What Happened On
The Beatles - More Popular than Jesus
March 4, 1966
In an interview, Beatles member John Lennon states that "We're more popular than Jesus now." This prompted Beatles Bonfires and the banning of their music by radio stations. The interview was published in The London Evening Standard, and caused little commotion. However, when quotes from the interview were reprinted in the U.S. teen magazine DATEbook four months later, there was a large public outcry in the U.S.
"Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that; I'm right and I'll be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first - rock 'n' roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me."
Mark David Chapman would cite Lennon's comments on Jesus as one of the reasons he killed Lennon.
Howdy Doody For President
March 4, 1948
The puppet Howdy Doody announces on the Howdy Doody TV show that he is running for "President Of All Kids Of the United States". His campaign platform included two Christmas holidays, fewer school days, and free admission to the circus and rodeo.
His sidekick Buffalo Bob offered to send an "I'm for Howdy" campaign button to children who sent in a self-addressed, stamped envelope. They had ordered 10,000 buttons, but within a matter of a few weeks, they had received more than 250,000 requests. Up to that time the show had no sponsors. But, the campaign was so successful that along with sponsors came merchandising offers. When the creator of the Howdy Doody puppet demanded royalties, he was informed that he created the puppet as a work for hire and was not entitled to royalties. So, he took the puppet and left, leaving the show without its star. While the new puppet was being created, the show covered Howdy's absence by claiming he was on the campaign trail. They also explained his new look by saying he got plastic surgery to increase his appeal to girl voters.
The only thing we have to fear is… fear itself
March 4, 1933
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt makes his famous proclamation during his inauguration speech. "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is… fear itself. Nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days."
Soldiers from Fort Riley ill with Spanish flu
Soldiers from Fort Riley ill with Spanish flu
Spanish Flu
March 4, 1918
The first recorded case, of what became known as the Spanish Flu, is detected in a U.S. Army private stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Troops spread the disease as they traveled overseas as part of World War I.
• Why is it called Spanish Flu?
The U.S. and other countries involved in the war were unwilling to publicly discuss the epidemic and suppressed it from the media, as they were concerned knowledge of the epidemic would harm the war effort. Spain, who was neutral in the war, was one of the few countries that openly discussed it, and as a consequence became associated with the disease, leading to the name "Spanish Flu".
The pandemic lasted until April of 1920, killing an estimated 17-50 million people world wide.
Although this is the first recorded case, it almost certainly was not the first.
Stars and Bars
March 4, 1861
The Confederacy adopts its first official flag during the American Civil War. It became known as the "Stars and Bars" flag. Stars were added as additional states joined the Confederacy.
When first designed, Southern leaders wanted a flag that didn't stray too far from the American flag. However, this later proved a problem in battle as the flag was confused with the Union flag, especially when hanging down on a flag pole. Also, many came to resent it resembling the flag of the "Northern Aggressors", so it was replaced in 1863 with what became known as the Stainless Banner.
Youngest U.S. Vice President
March 4, 1857
John C. Breckinridge is inaugurated at the age of 36 years and 48 days.
President for a Day?
March 4, 1849
Some claim David Rice Atchison became U.S. President for the day. Outgoing President James K. Polk's term ended at noon on March 4, which was a Sunday. His successor, Zachary Taylor, refused to be sworn into office on Sunday. Under the presidential succession law in place at the time, Atchison who was President pro tempore and therefore Acting Vice President, was believed by some to have become Acting President. And at 41 years of age, this would have made him the youngest ever U.S. President.
However, most historians dismiss this claim citing the Constitution doesn't require the President-elect to take the oath of office to hold the office, just to execute the powers. And since Atchison never swore the oath either, he did not become Acting President.
U.S. Constitution
March 4, 1789
The U.S. Constitution goes into effect, after having been ratified the previous June.
The Television Academy Hall of Fame
March 4, 1984
The Television Academy Hall of Fame announces its first inductees: Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Paddy Chayefsky, Norman Lear, Edward R. Murrow, William S. Paley, and David Sarnoff.
1993 movie Money for Nothing
1993 movie Money for Nothing
Money for Nothing
March 4, 1981
Joey Coyle's six day spending spree ends when he is arrested at a New York airport with $105,000 stuffed in his boots. He had found $1.2 million that had fallen out of an armored vehicle. He was acquitted by reason of temporary insanity.
The 1993 movie Money for Nothing was based on these events. Coyle committed suicide less than one month before the film was released.
First Woman Appointed to a U.S. President's Cabinet
March 4, 1933
Frances Perkins becomes Franklin D. Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor.
Butter
March 4, 1923
Butter's milk fat content is defined by the U.S. Congress. It was required to be at least 80% milk fat by weight.
American Battle Monuments Commission
March 4, 1923
American Battle Monuments Commission is established.
U.S. Department of Labor
March 4, 1913
The U.S. Department of Labor is established.
U.S. Department of Commerce
March 4, 1913
The U.S. Department of Commerce is established.
Theodore Roosevelt Inauguration
March 4, 1905
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt becomes the only U.S. president not to use the word "I" in his inaugural address.
Vermont
March 4, 1791
Vermont becomes the 14th state.
First Congress Under the U.S. Constitution
March 4, 1789
The first Congress under the U.S. Constitution meets in New York.
Boston's First Tavern
March 4, 1634
Samuel Cole opens the first official tavern and house of entertainment in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, called Cole's Inn. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow referenced it in his play John Endicott as The Three Mariners.
Birthdays
Garrett Morgan and his inventions
Garrett Morgan and his inventions
Inventor of the Gas Mask
Garrett Morgan (Garrett Augustus Morgan, Sr.)
Born March 4, 1877 d. 1963
African-American businessman. In 1912, he invented a gas mask that was popular with American fire fighters. It had a hood to protect the eyes from smoke and air tubes that hung near the ground to draw clean air from beneath the rising smoke. Later models also incorporated an airbag that could hold about 15 minutes of fresh air.
Starting in 1905, Morgan developed a successful line of hair care products that included a hair straightening solution.
He was also, reportedly, the first African-American in Cleveland to own an automobile. This led to another successful invention of his: An improved traffic light (1922).
Kay Lenz
Born March 4, 1953
American Emmy-winning actress. TV: Reasonable Doubts (Maggie Zombro).
Paula Prentiss (Paula Ragusa)
Born March 4, 1938
American actress. TV: He & She (1967-68, She-Paula Hollister).
Phil Davis
Born March 4, 1906 d. 1964
American cartoonist. Drew Mandrake the Magician.
Charles H. Goren
Born March 4, 1901 d. 1991
American bridge expert, columnist, Goren on Bridge.
Founder of Al-Anon
Lois Wilson
Born March 4, 1891 d. 1988
American founder of Al-Anon, the support group for friends and family of alcoholics. She was the wife of Alcoholics Anonymous cofounder Bill Wilson.
Pearl White
Born March 4, 1889 d. 1938
American actress, starred in the movie serials The Perils of Pauline (1914-24). She was the most popular actress of her day.
Knute Kenneth Rockne
Born March 4, 1888 d. 1931
Norwegian-born American football player/coach. His effective use of the forward pass, while a player at Notre Dame, forever changed college football. His record as Notre Dame coach (1914-31) was 105 wins, 12 losses, and 5 ties.
Johann Rudolf Wyss
Born March 4, 1782 d. 1830
Swiss folklorist. He wrote the words to the former Swiss national anthem Rufst Du, mein Vaterland (1811). He also edited his father's book The Swiss Family Robinson (1812).
Antonio Vivaldi
Born March 4, 1678 d. 1741
Italian Baroque violin virtuoso and composer. Also known as "The Red Priest" due to his red hair.
Deaths
Co-Inventor of Dungeons & Dragons
Gary Gygax
Died March 4, 2008 b. 1938
American gamer. Co-inventor, with Dave Arneson, of the game Dungeons & Dragons (1974).
Minnie Pearl (Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon)
Died March 4, 1996 b. 1912
American comedienne. Minnie Pearl was known for her trademark "Howdeeeeee!" and a price tag of $1.98 hanging from her hats. She was the first woman inducted into the National Comedy Hall of Fame (1994), having previously been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1975).
In the late 1960s, she lent her name to the Minnie Pearl's Fried Chicken chain, but the chain collapsed amid allegations of accounting irregularities and stock price manipulation. Pearl was cleared of any wrongdoing by the SEC.
Radio: Grand Ole Opry (1940-91). TV: Hee Haw (1969-91).
Adam Rainer (right) at 4′10″, 20 years old
Adam Rainer (right) at 4′10″, 20 years old
Was a Dwarf, But Grew Into a Giant
Adam Rainer
Died March 4, 1950 b. 1899
Austrian dwarf-giant. At age 18, he was 122.55 cm (4 ft 0.25 in), qualifying him as a dwarf. Then a sudden growth spurt, probably due to a pituitary tumor, caused him to reach a height of 218 cm (7 ft 2 in) by age 32. By the time of his death at age 51, he had reached a height of 234 cm (7 ft 8 in), thus making him the only known person to have been both a dwarf and a giant. However, the sudden growth left him with a host of health problems making it difficult for him to stand.
Luke Perry
Died March 4, 2019 b. 1966
American actor. TV: Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-95, Dylan McKay) and Riverdale (1998-2000, Fred Andrews).
John Candy (John Franklin Candy)
Died March 4, 1994 b. 1950
Canadian Emmy-winning actor. Film: Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) and Uncle Buck (1989, title role). TV: Second City TV (1976-79) and Saturday Night Live (1981-85).
Édouard Belin
Died March 4, 1963 b. 1876
French engineer. He made the first telephoto transmission (1907). Using his own invention, he sent one from Paris to Lyon to Bordeaux and back to Paris.
Dr. Evarts Ambrose Graham
Died March 4, 1957 b. 1883
American physician. He performed the first successful lung removal operation by removing the cancerous lung of a fellow physician, curing the patient (1933). He was one of the first to note that almost all lung cancer patients were habitual smokers. He himself, a long term-smoker before quitting, died of lung cancer.
Sir Charles Scott Sherrington
Died March 4, 1952 b. 1857
English physiologist. He shared the 1932 Nobel Prize in medicine with Edgar Adrian for their work on the functions of neurons.
George Foster Peabody
Died March 4, 1938 b. 1852
American banker, director of the Federal Reserve Bank at New York (1914-21). The Peabody broadcasting awards were created in his honor (1940).
John Graham Chambers
Died March 4, 1883 b. 1843
British sportsman. He defined the Marquess of Queensberry boxing rules (1867), which established the mandatory use of gloves, the ten-count rule, and three-minute rounds. They were named after the 9th Marquess of Queensberry who publicly endorsed the rules.
Chambers was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Pelagius I
Died March 4, 561 b. ????
Italian religious leader, 60th Pope (555-561).