Today in history

Today is Wednesday, May 3, the 123rd day of 2017 and the 45th day of spring.

On this date in the SCV: In 1989, The Signal reported that an unlicensed midwife who was on trial with a Valencia obstetrician Dr. Milos Klvana pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges stemming from the deaths of three newborn babies. Dolores Doyle had been accused along with Klvana of practicing high-risk, out-of-hospital baby deliveries which resulted in the deaths of eight babies and one fetus. Superior Court Judge Judith Chirlin sentenced her to five years probation and gave her credit for 1,371 days already served at Sybil Brand Institute. Klvana faced 52 felony counts, including nine murder charges, insurance fraud, grand theft, perjury, unlawful practice of medicine and entering into a criminal conspiracy with Doyle.

Today’s Highlights in History: In 1802, Washington, D.C., was

incorporated as a city. In 1921, West Virginia approved the

first state sales tax. In 1973, construction was completed on Chicago’s Sears Tower (later renamed the Willis Tower), the tallest building in the world at the time. In 2006, the jury in the trial of Zacarias Moussaoui, convicted of conspiracy in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, recommended a sentence of life in prison.

Today’s fact: Residents of Washington, D.C., did not receive the right to vote in presidential elections until the 23rd Amendment was passed in 1961.

Today’s sports: In 1987, Julius Erving of the Philadelphia 76ers played his final game, finishing with 30,026 points, 10,525 rebounds and 5,176 assists in his professional basketball (ABA and NBA) career.

Today’s number: 23 – hours of solitary confinement each day for prisoners at the Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, where Zacarias Moussaoui is imprisoned.

Today’s moon: Between first quarter moon (May 2) and full moon (May 10).