This day in history

[April 01, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Monday, March 29, the 88th day of 2010. There are 277 days left in the year. The Jewish holiday Passover begins at sunset.

Today's highlight in history:

On March 29, 1973, the last United States combat troops left South Vietnam, ending America's direct military involvement in the Vietnam War.

On this date:

In 1638, Swedish colonists settled in present-day Delaware.

In 1790, the tenth president of the United States, John Tyler, was born in Charles City County, Va.

In 1792, Sweden's King Gustav III died, nearly two weeks after he had been shot and mortally wounded by assasins during a masquerade party.

In 1847, during the Mexican-American War, victorious forces led by Gen. Winfield Scott occupied the city of Veracruz after Mexican defenders capitulated.

In 1867, Britain's Parliament passed the British North America Act to create the Dominion of Canada.

In 1882, the Knights of Columbus was chartered in Connecticut.

In 1943, World War II rationing of meat, fats and cheese began.

In 1951, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage. (They were executed in June 1953.)

In 1962, Jack Paar hosted NBC's "Tonight" show for the final time.

In 1971, Army Lt. William L. Calley, Jr. was convicted of murdering 22 Vietnamese civilians in the My Lai (mee ly) massacre. (Calley ended up serving three years under house arrest.)

Ten years ago: President Bill Clinton told a news conference he was appalled when he first learned his campaign had taken illegal foreign donations in 1996 -- contributions he called both wrong and unneeded. A federal judge ruled that President Clinton had "committed a criminal violation of the Privacy Act" by releasing personal letters to undermine the credibility of Kathleen Willey, who'd accused him of an unwelcome sexual advance.

Five years ago: As Terri Schiavo entered her 12th full day without food or water, the Rev. Jesse Jackson prayed with her parents and joined conservatives in calling for Florida lawmakers to order her feeding tube reinserted. Attorney Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. died in Los Angeles at age 67. Former U.S. Senator Howell Heflin died in Sheffield, Ala. at age 83.

One year ago: General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner resigned under White House pressure. A gunman killed seven residents of the Pinelake Health and Rehabilitation Center in Carthage, N.C. along with a nurse. (Suspect Robert Kenneth Stewart is awaiting trial.) A stampede at a World Cup qualifying soccer match in the Ivory Coast killed at least 22 people and injured 132. Actor Andy Hallett, 33, who'd played good-guy demon Lorne in the TV series "Angel," died in Los Angeles of heart disease.

Today's birthdays: Political commentator John McLaughlin is 83. Author Judith Guest is 74. Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major is 67. Comedian Eric Idle is 67. Composer Vangelis is 67. Basketball Hall of Famer Walt Frazier is 65. Singer Bobby Kimball (Toto) is 63. Actor Brendan Gleeson is 55. Actor Christopher Lawford is 55. Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell is 55. Former world champion gymnast Kurt Thomas is 54. Actor Christopher Lambert is 53. Rock singer Perry Farrell (Porno for Pyros; Jane's Addiction) is 51. Comedian-actress Amy Sedaris is 49. Model Elle Macpherson is 47. Rock singer-musician John Popper (Blues Traveler) is 43. Actress Lucy Lawless is 42. Country singer Regina Leigh (Regina Regina) is 42. Country singer Brady Seals is 41. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is 39. Tennis player Jennifer Capriati is 34. Pop singer Kelly Sweet is 22.

Thought for today: "The fate of love is that it always seems too little or too much." -- Amelia Edith Barr, American author and journalist (1831-1919)

[Associated Press]

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