Today in History – Wilmington News Journal

Today is Sunday, March 19, the 78th day of 2023. There are 287 days left in the year.

Today’s highlight in the story:

On March 19, 1945, during World War II, 724 people were killed when a Japanese dive bomber attacked the aircraft carrier USS Franklin off Japan (the ship was saved). Adolf Hitler ordered the destruction of German installations that might fall into Allied hands in his so-called “Nero Decree”, which was largely ignored.

To this date :

In 1859, Charles Gounod’s opera “Faust” premiered in Paris.

In 1931, Nevada Governor Fred B. Balzar signed a bill legalizing casino gambling.

In 1942, during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered men between the ages of 45 and 64 inclusive to sign up for non-military service.

In 1977, the series finale “Mary Tyler Moore” aired on CBS-TV, ending the sitcom’s seven-season run.

In 1987, televangelist Jim Bakker resigned as president of his ministry organization PTL amid a sex and financial 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 1995, after a 21-month hiatus, Michael Jordan returned to professional basketball with his former team, the Chicago Bulls.

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

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

In 2007, a methane gas explosion at a Siberian coal mine killed 110 workers.

In 2020, President Donald Trump focused his attention on a malaria drug, chloroquine, as a possible treatment for coronaviruses; the FDA released a statement saying there are “no FDA-approved therapeutics” to treat COVID-19.

Ten years ago: Pope Francis officially began his ministry as the 266th pope, receiving the ring symbolizing the papacy and a woolen stole illustrating his role as shepherd of his flock of 1.2 billion people during a mass in the Vatican. Insurgents carried out a wave of bombings across Iraq that killed at least 65 people. Harry Reems, 65, co-star of the 1972 adult film classic “Deep Throat,” has died in Salt Lake City.

Five years ago: Speaking in New Hampshire, an opioid-ravaged state, President Donald Trump called for tougher sentences for drug traffickers, including the death penalty. Former tennis star Martina Navratilova said she was “extremely angry” to learn that the BBC paid John McEnroe at least 10 times more than she did for their broadcast roles at Wimbledon. Former ‘Sex and the City’ star Cynthia Nixon has announced she will challenge New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a Democratic primary in September. (Cuomo easily brushed off the challenge.)

A year ago, Russian forces pushed deeper into the beleaguered and battered Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, where heavy fighting shut down a major steel plant and local authorities pleaded for more Western aid. Four US Marines were killed when their Osprey plane crashed in a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle during a NATO exercise unrelated to the war in Ukraine. A former Apple employee has been charged with defrauding the tech giant out of more than $10 million by taking bribes, stealing equipment and laundering money, prosecutors have said federal.

Today’s birthdays: Actress Renee Taylor turns 90. Actress Ursula Andress is 87 years old. Singer Clarence “Frogman” Henry is 86 years old. Singer Ruth Pointer (The Pointer Sisters) is 77 years old. Actor Glenn Close is 76 years old. Actor Bruce Willis is 68 years old. Mary Scheer is 60 years old. Playwright Neil LaBute is 60 years old. Actor Connor Trinneer is 54 years old. Rock musician Gert Bettens (K’s Choice) is 53 years old. Rapper Bun B is 50 years old. Rock musician Zach Lind (Jimmy Eat World) is 47 years old. Actor Virginia Williams is 45. Actor Abby Brammell is 44. MLB pitcher Clayton Kershaw is 35. Actor Craig Lamar Traylor is 34 years old. Actor Philip Bolden is 28 years old.