Today in history

Today is the 123rd day of 2022 and the 45th day of spring. is the 116th day of 2022 and the 38th day of spring.

Today’s history: In 1802, Washington, D.C., was incorporated as a city. 1865, John Wilkes Booth, President Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, was killed by Union troops in Virginia.

n In 1921, West Virginia approved the first state sales tax.

n In 1973, construction was completed on Chicago’s Sears Tower (later renamed Willis Tower), the tallest building in the world at the time.

n 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 “Dr. J” 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 quote: “The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar.” -- Niccolo Machiavelli, “The Prince”

Today’s number: 1,353 -- height (in feet) of the Willis Tower Skydeck, making it the highest public viewing area in the United States.

Today moon: Between new moon (April 30) and first quarter moon (May 8).

Birthdays:

Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527), statesman/philosopher; Golda Meir (1898-1978), Israeli prime minister; Bing Crosby (1903-1977), singer/actor; Pete Seeger (1919-2014), singersongwriter; Sugar Ray Robinson (1921-1989), boxer; James Brown (1933-2006), singer-songwriter; Frankie Valli (1934- ), singer; , actor; Christina Hendricks (1975- ), actress; Dule Hill (1975- ), actor; Eric Church (1977- ), singer-songwriter; Cheryl Burke (1984- ), dancer.