Monday, March 2, 1998
Today's events
A court appearance is scheduled for Michael Carneal, the 14-year-old charged with the December 1, 1997, shootings at his high school in West Paducah, Kentucky.
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On the horizon
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.
On Thursday, March 5, the VII Paralympic Winter Games open in Nagano, Japan.
On Friday, March 6, the Massachusetts State Supreme Judicial Court hears appeal in case of Louise Woodward, the 19-year-old au pair accused of killing a baby in her care.
On Saturday, March 7, the start of the annual sled dog race begins in Anchorage, Alaska.
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On this day
In 1459, Adrian VI, the only Dutchman to be Pope, was born.
In 1791, John Wesley, English theologian and founder of Methodism, died.
In 1793, Sam Houston, responsible for winning control of Texas from Mexico and its first president, born.
In 1801, the War of the Oranges between Spain and Portugal began; French troops fought alongside the Spanish after Portugal refused Napoleon's demand to cede much of the country to him.
In 1835, Francis II, Emperor of Austria and the last Holy Roman Emperor, died.
In 1855, Nicholas I, Tsar of Russia, died; his reign of autocracy and militarism was ended by defeat in the Crimean War.
In 1877, a U.S. electoral commission declared Rutherford B. Hayes president, the only American president to be elected this way. The original result had been too close to call, with several disputed ballots.
In 1882, Roderick Maclean made an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria at Windsor; he was later declared insane.
In 1917, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia abdicated and a provisional government under Georgy Lvov was formed.
In 1917, the Jones Act, establishing Puerto Rico as an American territory, was passed by the U.S. Congress.
In 1930, D. H. Lawrence, English novelist, and author of "Lady Chatterley's Lover," died.
In 1931, Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union, born. He introduced liberalizing reforms known as "glasnost" and "perestroika."
In 1943, the Battle of the Bismark Sea began; twelve Japanese ships carrying reinforcements to New Guinea were sunk by Allied planes, killing nearly 4,000.
In 1946, Ho Chi Minh was elected president of North Vietnam.
In 1949, Capt. James Gallagher completed the first non-stop round the world flight. He completed the 23,452-mile (37,742-km) flight in 94 hours 1 minute.
In 1956, Morocco's independence was recognized by France.
In 1958, Dr. Vivian Fuchs completed the first crossing of Antarctica by land.
In 1962, in Burma the army led by Ne Win seized power in a coup, ousting U Nu; military rule ended on the same date in 1974 and Ne Win became president under a new constitution.
In 1969, the first of two prototype Concordes made its maiden flight from Toulouse.
In 1970, a new constitution came into effect in Rhodesia turning the country into a republic.
In 1972, the U.S. spacecraft Pioneer 10 was launched; it passed close by Jupiter and Neptune before leaving the solar system.
In 1990, in South Africa, Nelson Mandela was elected deputy president of the African National Congress.
In 1995, seven-time Italian prime minister Giulio Andreotti was ordered to stand trial on charges of having been a member of the Mafia.
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Newslink
Hugh Thompson, the forgotten hero of My Lai, will receive the
prestigious Soldier's Medal for his efforts to save Vietnamese civilians. Learn more about the Vietnam War by clicking
here.
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Holidays and more
It's Labor Day in Australia.
Cyprus marks Green Monday.
Ethiopia celebrates Victory of Adwa.
It's Peasants Day in Burma.
Singer Jon Bon Jovi is 36.
Former Soviet head of state Mikhail Gorbachev is 67.
Actress Jennifer Jones ("The Song of Bernadette") is 79.
Musician Eddie Money is 49.
Comedienne Laraine Newman ("Saturday Night Live") is 46.
Author Tom Wolfe ("The Right Stuff") is 67.
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Sources: Associated Press,
Chase's Calendar of Events 1997, J.P. Morgan
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