June 3, 2008

400 years ago
1608

Exploration
Samuel de Champlain completed his third voyage to New France at Tadoussac, Quebec.

200 years ago
1808

Born on this date
Jefferson Davis. President of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1865. Mr. Davis was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi from 1845-1846, and was a U.S. Senator from 1847-1851 and 1857-1861. He served as U.S. Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce from 1853-1857. Mr. Davis resigned his Senate seat when Mississippi seceded from the union in January 1861, and was soon named President of the provisional Confederate government and inaugurated in February. He won a regular election as President of the C.S.A. and was inaugurated in Richmond, Virginia in February 1862. At the conclusion of the Civil War Mr. Davis was imprisoned for two years, and was released on bail in May 1867. The federal government chose not to proceed further in prosecuting him. Mr. Davis died on December 6, 1889 at the age of 81.

120 years ago
1888

Literature
The San Francisco Daily Examiner published Ernest Lawrence Thayer's poem Casey at the Bat. Mr. Thayer originally published "Casey" under the pseudonym "Phin."

90 years ago
1918

Communications
The Canadian Post office started a new airmail service linking Montréal and Québec City with Boston and New York.

Baseball
Dutch Leonard pitched a no-hitter and allowed just 1 batter to reach base as the Boston Red Sox shut out the Detroit Tigers 5-0 at Navin Field in Detroit. Babe Ruth, playing center field, provided the winning run when he hit his 5th home run of the season with 2 out and nobody on base in the top of the 1st inning. A base on balls to Bobby Veach was the only blemish on Mr. Leonard's record.

The Washington Nationals scored 2 runs in the top of the 8th inning and 1 in the 9th to overcome a 2-0 deficit and defeat the Cleveland Indians 3-2 at Dunn Field in Cleveland. Walter Johnson pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief of Doc Ayers to get the win over Stan Coveleski, who pitched a complete game.

Vean Gregg pitched a 1-hitter and the Philadelphia Athletics scored 2 runs in the top of the 8th inning to offset a run against them in the bottom of the 7th as they edged the St. Louis Browns 2-1 at Sportsman's Park in St.Louis. Urban Shocker pitched a 9-hit complete game in taking the loss. Les Nunamaker singled for the only St. Louis hit.

The Chicago White Sox scored 6 runs in the 3rd inning and coasted to a 9-2 win over the New York Yankees at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Happy Felsch led the Chicago attack, batting 3 for 3 with a base on balls, triple, run, and 3 runs batted in. Eddie Cicotte pitched an 8-hit complete game for his second straight win, improving his 1918 record to 2-7.

The Chicago Cubs scored 2 runs in each of the 7th and 8th innings to defeat the Boston Braves 5-3 before 3,000 fans at Braves Field.

Frank Miller pitched a 3-hit complete game victory and the Pittsburgh Pirates scored a run in the top of the 8th inning to break a 2-2 tie and defeat the New York Giants 3-2 at the Polo Grounds in New York.

80 years ago
1928

Died on this date
Li Yuanhong, 63. 2nd President of the Republic of China, 1916-1917; 1917; 1922-1923. Marshal Li was a career military officer who served as provisional Vice President under President Sun Yat-sen from 1912-1916. When Yuan Shikai toppled Mr. Sun in a coup, Marshal Li was made President. He was briefly deposed by a coup in July 1917, but returned, only to resign as President. Marshal Li returned as President in 1922, but was relatively powerless, and was soon forced out. On June 2, 1928, Marshal Li began to evacuate Peking in the face of an impending invasion by Nationalist forces, leaving a Committee of Elders in charge. He and many others were killed when their special train was dynamited near Mukden.

Disappeared on this date
Grace Budd, 10. U.S. girl. Miss Budd disapppeared from her home on West 15th Street in New York City.

Aviation
Amelia Earhart, Wilmer Stutz, and Slim Gordon left Boston Harbor in the pontoon-fitted monoplane Friendship, bound for England. Fog forced them to land in Halifax and spend the night there.

60 years ago
1948

Space
California Institute of Technology astronomers dedicated the Hale Telescope at Mount Palomar Observatory. The telescope, with its 200-inch-diameter mirror, was the world's largest until 1976.

World events
A bloodless military coup staged by followers of Paraguayan President-elect Juan Natalico Gonzalez forced the resignation of President General Higinio Morinigo.

War
The U.K. extended its arms embargo to all Arab states fighting Israel.

Politics and government
The first Newfoundland referendum returned 69,000 votes for self-government; 64,000 for union with Canada; and 22,000 for no change (colonial status). Another vote on July 22 returned a majority for union with Canada.

South African Prime Minister Daniel Malan announced his first cabinet, consisting of 11 Nationalists and one Afrikaaner.

Defense
The Yugoslavian government ordered pre-military training for all young people under military service age and more military courses in schools and colleges.

50 years ago
1958

War
Indonesian military headquarters in Jakarta announced the capture of Jailolo, the last rebel-held strongpoint outside the northern Celebes.

Diplomacy
Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba told French Prime Minister Charles de Gaulle that he was ready to begin efforts to "eliminate the major obstacles" between France and Tunisia.

The U.S.S.R. accepted U.S. proposals for a conference to ensure the peaceful use of Antarctica for scientific purposes.

Politics and government
The French National Assembly granted Prime Minister de Gaulle authority to revise the French constitution and present the reforms to a national referendum.

Alabama Attorney General John Patterson defeated Circuit Court Judge George Wallace in the state's Democratic Party runoff gubernatorial primary.

Economics and finance
In a letter to U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S.S.R. Premier Nikita Khrushchev urged expansion of U.S.-U.S.S.R. trade to several billion dollars annually, plus long-term American credits to finance Soviet purchases from American firms.

Business
Los Angeles voters narrowly approved the City Council's agreement to furnish the Los Angeles Dodgers with a stadium on the site of Chavez Ravine.

40 years ago
1968

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Hoshikage no Waltz--Masao Sen

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Congratulations--Cliff Richard (4th week at #1)

Crime
American pop artist Andy Warhol and two others were shot and wounded at his New York City studio "The Factory" by radical feminist Valerie Solanas.

Law
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that opposition to the death penalty could not automatically disqualify a person from jury service in capital cases.

Economics and finance
The Royal Canadian Mint announced that it would replace silver in coins with a nickel alloy, beginning in August 1968.

30 years ago
1978

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Stayin' Alive--Bee Gees (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Rivers of Babylon--Boney M. (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Rivers of Babylon--Boney M. (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Rivers of Babylon--Boney M. (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Too Much, Too Little, Too Late--Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams

This marked Mr. Mathis's first appearance at #1 since Chances Are in 1957. The B-side was Emotion, which had been a big hit for Samantha Sang several months earlier.

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Rivers of Babylon/Brown Girl in the Ring--Boney M. (6th week at #1)
2 Ça Plane pour Moi--Plastic Bertrand
3 Lady McCorey--BZN
4 Substitute--Clout
5 Eagle/Thank You for the Music--ABBA
6 Night Fever--Bee Gees
7 Met de Vlam in de Pijp--Henk Wijngaard
8 Every 1's a Winner--Hot Chocolate
9 If You Can't Give Me Love--Suzi Quatro
10 I'm Always Touched by Your Presence, Dear--Blondie

Singles entering the chart were You're the One that I Want by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (#15); A Woman in Love by André Van Duin (#19); Golden Years of Rock 'n Roll by Long Tall Ernie and the Shakers (#21); Achter de Rhododendron by Tol Hansse (#23); and Rider in the Rain by Randy Newman (#33).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Shadow Dancing--Andy Gibb
2 Too Much, Too Little, Too Late--Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams
3 You're the One that I Want--John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
4 With a Little Luck--Wings
5 Baby Hold On--Eddie Money
6 Feels So Good--Chuck Mangione
7 The Closer I Get to You--Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
8 It's a Heartache--Bonnie Tyler
9 Baker Street--Gerry Rafferty
10 Imaginary Lover--Atlanta Rhythm Section

Singles entering the chart were FM (No Static at All) by Steely Dan (#77); Portrait (He Knew) by Kansas (#78); If Ever I See You Again by Roberta Flack (#85); Life's Been Good by Joe Walsh (#87); Can We Still Be Friends by Todd Rundgren (#88); Hot Love, Cold World by Bob Welch (#89); I Don't Wanna Go by Joey Travolta (#90); Love or Something Like It by Kenny Rogers (#94); and Trans-Europe Express by Kraftwerk (#96). FM (No Static at All) was from the movie FM (1978). Hot Love, Cold World had originally been released as the B-side of Sentimental Lady.

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 With a Little Luck--Wings (2nd week at #1)
2 You're the One that I Want--John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
3 The Closer I Get to You--Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
4 Too Much, Too Little, Too Late--Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams
5 Shadow Dancing--Andy Gibb
6 Disco Inferno--The Trammps
7 Night Fever--Bee Gees
8 If I Can't Have You--Yvonne Elliman
9 Imaginary Lover--Atlanta Rhythm Section
10 Feels So Good--Chuck Mangione

Singles entering the chart were Only the Good Die Young by Billy Joel (#91); Do You Believe in Magic by Shaun Cassidy (#93); Let the Song Last Forever by Dan Hill (#96); Chattanooga Choo Choo by Tuxedo Junction (#97); Stay Awhile by the Continental Miniatures (#98); and Use Ta Be My Girl by the O'Jays (#99).

Football
CFL
All-Star Game @ McMahon Stadium, Calgary
West 24 East 12

Ray Odums of the hometown Stampeders scored 2 defensive touchdowns for the Western All-Stars as they beat the Eastern All-Stars before about 21,000--only about 14,000 paid. This blogger was at the game, and it was one of the dullest games I've ever been to. The game's only offensive touchdown came late in the 4th quarter on a pass from Ottawa's Tom Clements to his Rough Rider teammate Tony Gabriel. At least it was a nice spring night, which we didn't have too many of in Calgary in 1978. Hugh Campbell of the Edmonton Eskimos was the winning head coach, over Joe Scannella of the Montreal Alouettes. Only two CFL All-Star games have been played since 1978: a post-season East-West game in 1983; and a pre-season Grey Cup champions vs. All-Stars game in Edmonton in 1988.

30 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Ella, Elle L'a--France Gall (3rd week at #1)

Environment
The Canadian government of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced that it would providing $110 million over a five-year period for a project to clean up the St. Lawrence River.

Economics and finance
The United States Labor Department reported that, for the first time in six months, the unemployment rate had risen, moving from 5.4% in April to 5.5% in May.

Basketball
NBA
Eastern Conference
Finals
Boston 90 @ Detroit 95 (Detroit won best-of-seven series 4-2)

20 years ago
1998

Disasters
After suffering a mechanical failure, a high speed train derailed at Eschede, Germany, killing 101 people.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Western Conference
Finals
Detroit 2 @ Dallas 3 (OT) (Detroit led best-of-seven series 3-2)

Guy Carbonneau scored for the Stars with 1:35 remaining in regulation time to tie the score and Jamie Langenbrunner scored 46 seconds into the 1st overtime period as they averted elimination by the Red Wings at Reunion Arena.

Basketball
NBA
Finals
Chicago 85 @ Utah 88 (Utah led best-of-seven series 1-0)