Friday, February 27, 1998
Today's events
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An estimated 600,000 teen-agers are expected to participate
in a World Hunger Day event designed
to teach children about global hunger issues.
The 12th annual Soul Train Awards will be presented in Los
Angeles.
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On the horizon
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On Saturday, February 28, Clint Eastwood is the guest of
honor at the Cesars, the French equivalent of the Academy
Awards in Paris.
On Sunday, March 1, Black Church Week of Prayer for the
Healing of AIDS begins in the United States.
On Monday, March 2, a court appearance is scheduled for
Michael Carneal, the 14-year-old charged with the December 1,
1997, shootings at his high school in Paducah, Kentucky.
On Tuesday, March 3, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee meets to
discuss the nominations -- this year a record 130 -- for the
1998 prize.
On Wednesday, March 4, there is a tentatively scheduled House
floor vote on admitting Puerto Rico as the 51st U.S. state.
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On this day
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In 280, this date is generally recognized as the birthdate
of Constantine the Great.
In 1706, English writer John Evelyn died; he kept a diary throughout most of his life which is now considered an invaluable record of the period.
In 1844, the Dominican Republic gained its independence from Haiti.
In 1861, the Warsaw Massacre occurred when Russian troops fired on a crowd demonstrating against Russian rule.
In 1879, the discovery of saccharin was reported.
In 1881, the Boers defeated the British at the Battle of Majuba Hill, South Africa. On the same day in 1900, the Boers were defeated by Lord Kitchener's men at the Battle of Paardenberg.
In 1887, Alexander Borodin, Russian composer who was also a scientist, died.
In 1900, the British Labour Party was founded with Ramsay MacDonald as its secretary.
In 1933, the German parliament building, the Reichstag, was destroyed by fire. The Nazis claimed it was a Communist conspiracy and used it as an opportunity to clamp down on its opponents. A Dutchman, Marius van der Lubbe, was executed for starting the fire.
In 1939, Britain and France recognized Francisco Franco's rebel government in Spain.
In 1942, in the first phase of the Battle of Java Sea, three Allied destroyers and a cruiser were sunk by the Japanese.
In 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, limiting presidential terms of office.
In 1952, the United Nations held its first meetings in its new permanent headquarters in New York.
In 1963, Juan Bosch took office as president of the Dominican Republic.
In 1967, Antigua and St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla changed their status with Britain from colony to associated state.
In 1973, militant Indians began an occupation of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in a siege that lasted until May.
In 1974, a new constitution was approved in Sweden, which reduced the status of the king to a figurehead.
In 1975, in West Germany, opposition leader Peter Lorenz was kidnapped by Baader-Meinhof guerrillas; he was released on March 4.
In 1976, in the Western Sahara, the Polisario Front proclaimed the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic.
In 1990, Nelson Mandela arrived in Zambia on his first foreign trip since his release from 27 years in South African
jails.
In 1991, in the Gulf War, Kuwaiti troops re-entered Kuwait
city. President Bush announced a cease-fire for the next day.
In 1994, two wired mortar bombs planted near the altar blew
up during Mass at a Christian Maronite church in Lebanon,
killing 10 worshippers and wounding 60.
In 1995, Mafia superboss Salvatore "Toto" Riina and 47 other suspected members of the crime organization went on trial on charges of complicity in 48 murders in Sicily.
In 1996, U.N. sanctions against the Bosnian Serbs were
suspended following their compliance with conditions laid
down by the Security Council.
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Newslink
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Kirstie Allie's divorce papers and Marky Mark's rap sheet --
if they are court documents, they are here. Follow the paper trail to
The Smoking Gun.
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Holidays and more
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Today is Independence Day in the Dominican Republic.
Actor Adam Baldwin ("Full Metal Jacket") is 36.
Singer Michael Bolton is 45.
Actress Mary Frann ("Newhart") is 55.
Actor Howard Hesseman ("WKRP in Cincinnati") is 58.
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader is 64.
Actress Elizabeth Taylor is 66.
Actress Joanne Woodward is 68.
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Sources: Associated Press,
Chase's Calendar of Events 1998, J.P. Morgan
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