Events 752 - Stephen II becomes Pope. 1708 - James Francis Edward Stuart lands at the Firth of Forth. 1775 - American Revolutionary War: Patrick Henry delivers his famous speech - "give me liberty or give me death" in Williamsburg, Virginia. 1806 - After traveling through the Louisiana Purchase and reaching the Pacific Ocean, explorers Lewis and Clark and their "Corps of Discovery" begin their arduous journey home. 1839 - First recorded use of "OK" oll korrect (Boston Morning Post). 1857 - Elisha Otis' first elevator is installed (at 488 Broadway, New York City). 1868 - The University of California is founded in Oakland, California when the Organic Act is signed into law. 1889 - Land run: President Benjamin Harrison opens Oklahoma to white settlement starting on April 22. 1889 - free Woolwich Ferry officially opened in east London. 1903 - The Wright Brothers apply for a patent on their invention of the first successful airplane after much hard work. 1909 - Theodore Roosevelt leaves New York for a post-presidency safari in Africa. The trip was sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society. 1919 - In Milan, Italy, Benito Mussolini founds his Fascist political movement. 1933 - The Reichstag passes the Enabling Act, giving Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers over German legislation. 1935 - Signing of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Philippines 1942 - World War II: In the Indian Ocean, Japanese forces capture the Anadaman Islands. 1956 - Pakistan becomes the first Islamic republic. 1965 - NASA launches Gemini 3, the United States' first two-person space flight (crew: Gus Grissom and John Young). 1983 - Strategic Defense Initiative: President Ronald Reagan makes his initial proposal to develop technology to intercept enemy missiles. The media dub this plan "Star Wars." 1989 - Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann announce cold fusion at the University of Utah. 1989 - A 1,000-foot diameter Near-Earth asteroid misses the Earth by 400,000 miles. 1996 - The Republic of China on Taiwan holds its first direct elections for president 1999 - Gunmen assassinate Paraguay's Vice President Luis Maria Argana. Births 1749 - Pierre Simon de Laplace, mathematician and astronomer († 1827) 1769 - William Smith, geologist/cartographer († 1839) 1823 - Schuyler Colfax, Vice President of the United States († 1885) 1834 - Julius Reubke, composer († 1858) 1882 - Emmy Noether, mathematician († 1935) 1887 - Juan Gris, painter and graphic artist († 1927) 1889 - Yukichi Chuganji, oldest man alive on († 2003) 1900 - Erich Fromm, psychoanalyst († 1980) 1905 - Joan Crawford, actor († 1977) 1905 - Lale Andersen, singer and cabaretist († 1972) 1910 - Akira Kurosawa, film director († 1998) 1912 - Wernher von Braun, physicist and engineer († 1977) 1929 - Sir Roger Bannister, athlete, first "Miracle Mile" 1942 - Walter Rodney, historian and political figure († 1980 1949 - Ric Ocasek, musician ("The Cars") 1952 - Kim Stanley Robinson, science fiction author 1953 - Chaka Khan, singer 1972 - Judith Godrèche, actress/author Deaths 1801 - Tsar Paul of Russia 1842 - Stendhal, writer 1964 - Peter Lorre, actor 1970 - Del Lord, pioneer Hollywood director 1979 - Orlando Letelier, former Chilean ambassador to the United States 1983 - Barney Clark, first artificial heart recipient 2003 - Fritz Spiegl, journalist Holidays and observances Roman Empire - The fifth and final day of Quinquatria, held in honor of Minerva. Roman Empire - Tubilustrium was held in honor of Mars Ancient Latvia - Lieldienas held in honor of Mara and other goddesses National Day (Pakistan) See Also: March 22 - March 24 - February 23 - April 23 -- listing of all days January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
March 22 - March 24 - February 23 - April 23 -- listing of all days
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December