19th March: Today In History

Today is Sunday, March 19th, the 78th day of 2017. There are 287 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

Events:

1917:  A divided U.S. Supreme Court, in Wilson v. New, upheld 5-4 the eight-hour work day for interstate railroad workers.

1863:   The Confederate cruiser Georgiana, was scuttled off Charleston, South Carolina, on its maiden voyage to prevent it from falling into Union hands.

1920:   The Senate rejected, for a second time, the Treaty of Versailles (vehr-SY’) by a vote of 49 in favor, 35 against, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed for approval.

1931:   Nevada Gov. Fred B. Balzar signed a measure legalizing casino gambling.

1942:   During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered men between the ages of 45 and 64, inclusive, to register for non-military duty.

1945:   During World War II, 724 people were killed when a Japanese dive bomber attacked the carrier USS Franklin off Japan (the ship was saved). Adolf Hitler ordered the destruction of German facilities that could fall into Allied hands in his so-called “Nero Decree,” which was largely disregarded.

1951:  Herman Wouk’s World War II novel “The Caine Mutiny” was first published by Doubleday.

1965:  The wreck of the Confederate cruiser Georgiana was discovered by E. Lee Spence, 102 years to the day after it was scuttled.

1977:   The series finale of “Mary Tyler Moore” aired on CBS-TV, ending the situation comedy’s seven-season run.

1979:   The U.S. House of Representatives began televising its floor proceedings; the live feed was carried by C-SPAN (Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network), which was making its debut.

1987:   Televangelist Jim Bakker resigned as chairman of his PTL ministry organization amid a sex and money scandal involving Jessica Hahn, a former church secretary.

1997:   Artist Willem de Kooning, considered one of the 20th century’s greatest painters, died in East Hampton, New York, at age 92.

2003:  President George W. Bush ordered the start of war against Iraq. (Because of the time difference, it was early March 20 in Iraq.)

Birthdays: 

Former White House national security adviser Brent Scowcroft is 92.

Theologian Hans Kung is 89.

Author Philip Roth is 84.

Actress Renee Taylor is 84.

Actress-singer Phyllis Newman is 84.

Actress Ursula Andress is 81.

Singer Clarence “Frogman” Henry is 80.

Singer Ruth Pointer (The Pointer Sisters) is 71.

Actress Glenn Close is 70.

Film producer Harvey Weinstein is 65.