers concluded two days of bombing raids on North Vietnamese positions at Tha Vieng, on the southern edge of the Plain of Jars in Laos. U.S. officials contended that the raids had been carried out at the request of the Laotian government because of North Vietnames violations of the Paris cease-fire accord.

Defense
U.S. Defense Secretary Elliot Richardson defended the previous day's announcement of plans to close or downsize 274 U.S. military bases as a "necessary and timely" economy measure in the wake of the end of U.S. troop involvement in the Vietnam War, and said that further closings or "realignments" in the coming years could save the U.S. government $5 billion over the next decade.

Scandal
U.S. President Richard Nixon revealed that "major developments" had come to light in his own investigation of the June 1972 break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. Mr. Nixon also agreed to permit his aides to testify before the U.S. Senate investigating committee under ground rules that would "preserve the separation of powers without suppressing the facts." He also said that he would immediately fire any government employee indicted in connection with the case. White House Press Secretary Ron Ziegler announced that President Nixon's previous statements denying White House staff involvement in the affair were "inoperative."

Hockey
NHL
John McLellan resigned after four seasons as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team made the playoffs twice under Mr. McLellan, but couldn't advance past the quarter-finals, and the strain of the job took a toll on Mr. McLellan's health. In 1972-73 the Maple Leafs finished 6th of 8 teams in the East Division, with a record of 27-41-10. Mr. McLellan eventually accepted a scouting position with the Maple Leafs, while Red Kelly replaced him as coach.

Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
Philadelphia 3 @ Montreal 4 (OT) (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
Chicago 2 @ New York Rangers 1 (Chicago led best-of-seven series 2-1)

Rookie defenseman Larry Robinson's 50-foot slap shot fooled Philadelphia goalie Doug Favell at 6:45 of overtime to give the Canadiens their win over the Flyers at the Montreal Forum.

30 years ago
1983

Died on this date
Peter Potter, 78. U.S. disc jockey and television host. Mr. Potter, a Hollywood disc jockey, was host of Juke Box Jury, one of television’s earliest game shows. The show, which began airing in 1948, had a panel of celebrity guests who would rate a new record as a "hit" or a "miss."

Emil "Dutch" Leonard, 74. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Leonard played 20 years in the major leagues from 1933-1953 for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs. His lifetime record of 191 wins and 181 losses belies the fact that Mr. Leonard played virtually his entire career with bad teams. His best seasons were 1939, when he was 20-8 with Washington, and 1945, when he went 17-7 with the Nationals, posting a 2.13 earned run average. Mr. Leonard was one of four starting pitchers with the 1945 Nationals who threw a knuckleball; the others were Roger Wolff, Mickey Haefner, and Johnny Niggeling. Mr. Leonard led the American League in losses with 19 in 1940 as a member of the Nationals, and led the National League with 17 losses in 1948 when he was with the Phillies. Other notable achievements for Mr. Leonard included leading the National League in saves with 8 with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1935, and leading the American League with 3 shutouts as a National in 1938. Emil "Dutch" Leonard is not to be confused with (and wasn’t related to) Hubert "Dutch" Leonard, who pitched with the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers from 1913-1925.

Felix Pappalardi, 43. U.S. musician. Mr. Pappalardi played bass guitar and sang with the rock group Mountain, whose single Mississippi Queen reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1970. He was shot and killed by his wife Gail; she was charged with second-degree murder, but was eventually convicted of criminally negligent homicide.

New Zealandiana
Prince Charles and Princess Diana arrived in New Zealand for a two-week visit.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Division Finals
Edmonton 10 @ Calgary 2 (Edmonton led best-of-seven series 3-0)

The Oilers' rout of the Flames at Olympic Saddledome degenerated into a brawl in the 3rd period, setting the tone for future episodes of the "Battle of Alberta."

Football
USFL
Los Angeles (4-3) 18 @ Tampa Bay (5-2) 13
Washington (1-6) 22 @ New Jersey (2-5) 23



Denver (4-3) 9 @ Birmingham (2-5) 7
Chicago (4-3) 12 @ Michigan (3-4) 17
Boston (5-2) 44 @ Arizona (3-4) 23

Baseball
Nolan Ryan struck out seven Montreal Expos in a 6-3 Houston victory to become only the second pitcher in major league history to record 3,500 career strikeouts.

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): One Tree Hill--U2 (4th week at #1)

Diplomacy
During three days of talks in Managua, the Sandanista government of Nicaragua proposed that the Contras enter seven cease-fire zones and begin disarming in June. Contra leaders rejected the idea because they said it contained no government concessions. Adolfo Calero, head of the Contra delegation, expressed doubts that the peace process would work.

Curling
Eigil Ramsfjell of Norway upset previously undefeated Pat Ryan of Canada 5-4 to win the world men’s championship at Lausanne, Switzerland.

Baseball
After 10 consecutive losses the Atlanta Braves won their first game of the season, 3-1 over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Zane Smith was the winning pitcher. Atlanta's 0-10 start was the worst in National League history.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Are You Gonna Go My Way--Lenny Kravitz (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Sei Un Mito--883 (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): I Feel You--Depeche Mode (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): No Limit--2 Unlimited (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Alison--Jordy (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Mr. Blue--René Klijn (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Chart Information Network): Young at Heart--The Bluebells (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Informer--Snow (6th week at #1)

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I Have Nothing--Whitney Houston (2nd week at #1)
2 Informer--Snow
3 Two Princes--Spin Doctors
4 Don't Walk Away--Jade
5 Love Is--Vanessa Williams and Brian McKnight
6 Angel--Jon Secada
7 Nothin' But a "G" Thang--Dr. Dre
8 I'm Every Woman--Whitney Houston
9 If I Ever Lose My Faith in You--Sting
10 Cat's in the Cradle--Ugly Kid Joe

Singles entering the chart were Silence is Broken by Damn Yankees (#65); Romeo by Dolly Parton and Friends (#66); Three Little Pigs by Green Jello (#72); and Good Ol' Days by Levert (#83).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 If I Ever Lose My Faith in You--Sting (2nd week at #1)
2 Two Princes--Spin Doctors
3 Simple Life--Elton John
4 Angel--Jon Secada
5 I Have Nothing--Whitney Houston
6 Bed of Roses--Bon Jovi
7 That's What Love Can Do--Boy Krazy
8 Lost in Your Eyes--The Jeff Healey Band
9 Man on the Moon--R.E.M.
10 Courage--The Tragically Hip

Singles entering the chart were Can't Do a Thing (To Stop Me) by Chris Isaak (#80); If You Believe in Me by April Wine (#83); Nothin' My Love Can't Fix by Joey Lawrence (#85); Flying by Blue Rodeo (#86); I Put a Spell on You by Bryan Ferry (#87); and Harbor Lights by Bruce Hornsby (#93).

Died on this date
Turgut Ozal, 65. 8th President of Turkey, 1989-1993; Prime Minister of Turkey, 1983-1989. Mr. Ozal was founder and leader of the Motherland Party. As Prime Minister, he paved the way for privatization of many state enterprises; as President, he supported the Allied coalition against Iraq in the Gulf War in 1991, and sought to create a Turkic union. Mr. Ozal reportedly died of a heart attack, but his wife Semra charged that he had been poisoned with lemonade. When exhumed in October 2012, his body was found to contain 10 times the normal level of the insecticide DDT.

Crime
A jury convicted Los Angeles police Sergeant Stacey Koon and Officer Laurence Powell guilty of civil rights violations in the 1991 beating of Rodney King. The 1992 acquittals of Messrs. Koon and Powell and two other Los Angeles policemen on criminal charges had touched off Negro riots in Los Angeles.

10 years ago
2003

Died on this date
Robert Atkins, 72. U.S. physician. Dr. Atkins was a cardiologist who created the "Atkins diet," emphasizing protein and fat as primary sources of dietary calories, while controlling carbohydrate consumption. He died nine dayas after suffering severe head trauma after slipping on an icy sidewalk in New York City after a snowstorm.

John Paul Getty, Jr., 70. U.S.-born U.K. philanthropist. Mr. Getty was the eldest son of U.S. oil billionaire J. Paul Getty.

Earl King, 69. U.S. musician. Mr. King was a rhythm and blues singer and songwriter based in New Orleans. His compositions, sometimes credited to the pseudonymous Pearl King, included Come On and I Hear You Knockin'.

H. B. Bailey, 66. U.S. race car driver. Mr. Bailey was a stock car driver who competed in 85 races in the NASCAR circuit from 1962-1993. He never won a race, with his best finish being fifth in the Grand National in 1965.

Masha and Dasha Krivoshlyapova, 33. Russian conjoined twins. The twins, who were joined at the hip and shared three legs, were reportedly taken from their mother at birth and kept in an institution.

War
U.S. special forces in Iraq captured Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, half-brother of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and a former intelligence chief.