War in Iraq begins, 2003
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Thomas McKean is born, 1734
AUTOMOTIVE
Maverick auto exec John DeLorean dies, 2005
CIVIL WAR
Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, 1865
COLD WAR
East Germany approves new constitution, 1949
CRIME
Bodies found in Yosemite serial killer case, 1999
DISASTER
Peruvian town wiped out, 1971
GENERAL INTEREST
First U.S. air combat mission begins, 1916
Nevada legalizes gambling, 1931
DeMille wins Oscar, 1953
HOLLYWOOD
First Academy Awards telecast on NBC, 1953
LITERARY
Balzac botches a publicity stunt, 1842
MUSIC
Elvis Presley puts a down payment on Graceland, 1957
OLD WEST
Artist Charlie Russell born, 1864
PRESIDENTIAL
Bush announces the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003
SPORTS
Texas Western defeats Kentucky in NCAA finals, 1966
VIETNAM WAR
Seoul agrees to send additional troops, 1966
National emergency declared in Cambodia, 1970
WORLD WAR I
First U.S. air-combat mission begins, 1916
WORLD WAR II
General Fromm executed for plot against Hitler, 1945