Today in History

Today is Saturday, March 19, the 79th day of 2016. There are 287 days left in the year.

Today’s highlight:

On March 19, 1966, the Texas Western Miners defeated the heavily favored Kentucky Wildcats, 72-65, to win the NCAA Championship played in College Park, Maryland; making the contest especially noteworthy was that Texas Western became the first basketball team to start five black players in a national title game as it faced an all-white Kentucky squad.

On this date:

In 1891, future California governor and Chief Justice of the United States Earl Warren was born in Los Angeles.

In 1918, Congress approved daylight saving time.

In 1920, the Senate rejected, for a second time, the Treaty of Versailles by a vote of 49 in favor, 35 against, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed for approval.

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

In 1941, Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra recorded “Green Eyes” and “Maria Elena” for Decca Records.

In 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.

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

In 1976, Buckingham Palace announced the separation of Princess Margaret and her husband, the Earl of Snowdon, after 16 years of marriage.

In 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.

In 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.

In 1991, Polish President Lech Walesa arrived in Washington for his first state visit to the United States.

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

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush marked the anniversary of the Iraq war by touting efforts to build democracy there, without ever mentioning the word “war.” Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko won a third term. Tennessee’s Candace Parker became the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game, jamming one-handed on a breakaway just 6:12 into the Lady Vols’ 102-54 victory against Army. Boxer Kevin Payne, 34, died one day after winning an eight-round welterweight bout in Evansville, Indiana.

Five years ago: The U.S. fired more than 100 cruise missiles from the sea while French fighter jets targeted Moammar Gadhafi’s forces from the air, launching the broadest international military effort since the Iraq war in support of an uprising. President Barack Obama arrived in Brazil for the start of a three-country, five-day tour of Latin America. The Berlin Zoo’s beloved polar bear Knut died at age four.

One year ago: President Barack Obama ordered the federal government to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by nearly half over the next decade, driving his climate change agenda forward despite percolating challenges from Republican-led states. Days after winning re-election, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backtracked from hardline campaign statements against the establishment of a Palestinian state in the face of a diplomatic backlash. Lindsey Vonn won the final super-G of the season and with it her 19th crystal globe trophy at the World Cup finals in Meribel, France. Songwriter Michael Brown, 65, who co-wrote the 1966 hit “Walk Away Renee,” died in Englewood, New Jersey.

Today’s birthdays: Former White House national security adviser Brent Scowcroft is 91. Theologian Hans Kung is 88. Author Philip Roth is 83. Actress Renee Taylor is 83. Actress-singer Phyllis Newman is 83. Actress Ursula Andress is 80. Singer Clarence “Frogman” Henry is 79. Singer Ruth Pointer (The Pointer Sisters) is 70. Actress Glenn Close is 69. Film producer Harvey Weinstein is 64. Actor Bruce Willis is 61. Actress-comedian Mary Scheer is 53. Playwright Neil LaBute is 53. Actor Connor Trinneer is 47. Rock musician Gert Bettens (K’s Choice) is 46. Rapper Bun B is 43. Rock musician Zach Lind (Jimmy Eat World) is 40. Actress Abby Brammell is 37. Actor Craig Lamar Traylor is 27. Actor Philip Bolden is 21.

Thought for today: “The heaviest baggage for a traveler is an empty purse.” — German proverb.

Associated Press