Monday, March 21

This Day In History

• 1804   The French civil code, the Code Napoleon, was officially put forth.
• 1826   The Rensselaer School in Troy, New York was incorporated. The school, known today as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, became the first engineering college in the United States. Remember this when crossing over a bridge today...
• 1868   The first club for professional women was formed in New York City by writer, Jennie June Croly. The club was called Sorosos.
• 1925   The voice of Lowell Thomas was first heard on radio. Thomas was heard talking about “Man’s first flight around the world,” on KDKA in Pittsburgh, PA.
• 1935   Incubator ambulance service began in Chicago, Illinois.
• 1939   "God Bless America", written by Irving Berlin in 1918 as a tribute by a successful immigrant to his adopted country, was recorded by Kate Smith for Victor Records on this day.
• 1943   Another plot to kill Hitler foiled
• 1946   The Los Angeles Rams signed Kenny Washington, the first black player to join a National Football League team since 1933.
• 1961   The Beatles made their debut in an appearance at Liverpool’s Cavern Club, where they became regulars in a matter of months.
• 1963   Alcatraz closes its doors
• 1965   Martin Luther King, Jr., led the start of a civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.
• 1980   Carter tells U.S. athletes of Olympic boycott

Happy Birthday To

• 1685   Johann Sebastian Bach (composer: Gottes Zeit, Toccata and Fugue in d minor, Little Organ Book, Mass in B Minor, Magnificat; died July 28, 1750)
• 1869   Florenz Ziegfeld (producer Ziegfeld Follies: annual variety shows famous for the Ziegfeld Girls [1907-1930s]; died July 22, 1932)
• 1910   Julio Gallo (vintner: Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery, Modesto, CA; died May 2, 1993)
• 1930   James Coco (actor: The Chair, Ensign Pulver, Man of La Mancha; died Feb 25, 1987)
• 1962   Matthew Broderick (actor: War Games, The Freshman, Family Business, Glory, Ladyhawke, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; Broadway: The Producers)
• 1962   Rosie O’Donnell (comedienne, TV host: The Rosie O’Donnell Show, 42nd Annual Grammy Awards; actress: Sleepless in Seattle, The Flintstones, Exit to Eden, A Very Brady Sequel, Will & Grace, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas)