Monday 31 March 2008

March 31, 2008

130 years ago
1878


Born on this date
Jack Johnson
. U.S. boxer. Mr. Johnson was the first Negro to hold the world heavyweight title, defeating Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia on December 26, 1908. Mr. Johnson's victory, and his flamboyant lifestyle--which included sexual relationships with white women--inspired much outrage, and launched an era of "White Hope" contenders for the title. Mr. Johnson easily defeated all comers, most famously former world champion Jim Jeffries, who came out of a five-year retirement in 1910 to fight Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson scored a 15-round knockout, becoming the only man to knock Mr. Jeffries down. U.S. authorities instigated charges against Mr. Johnson for violating the Mann Act, which prohibited transporting women across state lines for immoral purposes. Mr. Johnson then fled the United States, and spent the next several years abroad. He defended his title in Havana against white American Jess Willard on April 5, 1915, and was knocked out in the 26th round. Mr. Johnson returned to the United States in 1920 to serve his prison sentence, and was released in 1921; he continued to box for years after that, but was never a serious title contender again. Mr. Johnson recorded an official professional record of 71-11-11-3; he had many unofficial fights. He was killed in a car accident on a highway in North Carolina at the age of 68 on June 10, 1946, while driving angrily away from a diner that had refused to serve him.

90 years ago
1918


Died on this date
Gordon Flowerdew, 33
. U.K.-born Canadian military officer. Lieutenant Flowerdew, a native of Norfolk, England who emigrated to British Columbia, died the day after being wounded while leading C Squadron of Lord Strathcona's Horse in the Canadian Cavalry Brigade in the "Last Great Cavalry Charge" against German forces in the Battle of Moreuil Wood in France. Lt. Flowerdew was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for valour during the battle.

80 years ago
1928

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Gordie Howe!

A native of Floral, Saskatchewan, "Mr. Hockey" played 25 years at right wing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League from 1946-1971. In 1972 he was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, then came out of retirement a year later. He joined the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association in 1973, playing there with his sons Mark and Marty from 1973-1977. When the Aeros folded, the Howes joined the New England Whalers, playing with them during the WHA’s last two seasons (1977-1979). When the Whalers joined the NHL as the Hartford Whalers, Gordie Howe played the 1979-80 season with them before retiring for good.

I don’t have time to go into detail on Gordie Howe’s records. His 26 seasons, 1,767 games, 801 goals, 1,049 assists, and 1,850 points were NHL career regular season records at the time of his retirement. In six seasons in the WHA he played 419 regular season games, scoring 174 goals, 334 assists, 508 points. From 1948-49 through 1954-55 the Red Wings finished first seven straight seasons, winning four Stanley Cups (1950, ‘52, ‘54, ‘55). In his first two years in the WHA, Mr. Howe led the Aeros to the Avco World Trophy (1974 and ‘75).

My favourite Gordie Howe statistic: In the 22 seasons from 1948-49 through 1969-70, he was a first or second team all-star in every season but one (1954-55). Even in the one year that he missed out, he scored 9 goals and 11 assists in 11 playoff games in leading the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup. Mr. Howe was a first team NHL all-star at the age of 41, and a first team WHA all-star in his first two seasons in that league.

I saw him play in person twice: On January 21, 1975, he played in the WHA All-Star Game at the Edmonton Coliseum, and set up his son Mark with the game’s first goal, and on January 29, 1977, he scored the Aeros’ final goal in a 6-4 win over the Calgary Cowboys at the Stampede Corral in Calgary.

Britannica
King George V created his third son Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester, Earl of Ulster, and Baron Culloden, titles that linked him with England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Disasters
Earthquakes in Turkey killed 38 in Smyrna and vicinity, and destroyed many buildings there, including those at Tourboli.

80 years ago
1938


Hockey
Stanley Cup
Semi-Finals
New York Americans 0 @ Chicago 1 (2OT)

Cully Dahlstrom scored at 13:01 of the 2nd overtime period to give the Black Hawks the win over the Americans at Chicago Stadium.

60 years ago
1948


Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Anniversary Song--Al Jolson; Bing Crosby (5th month at #1)

Theatre
The New York Drama Critics Circle announced its awards for 1947-48. A Streetcar Named Desire was named Best American Play, while The Winslow Boy by Terrence Rattigan was Best Foreign Play.

Born on this date
Al Gore
. U.S. politician. Mr. Gore, the son of a United States Congressman and Senator, was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1977-1985, and the Senate from 1985-1993, representing Tennessee (despite the fact that he’s actually spent a huge chunk of his life as a resident of Washington, D.C.). He served as Vice-President under Bill Clinton from 1993-2001, losing a close and controversial decision to George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election. In recent years, Mr. Gore has gained a lot of weight while propagandizing about global warming. His propaganda efforts were rewarded with a share of the Nobel peace Prize in 2007. Those who believe that the earth has been visited by space aliens in recent decades can point to Mr. Gore as evidence--he was born nine months after space aliens supposedly landed at Roswell, New Mexico.

War
Land mines destroyed an Arab train near Haifa, killing 40 people and injuring 60.

Chinese Nationalist forces announced plans to withdraw from all ports on the Shantung peninsula except Chefoo.

Labour
A presidential inquiry board investigating the current coal miners' strike issued a report pinning responsibility for the walkout on United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis.

50 years ago
1958

Hit parade

#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Tequila--The Champs (Best Seller--3rd week at #1; Disc Jockey--1st week at #1; Top 100--3rd week at #1)

War
The Israeli-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission imposed a cease-fire in the border area east of Lake Huleh.

Defense
The U.S.S.R. proclaimed a unilateral halt in its atomic and hydrogen weapons tests and appealed to the U.S.A. and U.K. for similar action as a step toward an international agreement banning future tests.

Politics and government
In the biggest landslide in Canadian history, the Progressive Conservatives, led by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, took 208 of 265 seats in the House of Commons in the federal election. The Liberals, who had held power for 22 years prior to losing a close election in June 1957, were reduced to 49 seats in Lester Pearson’s first campaign as party leader. The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation took 8 seats, and Social Credit none.

The Supreme Soviet approved Premier Nikita Khrushchev's cabinet revision which reestablished the post of First Deputy Premier, to be filled by Anastas Mikoyan and Frol Kozlov. Former Premier Nikolai Bulganin retained his position in the Supreme Soviet presidium.

Pakistani President Iskander Mirza dismissed East Pakistan Governor A.K. Fazlul Huq for the unconstitutional dismissal of East Pakistan Chief Minister Ataur Rahman Khan.

The Cuban Congress voted President Fulgencio Batista "extraordinary powers" over industry, transportation, and communications for 45 days.

Basketball
NBA
The all-star team chosen by a poll of sportswriters and broadcasters consisted of Bob Pettit (St. Louis Hawks; Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman (Boston Celtics); George Yardley (Detroit Pistons); and Dolph Schayes (Syracuse Nationals).

40 years ago
1968


Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Delilah--Tom Jones

Politics and government
U.S. President Lyndon Johnson delivered a nationally-televised address on the war in Vietnam. During the 40-minute address, Mr. Johnson announced the unilateral halting of bombing of 90% of the territory of North Vietnam, and asked North Vietnam to make some movement toward the peace conference table. President Johnson dropped a bombshell of his own at the end of his speech when he announced, "I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President." The President’s decision was believed to have been sparked by his relatively poor showing in the New Hampshire showing against war opponent Eugene McCarthy on March 12, and the officially announced candidacy of Senator Robert F. Kennedy four days later.

Golf
Tony Jacklin won the Greater Jacksonville Open with a score of 273. First prize money was $20,000.

Hockey
CPHL
Adams Cup
Semi-Finals
Oklahoma City 2 @ Tulsa 3 (Tulsa led best-of-seven series 1-0)

30 years ago
1978


Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): It's a Heartache--Bonnie Tyler (4th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Das Lied der Schlümpfe--Vader Abraham & Die Schlümpfe (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France: We Will Rock You/We are the Champions--Queen (2nd week at #1)

Diplomacy
In Brazil, U. S. President Jimmy Carter met with six prominent Brazilians, some of whom had publicly opposed the military regime of President Ernesto Geisel. However, President Carter also publicly stressed the American need for stronger ties with Brazil, and seemed to have eased tensions slightly. Later, President Carter flew to Nigeria, where he was joined by United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young. Mr. Carter called for withdrawal of the 16,000 to 17,000 Cuban troops in Ethiopia and for majority-rule governments in Rhodesia and Namibia.

Defense
British troops withdrew from Malta, leaving Malta fully independent.

Politics and government
French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing reappointed Premier Raymond Barre to head the government.

Scandal
David Begelman, former head of Columbia Pictures, was charged with embezzling $40,000 from the company. He had resigned on February 9 amid controversy over financial practices in the movie industry. Mr. Begelman was said to have accomplished the theft by illegally endorsing cheques made out to director Martin Ritt, actor Cliff Robertson, and Los Angeles restaurateur Pierre Groleau. In fact, it was Mr. Robertson who blew the whistle, after Mr. Begelman had forged his signature.

Hockey
CHL
Salt Lake City 1 @ Dallas 3
Kansas City 8 @ Tulsa 2

25 years ago
1983


World events
Three Soviet citizens were expelled from Britain and accused of espionage.

Politics and government
37 members of the United States House of Representatives wrote to President Ronald Reagan expressing concern about possible violations of the Boland Amendment, a law passed in 1982 forbidding the use of U.S. defense funds to help overthrow the Sandanista government of Nicaragua.

Disasters
An earthquake in southern Colombia killed at least 250 people.

20 years ago
1988


Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): I Should Be So Lucky--Kylie Minogue (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
William McMahon, 80
. Prime Minister of Australia, 1971-1972. Mr. McMahon, a Liberal, was a member of parliament from 1949-1982. He became Prime Minister on March 10, 1971 when John Gorton resigned. Mr. McMahon's government was defeated by the Labour Party in the general election of December 2, 1972.

Politics and government
15-year school board member Dianne Cunningham won an Ontario provincial by-election in the riding of London North. Ms. Cunningham’s win gave the Progressive Conservatives 20 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, far behind the governing Liberals and opposition New Democrats. London North was held by Ron Van Horne of the Liberals from 1977-1987; Mr. Van Horne was named to the cabinet of Premier David Peterson as minister in charge of seniors’ services when the Liberals came to power in 1985, and had easily retained his seat in the election of September 10, 1987. However, Premier Peterson dropped him from cabinet, and Mr. Van Horne resigned his seat effective December 31, 1987. Of the seven candidates in the by-election, five (including those of all three major parties) were women.

Economics and finance
The United States Senate approved $47.9 million in humanitarian aid for the Contras in Nicaragua and for children injured in the war between the Contras and the Sandanistas.

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