Today in history

Today’s highlight:

On March 19, 1945, during World War II, 724 people were killed when a Japanese dive bomber attacked the carrier USS Franklin off Japan.

On this date

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

1942: During World War

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

1991: Polish President Lech Walesa arrived in Washington for his first state visit to the United States.

1995: After a 21-month hiatus, Michael Jordan returned to professional basketball with his former team, the Chicago Bulls.

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

2013: Pope Francis officially began his ministry as the 266th pope, receiving the ring symbolizing the papacy and a wool stole exemplifying his role as shepherd of his 1.2billion strong flock during a Mass at the Vatican.

2018: Former tennis star Martina Navratilova said she was “extremely angry” to learn that the BBC paid John Mcenroe at least 10 times more than her for their broadcasting roles at Wimbledon.

2022: Russian forces pushed deeper into Ukraine’s besieged and battered port city of Mariupol, where heavy fighting shut down a major steel plant and local authorities pleaded for more Western help.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Ursula Andress is 87. Actor Glenn Close is 76. Actor Bruce Willis is 68. Actor-comedian Mary Scheer is 60. Playwright Neil Labute is 60. Actor Connor Trinneer is 54. Rock musician Gert Bettens (K’s Choice) is 53. Rapper Bun B is 50. Rock musician Zach Lind (Jimmy Eat World) is 47. Actor Virginia Williams is 45. Actor Abby Brammell is 44. MLB pitcher Clayton Kershaw is 35. Actor Craig Lamar Traylor is 34. Actor Philip Bolden is 28.