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March 13th
0483 - St. Felix began his reign as Catholic Pope. 0607 - The 12th recorded passage of Halley's Comet occured. 1138 - German king Koenraad II von Hohenstaufen was crowned. 1202 - Died this day, Mieszko III, the Elder, grand duke of Poland (1173-77, 1200-02). 1516 - Died this day, Vladislav II Jagiello, king of Bohemia (1490-1516), aged 60. 1519 - Hernando Cortez landed in what would become Mexico. 1548 - Born this day, Sasbout Vosmeer, Dutch Catholic theologist, apostole. 1558 - Died this day, Jean Fernel, French physician, physiologist. 1560 - The Spanish fleet occupied Djerba, at Tripoli. 1564 - Cardinal Granvelle fled Brussels. 1567 - Battle at Oosterweel: Spanish troops destroyed Geuzenleger. 1569 - In the Third French Religious War, the Huguenots under Prince de Conde were defeated by the Catholics (Count of Anjou) at the Battle of Jarnac. Prince Conde died in the battle. 1569 - Died this day, Louis Condé, French prince, co-leader of Hugenot, in battle. 1573 - Died this day, Michel de l'Hôpital, chancellor of France (1560-68), aged about 65. 1591 - Battle at Tondibi: Moroccans army under Judar beat the sultan Askia Ishaq II of Songhai. 1599 - Born this day, Johannes Berchmans, Dutch Jesuit, saint. 1615 - Born this day, Innocent XII [Antonio Pignatelli], Roman Catholic Pope (1691-1700). 1619 - Died this day, Richard Burbage, English actor (Shakespeare). 1634 - Académie Française opened. 1639 - Cambridge College was renamed Harvard for clergyman John Harvard. 1656 - Jews were denied the right to build a synagogue in New Amsterdam. 1660 - A statute was passed limiting the sale of slaves in the colony of Virginia. 1677 - Massachusetts purchased Maine for $6,000. 1687 - Father Eusebio Kino, aged 42, an Italian-born Jesuit in the service of Spain, began missionary labours in the American Southwest. In all, Kino established 25 Indian missions in the area now divided between northern Mexico and Arizona. 1696 - Born this day, Louis F.A.D. Duke de Richelieu, French marshal. 1700 - Born this day, James Kent, composer. 1700 - Born this day, Michel Blavet, composer. 1712 - Born this day, Isfrid Kayser, composer. 1716 - Died this day, Georg Gabriel Schutz, composer, aged 46. 1733 - Born this day, Joseph Priestley, English chemist, clergyman, scientist credited with the discovery of oxygen. Died in 1804. 1735 - The first US Moravian bishop, David Nitschmann, was consecrated in Germany. 1741 - Born this day, Jozef II, arch duke of Austria, Roman Catholic German emperor (1765-90). 1744 - Born this day, David Allan, Scottish painter. 1746 - Born this day, Maurus Haberhauer, composer. 1752 - Born this day, Josef Reicha, composer. 1756 - Died this day, Johann Melchior Conradi, composer, aged 81. 1759 - 27th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. 1764 - Born this day, Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, British Prime Minister (1830-34). 1767 - Born this day, Heinrich Domnich, composer. 1768 - Born this day, Charles Louis W.J. van Keverberg, Dutch civil servant. 1770 - Born this day, Daniel Lambert, in England, famed for his enormous weight, weighed 739lbs (334kg) at death. Buried in St Martins graveyard, Stamford, Lincs. 1772 - Gotthold Lessing's Emilia Calotti premiered in Brunswick. 1777 - US Congress ordered its European envoys to appeal to high-ranking foreign officers to send troops to reinforce the American army. 1779 - Born this day, Oliver Shaw, composer. 1781 - The German-born English astronomer Sir William Herschel discovered the planet Georgium Sidus, named in honour of King George III, later known as Uranus. 1781 - Born this day, Karl F. Schinkel, German architect, painter, writer (Schloss Tegel). 1790 - John Martin, the first American-born actor, performed in Philadelphia. 1791 - Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man was published in London. 1797 - Cherubini's opera Medée premiered in Paris, France. 1798 - Born this day, Abigail Fillmore [Powers], US First Lady, wife of Millard Fillmore. Died in 1853. 1804 - Born this day, James W. Alexander, American Presbyterian clergyman and hymn writer. It was Alexander who, in 1830, rendered the English text of Paul Gerhardt's immortal German hymn, O Sacred Head, Now Wounded. 1809 - King Gustavus IV of Sweden was overthrown in a coup d'etat and was succeeded by his uncle Charles XIII. 1813 - Sweden joined the Grand Alliance against Napoleon Bonaparte and his allies. 1813 - Born this day, Lorenzo Delmonico, restaurateur. Died in 1881. 1817 - Died this day, Matej Sojka, composer, aged 77. 1818 - Born this day, Albion Parris Howe, Bvt Major General (Union Army). Died in 1897. 1820 - Born this day, Louis Herbert, Brigadier General (Confederate Army). Died in 1901. 1822 - Born this day, Moritz Grave von Strachwitz, German poet. 1832 - Born this day, Alberto Randegger, composer. 1835 - Charles Darwin departed Valparaiso for an Andes crossing. 1836 - On this date in 1836, less than a week after the disastrous defeat of Texas rebels at the Alamo, the newly commissioned Texan General Sam Houston began a series of strategic retreats to buy time to train his ill-prepared army. Revolutionary Texans had only formally announced their independence from Mexico 11 days earlier. On 6 March 1836, the separatists chose Sam Houston to be the commander-in-chief of the revolutionary army. Houston immediately departed for Gonzales, Texas, where the main force of the revolutionary army was stationed. When he arrived, he found that the Texan army consisted of 374 poorly dressed and ill-equipped men. Most had no guns or military experience, and they had only two days of rations. Houston had little time to dwell on the situation, because he learned that the Mexican general Santa Anna was staging a siege of the Alamo in San Antonio. Before Houston could prepare his troops to rush to aid the defenders, however, word arrived that Santa Anna had wiped them out on March 6. Scouts reported that Santa Anna's troops were heading east toward Gonzales. Unprepared to confront the Mexican army with his poorly trained force, Houston began a series of strategic retreats designed to give him enough time to whip his army into fighting shape. Houston's decision to retreat won him little but scorn from the Texas rebels. His troops and officers were eager to engage the Mexicans, and they chafed at Houston's insistence on learning proper field maneuvers. Houston wisely continued to organise, train, and equip his troops so they would be prepared to meet Santa Anna's army. Finally, after nearly a month of falling back, Houston ordered his men to turn around and head south to meet Santa Anna's forces. On 21 April, Houston led his 783 troops in an attack on Santa Anna's force of nearly twice that number near the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto River. With the famous cry, "Remember the Alamo," the Texans stormed the surprised Mexican forces. After a brief attempt at defense, the Mexican soldiers broke into a disorganized retreat, allowing the Texans to isolate and slaughter them. In a stunning victory, Houston's army succeeded in killing or capturing nearly the entire Mexican force, including General Santa Anna, who was taken prisoner. Only two Texans were killed and 30 wounded. Fearful of execution, Santa Anna signed an order calling for the immediate withdrawal of all Mexican troops from Texas soil. The Mexicans never again seriously threatened the independence of the Lone Star Republic. 1837 - Died this day, Nikita P. Panin, Russian diplomat, minister of Foreign affairs, aged 66. 1839 - Died this day, Robert Gallenberg, composer, aged 55. 1846 - Friedrich Hebbel's Maria Magdalena premiered in Königsberg. 1848 - After demonstrations and riots in Vienna, Prince Metternich resigned as chancellor. 1850 - Born this day, Emilio Serrano y Ruiz, composer. 1852 - The Uncle Sam cartoon figure made its debut in the New York Lantern weekly. 1855 - Born this day, Percival Lowell, astronomer, predicted the discovery of the planet Pluto. Died in 1916. 1858 - Felice Orsini, Italian revolutionary, was executed for his part in the assassination attempt on Napoleon III of France. 1858 - Born this day, Maximilien Luce, French painter. 1859 - Born this day, Ivo Bligh, cricketer [Lord Darnley], England captain vs Australia 1882-83. 1860 - Born this day, Hugo Filipp Jakob Wolf, in Windisch-Gräz, Austria, composer, songwriter. Died in 1903. 1861 - Jefferson Davis signed a bill authorising slaves to be used as soldiers for the Confederacy. 1862 - Born this day, Vasily Mikhaylovich Metallov, composer. 1865 - During the US Civil War, the Confederate Congress under President Jefferson Davis signed a bill allowing black slaves to join the army in exchange for freedom. 1868 - Born this day, Charles E. Cowman, American missionary pioneer. In 1901 he sailed to Japan with his wife Lettie (who later authored Streams in the Desert), where in 1910 they founded the Oriental Missionary Society. 1868 - The US Senate began impeachment proceedings against President Andrew Johnson on charges of 'high crimes and misdemeanors'. He was acquitted by one vote. 1869 - Arkansas legislature passed an anti-Klan law. 1872 - Born this day, Oswald Garrison Villard, American journalist. 1875 - Born this day, Maria E.G. "Lizzy" Ansingh, Dutch painter (Caught Sultane). 1877 - Chester Greenwood, of Farmington, Maine, patented the earmuff. He picked the right place to patent such much-needed outdoor gear, as it is extremely cold in very northern Maine for about 10 months a year. 1878 - The first collegiate golf match was played, as Oxford defeated Cambridge. 1879 - Died this day, Adolf Anderssen, German world champion chess (1851..66), aged 60. 1881 - Died this day, Czar Alexander II of Russia, aged 62, after a bomb was thrown at him near the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. He had been the ruler of Russia since 1855, and was killed by a member of the revolutionary 'People's Will' group. 1884 - The siege of Khartoum, Sudan began. 1884 - The US adopted Standard Time. 1884 - Born this day, Sir Hugh S. Walpole, novelist, critic, dramatist, in Auckland, New Zealand. 1886 - Born this day, Albert William Stevens, balloonist and photographer. 1887 - Chester Greenwood of Maine received a patent for earmuffs. 1888 - The Great Blizzard of 1888 raged. 1890 - Born this day, Frank Thieb, writer. 1890 - Born this day, Michael Taube, composer. 1890 - Died this day, Henry Wylde, composer, aged 67. 1892 - Born this day, Janet Flanner, writer (Letter from Paris), journalist (New Yorker). 1892 - Born this day, Alec Rowley, composer. 1894 - The first professional striptease took place at a music hall in Paris. 1894 - J.L. Johnstone of England invented the horse racing starting gate. 1895 - The Spanish cruiser Reina Regente sank off Gibraltar, 402 died. 1896 - Born this day, Dorothy Aldis, writer. 1897 - Born this day, Marcel Thiry, Belgian poet (Statue of Fatigue). 1897 - Born this day, William Herald, in Australia, swimmer (Olympics 1920). 1898 - Born this day, Josie Sedgwick, in Texas, actress (Son of Oklahoma). 1899 - Born this day, Pancho Vladigerov, composer. 1900 - Born this day, George Seferis, Greek poet. 1900 - The British under Lord Frederick Roberts captured Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, in the Boer War. 1901 - Died this day, Benjamin Harrison, in Indianapolis aged 67, the 23rd president of the United States. He was the only president to succeed and be succeeded by the same man - Grover Cleveland. 1901 - Born this day, Paul Fix, in Dobbs Ferry, New York, actor (Rifleman). 1903 - Died this day, Nicolas Beets [Hildebrand], Dutch writer (Camera Obscura), aged 88. 1904 - Born this day, Henry Iliffe Cozens, pilot. 1904 - The Christ of the Andes, a bronze statue of Christ located on the Argentina-Chile border, was formally dedicated. 1906 - Died this day, Susan B. Anthony [Brownell], one of America's most renowned feminists, at the age of 86. Anthony was considered one of the greatest leaders of the women's suffrage movement. 1907 - Born this day, Albert Hughes Williams, teacher, historian. 1907 - Born this day, Dona Maria Pia de Braganca, pretender to the Portuguese throne. 1907 - Born this day, Frank Wilcox, in DeSoto, Missouri, actor (John-Beverly Hillbillies). 1907 - Born this day, Oscar Brink, latinist. 1908 - Born this day, Helen Sinclair Glatz, musician. 1908 - Born this day, Paul Stewart, in New York, NY, actor (Top Secret USA, Deadline). 1908 - Born this day, Walter Annenberg, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, publisher (Triangle-TV Guide), philanthropist. 1909 - Born this day, Gilbert Inglefield, Mayor of London (1967-68). 1910 - Born this day, Sammy Kaye, in Lakewood, Ohio, bandleader, orchestra leader. Died in 1987. 1911 - Stanley Cup: Ottawa Senators beat Galt (Ontario), 7-4. 1911 - Died this day, Jacob M. van Bemmelen, Dutch physicist, chemist, aged 80. 1911 - Born this day, Jose Ardevol, composer. 1911 - Born this day, [LaFayette] L. Ron Hubbard, science fiction writer and founder of the Church of Scientology (Dianetics). Died in 1986. 1911 - Ivan Caryll's musical Pink Lady premiered in New York, NY. 1912 - Born this day, Ernst Hess, composer. 1912 - Born this day, Igor Youskevitch, dancer. 1912 - Born this day, James Friell, political cartoonist. 1912 - Stanley Cup: Québec Bulldogs beat Moncton (New Brunswick) in 2 games. 1913 - Kansas legislature approved censorship of motion pictures. 1913 - Born this day, William J. Casey, CIA Director, headed CIA during Iran-contra scandal (1981-87). 1914 - Born this day, Bobby Haggart, musician, bassist, composer. 1914 - Born this day, Carl-Olof Anderberg, composer. 1915 - The British under General Haig were denied a breakthrough at the end of the Battle of Neuve-Chappelle when the Germans rushed in more troops and prevented a British advance. 1915 - Died this day, Sergei J. Witte, Dutch count, premier of Russia, aged 65. 1915 - Dodgers manager Wilbert Robinson tried to catch a baseball dropped from an airplane, but apparently the pilot substituted a grapefruit. (Why?) 1916 - Born this day, Ina Ray Hutton [Odessa Cowan], in Chicago, Illinois, tap dancer, pianist, bandleader, orchestra leader, singer (Ina Ray Hutton Show). Died in 1984. 1916 - Born this day, (Corinne) Lindy (Claiborne) Boggs, (Representative-Democrat-Louisiana, 1973-). 1917 - Born this day, Maria Vlamynck, Flemish author. 1918 - Born this day, Faye Glenn Abdellan, US government official (health services). 1918 - Born this day, George McAfee, NFL halfback (Chicago Bears). 1918 - Born this day, Tessie O'Shea, in Cardiff, Wales, actress, singer (Entertainers). Died in 1995. (Or 1913). 1918 - 1st NHL Championship: Montréal Canadiens beat Toronto Arenas, outscoring them 10-7 in a 2 game set. 1918 - American Red Magen David (Jewish Red Cross) was formed. 1918 - Died this day, Karel Stecker, composer, aged 57. 1918 - Died this day, William Courtleigh, actor (Susie Snowflake), aged 26. 1918 - Women were scheduled to march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York due to a shortage of men. 1919 - Born this day, Ed Pellagrini, baseball. 1920 - Born this day, Frans van der Elst, Flemish attorney, MP (Volksunie). 1920 - Wolfgang Kapp's coup attempt in Berlin failed. 1921 - Mongolia (formerly Outer Mongolia) declared independence from China. 1921 - Born this day, Allan Jaffee, comic strip cartoonist, illustrator (MAD Magazine). 1921 - Born this day, Cyril Poole, cricketer (England batsman against India 1951-52). 1922 - Born this day, Brun Smith, cricketer (New Zealand right-handed batsman of late 1940's). 1922 - Born this day, Jim Rodger, sports writer. 1922 - George Bernard Shaw's Back to Methusaleh V premiered in New York, NY. 1922 - NHL Championship: Ottawa Senators outscored Toronto St Pats, 5 to 4, in 2 games. 1922 - WRR-AM in Dallas, Texas, began radio transmissions. 1923 - Lee de Forest demonstrated his sound-on-film moving pictures, in New York, NY. 1923 - A great improvement in radio receivers was advertised. The new models had a concealed speaker and eliminated the need for headphones, which were considered a nuisance because they were so heavy to wear and messed up women's hairdos. The new radios were also said to have a 'foolproof' design. 1925 - NHL Championship: Montréal Canadiens beat Toronto Arenas in 2 games. 1925 - Born this day, Anthony Milner, composer. 1925 - Born this day, Bertha Tickey, in Dinuba, California, softball pitcher (Hall of Fame 1973). 1925 - Tennessee Governor Austin Peay signed legislation prohibiting the teaching of evolution within the state's public school system. (A celebrated violation of this law led to the famous July Scopes Monkey Trial.) 1926 - Born this day, Roy Haynes, musician, jazz drummer, bandleader (Trio Music with Chick Corea). 1926 - Born this day, Frederick Hemming McClintock, criminologist. 1926 - Born this day, Raúl Alfonsín, Argentine President (1983-89). 1927 - Born this day, Charles Sickman Corsen, Dutch Antillean poet. 1928 - Rudolph Friml's musical Three Musketeers premiered in New York, NY. 1928 - The St. Franciso dam 40 miles north of Los Angeles burst and flooded the valley. At least 450 people were drowned. 1929 - Born this day, Helen St. Aubin [Callaghan], All-American Girls Professional Baseball. Known as the 'Ted Williams of women's baseball'. 1929 - Born this day, J.D. Slater, writer. 1929 - Born this day, Peter Breck, in Rochester, New York, actor (Black Saddle, Big Valley, Benji). 1929 - Born this day, Walter Medio, race horse trainer. 1929 - Born this day, Will Eisma, composer. 1929 - Bradman scored 123 Australia vs England at MCG, his 2nd Test Cricket ton. 1930 - Born this day, Doug Harvey, hockey star (3 time James Norris winner). 1930 - Born this day, Liz Anderson [Haaby], country singer, songwriter. 1930 - Died this day, Mary E.W. Freeman, US writer (Pembroke), aged 77. 1930 - It was announced that the planet Pluto had been discovered by astronomers who had been looking for another planet in the solar system. Clyde Tombaugh was the discoverer at Lowell Observatory. 1931 - Born this day, Marc Dessauvage, Flemish architect. 1931 - Born this day, Rosalind Elias, in Lowell, Massachusetts, mezzo-soprano (Grimgerde-Die Walkuere). 1931 - Born this day, Wolfgang Kohlhaase, in Berlin, actor, director, writer (Solo Sunday). 1932 - Born this day, Ordell Braase, American football. 1932 - Born this day, Jan Howard, country singer. 1933 - Josef Göbbels became German minister of Information and Propaganda. 1933 - Born this day, Mike Stoller, in Belle Harbor, New York, record producer, songwriter, Leiber and Stoller, producer for Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, The Monkees, Cliff Richard. (wrote Hound Dog, Kansas City and most Coasters songs with partner Jerry Leiber). 1933 - Born this day, Frank H. Murkowski, (Senator-Republican-Alaska, 1981- ). 1933 - In the depths of the Great Depression, banks throughout the United States began to re-open after a week-long bank holiday declared by President Roosevelt in a successful effort to stop runs on bank assets. 1934 - Died this day, Fritz Cortolezis, composer, aged 56. 1934 - Born this day, Dick Katz, pianist, composer. 1935 - The driving test was introduced in Britain. It was voluntary at this stage, becoming compulsory in June. 1935 - A three-thousand-year-old archive was found in Jerusalem confirming biblical history. 1935 - Born this day, Don Nute, in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, (Denver University), actor. 1936 - Born this day, Clarence Nash, animation voice (Donald Duck). 1936 - Born this day, Michael Checkland, former BBC director-general. 1937 - Born this day, Fofo I.F. Sunia, (Representative-Democrat-American Samoa, 1981- ). 1938 - Born this day, Hans-Joachim Hespos, composer. 1938 - Born this day, Jean-Claude Risset, composer. 1938 - Born this day, Patricia W. Amicone, educator, midwife. 1938 - Born this day, Joseph Bellino, American football, 1960 Heisman Trophy Winner. 1938 - In Austria, Chancellor Seyss-Inquart introduced a law re-unifying Austria with the German Reich. (Hitler had previously invaded Austria, claiming it as a German Reich province.) 1938 - In France, Leon Blum became prime minister and formed the Popular Front ministry. 1938 - Died this day, Clarence S. Darrow, Scopes Monkey Trial attorney, in Chicago aged 80. 1939 - Born this day, Terence Brady, playwright, actor. 1939 - Born this day, Neil Sedaka, singer, songwriter, in Brooklyn, New York, 1959 UK No.3 single Oh Carol, plus over 14 other UK top 40 singles including Calendar Girl, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, 1962 US No.1 and UK No.7 single Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, Stairway To Heaven, Standing On The Inside. (co-writer H. Greenfield). 1940 - Hostilities between Russia and Finland ceased at noon this day. Finland capitulates conditionally to Soviet terms, but maintains its independence. Finland gave up Karelische. 1941 - A. Bougne formed AGRA (Amis du Grand Reich Allemand). 1941 - Died this day, A. Coenradi, Dutch resistance fighter, executed. 1941 - Died this day, Bernard Ijzerdraat, Dutch resistance fighter, executed. 1941 - Hitler issued an edict calling for an invasion of the Soviet Union. 1941 - Died this day, E. Hellendoorn, Dutch resistance fighter, executed. 1941 - Died this day, Isaak E. Babel, Russian writer (Zakat, Marija), executed at 46. 1941 - Died this day, J. Eyl, Dutch resistance fighter, executed. 1942 - Born this day, Geoffrey Hayes, actor, comedian, star of 1970s UK children's show Rainbow with George, Bungle, and Zippy. 1942 - Bing Crosby and Mary Martin were heard having a bit of fun as they joined together to record Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie for Decca Records. 1942 - Julia Flikke of the Nurse Corps became the first woman colonel in the US Army. 1943 - Baseball approved an official ball (with cork & balata). 1943 - Japanese forces end their attack on the American troops on Hill 700 in Bougainville. 1943 - Born this day, Andre Techine, director, writer (Scene of the Crime, Rendez-Vous). 1943 - Born this day, Stephen Vincent Benet, writer. 1943 - Frank Dixon became the first, great, black miler in track as he won the Columbian Mile (Knights of Columbus) in New York City. Dixon ran the mile in a record time of 4 minutes and 9.6 seconds. 1943 - A plot by disillusioned German officers to kill Hitler by blowing up his plane failed. It was made during a Smolensk-Rastenburg flight. 1944 - USSR recognised Italian Badoglio government. 1945 - Queen Wilhelmina returned to Netherlands. 1945 - Sicherheitsdienst arrested Dutch resistance fighter Henry Werkman. 1945 - Died this day, Herbert Bedford, composer, aged 78. 1946 - Died this day, Abraham Bredius, Dutch art historian (Rembrandt), aged 90. 1946 - Died this day, Thomas Frederick Dunhill, composer, aged 69. 1946 - Died this day, Werner von Blomberg, German minister of Reichswehr, aged 67. 1947 - Foreign-made films showed up in the Oscar nominations, bringing an end to Hollywood's then exclusive rights to the coveted awards. Of the foreign movies nominated, three were British, one was French and one Italian. (Anyone know what they were?) 1947 - A midweek ban on sport was brought in to try to boost productivity. 1947 - Born this day, Lesley Collier, British ballet dancer. 1947 - Born this day, Tomas Hinojosa, jockey. 1947 - The musical Brigadoon opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City. The show ran for 581 performances and was later staged in London (1949). Memorable melodies from Brigadoon include: I'll Go Home with Bonnie Jean, The Heather on the Hill, Come to Me, Bend to Me, Almost Like Being in Love and There but for You Go I. 1947 - 19th Academy Awards: for the first time, the Academy Awards ceremony was opened to the general public. Harold Russell, a non-professional actor, won the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance as an amputee war veteran in The Best Years of Our Lives. It was the first time that the Academy gave an acting award to a non-professional. Frederic March and Olivia de Havilland were also winners. 1947 - Died this day, H.P. Lovecraft, US supernatural writer, at the age of 47. 1948 - In the 10th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Kentucky beat Baylor 58-42. 1949 - The US Ladies Figure Skating Championship was won by Yvonne C. Sherman. 1949 - The US Men's Figure Skating Championship was won by Richard Button. 1949 - Born this day, Donald York, singer. 1950 - Born this day, William H. Macy, in Miami, Florida, actor (Homicide, Water Engine, Fargo). 1950 - Born this day, Joe Bugner, Hungarian-British-Australian former boxer (European Champion 1971). 1950 - Born this day, Bernard Julien, cricketer (West Indies left-arm pace all-rounder mid-70's). 1950 - Born this day, Danny Kirwan, in London, rock guitarist (Fleetwood Mac). 1950 - Born this day, Robert S. Woods, in Maywood, California, actor (Bo-One Life to Live, Deadly Love). 1950 - Born this day, Steve Hill, country vocalist (A Winning Hand). 1950 - General Motors reported net earnings of $656,434,232 (a record). 1951 - The 2nd Dutch government of Drees was formed. 1951 - Born this day, Fred Berry, in St Louis, Missouri, actor (Rerun-What's Happening). 1951 - Israel demanded $1.5 billion (DM6.2 billion) in German reparations for the cost of caring for war refugees. 1951 - Died this day, Alfred Hugenberg, German Roman Catholic president-director of Krupp, media magnate. 1951 - Died this day, James I. Wedgwood, British theosophist, Catholic bishop, aged 67. 1951 - Born this day, Steve Craig, football. 1951 - The comic strip, Dennis the Menace appeared for the first time in 18 newspapers across the country. The strip became an international favourite in thousands of newspapers and spawned a CBS Television program that starred Jay North as Dennis. The series lasted for several seasons and is still seen in syndicated re-runs. A somewhat popular movie starring Walter Matthau as Mr. Wilson and Christopher Lloyd as the bad guy was released in 1993. 1952 - Born this day, Wolfgang Hihm, composer. 1953 - Born this day, [Thomas Andrew] Andy Bean, in Lafayette, Georgia, PGA golfer (Western 1978, Kemper 1978). 1953 - Born this day, Deborah Raffin, in Los Angeles, California, actress (Ransom, Demon, 40 Carats). 1954 - Born this day, Robin Duke, in Toronto, Canada, comedienne (Saturday Night Live, SCTV, Club Paradise). 1954 - The Braves' Bobby Thomson broke his ankle, he was replaced by Hank Aaron. 1954 - Viet Minh General Giap opened assault on That Bien Phu. 1955 - Bir BSD Mahendra succeeded Tribhubana as king of Nepal. 1955 - Patty Berg won the LPGA Titleholders Golf Championship. 1955 - Born this day, Glenne Headly, in New London, Connecticut, actress (Dick Tracy, Making Mr Right). 1955 - Died this day, Maharajadhiraja Tribhuvana Bir Bikram Yung Bahadur Shum Shere. 1955 - Died this day, Yung Deva, king of Nepal (191?-55), aged about 48. 1955 - Born this day, Olga Rukavishnikova, in USSR, pentathlete (Olympics silver 1980). 1955 - Born this day, Patricia J. Engfer, general manager (Hyatt Regency-Orlando). 1955 - Born this day, Bruno Conti, Italian football star. 1955 - South African Airways took delivery of the first production model of the British-made Bristol Britannia turboprop. 1956 - RCA Records issued the first album and extended play releases by Elvis Presley. 1956 - In a rally in Birmingham, Alabama, Asa Carter, the executive secretary of the north Alabama White Citizen's Council, charged that rock and roll was introduced to white teenagers by the N.A.A.C.P. and other pro-integration forces. He initiated a campaign to pressure radio stations to bar what he termed "immoral music". 1956 - Born this day, Dana Delany, in New York, NY, actress (Colleen McMurphy-China Beach, Exit to Eden). 1956 - New Zealand bowled out the West Indies for 77 at Eden Park to score their 1st Test Cricket win. 1957 - Bloody battles resulted after an anti-Batista demonstration in Havana, Cuba. 1957 - Died this day, Lena Ashwell, English actress, theatrical manager (Kingsway), aged 84. 1957 - The FBI arrested Jimmy Hoffa on bribery charges. 1958 - Born this day, Linda Robson, actress, (Birds Of A Feather). 1958 - Born this day, Debi Nicolle Johnson, in Torrance, California, playmate for October 1984. 1958 - Born this day, Rick A Lazio, (Representative-Republican-New York). 1958 - The Recording Industry Association of America introduced its awards for record sales, (RIAA). The Beatles hold the record for being awarded the most with 76 platinum certifications. 1959 - President Eisenhower signed the bill that officially granted statehood to Hawaii. 1959 - Born this day, Greg Norton, Husker Du, 1987 album Warehouse Songs And Stories. 1959 - Born this day, Dirk Wellham, cricketer (century on New South Wales debut & Australian debut). 1959 - Born this day, Ronnie Rogers, guitar, T'Pau, 1987 UK No.1 single China In Your Hand. 1959 - An emergency plane landing in Indiana nearly killed the Kingston Trio. 1960 - Born this day, Adam Clayton, in Oxfordshire, rock musician, bass, U2, 1984 UK No.3 single Pride, In The Name Of Love plus over 25 other UK top singles, 1987 UK and world wide No.1 album The Joshua Tree. 1960 - Fay Crocker won the LPGA Titleholders Golf Championship. 1960 - NFL's Chicago Cardinals moved to St Louis. 1960 - White Sox unveiled new road uniforms with players' names above number. 1961 - Elizabeth Gurley Finn, aged 70, became president of US Communist Party. 1961 - Floyd Patterson knocked out Ingemar Johansson in 6 rounds to retain the heavyweight boxing title. 1961 - John F. Kennedy set up the Alliance for Progress. 1961 - A landslide in USSR, killed 145. 1961 - Born this day, Cor Lems, soccer player (ADO The Hague/Dordrecht '90). 1961 - Black and White £5 notes ceased to be legal tender in Britain. 1961 - Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, 79, married his model Jacqueline Rocque, 37, in Nice, France. 1961 - Ricky Nelson recorded Travelin' Man. 1962 - Born this day, Liane Tooth, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, field hockey defender (Olympic gold 1988 and 1996, also Olympics 1984 and 1992). 1962 - Yugoslavia granted 1,000 prisoners amnesty. 1963 - Two Russian reconnaissance flights flew over Alaska. 1963 - Hindemith and Wilder's opera Long Christmas Dinner premieres in New York, NY. 1963 - Indonesia and Netherlands recovered diplomatic relations. 1963 - Born this day, Mariano Duncan, S P de Macoris, Dominican Republic, infielder (New York Yankees). 1963 - Born this day, Vance Edward Johnson, American football, NFL wide receiver (Denver Broncos). 1963 - China invited Soviet Premiere Nikita Khrushchev to visit Beijing. 1964 - Born this day, Will Clark, in New Orleans, Louisiana, infielder (Texas Rangers). 1964 - Died this day, Kitty Genovese, stabbed to death in Queens; 40 neighbours looked on. 1964 - Turkey threatened Cyprus with armed attack. 1965 - Died this day, George Calinescu, Romanian author (Lauda Lucrorilor), aged 65. 1965 - Eric Clapton left The Yardbirds, apparently dissatisfied with the groups direction. Jeff Beck replaced Eric Clapton. 1965 - The Beatles started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with Eight Days A Week, the groups 7th US No.1. 1965 - Tom Jones made his first major TV appearance on BBC-TVs Billy Cotton Band Show. 1966 - Rod Stewart left Steampacket to work as a solo artist. 1966 - Born this day, Akira Nogami, wrestler (NJPW). 1966 - Born this day, Tine Scheuer-Larsen, in Denmark, tennis player. 1966 - Kathy Whitworth won the LPGA Lagunita Golf Invitational. 1967 - The Congo sentenced ex-premier Moïse Tsjombe to death. 1967 - Robert Anderson's You Know I Can't Hear You When The Water's Running premiered in New York, NY. 1967 - Born this day, Colleen Rosensteel, in South Greensburg, Pennsylvania, heavyweight judoka (Olympics 1996). 1967 - Died this day, Frank Worrell, West Indian cricketer. 1967 - Born this day, Satu Huotari, ice hockey defenseman (Finland, Olympics 1998). 1967 - The Beatles's Penny Lane hit US No.1. 1968 - The Byrds received a gold record for the album, Greatest Hits, which featured Turn! Turn! Turn! written by Pete Seeger (excerpted from the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible); Eight Miles High; Mr. Spaceman; Mr. Tambourine Man; All I Really Want To Do; and My Back Pages. The group consisted of Jim McGuinn, David Crosby, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Mike Clarke. Kevin Kelly, Gram Parsons, Clarence White, John York and Gene Parsons were also members of the group through the years. The Byrds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. 1968 - Born this day, Christopher Collett, in New York, NY, actor (Manhattan Project). 1968 - The Beatles's released Lady Madonna in the UK. 1969 - Apollo 9 returned to Earth. 1969 - Born this day, Chris Zorich, NFL defensive tackle (Chicago Bears). 1969 - Born this day, Kevin Kaminski, in Churchbridge, Saskatchewan, NHL center (Washington Capitals). 1969 - On this date in 1969, the Walt Disney studio released The Love Bug. Directed by Robert Stevenson, the film starred Herbie, a loveable Volkswagen bug with a personality. Abused by the evil racecar driver Thorndyke played by David Thomlinson, Herbie is rescued by the young good-guy racecar driver Jim played by Dean Jones. Grateful for his rescue, Herbie rewards the hapless Jim by winning one race after another on his driver's behalf. The excitement begins when the ruthless Thorndyke plots to get Herbie back by any means necessary. Based on a story by Gordon Buford, The Love Bug inspired two sequels, Herbie Rides Again and Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo. By becoming one of the biggest grossing films of 1969, The Love Bug allayed any fears that the Disney Studio would collapse without the presence of the recently deceased Walt Disney. The movie became a children's film classic and enhanced the Volkswagen Beetle's image as a quirky car endowed with more than solid engineering. 1969 - Died this day, Felix Locher, actor (Frankenstein's Daughter), aged 86. 1970 - Died this day, Rick Besoyan, composer, aged 45. 1970 - The cover of LIFE magazine was extremely popular. It showed the extremes of the new hemline hassle that was raging - a battle between long versus short skirts. 1970 - Cambodia ordered Hanoi and Viet Cong troops to get out. 1970 - Austrian skier, Karl Schranz won a second straight World Cup title. 1970 - The 100 year Beehive anniversary ended in a brawl in Amsterdam. 1970 - Digital Equipment Corp introduced the PDP-11 minicomputer. 1970 - San Francisco city employees began a 4-day strike. 1971 - Born this day, Annabeth Gish, actress. 1971 - Died this day, Piero Coppola, composer, aged 82. 1971 - Died this day, Rockwell Kens, US artist, painter, illustrator, aged 88. 1971 - Appearing live at Leeds University, were The Rolling Stones. 1971 - Born this day, Curtis Conway, NFL wide receiver, kick returner (Chicago Bears). 1971 - Born this day, Li Chen, in Changsha, China, tennis star (1995 Futures-Austin, Texas). 1971 - Born this day, Paul Henderson, Australian 100 metrw/200 metrw (Olympics 1996). 1971 - Born this day, Ralf Kleinmann, WLAF kicker, punter (Frankfurt Galaxy). 1971 - Born this day, Robert Samuels, cricketer (West Indies Test opening batsman vs New Zealand 1996). 1971 - Born this day, Ryan Hayden, in Indianapolis, Indiana, 400 metre hurdler. 1971 - Born this day, Tony Vinson, NFL running back (Atlanta Falcons, Lon Monarchs, Baltimore Ravens). 1971 - Born this day, Tracy Wells, actress (Heather-Mr Belvedere). 1972 - Born this day, Avrom Smith, WLAF running back (London Monarchs). 1972 - Born this day, Brian Saxton, NFL tight end (New York Giants). 1972 - Born this day, Rickey Brady, NFL tight end (New Orleans Saints). 1972 - Born this day, Ryan McCoy, WLAF line backer (London Monarchs). 1972 - Born this day, Shea Olliff, in Augusta, Georgia, Miss Georgia-America (1996). 1972 - Born this day, Trent Dilfer, NFL quarterback (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). 1972 - Clifford Irving admitted to a New York court that he had fabricated his autobiography of Howard Hughes and defrauded his publisher McGraw Hill. 1972 - Britain and China resumed full diplomatic relations after 22 years; Britain withdrew its consulate from Taiwan. 1972 - The Merv Griffin Show, starring perennial game show and late-night TV host, singer and pianist, Merv Griffin, debuted in syndication for Metromedia Television. Joining Merv were sidekick, Arthur Treacher and Mort Lindsey and his orchestra. Griffin had a number one song with the Freddy Martin Orchestra in the 1940s. I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Cocoanuts launched him to fame and fortune. Griffin battled against Johnny Carson on CBS-TV late night. Merv lost. He also went against Joey Bishop over on ABC late night. Again, Merv lost; but won big in the Metromedia show; and in ownership of stations such as WPIX-TV 11 in New York, WPOP Radio in Hartford, Connecticut. Later, he devised Wheel of Fortune and the formula for the popular, syndicated show, Jeopardy, which he also owns; making him one of the richest entertainment moguls in the world. Griffin also owns hotels in Atlantic City, New Jersey and Beverly Hills. 1973 - Born this day, Ann Coale, Miss Maryland-USA (1997). 1973 - Born this day, Bobby Jackson, NBA guard (Denver Nuggets). 1973 - Born this day, Dan Wilkinson, NFL defensive tackle (Cincinnati Bengals). 1973 - Born this day, Edgar Davids, Dutch soccer player (Ajax, AC Milan). 1973 - Irene opens at Minskoff Theatre in New York City for 605 performances. 1973 - Syria adopted its constitution. 1973 - Born this day, Trezelle Jenkins, NFL tackle (Kansas City Chiefs). 1973 - Died this day, Stacy Harris, actor (Door With No Name, Appointment with Danger), aged 54. 1974 - Died this day, Howard St John, actor (Investigator, Dr Lewis-Hank), aged 68. 1974 - Died this day, Janos Prohaska, actor (Andy Williams Show), aged 52. 1974 - The oil-producing Arab countries agreed to lift their five-month embargo on petroleum sales to the United States. The embargo, during which gasoline (petrol) prices soared by 300 percent, was in retaliation for US support of Israel during the October 1973 Middle East War. 1974 - Born this day, André Batista Santos 'Vampeta', Brazilian, soccer player (PSV). 1974 - Born this day, Corinna Broiz, in Garberville, Colorado, lightweight judoka (Olympics 1996). 1974 - Born this day, Thomas Enqvist, in Stockholm, Sweden, tennis player (1991 Wimbledon junior boys). 1974 - The Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris was inaugurated. 1974 - The US Senate voted 54-33 to restore the death penalty. 1974 - Born this day, Cillian Murphy, actor. 1974 - Glenn Turner scored twin tons for New Zealand's first win against Australia. 1975 - Bernard Slade's Same Time, Next Year premiered in New York, NY. 1975 - Born this day, Landon Wilson, St Louis, Missouri, NHL right wing (Colorado Avalanche). 1975 - Tammy Wynette and George Jones were divorced after six years of marriage. 1975 - Died this day, Ali Sastroamidjojo, Indonesian attorney, minister, premier, aged 71. 1975 - Died this day, Ivo Andric, Yugoslavian author (Nemiri-Nobel 1961), aged 82. 1975 - Died this day, Jean Del Val, actor (Sainted Devil, Flying Deuces), aged 83. 1975 - Died this day, Ruth Schaumann, German author, painter, sculptor, aged 75. 1976 - Died this day, Willy Alfredo [Willem Jue], Dutch comedian, poet, aged 77. 1976 - The Four Seasons, featuring the falsetto voice of Frankie Valli, returned to the US pop charts after a 10-year absence. The group scored with December '63 (Oh, What A Night), which became the top song in the country. It started a three week run at No.1 and was the groups 5th US No.1, and also their only UK No.1. Valli's real name is Castelluccio and with him were Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi and Tommy DeVito. Joe Long and Charlie Callelo were made members in the 1960s, when Gaudio concentrated on producing for the group and DeVito left. Bob Crewe was the group's original producer. The name, The Four Seasons was taken from a New Jersey bowling alley. In all, the group charted 30 songs plus Valli had nine solo hits. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. 1977 - Died this day, Fanie Lou Hamer, freedom fighter. 1977 - Died this day, Jan Patocka, Czechoslovakian philosopher, in prison. 1977 - Dennis Lillee took 6-26, England were all out for 95 in the Centenary Test. 1978 - Died this day, David McKinley Williams, composer, aged 91. 1978 - Died this day, Ghulam Mustafa Guard, cricketer (3 wickets in 2 Tests for India). 1979 - Born this day, Toni Lundow, Liberty X, 2002 UK No.1 single Just A Little. 1979 - The European Monetary System was established, the ECU was created. 1979 - The Gairy dictatorship in Grenada was overthrown by New Jewel Movement. 1979 - The Isle's Mike Bossy got his 5th career hat trick. 1980 - Eric Heiden skated a world record 1000 metre in 1 minute 13.60 seconds. 1980 - The Ford Motor Co was found innocent in the death of 3 women in a fiery Pinto. 1980 - Died this day, Tauno Kullerve Pylkkanen, composer, aged 61. 1981 - The United States planned to send 15 Green Berets to El Salvador as military advisors. 1981 - An attempt was made on the life of Pope John Paul II by Mehemet Ali Agca. 1982 - The World Ice Dance Championship in Copenhagen was won by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (Great Britain). 1982 - The World Ice Pairs Figure Skating Championship in Copenhagen was won by Sabine Baess and Tassilo Thierbach (German Democratic Republic). 1982 - The World Ladies Figure Skate Championship in Copenhagen was won by Elaine Zayak (USA). 1982 - The World Men's Figure Skating Championship in Copenhagen was won by Scott Hamilton (USA). 1982 - Died this day, Albert Weisser, composer, aged 64. 1982 - Died this day, Wilfred Hawker, Suriname Sergeant-Major, executed. 1983 - Woman of the Year closed at Palace Theatre in New York City after 770 performances. 1983 - In the first USFL overtime game - Birmingham Stallions beat Oakland Invaders 20-14. 1983 - Died this day, Louison Bobet, French cyclist (Tour de France 1953-55), aged 58. 1983 - Died this day, Paul R. Citroen, Dutch sculptor, aged 86. 1983 - Radio talk show host Larry King took his talents to television with the premier of Larry King Live on CNN. 1984 - G Chappell, R Marsh, B Laird had their last day of 1st-class cricket. 1984 - Western Australia beat Queensland by four wickets to win the Sheffield Shield. 1984 - Died this day, Dick Whitington, journalist, cricketer (South Australia & AIF bat). 1985 - On the death of Konstantin Chernenko, Mikhail Gorbachev became the new leader of the Soviet Union's ruling Politburo. 1985 - Michael Secrest (US) began a 24 hour ride of 516 miles and 427 yards. (Doing what?) 1985 - Bob Geldof and Midge Ure received the best selling A-side award at the 30th Ivor Novello Awards for Do They Know It's Christmas. 1985 - National Football League owners met in Phoenix, Arizona and tabled a proposal that would have allowed transmitters and receivers in football helmets - to allow quarterbacks to talk with players in noisy stadiums. The idea did become a reality, but a minor one, in the mid-'90s and has yet to catch on. Players complained of too much interference and static. 1986 - Soyuz T-15 carried 2 cosmonauts to the Soviet space station Mir. 1986 - The space probe Giotto encountered Halley's Comet. 1986 - Died this day, Alvaro Fayad Delgado, Colombian guerilla leader (M-19) 1987 - Died this day, Bernhard Grzimek, West German zoologist, aged 77. 1987 - John Gotti was acquitted of racketeering. 1987 - The Washington Capitals scored 5 goals against Toronto in 3 minutes and 3 seconds. 1987 - Died this day, Finn Videro, composer, aged 80. 1987 - Died this day, Gerald Moore, pianist (Am I Too Loud), aged 87. 1987 - Jack Morris, pitcher with Sparky Anderson's Detroit Tigers, received the largest arbitration settlement ever in professional baseball. He was awarded $1.85 million to play for the Tigers in 1988. 1988 - At the 14th People's Choice Awards: Fatal Attraction, and Bill Cosby were winners. 1988 - Bob Seger received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 1988 - Died this day, Olive Carey, actress (Affairs With a Stranger), aged 92. 1989 - The 27th shuttle, Discovery 8, was launched, the first time a woman did the countdown. 1989 - The US Food and Drug Administration quarantined all fruit imported from Chile after traces of cyanide were found in two Chilean grapes. 1990 - The Soviet Congress of People's Deputies formally ended the Communist Party's monopoly rule, establishing a presidential system and giving Mikhail Gorbachev broad new powers. 1990 - President Bush lifted a five-year-old trade embargo against Nicaragua. 1990 - The Soviet parliament voted to end the political monopoly of the Communist Party after 72 years. 1990 - Died this day, Bruno Bettelhelm, Austrian-US psychoanalyst, committed suicide aged 86. 1990 - Nicholoas Braithwaite was elected premier of Grenada. 1991 - Died this day, Cor Witschge [Pipo the Clown], Dutch actor (Alicia), aged 65. 1991 - Died this day, Jimmy McPartland, US jazz cornetist. 1991 - Exxon paid $1 billion in fines and costs for the clean-up of the Valdez oil spill. (Prince William Sound, Alaska). 1992 - Pravda, founded in 1912 by Lenin and the official newspaper of the Soviet Communist Party, ceased publication because of lack of funds. 1992 - It was reported that Tammy Faye Bakker filed for divorce from her husband, Jim Bakker, who was in prison for his fraudulent dealings with the PTL ministry. Bakker did not contest the divorce, and her request was granted within a day. Rumours circulated that Tammy Faye was having an affair with a married man. Members of Bakker's congregation were saddened at the news. 1992 - More than 400 people were killed when a powerful earthquake hit north-eastern Turkey. 1992 - Died this day, Clarence Wright, singer, aged 84. 1992 - FCC rules changes allowed companies to own 30 AM and 30 FM stations (formerly ony allowed 12). 1992 - Martina Navratilova and Judy Nelson settled their galamony suit. 1992 - Died this day, Hans Redeker, Dutch art critic (Algemeen Handelsblad). 1993 - Died this day, Ralph Smith Fults, US gangster (Bonnie & Clyde gang), aged 82. 1993 - This week’s Radio One UK Top 40 Chart Show was in chaos, after Gallup who compiled the chart, got 20 of the forty placings wrong. 1993 - An 'unprecedented' winter storm blasted the eastern part of the US from Dixie north to Canada, crippling travel, causing power failures, floods and tornadoes, and killing dozens of people. 1993 - Canadian rapper Snow, (Darrin O'Brien), started a 7 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with Informer. It was a No.2 hit in the UK. 1993 - Eric Clapton started a three week run at No.1 on the US album chart with Unplugged. 1993 - Lenny Kravitz started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with Are You Gonna Go My Way. 1994 - 33.3% of Austria voted for the ultra-right FPO. 1994 - Cuba Godding Jr, aged 26, married Sara Kapfer, also aged 26. 1994 - Donna Andrews won the LPGA Ping Welch's Golf Championship. 1994 - A huge fire resulted after an oil tank-airship crash at Bosporus. 15+ were killed. 1994 - President Mangope of the independent black homeland of Bophuthatswana was deposed after repeatedly changing his mind about allowing his nation to participate in the upcoming South African elections. South Africa took direct control of the area. 1994 - Died this day, Danny Barker, US banjo player, guitarist (Bourbon St Black), aged 85. 1994 - Died this day, Edward James "Murt" O'Donoghue, snooker player. 1994 - Mariah Carey started a three week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with Music Box. 1994 - Died this day, Sandra Paretti, romantic novelist, aged 59. 1995 - The United Nations (UN) social summit ended with 182 countries pledging to wipe out global poverty. 1995 - Died this day, Abdul Ali Mazari, Afghan shite leader, shot to death. 1995 - Died this day, John Silverlight, journalist, aged 75. 1995 - Died this day, Leo Kaplan, lawyer (ASCAP), aged 89. 1995 - At 9th Soul Train Music Awards: Boyz II Men, Anita Baker were winners. 1995 - An Anti fascist Kazakhstan anti-parliament was formed. 1995 - The Hungarian Forint was devalued 9%. 1995 - Died this day, Leon Day, pitcher (Negro Leagues), of heart failure aged 78. 1995 - Istanbul police shot dead 16 Alawitische demonstrators. 1995 - Died this day, Lorraine Macleod, dancer (Girls Just Want to Have Fun), aged 65. 1995 - Died this day, P.C.J. van Lierde, Dutch vicar-general of Vatican (1951-91), aged 87. 1995 - General Olusegun Obasanjo, the only Nigerian military ruler to have voluntarily handed over power to elected civilians, was arrested. 1996 - Died this day, Brian Hulls, television news cameraman, aged 48. 1996 - Died this day, Krzysztof Kieslowski, film director, of heart attack aged 54. 1996 - Sri Lanka beat India in World Cup semi as riots stopped play. 1996 - Died this day, Lucio Fulci, film director, aged 68. 1996 - Died this day, Lucy Faithfull, children's campaigner, aged 85. 1996 - Gunman Thomas Hamilton, with four guns, shot dead 16 children and a woman teacher in a school in Dunblane, Scotland. He then shot himself. 1996 - Liggett, the fifth-biggest tobacco company, broke ranks with its rivals and settled a class-action cancer lawsuit. 1996 - World leaders including President Clinton, Russia's Boris Yeltsin, King Hussein of Jordan and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, met in Cairo, Egypt, to reaffirm the Middle East peace process. 1997 - A Jordanian soldier shot dead seven Israeli girls on a school trip to an area called 'The Island of Peace' on the border with Jordan. 1997 - Sister Nirmala was elected as the new Superior-General of the Missionaries of Charity, succeeding Mother Teresa. 1998 - A German court ruled that the Three Tenors' August 1996 open-air concert in Dusseldorf didn't qualify for a copyright fee exemption for music under German copyright rules because the show was an entertainment event and not 'serious music'. The promoter of the Three Tenors, namely Jose Carreras, Luciano Pavorotti, and Placido Domingo, had tried to avoid paying $830,000 in copyright fees for the show, which drew 60,000 spectators paying up to $415 each for a ticket. GEMA, the German group that pursues copyright fees, sued to collect money for songs such as Leonard Bernstein's Maria from West Side Story. The court accepted GEMA's argument that an event with more than 3,000 spectators was entertainment. 1998 - Candice Bergen and the cast of Murphy Brown filmed the 245th and final episode of the award-winning and sometimes controversial CBS sitcom. The hour-long finale featured appearances by Julia Roberts, Bette Midler, and George Clooney, as well as Bergen's real mother, Frances. 1998 - Died this day, Judge Dread (Alex Hughes), singer, after collapsing on stage during a performance in Canterbury. He achieved 10 UK hit singles during the 70's. Big 7 etc. 1998 - Sergeant Major Gene McKinney, the first black ever to serve as sergeant major of the Army, was acquitted by a military jury of all sex charges filed against him. He was, however, convicted of coaching a witness and was reduced one rank and reprimanded. 1999 - A fight for the heavyweight boxing championship of the world, between American Evander Holyfield and Lennex Lewis of Britain ended in a draw, although most fans and boxing officials felt Lewis had clearly won. 1999 - Cher started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with Believe, it was also a No.1 in the UK. 1999 - TLC went to No.1 on the US album chart with Fanmail. 1999 - Died this day, Garson Kanin, a prolific playwright who created the Broadway and Hollywood classic Born Yesterday, died at the age of 86. Kanin died of heart failure at his Manhattan home after a long illness. His place in entertainment history would have been assured had Kanin done no more than write and direct Born Yesterday, the oft-revived play that made Judy Holliday a star of the theatre in 1946 and won her an Oscar for the movie version in 1950. Kanin was the author or director of numerous stage and movie hits, including some of the celebrated screen pairings of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. In collaboration with his wife of 43 years, actress Ruth Gordon, he wrote the screenplays of Tracy and Hepburn's Adam's Rib in 1949 and Pat and Mike in 1952. He and his wife also received an Academy Award nomination for writing A Double Life, the 1948 movie for which Ronald Colman received a best-actor Oscar. Ms. Gordon died in 1985. In 1990, Kanin married actress Marian Seldes, who was with him when he died. Kanin claimed collaboration in the first Tracy-Hepburn teaming, Woman of the Year, in 1942. His screenwriter brother, Michael Kanin, and Ring Lardner Jr. were the officially credited writers and won an Oscar. He also said The More the Merrier, the delicious 1943 comedy of wartime Washington, was his brainchild, but the screenplay is credited to four other writers. The comedy of political corruption and personal redemption, which ran for 1,642 performances on Broadway, boomed anew during the latter Nixon years. As an officer in a US Army film unit during World War II (WWII), Kanin was co-director, with Carol Reed, of The True Glory, which won the Oscar for best documentary in 1945. He wrote some 14 books of fact and fiction and published numerous articles and short stories everywhere from Good Housekeeping to Penthouse. 2000 - The Tribune Company and the Times Mirror Company, two of America's oldest and largest newspapers, announced they would merge. 2001 - The United States banned all imports of animals or animal products from all 15 European Union countries to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. 2001 - UK unemployment was set to dip below the symbolic one million mark for the first time in more than 25 years. 2002 - Britain condemned 'systematic violence and intimidation' as Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe was re-elected. 2002 - Died this day, Marc Moreland, Wall Of Voodoo guitarist, in Paris of kidney failure aged 44. 2003 - Libya agreed to pay £6.5m each to 270 families who lost loved ones in the Lockerbie bombing. |
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.