Sports Fact & This Day in History 1/4-5/15

January 4:
1974: Nixon refuses to hand over Watergate recordings
President Richard Nixon refused to hand over tape recordings and documents that had been subpoenaed by the Senate Watergate Committee. The refusal marked the beginning of the end of his presidency,and Nixon would resign from office in disgrace eight months later.

1/4/2005:
Matt Leinart's five touchdown passes lead top-ranked Southern California to a victory over number two Oklahoma 55-19 in the BCS championship game played at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. the game is over early as the Trojans roll to a 38-10 halftime lead. The victory caps a 13-0 season, extends USC's winning streak to 22 games, and earns the school a second consecutive national title.

Birthdays:
Johnny lujack b. 1925
Don Shula b. 1930
Floyd Patterson b. 1935
Kermit Alexander b. 1941
Garrison Hearst b. 1971

January 5:
1968: Prague Spring begins in Czechoslovakia
On this date, Antonin Novotny, the Stalinist ruler of Czechoslovakia, was succeeded as first secretary by Alexander Dubvek, a Slovak who supported liberal reforms. In the first few months of his rule, Dubcek introduced a series of far-reaching political and economic reforms, including increased freedom of speech and the rehabilitation of political dissidents. Dubcek's effort to establish "communism with a human face" was celebrated across the country, and the brief period of freedom became known as the "Prague Spring."

1/5/1934:
A fire destroys part of Fenway Park as a result of a reconstruction project at the ballpark. Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey began the project after the close of the 1933 season to update the facility, which opened in 1912. The fire begins when an overturned cement beater ignites tarred canvas, and the fire lasts five hours, razing the stands along the left field line, beyond third base, and in center field. Two workmen are injured. Before the blaze is contained, it spreads. Firemen concentrate most of their efforts on the oil tanks of nearby Neponset Oil Company, which is encircled by flames. Although the fire turns Yawkey's rebuilding plans into re-building plans, the ballpark is ready by Opening Day.

Birthdays:
Lou Carnesecca b. 1925
Chuck Noll b. 1932
Chuck McKinley b. 1941
Alex English b. 1954
Warrick Dunn b. 1975