March 20th
1413
England's King Henry IV died.
1602
The Dutch East India Company was established. During its 196-year history, it became one of the world's most powerful companies.
1727
English physicist/astronomer Sir Isaac Newton died in London at age 84.
1760
The "Great Fire" of Boston, Massachusetts destroys 349 buildings.
1852
Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was published.
1916
Albert Einstein publishes his general theory of relativity.
1969
John Lennon married Yoko Ono in Gibraltar.
1985
Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the Iditarod.
1991
Eric Clapton's 4 year old son, Conor, died after falling from a 53rd story New York City apartment window.
1995
Two members of the Japanese cult Aum Sinrikyo released poisonous gas in a Tokyo subway stop during rush hour, killing 12 people and sending over 5,000 to the hospital for treatment.
1995
Professional wrestler Big John Studd died from cancer at age 47.
1996
A jury in Los Angeles convicted Erik and Lyle Menendez of first-degree murder in the shotgun slayings of their millionaire parents. (They are serving life without parole.)
1999
Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones became the first to fly a hot-air balloon nonstop around the world.
Birthdays
87 Carl Reiner Actor, director
78 Hal Linden Actor ("Barney Miller")
64 Pat Riley Basketball player and coach
61 Bobby Orr Hockey Hall of Famer
59 Carl Palmer Rock musician (Emerson, Lake and Palmer)
59 William Hurt Actor
55 Mike Francesa Sports talk show host
52 Amy Aquino Actress
52 Vanessa Bell Calloway Actress
52 Spike Lee Director
52 Theresa Russell Actress
51 Holly Hunter Actress
50 Sting Professional wrestler
46 Kathy Ireland Model
46 David Thewlis Actor
41 Liza Snyder Actress ("Yes, Dear")
39 Michael Rapaport Actor
38 Alexander Chaplin Actor
33 Chester Bennington Rock singer (Linkin Park)
31 Michael Genadry Actor
30 Bianca Lawson Actress
30
yellowgoat Cigar Asylum Inmate
74 Fred Rogers 3/20/1928 - 2/27/2003 American educator, minister, songwriter, and television host. Rogers was the host of the television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, in production from 1968 to 2001. Rogers was also an ordained Presbyterian minister.