This day in history

[March 26, 2013]  (AP)  Today is Tuesday, March 26, the 85th day of 2013. There are 280 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On March 26, 1979, a peace treaty was signed by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin (men-AH'-kem BAY'-gihn) and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and witnessed by President Jimmy Carter at the White House.

On this date:

In 1812, an earthquake devastated Caracas, Venezuela, causing an estimated 26,000 deaths, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

In 1827, composer Ludwig van Beethoven died in Vienna.

In 1874, poet Robert Frost was born in San Francisco.

In 1892, poet Walt Whitman died in Camden, N.J.

In 1917, the Seattle Metropolitans became the first U.S. team to win the Stanley Cup as they defeated the Montreal Canadiens.

In 1937, a 6-foot-tall statue of the cartoon character Popeye was unveiled during the Second Annual Spinach Festival in Crystal City, Texas.

In 1958, the U.S. Army launched America's third successful satellite, Explorer 3.

In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Baker v. Carr, gave federal courts the power to order reapportionment of states' legislative districts.

In 1973, English actor, singer, playwright, director, composer and wit Sir Noel Coward died in Jamaica at age 73. The soap opera "The Young and the Restless" premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1982, groundbreaking ceremonies took place in Washington D.C., for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

In 1988, Jesse Jackson stunned fellow Democrats by soundly defeating Michael S. Dukakis in Michigan's Democratic presidential caucuses.

In 1997, the bodies of 39 members of the Heaven's Gate techno-religious cult who'd committed suicide were found inside a rented mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

Ten years ago: The Senate approved a $2.2 trillion budget that provided less than half the $726 billion in tax cuts President George W. Bush wanted. Former Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan died in Washington D.C., at age 76.

Five years ago: Behind the Pentagon's closed doors, U.S. military leaders told President George W. Bush they were worried about the Iraq war's mounting strain on troops and their families, but indicated they'd go along with a brief halt in pulling out troops during summer 2008. The space shuttle Endeavour landed at Cape Canaveral, Fla., ending a 16-day mission.

One year ago: As demonstrations swirled outside, Supreme Court justices began hearing arguments on challenges to President Barack Obama's historic health care overhaul. Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Cuba in the footsteps of his more famous predecessor, Pope John Paul II, expressing great affection for Cubans on both sides of the Florida Straits and heartfelt hopes for reconciliation.

Today's birthdays: Conductor-composer Pierre Boulez is 88. Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is 83. Actor-director Leonard Nimoy is 82. Actor Alan Arkin is 79. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (puh-LOH'-see) is 73. Actor James Caan is 73. Author Erica Jong is 71. Journalist Bob Woodward is 70. Singer Diana Ross is 69. Actor Johnny Crawford is 67. Rock singer Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) is 65. Singer and TV personality Vicki Lawrence is 64. Actor Ernest Thomas is 64. Comedian Martin Short is 63. Country singer Ronnie McDowell is 63. Movie composer Alan Silvestri is 63. Rock musician Monte Yoho is 61. Radio talk show host Curtis Sliwa is 59. Country singer Dean Dillon is 58. Country singer Charly McClain is 57. TV personality Leeza Gibbons is 56. Actress Ellia English is 54. Actress Jennifer Grey is 53. College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen is 53. Actor Eric Allan Kramer is 51. Basketball Hall of Famer John Stockton is 51. Actor Michael Imperioli is 47. Rock musician James Iha (EE'-hah) is 45. Country singer Kenny Chesney is 45. Actor T.R. Knight is 40. Rapper Juvenile is 38. Actress Amy Smart is 37. Actress Bianca Kajlich (KY'-lihk) is 36. Actress Keira Knightley is 28. Rapper J-Kwon is 27. Actress Carly Chaikin (TV: "Suburgatory") is 23.

Thought for today: "Life is denied by lack of attention, whether it be to cleaning windows or trying to write a masterpiece." -- Nadia Boulanger (boo-lahn-ZHAY'), French music teacher (1887-1979)

[Associated Press]

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