What Happened On
Workers cleaning up oil from shoreline
Workers cleaning up oil from shoreline
Valdez Disaster
March 24, 1989
An Exxon tanker spills 10.8 million gallons of oil off the coast of Alaska. It was the largest oil spill in U.S. history up to that time.
Elvis Presley Inducted into Army
March 24, 1958
Elvis Presley is inducted into the U.S. Army, where he took an approximate $100,000 pay cut. Although offered the opportunity to serve in the Special Services to entertain the troops, Elvis served as a regular soldier for two years. It was during this time while stationed in West Germany, Elvis met his future wife Priscilla Beaulieu and became dependent on stimulants and barbiturates. These addictions eventually led to his divorce, and ultimately his death at age 42 in 1977.
Sheen on the set of his TV show in 1952
Sheen on the set of his TV show in 1952
First Religious TV Broadcast
March 24, 1940
W2XBS of New York City airs an Easter service by Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen. Sheen was host of the NBC radio program The Catholic Hour (1930-50) and would later host the popular TV show Life Is Worth Living (1952-57).
The actor Ramón Estévez took the last name of his stage name Martin Sheen from him (Martin was from casting director, Robert Dale Martin, who gave him his first big break).
Mormon Founder Tarred and Feathered
March 24, 1832
A mob of Ohio residents tar and feather Mormon founder Joseph Smith and his assistant Sidney Rigdon. Smith's son died five days later from what doctors said was pneumonia he developed the night of the event.
Iraq War
March 24, 2003
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on weapons of mass destruction: "We have seen intelligence over many months that they have chemical and biological weapons, and that they have dispersed them and that they're weaponized and that, in one case at least, the command and control arrangements have been established."
First Non-American Film to Win Best Picture Oscar
March 24, 1949
The British adaptation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, starring Laurence Olivier, wins a total of four Oscars (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration – Black-and-White, Best Costume Design – Black-and-White).
It was also the first time an individual directed himself in an Oscar-winning performance (Laurence Olivier, best Actor).
Great Seal of the Philippine Islands (1905-1935)
Great Seal of the Philippine Islands (1905-1935)
Philippine Independence Act
March 24, 1934
The U.S. Congress passes the Tydings-McDuffie Act, which granted the Philippines independence from the U.S. after a 12-year transition period. The Philippine legislature approved it in May and independence was proclaimed in 1946.
Carnegie Steel
March 24, 1900
Carnegie Steel Company is incorporated, in New Jersey.
Only U.S. Battleship Not Named for a State
March 24, 1898
The USS Kearsarge (BB-5) is launched. She was named in honor of the first USS Kearsarge (1861) which was named for Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire and was a sloop of war that fought in the American Civil War, and was famous sinking the Confederate commerce raider CSS Alabama.
Tuberculosis
March 24, 1882
German physician Robert Koch announces the discovery of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB). For this, he received the Nobel Prize.
Salvation Army logos past and present and founders William and Catherine Booth
Salvation Army logos past and present and founders William and Catherine Booth
Salvation Army - First U.S. Post
March 24, 1880
George Scott Railton and 7 women volunteers establish a branch of the Salvation Army in New York.
The Salvation Army was started in England by William Booth in 1865.
The Carolina Colony
March 24, 1663
The Carolina Colony is created by a grant from King Charles I.
Birthdays
Pigeon Saves 1,000 Lives
G.I. Joe
Born March 24, 1943 d. 1961
American carrier pigeon. In 1943, during World War II, the carrier pigeon known as G.I. Joe is credited with saving over 1,000 British troops. U.S. air bombings were scheduled against German positions at Calvi Vecchia, Italy. However, British troops had captured the village. Unable to get a message to the Americans to stop the bombings, they sent G.I. Joe. The pigeon traveled the 20 miles in 20 minutes, just in time to halt the bombings.
Steve McQueen (Terrence Stephen McQueen)
Born March 24, 1930 d. 1980
American actor, "The King of Cool." Film: The Blob (1958), The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963), Papillon (1973), and The Towering Inferno (1974).
Joseph Barbera
Born March 24, 1911 d. 2006
American Oscar-winning cartoonist. With William Hanna created Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, The Jetsons, The Flintstones, and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?
Clyde (of Bonnie & Clyde)
Clyde Barrow
Born March 24, 1909 d. 1934
American bank robber, of Bonnie and Clyde fame. He and Bonnie Parker and their gang are believed to have killed at least nine police officers and several civilians. The duo was killed by a Texas ranger and his posse, who riddled them and their car with over 130 rounds of ammo.
Harry Houdini (Ehrich Weiss)
Born March 24, 1874 d. 1926
American magician, escape artist, "The Handcuff King." He also made Australia's first successful airplane flight. He died of peritonitis after being punched in the stomach. His will gave all his magic equipment to his brother Theodore Hardeen, who was also a magician and escape artist. The will stipulated that after Hardeen's death the props should be destroyed and burned. However, Hardeen sold much of Houdini's props with many of the pieces ending up in The Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The museum burned down in 1995 destroying many of the pieces, thus partially fulfilling Houdini's will.
Lara Flynn Boyle
Born March 24, 1970
actress. TV: Twin Peaks (Donna Hayward).
Robert Carradine
Born March 24, 1954
American actor. Film: Revenge of the Nerds (1984).
Donna Pescow
Born March 24, 1954
American actress. TV: All My Children (child psychologist Lynn Carson), Out of This World (Donna Garland).
Norman Fell
Born March 24, 1924 d. 1998
American actor, member of the Rat Pack. TV: Three's Company (Mr. Roper, the landlord). He also played a landlord in the movie The Graduate.
Thomas E. Dewey
Born March 24, 1902 d. 1971
American politician. As governor of New York, he enacted the nation's first state law banning racial and religious discrimination in employment. His loss of the 1948 presidential election to Harry S. Truman surprised many, including the newspapers - The Chicago Daily Tribune mistakenly ran "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN" as its front page headline.
Ub Iwerks (Ubbe Eert Iwerks)
Born March 24, 1901 d. 1971
American Oscar-winning animator. One of the original artists for Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse (1928). He supervised the animation and special effects of numerous Disney films. He was the first employee hired by Walt Disney for his new animation studio.
John C. Rock
Born March 24, 1890 d. 1984
American physician. He and Mirian Menkin achieved the first in vitro fertilization of a human ovum (1944) and he co-developed the birth control pill (1956).
Fatty Arbuckle (Roscoe Conkling Arbuckle)
Born March 24, 1887 d. 1933
American actor, director. He was involved in what is considered the First Hollywood Celebrity Scandal. During a three-day party, a young starlet became ill and died a few days later. Arbuckle was tried for manslaughter, and although eventually acquitted, he and his films were blacklisted. See Scandal. He was also the recipient of the first movie pie thrown in the face - A Noise From the Deep premieres, in which Actress Mabel Normand hits 'Fatty' Arbuckle in the face with a custard pie, starting a long comedic tradition.
Andrew William Mellon
Born March 24, 1855 d. 1937
American financier. He donated his art collection for the establishment of the National Gallery of Art.
Fanny Crosby (Frances Jane Crosby)
Born March 24, 1820 d. 1915
American hymn writer. Blind since an infant, she composed over 5,000 hymns including Safe in the Arms of Jesus, Blessed Assurance, and To God Be the Glory.
Joseph Liouville
Born March 24, 1809 d. 1882
French mathematician. He discovered the first proof of transcendental numbers (1844).
Joseph Priestley
Born March 24, 1733 d. 1804
English clergyman, scientist. He is credited with the discovery of oxygen (1774).
Father of Mineralogy
Georgius Agricola
Born March 24, 1494 d. 1555
German scholar. The "Father of Mineralogy." His writings served as a guide for metallurgist for over 200 years.
Deaths
Real-Life Popeye the Sailor
Frank "Rocky" Fiegel
Died March 24, 1947 b. 1868
Polish-born ruffian. He is said to be the real-life inspiration for the Popeye character created by E. C. Segar in 1929. He was unusually strong, had a characteristic pipe, and a propensity for fist-fighting. He was from Segar's hometown and according to Popeye historian Michael Brooks, Segar regularly sent him money.
Segar drew inspiration for a number of his Popeye characters from real people he knew in his home town, such as Dora Paskel from whom he based the Olive Oyl character.
Elizabeth I
Died March 24, 1603 b. 1533
Queen of England and Ireland (1558-1603). For whom the Elizabethan Era is named. Also known as the Virgin Queen. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and was the last monarch of the House of Tudor.
Gary Shandling
Died March 24, 2016 b. 1949
American comic actor. TV: It's Gary Shandling's Show (1986-90), The Larry Sanders Show (1992-98), and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (guest host).
Robert Culp
Died March 24, 2010 b. 1930
American actor. TV: Trackdown (1957-59, Texas Ranger Hoby Gilman), I Spy (1965-68, Tennis playing spy Kelly Robinson) and Greatest American Hero (1981-83, FBI Agent Bill Maxwell).
Richard Widmark
Died March 24, 2008 b. 1914
American actor. Film: Kiss of Death (1947) and Madigan (1968).
John Hersey
Died March 24, 1993 b. 1914
Chinese-born American Pulitzer-winning author, journalist. Writings: A Bell for Adano (1944, Pulitzer).
Bob & Ray (left)
Bob & Ray (left)
Ray Goulding
Died March 24, 1990 b. 1922
American comedian. Part of the comedy team Bob & Ray.
Jean Piccard (left) with his brother Auguste (right) during World War I
Jean Piccard (left) with his brother Auguste (right) during World War I
Auguste Piccard
Died March 24, 1962 b. 1884
Swiss physicist, pioneer in ballooning and diving vehicles. He and his identical twin Jean Felix Piccard established many records, including the highest ascent into the stratosphere and lowest descent into the ocean.
Aleksandr Alekhine
Died March 24, 1946 b. 1892
Russian chess master. World champion (1927-35, 1937-46).
Jules Verne
Died March 24, 1905 b. 1828
French science fiction author. His writings foreshadowed many things that were to come, such as air conditioning, gas-powered automobiles, and television. Writings: A Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1864), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873).
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Died March 24, 1882 b. 1807
American poet. Writings: The Courtship of Miles Standish (1858).
Nicholas V (Tommaso Parentucelli)
Died March 24, 1455 b. 1397
Italian religious leader, 208th Pope (1447-55).