This day in history…
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
IT HAPPENED ON AUGUST 11:
1918
Battle of Amiens ends in WW I, Allieds beat Germans
It began on 8 August 1918, was the opening phase of the Allied offensive later known as the Hundred Days Offensive that ultimately led to the end of World War I. Allied forces advanced over seven miles on the first day, one of the greatest advances of the war.
The battle is also notable for its effects on both sides’ morale and the large number of surrendering German forces. This led Erich Ludendorff to describe the first day of the battle as “the black day of the German Army.”
Amiens was one of the first major battles involving armoured warfare and marked the end of trench warfare on the Western Front; fighting becoming mobile once again until the armistice was signed on 11 November 1918.
The Germans suffered very heavy losses during the battle of Amiens. The British and French captured 33,000 prisoners and inflicted between 50,000 and 70,000 casualties on the Germans. The British lost 22,000 men, the French 20,000. The great triple offensive would achieve its main aim, and trigger the eventual German collapse, but at much higher cost.
The Germans suffered very heavy losses during the battle of Amiens. The British and French captured 33,000 prisoners and inflicted between 50,000 and 70,000 casualties on the Germans. The British lost 22,000 men, the French 20,000. The great triple offensive would achieve its main aim, and trigger the eventual German collapse, but at much higher cost.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPBHjE6MOPI]
1929
Babe Ruth becomes 1st to hit 500 homers
During the 29 years it was in use, the jail held such notable criminals as Al Capone, Robert Franklin Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz), George “Machine Gun” Kelly, James “Whitey” Bulger, and Alvin Karpis (who served more time at Alcatraz than any other inmate). It also provided housing for the Bureau of Prison staff and their families. The prison capacity was 312 prisoners.
During its 29 years of operation, the penitentiary claimed no prisoners as ever having successfully escaped. 36 prisoners were involved in 14 attempts, two men trying twice; 23 were caught, six were shot and killed during their escape, and two were lost at sea and never found. The most violent occurred on May 2, 1946 when a failed escape attempt by six prisoners led to the so-called Battle of Alcatraz.
1974 
1962 Beach Boys release “Surfin’ Safari”
1934 1st federal prisoners arrive at Alcatraz in SF Bay
During the 29 years it was in use, the jail held such notable criminals as Al Capone, Robert Franklin Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz), George “Machine Gun” Kelly, James “Whitey” Bulger, and Alvin Karpis (who served more time at Alcatraz than any other inmate). It also provided housing for the Bureau of Prison staff and their families. The prison capacity was 312 prisoners.
During its 29 years of operation, the penitentiary claimed no prisoners as ever having successfully escaped. 36 prisoners were involved in 14 attempts, two men trying twice; 23 were caught, six were shot and killed during their escape, and two were lost at sea and never found. The most violent occurred on May 2, 1946 when a failed escape attempt by six prisoners led to the so-called Battle of Alcatraz.
1954
Formal peace takes place, ending 7+ years of fighting in Indochina between French & Communist Vietminh
STATS:
Combined total (French and allies):75,581 dead,64,127 wounded,40,000 captured
Combined total(Communist) :300,000+ dead,500,000+ wounded,100,000+ captured
1974 Lee Trevino wins PGA championship
1956 Elvis Presley releases “Don’t Be Cruel”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_XXtuOvKcg]
1962 Beach Boys release “Surfin’ Safari”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbRKfieMsdQ]
1968
The Beatles released “Hey Jude” backed with “Revolution,” the first single from their Apple Records label.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD3ovfZXO5Q]
Hey Jude debuts on the U.S. “charts” and goes to #1 in two weeks. Spending 19 weeks on the charts and 9 at #1, Hey Jude sold over 8 million copies world-wide, making it the top selling Beatles’ single of all time. It held the #1 spot longer than any other Beatles single in the U.S. and is the longest song to occupy the #1 slot — 7 minutes, 11 seconds.
Hey Jude was recorded in 25 takes in two nights at the Abbey Road Studios — July 29th & 30th, 1968. The song was completed on August 1st, adding the 36 piece orchestra providing the long refrain, that was actually written by George Martin, their Apple producer.
1984 Carl Lewis duplicates Jesse Owens’ 1936 feat, wins 4 Olym track golds
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imb4tYOk8GE]
1984 Carl Lewis duplicates Jesse Owens’ 1936 feat, wins 4 Olym track golds