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February 2nd
0506 - King Alarik II of Visigoten delegated Lex Romania Visigothorum out. 0962 - Emperor Otto I the Great, king of Germany, was crowned Holy Roman emperor by Pope John XII. 1033 - Died this day, Rudolf, king of Bourgondy. 1119 - Guido di Borgogna was elected Pope Callistus II. 1435 - Died this day, Johanna II, lawless Queen of Naples (1414-35), aged 61. 1461 - In the second battle of St Alban's, the Lancastrians defeated the Yorkists. 1502 - Born this day, Damiao de Gois, Portuguese humanist scholar. 1509 - The Portuguese, led by Francisco de Almeida, destroyed the Muslim fleet in the Battle of Diu, establishing Portuguese control of Indian waters. 1536 - Spanish explorer Pedro de Mendoza founded Buenos Aires. 1540 - Died this day, George Schenck van Toutenburg, governor, viceroy of Friesland/Groningen. 1556 - The world's worst earthquake, in China's Shaanxi, Shansi and Henan provinces, killed an estimated 830,000 people. 1583 - Born this day, Anna Roemers Visscher, poetess. 1594 - Died this day, Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina, Italian composer, aged 68. 1600 - Born this day, Gabriel Naud‚ in France, librarian (Mazarin Library). 1641 - Born this day, Claude de la ColombiŠre, French jesuiet, writer, royal chaplain. 1649 - Born this day, Benedict XIII [Pierfrancesco Orsini], Italy, 245th pope (1724-30). 1650 - Born this day, [Eleanor] Nell Gwyn, English actress, mistress of King Charles II. 1653 - New Amsterdam became a city (later to become New York City). 1660 - Died this day, Govert Flinck, Dutch painter (Isaac blesses Jacob), aged 45. 1669 - Born this day, Louis Marchand, composer. 1673 - Died this day, Kaspar Forster, composer, aged 56. 1685 - Died this day, Charles II, King of England/Scotland/Ireland (1660-85). 1704 - Died this day, Guillaume F.A. de l'hospitale, French mathematician, aged about 62. 1709 - The real Robinson Crusoe, Alexander Selkirk, was rescued after spending five years on the uninhabited islands of Juan Fernandez. 1723 - Died this day, Antonio M. Valsalva, Italian anatomist, aged 66. 1748 - Born this day, Christian Gottfried Thomas, composer. 1750 - Died this day, Johann Graf, composer, aged 65. 1754 - Born this day, Charles de Talleyrand, French statesman and diplomat. 1769 - Died this day, Clement XIII, [Carlo Rezzonico], Pope (1758-69), aged 75. 1773 - Born this day, Vincenc Tomas Vaclav Tucek, composer. 1779 - Died this day, Georg Philipp Kress, composer, aged 59. 1780 - Born this day, Johannes van den Bosch, governor-general (Netherlands East Indies). 1789 - Died this day, Armand-Louis Couperin, composer, aged 61. 1793 - Died this day, William Aiton, English botanist (Kew Gardens), aged 61. 1798 - Federal St Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts became the first in the US to be destroyed by fire. 1801 - The British parliament assembled, including for the first time Irish representatives. 1802 - The first leopard to be exhibited in the United States was shown by Othello Pollard in Boston, Massachusetts. (25 cents admission to see it). 1802 - Born this day, Jean-Baptiste J.D. Boussingault, French chemist. 1803 - Born this day, Albert Sidney Johnston, General (Confederate Army). Died in 1862. 1804 - Born this day, Leopold Eugen Mechura, composer. 1804 - Died this day, Caesar Rodney, US judge (signed Declaration of Independence), aged 62. 1811 - Russian settlers establish the Ft Ross trading post, north of San Francisco. 1815 - Born this day, Nathaniel Collins McLean, Brigadier General (Union volunteers). Died in 1905. 1817 - Born this day, John Glover, English chemist (sulfuric acid). 1817 - Born this day, Jose Maria de la Purificacion Ventura, composer. 1820 - Born this day, Hans E. Schack, Danish politician, writer (Phantasterne). 1822 - Died this day, Jean-Baptiste Davaux, composer, aged 79. 1823 - Rossini's opera Semiramide premiered in Venice. 1827 - Born this day, Abner Monroe Perrin, Brigadier General (Confederate Army). Died in 1864. 1827 - Born this day, Oswald Aschenbach, German painter. 1827 - Died this day, Johann Nepomuk Kalcher, composer, aged 62. 1828 - Died this day, Frederik Sigismund earl of Bylandt, vice-admiral, aged 78. 1829 - Madman Jonathan Martin set York Cathedral on fire, doing £60,000 damage in the process. 1835 - Born this day, Luigi Manzotti, in Milan, ballet choreographer. 1836 - The first public railway in London opened, from Spa Road to Deptford on the London and Greenwich line. 1836 - Died this day, M. Laetitia Bonaparte-Ramolino, [Madame Mare], aged 85. 1840 - Born this day, Louis Bourgault-Ducoudray, composer. 1843 - US and British settlers in Oregon Country chose a goverment committee. 1844 - Born this day, Leander Schlegel, composer. 1848 - The war between Mexico and the US formally ended with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Mexico sold the US, Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona for $15 million. 1848 - The first shipload of Chinese immigrants arrived in San Francisco, California. 1850 - Born this day, Carel V. Gerritsen, free thinker. 1852 - Born this day, Abdulhak Hamit Tarhan, in Istanbul, Turkish romantic poet, playwright. 1852 - Died this day, Francois M.P. Liberman, French founder (Congress of H Heart), aged 49. 1854 - Pope Pius IX published his encyclical On persecution of Armenians. 1856 - Born this day, Makar Grigori Ekmalyan, composer. 1857 - Born this day, John Six, art historian, art collector. 1859 - Born this day, Havelock Ellis, US physician, sexologist (Psychology of Sex). 1861 - Born this day, Mohammed VI Vahideddin, last sultan of Turkey (1918-22). 1861 - Born this day, Solomon R. Guggenheim, philanthropist (Guggenheim Museum, New York City). 1863 - Samuel Langhorne Clemens decided to use a pseudonym for the first time. Now he is better remembered by the pseudonym: Mark Twain. 1864 - CSS Florida embarked on a cruise which would last to 7 October. 1869 - James Oliver invented the removable tempered steel plow blade. 1870 - The Cardiff Giant, supposedly a petrified human, was proved to be gypsum. 1870 - Mark Twain, aged 34, married Olivia Langdon in Elmira, New York. 1873 - Born this day, Freiherr Constantine von Neurath, operatta composer (Dollar Princess). 1873 - Born this day, Johan P. earl van Limburg Stirum, diplomat. 1873 - Born this day, Leopold Fall, composer. 1875 - Born this day, Fritz Kreisler, in Vienna, Austria, violinist, composer. 1876 - In America, Baseball’s National League was born. Eight competing baseball teams met in New York City’s Grand Central Hotel. The first president of the new league was Morgan Gardner Bulkeley, who later became a US Senator. The eight original cities with teams were: Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Louisville and Hartford. Two of the original teams are now in the American League (Boston and New York) while Louisville and Hartford are now minor-league baseball towns. 1878 - Born this day, Christian Gauss, educator, writer (Phi Beta Kappa award namesake). 1878 - Cottenot discovered asteroid #181 Eucharis. 1880 - SS Strathleven arrived in London with first successful shipment of frozen mutton from Australia. 1881 - Born this day, Karl Frederick, pistol champion (Olympic-gold-1920). 1881 - Died this day, Aleksej F. Pisemski, Russian writer (Clodhopper). 1882 - Died this day, Fabio Campana, composer, aged 63. 1882 - Born this day, James Joyce, in Dublin, Ireland, Irish author, novelist, poet (Dubliners, Ulysses, Finnigan's Wake). 1882 - Born this day, James Stephens, Irish poet (Crock of Gold). 1883 - Born this day, Mikhail Fabianovich Gnesin, composer. 1884 - Born this day, Julis Deutsch, Austria politician, General Spanish republican army. 1884 - Born this day, S.Z. Sakall, in Budapest, Hungary, actor (Dolly Sisters, Casablanca). 1885 - Born this day, Aldo Palazzeschi [Giurlani), Italian writer (I cavalli bianchi). 1885 - Born this day, Giovanni Martinelli, Italian opera singer (New York Metropolitan). 1888 - Born this day, Candelario Huizar, composer. 1888 - Born this day, Frank Lloyd, actor, director (Mutiny on Bounty, Oliver Twist). 1890 - Born this day, Jean J. M. de Lattre de Tassigny, French general (Indo-China). 1891 - Born this day, Antonio Segni, premier of Italy. 1891 - Born this day, Frank Foyston, NHL Hall of Famer (Seattle). 1892 - William Painter, of Baltimore, Maryland, patented the crown-cork, bottle cap. 1892 - The longest boxing match under modern rules; 77 rounds in Nameoki, Illinois, was held between Harry Sharpe and Frank Crosby. (Who won?) 1893 - The Edison Studio, of West Orange, New Jersey, made history. The motion picture studio, named and operated by Thomas A. Edison, filmed the first motion picture close-up. It was a shot of comedian Fred Ott sneezing. 1894 - US warship Kearsarge was wrecked on Roncador Reef, near Solomon Island. 1895 - Born this day, George S. Halas [Papa Bear], end/coach (Bears), co-founder NFL. 1898 - Born this day, Josephina J. 'Fien' de la Mar, actress (Theatre la Mar). 1899 - Born this day, Benny Rubin, in Boston, Massachusetts, actor, comedian (Benny Rubin Show). 1900 - Born this day, Asa Smith Bushnell Jr, in Springfield, Ohio, Secretary of US Olympics (1945-65). 1900 - The opera Louise was produced in Paris. 1901 - The Female Army Nurse Corps was established as a permanent organisation in the US. 1901 - Born this day, Connie Gilchrist, in Brooklyn, New York, actress (Cry Havoc, Letter to 3 Wives). 1901 - Born this day, Jascha Heifetz, in Vilna, Lithuania, US violin virtuoso. 1902 - Died this day, Emanuil Mandlov, composer, aged 42. 1903 - Born this day, Frank McGrath, in Mound City, Missouri, actor (Wagon Train). 1904 - Born this day, Jose Enrique Pedreira, composer. 1905 - Born this day, Ayn Rand, writer (Atlas Shrugged, Fountainhead). 1906 - The Pope published an encyclical against 'separation of church & state'. 1907 - Born this day, Bernardas Brazdzionis, in Lithuania, poet, editor, critic. 1907 - Died this day, Dmitri I. Mendelejev, Russian chemist (Periodic Table), aged 72. 1908 - Born this day, Cal Tinney, in Oklahoma, comedian (Stop Me If You Heard This One). 1908 - Born this day, Clarence 'Buster' Crabbe, swimmer, actor (Olympic-gold-1932). 1908 - Born this day, Pavel Sivic, composer. 1908 - Born this day, Renzo Rossellini, Italian composer. 1909 - Born this day, Franc Albertson, US actor (Psycho, Alice Adams). 1909 - Italian writer Marinetti published Futurist Manifest in Paris. 1910 - M. Wolf discovered asteroid #330 Adalberta. 1910 - Born this day, Henry Beernink, politician. 1911 - Born this day, Jean-Jacques Grunenwald, French organist, composer. 1911 - Born this day, Johan J. 'Jussi' Bjerling, Swedish tenor. 1912 - Born this day, Burton Lane, broadway composer (Finian's Rainbow). 1912 - Born this day, Stefan Schnabel, German actor (Anna, Dracula's Widow, Firefox). 1912 - Frederick R. Law parachuted from Statue of Liberty (a stunt performed for Pathe). 1913 - New York football Giants signed Jim Thorpe. 1913 - New York City's Grand Central Terminal opened. 1914 - Cub Scouts were formed in England, the first pack was in Sussex. 1915 - Born this day, Evert Werkman, journalist (Slogan). 1916 - M. Wolf discovered asteroid #815 Coppelia. 1918 - M. Wolf discovered asteroid #888 Parysatis. 1918 - Born this day, Hella Haasse [S. Lelyveld-Haasse], author (Cider for poor people). 1918 - Died this day, John L. Sullivan, in Masschusetts, heavyweight boxing champ, aged 59. 1919 - Died this day, Xavier Henry Napoleon Leroux, composer, aged 55. 1919 - Born this day, Allie Reynolds, New York Yankee pitcher (1952 AL ERA leader (2.07)). 1919 - Born this day, Lisa Debeljevic-della Casa, Swiss singer. 1919 - Monarchist riots occured in Portugal. 1920 - Russia signed the Treaty of Tartu (Dorpat), under which Russia recognised Estonian independence in perpetuity. 1920 - France occupied (German) Memel territory. 1920 - Born this day, An Wang, founder of Wang Labs, Wang Computers. 1921 - Died this day, Luigi Mancinelli, composer, aged 72. 1922 - Film director William Desmond Taylor was found in his Hollywood, California, bungalow, shot through the heart. His murder involved the most prominent female stars in Hollywood: Mary Pickford, Mabel Normand, and Mary Miles Minter. When detectives investigated Taylor's home, they found many keepsakes, including a photograph of Pickford, a collection of women's underwear with initials and the date of conquest, and perfumed love letters from Minter. While Pickford knew nothing of the killing, her name was linked to the case for months. Normand was the last person to report seeing Taylor alive. The beautiful comedic star told police she dropped by to see Taylor that evening and stayed for two hours, discussing movies and books. It was suspected that she went for more than conversation. Although she was later exonerated, her character was tarnished by the press. Normand never again rose to the stardom she once had, and her latest film, Susanna, was pulled from circulation by Mack Sennett after Good Housekeeping magazine pronounced Normand too 'adulterated' for the screen. Minter's career, too, was ruined. The young actress had loved Taylor deeply. During his funeral, Minter rushed hysterically to Taylor's open coffin and kissed his corpse. The media had a vindictive heyday with Minter's affair with the director. Taylor's killer was never found. 1922 - James Joyce's Ulysses was published in Paris, 1,000 copies were produced. 1923 - Ethyl gasoline was first marketed, in Dayton, Ohio. 1923 - Born this day, Al 'Red' Schoendienst, baseball manager, 2nd baseman (St Louis Cardinals). 1923 - Born this day, Bonita Granville, in New York City, actress (Hitler's Children, Lone Ranger). 1923 - Born this day, James Dickey, author, actor (Deliverance). 1923 - Born this day, Liz Smith [Mary Elizabeth Smith], in Ft Worth, Texas, journlist, author, gossip columnist (New York Daily News, NBC-TV). 1923 - The US signed a friendship treaty with Central American countries. 1924 - The International Ski Federation (FIS) was formed. 1925 - Died this day, Antti Aarne, Finnish sociologist, aged 57. 1925 - The Belgian episcopal rejected liberalism, communism and socialism. 1925 - Dogsleds reached Nome with emergency diphtheria serum after a 1000km trek. 1925 - Born this day, Michel Paul Philippot, composer. 1926 - Three men danced the Charleston for 22+ hours. 1926 - Born this day, Elaine Stritch, in Detroit, Michigan, actress (My Sister Eileen, Company). 1926 - Born this day, Miguel Cardinal Obando y Bravo, first Central American cardinal (Nicaragua). 1926 - Born this day, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, president of France (1974-81). 1926 - Born this day, Wanda Lewis, in Struther, Ohio, actress (This is Music, Paul Dixon Show). 1927 - Born this day, Friedrich K. Flick, German industrialist. 1927 - Born this day, Richard Ray, (Representative-D-Georgia, 1983-). 1927 - Born this day, Richard Vance Maxfield, composer. 1927 - Born this day, Stan Getz, in Philadelphia, jazz tenor saxophonist (Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey). 1928 - Born this day, Howard Caine, in Nashville, Tennessee, actor (Californians). 1928 - Born this day, Luigi Ciriaco De Mita, Prime Minister of Italy (1988-). 1929 - Born this day, Reiner Bredemeyer, composer. 1929 - Died this day, Albert Steinrock, German actor (Golem). 1931 - The first use of a rocket to deliver mail was used in Austria. 1931 - Born this day, Andreas van Agt, Dutch premier (CDA). 1931 - Born this day, Theodor Batthy nyi, Hungarian contra-revolutionary, aged 71. 1932 - Born this day, Robert Mandan, in Clever, Missouri, actor (Chester-Soap, James-3's a Crowd). 1932 - Al Capone was sent to prison in Atlanta, Georgia. 1932 - The Geneva disarmament conference began with 60 countries attending. 1932 - The Reconstruction Finance Corporation was organised. 1933 - Two days after becoming chancellor, Adolf Hitler dissolved Parliament. 1933 - Ucicky's Rotten Morning premiered in Berlin. 1934 - Bishops warned against fascism and nazism. 1934 - Died this day, Ernesto Nazareth, composer, aged 70. 1934 - Born this day, [Clyde] Skip Battin, Skip & Flip (Cherry Pie), The Byrds, 1965 US and UK No.1 single Mr Tambourine Man. Also with New Riders Of The Purple Sage and The Flying Burrito Brothers. 1935 - Leonard Keeler conducted a test of the polygraph, or lie detector machine, in a court in Portage, Wisconsin. It marked the first time that one of the mysterious boxes was used. 1937 - Born this day, Martina Arroyo, in New York City, opera soprano (New York Metropolitan). 1937 - Born this day, Tom Smothers, in New York City, comedian (Smother Brother Show, Serial). 1937 - Guy Lombardo and his orchestra recorded one of Guy’s most famous tunes. Boo Hoo was waxed on Victor Records and became one of the group’s all-time great hits. 1938 - Born this day, Sir Norman Fowler, politician (Tory). 1940 - Born this day, David Jason, actor. (Open All Hours (with Ronnie Barker), Only Fools and Horses, Darling Buds of May, Frost). 
1940 - Born this day, Alan 'Tea' Caddy, guitar, The Tornados, 1962 UK and US No.1 single Telstar. The first major hit from a UK act on the American chart. Died 16 August 2000. 1940 - Born this day, Thomas M. Disch [Michael], US sci-fi author (Genocides, 102 H-Bombs). 1941 - Born this day, Serge Alexandrovich Tcherepnin, composer. 1942 - Born this day, Bo Hopkins, in Greenville, South Carolina, actor (Dynasty, Doc Elliot, Rockford Files). 1942 - Born this day, Graham Nash, singer, guitar, The Hollies, left in 1968, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, 1969 UK No.17 single Marrakesh Express, 1970 album Deja Vu. 1942 - The Los Angeles Times urged security measures against Japanese-Americans. 1942 - US auto factories switched from commercial to war production. 1943 - Born this day, Peter Macbeth, The Foundations, 1967 UK No.1 single Baby That I've Found You, 1968 UK No.2 and 1969 US No.3 single Build Me Up A Buttercup. 1943 - The last German resistance to the Russians crumbled in Stalingrad. German General Friedrich Paulus with the German 6th Army, surrendered to the Russian army at Stalingrad, ignoring Hitler's orders to fight on. This was a turning point of World War II (WWII). 1944 - Born this day, Andrew Davis, in Ashbridge, England, conductor (New Philharmonic Orchestra - London). 1944 - Born this day, Katherine Crawford, in Los Angeles, California, actress (Gemini Man, Captains & Kings). 1944 - Born this day, Ursula Oppens, in New York City, pianist, co-founder (Speculum Musicae-New York City). 1944 - The 4th US marine division conquerored Roi, Marshall Islands. 1945 - Died this day, Karl F. Goerdeler, mayor (Leipzig)/'July 20th plot', hanged aged 60. 1945 - An escape attempt was made at Mauthausen concentration camp. 1945 - Born this day, Ronnie Goodson, John Fred and His Playboy Band, 1968 US No.1 and UK No.3 single Judy In Disguise. 1946 - The first Buck Rogers automatic pistol was made - for the annual American Toy Fair. The suggested retail price for this clever little toy of destruction was 89 cents. 1946 - The Mutual Broadcasting System presented Twenty Questions for the first time on radio. Bill Slater was the master of ceremonies. The show moved to television in 1949. 1946 - Born this day, Howard Bellamy, Bellamy Brothers, 1976 US No.1 single Let Your Love Flow, 1979 UK No.3 single If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me. 1947 - Born this day, Aleksandr Medved, in USSR, wrestler (Olympic-gold-1964, 1968, 1972). 1947 - Born this day, Farrah Fawcett, in Texas, US actress. Had a surprising number of 1960s TV appearances, usually as the 'blonde', TV bit parts led to her breakthrough film, Logan's Run (1976). It was Charley's Angels though, that established hers as the most famous hair, smile, and poster of the 1970s. 1947 - Born this day, Peter Lucia, Tommy James & The Shondells, 1966 US No.1 single Hanky Panky, 1968 UK No.1 single Mony Mony. 1947 - Born this day, Derek Sulman, Simon Dupree And The Big Sound, 1967 UK No.9 single Kites. Also Gentle Giant. 1948 - Born this day, Andrew Davis, conductor. 1948 - President Harry S. Truman urged congress to adopt a civil rights program. 1948 - Born this day, Alan Mckay, guitar, Earth Wind and Fire, 1975 US No.1 single Shining Star, 1981 UK No.3 single Let's Groove. 1948 - Born this day, Tony DeMeur, rock musician (Fabulous Poodles-Anna Rexia, Suicide Bridge). 1949 - Born this day, Jetty Weels, Surinamese/Dutch singer (Mai Tai). 1949 - Born this day, Sherry Mathis, actress (Search for Tomorrow). 1949 - Born this day, Tom Tripplehorn, rock musician (Gary Lewis & Playboys-This Diamond Ring). 1949 - Born this day, Ross Valory, bass, Steve Miller Band, 1974 US No.1 and 1990 UK No.1 single The Joker. Also with Journey? 1949 - Golfing champion Ben Hogan was seriously hurt in an auto accident in Van Horn, Texas. 1950 - The popular game show, What's My Line premiered on CBS and ran for 17 years in prime time. 1950 - Born this day, Barbara Sukowa, actress (Zentropia, Sicilian, Voyager, Lola). 1950 - Born this day, Osamu Kido, wrestler (NJPW/UWF). 1951 - Born this day, Kim Zimmer, in Michigan, actress (Guiding Light, Doctors, One Life to Live). 1951 - Born this day, Ken Bruce, UK radio 2 broadcaster. 1951 - A temperature of -35 degrees F (-37 degrees C), was recorded in Greensburg, Indiana (A state record until 1994). 1952 - Born this day, Simon MacCorkindale, actor (Jaws 3, MacBeth). 1952 - Died this day, Charles De Roche, actor (10 Commandments). 1952 - Died this day, Johann Babtist Thaller, composer, aged 79. 1953 - Died this day, Gustav Strube, composer, aged 85. 1953 - Born this day, James Mndaweni, South african worker's union leader, president NACTU. 1954 - Bevo Francis, of Rio Grande College, scored 113 points in a single basketball game. 1954 - Snow fell in Gibraltar. 1954 - Died this day, Theodor Rogalski, composer, aged 52. 1954 - Born this day, Christie Brinkley [Christie Lee Hudson], former supermodel, in Malibu, California. Former wife of singer Billy Joel. Her modelling career took off in the mid-1970s when she took over Cheryl Tiegs' swimsuit position for Sports Illustrated. She was first to appear on three SI swimsuit covers. 1955 - The British government followed up its recently announced rail electrification plans with a £212 million ($636m) roads scheme. 1955 - The first presidential news conference on network TV was broadcast, President Eisenhower on ABC. 1955 - Born this day, Brent Spiner, actor (Data-Star Trek the Next Generation). 1955 - Born this day, Michael Talbott, in Waverly, Iowa, actor (Stan-Miami Vice). 1956 - The Coasters signed with Atlantic Records. 1956 - Died this day, Charley Grapewin, actor (Ellery Queen), aged 86. 1957 - Died this day, Valery Larbaud, French author, novelist, writer (Amants), aged 75. 1957 - Elizabeth Taylor underwent a third marriage, this time to Mike Todd. 1957 - The United Nations (UN) adopted a resolution calling for Israeli troops to leave Egypt. 1957 - Dale Hawkins recorded Susie-Q. 1957 - Born this day, Sandra Joyce Cagle, playmate for February 1980. 1958 - Syria joined Egypt in the United Arab Republic. 1958 - WRIK (now WLUZ) TV channel 7 in Ponce, Puerto Rica (PTC) began broadcasting. 1958 - Born this day, Dexter Manley, NFLer (Washington Redskins). 1958 - Born this day, Holly Hunter, in Conyers, Georgia, actress (Broadcast News, Once Around). 1959 - Vince Lombardi signed a 5 year contract to coach the Green Bay Packers. 1959 - The Coasters tune, Charlie Brown, was released. The tune went to No.2 in the American charts and stayed there for three weeks, but didn’t it get to the top of the charts. It was on the charts for 12 weeks. Venus, by Frankie Avalon prevented Charlie Brown from reaching the top. It made the UK chart on 27 March 1959, reached No.6 and stayed on the chart for 12 weeks. 1959 - Appearing at Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, Iowa, were Buddy Holly, Richard Valens and The Big Bopper. This was to be the last ever gig for all three acts, before they were killed in a plane crash the following day. 1959 - Annette Funicello's first hit, Tall Paul, entered the Billboard charts, eventually reaching No.7. 1960 - Michale Eufemia sank 625 balls in a pool match without a miss. 1960 - Died this day, Jeno Huszka, composer, aged 84. 1961 - Prince Bernhard opened the new RAI building (Where?) 1961 - Died this day, Adolf Vogl, composer, aged 87. 1961 - Died this day, Anna May Wong, actress (Thief of Baghdad), aged 56. 1962 - John Uelses became the first pole-vaulter to jump 16 feet (488cm) indoors. (Melrose Games). 1962 - 8 of the 9 planets aligned for the first time in 400 years. (Which 8?) 1962 - On this day, the first US Air Force plane was lost in South Vietnam. The C-123 aircraft crashed while spraying defoliant on a Viet Cong ambush site. 1963 - Cliff Richard and The Shadows started a 14 week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with Summer Holiday. 1963 - Died this day, Herman Bouber [Blom], actor, playwright (Bluejackets), aged 77. 1963 - Finn Pentti Nikula became the first pole-vaulter to clear five metres. 1963 - The Beatles began their first British tour, supporting Helen Shapiro. 1963 - Born this day, Eva Cassidy, singer, 2001 UK No.1 album Songbird. Died of cancer on 1 November 1996 aged 33. Plus 2 other UK No.1 albums. 1964 - Sjoukje Dijkstra (Netherlands) won the Olympic gold for figure skating. 1964 - Born this day, Charlie Heather, drums, The Levellers, 1995 UK No.12 single Just The One. 1965 - Blizzards on the East Coast of America claimed 208 lives. 1965 - Died this day, Richard P. Blackmur, US critic, publisher (Good European). 1965 - Died this day, Richard Wurz, composer, aged 79. 1966 - Born this day, Robert Deleo, bass, Stone Temple Pilots, 1993 UK No.23 single Plush. 1966 - The Rolling Stones released 19th Nervous Breakdown, it made No.2 in the UK. 1967 - General Anastasio Somoza Debayle was elected president of Nicaragua. 1967 - Bolivia adopted its constitution. 1967 - The formation of the American Basketball Association was announced. 1968 - Jumper Publishers in West Berlin, was bombed. 1969 - Died this day, Giovanni Martinelli, opera singer (New York Metropolitan), aged 83. 1969 - KMST TV channel 46 in Monterey-Salinas, California (CBS) began broadcasting. 1969 - Died this day, Boris Karloff (real name William Henry Pratt), actor, (Films include Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, House of Frankenstein, Son of Frankenstein, Die Monster, Die!, The Mask of Fu Manchu, The Mummy, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Body Snatcher, Mystery Playhouse Starring Boris Karloff). 1969 - Yoko Ono divorced her first husband Tony Cox, paving the way for a marriage to Beatle John Lennon six weeks later. 1970 - Died this day, Bertrand Russell, philosopher, MP, aged 99 in Merioneth. 1970 - Died this day, Jaroslav Vogel, composer, aged 76. 1970 - Pete Maravich became the first to score 3,000 college basketball points. 1971 - Ugandan army strongman Major-General Idi Amin took full powers as military head of state and formed an 18-man cabinet to run the country after ousting Milton Obote. 1971 - Born this day, Ben Mize, Counting Crows, 1994 No.28 single Mr Jones, 1996 US No.1 album Recovering The Satellites. 1972 - The British Embassy in Dublin was burned down by protesters angered at the 'Bloody Sunday' shootings in Londonderry. 1972 - At the Manchester Odeon appearing live, was Stevie Wonder. 1972 - Died this day, Jessie Royce Landis, actress (North by Northwest), aged 67. 1973 - Died this day, Henry J. Elias, Flemish historian, mayor of Gent, aged 70. 1973 - Keith Emerson of Emerson Lake and Palmer, (ELP), injured his hands when his piano rigged to explode as a stunt, detonated prematurely during a concert in San Francisco. 1973 - The West German government imposed foreign exchange controls following the massive flight from the dollar and buying of marks. 1973 - The Midnight Special premiered on NBC-TV. 1973 - James R. Schlesinger became director of the CIA (until July). 1973 - Born this day, Sergio Gonzalez, rock musician (Menudo-Cannonball). 1974 - Died this day, Jean Absil, Belgian composer (Lesson Benedictions), aged 80. 1974 - Pope Paul VI published his encyclical To Honor Mary. 1974 - Barbra Streisand started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with the theme from the film The Way We Were. The single won an Oscar and a Grammy for song of the year. 1974 - The Carpenters started a four week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with The Singles 1969-73, featuring 12 hits and the US No.1 Top Of The World. It went back to the top on 3 other occasions for a total of three weeks. 1974 - The smallest crowd at Cleveland Arena, saw Cavs vs Golden State, play in front of only 1,641. 1975 - Harvard College discovered asteroid #1940 Whipple. 1975 - Rebels began an offensive in Eritrea, Ethiopia. 1976 - Died this day, Johan Card [Johannes A.], actor, stage manager (My Fair lady), aged 78. 1976 - Died this day, Maurice Jacobson, composer, aged 80. 1977 - Toronto's Ian Turnbull scored 5 goals, an NHL record for a defenseman. 1977 - Born this day, Shakira, singer, 2002 UK No.2 single Whenever Wherever. 1977 - Radio Shack officially began creating the TRS-80 computer. 1978 - Died this day, Wendy Barrie, hostess (Wendy Barrie Show), aged 65. 1978 - Two Soviet cosmonauts carried out the first ever refueling in outer space of Salyut engines. 1979 - Died this day, former guitarist for the disbanded punk rock group, the Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious was found dead of a heroin overdose at the age of 22. Only the day before, he was released from a drug detoxification program, unaware that because of his detoxification, his body could no longer withstand his usual dosage of heroin. Vicious was found lying nude, faceup on the floor of a friend's Greenwich Village apartment, the morning after a party in his honour celebrating his release. Vicious, born John Simon Ritchie in London's tough East End, had appealed to England's alienated youth with his violent and repulsive stage stunts. He was on bail charged with the murder of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. 1980 - The Specials had their first UK No.1 single with The Special A.K.A. Live E.P. 1980 - Died this day, William H. Stein, US biochemist (Nobel 1972). 1981 - Died this day, Donald W. Douglas, US aircraft pioneer, builder, aged 88. 1981 - Late Night with David Letterman premiered. (Which station?) 1981 - Died this day, John Donner, Dutch president of High Council, aged 89. 1981 - Died this day, Louise Lorraine, actress (Adventures of Tarzan). 1982 - Government troops and Muslim fundamentalists battled in Hamah, Syria. 1982 - San Diego beat Miami 41-38 in ovetime after blowing a 24-0 lead. 1982 - Died this day, Stringfellow Barr, US theorist (100 Great Books), aged 85. 1983 - Died this day, Roy Horb, Suriname sergeant, putschist (Suicide). 1983 - Pope John Paul II named 18 new cardinals. 1983 - The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) resumed in Geneva. 1984 - The Smiths kicked off a UK tour at Coventry University, Tina Turner appeared at Gloucester Leisure Centre and The Alarm played The Mayfair in Newcastle upon Tyne. 1984 - The Lebanese army began fighting in Beirut. 1985 - Foreigner started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with I Want To Know What Love Is. It was also a UK No.1. 1986 - Liechtenstein's women voted for the first time in parliamentary elections. 1986 - Oscar Arias Sanchez won Costa Rica's presidential election. 1986 - The Dalai Lama met Pope John Paul II in India. 1987 - The Philippines adopted its constitution. 1987 - In a poll conducted by People magazine, readers selected Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant as their favourite, all-time acting greats. 1987 - Died this day, Alfred Lion, record founder (Blue Note), aged 78. 1988 - Died this day, Clive Epstein, brother of Brian Epstein, aged 51. 1988 - Died this day, G. Mennen Williams, Supreme Court justice, aged 76 in Detroit. 1989 - Carlos Andres Perez took office as Venezuela's president. 1989 - Marshal Viktor Kulikov, Commander-in-Chief of Warsaw Pact forces since 1971, stepped down and was replaced by General Pyotr Lushev. 1989 - George Michael received undisclosed damages in excess of £100,000 from The Sun newspaper over articles printed which stated he had gatecrashed a party being given by Andrew Lloyd Weber and was drunk and abusive. 1989 - South African President P.W. Botha resigned as leader of the ruling all-white National Party. 1989 - A temperature of 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C) or below, was recorded in 15 US states. (Names anyone?) 1989 - The NL announced that Yanks' broadcaster Bill White would be the first black president. 1989 - Died this day, John Cassavetes, US actor (Rosemary's Baby), director. 1990 - Died this day, Joel Fluellen, actor (Man Friday, Burning Cross), aged 79. 1990 - Marina Ogilvy (daughter of English princess Alexandra) got married Paul Mowatt. 1990 - Four top aides to executed Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu were jailed for life on genocide charges. 1990 - South African President F.W. De Klerk announces the imminent release of Nelson Mandela, and lifted the 30 year ban on the African National Congress and 60 other political organisations. 1991 - KLF featuring The Children Of The Revolution were at No.1 on the UK single chart with 3am Eternal. 1991 - US postage was raised from 25 cents to 29 cents. 1991 - Sting scored his second UK No.1 album with The Soul Cages. 1992 - Italy's President Francesco Cossiga dissolved parliament five months early to prepare for elections. 1992 - Todd Rundgren named his newborn son 'Rebop'. 1992 - The NFC beat AFC 21-15 in the pro bowl tournament. 1992 - Died this day, Bert Parks [Jacobson], TV host (Miss America), aged 77. 1992 - Died this day, [John T] Jack Aitken, British anatomist. 1992 - Died this day, Maurice L. Kusell. 1993 - Died this day, Francois Reichenbach, French director (L'Amerique Isolate). 1993 - Irina Privalova ran a world record 50 metre indoors in 6.05 seconds. 1993 - Loss-making Dutch truck maker DAF placed itself in the hands of court-appointed administrators. 1994 - Venezuelan elder statesman Rafael Caldera was sworn in as president. 1994 - Russian ultra-nationalist leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky said he was giving orders to test a new top-secret weapon that would kill Muslim soldiers in Bosnia. 1998 - Kim Tannahill, once employed as a nanny by Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, filed a lawsuit in state court in Los Angeles, stating that the famous couple 'shamelessly exploited and abused' her when she worked for them from 1994 until she was fired in August 1997. She said Moore once locked her in a room while verbally 'beating' her. The lawsuit sought unspecified damages for assault, false imprisonment, and other wrongdoings. Tannahill also sued the couple in federal court, alleging she wasn't paid overtime. The lawyer for Moore and Willis called the complaints 'utter fiction' and 'an attempt by Miss Tannahill to get money through extortion'. The couple sued Tannahill on 28 January, accusing her of violating an agreement not to divulge information about their lives. 1998 - In New York City, actor Daniel Baldwin was hospitalised after a cocaine overdose. It was the same day he was to begin filming It Had to Be You. A few weeks later, in a mutual agreement, producers released him from the project. Baldwin faced criminal charges for drug possession. 1999 - Freddy Fender got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 2001 - Bad Manners singer Buster Bloodvessel was told he is 'too fat' to survive an urgently needed operation. Buster collapsed on stage during a show in Italy but Doctors felt that his huge 30 stone frame might not make it through surgery. 2002 - The PPL launched performersmoney.com for artists to check if they were owed any of the £10m in unclaimed money, director Dominic McGonigal said 'If anyone has seen Rick Astley please let him know he is still earning money for his hits'. It showed that Michael Jackson was owed over £100,000 for Say, Say, Say, Stevie Wonder had money owing for Ebony and Ivory and Ray Davies of The Kinks was owed a six-figure fee for You Really Got Me. 2002 - The Government overspent its budget for supporting asylum seekers by almost £700m, an internal Home Office document revealed. 2003 - Jennifer Lopez started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with All I Have. 2003 - Investigators focused on the left wing of space shuttle Columbia as they tried to determine why it exploded. 2003 - Russian girl duo Tatu started a four week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with All The Things She Said. 2004 - George Best was 'shamed and humiliated' as he was banned from the road for 20 months for drink-driving. The ex-soccer idol pleaded guilty to driving while more than twice the limit in Merton, south-west London, following a furious showdown with his son Calum. Wimbledon magistrates heard that the ex-Manchester United legend, aged 57, who was also fined £1,500, was trying to get to a health farm when police stopped him. 2004 - Died this day, Alan Bullock, historian, first published his biography of Adolf Hitler, Hitler: A Study in Tyranny, in 1952 and followed it decades later with his book, Hitler and Stalin: A Study in Parallel Lives. Bullock passed away at the age of 89. |
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.