Today is Saturday, March 26, the 85th day of 2005. There are 280 days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On March 26, 1979, the Camp David peace treaty was signed by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat at the White House.
On this date:
In 1804, the Louisiana Purchase was divided into the Territory of Orleans and the District of Louisiana.
In 1827, composer Ludwig van Beethoven died in Vienna.
In 1874, poet Robert Frost was born in San Francisco.
In 1892, poet Walt Whitman died in Camden, N.J.
In 1911, playwright Tennessee Williams was born in Columbus, Miss.
In 1958, the U.S. Army launched America’s third successful satellite, Explorer 3.
In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court gave federal courts the power to order reapportionment of seats in a state legislature, a decision that eventually led to the doctrine of “one man, one vote.”
In 1964, the musical play “Funny Girl,” starring Barbra Streisand, opened on Broadway.
In 1971, East Pakistan proclaimed its independence, taking the name Bangladesh.
In 1982, groundbreaking ceremonies took place in Washington, D.C., for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Ten years ago: The National Labor Relations Board, in an extraordinary Sunday session, voted 3-2 to seek an injunction against baseball owners as a seven-and-a-half-month-old strike by players continued. Former diplomat-turned-radio talk show host Alan Keyes entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
Five years ago: “American Beauty” won five Oscars, including best picture; its leading man, Kevin Spacey, won best actor, while Hilary Swank won best actress for “Boys Don’t Cry.” Vladimir Putin was elected Russia’s second democratically chosen president. “Joy of Sex” author Alex Comfort died in Oxfordshire, England, at age 80.
One year ago: Phoenix Bishop Thomas O’Brien was sentenced to four years’ probation and 1,000 hours of community service for a deadly hit-and-run that claimed the life of pedestrian Jim Reed. Actress Jan Sterling died in Woodland Hills, Calif., at age 82. Jan Berry, half of the surf music duo Jan and Dean, died at age 62.
Today’s Birthdays: Retired Army Gen. William C. Westmoreland is 91. Jazz musician James Moody is 80. Conductor-composer Pierre Boulez is 80. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor is 75. Actor-director Leonard Nimoy is 74. Actor Alan Arkin is 71. Actor James Caan is 65. Author Erica Jong is 63. Journalist Bob Woodward is 62. Singer Diana Ross is 61. Actor Johnny Crawford is 59. Rock singer Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) is 57. Singer and TV personality Vicki Lawrence is 56. Singer Teddy Pendergrass is 55. Comedian Martin Short is 55. Country singer Ronnie McDowell is 55. Country singer Dean Dillon is 50. Country singer Charly McClain is 49. TV personality Leeza Gibbons is 48. Actress Jennifer Grey is 45. Basketball player John Stockton is 43. Actor Michael Imperioli is 39. Rock musician James Iha is 37. Country singer Kenny Chesney is 37. Rapper Juvenile is 30. Actress Amy Smart is 29. Actress Keira Knightley is 20. Rapper J-Kwon is 19.
Thought for Today: “Life is denied by lack of attention, whether it be to cleaning windows or trying to write a masterpiece.” — Nadia Boulanger, French music teacher (1887-1979).