This day in history

[March 19, 2011]  (AP)  Today is Saturday, March 19, the 78th day of 2011. There are 287 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On March 19, 1911, the first International Women's Day, the inspiration of German socialist Clara Zetkin, was observed with rallies and parades in Germany, Austria, Denmark and Switzerland.

On this date:

In 1859, the opera "Faust" by Charles Gounod premiered in Paris.

In 1918, Congress approved Daylight-Saving Time.

In 1920, the Senate rejected, for a second time, the Treaty of Versailles (vehr-SY') by a vote of 49 in favor, 35 against, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed for approval.

In 1931, Nevada Governor Fred B. Balzar signed a measure legalizing casino gambling.

In 1941, Jimmy Dorsey and Orchestra recorded "Green Eyes" and "Maria Elena" for Decca Records.

In 1945, during World War II, 724 people were killed when a Japanese dive bomber attacked the carrier USS Franklin off Japan; the ship, however, was saved. Adolf Hitler issued his so-called "Nero Decree," ordering the destruction of German facilities that could fall into Allied hands.

In 1951, Herman Wouk's World War II novel "The Caine Mutiny" was first published.

In 1979, the U.S. House of Representatives began televising its day-to-day business.

In 1981, during a pre-flight test of the space shuttle Columbia, two Rockwell International employees were killed after entering a chamber filled only with nitrogen (three other workers survived).

In 2003, President George W. Bush ordered the start of war against Iraq. (Because of the time difference, it was early March 20 in Iraq.)

Ten years ago: California officials declared a power alert, ordering the first of two days of rolling blackouts.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush marked the third anniversary of the Iraq war by touting efforts to build democracy there, without ever mentioning the word "war." Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko won a third term. Tennessee's Candace Parker became the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game, jamming one-handed on a breakaway just 6:12 into the Lady Vols' 102-54 victory against Army. Boxer Kevin Payne, 34, died one day after winning an eight-round welterweight bout in Evansville, Ind.

One year ago: The White House released an online video of President Barack Obama making a fresh appeal directly to the people of Iran, saying a U.S. offer of diplomatic dialogue still stood, but that the Tehran government had chosen isolation.

Today's birthdays: Former White House national security adviser Brent Scowcroft is 86. Theologian Hans Kung is 83. Jazz musician Ornette Coleman is 81. Author Philip Roth is 78. Actress Renee Taylor is 78. Actress-singer Phyllis Newman is 78. Actress Ursula Andress is 75. Singer Clarence "Frogman" Henry is 74. Singer Ruth Pointer (The Pointer Sisters) is 65. Actress Glenn Close is 64. Film producer Harvey Weinstein is 59. Actor Bruce Willis is 56. Playwright Neil LaBute is 48. Rock musician Gert Bettens (K's Choice) is 41. Rappper Bun B is 38. Rock musician Zach Lind (Jimmy Eat World) is 35. Actress Abby Brammell is 32. Actor Craig Lamar Traylor is 22. Actor Philip Bolden is 16.

Thought for today: "As a woman I have no country. As a woman my country is the whole world." -- Virginia Woolf, English author (1882-1941)

[Associated Press]

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