January 16, 2013

220 years ago
1793

World events
In a vote to decide the fate of deposed King Louis XVI, who had been convicted of treason the previous day, 361 deputies of the National Convention voted in favour of Louis' immediate death, 72 voted in favour of the death penalty subject to delaying conditions and reservations, and 288 voted against the death penalty in favour of some other alternative.

160 years ago
1853

Born on this date
André Michelin. French businessman. Mr. Michelin and his brother Édouard co-founded the Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin (Michelin Tyre Company) in 1888. André was granted a patent for a detachable tire in 1891. The Michelin brothers participated in auto races in the 1890s, and were inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2002. André Michelin died on April 4, 1931 at the age of 78.

130 years ago
1883

Law
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, establishing the United States Civil Service Commission, was passed.

110 years ago
1903

Transportation
The White Star Line ship SS Ionic set sail on her maiden voyage from London to Wellington via Cape Town. The steam-powered liner was built for the purpose of transporting passengers and refrigerated meat from the United Kingdom to New Zealand.

75 years ago
1938

Music
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra, with guest stars that included members of the Duke Ellington and Count Basie orchestras, performed at Carnegie Hall in New York in a landmark concert.

70 years ago
1943

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): There are Such Things--Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra with Frank Sinatra and the Pied Pipers

60 years ago
1953

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): You Belong to Me--Jo Stafford with Paul Weston and his Orchestra

On television tonight
Tales of Tomorrow, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Discovered Heart, starring Jim Boles, Susan Hallaran, and William Lee

At the movies
Der Bauernrebell (The Peasant Rebel), directed by Alfred Lehner, and starring Kurt Heintel and Marianne Schönauer, received its premiere screening in Innsbruck.



50 years ago
1963

Theatre
The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore by Tennessee Williams opened at the Morosco Theatre on Broadway in New York City. The stars were Hermione Baddeley, Mildred Dunnock, and Paul Roebling.

Died on this date
Ike Quebec, 44. U.S. musician. Mr. Quebec was a tenor saxophonist and pianist who performed with such artists as Benny Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Coleman Hawkins, and Cab Calloway. He died of lung cancer.

30 years ago
1983

On the radio
The Stories of Sherlock Holmes, starring Graham Armitage and Kerry Jordan, on Springbok Radio
Tonight’s episode: The Basilton Estate

25 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: La Bamba--Los Lobos (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): When I Fall in Love--Rick Astley (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): China in Your Hand--T'Pau (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Étienne--Guesch Patti (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Heaven is a Place on Earth--Belinda Carlisle

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Heaven is a Place on Earth--Belinda Carlisle

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Got My Mind Set on You--George Harrison

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Got My Mind Set on You--George Harrison
2 The Way You Make Me Feel--Michael Jackson
3 Need You Tonight--INXS
4 So Emotional--Whitney Houston
5 Faith--George Michael
6 Is This Love--Whitesnake
7 Hazy Shade of Winter--Bangles
8 Candle in the Wind--Elton John
9 Could've Been--Tiffany
10 Tell it to My Heart--Taylor Dayne

Singles entering the chart were Father Figure by George Michael (#50); Just Like Paradise by David Lee Roth (#66); I Get Weak by Belinda Carlisle (#68); Be Still My Beating Heart by Sting (#76); and Wishing Well by Terence Trent D'Arby (#88).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Got My Mind Set on You--George Harrison
2 Faith--George Michael
3 Pop Goes the World--Men Without Hats
4 I Think We're Alone Now--Tiffany
5 Heaven is a Place on Earth--Belinda Carlisle
6 When a Man Loves a Woman--Luba
7 Cherry Bomb--John Cougar Mellencamp
8 Candle in the Wind--Elton John
9 (I've Had) The Time of My Life--Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
10 So Emotional--Whitney Houston

Singles entering the chart were Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart) by Sway (#83); I Want to Be Your Man by Roger (#87); She's Like the Wind by Patrick Swayze (#89); I Found Someone by Cher (#92); Honestly by Stryper (#93); and China in Your Hand by T'Pau (#96).

Died on this date
Ballard Berkeley, 83. Mr. Berkeley was a character actor in numerous British films, radio and television programs, but was best known for playing Major Gowan in the television comedy series Fawlty Towers.

20 years ago
1993

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Gli Spari Sopra--Vasco Rossi

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Dur dur d'être bébé!--Jordy (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Would I Lie to You?--Charles & Eddie

#1 single in France (SNEP): Dur dur d'être bébé!--Jordy (14th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Would I Lie to You?--Charles & Eddie

#1 single in the U.K. (Chart Information Network): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (8th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (7th week at #1)
2 Rump Shaker--Wreckx-N-Effect
3 If I Ever Fall in Love--Shai
4 In the Still of the Nite--Boyz II Men
5 I'd Die Without You--PM Dawn
6 Rhythm is a Dancer--Snap!
7 Good Enough--Bobby Brown
8 Saving Forever for You--Shanice
9 To Love Somebody--Michael Bolton
10 Real Love--Mary J. Blige

Singles entering the chart were I'm Every Woman by Whitney Houston (#61); Ordinary World by Duran Duran (#63); Understand this Groove by Sound Factory (#68); No Mistakes by Patty Smyth (#72); Informer by Snow (#74); and Dazzey Duks by Duice (#81).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (5th week at #1)
2 To Love Somebody--Michael Bolton
3 Love Can Move Mountains--Celine Dion
4 Faithful--Go West
5 Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses--U2
6 Song Instead of a Kiss--Alannah Myles
7 The Last Song--Elton John
8 Rain Down on Me--Blue Rodeo
9 Never a Time--Genesis
10 Steam--Peter Gabriel

Singles entering the chart were Our World Our Dreams by Alannah Myles (#71); Ordinary World by Duran Duran (#85); I Want (Cool Cool Love) by Corey Hart (#86); With Heaven on Our Side by Foreigner (#87); Fifty Mission Cap by the Tragically Hip (#93); and Closing Time by Leonard Cohen (#94).

10 years ago
2003

Space
The U.S. space shuttle Columbia, carrying a seven-person crew commanded by Rick Husband, lifted off from launch pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida to begin mission STS-107. During liftoff, a piece of foam broke off from the shuttle's external tank and damaged the left wing.