On this day, March 3

1791 Congress passed a measure taxing distilled spirits; it was the first internal revenue act in U.S. history.

1863 President Abraham Lincoln signed a measure creating the National Academy of Sciences.

1938 Fritz Reiner, noted Hungarian conductor, was appointed full-time director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

1950 A power-conserving “dimout” ended in the Pittsburgh district as the United Mine Workers and coal-mine operators agreed on a wage increase to settle a nationwide strike. 1981 The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation launched a two-year construction program for the Parkway East.

2002 Voters in Switzerland approved joining the United Nations, abandoning almost 200 years of formal neutrality. 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: Singer-musician Mike Pender (The Searchers), 78. Movie producer-director George Miller, 74. Actress Hattie Winston, 74. Radio personality Ira Glass, 60. Olympic track and field gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 57. Former NFL player and College Football Hall of Famer Herschel Walker, 57. Rapper-actor Tone Loc, 53. Rapper Lil’ Flip, 38. Actress Jessica Biel, 37. Rock musician Blower (AKA Joe Garvey) (Hinder), 35. Musician Brett Hite (Frenship), 33. Pop singer Camila Cabello, 22. Actor Thomas Barbusca (TV: “The Mick”), 16. Actress Reylynn Caster, 16.

Thought for today: “America is a tune. It must be sung together.”