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March 23rd
1026 - Koenraad II crowned himself king of Italy. 1066 - The 18th perihelion passage of Halley's Comet was recorded. 1153 - The Treaty of Konstanz between Frederik I 'Barbarossa' and Pope Eugene III was established. 1169 - Died this day, Shirkuh, Kurd General, vizier of Cairo, Saladin's uncle. 1237 - Died this day, Jan of Brienne, King of Jerusalem, Emperor of Constantinople. 1324 - Louis IV, emperor of Germany, was excommunicated by Pope John XXII. 1369 - Died this day, Pedro the Cruel, King and tyrant of Castile & Leon, was murdered. 1490 - The first dated edition of Maimonides Mishna Torah was published. 1534 - Pope Clement declared the marriage between Henry VIII of England and Catherine of Aragon was still valid. The marriage was dissolved in Britain the previous year and Henry had married Anne Boleyn. 1540 - In a show of growing support for Henry VIII, Waltham Abbey in Essex became the last monastery in England to transfer its allegiance from the Catholic Church to the newly established Church of England. 1555 - Died this day, Julius III [Giovanni M del Monte], Pope (1550-55), at the age of 67. 1568 - The Treaty of Longjumeau caused the French Huguenots to go on strike. 1579 - Friesland joined the Union of Utrecht. 1593 - English Congressionalist Henry Barrow was accused of slander. (Who by?) 1599 - Born this day, Thomas Selle, composer. 1606 - Died this day, Justus Lipsius [Joost Lips], Dutch classic philologist, aged 58. 1630 - French troops occupied Pinerolo Piedmont. 1638 - Born this day, Frederik Ruysch, Dutch anatomist. 1653 - Died this day, Johan van Galen, Dutch Admiral (Dunes Monte Christo), aged about 48. 1657 - France and England formed an alliance against Spain. England got Dunkirk. 1658 - Died this day, Valentin Dretzel, composer, aged 79. 1669 - Died this day, Philipp Buchner, composer, aged 54. 1676 - Died this day, Paulus Wirtz [Würtz], German/Netherlands army commander, at the age of 63. 1699 - Born this day, John Bartram, naturalist, explorer, father of American botany. 1708 - English pretender to the throne James III landed at the Firth of Forth. 1736 - Born this day, Iman Willem Falck, Dutch Governor of Ceylon (1765-83). 1743 - In London, composer George Frederic Handel's famous oratorio Messiah was performed for the first time. A precedent was set as King George II stood during the Hallelujah Chorus. 1748 - Died this day, Johann Gottfried Walther, German composer, musicologist, aged 63. 1749 - Born this day, Hugo Franz Karl Alexander von Kerpen, composer. 1749 - Born this day, Pierre-Simon Laplace, mathematician, astronomer, physicist. 1750 - Born this day, Johannes Matthias Sperger, composer. 1756 - Died this day, Georg Gottfried Wagner, composer, aged 57. 1761 - Born this day, John W. de Winter, Dutch Vice-Admiral (Battle at Kamperduin). 1765 - The British parliament passed the Stamp Act, imposing duties on the American colonies. 1769 - Born this day, William Smith, geologist (Strata Identified by Organized Fossils). 1775 - American revolutionary hero Patrick Henry, while addressing the House of Burgesses, declared 'give me liberty, or give me death!' It was a dramatic plea for freedom from British colonial rule. 1783 - Died this day, Gaspard Fritz, composer, aged 67. 1786 - Died this day, Patience Wright, first US woman pro artist. 1791 - Etta Palm, a Dutch champion of woman's rights, set up a group of women's clubs called the Confederation of the Friends of Truth. 1794 - Josiah G. Pierson patented a 'cold-header' rivet-machine. 1794 - Lieutenant-General Tadeusz Kosciuszko returned to Poland. 1795 - Born this day, Leopold Jansa, composer. 1801 - Born this day, Peterus D. Regout, Dutch industrialist (Sphinx, Maastricht). 1801 - Died this day, Paul I, tsar of Russia (1796-1801), strangled aged 46. He was succeeded by Alexander I. 1806 - Died this day, George Frederic Pinto, composer, aged 20. 1806 - Lewis & Clark reached the Pacific coast. 1808 - Napoleon Bonaparte's brother Joseph took the throne of Spain. 1808 - Born this day, Jeronimo de Bosch Kemper, sociologist, historian (Statistic yearbook). 1809 - Died this day, Ferdinand-Philippe-Joseph Staes, composer, aged 60. 1811 - Born this day, Camille Marie Stamaty, composer. 1811 - Born this day, Carl Gottfried Wilhelm Taubert, composer. 1816 - Died this day, Ignaz Vitzthumb, composer, aged 95. 1818 - Died this day, Nicolas Isouard, composer, at the age of 42. 1818 - Born this day, Don Carlos Buell, Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1898. 1819 - Died this day, August v Kotzebue, writer. 1821 - Died this day, Bernhard Anselm Weber, pianist, conductor, composer, at the age of 56. 1821 - Born this day, Aleksej F. Pisemski, Russian writer (Clodhopper). 1823 - Born this day, Schuyler Colfax, (R) 17th Vice President (1869-73). Died in 1885. 1825 - Born this day, Edward Lloyd Thomas, Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1898. 1826 - Born this day, Leon Minkus, composer. 1832 - Died this day, Vaclav Vilem Wurfel, composer, at the age of 41. 1832 - The British Parliament passed the reform bill. 1834 - Born this day, Julius Reubke, composer. 1835 - Charles Darwin reached Los Arenales, in the Andes. 1836 - The Coin Press was invented by Franklin Beale. 1837 - Born this day, Joseph Wieniawski, composer. 1839 - The first recorded use in print of 'OK' [said to stand for 'orl korrect' or for Old Kinderook, the nickname of President Martin van Buren] was in the Boston's Morning Post. 1840 - Draper took the first first successful photo of the Moon (a daguerrotype). 1842 - Died this day, Stendhal [Marie-Henri Beyle], French author (Lamiel), aged 59. 1844 - Born this day, Eugene Gigout, composer. 1847 - Born this day, Alexandru D. Xenopol, in Romania, historian. 1848 - Hungary proclaimed its independence of Austria. 1849 - At the Battle of Novara, King Charles Albert fought with the Italian republic. After the Austrians had been victorious at Novara, Charles Albert of Sardinia abdicated in favour of Victor Emmanuel II. 1854 - Born this day, Alfred Milner, in Giessen, Germany, British Governor (Cape colony). 1857 - Born this day, Fannie Farmer, actress (namesake of a candy company). 1857 - Elisha Otis installed the first modern passenger elevator in a public building, at the corner of Broome Street and Broadway in New York City. 1858 - Eleazer A. Gardner of Philadelphia patented the cable street car, which runs on overhead cables. 1858 - Born this day, Ludwig Quidde, German historian, politician (Nobel prize 1927). 1860 - Born this day, Horatio Bottomley, British journalist, swindler, served 7 years in jail and went bankrupt, yet he is seen as the spirit of Britishness as he founded John Bull magazine. 1861 - London's first tram cars began operating from Bayswater, designed by a Mr. Train from New York. 1861 - John D. Defrees became the first Superintendent of the United States Government Printing Office. 1862 - Died this day, Karl Robert von Nesselrode, German chancellor, aged 81. 1862 - Confederate General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson faced his only defeat at the Battle of Kernstown, Virginia. 1863 - Born this day, Godfried C.E. van Daalen, Dutch General, Governor of Atjeh. 1864 - Born this day, Hjalmar Borgstrom, composer. 1864 - An encounter took place at Camden, Arizona. 1865 - General Sherman and Cox's troops reached Goldsboro, North Carolina. 1867 - US Congress passed the Second Reconstruction Act over President Johnson's veto. 1868 - The University of California was founded in Oakland, California. 1869 - Died this day, Charles Lucas, composer, aged 60. 1876 - Born this day, Sir Muirhead Bone, in Glasgow, Scotland, etcher, engraver of architecture. 1877 - Mormon fanatic John Doyle Lee was executed by a firing squad for masterminding the Mountain Meadows Massacre. In 1857, a wagon train of 127 Arkansas Methodist emigrants, bound for California, were killed by a party of Mormon settlers and Paiute Indians at Mountain Meadows (near Cedar City), Utah. 1878 - After an eight-day truce between General Maceo and General Martinez, fighting resumed in Cuba. 1878 - Born this day, Franz Schrecker, composer. 1880 - John Stevens of Neenah, Wisconsin, patented the grain crushing mill. This mill allowed flour production to increase by 70 percent and to sell for $2 more per barrel. 1880 - Died this day, Gustav Adolf Mankell, composer, aged 67. 1881 - Died this day, Nikolay Rubinstein, composer, at the age of 45. 1881 - The Boers and Britain signed a peace accord, ending the first Boer war. 1881 - A gas lamp set fire to a Nice, France opera house. 70 died. 1881 - Born this day, Hermann Staudinger, in Germany, chemist, plastics researcher (Nobel 1953). 1881 - Born this day, Roger Martin du Guard, in France, novelist (Les Thibault-Nobel 1937). 1882 - Born this day, C. Montague Shaw, in Adelaide, Australia. 1883 - Born this day, Faisal I ibn Hussein ibn Ali, first king of Iraq/Syria. 1884 - Born this day, Glauco Velasquez, composer. 1887 - Born this day, Anthony van Hoboken, Dutch musicologist (Haydn-catalog). 1887 - Born this day, Felix Felixovitch Yussupov, Russian prince, murderer of Rasputin. 1887 - Born this day, Juan Gris, in Spain, cubist painter (Still Life Before an Open Window). 1887 - Born this day, Sidney Hillman, union leader (Sidney Hillman Foundation). 1889 - President Harrison opened up Oklahoma for white colonisation. 1891 - The first jazz concert was held at Carnegie Hall. 1891 - Born this day, Catherine Murphy Urner, composer. 1891 - Goal nets were used for the first time in the FA Cup final. (Who played?) 1892 - Born this day, George Arthur Buttrick, English Presbyterian pastor and educator. A teacher at both Union Theological Seminary and Harvard University, Buttrick is best remembered as chief editor of The Interpreter's Bible (1952-1957). 1895 - Born this day, Dane Rudhyar, composer. 1896 - Umberto Giordano's opera Andrea Chénier premiered in Milan. 1898 - Born this day, Georgios Grivas, Greek General, opposition leader on Cyprus. 1898 - Born this day, Hazel Dawn [LaTout], in Ogden, Utah, actress (Niobe, Under Cover, Feud Girl). 1900 - Born this day, Jose Antonio Calcano, composer. 1900 - Born this day, Erich Fromm, in Frankfurt, Germany, German psychologist (The Sane Society). Died in 1980. 1901 - A group of US Army soldier led by Brigadier General Frederick Funston captured Emilio Aguinaldo, the leader of the Philippine Insurrection of 1899. 1901 - Born this day, Jan H. de Groot, Dutch resistance fighter, co-founder (Free Netherlands). 1901 - Dame Nellie Melba revealed the secret of her now famous toast. 1902 - Born this day, Philip Ober, in Fort Payne, Alabama, actor (General Stone-I Dream of Jeannie). 1902 - Died this day, Kálmán Tisza, premier of Hungary (1875-90), at the age of 71. 1903 - The Wright brothers obtained an airplane patent. 1905 - Born this day, Paul Grimault, animator. 1905 - Born this day, Ralph Perring, Lord Mayor of London. 1906 - Born this day, George Posford, composer. 1906 - Died this day, Victor Barton, cricketer (scored 23 in Test England vs South Africa 1892). 1907 - Died this day, Constantine P. Pobedonostsev, Russian reactionary senator, aged 79. 1907 - Born this day, Douglas Patrick Thomas Jay, politician. 1907 - Born this day, Daniele Bovet, in Switzerland, Swiss-born Italian pharmacologist, (Nobel 1957). 1908 - Born this day, Dominique de Menil, arts patron, human rights advocate. 1908 - Born this day, Joan Crawford [Lucille Fay LeSueur], in San Antonio, Texas, Academy Award-winning actress (Mildred Pierce, What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?). Died in 1977. 1909 - British Lieutenant Ernest Shackleton found the magnetic South Pole. 1909 - Theodore Roosevelt began an African safari sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society. 1910 - Born this day, Akira Kurosawa, in Tokyo, Japan, film director (Rashomon, The Seven Samurai, Living). Died in 1998. 1910 - Born this day, [Liselotte H] Lale Anderson, in Bremerhaven, Germany, singer, actress (Der Pott). 1910 - The first race at Los Angeles Motordrome was held. (First US auto speedway). 1911 - Born this day, Augustus John 'Gus' Risman, rugby league player. 1911 - Born this day, Charles Joseph A. Russhon, USAF Lieutenant Colonel, liaison (James Bond films). 1911 - Born this day, Denis Wright, diplomat. 1911 - Born this day, Edward Warner, diplomat. 1911 - Born this day, Richard Chapman, golfer (1940 US amateur, 1951 British amateur). 1912 - Born this day, Alfred Schwarzmann, in Germany, gymnast (Olympics 2 golds 1936). 1912 - The Dixie Cup was invented. 1912 - Born this day, John Payne, in Roanoke, Virginia, actor (Dodsworth, Razor's Edge). 1912 - Born this day, Werner von Braun, in Wirsitz, Germany, German-born rocket pioneer. Died in 1977. 1914 - Born this day, Robert Gross, composer. 1914 - Died this day, Teunis Stoel, actor, aged 62. 1915 - Born this day, Francis Berry, poet, Shakespearean scholar. 1915 - The Zion Mule Corporation was formed. 1917 - Born this day, H. C. Allen, American historian. 1917 - Born this day, Johnny Guarnieri, in New York, NY, jazz pianist (Morey Amsterdam Show). Died in 1985. 1917 - Born this day, Kenneth Tobey, actor (The Thing, Strange Invaders). 1917 - Born this day, Patricia Burke, in Milan, Italy, actress (Forbidden). 1917 - Austrian Emperor Charles I made a peace proposal to French President Poincare. 1917 - A four day series of tornadoes killed 211 people in the Midwest US. 1918 - Alick Wickham dived 200 feet into Australia's Yarra River. 1918 - At Crépy-en-Laonnoise, German artillery shelled Paris, France, 256 were killed. The giant German gun, Big Bertha, was used from 75 miles away. 1918 - Lithuania proclaimed its independence. 1918 - Born this day, Sticks McGhee [Granville McGhee] in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Died 15 August 1961 of lung cancer. Blues singer and guitar player, recorded Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee and Jungle Juice. 1918 - Died this day, Chung Ling-Soo [William Robertson], magician, was killed at the Wood Green Empire, when a trick gun from which he claimed to 'catch' bullets shot him in the lung. 1918 - Died this day, Cesar Cortinas, composer, aged 27. 1919 - Benito Mussolini formed the Fascist movement in Milan, Italy. (Fasci di Combattimento). 1919 - Died this day, Jean H.L. Bossard, actor, impresario (2 Orphans), aged 45. 1919 - Born this day, Michael Lyne, British air Vice-marshal. 1919 - Bashkir ASSR, in RSFSR, was constituted. 1919 - Moscow's Politburo/Central Committee was formed. 1920 - Born this day, Alexander Grigori Harut'unyan, composer. 1920 - Born this day, Geoffrey Bush, composer. 1920 - Born this day, James Brown, in Desdemona, Texas, actor (Lieutenant Rip Masters-Rin Tin Tin). 1920 - Born this day, Jimmy Edwards, comedy actor (Barnes). 1920 - Perserikatan Communist of India (PKI) political party was formed. 1920 - Born this day, Neal Smith (Representative-Democrat-Idaho, 1959- ). 1920 - Great Britain denounced the United States because of its delay in joining the League of Nations. 1921 - Arthur G. Hamilton set a new parachute record, safely jumping from 24,400 feet. 1921 - Born this day, Donald Malcome Campbell, in Surrey, UK, boat racer (1955 speed records). 1921 - Born this day, Ian Todd, President, Royal College of Surgeons. 1921 - Born this day, Wolfgang Altendorfer, writer. 1921 - In Italy, the Fascist Party was founded by Benito Mussolini. 1922 - The first airplane landed at the US Capitol in Washington DC. 1922 - Born this day, Marty Allen, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, comedian (Allen & Rossi). 1922 - KMJ-AM in Fresno, California began radio transmissions. 1922 - Born this day, Ugo Tognazzi, in Cremona, Italy, actor, director (La Cage Aux Folles). 1922 - WEW-AM in Saint Louis, Missouri begn radio transmissions. 1923 - Frank Silver and Irving Conn released Yes, We Have No Bananas. 1923 - The BBC began broadcasting SOS messages to people who were away from home and needed to be contacted urgently. 1923 - Born this day, Arnie Weinmeister, AAFC, NFL defensive tackle (New York Yankees, Giants). 1924 - Born this day, Peter Godfrey, chartered accountant. 1925 - Born this day, Cees de Ruyter, European champion billiards player. 1925 - Born this day, David McNee, commissioner (Metropolitan Police). 1925 - Tennessee banned the teaching of evolution in schools. Teacher John Scopes ignored the ban and was prosecuted later in what became known as The Monkey Trial. 1925 - Died this day, Aleksei Kuropatkin, Russian General, minister of War, at the age of 76. 1925 - Tennessee became the first state to outlaw teaching the theory of evolution. 1926 - Born this day, Martha Wright [Wiederrecht], in Seattle, Washington, singer (Let's Dance, The Martha Wright Show). 1926 - In the NHL Championship, the Montréal Canadiens outscored the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-4 in 2 games. 1927 - Born this day, Osvaldo Lacerda, composer. 1927 - Captain Hawthorne Gray set a new balloon record by soaring to 28,510 feet. 1928 - Born this day, 11th duke of Beaufort, large landowner, multi-millionaire. 1928 - Born this day, Alfred Morris, British MP. 1928 - Born this day, [James Robert] Jim Lemon, baseball. 1929 - Born this day, Albert H. Crews, astronaut. 1929 - The first telephone was installed in the White House. 1929 - Born this day, Gerrit den Braber, Dutch composer, producer. 1929 - Born this day, James Ackley Maxwell, actor, director (Traitors, Pyt Potter, Otley). 1929 - Born this day, Michael Manser, architect. 1929 - Born this day, Sir Roger Bannister, physician, athlete, first to run a mile in under 4 minutes. 1930 - The US Ladies Figure Skating Championship was won by Maribel Vinson. 1930 - The US Men's Figure Skating Championship was won by Roger Turner. 1931 - Born this day, Norman F. Lent (Representative-Republican-New York, 1971- ). 1931 - Born this day, [Rocky] Warren Godfrey, hockey. 1933 - Born this day, Geoffrey Leigh, CEO (Allied London Properties). 1933 - Born this day, Monique van Vooren, in Belgium, actress (Andy Warhol's Frankenstein). 1933 - Born this day, Norman Bailey, British bass-baritone (Flying Dutchman). 1933 - The German parliament passed the Enabling Bill, giving Adolf Hitler and the Nazis the dictatorial powers they had been seeking. 1933 - The Kroll Opera in Berlin opened. 1934 - The US Congress accepted the Philippines independence in 1945. 1934 - Born this day, Bryan Bass, headmaster (City of London School). 1934 - Born this day, Mark Rydell, in New York, NY, actor (Havana, Punchline, Long Goodbye). 1935 - Born this day, Desmond Pitcher, CEO (Merseyside Development Corporation). 1935 - Born this day, Szilárd Kun, in Hungary, rapid fire pistol (Olympics silver 1952). 1935 - Born this day, Barry Cryer, comedian, scriptwriter (Goodies Rule-OK, All You Need is Cash). 1936 - Italy, Austria and Hungary signed the Pact of Rome. 1937 - The Los Angeles Railway Company started using PCC streetcars. 1937 - Born this day, Craig Breedlove, in Los Angeles, California, auto-racing champion (600 MPH-Spirit of America). 1937 - Born this day, Heinz Martin Lonquich, composer. 1937 - Died this day, Helge Rode, Danish poet, essayist, aged 66. 1938 - Born this day, Craig Breedlove, rocket car speedster. 1938 - Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis freed 74 St Louis Cardinals minor leaguers. 1938 - Born this day, Christopher Glenn, in New York, NY, news anchor (CBS Nightwatch). 1938 - Born this day, Kenneth J. Gregory, warden (Goldsmiths' College). 1939 - Born this day, Bert Berdis, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, comedian (Tim Conway Show). 1939 - Born this day, Boris Ivanovich Tischenko, composer. 1940 - Truth or Consequences was first heard on radio. The Ralph Edwards produced program was hosted by Mr. Edwards before he discovered a young announcer named Bob Barker. Barker also was the show's host on television more than a decade later. The radio show was originally heard on only four CBS stations. Later, NBC Radio picked up the show where it eventually became the most popular of all radio quiz shows. 1940 - Born this day, Brian Hastings, cricketer (New Zealand batsman in 70's). 1940 - Born this day, Luis Gasca, rock musician. 1940 - Born this day, Ted Green, hockey. 1940 - An All-India-Muslim League called for a Muslim homeland. 1940 - Born this day, Tariq Yunus, actor (Bollywood, Ashanti, Deceivers). 1942 - Born this day, Jimmy Miller, drummer (Rolling Stones, Motörhead). 1942 - The Japanese occupied the Anadaman Islands in the Indian Ocean. 1942 - 2,500 Jews of Lublin were massacred or deported. 1942 - Japanese forces occupied the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean. 1942 - The US moved native-born of Japanese ancestry into detention centres. 1943 - Born this day, Vangelis, composer. 1943 - Born this day, Gail Goodrich, NBA star (Lakers, Suns). 1943 - Born this day, Peter Graves, superintendant minister (Westminster Central Hall). 1943 - German for made a counter attack on US lines in Tunisia. 1943 - Died this day, André Lichtenberger, French Sudan writer (Le Petit Roi), aged 72. 1943 - Died this day, Joseph Moiseyevich Schillinger, composer, at the age of 47. 1943 - Died this day, [Andrew] Lee May, baseball. 1944 - Died this day, George [Charles] [Boomer] Scott, baseball. 1944 - Died this day, O.C. Wingate, British General-Major (Burma), died in an air crash. 1944 - A bomb assassination against a Southern Tirol congregation in Rome left 33 dead. 1944 - Nicholas Alkemade fell 5,500 metres without a parachute and survived. 1944 - Born this day, Michael Nyman, composer (Mesmer, Carrington). 1944 - Born this day, Salim Altaf, cricketer (Pakistan medium-pacer in 21 Tests 1967-1978). 1945 - The British 7th Black Watch crossed the Rhine. 1945 - During the largest operation in the Pacific war (World War II (WWII)), 1,500 US Navy ships bombed Okinawa. 1945 - Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Montgomery's headquarter in Straelen. 1946 - Born this day, Vic Washington, American football. 1946 - In the 8th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, Oklahoma State beat North Carolina 43-40. 1946 - Died this day, Alexandru Zirra, composer, aged 62. 1946 - Born this day, Alan Bleasdale, playwright. 1947 - Born this day, Barbara Rhodes, in Poughkeepsie, New York, actress (Don't Just Stand There). 1948 - Born this day, Michael Gleeson, otolaryngologist. 1948 - Born this day, R.J. Bennett, FBA/geographer. 1948 - Born this day, Wasim Bari, cricket wicket-keeper (Pakistan's most successful). 1948 - John Cunningham set a world altitude record of 54,492 feet (18,133 metres). 1949 - Sidney Kingsley's Detective Story premiered in New York, NY. 1949 - Born this day, Karen English, (Representative-Democrat-Arizona). 1949 - Born this day, Ric Ocasek, in Baltimore, Maryland, singer, musician, The Cars, 1978 UK No.3 single My Best Friend's Girl and 1984 US No.3 and 1985 UK No.4 Drive which was used as part of the soundtrack for the 'Live Aid' concert. 1950 - Born this day, Corrine Clery, in Paris, France, actress (Moonraker, Yor). 1950 - Beat the Clock starring radio's original Superman, Bud Collyer, premiered on CBS-TV. A lady named Roxanne was Collyer's assistant from 1950 to 1955. Beverly Bentley was the clock beater's assistant from 1955 through to the last show on 16 February 1958. It was another one of those Mark Goodsen and Bill Todman productions. 1950 - Great to Be Alive opened at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City for 52 performances. 1950 - Born this day, P. R. Scott, headmaster (Bancroft's School, Woodford Green). 1950 - Died this day, Douglas Carr, England cricket leg-spinner (Test 1909). 1950 - At the 22nd Academy Awards, All the King's Men, Broderick Crawford and Olivia de Havilland won Oscars. 1950 - Sophocles Venizelos formed a liberal Greeks government. 1950 - The UN World Meteorological Organisation was established. 1951 - Born this day, Dick Mast, in Bluffton, Ohio, Nike golfer (1990 Mississippi Gulf Coast). 1951 - Born this day, Ron Jaworski, American football. 1951 - Born this day, Lis Howell, director of programs (GMTV). 1951 - Wages in France increased by 11%. 1951 - US paratroopers descended from flying boxcars in a surprise attack in Korea. 1952 - Born this day, Dave Bartram, Showaddywaddy, 1976 UK No.1 single Under The Moon Of Love plus over 20 other UK top 40 hits. 1952 - The New York Rangers with less than 14 minutes to go, blew a 6-2 lead and lost 7-6 to the Chicago Black Hawks. Bill Mosienko scored 3 times in 21 seconds. 1952 - Born this day, Patricia Richardson, in Bethesda, Maryland, actress (Jill-Home Improvement). 1952 - Died this day, Klaas Schilder, Dutch vicar, theologist, antifascist, aged 61. 1953 - Died this day, Raoul Dufy, painter, Forcalquier, France. 1953 - Born this day, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, British MP. 1953 - Born this day, Louie Anderson, in Minneapolis, Minnesota comedian (Ratboy, Wrong Guys). 1953 - Born this day, [Yvette Marie Stevens] Chaka Khan, in Great Lakes, Illinois, singer, 1984 UK No.1 and US No.3 single I Feel For You, with Rufus (lead singer), 1974 US No.3 single Tell Me Something Good. 1954 - Born this day, Moses Malone NBA all star center (Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia '76ers). 1955 - The movie Blackboard Jungle, which launched the featured song, Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley, was released. 1955 - Born this day, Cindy Olavarri, in Pleasant Hills, California, cyclist (7-Eleven team). 1956 - In the 18th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, San Francisco beat Iowa 83-71. This was San Francisco's second consecutive national basketball championship. 1956 - Born this day, Andrew Mitchell, British MP. 1956 - Born this day, Laura Thorne, chef (named one of 10 best American chefs). 1956 - Pakistan became the first Islamic republic, although it was still within the British Commonwealth. Under its new constitution, Pakistan became an Islamic republic, with Major General Iskander Mirza as the first provisional president. 1956 - Sudan became independent. 1957 - In the 19th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, North Carolina beat Kansas 54-53 (3 overtimes). 1957 - The US army sold off its last homing pigeons. 1957 - Born this day, Amanda Plummer, in New York, NY, Tony Award-winning actress (Hotel New Hampshire, Dollmaker). 1957 - Born this day, Sheila Rena Ingram, in Washington DC, 4X400 metre relayer (Olympics silver 1976). 1957 - Born this day, Teresa Ganzel, in Toledo, Ohio, actress (Teachers Only, Duck Factory). 1957 - Died this day, L. Patrick Abercrombie, English architect, died aged 77. 1958 - Died this day, Florian Znaniecki, Polish/US sociologist, philosopher, at the age of 76 . 1958 - Born this day, Serena Grandi [Fagioli], in Bologna, Italy, actress (Miranda). 1959 - Ray Peterson recorded The Wonder Of You. 1960 - Nikita Khrushchev met with Charles De Gaulle in Paris. 1960 - Explorer (8) failed to reach Earth orbit. 1960 - Born this day, Oscar Michael Moore, journalist. 1960 - Born this day, Terry Sweeney, in St Albans, New York, writer, comedian (Saturday Night Live). 1960 - Died this day, Franklin P. Adams, columnist (Information Please), aged 78. 1961 - President Kennedy created a national program for physical fitness in the US. 1961 - Died this day, A.C. Russell, cricketer (10 Tests for England 910 runs). 1961 - Elvis Presley recorded Can't Help Falling In Love. 1961 - Died this day, James Edward Murray, (Senator-Democrat-Montana) (1935-61). 1961 - Died this day, Valentin Vasilyevich Bondarenko, cosmonaut, died in an accident aged 24. 1961 - Elvis Presley had his 7th UK No.1 single with Wooden Heart. 1962 - Born this day, Johan Steur, soccer player (FC Volendam). 1962 - Died this day, Josephus R.H. van Schaik, lawyer, vice-premier of Netherlands, aged 80. 1962 - Died this day, Val Paul, producer (F-Man), aged 73. 1962 - President John F. Kennedy visited San Francisco. 1962 - The Nawab of Pataudi captained India at cricket vs West Indies at the age of 21 years 77 days. 1962 - Wake Forest coach 'Bones' McKinney became the second person to play and coach. 1962 - William DeWitt bought the Cincinnati Reds for $4,625,000. 1962 - Born this day, Sir Steve Redgrave, Olympic rower. 1963 - In the 25th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, Loyola beat Cincinnati 60-58 (OT). 1963 - Rolf Hochhuth's Der Stellvertreter premiered in Berlin. 1963 - Died this day, Davey Moore, seconds after being knocked out in a feather-weight championship. 1963 - Born this day, Ana Quirot, in Cuba, 800 metre runner (Olympics bronze/silver 1992, 1996). 1963 - An indoor pole vault record was set by John Pennel in Memphis, Tennessee. He cleared 16 feet 3 inches. 1963 - Born this day, Kim Williams, in Bethesda, Maryland, LPGA golfer (1995 GHP Heartland-26th). 1963 - Ruby and the Romantics went to No.1 on the US singles chart with Our Day Will Come. It made No.38 in the UK. 1964 - John Lennon's book of verse and rhyme In His Own Write was published. 1964 - Died this day, Peter Lorre, actor (Casino Royale), aged 59. 1964 - Died this day, Vassily Vainonen, Russian ballet choreographer (Gayaneh), aged 66. 1964 - The first world conference of UNCTAD opened in Geneva. 1965 - Gemini 3 was launched, the first US 2-man space flight. Grissom and Young were on board. Astronaut John Young became the first man to eat a corned beef sandwich in outer space. Young smuggled the sandwich on board in order to supplement the astronauts' meals of dehydrated foods, including powdered fruit juice (Tang). 1965 - The Moroccan army opened fire on demonstrators, about 100 were killed. 1965 - Died this day, Mae Murray, actress (Bachelor Apartment), of a heart ailment aged 75. 1965 - Born this day, Dante Jones, NFL linebacker (Denver Broncos). 1965 - Born this day, Daren Puppa, in Kirkland Lake, NHL goalie (Tampa Bay Lightning). 1965 - Born this day, Richard Grieco, in Waterton, New York, actor (21 Jump Street, Booker). 1965 - Born this day, Wayne Presley, in Detroit, Michigan, NHL right wing (Toronto Maple Leafs). 1966 - Born this day, James Saxon, NFL fullback (Philadelphia Eagles). 1966 - Born this day, Mike Remlinger, in Middletown, New York, pitcher (Cincinnati Reds). 1966 - Born this day, [Mark McLoughlin] Marti Pellow, singer, Wet Wet Wet, 1994 UK No. 1 single Love Is All Around, which spent 15 weeks at the top of the charts plus over 20 other UK top 40 singles. Left the band in 1999. 1966 - The first official meeting for 400 years between Catholic and the Anglican churches took place in Rome, when Archbishop of Canterbury Arthur Michael Ramsey met and exchanged public greetings with Pope Paul VI. 1966 - Died this day, Johannes W. Elsensohn, Dutch actor, writer (Arie), aged 82. 1967 - Born this day, John Stohm, The Lemonheads, 1993 UK No.14 single Into Your Arms. 1967 - The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. called the Vietnam War the biggest obstacle to the civil rights movement. 1967 - Born this day, David Ford, in Edmonton, Alberta, kayaker (Olympics 1992, 1996). 1967 - Born this day, Duncan Macrae, actor (Casino Royale, Kidnapped), died aged 61 on his birthday. 1967 - Born this day, Sandra Ferguson [Reinhardt], in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, actress (Amanda-Another World, Illegal in Blue). 1967 - A military coup took place in Sierra Leone following disputed elections. 1968 - Born this day, Atul Wassan, cricketer (Indian pace bowler 1989-1990). 1968 - Born this day, Curtis Mayfield, CFL receiver (Saskatchewan Roughriders). 1968 - In the 30th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, UCLA beat North Carolina 78-55. 1968 - Born this day, David Maeva, CFL linebacker (British Columbia Lions). 1968 - Born this day, Mark Maddox, linebacker (Buffalo Bills). 1968 - Born this day, Mike Atherton, cricketer (Lancashire batsman & England captain). 1968 - Born this day, Damon Albarn, singer, Blur, 1995 UK No.1 single Country House, plus over 12 other UK top 40 singles. Also Gorillaz, 2001 UK No.4 single Clint Eastwood. 1968 - Died this day, Edwin O'Connor, US writer, aged 49. 1968 - The Reverend Walter Fauntroy, was the first non-voting congressional delegate from Washington DC. 1969 - Kathy Whitworth won the LPGA Port Charlotte Golf Invitational. 1969 - A rally for Decency was held in Miami. 1969 - Died this day, Rudolf Pannwitz, German author, philosopher (Urblik), aged 87. 1969 - Experts were of the opinion that Sharon Tate came face to face with Charles Manson, who knocked on her door looking for someone else. 1969 - Anita Bryant and the Lettermen appear before 30,000 people at a 'Rally For Decency' in Miami after Jim Morrison's indecent exposure onstage there. 1970 - Eighteen children born with defects caused by their mothers taking the drug thalidomide during pregnancy were awarded damages on this day. The High Court gave judgement against Distillers (Biochemicals) which sold the drug under licence from Germany. Compensation varied but the five worst cases born with 'flipper' arms, would get £28,000 each. 1970 - Mafia boss Carlo Gambino was arrested for plotting to steal $3 million. 1970 - Born this day, Carl Pickens, NFL wide receiver (Cincinnati Bengals). 1970 - Born this day, Turhon O'Bannon, CFL receiver (Winnipeg Blue Bombers). 1970 - The US performed a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site. 1970 - South Africa was banned from the Davis Cup tennis tournament because of its apartheid policies. 1971 - Bangladesh, formerly known as East Pakistan, proclaimed its independence. 1971 - Argentine President Roberto Levingston was deposed in a bloodless coup. 1971 - The Dutch Second Chamber accepted a simplified divorce procedure. 1971 - The USSR performed an underground nuclear test. 1971 - Died this day, Armin Loos, composer, aged 67. 1971 - Died this day, Simon Vestdijk, Dutch author, poet (Brass Garden), at the age of 72. 1971 - Born this day, Alexander Selivanov, in Moscow, Russia, NHL right wing (Tampa Bay Lightning). 1971 - An attempt to oust the Sierra Leone's leader Siaka Stevens was thwarted. 1971 - Born this day, Chris Lipuma, in Oak Lawn, NHL defenseman (Tampa Bay Lightning). 1971 - Born this day, Demetrius DuBose, NFL linebacker (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). 1971 - Born this day, Hiroyoshi Yamamoto, wrestler (NJPW). 1971 - Born this day, Karen McDougal, in Gary, Indiana, playmate for December 1997. 1971 - Born this day, Renette Cruz, Miss Canada Universe 1996. 1971 - Born this day, Yasmeen Ghauri, in Montréal, Canada, model (Valentino Perfume). 1971 - Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, proclaimed its independence. 1971 - Born this day, Gail Porter, TV presenter. 1972 - The Concert For Bangladesh documentary film of the benefit concert premiered in New York City. The film, which starred former Beatle George Harrison, was used as a backdrop for an album, which won the Grammy for Best Album. Other artists involved in the concert were Ravi Shankar, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, and Klaus Voormann. 1972 - The United States called a halt to the peace talks on Vietnam being held in Paris. 1972 - Born this day, Jennifer K. Chapman, Miss Massachusetts USA 1997. 1972 - Evil Knievel broke 93 bones after successfully clearing 35 cars. 1972 - The film of The Concert For Bangladesh featuring George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton premiered in New York. 1972 - Born this day, Jonas Bjorkman, in Vaxjo, Sweden, tennis star (Davis Cup 1994). 1972 - Born this day, Ryan Kuwabara, hockey forward (Team Japan 1998). 1972 - New York Yankees baseball officials announced plans to keep the Yankees in the nation's largest city. Plans were also revealed concerning a major renovation of Yankee Stadium. While work was underway at 'The House That Ruth Built', the Bronx Bombers shared tenancy with the cross-town New York Mets in Flushing, New York at Shea Stadium. New Yorkers also got one other bonus from the announced plans - George Steinbrenner. 1973 - Concentration the longest-running game show in television history, starring Hugh Downs, left the air after 15 years on NBC. A syndicated version without Downs aired shortly thereafter, but did not survive for long. 1973 - John Lennon was ordered to leave the US within 60 days by the immigration authorities, he began a long fight to win his 'Green Card' which he was given on 27 July 1976. 1973 - Born this day, David Vaughn, NBA forward (Orlando Magic, San Francisco Warriors). 1973 - After a 5-1/2 year run, the soap Love is a Many Splendored Thing ended. 1973 - Born this day, Igor Nikitin, hockey defenseman (Team Kazakhstan Olympics 1998). 1973 - Born this day, Jason Kidd, basketball, NBA guard (Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks). 1973 - Born this day, Kathy Carboy, in Cincinnati, Ohio, diver (Olympics 1996). 1973 - The US performed a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site. 1973 - Born this day, Naoko Sawamatsu, in Nishinomiya, Japan, tennis star (1994 Singapore). 1973 - Born this day, Ninya Perna, Miss Nevada USA 1997. 1973 - Died this day, Ken Maynard, actor (Phantom Rancher, $50,000 Reward), aged 77. 1973 - Born this day, Rob Lazeo, CFL offensive tackle (Saskatchewan Roughriders). 1973 - John Lennon was ordered to leave the US within 60 days by the immigration authorities, he began a long fight to win his 'Green Card' which he was given on 27 July 1976. 1974 - Cher went to No.1 on the US singles chart with Dark Lady, the singers third solo No.1. It made No.36 in the UK. 1974 - Born this day, Eric Washington, NBA guard (Denver Nuggets). 1974 - Born this day, Scott Galyon, linebacker (New York Giants). 1974 - Born this day, Tony Alberda, Dutch soccer player (SC Heerenveen, Emmen). 1975 - Sue Roberts won the LPGA Bing Crosby International Golf Classic. 1975 - Born this day, Rita Grande, in Napoli, Italy, tennis star (3rd round 1996 Australian Open). 1976 - The International Bill of Rights came into effect. 35 nations ratified it. 1976 - Born this day, Keri Lynn Russell, actress (Mickey Mouse Club, Lottery, Daddy Girls). 1976 - Born this day, Nolan Baumgartner, in Calgary, NHL defenseman (Washington Capitals). 1977 - Born this day, Josh Ackerman, actor (Mickey Mouse Club). 1977 - A Lib-Lab pact came into force. (Liberal and Labour). 1978 - Born this day, Nicholle Tom, in Hinsdale, Illinois, actress (Beethoven, Maggie-Nanny, Beverly Hills 90210). 1978 - The US performed a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site. 1979 - Larry Holmes knocked out Osvaldo Ocasio in 7 for the heavyweight boxing title. (seconds or rounds?) 1979 - Wings release Goodnight Tonight. 1979 - Died this day, Philip Bourneuf, actor (Big Night, Frankenstein), aged 71. 1980 - The Psychedelic Furs and The Teardrop Explodes played at The Lyceum Ballroom, London. 1980 - Border completed a 150, in each inning of a Test Cricket match vs Pakistan. 1980 - Donna Caponi Young, a Pro-Am, won the LPGA National Golf Tournament. 1980 - France performed a nuclear test. 1980 - The Shah of Iran arrived in Egypt. 1981 - The US Supreme Court ruled that states could require, with some exceptions, parental notification when teen-age girls sought abortions. 1981 - Died this day, Englishman Mike Hailwood, nine times world motor cycling champion, with his daughter in a car crash. 1981 - The US Supreme Court upheld a law making statutory rape a crime for men but not women. 1981 - CBS Television announced plans to reduce Captain Kangaroo to a 30-minute show each weekday morning. The reason, according to network brass, was to allow more time for its morning news programming. This move proved to be a huge mistake. "The CBS Morning News" was the weakest morning news program on the air, against NBC's "Today" and ABC's "Good Morning America". The show was a ratings disaster that went through many changes and complete makeovers in an effort to find an audience. Secret plans to use Mr. Moose, Bunny Rabbit, Grandfather Clock and Mr. Green Jeans on the "Morning News" did not, however, become reality - although former Miss America, Phyllis George, was a reality on the program - and the rest is early-morning TV history. 1981 - British great train robber Ronald Biggs was taken into custody in Barbados after his abduction from Brazil. 1981 - Adam and the Ants kicked off a UK tour at The City Hall, Newcastle Upon Tyne. 1982 - Died this day, Mario Praz, Italian author (Casa della vita), aged 85. 1982 - A military coup in Guatemala led by Lieutenant General Efrain Rios Montt, resulted in President Romeo Lucas fleeing the country. 1982 - The Isle's Mike Bossy made his 20th career hat trick with 4 goals. 1983 - Died this day, Dr. Barney Clark, first recipient of a permanent artificial heart. He received the heart on 2 December 1982 and survived for 112 days. He was 62. 1983 - The Smiths played at The Rock Garden, London. 1983 - US President Ronald Reagan first went public on this day with his revolutionary 'Star Wars' plan, to provide a missile shield for the US. Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). 1984 - Andrea Schöne skated a ladies world record 3km in 4:0.91 1984 - The World Ice Dance Championship in Ottawa was won by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean of Great Britain. 1984 - The World Ice Pairs Figure Skating Championship in Ottawa was won by Underhill and Paul Martini of Canada. 1984 - The World Ladies Figure Skating Championship in Ottawa was won by Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic. 1984 - The World Men's Figure Skating Championship in Ottawa was won by Scott Hamilton of the USA. 1985 - Billy Joel married model Christe Brinkley on a boat moored alongside the Statue Of Liberty. They were divorced in 1993. 1985 - Died this day, Anton Constandse, Dutch anarchist, writer, aged 85. 1985 - Betsy King won the LPGA Standard Register PING. 1985 - Discovery moved to Vandenberg AFB for mating of the STS 51-D mission. 1985 - Julian Lennon gave his first concert, in San Antonio, Texas. 1985 - The US performed a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site. 1985 - Died this day, Patricia Roberts Harris (Representative-D), aged 60. 1985 - Died this day, Singing Nun [Janine Deckers], commits suicide in Belgium aged 52. She was an actual nun who had a US hit in 1963 with Dominica, 1963 UK No.7 single Dominique (Soeur Sourire). 1985 - Easy Lover by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins started a 4 week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart. 1985 - We Are the World by USA for Africa, a group of 46 pop stars, entered the US music charts for the first time at No.21. 1985 - Former Creedence Clearwater Revival front man John Fogerty, went to No.1 on the US album chart with Centerfield. 1986 - Martina Navratilova defeated Hana Mandlikova to win the Virginia Slims Championship. It was the first women's tournament to go four sets since 1901. 1986 - At the 6th Golden Raspberry Awards, Rambo; First Blood Part II was a winner. 1986 - Heavyweight Trevor Berbick knocked out Pinklon Thomas. 1986 - Penny Pulz won the LPGA Circle K Tucson Golf Open. 1987 - The soap opera Bold and Beautiful premiered. 1987 - The US offered military protection to Kuwaiti ships in the Persian Gulf. 1987 - West Germany SPD chairman Willy Brandt resigned. 1987 - Died this day, Dean Paul Martin, musician, tennis professional, killed in a plane crash aged 29. 1987 - Baltimore Orioles' manager, Cal Ripken, Sr., cut one of the birds from the nest - his own son, Cal Ripken, Jr., was sent down to the minors for a short stay before returning to capture the 'Most Consecutive Games Played' honour in 1995, passing 'The Iron Man', Lou Gehrig, a New York Yankee legend. 1989 - Two Utah scientists claimed they have produced fusion at room temperature. 1989 - Joel Steinberg was sentenced to 25 years for killing his adopted daughter. 1990 - Former Exxon Valdez Captain Joseph Hazelwood was ordered to help clean up Prince William Sound and pay $50,000 in restitution for the 1989 oil spill. 1990 - Born this day, Princess Eugene of York, daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. 1991 - In a speech to Conservatives at Southport, John Major outlined his plans for a Citizen's Charter. 1991 - Hale And Pace And The Stonkers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the charity record The Stonk. 1991 - R.E.M. scored their first UK No.1 album with their 7th LP Out Of Time, featuring the singles Losing My Religion and Shiny Happy People. 1991 - Timmy T went to No.1 on the US singles chart with One More Try. It was not a hit in the UK. 1991 - Died this day, Dominic Bellissimo, created buffalo chicken wings, aged 68. 1991 - Prime Minister John Major outlined plans for his Citizen's Charter in a speech to Conservatives in Southport. 1991 - Died this day, Fons Jansen, Dutch night club performer, aged 65. 1991 - Died this day, Mona Maris, actress (Camila, Berlin Correspondent), at the age of 88. 1991 - In the first World League of American Football games, London beat Frankfurt 24-11, Sacramento beat Raleigh-Durham 9-3 and Montréal beat Birmingham 20-5. 1991 - Twenty tornadoes killed 5 people in Tennessee. 1991 - Sergei Bubka pole vaulted a world record indoor of 6.12 metres. 1992 - The Florida Marlins began selling tickets. 1992 - Janet Jackson signed with Virgin Records for $16,000,000. 1992 - Died this day, Friedrich A. von Hayek, British economist (Road to Serfdom), aged 92. 1993 - Died this day, Hans Werner Richter, German writer, founder of Gruppe 47, died aged 84. 1993 - The Belgian government of Dehaene resigned. 1993 - The New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns got into a major brawl. 1994 - Amy Fisher's lover, Joey Buttafuoco, was released from jail after 4 months and 9 days. 1994 - Graeme Obree bicycled a world record 10 km in 11 minutes 8 seconds. 1994 - Richard Jacobs bought the naming rights to the Indians new ball park at Gateway for $13.8 million. It was renamed Jacobs Field. 1994 - A Russian Airbus A-310 crashed in Siberia. All 75 people on board were killed. 1994 - Luis Donaldo Colosio, Mexico's ruling party presidential candidate, was assassinated in the northern city of Tijuana. 1994 - Died this day, Alvara del Portillo, Spanish Opus Dei bishop, aged 80. 1994 - This day saw Kapil Dev play Test cricket for the last time. 1994 - Died this day, Giulietta Masina, wife of Federico Felini, (La Strada), aged 74. 1994 - Died this day, Jim Moloney, of Parkinson's disease. 1994 - Wayne Gretzky set an NHL record with 802 goals scored. 1994 - Died this day, Luis Donaldo Colosio, Mexican Presidential candidate, assassinated at the age of 44. 1994 - Howard Stern formally announced his Libertarian run for New York Governor. 1994 - Oasis played at The Angel in Bedford, England. They were paid £100 for the gig. 1995 - Died this day, Alan Barton, of UK pop band Black Lace and Smokie, in a bus crash. 1995 - Died this day, Daniel George 'Danny' Apolinar, composer, songwriter, aged 61. 1995 - How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying opened at Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City for 548 performances. 1995 - The Dollar equaled 88.41 yen, a then record. 1995 - Died this day, Davie Cooper, soccer star, aged 39. 1995 - Died this day, Irving Shulman, author, screenwriter, at the age of 81. 1995 - Died this day, Ripley L. Ingram, singer, aged 65. 1995 - Died this day, Robert Turner, winner of first All-American Soap Box Derby, at the age of 72. 1995 - Died this day, Russell Reading Braddon, author, aged 74. 1996 - Died this day, Jay D. Miller, record producer, aged 73. 1996 - Died this day, Peter Baer, artist, printmaker, at the age of 72. 1996 - Celine Dion went to No.1 on the US singles chart with Because You Loved Me, her second US No.1, and a No.5 hit in the UK. On the same day her album Falling Into You went to No.1 on the UK album chart. 1996 - Lee Teng-hui was sworn in as Taiwan's first democratically elected President. 1997 - Died this day, Craig Scott, keyboard player, of a heroin overdose, he had worked with Elastica and been a member of indie band The Dylans. 1997 - Mandy Patinkin in Concert closed at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City. 1997 - At the 17th Golden Raspberry Awards, Striptease was a winner. 1997 - Laura Davies won the Standard Register PING Golf Tournament. 1997 - Phil Mickelson won the Bay Hill Golf Invitiational. 1997 - At Wrestlemania XIII in Chicago, Undertaker beat Psycho Sid for the title. 1998 - At the 70th Academy Awards, the film Titanic won a total of 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for John Cameron, Best Art Direction, and Best Song. It equalling the record set by Ben-Hur in 1959. Helen Hunt and Jack Nicholson won the Best Actor and Actress Oscars for their comedy film As Good As It Gets. It was Hunt's first Oscar, and Nicholson's third. Kim Basinger won for Best Supporting Actress for L.A. Confidential, beating out sentimental favourite Gloria Stuart in Titanic, and Robin Williams won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in Good Will Hunting. 2001 - On Friday, 23 March 2001 the Russian space station Mir was returned to Earth for a fiery crash landing in the South Pacific Ocean. During its fifteen years of space flight, Mir made 86,331 orbits of the Earth. The average duration of one orbit was 90 minutes. 2001 - Britain's farming industry was warned to brace itself for a 'very large' foot-and-mouth epidemic. 2002 - Cricketer Ben Hollioake's father fought back tears as he spoke of the devastation of losing his 24-year-old son in an horrific road accident. 2003 - US soldiers apparently captured by the Iraqis were paraded in front of TV cameras by the Baghdad regime. |
Trivia
Trivia - petty details or considerations, matters or things that are very unimportant, inconsequential, or nonessential; trifles; trivialities.
Trivial - of very little importance or value; insignificant: "Don't bother me with trivial matters." Trivially - unimportant, nugatory, slight, immaterial, inconsequential, frivolous, trifling.