NEA DATEBOOK

Today is the 82nd day of 2023 and the fourth day of spring.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1806, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began their return trip east after reaching the Pacific coast.

In 1956, Pakistan became the first Islamic republic.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proposed the “Star Wars” plan for the development of missile-intercepting technology.

In 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

In 2021, the Ever Given cargo ship ran aground in the Suez Canal, blocking it for six days.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Joan Crawford (1908-1977), actress; Akira Kurosawa (19101998), filmmaker; Roger Bannister (1929-2018), athlete/physician; Ric Ocasek (1944-2019), singer-songwriter; Ron Jaworski (1951- ), football player/sportscaster; Chaka Khan (1953- ), singer-songwriter; Kenneth Cole (1954- ), fashion designer; Moses Malone (1955-2015), basketball player; Michelle Monaghan (1976- ), actress; Keri Russell (1976- ), actress; Kyrie Irving (1992- ), basketball player; Vanessa Morgan (1992- ), actress.

TODAY’S FACT: The Russian space station Mir was pulled out of orbit on this day in 2001. Although it reentered the atmosphere over Fiji, most of the debris burned up during the descent.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1994, Wayne Gretzky of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings scored the 802nd goal of his career, breaking the record then held by Gordie Howe.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “I suppose all of my films have a common theme. If I think about it, though, the only theme I can think of is really a question: Why can’t people be happier together?” — Akira Kurosawa

TODAY’S MOON: Between new moon (March 21) and first quarter moon (March 28).