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February 19th
0003 - Born this day, Sadiq Hidajat, Persian writer (Blind Person Owl). 0197 - Died this day, D. Clodius Septimus Albinus, Roman bequest in England, died in battle. 0197 - Lucius Septimius Severus' army beat Clodius Albinus at Lyon. 0356 - Emperor Constantius II shut all heathen temples. 0607 - Boniface III began his reign as Catholic Pope. 0842 - The Medieval Iconoclastic Controversy ended, when a Council in Constantinople formally reinstated the veneration of images (icons) in the churches. (This debate over icons is often considered the last event which led to the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches.) 1260 - Died this day, Boniface, of Lausanne, Belgian bishop, saint. 1401 - Died this day, William Sawtree, first English religious martyr, burned in London. 1408 - The revolt of Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, against King Henry IV, ended with his defeat and death at Bramham Moor. 1414 - Died this day, Thomas Arundel, archbishop of Canterbury, chancellor of England. 1473 - Born this day, Nicolaus Copernicus [Mikolaj Kopernick], in Torún, Poland, Polish astronomer who introduced the idea that the earth revolved around the sun. (Heliocentrism). Died in 1543. 1512 - French troops under Gaston de Foix occupied Brescia. 1532 - Born this day, Jean-Antoine de Baïf, French poet (Les amours de Méline). 1537 - The weavers of Leiden, Netherlands went on strike. 1539 - The Jews of Tyrnau Hungary (then Trnava Czechoslovakia), were expelled. 1545 - Died this day, Pierre Brully [Peter Brulius], calvinist minister, burned to death. 1553 - Died this day, Erasmus Reinhold German mathematician, at the age of 41. 1568 - Died this day, Miles Coverdale, aged 80, translator and publisher of the first complete Bible to be printed in English (1535). Coverdale was also editor of the Great Bible of 1539. 1574 - Spanish troops plundered Krommenie, Wormerveer and Jisp in the Netherlands. 1582 - Francis of Valois became duke of Brabant. 1588 - Born this day, Pieter de Carpentier, Flemish Governor-General of Dutch East-Indies. 1605 - Died this day, Orazio Tiberio Vecchi, composer, died aged 54. 1611 - Born this day, Andries de Graeff, mayor of Amsterdam (1657-71). 1616 - Born this day, Jacques de Saint-Luc, composer. 1619 - The trial against Johan van Oldenbarnevelt began in The Hague. 1620 - Died this day, Roemer P. Visscher, poet, buried in Amsterdam. 1634 - At the battle at Smolensk, Polish king Wladyslaw IV beat the Russians. 1653 - Died this day, Luigi Rossi, composer. 1671 - Born this day, Charles-Hubert Gervais, composer. 1674 - The Netherlands and England signed the Peace of Westminster. New Netherlands (New York City) became English. 1683 - Born this day, Philip V, King of Spain. (1700-24, 24-46). 1687 - Born this day, Johann Adam Birkenstock, composer. 1700 - This was the last day of the Julian calendar in Denmark. 1701 - Philip V of Spain made his ceremonial entry into Madrid. 1717 - Born this day, David Garrick, Shakespearean actor, producer, writer (Aboan-Oroonoko). Died in 1779. 1736 - Georg F. Händel's Alexander's Feast premiered. 1743 - Born this day, [Ridolfo] Luigi Boccherini, Italian composer, cellist (Minuet). 1751 - Born this day, Cornelis de Gijselaar, Dutch politician, patriot. 1754 - Born this day, Vincenzo Monti, Italian poet, translator (Al Signor di Montgolfier). 1755 - Born this day, Pieter G. van Overstraten, Governor-General of Netherlands-Indies. 1762 - Born this day, Friedrich Franz Hurka, composer. 1763 - Born this day, Adalbert Gyrowetz, composer. 1780 - Born this day, Friedrich H von der Hagen, German germanist (Nibelungenlied). 1785 - Died this day, Johann Christoph Richter, composer, at the age of 84. 1790 - Died this day, Jean-Baptiste Krumphultz, composer, at the age of 47. 1797 - Pope Pius VI signed the Treaty of Tolentino with Napoleon Bonaparte under which Bologna, Romagna and Ferrara were ceded to France. 1800 - Napoleon Bonaparte established himself as first consul in France. 1803 - US Congress accepted Ohio's constitution, the statehood was not ratified till 1953. 1807 - A British squadron under Admiral Duckworth forced the passage of the Dardanelles. 1807 - Vice President Aaron Burr was arrested in Alabama for treason. He was charged with treason for planning an expedition to invade Mexico. He was later found innocent. 1812 - Congregational missionaries Adoniram Judson, aged 23, and his wife Ann, aged 22, first sailed from New England to Calcutta, India. Judson eventually concentrated his labours in Burma. 1812 - Born this day, Lauro Rossi, composer. 1815 - Died this day, Leonhard von Call, composer, at the age of 47. 1817 - Born this day, William III, King of the Netherlands. (1849-90). 1819 - Born this day, Mark Prager Lindo, English/Dutch author, novelist, writer. 1821 - Born this day, Francis Preston Blair Jr., in Lexington, Kentucky, (Representative-Missouri). 1822 - Died this day, Jeronymo Francisco de Lima, composer, at the age of 78. 1824 - Born this day, Constantine D. Uschinsky, Russian educator. 1825 - Franz Grillparzer's König Ottokars Glück premiered in Vienna. 1827 - Born this day, Charles Robert Woods, Bvt Major General (Union Army). Died in 1855. 1828 - Born this day, Johannes von Miquel, German politician. 1831 - The first practical US coal-burning locomotive made its first trial run, in Pennsylvania. 1833 - Born this day, Élie Ducommun, in Switzerland, writer, pacifist (Nobel 1902). 1837 - Died this day, Georg Büchner, German playwright (Leonce und Lena), at the age of 23. 1841 - Born this day, Felipe Pedrell, composer. 1843 - Born this day, Adelina Patti, in Madrid, Spain, operatic coloratura (Lucia). 1846 - The Texas state government was formally installed in Austin. 1847 - Rescuers finally reach the ill-fated Donnor Party in the Sierras. 1856 - A tin-type camera was patented by Hamilton Smith, of Gambier, Ohio. 1858 - Died this day, Alois Basil Nikolaus Tomasini, composer, at the age of 78. 1859 - Born this day, Svante Arrhenius, Swedish physicist, chemist, founder of physical chemistry. (Nobel 1903). 1859 - Dan Sickles was acquitted of murder on the grounds of temporary insanity. This was the first time this defense had been successfully used. 1861 - Russian Tsar Alexander II abolished serfdom. 1863 - Born this day, Augusto Bernardino Leguía y Salcedo, President of Peru (1908, 1919). 1863 - Born this day, Emanuel Moor, composer. 1864 - Born this day, Aritius S. Talma, Dutch minister of Agriculture (Work Law of 1911). 1864 - Died this day, William Edwin Baldwin, US Confederate Brigadier-General. 1864 - The Knights of Pythias formed their first lodge in Washington DC. A dozen members formed what became Lodge No.1. 1865 - Born this day, Adrian van Oordt, Dutch writer (neo-romantic). 1865 - Born this day, Sven Hedin, in Sweden, scientist, explorer (Tibet). Died in 1952. 1869 - Died this day, Elizabeth Clephane, aged 39, an orphaned Scottish poet who left the Church with two hauntingly beautiful hymns: Beneath the Cross of Jesus and The Ninety and Nine. All of Clephane's poetry was published posthumously. 1869 - The US Assay Office in Boise, Idaho was authorised. 1875 - Died this day, Jean B. Vuillaume, French violin maker (octobas), at the age of 76. 1877 - Born this day, Else Berg, German/Dutch painter. 1877 - Born this day, Louis François-Marie Aubert, French composer (Habanera). 1878 - Thomas A. Edison received a patent for his talking machine (phonograph) device. 1878 - Died this day, Charles F. Daubigny, French restaurateur, painter, at the age of 61. 1880 - Born this day, Arthur Shepherd, composer. 1881 - Born this day, Armin Knab, German composer (Eichendorff-cycle). 1881 - Kansas became the first state to prohibit all alcoholic beverages. 1881 - Born this day, Evert Gorter, founder of Dutch medical child care. 1881 - Born this day, Paul Zech, writer. 1884 - Tornadoes in Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana killed 800 people. 1886 - Born this day, George Luther Foote, composer. 1887 - Died this day, Eduard Douwes Dekker, Dutch writer (Max Havelaar), at the age of 66. 1889 - Born this day, José Eustasio Rivera, in Colombia, poet, novelist (Vortex). 1891 - Born this day, J. C. 'Farmer' White, cricketer (Somerset slow lefty 1909-37). 1892 - Died this day, Monty Bowden, cricket Captain (England vs South Africa 1889), at the age of 26. 1893 - Born this day, Sir Cedric [Webster] Hardwicke, in Stourbridge, England, TV, movie and stage actor. Died 6 August 1964 aged 71. (50s TV playhouse, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Richard III). 1893 - Born this day, Pietro Pancrazi, Italian critic (Scrittori d'Oggi). 1894 - Born this day, Herb Pennock, hall of fame pitcher (Yankees, 243 career win). 1894 - Died this day, Ernesto Camillo Sivori, composer, at the age of 78. 1895 - Born this day, Louis Calhern [Carl Vogt], in New York, NY, actor (Julius Caesar, Blackboard Jungle). Died in 1956. 1897 - The Women's Institute was founded at Stoney Creek in Ontario, Canada by Mrs Hoodless. 1897 - Died this day, Karl T. Weierstrass, German mathematician, at the age of 81. 1898 - Born this day, Lauwrens Voorthuyzen [Lou de Palingboer], Dutch sect leader. 1900 - British troops occupied Hlangwane in the Natal. 1900 - Born this day, Giorgos Seferis, writer. 1901 - Born this day, Cor [Cornelis R. J.] Kieboom, Dutch resistance fighter, chairman (Feyenoord). 1902 - Born this day, Nydia Westman, in New York, NY, actress (Going My Way, Young Mr Bobbins). Died in 1970. 1902 - Born this day, Hugo Haas, in Brno, Czechoslovakia, actor, director (2 Smart People). 1902 - Born this day, John Bubbles [Sublett], in Louisville, Kentucky, rhythm tap dancer (No Maps on My Taps). Died in 1986. 1902 - The smallpox vaccination became obligatory in France. 1902 - Born this day, Kay Boyle, in St Paul, Minnesota, novelist Plagued by Nightingales, short story writer The White Horses of Vienna. 1903 - The Austria-Hungary government decreed a mandatory two year military service. 1904 - Born this day, Havank [HF vqan der Kallen], Dutch thriller writer (St Eustache). 1906 - Born this day, Grace Mary Williams, composer. 1906 - Born this day, Hendrik W. C. Spruit, Dutch conductor. 1906 - William K. Kellogg and Charles D. Bolin formed the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company in Battle Creek, Michigan, to make the breakfast cereal he created as a health food for US mental patients. 1909 - Born this day, Charlie Walker, South Australia cricket wicket-keeper (toured but no Tests). 1909 - Born this day, Susan Fleming, actress. 1910 - The English premiere of Richard Strauss' Elektra was performed. 1910 - At a New York dinner party, 'Diamond Jim' Brady amazed his guests by eating five helpings of roast beef, gallons of stewed fruit, 84 oysters and three gallons of orange juice to wash it all down. 1911 - Born this day, Merle Oberon [Thompson], in Calcutta India, film actress (Assignment Foreign Legion). Died in 1979. 1911 - Born this day, Nikola Hercigonja, composer. 1912 - Born this day, Adolf Rudnicki, Polish writer (Niekochana). 1912 - Born this day, Peter Francis de Sautoy, publisher. 1912 - Born this day, Dick Siebert, baseball. Died in 1978. 1912 - Born this day, Stan [Newcomb] Kenton, in Wichita, Kansas, jazz musician, orchestra leader (Music 55). Died in 1979. 1913 - Born this day, Alvin Derold Etler, composer. 1913 - Mexican General, V. Huerta, took power with US support. 1914 - Riccardo Zandonai's opera Francesco da Rimini premiered in Turin. 1915 - Born this day, John Freeman, British politician (Labour), ambassador, TV host. 1915 - British and French warships began their attacks on the Turkish forts at the mouth of the Dardenelles, in an abortive expedition to force the straits of Gallipoli. 1915 - Died this day, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, India's social reformer, politician. 1916 - Died this day, Ernst Mach, Austrian physicist, philosopher, psychologist, at the age of 78. 1916 - Born this day, Eddie [George] Arcaro, jockey (1958 Racing Hall of Fame, only jockey to win two triple crowns). Died in 1997. 1917 - American troops were recalled from the Mexican border. 1917 - Born this day, Carson McCuller [Smith], US writer, novelist The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Died in 1967. 1918 - In Russia, a decree abolishing all private ownership of land, water and natural resources was issued by the Soviet Central Executive Committee. 1919 - The First Pan African Congress met in Paris, France. 1920 - Netherlands joined the League of Nations. 1920 - Born this day, George Rose, in Bicester, England, actor (Beacon Hill, Holocaust). 1920 - Born this day, Frances K. Bairstow, educator, labour relations consultant. 1921 - Born this day, Andries Treurnicht [Dr No], founder (South Africa Conservative Party). 1921 - Born this day, Claude Rene Georges Pascal, composer. 1922 - Born this day, Beant Singh, politician. 1922 - Born this day, Josef Matej, composer. 1922 - Ed Wynn became the first big-name, vaudeville talent to sign on as a radio talent. Previously, top talent had not considered radio a respectable medium. 1923 - Jean Sibelius' 6th Symphony premiered. 1923 - Philip Barry's You & I premiered in New York, NY. 1923 - Died this day, Jeronimo Gimenez y Bellido, composer, at the age of 68. 1923 - Born this day, Donald Lybbert, composer. 1924 - Born this day, Lee Marvin, in New York, NY, Academy Award-winning Best Actor, singer (Paint Your Wagon, Cat Ballou). Died in 1987. 1970 UK No.1 single Wandrin' Star from the film Paint Your Wagon, B side was I talk to the Trees by Clint Eastwood. 1924 - Born this day, Bruce Norris, NHL owner (Detroit Red Wings). 1925 - Born this day, Jindrich Feld, composer. 1925 - Born this day, Leslie Laing, in Linstead, Jamaica, 4X400 metre relayer (Olympics gold 1952). 1925 - President Calvin Coolidge proposed the phasing out of inheritance tax. 1926 - Dr. Lane of Princeton estimated the earth's age at one billion years. 1926 - Born this day, Gyorgy Kurtag, composer. 1927 - Born this day, Rene Firino-Martell, cognac manufacturer. 1927 - Died this day, Georg Brandes [Cohen], Danish literary-historian, critic, at the age of 85. 1927 - Died this day, Robert Fuchs, composer, at the age of 80. 1927 - A general strike was held, against British occupiers in Shanghai. 1928 - The Canadian hockey team won their 3rd consecutive gold medal. 1928 - The second Winter Olympic games closed in St Moritz, Switzerland. 1929 - A medical diathermy machine was first used, in Schenectady, New York. (Diathermy - local heating of body tissues with an electric current for medical purposes.) 1930 - Born this day, John Frankenheimer, in New York, NY, director (Birdman of Alcatraz). 1932 - Born this day, Jean-Pierre Ponnele, in Paris, France, opera director (Carmina Burana). 1932 - Born this day, Joseph P. Kerwin, in Oak Park, Illinois, Captain Med Corps USN, astronaut (Skylab 2). 1932 - William Faulkner completed his novel Light in August. 1933 - Prussian minister Göring, banned all Catholic newspapers. 1933 - Died this day, Arnold Ludwig Mendelssohn, composer, at the age of 77. 1934 - Born this day, David Hugh Jones, in Poole, Dorset, England, director (Betrayal). 1934 - The University of Southern California (USC) and Notre Dame were cited as examples of commercialism in intercollegiate sports. They each signed a three-year contract for football, while other schools were 'feeling the depression'. 1934 - Bob and Dolores Hope were married. 1934 - Born this day, Julian Belfrage, theatre agent. 1934 - The US contract air mail service was cancelled, and replaced by the US army for 6 months. 1935 - Born this day, Russ Nixon, baseball. 1935 - Clifford Odets' Awake & Sing was premiered in New York, NY. 1936 - Born this day, Bob Engemann, singer. 1936 - Born this day, Ione Mylonas Shear, archeologist. 1936 - Manuel Azaña became the Spanish premier. 1937 - Born this day, Norman O'Neill, cricketer (great Aussie bat of the 60's, brilliant field). 1938 - Born this day, Penny Zavichas, LPGA golfer. 1938 - The Soviet arctic ice research station North Pole 1 was evacuated, in Denmark. 1939 - Born this day, Gwen Taylor, British actress (Life of Brian, Sob Sisters, Screaming, Duty Free?). 1940 - Born this day, Bobby Rogers, The Miracles, 1970 UK and US No.1 single with Smokey Robinson Tears of a Clown. 1940 - Born this day, William 'Smokey' Robinson, in Detroit, Michigan, singer, songwriter, producer, The Miracles, 1970 UK and US No.1 single The Tears Of A Clown, solo, 1981 UK No.1 and US No.2 single Being With You, vice President of Motown Records in 1972. 1940 - Born this day, Carlin Glynn, US actress (Continental Divide). 1941 - Born this day, Carlos Roque Alsina, composer. 1941 - Born this day, Stephen Dobyns, US author, poet (Cold Dog Soup). 1941 - Died this day, Alexander Josiah Webbe, English cricket keeper (v Australia 1879). 1941 - Died this day, Hamilton Hamilton Harty, composer, conductor, at the age of 61. 1941 - The Nazis raided Koco, Amsterdam and round up 429 young Jews for deportation. 1942 - The New York Yankees announced that 5,000 uniformed soldiers would be admitted free at each of their upcoming home games. 1942 - Bill Longson beat Managoff and Sandor Szabo, to become the wrestling champion. 1942 - Born this day, Paul Krause, American football. 1942 - Born this day, Bob Menne, golf. 1942 - Dutch actors protested against obligatory membership of the Culture Chamber. 1942 - Japanese troops landed on Timor. 1942 - In its biggest attack since Pearl harbor, a force of 130 Japanese aircraft bombed the northern Australian city of Darwin. 1942 - Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra recorded I'll Take Tallulah on Victor Records. There were some other musical heavyweights in the studio too, including Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers, Ziggy Elman and drummer extraordinaire, Buddy Rich. 1942 - Born this day, Kenneth R. Kramer, (Representative-R-Colorado, 1979- ). 1942 - On this date in 1942, ten weeks after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorised (Presidential Executive Order 9066) the removal of any or all people from military areas 'as deemed necessary or desirable'. The military in turn defined the entire West Coast, home to the majority of Americans of Japanese ancestry or citizenship, as a military area. By June, more than 110,000 Japanese Americans (of which over 2/3 were American-born citizens) were relocated to remote internment camps built by the US military in scattered locations around the country. For the next two and a half years, many of these Japanese Americans endured extremely difficult living conditions and poor treatment by their military guards. On 17 December 1944, US Major General Henry C. Pratt issued Public Proclamation No. 21, declaring that, effective 2 January 1945, Japanese-American 'evacuees' from the West Coast could return to their homes. During the course of World War II (WWII), 10 Americans were convicted of spying for Japan, but not one of them was of Japanese ancestry. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to recompense each surviving internee with a tax-free check for $20,000 and an apology from the US government. 1942 - Japanese forces invaded Bali and made a first raid on the Australian mainland bombing Port Darwin. 1943 - Born this day, Lou Christie [Lugee Sacco], in Pennsylvania, US singer, 1966 US No.1 single Lightnin' Strikes, 1969 UK No.2 single I'm Gonna Make You Mine. 1943 - German tanks under Brigadier General Buelowius attacked the Kasserine Pass, Tunisia. 1943 - Born this day, 'Mama' Cass Elliot, singer, actress, Mamas & Papas, 1966 UK No.3 single Monday Monday, solo, 1968 UK No.11 single Dream A Little Dream Of Me, 1969 UK No. 8 single It's Getting Better. Plus other top 40 hits. 1944 - The US Eighth Air Force and Royal Air Force began 'Big Week', a series of heavy bomber attacks against German aircraft production facilities. The US 93rd Bomb Group saw action over Western Europe, North Africa, Italy and Rumania. 1944 - Born this day, Jan Bart Klaster, mythologist (Slogan). 1944 - 823 British bombers attacked Berlin. 1944 - Died this day, Siegfried Garibaldi Kallenberg, composer, at the age of 76. 1944 - German submarine U-264 sank off Ireland. 1945 - 900 Japanese soldiers were reportedly killed by crocodiles in 2 days. (Where?) 1945 - Died this day, Wim Speelman, Dutch resistance fighter, executed aged 26. 1945 - Born this day, Jon Whiteley, actor (Moonfleet). 1945 - Born this day, Michael Nader, actor (Dynasty, All My Children). 1945 - Brotherhood Day was first celebrated. 1945 - The US 5th Fleet launched the invasion of Iwo Jima, 30,000 US Marines landed on Iwo Jima, the island was eventually taken on 26 March. 1945 - Born this day, Thomas Brasch, writer. 1946 - Born this day, Paul Dean, rock guitarist, vocalist (Loverboy). 1946 - Born this day, Pierre Van Den Linden, drums, Focus, 1973 UK No.4 single Sylvia. 1946 - Giants outfielder Danny Gardella became the first major leaguer to announce he was jumping to the 'outlaw' Mexican League. 1947 - Born this day, Bruce Fairbairn, actor. 1947 - CBS radio premiered Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasilieras No 3. 1947 - Born this day, Peter Bird, ocean rower. 1948 - Born this day, Byron K. Lichtenburg, in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, astronaut (STS 9, STS 45). 1948 - Born this day, Mark Andes, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, musician, bass, Spirit, 1981 UK No.40 album Potato Land. 1948 - Born this day, Toni Iommi, guitar, Black Sabbath, 1970 UK No.4 single Paranoid. 1949 - Born this day, Eddie [Edward] Hardin, in New York, NY, keyboards, replaced Steve Winwood, The Spencer Davis Group, 1966 UK No.1 single Keep On Running. 1949 - Born this day, Ewa Aulin, in Stockholm, actress (Candy). 1949 - Died this day, Auguste Jean Maria Charles Serieyx, composer, at the age of 83. 1949 - Inside USA closed at the Century Theatre, in New York City after 339 performances. 1949 - The first Bollingen Prize for poetry was awarded to Ezra Pound. 1949 - Mass arrests of communists took place in India. 1950 - Died this day, Edyth Walker, US singer, aged 82. 1950 - Born this day, Andy Powell, guitar, Wishbone Ash, 1972 UK No.3 album Argus, plus eight other top 40 albums. 1951 - Born this day, Stephen Nichols, in Cincinnati, Ohio, actor (Witchboard, Days of our Lives). 1951 - Died this day, André[-Paul-Guillaume] Gide, French writer (Nobel 1947), at the age of 81. 1952 - Died this day, Knut Hamsun, writer, aged 92. 1952 - Died this day, Lawrence Grant, actor (Bulldog Drummond), aged 82. 1952 - Born this day, Rudolfo Neri-Vela, in Chilpancing, Mexico, PhD, astronaut (STS 23). 1952 - Born this day, Amy Tan, novelist (The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God's Wife). 1952 - The French took part in an offensive at Hanoi. 1952 - Born this day, Eddie Brown, American football. 1953 - The state of Georgia established the first state board of literary censorship in the United States. 1953 - Ted Williams safely crash-landed his damaged Panther jet. 1953 - William Inge's Picnic premiered in New York, NY. 1953 - Born this day, Bill Kirchenbauer, actor, comedian (Coach-Just the 10 of Us). 1954 - Born this day, Frances Bucholz, rock musician, Scorpions, 1991 UK No.2 single Wind of Change after a re-issue. 1954 - Born this day, Jamie West-Oram, rock guitarist (Fixx). 1954 - WAST (now WNYT) TV channel 13 in Albany-Troy, New York (NBC) first broadcast. 1955 - Born this day, Margaux Hemingway, in Portland, Oregon, actress (Lipstick, They Call Me Bruce). 1955 - Born this day, Jeff Daniels, in Chelsea, Michigan, actor (Something Wild, Dumb & Dumber, Speed). 1955 - South East Asia Collective Defense Treaty went into effect. 1956 - Born this day, George David Low, in Cleveland, Ohio, astronaut (STS 32, STS 43). 1956 - Born this day, Peter Holsapple, rock musician (Continental Drifters). 1956 - Born this day, Steve Randell, Tasmanian cricket Test umpire (international panel). 1956 - Kathy Cornelius won the LPGA St Petersburg Golf Open. 1957 - Born this day, Dave 'Smoke' Stewart, in Oakland, California, pitcher (Oakland Athletic). 1957 - Born this day, Dave Wakeling, rock singer, guitarist, The Beat, 1983 UK No.3 single Can't Get Used To Losing You. 1957 - Born this day, Falco [Johann Holzel], 1986 UK & US No.1 single Rock Me Amadeus. Killed in a car accident 6 February 1998. 1958 - Carl Perkins left Sun Records for Columbia Records. 1959 - Gabon adopted its constitution. 1959 - A USAF rocket-powered rail sled attained Mach 4.1 (4970 kph), in New Mexico. 1959 - The prime ministers of Britain, Turkey and Greece signed an agreement granting Cyprus independence. The signing was done in London. 1960 - Bil Keane's Family Circus cartoon strip debuted. 1960 - There was a protest strike in Poznan, Poland. 1960 - Born this day, Prince Andrew [Albert Christian Edward], Duke of York. 1960 - Born this day, Holly Johnson, in Khartoum, Sudan and raised in Liverpool, England, singer, Frankie goes to Hollywood, 1984 UK No.1 and US No.10 single Relax, 1984 UK No.1 single Two Tribes, 1984 UK No.1 single The Power of Love, and solo, 1989 UK No.4 Love Train and 1989 UK No.1 album Blast. In 1977 he joined the short-lived Big in Japan, and after issuing a pair of solo singles, Yankee Rose and Hobo Joe, he formed Frankie Goes to Hollywood in 1980. Second solo LP, Dreams That Money Can't Buy The openly-homosexual singer discovered he'd contracted HIV, a subject frankly detailed in his 1994 autobiography A Bone in My Flute. Also a successful painter, in 1996 Johnson exhibited his work in London; forming his own record label, Pleasuredome, in 1999 he issued his third LP, Soulstream. 1960 - Born this day, Prince Mark D [Mark Morale], Fat Boys, 1988 UK No.2 single Wipeout. 1960 - Born this day, Keith Musa[kawukhathi] Zondi, South Africa head (Inkatha Youth Brigade). 1960 - Born this day, Vicki Lynn Lasseter, in Iola, Kansas, playmate for February 1981. 1961 - Albania disavowed Chinese 'Revisionism'. 1961 - Henk van der Grift (Netherlands) became the world champion all-around skater. 1962 - The US performed a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site. 1962 - Born this day, Alvaro Espinoza, in Venezuela, baseball shortstop (New York Yankees, New York Mets). 1962 - Died this day, Albert Israel Elkus, composer, at the age of 77. 1962 - Born this day, Hana Mandlikova, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, tennis coach, former tennis player. (1985 US Open). 1963 - Born this day, Henry Samuel [Seal], singer, songwriter, 1991 UK No.2 single Crazy, 1995 US No.1 single Kiss From A Rose. 1963 - Born this day, Jessica Tuck, in New York, NY, actress (Megan-One Life to Live). 1963 - The USSR informed President John Kennedy, that it was withdrawing several thousand troops from Cuba. 1963 - Robert Frost won the Bollingen Prize. 1963 - Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique was published. 1964 - Died this day, Edward Gargan, actor. 1964 - The Umbrellas of Cherbourg with Catherine Deneuve was released in France. 1964 - The UK flew 1/2 a ton of Beatle wigs to the US. 1964 - Born this day, Doug Aldrich, rock musician. 1965 - Born this day, Andrew Jameson, British swimmer. 1965 - Born this day, John Commins, cricketer (South African Test batsman vs New Zealand 1994-95). 1965 - Born this day, Kate Radley, keyboards, Spiritualized, 1995 UK No.30 single Let It Flow. 1965 - Fourteen Vietnam War protesters were arrested for blocking the United Nations' (UN) doors in New York. 1965 - Died this day, Forrest Taylor, actor (This is Life, Man Without a Gun), at the age of 81. 1965 - The NFL added a 6th official. 1965 - Died this day, Gheorge Gheorghiu Dej, Romanian President, at the age of 63. 1966 - Robert F. Kennedy suggested the United States offer the Vietcong a role in governing South Vietnam. 1966 - Lou Christie went to No.1 on the US singles chart with Lighnin' Strikes, it made No.11 in the UK. 1966 - Born this day, Benicio del Toro, actor. 1966 - Born this day, Justine Bateman, in Rye, New York, actress (Mallory-Family Ties, Satisfaction). 1966 - Born this day, Matthew Ryan, in Port Jefferson, New York, team handball circle (Olympics 1996). 1966 - Born this day, Paul Haarhuis, in Eindhoven, Netherlands, tennis star (1994 US/Australian doubles). 1966 - Born this day, Peter Douris, in Toronto, NHL right wing (Anaheim Mighty Ducks). 1966 - Born this day, William White, NFL safety (Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons). 1967 - Born this day, Benicio Del Toro, in Puerto Rico, actor (Licence to Kill, Usual Suspects). 1967 - Born this day, Roel Liefden, soccer player (Dordrecht '90, FC Groningen). 1967 - Born this day, Andrew Shue, actor. 1967 - Died this day, Wilmer King, first casuality on Tappan Zee Bridge New York. 1967 - Stien Kaiser became the world champion lady's skater. 1968 - US Teachers went on strike for the first time, in Florida. 1968 - Died this day, Ralph Dunn, actor (Mr Rudge-Norby), at the age of 65. 1968 - Born this day, Frank Watkins, US heavy metal bassist (Obituary, Cause of Death). 1968 - Holt, Rinehart, and Winston published Soviet Marshal Vasili Chuikov's The Fall of Berlin. 1968 - Born this day, Rob Dimaio, in Calgary, NHL right wing (Philadelphia Flyers). 1968 - Spurring the movement towards Indian meditation and music, Paul McCartney, his girlfriend Jane Asher, Ringo Starr, and his wife Maureen Cox arrive in India to meet with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. They would join up with George, John, and their wives, who had arrived several days before (15th). Also visiting India for these meetings was actress Mia Farrow. 1969 - A Boeing 747 jumbo jet took off for its first test flight. 1970 - AL Cy Young winner Denny McLain was suspended for book-making. 1970 - The USSR launched Sputnik 52 and Molniya 1-13 communications satellites. 1970 - Born this day, Garland Hawkins, NFL defensive end (Chicago Bears). 1970 - Died this day, Ralph Edward Flanders (Senator-Vermont), at the age of 89. 1970 - Born this day, Ruwan Kalpage, cricket off-spinner (Sri Lankan). 1971 - Born this day, Becca Lee, in Tennessee, Miss Tennessee-USA 1996 - 3rd place. 1971 - Born this day, Becky Dyroen-Lancer, in San Jose, California, synchronised swimmer (Olympics gold 1996). 1971 - Born this day, Glyn Milburn, NFL running back, kick returner (Den Broncos, Detroit Lions). 1971 - Born this day, Richard Green, Australasin golfer. 1971 - Born this day, Wally Williams, NFL center, guard (Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens). 1971 - Born this day, William Henderson, NFL running back (Green Bay Packers-Superbowl 31). 1971 - Paul McCartney released Another Day in the UK. 1971 - Walt Wesley became the first Cleveland Cavalier to score 50 points in a game. 1972 - Glenn Turner carried his bat for 223 vs West Indies at Kingston. 1972 - Born this day, Andrey Pchelyakov, hockey forward (Team Kazakhstan, Olympics 1998). 1972 - Chicory Tip were at No.1 on the UK with the single Son Of My Father. 1972 - Harry Nilsson started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with his version of Badfingers Without You. 1973 - Born this day, Masafumi Kawaguchi, WLAF linebacker (Amsterdam Admirals). 1973 - Born this day, Terrence Rencher, NBA guard (Phoenix Suns). 1973 - Born this day, Tommy Bennett, safety (Arizona Cardinals). 1974 - Born this day, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, in Sochi, Russia, tennis star (1995 doubles-Hamburg). 1975 - Died this day, Luigi Dallapiccola, Italian 12-tone composer, at the age of 71. 1975 - Born this day, Paul Frey, in Boston, Masachusetts, dance skater (& Ponte-1995 Eastern Jr champion). 1975 - Born this day, Raymond Graanoogst, Suriname/Dutch soccer player (FC Utrecht). 1976 - Iceland broke off diplomatic relations with Britain after the two countries failed to agree over fishing rights in disputed waters. The dispute became known as the Cod War. 1976 - Britain slashed welfare spending. 1976 - Frente Polisario formed the Democratic Republic of Sahara. 1976 - Appearing at Dingwalls, Camden Town, London, were Kilburn And The High Roads, featuring Ian Dury. 1976 - Former lead singer with Tower Of Power, Rich Stevens was arrested in connection with the drug related murders of three men in San Jose, California. Stevens was found guilty of the charges in November 1976. 1977 - The Shuttle Enterprise made a first test flight on top of a 747 jetliner. 1977 - The 19th Grammy Awards were handed out. 1977 - The A's sold pitcher Paul Lindblad to the Rangers for $400,000. 1977 - Doug Walters scored 250 vs New Zealand, 217 stand for a 7th wicket with Gilmour. 1977 - Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album was released. 1977 - France performed a nuclear test at Muruora Island. 1977 - 20 Golden Greats by The Shadows started a 6 week run at No.1 on the UK album chart. 1977 - Leo Sayer had his only UK No.1 single with When I Need You. 1977 - Manfred Mann's Earth Band scored a No.1 single in the US with their version of the Bruce Springsteen song Blinded By The Light. 1977 - President Gerald Ford pardoned Iva Toguri D'Aquino Tokyo Rose. 1978 - On the 20th Century opened at St James Theatre in New York City for 460 performances. 1978 - Brigitte Kraus ran a world record 1000 metre indoor in a time of 2 minutes 34.8 seconds. 1978 - Coleman, Comden and Green's musical premiered in New York, NY. 1979 - Died this day, Billy Doherty, drummer with The Undertones died from injuries sustained in a car crash. 1980 - Died this day, Bon Scott, Australian rock vocalist (AC/DC-Whole Lotta Rosie), at the age of 33. 1980 - Botham made a century and 13 wickets in the Jubilee Test Cricket at Bombay. 1980 - Eric Heiden skated an Olympics record 1000 metres in 1 minute 15.18 seconds. 1981 - George Harrison was ordered to pay ABKCO Music $587,000 for 'subconscious plagiarism' of He's So Fine (Chiffons), with his My Sweet Lord record. 1981 - Died this day, Frank Merrik, composer, at the age of 94. 1981 - The US State Department called El Salvador a 'textbook case' of a Communist plot. 1981 - Accountant Glenn Kannry pleaded guilty to taking cash from Diana Ross's bank account. 1982 - Sharie Langford, of California, set a women's bowling series record of 853. 1982 - Hanneke Jelgersma (Jagersma?) was installed as the Netherlands' first Communist mayor. 1982 - The USSR performed a nuclear test at Eastern Kazakhstan/Semipalitinsk, USSR. 1982 - In Northern Ireland, receivers were appointed to manage the affairs of the DeLorean car company. 1983 - Vladimir Salnikov (USSR) set a 400 metre freestyle swimming record. 1983 - Fernando Valenzuela won his salary arbitration of $1 million. 1983 - Kajagoogoo had their only UK No.1 single with Too Shy. They had 4 other top 40 hits. 1983 - Patti Austin and James Ingram started a 2 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with Baby Come To Me, a No.11 hit in the UK. 1983 - Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley married his girlfriend Leonie. 1983 - Died this day, Alice White, actress (Employees' Entrance), died of a stroke aged 78. 1984 - The first brother combo to win a Gold and Silver in same event at the Olympics were Phil & Steve Mahre for the Slalom. 1984 - Doonesbury closed at Biltmore Theatre in New York City after 104 performances. 1984 - The 14th Winter Olympic Games ended at Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. The Soviet Union led all countries with 25 medals, the United States captured nine medals to tie for fifth place. Within the shadow of what was the Olympic Stadium, hundreds, maybe thousands, of Bosnians are now buried; the result of the civil war that began in the early 1990s. 1984 - Died this day, Ina Ray Hutton, orchestra leader (Ina Ray Hutton Show), at the age of 66. 1984 - The USSR performed a nuclear test at Eastern Kazakhstan/Semipalitinsk, USSR. 1985 - 150 were killed when a Spanish jetliner crashed approaching Bilbao, Spain. 1985 - ADM of Amsterdam declared bankruptcy. 1985 - Canned and bottled Cherry Coke was introduced by Coca-Cola. 1985 - Mickey Mouse was welcomed in China as part of the 30th anniversary of Disneyland. The touring mouse played 30 cities in 30 days. 1985 - Died this day, Elizabeth Julesberg, author (Dick & Jane). 1985 - Died this day, George Holmes, actor (Man in the Trunk), aged 66. 1985 - William Schroeder became the first artificial heart patient to leave hospital. He spent 15 minutes outside Humana Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. 1985 - The TV soap Eastenders started on BBC1 TV. 1986 - Died this day, Paul Stewart, actor (Top Secret USA, Deadline), aged 77. 1986 - Died this day, Adolfo Celi, actor (Thunderball), at the age of 63. 1986 - Died this day, James O. Eastland (Senator-D-Massachusetts), aged 81. 1986 - Appearing at The Guild Hall, Portsmouth, Feargal Sharkey. 1986 - The US Senate ratified the United Nations's (UN) anti-genocide convention 37 years later. 1986 - The USSR launched the Mir space station into Earth orbit. 1986 - Jordanian King Hussein severed ties with the PLO. 1987 - A Minnesota sheriff's office arrested FBI most wanted person, Thomas G. Harrelson. 1987 - Stardust opened at Biltmore Theatre in New York City for 102 performances. 1987 - A controversial, anti-smoking advert aired for the first time on US television. It featured actor, Yul Brynner, in a public service announcement that was recorded shortly before he died of lung cancer. 1987 - Less than a month after re-signing, A's pitcher Vida Blue retired. 1987 - President Reagan lifted a trade boycott against Poland. 1987 - New York Governor Mario Cuomo declared that he would not run for president in the next election. 1988 - Helga Arendt, Silke-Beate Knoll, Mechthild Kluth and Gisela Kinzel set an indoor female world record in the 4x200 metres of 1 minute 32.55 seconds. 1989 - Billed as 'The 1989 World Tour Starts Here', Simply Red played the Edinburgh playhouse, tickets were £10. 1989 - Broadway's biggest flop, it lost $5.3 million, Legs Diamond closed at Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York City after 64 performances. 1989 - Edgar Bowers won the Bollingen Prize. 1989 - Born this day, L A Baby, orangutan at Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Washington. 1989 - Died this day, Jaap van de Merwe, Dutch journalist/cabareter (Hadjememaar). 1990 - The Liberal Democrat Party in Japan won the general election under Toshiki Kaifu. 1990 - Died this day, Michael Powell, English director (Life & Death of Colonel Blimp), dies at 84. 1990 - Police killed 8 demonstrators in Nepal, demontrating for a multi party system. 1990 - Soyuz TM-9 landed. 1991 - Died this day, Peggy Mondo, actress (Who's Minding the Store), aged 50. 1992 - Died this day, Chet Leaming, after a brief illness aged 66. 1992 - Ken Ludwig's musical Crazy for You premiered at the Shubert Theatre in New York, NY for 1622 performances. 1992 - Porn producer Jim Mitchell was found guilty of killing his brother Artie. 1993 - Kenya Moore, aged 22 of Michigan, was crowned the 42nd Miss USA. 1993 - Died this day, Gerhard Gesell, judge (Pentagon Papers), of liver cancer aged 82. 1993 - Died this day, Michael Morrison, actor (Caleb-As the World Turns), at the age of 33. 1994 - Died this day, Derek Jarman, actor, director (Tempest), of AIDS aged 52. 1994 - Fire bombs damaged six London stores, the IRA claimed responsibility. 1994 - Died this day, Georges Watin, Algerian/French officer (OAS), at the age of 71. 1994 - John Michael Montgomery went to No.1 on the US album chart with Kickin' It Up. 1994 - Died this day, Renske Vellinga, Dutch speed-skater, in an auto-accident at the age of 19. 1994 - Mariah Carey had her 1st UK No.1 with her version of the Peter Ham and Tom Evans song Without You. Nilsson also took the song to No.1 in 1972. Both Ham and Evans committed suicide after an ongoing battle to receive royalties from the song. 1994 - Marta Figueras-Dotti won Cup o' Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Golf Open. 1995 - The first showing of Woman of Independent Means was broadcast on NBC-TV. 1995 - Irina Privalova ran an indoor woman's European record 200 metres in 22.10 seconds. 1995 - Kenneth Koch won the Bollingen Prize. 1995 - Linford Christie ran a European record 60 metre indoors of 6.47 seconds. He also ran a world record 200 metre indoors in 20.25 seconds. 1995 - Michael Tippett's Rose Lake premiered. 1995 - Roxette became the first Western group to perform in Beijing since George Michael in 1984 when they played a concert celebrating the Chinese New Year. 1995 - Died this day, Calder Willingham, novelist, scriptwriter, at the age of 72. 1995 - Died this day, Ian Ball, photographer, aged 80. 1995 - Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee married Baywatch's Pamela Anderson on a Cancun beach, the bride wore a white bikini. 1995 - Died this day, Shlomo Averbach, Israeli ultra-orthodox rabbi, at the age of 84. 1996 - Died this day, Brenda Bruce, actress (December Bride, Nightmare), aged 77. 1996 - At the Brits, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker was arrested after a stage invasion during Michael Jacksons appearance, he was accused of attacking children who were performing with Jackson, all charges were dropped on 11 March. 1996 - Died this day, Charles O. Finley, baseball owner (Oakland A's), at the age of 76. 1996 - Died this day, Grant Sawyer, US politician, aged 76. 1996 - Died this day, Madhaviah Krishnan, naturalist, at the age of 83. 1996 - Bjork was shown on UK breakfast TV attacking a news reporter as she arrived at Thailand Airport. The footage showed the singer pulling the female reporter to the floor and banging her head on the ground. Bjork later apologised. 1996 - The Howard Stern Radio Show premiered in York, Pennsylvania on WQXA 105.7 FM. 1996 - Israel approved the return of 154 members of the Palestine National Council, including hijacker Layla Khaled, to Palestinian-ruled areas. 1997 - The FCC made available 311 for non-emergency calls and 711 for hearing or speech-impaired emergency calls. 1997 - Died this day, Deng Xiaoping, head (Chinese Communist Party), at the age of 92. He ruled China from 1978 until he retired from his last official post in 1990, but his influence remained supreme until his death. 1997 - Died this day, Leo Rosten, writer, humourist (Joys of Yiddish), aged 88. 1997 - Died this day, Stanley Pearson, footballer, at the age of 76. 1998 - Soyuz TM-26 landed. 1998 - The US hockey team destroyed their rooms at the Olympics village in Japan. 1998 - Died this day, Grandpa Jones, country comic, banjo wizard (Hee Haw), aged 84. 1999 - Spice Girl Melanie Brown gave birth to a baby daughter and named her Phoenix Chi. 2000 - Savage Garden went back to No.1 on the US singles chart for the second time with I Knew I Loved You. 2000 - British nationals were warned to leave Yugoslavia as tension heightened over the crisis in Kosovo. 2001 - Environmental groups and the Government called for urgent action over global warming. 2002 - Around 300 people were killed when a train caught fire in Egypt. |
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.