February 21, 2016

270 years ago
1746

War
The Siege of Inverness ended with British forces surrendering to the Jacobite army.

225 years ago
1791

Born on this date
Carl Czerny. Austrian musician and composer. Mr. Czerny was a child prodigy who began playing piano at the age of 3 and composing at the age of 7. He studied under Ludwig van Beethoven, and premiered Mr. Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 (1806 ). Mr. Czerny had a successful career as a teacher of piano, with Franz Liszt as his most famous pupil. Mr. Czerny composed more than 1,000 works, including seven symphonies, masses, choral music, chamber music, and numerous works for piano. He died on July 15, 1857 at the age of 66.

170 years ago
1846

Died on this date
Ninkō, 45. Emperor of Japan, 1817-1846. Ninkō, born Ayahito, acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne upon the death of his father Kōkaku. Emperor Ninkō's reign included natural disasters, famine, corruption, and decline in the power of the Togukawa Shogunate. Emperor Ninkō was succeeded on the throne by his son Kōmei.

125 years ago
1891

Died on this date
James Timberlake, 44. U.S. police officer. Mr. Timberlake was a deputy U.S. marshal in Missouri who was known for leading the campaign against the James-Younger Gang in the 1870s and 1880s. He died of an overdose of morphine that he was using to treat his insomnia.

Disasters
A coal gas explosion in Springhill, Nova Scotia killed 129 miners.

120 years ago
1896

Boxing
In a bout that was billed as a fight for the world heavyweight title, Bob Fitzsimmons (50-2-3) knocked out Peter Maher (103-5-2) just 1:35 into the 1st round in a specially-constructed ring near Langtry, Texas, but actually near Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico. Defending champion Jim Corbett had recently announced his retirement.

100 years ago
1916

War
The German Army attacked French positions at Verdun, firing over one million heavy shells and beginning a 10-month battle.

90 years ago
1926

Died on this date
Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, 72. Dutch physicist. Dr. Kamerlingh Onnes was awarded the 1913 Nobel Prize in Physics "for his investigations on the properties of matter at low temperatures which led, inter alia, to the production of liquid helium."

75 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Frederick Banting, 49. Canadian physician. Sir Frederick, a native of Alliston, Ontario, shared the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with J.J.R. Macleod for the discovery of insulin. He died of wounds and exposure following the crash near Musgrave Harbour, Newfoundland of the plane he was aboard while en route to England to conduct operational tests on the Franks flying suit developed by his colleague Wilbur Franks.

Diplomacy
The Japanese newspaper Chugai asserted that the United States "is preparing to resort to economic blockage operations against Japan."

The United States disclosed that it had backed Brazil's protest to Britain of the U.K.'s seizure of a French ship within the 300-mile safety zone off the Brazilian coast.

Politics and government
The U.S.S.R. announced that Maxim Litvinov, Paulina Semyonoyana Zhemchuzhina, N.M. Antselovich, F.A. Merkulov, and I.A. Likhachev had been dismissed from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Chilean President Pedor Aguirre Cerda vetoed a bill outlawing the Communist Party.

Defense
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt told a press conference that the previous day's reports that U.S. Army General George Marshall had told a secret meeting of a Senate committee that new planes were being rushed to reinforce the air force in the Pacific were inaccurate and injurious to national defense. Senator Burton K. Wheeler (Democrat--Montana) said that Mr. Roosevelt "wants to muzzle the press."

Education
Dr. Ralph West Robey, who had led a National Manufacturers Association-sponsored survey, declared that a "substantial proportion" of social science textbooks were critical of the American form of government and free enterprise.

Labour
The U.S. National Labor Relations Board ordered Ford Motor Company to reinstate 142 employees with back pay from January 3, 1938 at its Richmond, California plant, and to cease discouraging membership in the Congress of Industrial Organizations United Auto Workers.

Boxing
Tony Zale (47-15-2) retained his world middleweight title with a knockout of Steve Mamakos (25-8-1) 26 seconds into the 14th round at Chicago Stadium. Mr. Zale had won a 10-round decision over Mr. Mamakos in a non-title bout at Chicago Stadium six weeks earlier.

70 years ago
1946

Died on this date
José Streel, 34. Belgian journalist. Mr. Streel was a prominent member of the Rexist movement, which collaborated with the Nazis during World War II. He was executed by firing squad at the army barracks in Ixelles.

War
Eight World War II Finnish leaders were sentenced to prison in Helsinki for leading Finland into the war on Germany's side. The Soviet prosecution at the Nuremberg trial of accused Nazi war criminals charged that SS leader Heinrich Himmler had decided that only 30 million people should be left alive in Russia after Germany had won World War II.

Protest
At least 14 people were killed and 123 wounded as anti-British riots swept Egypt. British troops in Bombay fired on mobs as they looted and set up barricades after a mutiny of Indian sailors.

Defense
U.S. President Harry Truman said that plans to outlaw peacetime military training throughout the world were impractical. The U.S. Navy revealed that it would send a task force to the Arctic in March to test the operation of carrier planes in cold weather.

Politics and government
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the national school lunch bill and the Lea bill aimed at curbing "coercive" labour practices in the communications industry.

The United States Senate confirmed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Paul A. Porter as head of the Office of Price Administration.

50 years ago
1966

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Yesterday--The Beatles

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): These Boots are Made for Walkin'--Nancy Sinatra

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Lightnin' Strikes--Lou Christie
2 Andrea--The Sunrays
3 My Generation--The Who
4 Attack--The Toys
5 California Dreamin'--The Mamas and the Papas
6 Little Boy (In Grown Up Clothes)--The 4 Seasons
7 Breakin' Up is Breakin' My Heart--Roy Orbison
8 While I'm Away--Bobby Curtola
9 Michelle--David & Jonathan
10 Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind--The Lovin' Spoonful

Singles entering the chart were My World is Empty Without You by the Supremes (#31); Rainbow by Terry Black (#32); Time by the Pozo-Seco Singers (#33); Rose Marie by Ray Hutchinson (#34); Listen People by Herman's Hermits (#35); Keep on Running by the Spencer Davis Group (#36); Spanish Flea by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (#37); Walking the Dog by Jerry Palmer (#38); You Baby by the Turtles (#39); and This Golden Ring by the Fortunes (#40).

Died on this date
Paul Comtois, 70. Canadian politician. Mr. Comtois, a Progressive Conservative, represented the Quebec riding of Nicolet—Yamaska and was the Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys in the government of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker from 1957-1961. He left federal politics to accept the position of Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec. Mr. Comtois was killed in a fire at his official residence in Quebec City, and was succeeded as Lieutenant-Governor by Hugues Lapointe.

Music
The single Nowhere Man/What Goes On by the Beatles was released in Canada and the United States on Capitol Records.

Defense
French President Charles de Gaulle announced that France would take control of all foreign military bases on her territory by April 4, 1969.

40 years ago
1976

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Sandokan--Oliver Onions (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): Love Hurts--Nazareth

#1 single in the U.K.: December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)--The Four Seasons

Rhodesia's Top 10 (Lyons Maid)
1 Tears on My Pillow--Johnny Nash (2nd week at #1)
2 Hold Me Close--David Essex
3 The Warrior--4 Jacks and a Jill
4 Morning Sky--George Baker Selection
5 Milky Ways--Columbus
6 Kiss Me, Kiss Your Baby--Geoff St. John
7 Good, Bad But Beautiful--Shirley Bassey
8 I'm on Fire--5000 Volts
9 The Last Farewell--Roger Whittaker
10 Who Loves You--The Four Seasons

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover--Paul Simon (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover--Paul Simon (3rd week at #1)
2 Theme from S.W.A.T.--Rhythm Heritage
3 Love to Love You Baby--Donna Summer
4 All by Myself--Eric Carmen
5 Love Machine (Part 1)--The Miracles
6 You Sexy Thing--Hot Chocolate
7 Take it to the Limit--The Eagles
8 I Write the Songs--Barry Manilow
9 Evil Woman--Electric Light Orchestra
10 Grow Some Funk of Your Own--Elton John

Singles entering the chart were I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do by ABBA (#80); New Orleans by the Staple Singers (#83); Without Your Love (Mr. Jordan) by Charlie Ross (#84); Union Man by the Cate Brothers (#89); We Can't Hide it Anymore by Larry Santos (#91); Texas by the Charlie Daniels Band (#93); If You Only Believe (Jesus for Tonite) by Michael Polnareff (#94); Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull (#96); (Call Me) The Traveling Man by the Masqueraders (#98); Love Me Tonight by Head East (#99); and The Game is Over (What’s the Matter with You) by Brown Sugar (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Breaking Up is Hard to Do--Neil Sedaka
2 Love Rollercoaster--Ohio Players
3 Love to Love You Baby--Donna Summer
4 Squeeze Box--The Who
5 Love Hurts--Nazareth
6 Evil Woman--Electric Light Orchestra
7 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover--Paul Simon
8 Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)--Bee Gees
9 You Sexy Thing--Hot Chocolate
10 Paloma Blanca--George Baker Selection

Singles entering the chart were I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford) by Elton John (#30); Theme from S.W.A.T. (Part 1) by the T.H.P. Orchestra (#88); Tobacco by Fullerton Dam (#89); I'm on My Way by Fludd (#90); Crazy on You by Heart (#92); Can't Catch Me by Bim (#95); One Night Lovers by Tom Middleton (#97); Only a Friend of Mine by Next (#98); and Can't We Somehow by Gail Dahms (#100). I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford) was the B-side of Grow Some Funk of Your Own, which had entered the chart on January 31 and peaked on February 14 at #38; I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford) replaced it as the charted side of the single. The T.H.P. Orchestra's version of Theme from S.W.A.T. (Part 1) was a Canadian recording by a Canadian artist, and thus qualified as Canadian content for radio play; it thus eventually became more popular on Canadian radio stations than the original version by the American artist Rhythm Heritage. One Night Lovers had been released in the fall of 1975, but hadn't charted, probably because RPM hadn't published for two months because of a nationwide postal strike.

Politics and government
The 12 candidates for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada made their speeches at the convention at Ottawa Civic Centre. Paul Hellyer, who had been Canada's Minister of Defence in the 1960s in the Liberal government of Prime Minister Lester Pearson and a candidate for the Liberal Party leadership in 1968, criticized "Red Tories" in his speech, attracting boos from the audience and virtually destroying his hopes of winning.

Hockey
NHL
Buffalo 4 @ Toronto 6

If I'm not mistaken, this national Hockey Night in Canada telecast was the game where Buffalo forward Danny Gare was cut on the cheek and fainted when he looked at his hand after wiping blood from his face, and was helped off the ice by the trainers, making for a funny sight.

30 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Jeanny--Falco (7th week at #1)

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Do the Bartman--The Simpsons (5th week at #1)

Died on this date
John Sherman Cooper, 89. U.S. politician and diplomat. Mr. Cooper, a Republican, represented the 41st District in the Kentucky House of Representatives (1928-1930) and represented Kentucky in the U.S. Senate (1946-1949, 1952-1955, 1956-1973). After losing his bid for re-election in 1954, he served as U.S. Ambassador to India (1955-1956), and was credited with improving Indian-American relations, helping to thwart the U.S.S.R.'s hopes of expanding Soviet influence in India. Sen. Cooper conducted a secret fact-finding mission to Moscow and New Delhi in the early 1960s on behalf of President John F. Kennedy, and was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson to the Warren Commision to investigate President Kennedy's assassination in 1963. He increasingly opposed U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War through the rest of the 1960s and early '70s, and declined to run for re-election in 1972. Mr. Cooper was U.S.Ambassador to East Germany (1974-1976), and was an alternate delegate to the United Nations in 1981.

Margot Fonteyn, 71. U.K. dancer. Dame Margot, born Margaret Hookham, was the prima ballerina with the Royal Ballet in a career that spanned more than 40 years. She married Panamanian diplomat Roberto Arias in 1955, and was briefly detained in Panama in 1959 after the couple participated in an unsuccessful coup attempt against Panamanian President Ernesto de la Guardia. Mr. Arias became a quadriplegic after he was shot in 1964, and Dame Margot cared for him until his death in 1989. She died after a long battle with ovarian cancer.

World events
The parliament of Croatia passed legislation asserting a veto power over all Yugoslavian federal laws that applied to that republic. Croatia also passed legislation that barred the federal government of Yugoslavia from declaring a state of emergency in Croatia without the republic’s permission to use federal security forces in Croatia.

War
The Soviet Union announced that Iraq had agreed to its peace proposal. U.S. President George Bush still had "serious concerns" about several points in the plan. The estimate of the number of Iraqi tanks destroyed in the Gulf War so far was put at 2,100.

Politics and government
Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa said that his province would not hold a referendum on sovereignty in 1991, despite such a proposal by the co-chairmen of the Belanger-Campeau commission that was studying Quebec’s future. Mr. Bourassa said that federalism must be given another chance, adding that the people weren’t yet ready to make a decision on sovereignty and that a referendum should wait until at least 1992.

20 years ago
1996

Died on this date
Morton Gould, 82. U.S. composer. Mr. Gould composed scores for radio and television programs, Broadway plays, and movies, as well as numerous works commissioned by orchestras. He served as president of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) from 1986-1994.

Politics and government
Yasser Arafat was sworn in as president of the Palestinian Council's executive.