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February 27th
0280 - Born this day, Constantine the Great, Roman emperor (312-37), the first to be converted (ca. 312) to the Christian faith. (Another source says 274 or even 289). 0837 - The 15th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. 1167 - Died this day, Robert van Melun, English philosopher, bishop of Hereford. 1526 - Saxony and Hesse formed the League of Gotha (league of Protestant princes). 1531 - Evangelical German monarchy/towns formed the Schmalkaldische Union. 1536 - William Byrd was appointed organist at Lincoln Cathedral. (Also seen this as 1563). 1539 - Born this day, Franciscus Raphelengius, Dutch book publisher. 1557 - The first Russian Embassy opened in London, Russia and the US signed a trade agreement. 1594 - Henri IV was crowned king of France. 1622 - Born this day, Rembrandt Carel Fabritius, painter. 1649 - Born this day, Johann Philipp Krieger, composer. 1656 - Died this day, Johan van Heemskerk, lawyer, writer, interpreter. 1665 - During a Battle at Elmina, Gold Coast, Vice-admiral De Ruyter beat the English. 1667 - Abraham Crijnssen conquerored Fort Willoughby (Zeelandia), Suriname. 1670 - Jews were expelled from Austria by order of Leopold I. 1678 - The Earl of Shaftesbury was freed out of the London Tower. 1696 - English/Welsh nobles lay down an Oath of Association. 1700 - The Pacific island of New Britain was discovered. 1702 - Born this day, Johann Valentin Gorner, composer. 1713 - French troops bombed Willemstadt, Curacao. 1731 - Died this day, Angelo Predieri, composer, aged 76. 1733 - Died this day, Johann Adam Birkenstock, composer, aged 46. 1745 - Born this day, Silverius Muller, composer. 1746 - Born this day, Gian Francesco Fortunati, composer. 1759 - Born this day, Johann Carl Friedrich Rellstab, composer. 1779 - Died this day, John Nepveu, governor-general of Suriname (1769-79), aged 59. 1784 - Born this day, Elias Annes Borger, theologist, poet (Ode on Rhine). 1784 - Born this day, Job Plimpton, composer. 1792 - Born this day, Don Joaquin B.F. Espartero, Spanish adventurer, field marshal. 1797 - Died this day, Benvenuto Robbio San Rafaele, composer, aged 62. 1801 - Washington DC was placed under Congressional jurisdiction. 1803 - A great fire occured in Bombay, India. 1805 - Died this day, Stefan Paluselli, composer, aged 57. 1807 - Born this day, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, in Portland, Maine, American poet. Hiawatha. 1813 - The first federal vaccination legislation enacted in the US. 1813 - US Congress authorised the use of steamboats to transport mail. 1814 - Ludwig von Beethovens 8th Symphony in F, premiered. 1816 - The Dutch regained Suriname. 1822 - Born this day, Eugene Gautier, composer. 1823 - Born this day, Fredinand Van Derveer, Brigadier General (Union volunteers). Died in 1892. 1823 - Born this day, William Buel Franklin, Major General (Union volunteers). Died in 1903. 1827 - Born this day, Richard W. Johnson, Bvt Major General (Union Army). Died in 1897. 1827 - The first Mardi Gras celebration was held in New Orleans. 1832 - Born this day, Alfred Pollard Edward, Civil War journalist. Died in 1872. 1838 - Born this day, William J. Kirkpatrick, American Methodist sacred composer. He edited his first collection of hymns at the age of 21, and is still remembered today for composing the melodies to such hymns as, He Hideth My Soul, 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It and Lord, I'm Coming Home. 1839 - Scottish clergyman Robert Murray McCheyne wrote in a letter: 'Most of God's people are content to be saved from the hell that is without. They are not so anxious to be saved from the hell that is within.' 1844 - The Dominican Republic gained it's independence, from Haiti (National Day). 1844 - Died this day, Nicholas Biddle, US lawyer, diplomat, statesman, financier. 1846 - Born this day, Joaquin Valverde, composer. 1847 - Born this day, Dame Ellen Alice Terry, in England, actress, director (Imperial Theatre). 1848 - Born this day, Charles Hubert H. Parry, English musicologist, composer (Jerusalem). 1849 - William Jewell College was chartered in Liberty, Missouri, under Baptist sponsorship. 1850 - Born this day, Henry Edwards Huntington, US railroad executive. 1852 - Died this day, Joseph Drechsler, composer, aged 69. 1854 - Composer Robert Schumann was saved from a suicide attempt in the Rhine. 1861 - US Congress authorised the first stamped newspaper wrappers for mailing. 1861 - Born this day, Rudolf Steiner, in Austria, philosopher (founded anthroposophy movement). 1861 - Warsaw Massacre - Russians shot at Poles protesting against Russian rule of Poland. 1862 - Died this day, Gabriele dell' Addolorata, patron of Italian Catholic youth, aged 23. 1864 - The 6th and last day of battle at Dalton, Georgia saw about another 600 casualties. 1864 - Near Andersonville, Georgia, rebels opened a new POW camp 'Camp Sumpter'. 1865 - A Civil War skirmish occured near Sturgeon, Missouri. 1867 - Born this day, Irving Fisher, US economist (compensating dollar). 1867 - Born this day, Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, composer. 1869 - John Menard became the first black to make a speech in US Congress. 1870 - Born this day, Louis Coerne, composer. 1871 - There was a meeting of the Alabama claims commission. 1872 - Charlotte Ray, became the first Black woman lawyer, to graduate from Harvard University. 1873 - Dutch socialist Samuel van Wooden demanded a law against child labour. 1873 - Born this day, Enrico Caruso, composer. 1874 - Born this day, Max Ettinger, composer. 1874 - The first game of baseball played in England took place this day at Lord's Cricket Ground. It didn't catch on. 1877 - The US Electoral College declared R. Hayes winner of the presidential election. 1879 - Born this day, Jose Sancho Marraco, composer. 1879 - Constantine Fahlberg discovered saccharin (artificial sweetener). 1881 - The British were defeated by the Boers at the Battle of Majuba. South African Boers vs Brit army under General Colley. 1881 - Born this day, Luitzen [Bertus] Brouwers, mathematician. 1881 - Born this day, Sveinn Bjornsson, first president of Iceland (1944-52), poet (Figur ild). 1881 - Died this day, George Colley, British governor of Natal, general, died in battle aged 46. 1883 - Oscar Hammerstein patented the first practical cigar-rolling machine. 1886 - Born this day, Hugo L. Black, in Alabama, (Senator-D-Alabama), 78th Supreme Court justice (1937-71). 1887 - Born this day, James D. Innes, English painter. 1887 - Died this day, Alexander Porfyrevich Borodin, composer, aged 53. 1888 - Born this day, Lotte Lehmann, in Perleberg, Germany, soprano (Fidello). 1890 - D. Needham and P. Kerrigan boxed for 100 rounds, taking 6 hours 39 minutes, in San Francisco; the match was a draw. 1891 - Born this day, David Sarnoff, US radio and TV pioneer, CEO of RCA. 1891 - Born this day, Georges E. Migot, French composer. 1892 - Born this day, William Demarest, in St Paul, Minnesota, actor (Uncle Charlie-My 3 Sons). 1893 - Born this day, Joseph Messner, composer. 1894 - Born this day, Robert-Lucien Siohan, composer. 1895 - Born this day, Edward Brophy, actor (Champ, Dumbo, Great Guy, Cameraman, Doughboys). 1897 - Born this day, Bernard F. Lyot, French astronomer (Lyot filter). 1897 - Paris saw the first couple to leave with their wedding car decorated. 1897 - Born this day, G. Paul H. Schuitema, graphic designer, photographer (System-O-Color). 1898 - Born this day, Allison Danzig, sports writer (Tennis Pictorial History) 1898 - Born this day, Rutkowski Bronislaw, composer. 1899 - Born this day, Charles H. Best, in Maine, physiologist, co-discoverer (Insulin). 1899 - Born this day, Ian Keith, US actor (Rochefort-3 Musketeers). 1899 - Born this day, Sulo Nikolai Salonen, composer. 1900 - Boer War - Battle at Pietershoogte. 1900 - Boer War - General Piet Cronje surrendered at Paardeburg to the English, in South-Africa. 1900 - The British Labour Party was founded with Kier Hardie as leader. Ramsay MacDonald was its secretary and later its first Prime Minister. 1901 - Born this day, Marino Marini, Italian sculptor, painter. 1901 - The NL Rules Committee decreed that all fouls are to count as strikes except after two strikes. 1902 - Born this day, Gene Sarazen, in Harrison, New York, PGA golfer (Masters 1935, US Open 1922, 32). 1902 - Born this day, John Steinbeck, in Salinas, California, US novelist and Nobel prize winner in 1962. Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men. 1903 - Born this day, Reginald Gardiner, in Wimbledon, England, actor (Great Dictator). 1904 - Born this day, James Thomas Farrell, US author (Studs Lonigan trilogy). 1904 - Born this day, Renaat Verheren, Flemish actor, director. 1905 - Born this day, Charles de Keukeleire, Belgian director (Evil Eye). 1905 - Born this day, Franchot Tone, in Niagara Falls, New York, actor (Dr Freeland-Ben Casey). 1906 - Born this day, H. Algernon F. 'Algy' Rumbold, English diplomat (South Africa/Tibet). 1906 - France and Britain agreed to joint control of New Hebrides. 1907 - Born this day, Gerhard Alexander, actor (Prince Willem of Orange). 1908 - The forty-sixth star was added to the US flag, signifying Oklahoma's admission to statehood. 1909 - Born this day, Elisabeth Welsh, singer. 1910 - Born this day, Joan Bennett, in Palasades, New Jersey, actress (Little Women, Disraeli). 1910 - Born this day, Peter De Vries, in Chicago, Illinois, author (Reuben Reuben, Prick of Noon). 1912 - Lord Kitchener opened the Khartoum to El Obeid (Nyala) railway. 1912 - Born this day, Lawrence Durrell, in Darjeeling, India, writer (Alexandria Quartet). 1913 - Born this day, Frank Allaun, British MP (L). 1913 - Born this day, Irwin Shaw, US novelist (Rich Man Poor Man). 1919 - The first public performance of Holst's Planets was heard. 1919 - Born this day, Roman Haubenstock-Ramati, composer. 1919 - The American Association for the Hard of Hearing was formed, in New York City. 1920 - Died this day, Alexandru D. Xenopol, Romanian historian, aged 72. 1920 - Born this day, Jose Melis, in Havana, Cuba, orchestra leader (Jack Paar Program). 1921 - Born this day, Andras Szollosy, composer. 1921 - The US female Figure Skating championship was won by Theresa Weld Blanchard. 1921 - The US male Figure Skating championship was won by Sherwin Badger. 1922 - US Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover convened the first National Radio Conference. 1922 - Born this day, Mervyn Jones, author (Nobody's Fault, 5 Hungarian Writers). 1922 - The US Supreme Court unanimously upheld the 19th Amendment (woman's right to vote). 1923 - Died this day, Charles Francis Abdy Williams, composer, aged 67. 1923 - Born this day, Dexter Gordon, US tenor saxophonist. 1923 - Born this day, Viktor Kalabis, composer. 1924 - Belgium's Theunis government fell. 1925 - Hitler formed the NSDAP political party in Munich. 1925 - Born this day, Richard A.F.M. Auwerda, journalist, writer. 1926 - Born this day, Peter Emery, British MP. 1927 - For the second Sunday in a row, golfers in South Carolina were arrested for violating the Sabbath. 1929 - Turkey signed the Litvinov pact. (Who with?) 1929 - Died this day, Manuel Manrique de Lara y Berry, composer, aged 65. 1927 - Born this day, Guy Mitchell, in Detroit, Michigan, US singer, 1957 UK and US No.1 single Singing The Blues, plus over 10 other UK top 40 singles. Died 2 July 1999. 
1930 - Born this day, Joanne Woodward, in Thomasville, Georgia, actress (3 Faces of Eve, Rachel), wife of Paul Newman. 1930 - K. Reinmuth discovered asteroid #1665 Gaby. 1930 - Bouvet Island was declared a Norwegian dependency. 1932 - An explosion in a coal mine in Boissevain, Virginia, USA left 38 dead. 1932 - Born this day, Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, film actress, screen legend, in London, England. Among her most famous films are the 1960s classics Butterfield 8 (1960), Cleopatra (1963), and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966). Also National Velvet (1944). 1932 - Born this day, Dolf Rover, painter. 1932 - Born this day, Lord Young of Graffham, CEO (Cables & Wireless). 1933 - Born this day, Edward Lucie-Smith, poetry critic. 1933 - Born this day, Malcolm Wallop, (Senator-R-Wyoming), 1977-). 1933 - Born this day, Raymond Berry, in Texas, NFL hall of famer (Baltimore Colts). 1933 - K. Reinmuth discovered asteroid #2248 Kanda. 1933 - The Reichstag building in Berlin was burned down - a Nazi ploy to suspend civil rights and freedom of the press. They blamed it on communists. 1934 - Born this day, Ralph Nader, ex-Corvair fan, consumer advocate (Unsafe at Any Speed). 1934 - Born this day, Van Williams, in Fort Worth, Texas, actor (Green Hornet, Tycoon). 1935 - Born this day, Alberto Remedious, opera singer. 1935 - Born this day, Mirella Freni, in Modena, Italy, lyric soprano (Madame Butterfly). 1936 - Willy den Ouden swam a world record 100 metres free style in 1 minute 4.6 seconds. 1936 - Died this day, Ivan P. Pavlov, Russian physiologist (reflexes, Nobel 1904). 1936 - Born this day, Chuck Glaser, in Spalding, Nebraska, singer (Glaser Bros-Getting to Me Again). 1936 - Born this day, Roger M. Mahoney, in Hollywood, California, archbishop of Los Angeles (1985-). 1936 - Born this day, Virginia Maskell, actress (Suspect, Doctor in Love, Man Upstairs). 1937 - Born this day, Barbara Babcock, actress (Liz-Dallas, Grace-Hill St Blues). 1937 - Born this day, L. Jay Silvester, US discus thrower (Olympic-silver-1972). 1938 - Born this day, Pascal Petit, actor (Code Name: Jaguar, End of Desire, Cheaters). 1938 - Britain and France recognised the Franco government in Spain. 1938 - English Bible expositor Arthur W. Pink wrote in a letter: 'Slackness and carelessness are inexcusable in a child of God. He should ever present a model and example of conscientiousness, painstaking care, and exactness.' 1939 - Britain's most haunted house, Borley Rectory, was destroyed by fire. 1939 - The Belgian government of Pierlot fell. 1939 - Died this day, Nadezjda K. Krupskaja, Russian revolutionary, wife of Lenin. 1939 - France recognised Franco's regime in Spain. 1939 - The US Supreme Court outlawed sit-down strikes. 1939 - Born this day, Antoinette Sibley, ballerina. 1939 - Born this day, Kenzo Takada, fashion designer. 1939 - Born this day, Peter Revson, auto racer (1971 Indianapolis pole winner). 1940 - Born this day, Howard Hesseman, in Salem, Oregon, actor (Dr Johnny Fever-WKRP, Head of Class). 1941 - Born this day, Paddy Ashdown [Jeremy John Durham Ashdown] (Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon), in New Delhi, India, former Member of Parliament, former leader of the Liberal Democrats (1988-1999). Was elected Liberal Member of Parliament for Yeovil in 1983. He resigned the leadership in 1999, being succeeded by Charles Kennedy. He led the Liberal Democrats in two general elections, in 1992 and 1997. He was knighted in 2000 and became a life peer in the House of Lords after retiring from the House of Commons in 2001. 1942 - The Battle of Java Sea began 13 US warships sunk 2 Japanese. 1942 - Born this day, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, in Due West, South Carolina, news reporter (McNeil-Lehrer). 1942 - The first French Jews were transported to nazi-Germany. 1942 - J.S. Hey discovered radio emissions from the Sun. 1942 - Died this day, Karel W.F.M. Doorman, spy (Java sea). 1943 - Died this day, Kostís Palamás, Greek poet, scholar (Flogera tou Basilia), aged 84. 1943 - Born this day, Mary Frann, in St Louis, Missouri, actress (Joanna-Newhart, Days of Our Live). 1944 - Born this day, Alan Fudge, in Wichita, Kansas, actor (Man From Atlantis, Paper Dolls). 1945 - Died this day, H.J. Lochtman, Dutch chaplin, resistance fighter (Belsen). 1947 - The Paul-Emile Victor, French polar expedition were organised. 1947 - Born this day, Gidon Kremer, in Riga, Latvia, violinist (Tchaikovsky Prize 1970). 1947 - Born this day, Marian G. Fix, mime actress (Dig up Cabbage). 1948 - Born this day, Eddie Gray, guitarist, Tommy James & The Shondells, 1966 US No.1 single Hanky Panky, 1968 UK No.1 single Mony Mony. 1949 - Chaim Weizmann became the first Israeli president. 1950 - Born this day, Robert Balderrama, ? & The Mysterians, 1966 US No.1 and UK No.37 single 96 Tears. UK No.17 hit for The Stranglers in 1990. 1950 - General Chang Kai-shek was elected president of Nationalist China. 1951 - The 22nd amendment was ratified, limiting the president to 2 terms of office. 1951 - L. Boyer discovered asteroid #1649 Fabre. 1951 - Born this day, Steve Harley, singer, Cockney Rebel, 1975 UK No.1 single Make Me Smile, Come Up And See Me. 1951 - Born this day, Lee Atwater, Republican National Committee Chairman (1989-91). 1952 - Born this day, Dwight Elmo Jones, in Houston, Texas, basketball player (Olympic-silver-1972). 1952 - Born this day, Henk Westbroek, singer (Good Goal). 1952 - The United Nations (UN) held its first session in its new permanent headquarters in New York. 1953 - Born this day, Gavin Esler, BBC newsman. 1954 - Born this day, Neal Schon, guitar, Journey, 1981 US No.14 single Who's Crying Now, with Santana, 1977 UK No.11 single She's Not There. 1955 - Born this day, Gary Christian, The Christians, 1988 UK No.8 single Harvest For The World. 1955 - Died this day, Tom Howard, comedian (It Pays to be Ignorant), aged 66. 1955 - Betty Jameson won the LPGA Sarasota Golf Open. 1956 - Elvis Presley released Heartbreak Hotel. 1956 - Died this day, Frank Dailey, orchestra leader (Music at Meadowbrook), aged 54. 1956 - Died this day, Gunther Ramin, composer, aged 57. 1956 - Women in Egypt got the right to vote. 1957 - Mao's speech 'On Correct Handling of Contradictions Among People' was heard. 1957 - The premier of the only prime-time network TV show beginning with an 'X': Xavier Cugat Show happened on NBC. 1957 - Born this day, Timothy Spall, actor, (Auf Weidesen Pet). 1957 - Born this day, Adrian Smith, heavy metal guitarist Iron Maiden, 1991 UK No.1 single Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter, 1987 UK No.1 & US No.12 album Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son. 1958 - Died this day, Harry Cohn, CEO (Columbia Pictures), of a heart attack. 1958 - The USSR performed a nuclear test at Novaya Zemlya, USSR. 1959 - Chicago Cardinals traded running back Ollie Matson to Los Angeles Rams for 9 players. 1959 - Boston Celtic Bob Cousy set an NBA record with 28 assists. 1959 - Boston Celtics scored 173 points against Minneapolis Lakers. 1960 - An oil pipe line from Rotterdam to Ruhrgebied came into use. 1960 - Born this day, Paul Humphreys, synthersizers, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1984 UK No.5 single Locomotion. 1960 - Died this day, Adriano Olivetti, Italian engineer, manufacturer, aged 58. 1960 - Born this day, Andres Gomez, tennis professional (Madrid Grand Prix-1990). 1960 - Born this day, Bolik Dahan, Suriname singer, radio host (Radio KBC). 1960 - Born this day, Stoney Jackson, in Richmond, Virginia, actor (White Shadow, Insiders). 1960 - The US Olympic Ice Hockey Team beat USSR 3-2 en route to a gold medal. 1961 - Died this day, Platt Adams, high jumper (Olympic-gold-1912). 1961 - Chubby Checker started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with Pony Time, his second No.1 of the 60's. It reached No.27 in the UK. 1961 - Born this day, Grant Shaud, actor (Miles Silverburg-Murphy Brown). 1961 - Born this day, James Worthy, NBA forward (Los Angeles Lakers, 1988 Playoff MVP). 1962 - Born this day, Adam Baldwin, actor (Full Metal Jacket, My Bodyguard). 1962 - The palace of South-Vietnam president Ngo Dinh Diems was bombed. 1962 - Born this day, Grant Show, in Detroit, Michigan, actor (Jack Hanson-Melrose Place). 1962 - Died this day, Willie Best, actor (Charlie-My Little Margie), aged 45. 1963 - Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees signed a baseball contract worth $100,000. 1964 - 21 year old former hairdresser and cloakroom attendant at Liverpool's Cavern club, Cilla Black scored her first UK No.1 single Anyone Who Had A Heart. Written by Bacharach and David. 1964 - Born this day, Derek McKenzie, The Shamen, 1992 UK No.1 single Ebeneezer Goode. 1964 - Born this day, Ewan Venal, Deacon Blue, 1988 UK No.8 single Real Gone Kid, plus over 15 other UK top 40 singles. 1965 - Born this day, David Boulter, keyboards, Tindersticks, 1993 album Tindersticks. 1965 - Today was the first date of a 21 twice-nightly UK package tour with Del Shannon, Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders and Herman's Hermits, at Sheffield's City Hall. 1965 - France performed an underground nuclear test at Ecker, Algeria. 1965 - The Dutch Marijnen government resigned. 1966 - Peggy Fleming won the ladies' US figure skating championship. 1966 - Born this day, Gregg Rainwater, actor (Buck Cross-Young Riders). 1966 - Died this day, Minerva Urecal, actress (Apache Rose, Ghost Crazy), aged 81. 1967 - Pink Floyd recorded their first single Arnold Layne, with producer Joe Boyd. 1967 - Antigua and St Christopher-Nevis became associated states of the UK. 1967 - Dominica gained independence from England. 1968 - Died this day, Ludvik Podest, composer, aged 46. 1969 - Died this day, John Boles, actor (Stella Dallas, Curly Top), aged 73. 1969 - Born this day, Victoria Fair, in Jackson, Michigan, Miss Michigan-America for 1991. 1969 - General Hafez al-Assad became head of Syria via military coup. 1969 - President Nixon visited West Berlin. 1970 - The New York Times, falsely, reported the US army has ended domestic surveillance. 1971 - Five months after her death, Janis Joplin started a nine week run at No.1 on the US album chart with Pearl. 1971 - Born this day, Rozonda Thomas, Chilli, vocals, TLC, 1995 US No.1 and UK No.4 single Waterfalls. 1971 - Born this day, David Coulthard, racing driver. 1971 - Born this day, Ivan Robinson, in Philadelphia Pennsylvnia, US boxer (Olympic-1992). 1972 - President Nixon and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai issued the Shanghai Communique. 1972 - T Rex appeared at New York's Carnegie Hall. 1972 - Died this day, Pat Brady, actor (Roy Rodgers Show), aged 58, best known as cowboy Roy Rogers' comical sidekick. 1973 - Born this day, 'Pooh' Clark, rock musician (High-5). 1973 - L. Kohoutek discovered asteroids #1999 Hirayama, #2407, #2472, #2541 and #2901. 1973 - Pope Paul VI published his constitution motu proprio Quo aptius. 1973 - The American Indian Movement occupied Wounded Knee in South Dakota. 1973 - Born this day, Peter Andre, singer and former actor, 1996 UK No.2 single Mysterious Girl. 1973 - Dick Allen signed a record $675,000 3-year contract with the White Sox. 1973 - Died this day, Lucijan Marija Skerjanc, composer, aged 72. 1974 - People magazine began sales. 1974 - The US performed a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site. 1974 - Cher filed for divorce from Sonny Bono. The singer married Gregg Allman on 27 June 1975. 1975 - CDU-politician Peter Lorentz was kidnapped in West Berlin. 1975 - The US House of Representatives pass a $21.3 billion anti-recession tax-cut bill. 1975 - Born this day, Christina Nigra, actress (Out of This World). 1976 - A final meeting between Mao tse Tung and President Richard Nixon took place. 1976 - P. Wild discovered asteroids #2080 Jihlava, #2081 Sazava and #2088 Sahlia. 1976 - R.M. West discovered asteroid #3004. 1977 - Keith Richards was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at Toronto's Harbour Castle Hotel, for possession of heroin and cocaine, bail was set at $25,000. 1977 - Died this day, Allison Hayes, actress (Attack of 50 Foot Woman), aged 47. 1977 - Judy Rankin won the LPGA Bent Tree Golf Classic. 1978 - France performed a nuclear test at Muruora Island. 1978 - Died this day, Vadim Nikolayevich Salmanov, composer, aged 65. 1980 - Born this day, Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former US president Bill Clinton. 1980 - Winners at the Grammy Awards: song of the year, What A Fool Believes, The Doobie Brothers, album of the year, Billy Joel's 52nd St, best new artist, Rickie Lee Jones, best disco record, I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor. 1980 - Died this day, George Tobias, actor (Abner Kravitz-Bewitched), aged 78. 1980 - Israel and Egypt exchanged ambassadors. 1980 - Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF won elections in Zimbabwe. 1980 - Terrorists occupied the Dominican embassy in Bogota. 1981 - The greatest passenger load on a commercial airliner was carried this day, 610 on a Boeing 747. 1981 - Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder recorded Ebony and Ivory. 1982 - Died this day, Malika A. Sabirova, Russian dancer, aged 39. 1982 - Dan Issel (NBA-Nuggets), scored on a 63rd consecutive free throw. 1982 - Earl Anthony became the first pro bowler to win more than $1 million. 1982 - Wayne Williams was found guilty of murdering 2 of 28 blacks in Atlanta. 1982 - France performed a nuclear test at Muruora Island. 1983 - Eamonn Coghlan set an indoor mile record of 3 hours 49.78 seconds. 1983 - Jan Stephenson won the Tucson Conquistadores LPGA Golf Tournament. 1984 - Carl Lewis jumped a world record indoors at 8.675 metres. 1984 - WRC-AM in Washington DC changed its call letters to WWRC. 1984 - Worker's union leader Billy Nair was freed in South Africa. 1985 - US farmers converged in Washington to demand economic relief. 1985 - Mauritania's new constitutional charter was published. 1985 - Died this day, David Huffman, actor (FIST, Jane Doe, Firefox, Onion Field). 1985 - Died this day, Henry Cabot Lodge, (Senator-R), diplomat, aged 82. 1985 - Died this day, Pat J. O'Malley, actor (My Favorite Martian, Maude), aged 83. 1987 - Donald Regan resigned as White House chief of staff. 1987 - Mike Conley triple-jumped a world indoor record of 17.76 metres. 1987 - The NCAA canceled SMU's entire 1987 football schedule for gross violations of NCAA rules regarding athletic corruption. 1987 - Died this day, Joan Greenwood, actress (Gentle Sex, Bad Sister), aged 65. 1987 - Washington Week In Review, had its 20th anniversary on PBS. 1988 - Ayako Okamoto won the LPGA Orient Leasing Hawaiian Ladies Golf Open. 1988 - George Michael scored his sixth No.1 US single with Father Figure. It made No.11 in the UK. 1988 - Bonnie Blair (US) won the Olympic 500 metre speedskating in a record 39.1 seconds. 1988 - Gulfstream G-IV went around the world in 36 hours 8 minutes 34 seconds. 1988 - Katarina Witt (GDR) won a second consecutive Olympic figure skating championship. 1989 - Died this day, Conrad Lorenz, Austrian zoologist (Nobel 1973). 1989 - Died this day, Joe Silver, actor (Rage, Rapid, Deathtrap, Shivers). 1990 - Exxon Corp and Exxon Shipping were indicted on 5 criminal counts (Valdez). 1990 - No one elected to the Hall of Fame for the second time in 3 years. 1991 - Noureddine Morcelli set a 1500 metre record at 3 hours 34 minutes 16 seconds. 1991 - James Brown was paroled after serving two years of a six year prison sentence, imposed for resisting arrest after a car chase across two States. 1991 - The Gulf War is over. President George Bush announced on TV. "Kuwait is liberated, Iraq's army is defeated." The Allied ceasefire came just six weeks after the start of operation Desert Storm and 100 hours after the land war began. But it is not a complete victory. Saddam Husein is still the ruler of Baghdad. 1991 - Died this day, Artie Mitchell, XXX producer (Behind the Green Door), shot aged 45. 1991 - Died this day, H.J. of Royen, director Concert worker. 1991 - Died this day, Robert-John Akkerman, US diplomat to Tunis, murdered. 1992 - Died this day, Marinus Ruppert, Dutch political president (CNV). 1992 - Larry Smith was named 9th Commissioner of the CFL. 1992 - Tiger Woods, aged 16, became the youngest PGA golfer in 35 years. 1993 - PBA National Championship was won by Ron Palombi Jr. 1993 - After 14 weeks at No.1 on the US singles chart, I Will Always Love You, gave Whitney Houston the longest ever US chart topper, taking over from Boyz II Men's hit End Of The Road, and became the 2nd biggest selling single in the US. 1993 - East 17 went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut LP Walthamstow. 1993 - Died this day, Lillian Gish, US actress (Birth of a Nation), aged 99. 1993 - Died this day, Ruby Keeler, actress (42nd Street), of cancer aged 83. 1994 - Died this day, Harold Acton, English-Italian historian, art collector, aged 84. 1994 - The 17th Winter Olympic games closed, in Lillehammer, Norway. 1994 - Maronite church in Beirut was bombed, 10 were killed. 1994 - Died this day, Karl I. Pelgrom, sculptor, aged 66. 1994 - Died this day, Leopold 'Hans' Kohr, Austrian social philosopher, economist, aged 89. 1994 - Enigma went to No.1 on the UK album chart with The Cross Of Changes. 1995 - A car bomb exploded in Zakho, North-Iraq. 54-80 were killed. 1996 - Mark Waugh scored 126 in the World Cup against India. 1996 - Appearing at Manchester University, were Audioweb supported by Manson, tickets were £4.50. 1997 - Singer Sade was arrested in Jamaica for disobeying a policeman. 1998 - The 14th Soap Opera Digest Awards were made. (What won?) 1998 - Apple discontinued developing the Newton computer. 1998 - The FBI arrested 10th most wanted suspected serial killer Tony Ray Amati. 1998 - NE Patriot David Meggett was arrested in Toronto on sex assault charges. 1999 - Britney Spears started a two week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with Baby One More Time. It went on to be the biggest UK selling single of the year and was also a No.1 in the US. 2000 - The millionth video to air on MTV was Video Killed the Radio Star, which aired this day. It is also the 3rd most aired video in MTV history. Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer is the number 1. 2001 - High winds, freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall plunged northern parts of Britain into chaos, leaving people without power or transport. 2002 - Died this day, Spike Milligan, one of Britain's most famous comics. Milligan, aged 83, died from kidney failure at his home in Rye, East Sussex. "I'm not afraid of dying, I just dont want to be there when it happens". - The late Spike Millingan. 2002 - A 17-year-old youth was cleared of the murder of Damilola Taylor after the main witness's evidence was thrown out. 2003 - Dr. Rowan Williams was enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury amid protests by Christian groups. |
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.