SUNDAY IN HISTORY

Today is Sunday, March 19, the 78th day of 2017. There are 287 days left in the year.

Highlight in History:

On March 19, 1917, a divided U.S. Supreme Court, in Wilson v. New, upheld 5-4 the eight-hour work day for interstate railroad workers.

On this date:

In 1863, the Confederate cruiser Georgiana was scuttled off Charleston, S.C., on its maiden voyage to prevent it from falling into Union hands.

In 1920, the Senate rejected, for a second time, the Treaty of Versailles by a vote of 49 in favor, 35 against, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed for approval.

In 1931, Nevada Gov. Fred B. Balzar signed a measure legalizing casino gambling.

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

In 1945, during World War II, 724 people were killed when a Japanese dive bomber attacked the carrier USS Franklin off Japan (the ship was saved).

In 1965, the wreck of the Confederate cruiser Georgiana was discovered by E. Lee Spence, 102 years to the day after it was scuttled.

In 1979, the U.S. House of Representatives began televising its floor proceedings; the live feed was carried by C-SPAN (Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network), which was making its debut.

In 2003, President George W. Bush ordered the start of war against Iraq.

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush marked the fourth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war with a plea for patience to let his revised battle plan work.

Five years ago: An assailant on a motorbike opened fire with two handguns in front of a Jewish school in the southern French city of Toulouse, killing a rabbi, his two young sons and a girl.

One year ago: A FlyDubai Boeing 737 plunged into the ground near the airport in the Russian city of Rostovon-Don, killing all 62 people on board.

Today’s Birthdays: Former WhiteHouse national security adviser Brent Scowcroft is 92. Theologian Hans Kung is 89. Author Philip Roth is 84. Actress Renee Taylor is 84. Actress-singer Phyllis Newman is 84. Actress Glenn Close is 70. Film producer HarveyWeinstein is 65. Actor Bruce Willis is 62. Rapper Bun B is 44. Actress Virginia Williams is 39.

Thought for Today: “One friend in a lifetime is much; two are many; three are hardly possible.” — Henry Brooks Adams, American historian and author (1838-1918).