|
April 3rd
0419 - Etalius ended his reign as Catholic Pope. 0628 - In Persia, Kavadh sues for peace with the Byzantines. 1189 - The Peace of Strasbourg was signed, resolving the differences between Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of Germany and Pope Clement III. 1245 - Born this day, Philip III, king of France (1270-85). 1366 - Born this day, Henry IV, who reigned 1399-1413, was born at Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire. (Find the castle remains on this map 1367 - John of Gaunt and Edward the Black Prince won the Battle of Najara, in Spain. 1528 - In Cologne, German reformer Adolf Clarenbach, 28, was arrested for teaching Protestant (some say Anabaptist or Waldensian) doctrines. The following year, Clarenbach was burned at the stake for his faith. 1559 - Philip II of Spain and Henry II of France signed the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis in France, ending a long series of wars spanning almost 60 years, between the Hapsburg and Valois dynasties. 1593 - Born this day, George Herbert, English clergyman and metaphysical poet. One of his verses endures today as the hymn, The King of Love My Shepherd Is. (5 Mystical Songs). 1679 - Edmund Halley met Johannes Hevelius in Danzig. 1721 - Sir Robert Walpole was appointed first lord of the treasury and chancellor of the exchequer, effectively Britain's first prime minister. 1759 - Anglican clergyman and hymnwriter John Newton wrote in a letter: 'I believe that love to God, and to man for God's sake, is the essence of religion and the fulfilling of the law.' 1776 - Harvard College conferred the first honourary Doctor of Laws degree to George Washington. 1783 - Born this day, Washington Irving, American writer (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Rip Van Winkle). 1783 - Sweden and the US signed a treaty of Amity and Commerce. 1800 - Martha Washington became the first US President’s wife to be allowed to ‘frank’ mail. What does that mean? Well, according to Mr. Webster’s dictionary, frank means “to send free of postage. The right to send mail for free. A mark indicating this right.” 1822 - Born this day, Edward Everett Hale, American clergyman and author (Man without a Country). 1823 - Born this day, William Macy 'Boss' Tweed, corrupt New York City political boss. 1829 - James Carrington of Connecticut patented the coffee mill. Coffee milling devices had been available for hundreds of years, dating back to the Greek and Roman Empires. 1837 - Born this day, John Burroughs, writer, nature enthusiast, founded what later became the Burroughs Corporation (Burroughs Medal namesake). 1842 - Born this day, Hermann Karl Vogel, German astonomer. 1845 - Florida became the 27th state of the USA. 1848 - Thomas Douglas became the first San Francisco public teacher. 1860 - On this date in 1860, the first Pony Express mail simultaneously left St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, carried by Henry Wallace riding west and John Roff riding east. During the 1,800-mile journey, the riders changed horses dozens of times, and on 13 April, the westbound packet arrived in Sacramento, beating the eastbound packet's arrival in St. Joseph by two days. Operating on a semiweekly basis for nearly two years, the route followed a pioneer trail across the present-day states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada to California, carrying mail as well as some small freight for the young Wells Fargo Company. The Pony Express Company, a private enterprise, charged five dollars for every half-ounce of mail. Although short-lived and unprofitable, the Pony Express captivated the American imagination and helped win federal aid for a more economical overland mail service. The Pony Express also contributed to the economy of the towns on its route, and served the mail service needs of the American West in the days before the telegraph and an efficient transcontinental railroad. Pony Express mail service was discontinued on 24 October 1861. (Other source says - Johnny Fry was first westbound rider from St. Joseph. Billy Hamilton was first eastbound driver from Sacramento.) 1862 - Slavery was abolished in Washington, DC. 1865 - Union forces occupy the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. 1866 - Rudolph Eickemeyer and G. Osterheld, of Yonkers, New York, patented a blocking and shaping machine for hats. 1872 - J.C. Watson discovered asteroid #119 Althaea. 1881 - The Fifth full British Census took place. 1882 - On this date in 1882, Jesse James, one of America's most notorious outlaws, was shot to death in St. Joseph, Missouri, by Robert Ford, a member of his gang who hoped to collect the bounty on Jesse's head. Jesse James, born in Clay County, Missouri, in 1847, joined a Confederate guerrilla band led by William Quantrill at the age of 15. Quantrill's guerrillas, which included several future members of the James Gang, terrorized Kansas and Missouri during the Civil War and in August 1863 massacred civilians during a brutal raid on Lawrence, Kansas, an abolitionist town. After the war's end in 1865, Jesse, his brother Frank, and brothers Cole, James, and Robert Younger decided to team up and use their military raiding skills for armed robbery. In February 1866, 18-year-old Jesse planned their first target - a bank in Liberty, Missouri. On February 13, Frank James led a group of about a dozen men, including Cole Younger and other former Confederate guerrillas, in the first recorded daylight bank robbery in the United States. They left the bank with $60,000 in gold and silver coins, paper money, and government securities. Jesse did not participate in the actual robbery, but he later became the leader of the James Gang, which was eventually reduced to the core unit of James, his brother, and the three Younger brothers. During the next 16 years, the James Gang became America's most notorious outlaws, robbing banks, trains, stagecoaches, stores, and individuals of a total of about $300,000. The beginning of their downfall came in 1876, when, after killing two people and failing to secure any money in an attempted bank robbery at Northfield, Minnesota, the Younger brothers and several other key members of their gang were captured. The James brothers escaped and did not rob another train until 1880, the same year that Missouri Governor Thomas Crittenden offered a reward for the capture of the James brothers, dead or alive. James Gang member Robert Ford chose the former, and on 3 April 1882, he shot Jesse James in the back while he stood on a chair adjusting a picture. Frank James subsequently surrendered and in trials was twice acquitted, eventually dying of old age on his farm near Excelsior Springs, Missouri. 1886 - J. Palisa discovered asteroids #256 Walpurga and #274 Philagoria. 1888 - Born this day, Gertrude Bridget 'Ma' Rainey, American singer, 'the mother of the blues'. 1889 - The Savings Bank of the Order of True Reformers opened in Richmond, Virginia. 1893 - Born this day, Leslie Howard, in London, actor (Gone With the Wind). 1894 - Born this day, Dooley Wilson, in Tyler, Texas, actor (Bill-Beulah). 1895 - Born this day, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, in Firenze (Florence), Italy, composer. 1897 - Died this day, Johannes Brahms, German pianist and composer, in Vienna. 1898 - Born this day, Henry R. Luce, magazine publisher, founder of Time, Fortune and Life. (1965 Fisher Award). 1898 - Born this day, George Jessel, toastmaster general, entertainer (Diary of Young Comic). 1904 - Born this day, Peter Van Steeden, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, orchestra leader (Break the Bank). 1904 - Born this day, Sally Rand, US actress, ecdysiast, fan dancer (1933 Chic World Fair). 1905 - M. Wolf discovered asteroid #562 Salome. 1908 - Frank Gotch won the world heavyweight wrestling championship in 2 hours. 1910 - Alaska's Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America was climbed. 1913 - Leading suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst was jailed for three years for inciting supporters to place explosives at the London home of David Lloyd George. 1916 - Born this day, Herb Caen, in Sacramento, California, columnist (SF Chronicle). 1916 - S. Belyavskij discovered asteroids #854 Frostia, #855 Newcombia and #856 Backlunda. 1917 - Born this day, Bill Finegan, in Newark, New Jersey, (Sauter-Finegan Band, Sat Night Revue). 1918 - Born this day, Sixten Ehrling, in Malmo, Sweden, conductor (Royal Opera of Stockholm). 1918 - House of Representatives accepted American Creed written by William Tyler. 1920 - Born this day, Stan Freeman, in Waterbury, Connecticut, pianist (Melody Tour). 1920 - F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre were married at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. 1921 - Coal rationing started. 1921 - Born this day, Harry Landers, in New York City, actor (Ted Hoffman-Ben Casey). 1921 - Born this day, Marilyn Maxwell, in Clarinda, Iowa, actress (Grace-Bus Stop). 1922 - The new Central Committee of the Communisst Party in Russia appointed Joseph Stalin as General Secretary of the Communist Party and de facto leader of the country. 1923 - Born this day, Jan Sterling, in New York City, actress (1st Monday in October, HS Confidential). 1924 - Born this day, Marlon Brando, in Omaha, Nebraska, actor (On the Waterfront, Superman, The Godfather). 
1924 - Born this day, Doris Day [Von Kappelhoff], in Cincinnati, Ohio, actress, singer. (Pillow Talk). 1956 US and UK No.1 single Whatever Will Be, Will Be, (Que Sera, Sera), plus 17 other UK Top 40 singles. 1925 - Born this day, Tony Benn, former Labour MP. 1926 - Born this day, [Virgil] Gus Grissom, in Mitchell, Indiana, Lieutenant Colonel USAF, astronaut (Mercury 4, Gemini 3). 1926 - The second flight of a liquid-fueled rocket by Robert Goddard took place. 1927 - Interstate Commerce Comm transfered Ohio to the Eastern time zone. 1927 - Born this day, Eva Szekely, in Hungary, 200m backstroke swimmer (Olympic gold 1952). 1928 - The manuscript of Alice in Wonderland sold for £15,400. 1928 - Born this day, Don Gibson, US country singer songwriter, 1961 UK No.14 single Sea O Heartbreak. 1958 US No.7 single Oh Lonesome Me was covered by Neil Young on his After The Gold Rush album. 1929 - Born this day, Miyoshi Umeki, in Japan, actress (Mrs Livingston-Courtship of Eddie's Father). 1930 - Born this day, Helmut Kohl, former German chancellor. 1930 - Officials of the University of Southern California refused to play the polo team from UCLA unless Barbara Rand of the UCLA Bruins was replaced... by a man! 1930 - Ras Tafari was proclaimed Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, formerly Abyssinia. 1930 - Born this day, Lawton Chiles (Sen-D-Florida). 1930 - Montreal Canadiens swept the Boston Bruins in 2 games for the Stanley Cup. 1930 - Born this day, Max Frankel, journalist (Tables of Id of Organic Compounds). 1931 - Born this day, Alex Cord, in Floral Park, New York, actor (Jack-WEB, Michael-Airwolf). 1932 - Born this day, Don Gibson, country singer. 1933 - First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt informed newspaper reporters that beer would be served at the White House. This followed the March 22 legislation legalizing "3.2" beer. 1933 - The then longest North American hockey game required a 1:44:46 overtime as Maple Leaf Ken Doraty scored to beat the Canadiens 1-0. 1933 - The first flight over the peak of Mount Everest in the Himalayas was made by four Britons in two Westland biplanes. 1934 - Born this day, Jane Goodall, in London, England, ethologist, studied African chimps. 1934 - Born this day, Jim Parker, NFL guard, tackle (Baltimore Colts). 1935 - C. Jackson discovered asteroids #1354 Botha and #1948 Kampala. 1936 - In the shortest boxing bout with gloves, Al Carr knocked out Lew Massey with one punch in seven seconds of the first round. 1936 - Born this day, Jimmy McGriff, jazz musician. 1936 - Bruno Hauptmann was executed by electrocution in Trenton, New Jersey, for the kidnap and murder of the Lindbergh baby. 1937 - Born this day, William Gaunt, actor. 1937 - Born this day, Simon Brown, British high court judge. 1937 - K. Inkeri discovered asteroid #1425 Tuorla. 1937 - Born this day, William Gaunt, in Leeds, England, actor (The Champions). 1938 - Born this day, Jeff Barry, in Brooklyn, New York, songwriter (Tell Laura I Love Her, Da Doo Ron Ron, Be My Baby, Baby I Love You, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Hanky Panky, Chapel Of Love). Also member of Raindrops, co-wrote with then-wife Ellie Greenwich. 1938 - Born this day, Philip Wynne, vocals, Detroit Spinners, 1980 UK No.1 and US No.2 single Working My Way Back To You. Died 14 July 1984. 1939 - Mr. District Attorney was heard for the first time on NBC radio. The serial about the ‘champion of the people’ was originally a 15-minute nightly program. In June of 1939, the program went to a half-hour weekly format. "Mr. District Attorney" aired until 1952. 1939 - Born this day, Vitaliy Davidov, in USSR, ice hockey player (Olympic gold 1964, 1968, 1972). 1940 - Y. Vaisala discovered asteroids #2194 Arpola, #2512 Tavastia and #3099. 1941 - Born this day, Eric Braeden, actor (Victor Newman-Young & Restless). 1941 - Born this day, Jan Berry, Jan & Dean, 1963 US No.1 and UK No.26 single Surf City, co-written with Beach Boy Brian Wilson. Deadman's Curve. Died 26 March 2004. 1941 - The British evacuated Benghazi in the face of the German advance in World War II (WWII). 1942 - Born this day, Billy Joe Royal, singer. 1942 - Born this day, Marsha Mason, in St. Louis, Missouri, actress (Blume in Love, Cinderella Liberty). 1942 - People Are Funny was first heard on NBC radio. Art Baker was the show’s first host. Art Linkletter took over the popular program on radio in 1943 and later moved it to television. 1942 - Born this day, Michael Elliott, US skier (Olympics 1968). 1942 - Born this day, Rick Sylvester, parachute ski jumper (world record 3,300'). 1942 - Born this day, Wayne Newton, singer (Danke Schon). 1942 - The Japanese infantry staged a major offensive against Allied troops in Bataan, the peninsula guarding Manila Bay of the Philippine Islands. The invasion of the Japanese 14th Army, which began in December 1941 and was led by General Masaharu Homma, had already forced General Douglas MacArthur's troops from Manila, the Philippine capital, into Bataan, in part because of poor strategizing on MacArthur's part. By March, after MacArthur had left for Australia on President Roosevelt's orders and been replaced by Major General Edward P. King Jr., the American Luzon Force and its Filipino allies were half-starved and suffering from malnutrition, malaria, beriberi, dysentery, and hookworm. Homma, helped by reinforcements and an increase in artillery and aircraft activity, took advantage of the US and Filipinos' weakened condition. The Japanese attack signaled the beginning of the end and would result, six days later, in the surrender of the largest number of US troops in US military history. 1943 - Born this day, Richard Manuel, The Band, 1969 US No.25 single Up On Cripple Creek. 1970 UK No.16 single Rag Mama Rag, committed suicide 6 March 1986. 1944 - The US Supreme Court ruled that black citizens were eligible to vote in all elections, including primaries. 1944 - Born this day, Barry Pritchard, guitar, vocals, The Fortunes, 1965 UK No.2 and US No.7 single You've Got Your Troubles. 1944 - Born this day, Tony Orlando, in New York City, singer, Dawn, 1971 UK No.9 single Candida, 1971 UK and US No.1 single Knock Three Times, 1971 UK No.3 single What Are You Doing Sunday, 1973 UK No.1 single Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree. 1945 - Born this day, Catherine Spaak, in France, actress (Empty Canvas, Hotel). 1946 - Born this day, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, president of Mexico. 1946 - Died this day, Lieutenant General Masaharu Homma, responsible for Bataan Death March, was executed. 1946 - Born this day, Dee Murphy, bass, Elton John Band, died 15 January 1992. 1946 - Born this day, John Virgo, snooker player and commentator. 1948 - The first US figure skating championships were held. (Where?). 1948 - Born this day, Garrick Ohlsson, in Bronxville, New York , pianist (International Busoni winner 1969). 1948 - Born this day, Mary Gordon-Watson,in England, equestrian 3 day event (Olympic gold 1972). 1948 - President Harry S. Truman signed the Marshall Plan, which allocated more than $5 billion dollars ($5.33b) in aid for 16 European countries rebuilding efforts after World War II (WWII). 1949 - Transjordan signed an armistice with the newly founded state of Israel. 1949 - Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis debuted on radio in an NBC program that ran until 1952. 1949 - Born this day, Lyle Alzado, NFLer (LA Raiders), actor. 1949 - KQW-AM in San Francisco, California changed its call letters to KCBS. 1949 - Born this day, Richard Thompson, guitar, vocals, Fairport Convention and solo, 1991 UK No.32 album Rumour And Sigh. Shoot out the Lights. 1950 - Born this day, Curtis Stone, country musician, (Highway 101). 1950 - Died this day, American hymnwriter Ira B. Wilson, at the age of 70. Associated with Lorenz Publishing in Dayton, Ohio for over 40 years, Wilson's most enduring sacred composition was Make Me a Blessing (aka Out of the Highways and Byways of Life). 1950 - Died this day, Carter G. Woodson, "father of black history," died in Washington, DC aged 74. 1951 - Born this day, Mel Schacher, rock musician, bassist, Grand Funk Railroad, 1974 US No.1 single The Locomotion. The most successful US Heavy Metal band of the 70’s selling over 20 million albums. 1952 - Harry Belafonte recorded his first songs for RCA Victor at Manhattan Center in New York City. Hugo Winterhalter backed up the singer with an 18-piece orchestra. Among the sides recorded were Dogs A-Roving and Chimney Smoke. 1953 - TV Guide was published for the first time - from Radnor, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia). The publication reached a circulation of 1,500,000 readers in its first year. 1954 - Born this day, Mick Mars [Bob Allen Dale], in Indiana, guitarist (Motley Crue-Girls Girls). 1954 - Don Perry climbed a 20 foot rope in under 2.8 seconds (An AAU record). 1955 - Born this day, Bob Deal, Motley Crue, 1988 UK No.23 single You're All I Need and 1989 US No.1 album Dr Feelgood. 1955 - Record snows fell across north-central Wyoming and south-central Montana. Billings, Montana receives a storm total of 42.3 inches (107 cm). Sheridan, Wyoming established a 24-hour snowfall record with 26.7 inches (68 cm). 1955 - Fred Astaire appeared on television for the first time on The Toast of the Town, with host, Ed Sullivan. Already an established dancer in films, Astaire was quick to become a TV sensation as well. 1955 - The Baltimore Orioles pulled their first triple play (3-6-2 vs KC Athletics). 1956 - Born this day, Miguel Bose, in Panama, spanish singer. 1956 - Elvis Presley appeared on ABC-TV's The Milton Berle Show singing Heartbreak Hotel, Shake Rattle And Roll and Blue Suede Shoes. 1958 - Born this day, Alec Baldwin, in Amityville, New York, actor (Joshua-Knots Landing, Beetlejuice). 1959 - The BBC banned the Coasters' Charlie Brown over its reference to spitballs. 1959 - Born this day, David Hyde Pierce, actor, (Niles Crane - Frasier). 1961 - The Marcels started a 3 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with the Rodgers and Heart song Blue Moon, it was also a No.1 in the UK. 1961 - Born this day, Eddie Murphy, in Brooklyn, New York, actor, singer (SNL, 48 Hours, Beverly Hills Cop, Raw), 1986 US No.3 single Party All The Time. 1962 - Born this day, John Gruffith, rock musician (Red Rockers). 1962 - Race jockey Eddie Arcaro retired after 31 years and 24,092 races and a career record of 15,327 victories for total winnings of $12,265,455. Arcaro was the first jockey to win 3,000 races and the first to ride five Kentucky Derby winners. In the Derby, Arcaro rode these mounts to the Winner’s Circle: Lawrin, Whirl-a-Way, Hoop Jr., Citation and Hill Gail. 1962 - Born this day, Simon Raymonde, Cocteau Twins, 1984 UK No.29 single Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops. 1963 - Elvis Presley's 12th film, It Happened at the World's Fair, was released. 1964 - The Beatles held the top six spots on the Sydney, Australia record charts. 1964 - The US and Panama agreed to resume diplomatic relations. 1964 - Bob Dylan made his first entry on the UK charts with The Times They Are A-Changin'. 1965 - Petula Clark's I Know a Place entered the Billboard charts. It eventually reached No.3. 1965 - The first atomic powered spacecraft was launched. (Name anyone?). 1965 - Born this day, Mike Ness, Rock singer-musician, (Social Distortion). 1965 - Bob Dylan appeared on the UK pop music charts for the first time. The Times They Are A Changin' entered the Top 40 at number 36. The song stayed on the charts for eight weeks, eventually reacing No.9. Dylan would chart a total of 12 singles on the pop charts between 1965 and 1979. He appeared in the films Don’t Look Back, Eat the Document and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. He made the film Renaldo and Clara in 1978. Dylan co-starred in the film Hearts of Fire in 1987. He became a member of the Traveling Wilburys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Dylan won the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991. 1966 - Born this day, Charlotte Coleman, actress. 1966 - Luna 10, originally launched on 31 March 1966, was put into a selenocentric orbit, becoming the moon's first man-made satellite. It had an apogee of 1015 km, a perigee of 350 km, an inclination to the equatorial plane of 72 degrees. The orbital time was 2 hours 58 minutes. The mission carried instrumentation to study the Moon and cislunar space. 1966 - Three-thousand South Vietnamese Army troops lead a protest against the Ky regime in Saigon. 1966 - Peter Tork opened a solo stint in Hollywood at The Troubadour. Tork had already auditioned for The Monkees, who he joined later in the year. 1967 - 113 East Europeans attending World Amateur hockey championships in Vienna, asked for political asylum. 1968 - Less than 24 hours before he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a speech to a rally of striking sanitation workers. 1968 - Born this day, Sebastian Philip Clerk Bach, in the Bahamas, rock musician, Skid Row, 1989 US No.4 and 1990 UK No.12 single 18 and Life. 1968 - North Vietnam agreed to meet US representatives, to set up preliminary peace talks. 1968 - Stanley Kubrick's science fiction masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey, opened in US theatres. The film, starring Kier Dullea as David Bowman, is credited with elevating the benchmark for the genre, and had audiences clamoring for more of the same. The film was based on Arthur C. Clarke's story The Sentinel. The film won an Oscar for Best Special Visual Effects, and was nominated for several others, including Best Director and Best Screenplay. In 1991, 2001 was registered by the National Film Preservation Board. As its primary mission, the Board works to ensure the survival, conservation, and increased public availability of America's film heritage. 1970 - Born this day, Matthew Priest, Dodgy, 1996 UK No.4 single Good Enough. 1970 - Miriam Hargrave of England passed her driving test on her 40th try. 1971 - The Temptations scored their second US No.1 with Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), which stayed at the top for 2 weeks. It made No.8 in the UK. 1971 - Un banc, un arbre, une rue by Séverine (music by Jean-Pierre Bourtayre, text by Yves Dessca) won the Eurovision Song Contest 1971 for Monaco. 1972 - Born this day, Jennie Garth, in Champagn, Illinois, actress (Kelly Taylor-Beverly Hills 90210). 1972 - L. Chernykh discovered asteroid #2142 Landau 1972 - Charlie Chaplin returned to the United States after a twenty-year absence. 1972 - Born this day, Kenny Logan, Wasps and Scotland rugby winger. 1974 - Soyuz 14 was launched. 1974 - A tornado hit the city of Windsor, Ontario, killing 9 and injuring 30. Damage exceeded $1.5 million. 1974 - Deadly tornadoes struck wide parts of the South and Midwest America before jumping across the border into Canada. More than 300 fatalities resulted. 1974 - Gold hit a record $197 an ounce in Paris. 1975 - Steve Miller was charged with setting fire to the clothes of a friend, Benita Diorio. When police arrived at Miller's house, Diorio was putting out the flames, Miller fought with some of the policemen and was charged with resisting arrest. 1975 - Died this day, Mary Ure, actress (Where Eagles Dare), aged 42. 1975 - Russia's Anatoly Karpov was proclaimed world chess champion after American Bobby Fischer was stripped of the world chess title for refusing to defend. Karpov became the youngest ever chess champion at the age of 23. 1975 - James Rupers killed his family for an inheritance. 1976 - The Philadelphia Flyers won a record tying 20th straight NHL home game. 1976 - Johnnie Taylor started a 4 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with Disco Lady, his 10th US top 40, it made No.25 in the UK. 1976 - N. Chernykh discovered asteroid #3493. 1977 - The record was set for splitting a human hair. It was divided into an amazing 16 parts. (Who by and where?). 1977 - Boston Bruin Jean Ratelle scored his 1,000th NHL point. 1977 - Egyptian President Anwar Sadat had a first meeting with President Jimmy Carter. 1978 - Radio broadcasts began from the House of Commons. 1978 - Cher's TV special with guest-star Rod Stewart, aired on ABC. 1979 - Jane Byrne became the first female mayor in Chicago’s history. 1979 - Kate Bush made her concert debut at Liverpool's Empire Theatre. 1980 - Died this day, Luella Gear, actress (Joe & Mabel), died aged 82. 1981 - Mobs of youths went on the rampage in Brixton, south London, throwing petrol bombs, attacking police officers and looting shops. 1981 - Atlantic City starring Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon, and directed by Louis Malle, opened in US theatres through out the country. The film won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards for Best Actor, Best Picture, and Best Screenplay, and was nominated for five Oscars, although it was edged out. 1981 - Arnie Boldt of Saskatchewan jumped 6 feet 8-1/4 inches, with 1 leg. 1982 - Buffalo Sabre Gil Perrault scored his 1,000th NHL point. 1982 - The United Nations (UN) Security Council voted 10-1 in favour of Resolution 502 demanding withdrawal of Argentine forces from the Falkland Islands. 1982 - Died this day, Warren Oates, actor (East of Eden, Stoney Burke), died aged 53. 1982 - John Chancellor stepped down as anchor of the The NBC Nightly News. Roger Mudd and Tom Brokaw assumed roles as co-anchors. 1984 - Coach John Thompson of Georgetown University became the first African-American coach to win an NCAA basketball tournament. 1984 - E. Bowell discovered asteroid #3676. 1984 - Soyuz T-11 carried 3 cosmonauts including one Indian, Rakesh Sharma, to Salyut 7. 1985 - On BBC Radio 1, Janice Long with The Chameleons in session and Stephen Tin Tin Duffy playing his favourite records and at 10pm Muriel Gray sitting in for John Peel on BBC Radio 1 with Simple Minds and The Cocteau Twins in session. 1985 - Vic Elliot pocketed 15,780 pool balls in 24 hours in London. 1985 - The famed Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood closed after a 57-year history. All of the furnishings were kept, including famous Booth #5 - where Clark Gable proposed to Carole Lombard. 1986 - For the first time in six years, major record companies decided to raise prices - between three and five percent. 1987 - Bill Elliott set a NASCAR qualify record of 212.809 mph at Talladega. 1988 - Mario Lemieux won the NHL scoring title, stopping Gretsky's seven year streak. 1988 - The New Jersey Devils beat Chicago to clinch their 1st ever playoff spot. 1989 - Sunrise, a Gannett newspaper began publishing for the Bronx. 1989 - Michigan beat Seaton Hall for the NCAA basketball title. 1990 - A delegation from the rebellious republic of Lithuania met with an adviser to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. 1990 - Died this day, Sarah Vaughan, jazz singer, of lung cancer aged 66, at her home in Hidden Hills, California. 1954 US No.6 single Make Yourself Comfortable, 1957 UK No.22 single Passing Strangers with Billy Eckstine, 1959 UK No.7 single Broken Hearted Melody. 1960 UK No.11 EP Smooth Sarah, 1960 UK No.19 Album No Count - Sarah. 1991 - Paul McCartney recorded his unplugged session for MTV. 1991 - The Security Council approved a Gulf cease-fire resolution stripping Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, impounding part of its oil revenues to pay reparations and paving the way for the withdrawal of US occupation troops. 
1991 - Died this day, Graham Greene, Britain's leading novelist for more than 30 years, died today aged 86 in Vevey, Switzerland. (The Third Man). 1992 - The first exhibition game at Camden Field was held, the Orioles beat the New York Mets. 1993 - 10 years after its first release, The Bluebells had a UK No.1 single with Young At Heart after it was featured on a Volkswagen TV commercial. The song was co-written by Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama). 1993 - Depeche Mode went to No.1 on the UK album chart with Songs Of Faith And Devotion their first UK No.1 and their 10th LP release. 1994 - A forthcoming tour by Nirvana and Hole was cancelled amid continuing speculation about Kurt Cobain's drug problems. 1994 - Minority Croats in Sarajevo celebrated the Bosnian capital's first Easter at peace since 1991, cramming into the main Roman Catholic cathedral to pray for the new calm to last. 1994 - After 37 years with CBS, newsman Charles Kuralt retired. The 59-year-old anchor made his final appearance on the CBS weekend news show, Sunday Morning, in order to pursue travel and book-writing plans. He said he wanted to visit some of his favourite small towns in the country that he had done news stories on over the years. Kuralt, with his unique, deeply melodic voice and eloquent delivery, was best known for his homey On the Road broadcasts which focused on the small towns of America. He was replaced by Charles Osgood. 1994 - Morrissey went to No.1 on the UK album chart with Vauxhall and I. 1996 - A plane carrying US Commerce Secretary Ron Brown crashed in Croatia, killing all 29 passengers and six crew members aboard. 1996 - Theodore Kaczynski was arrested, accused of being the Unabomber. 1998 - Born this day, Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. 1999 - Died this day, Lionel Bart, composer, from cancer aged 69. Wrote Living Doll for Cliff Richard, Little White Bull for Tommy Steele, and composed the musical, Oliver. 1999 - NATO missiles struck downtown Belgrade for the first time, destroying the headquarters of security forces accused of waging a campaign against Kosovo Albanians. 2000 - Firefighters worked through the night to try to locate three workmen trapped under 50 tonnes of rubble after a building collapsed in Hull. 2000 - Mariah Carey was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital suffering from dehydration and complications from food poisoning after eating raw oysters. 2001 - Robbie Williams won the award for the most radio plays in the UK for the third year running. The singer picked up the award at the Radio Academy awards in London. 2001 - Lawyers for the family of James Hanratty said tests linked him to the murder scene, but there was enough evidence to 'undermine' his conviction. 2002 - Three British students escaped from the town of Ramallah as Bethlehem descended into a virtual war zone. 2002 - Died this day, Frank Tovey of Fad Gadget, of heart failure. 2003 - Lisa Marie Presley was interviewed on ABC-TV's Primetime. 2003 - Died this day, Homer Banks, Stax records songwriter, aged 61. 2003 - US Secretary of State Colin Powell promised a United Nations (UN) role in the reconstruction of post-war Iraq. 2004 - The Grand National horse race was won by Amberleigh House at 16/1. It was ridden by jockey Gordon Lee. In second place was Clan Royal at 10/1 joint favourite, third was Lord Atterbury at 40/1 and fourth was Monty's Pass at 20/1. |
Trivia
Trivia - petty details or considerations, matters or things that are very unimportant, inconsequential, or nonessential; trifles; trivialities.
Trivial - of very little importance or value; insignificant: "Don't bother me with trivial matters." Trivially - unimportant, nugatory, slight, immaterial, inconsequential, frivolous, trifling.