On this day, March 5

1770 The Boston Massacre took place as British soldiers who had been taunted by a crowd of colonists opened fire, killing five people.

1847 The Monongahela House, rebuilt after being destroyed in the 1845 fire, was opened.

1939 The University of Pittsburgh’s greatest era as a national football power ended with the resignation of John B. “Jock” Sutherland as head coach.

1996 Bill Foster, pitcher for the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords who led the Negro League in strikeouts four times, was elected to

Baseball’s Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

Some items are from Stefan Lorant’s

“Pittsburgh: The Story of an American City” (digital.library.pitt.edu/chronology).

— Compiled by Rick Nowlin

Today’s birthdays: Actor Paul Sand, 88. Actor James B. Sikking, 86. Actor Dean Stockwell, 84. Actor Fred Williamson, 82. Actress Samantha Eggar, 81. Actor Michael Warren, 74. Actor Eddie Hodges, 73. Singer Eddy Grant, 72. Actress-comedian Marsha Warfield, 66. Magician Penn Jillette, 65. Pro Football Hall of Famer

Michael Irvin, 54. Actor Paul Blackthorne,

51. Rock musician John Frusciante, 50. Singer Rome, 50. Actor Kevin Connolly,

46. Actress Eva Mendes, 46. Actress Jill Ritchie, 46. Actress Jolene Blalock, 45. Model Niki Taylor, 45. Actress Kimberly McCullough, 42. Actress Karolina Wydra,

39. Singer-songwriter Amanda Shires, 38. Actress Dominique McElligott, 34. Actor Sterling Knight, 31. Actor Jake Lloyd, 31. Actor Micah Fowler, 22.

Thought for today: “Tomorrow is a thief of pleasure.” — Sir Rex Harrison, British actor (1908-1990)