Job Wanted – Collections
Work Remotely or Relocate for Right Opportunity

Each Week Leasing News is pleased, as a service to its readership, to offer completely free ads placed by candidates for jobs in the industry.  These ads also can be accessed directly on the website at:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

Each ad is limited to (100) words and ads repeat for up to 6 months unless the candidate tells us to stop. Your submissions should be received here by the end of each week. 

Collections

Chicago, Illinois Seasoned Risk and Portfolio Management professional with strong Collections, Workouts, Portfolio Management, Underwriting, Process Improvement and Credit Management background. Deep expertise in risk management and portfolio management within a regulated and compliance-driven banking environment. Partners with senior leadership to identify business risks and determine business strategy based on market and industry trends. Leads initiatives to improve efficiency and mitigate risk. Leverages business acumen and expertise gained through experience across multiple industries, including industrial, consumer and financial services, to develop and implement solutions, improve profits and reduce losses. Significant large-scale project management experience. Demonstrated ability to analyze and articulate complex issues and implement process improvements. Excels in evaluating and mitigating customer credit risk, profit improvement, management reporting, loss mitigation and business intelligence wgriffith61@yahoo.com  Resume

Work Remotely from Portland, Oregon Experienced commercial banker and former commercial equipment leasing industry professional seeking full-time or part-time work out of my home in Portland, Oregon. Over twenty years’ experience in credit analysis, underwriting, sales and collections. Known for creative problem solving and strong quantitative & qualitative analytical skills.  Demonstrated ability to gather information, evaluate and make informed strategic business decisions to maximize profit and mitigate risk. Well known for ability to develop strong business relationships with Clients and large list of national equipment leasing Brokers. Please see attached resume and contact me below if interested.  Resume JFrank@BL-Solutions.com

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Top Stories: February 21 - February 24
(Opened Most by Readers)

(1) Alert Oracle Loans, Fort Lee, New Jersey
        Looking for "Approved Partners"
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2017/02_21.htm#alert

(2) Did Wall Street Take a Memory Loss Pill
      OnDeck Lost $36.5 Million Q4, $86.5 Million YTD
             By Dale Kluga
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2017/02_21.htm#did

(3) New Hires---Promotions in the Leasing Business
    and Related Industries
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2017/02_24.htm#hires

(4) Sales Makes it Happen by Jim Acee
Cold calling tips for Leasing Sales Reps
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2017/02_24.htm#cold

(5) Leasing News Hit Hard by Rain, Mudslides, Trees Down
  Drought May be Over Here, the Good News!
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2017/02_24.htm#rain

(6) BBVA Compass Equipment Leasing
        Still in Business?
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2017/02_21.htm#bbva

(7)  Leasing #102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLFP
          Kickbacks
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2017/02_21.htm#kickbacks

(8) PNC buys Horsham leasing group for $1.25 billion
   Toronto-based ECN Capital Corp., which employs 110 people
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/PNC_ECN_leasing_billion.html

(9) Providence Capital Funding has Acquired
        All Media Capital as a New Company Asset
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2017/02_21.htm#providence

(10) ‘Peers’ Continue Retreat from Lending Club
  Chart Shows Drop of 27% 4thQ '13 to 13% 4thQ '16
http://debanked.com/2017/02/peers-continue-retreat-from-lending-club/

 

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Attorney Joe Bonanno "Discharged" by NAELB Board
at Tumultuous Wednesday Meeting

by Kit Menkin

Listed in Leasing News Most Influential Lawyers in Finance and Leasing

"Joe Bonanno, CLFP, he and Barry Marks should be credited with the great help they gave in the formation and beginning of the National Association of Equipment Brokers. In 1998, Barry left from alternating as the Legal Counsel for the association. Joe has not only contributed much here, but also provided assistance to members and non-members with legal questions and dilemmas, and brought the progress of education, ethics, and good will, including serving on the CLFP Foundation board for many years. A major influence in the leasing industry, always available to answer questions, seemingly day and night. Extremely well respected by the leasing broker community as well as funders." (1)

Reportedly, the dispute that occurred at a board meeting last Wednesday was quite lively, to say the least. Many involved requested comments are be off the record, but wanted to make known what happened. It seems Bonanno is the legal counsel, sits on the board, but does not have a vote.

He has been criticizing the previous management firm for their lack of performance. The list is long, including poor promotions and media (which Leasing News can certainly agree). Finally, with Monica Harper back as Executive Director, things are moving in a better direction (perhaps seriously considering changing the name of the association, as it is the only one not with finance or capital in their name. In addition, most brokers today also consult in business loans, merchant advances, and working capital).

The words of disagreement concerned past management’s role and the board of directors opinions on its direction. It appears the discussion “got out of hand, “was “fast and furious” and words flew back and forth.

President Mike Parker reportedly tried to keep the board meeting in order, but it blew up with a call to "discharge" Joe Bonanno.  To the surprise, Attorney Ken Greene was brought up as a replacement.  It seems he has been active at conferences regarding California Finance Lender Law, helped many get licenses, been active a number of years.  It is a "part-time" job subject to occasional calls at night.  Ken said “yes,” not knowing any of the circumstances, thinking Joe had recommended him as he did to address the NAELB Conferences on the California law.

All along, Joe Bonanno has been offered a lifetime membership in NAELB, which he has reportedly turned down on several occasions. He reportedly turned down the offer again. At the insistence of NAELB President Mike Parker by telephone, according to inside reports, it appears Joe is now considering the offer as well as accepting a Distinguished Service Award at the NAELB Conference in Memphis, April 27 - April 29.

Leasing News was requested to add the following statement after submitting the article to parties mentioned, which changed some of the article, but specifically added to make clear: "Attorney Bonanno did not provide any of the information contained in this article. His official statement to Leasing News is that 'I will not comment on former client matters in any public forum'."

(1) Most Influential Lawyers
in Equipment Finance and Leasing
http://www.leasingnews.org/Pages/top_lawyers.html

 

 

Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted
Join a Company Utilizing Latest Advantages of Financial Technology

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Changes to occur with current employer...
Career Crossroad---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII

 

Question: There have been concerns regarding changes soon to occur with my current employer, any suggestions?

Answer: Try to see the writing on the wall, be prepared and try to do some research to find out if it is true or just a rumor. Warning signs could include changes to executive level employees, changes in compensation plans, changes in quotas/goals, company mergers (companies often do not duplicate roles) and, most importantly, keep abreast of the profitability of your current employer. A big warning sign: key players (not only executives) moving on, particularly tenured employees.

So what to do …
I. You will have to contemplate if you are willing to give up a severance package (if the company HISTORICALLY has provided.) Many large organizations provide severance based on years of employment – BUT this is NOT a guarantee. First, are willing to give it up to find a job before a downsizing occurs (you MUST remember you may be competing with colleagues for limited positions in this economy so I would be careful in making up your mind regarding whom to discuss this).

II. Update your resume
Make sure you resume is up to par and is “marketable”; you may want to use a resume consultant for this task

III. Research
Begin researching companies and/or other industries that you would be interested in working for so you can hit the ground running if you are laid off

IV. References
Start asking managers or previous managers, clients, and / or colleagues for reference letters and prepare a folder (electronic) so you will have these at your fingertips. I can't emphasize this enough: BE careful doing this – you don’t want colleagues to “leak” your plans – it could backfire; be strategic in gathering your references. Keep information on your flash stick, not on your computer, and make sure you have copies of items you have in case you are not given the time to save them.

V. Gather Proof of your Success – Very Important for Sales Positions
Make sure you compile your track record of success for the last 5 years … this can be demonstrated in w-2’s, pipeline reports, etc…

I strongly advise preparing in advance of a potential layoff / downsizing / company closure / merger ----you won’t panic if they shut down your computer and walk you to the door!

If you really believe the “rumor” is true, do more than prepare, start looking for new opportunities … It is always better to look for a job while you still have a job as it not only keeps you in practice, but you will be ready to hit the streets right away.

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone:  954-885-9241
Cell:  954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com
www.riicareer.com
Invite me to Connect on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/pub/emily-fitzpatrick/4/671/76
Also follow us on Twitter #RIIINFO
https://www.pinterest.com/recruitersinter/rii-career-services/

Career Crossroads Previous Columns
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/crossroad.html

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Reasons to Lease – Cash Flow

The proposed new accounting rules may eliminate irregular rents for accounting purposes, however, “Cash Flow is still King” and the more questions you ask about your customers’ revenue flow, the more likely you may create opportunities to create structured rents.

Leasing creates a new line of credit in addition to a bank or accounts receivable line of credit. It also doesn’t have the restrictions and allows the lessee more “cash freedom.” It also may be less expensive when compared to a fixed price lease rather than an adjustable line, especially with a residual lease.

While the small ticket market place is more “convenience” and “Cash Flow is King,” the comparison advantage remains.

It is especially apparent when applied to the middle market and it is why the larger corporations lease instead of purchase or use their bank lines of credit.
One cost no one seems to want to bring up is the cost for a bank line of credit. The purpose for a line of credit is that all companies have periods of low cash and need to use the line of credit to handle payments that were structured on a level basis. So if a loan is arranged with an interest rate of 4%, which does not include points up front and most often is higher, the company will use the line when it finds itself in a cash shortage position.

If the equipment warrants a residual, then the payments would be lower than a full payout loan and, if the lessee understands the time value of money, a lease will always be more favorable.

In addition to the lower payments from a lease with a 10% put or 10% purchase option the earnings are greater for the lessor while being lower for the lessee. Example: a loan at 10% for $100,000 over 60 months is a monthly payment of $2,124.70 for a total of $127,482.27. A lease with a 10% put over the same terms is a payment of $1,995.57, saving the lessee $129.13 for 60 months for a 60 month savings of $7,747.96. Now you may say that the $7,747.96 does not equal the put at $10,000, which is true, but if you put a present value to the monthly savings equal to the lessee’s current return on investment (ROI), say 15% pretax, the actual value of the savings is $11,437.63.

The lessor with payments of $1,995.57 for a total of $119,734.20 plus the put of $10,000 gets a return of $29,734.20 while the bank only gets $27,482.27. Because of this difference, the actual risk to the lessor for the $10,000 put is reduced by the $2,225.93 extra income so the actual risk is only 7.75%. The larger the put, or the residual, the greater the savings.

A lease that is arranged with irregular payments that match the firm’s revenue flow can prevent the need to use a line of credit and therefore would be cheaper that a level payment bank loan with a comparable interest rate. This is true regardless of the type of lease.

We must also remember that a large percentage of American business prefer to use cash accounting so they will expense irregular rents as they are paid. So always request the type of accounting used by small business and request information about revenue flow so you can create a lease that helps the lessee arrange their cash requirement.

http://www.clfpfoundation.org/toolbox/clfp_handbook.php.

Previous #102 Columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Leasing_102/Index.htm 

 

 

 

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Leasing News The List  -  January, 2017
The Good, the Bank, and the Ugly

Marlin Business Services, Mount Laurel, New Jersey (01/17)  Capital Loans contribute 8% of total originations; "a very small pool of about a dozen brokers...have a very good relationship with." http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2017/01_30.htm#marlin

Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas (01/17) Reports 28% growth in funded capital for 2016, employing 230 national finance professionals (http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2017/01_17.htm#asc_cap ).

Pawnee Leasing, Fort Collins, Colorado (01/17) Reports 35 year milestone. http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2017/01_04.htm#pawnee

 

 

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Can Economic Value of Leases Be Subject to a Security Interest?
by Tom McCurnin
Leasing News Legal Editor

New York Bankruptcy Court Incorrectly Rules That Taking
a Security Interest in the Lessee’s Leases Requires Special Language. 

In re: Flour City Bagels, LLC, 557 B.R. 53, 88 (Bankr. W.D.N.Y. 2016). 

Assume for a moment that the lessee is leasing equipment (or real property) on very favorable terms, and may have significant economic value in the leased equipment. This could be an inexpensive equipment lease on restaurant fixtures, for example. 

Also, assume the lessee has a general secured creditor with a blanket UCC on all assets. Can that secured creditor foreclose and sell the lessee’s interest in the leased equipment?

Until today, I would have said yes, but a New York bankruptcy court said there is economic interest in the leased equipment (the equity) without specifically describing that economic interest. In other words, “all assets” or “all personal property” was insufficient to create a security interest in the leases. No case or statutory authority was cited, just the gratuitous off hand statement. The facts follow:

Flour City operated several bagel stores as a franchisor. Flour City’s secured creditors filed UCCs against the stores and sought to sell the leases within the debtor’s bankruptcy case without having recorded a leasehold mortgage. While the court correctly rejected that argument, there is a work around in a UCC context. Secured lenders may have a security interest in the economic interest of the lease (but not the lease itself). See In re Tracy Broadcasting Co., 696 F.3d 1051 (5th Cir. 2012). Therefore, the failure to consider this line of cases was error.

Furthermore, the court created more error when it declared that an “all assets” or “all personal property” security agreement would not attach to the economic interest of the leases. Since that interest would have been a general intangible, the typical security agreement should have covered it and attached to the economic interest of the leases. 

Therefore, the secured lenders of Flour City were denied the right to sell the locations of the restaurants. Those assets rightfully belonged to the debtor, not the secured creditors. Debtor wins, secured creditors lose. 

What are the takeaways here?

• First, this case is ridiculous in that the secured creditors should have been able to realize on a broad form security agreement. The court wrongfully decided this issue. 

• Second, taken at face value, at least in New York, the secured creditor needs to add additional language to its security agreement, such as “the economic value of any leases.”  I am at a loss exactly what to say because the Court did not provide any citation to authority. 

The bottom line that the equity in leases should be able to be reached by a broad form security agreement, but in New York, some special care might be necessary. 

Flour City Bagel Case   (28 pages)
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Flour_City_Bagels2017.pdf

Tom McCurnin is a partner at Barton, Klugman & Oetting
in Los Angeles, California.

Tom McCurnin
Barton, Klugman & Oetting
350 South Grand Ave.
Suite 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Direct Phone: (213) 617-6129
Cell (213) 268-8291
Email: tmccurnin@bkolaw.com
Visit our web site at www.bkolaw.com
Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org

Previous Tom McCurnin Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/leasing_cases.html

 

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Labrador Retriever Mix
Sudbury, Massachusetts

Darryl
Male
Three Years Old
"I am very gentle and loving.  I seem to be
ok with other dogs, and the staff thinks I am
housebroken, too."

"We recommend calling or emailing the shelter for the most up-to-date information on our adoptable dogs! (978) 443 - 6990 info@buddydoghs.com"

Adoption at Buddy Dog:
http://www.buddydoghs.com/how-to-adopt

Buddy Dog Humane Society
151 Boston Post Road (Rt 20)
Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776

Email Address: info@buddydoghs.org

Hours of Operation
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Thursday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Friday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Saturday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Adopt a Pet
http://www.adoptapet.com/

 

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Back Office

Back Office: Atlanta, GA Let Tax Partners handle your sales and use tax compliance duties w/less risk and cost than in-house. Largest tax compliance firm in US E-mail:sales@taxpartners.com	Back Office: 58 Calif. counties Property tax, assessment appear representation and consulting, including hearing appearances. www.rpcpropertytax.com   Ken Sullivan 800-540-3900
Backoffice: Dallas, TX  Property Tax and sales and use tax administration services performance is guaranteed and we will save you time and money or our service is free. E-mail: info@osgsolutions.com
Back Office: Gig Harbor, WA Orion First Financial provides comprehensive lease/loan account servicing, collection/workout solutions and strategic advisory services. Contact David T. Schaefer 253-857-9610 dtschaefer@orionfirst.com	Back Office: Laughlin, NV 20 years experience on funder/broker sides. Looking for a relationship where I act as credit shop for smaller brokers when financial statements are involved. E-mail:batarista@laughlin.net
Back Office: National Property Tax Compliance Services to the leasing industry. Over 60-years experience and fifty Lessors as clients. References and free quotes available, 440-871-5484, E-mail gary@avptc.com	Back Office – National Spending too much time on processing credit applications, preparing lease documents and other administrative tasks and not enough time marketing and growing your business? Call us! 407.964.1232 dee@leasebrokerassistant.com
Backoffice: New Rochelle, NY Proactive management/administration of commercial/consumer vehicle lease/finance portfolios covering insurance, titles, registrations, sales/property taxes, tickets, collections, accounting, vehicle disposition. Since 1975 E-mail: Barrett@BarrettCapital.com	Back Office: Northbrook, IL Our staff of CPA's and lease professionals can handle any or all portfolio responsibilities incl. portfolio mgmt, invoicing, sales/property/income tax, accounting, etc.  800-826-7070  E-mail: ngeary@ecsfinancial.com
Back Office: San Rafael, CA We can run your back office from origination to final payoff. 30 years experience in commercial equipment lease and loan portfolio management.  E-mail:gmartinez@phxa.com	Back Office - Portland, OR  Keep more of your hard-earned commissions! Middle-Market, Small-Ticket for brokers, nationwide, 20+years experience, negotiable splits. Contact us for more information at (888)745-9481 or bev@alliedpacific.net
Back Office: Portland  Portfolio Financial Servicing Company provides private label servicing, backup servicing and sales/property tax filings for commercial and consumer leases and loans in the U.S. and Canada. With over $20 Billion in assets under management we have serviced the lending community since 1982. PFSC is engaged with over 52 securitizations.clysne@pfsc.com

News Briefs---

Deutsche Bank cuts bonus pool by ‘almost 80%’
"battles to shore up its financial position in the wake of heavy fines"
https://www.ft.com/content/503e88a6-fc17-11e6-96f8-3700c5664d30

New financial tech charters may speed up industry acceptance
"If you can’t beat them, regulate them. And then buy them."
http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/New-financial-tech-charters-may-speed-up-industry-10958104.php

 

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for appraisals
and equipment valuations provided by Ed Castagna)

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You May Have Missed---

JCPenney's store closures could push hundreds
     of dying shopping malls over the edge
http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/JCPenney-s-store-closures-could-push-hundreds-of-10958027.php

 

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Winter Poem

Snow Day

by Barry S. Marks, Esq.

Leah and Lauren
are building a house
out of cushions
from the love seat and sofa.

They bring treasures
to fill the room
a Lambchop pillow
a jewelry box
dolls that have name
and a few that do not.

I say that it's further argument
against replacing the berber with hardwood, 
at least before next year;
you are willing to compromise
on French doors and a canopy.

And still the snow falls,
now down, now side-ways,
enveloping the house, changing 
the landscape, remaking the world.

We will cook soup today, 
hearty with beef and cabbage
and crowd around the fireplace
instead of the t.v.

"This is my idea", Leah announces.
"Yes", answers Lauren, "It's my idea, too."

 

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Sports Briefs----

Steph Curry ducks out of timeout huddle to help fan win $5,000
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Steph-Curry-leaves-timeout-huddle-to-help-fan-win-10960355.php

Kurt Busch wins wreck-filled Daytona 500 with last-lap pass
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/kurt-busch-wins-daytona-500-with-last-lap-pass-233012923.html

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California Nuts Briefs---

Oroville Dam’s banged up spillway to shut down Monday
http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article135129014.html

This winter has bashed the heck out of California roads
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/transportation/back-seat-driver/article135134814.html

 

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“Gimme that Wine”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8

Inside the French Laundry’s new $10 million kitchen
http://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/article/Inside-the-French-Laundry-s-new-10-million-10941359.php

Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/

US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/

Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm

      1717 - Perhaps the greatest snow in New England history commenced on this date. During a ten day period, a series of four snowstorms dumped three feet of snow upon Boston, and the city was snowbound for two weeks. Up to six feet of snow was reported farther to the north, and drifts covered many one story homes….well, maybe not as much as the Blizzards of 2015!!
   1728 - Importation of rum in the colonies for this year amounted to 2,124,500 gallons of liquor. Drinking was extremely heavy. This printed doggerel gave one reason why people did not drink:
There’s but one Reason I can Think
Why People ever cease to drink,
Sobriety the Cause is not,
Nor Fear of being deam’d a Sot,
But if Liquor can’t be got.
    1773 - Christ Church in Alexandria, VA was completed after six years of construction and a total cost of approximately $4070. George Washington purchased a pew for himself and his family at a cost of about $100. He also donated a handsome brass chandelier to the church.
http://www.historicchristchurch.org/History/history1.htm
    1776 - A colonial force of North Carolina patriots resoundingly defeats a detachment of Scottish Loyalists at Moore’s Creek Bridge near Wilmington. The battle ended Royal Governor Josiah Martin's hopes of regaining control of the colony for the British crown. In addition, this first decisive Patriot victory of the Revolutionary War raised morale for Patriots throughout the colonies. 
    1782 - In England, the House of Commons votes against waging any further war in America. On 5 March, Parliament enacts legislation empowering the English Crown to negotiate peace with the United States.
    1792 - A heavy snowfall at Charleston, South Carolina caused the Ashley River Bridge to collapse.
http://www.ashleyriver.org/origins%207.html
http://www.wilbursmith.com/services/Bridges/bridgeAshley.htm
    1801 – Pursuant to the District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801,Washington, DC was placed under federal jurisdiction.
    1807 - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet and writer, was born at Portland, ME. He is best remembered for his classic narrative poems, such as “The Song of Hiawatha”, “Paul Revere's Ride”, and “The Wreck of the Hesperus”. He was the most popular 19th century American poet and first to earn a living solely from writing verse. His best-known narrative poem, ‘The Song of Hiawatha” (1855) adapted its meter from the Finnish national epic “Kalevala”. Died at Cambridge, MA, Mar 24, 1882.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/long.htm
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/feb27.html
    1813 - Congress authorized the use of steamboats to transport mail
    1813 – The first federal legislation dealing with vaccinations was passed.
    1827 - The first Mardi-Gras celebration is held in New Orleans.
    1850 - Charlotte Ray, first African-American female lawyer, born New York City. She became the first woman to be accepted by the District of Columbia Bar Association. Ray opened a law office in Washington, D.C., but racial prejudices proved too strong, and she could not obtain enough legal business to maintain an active practice. In 1879 she returned to New York City unable to establish and maintain a successful law practice on her own. There she became active with the National Association of Colored Women and the National Women's Suffrage Association. She was employed by the Brooklyn School System. Around 1886 she married a man with the last name Fraim and moved to Woodside on Long Island. She died on January 4, 1911 from bronchitis at the age of 60. She was a person that stood up for what she believed in. She did much to help women black and white to gain equal rights to vote and to hold the same occupations at men.
http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_ray_charlotte.htm
http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/24/Attorney
    1860 – Abraham Lincoln spoke at Cooper Union in NYC, a speech that is widely credited for his election.
    1863 - Confederate raider William Quantrill and his bushwhackers attacked Hickman, Kentucky, shooting women and children.
    1864 - As chronicled in the book “Andersonville”, the first Union prisoners begin arriving at the Andersonville prison, even though it was still under construction in southern Georgia. Andersonville became synonymous with death as nearly a quarter of its inmates died in captivity. Henry Wirz, commandant at Andersonville, was executed after the war for the brutality and mistreatment committed under his command. Originally designed for 10,000 men, it soon housed over 33,000 in quite deplorable conditions. The creek banks eroded, creating a swamp, which became part of the compound. Food was scarce, and guards were encouraged to “lessen the population” and were quite brutal and violent to the prisoners.
http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/anderson.htm
http://www.libs.uga.edu/hargrett/selections/confed/aville2.html
http://www.cr.nps.gov/seac/andecon.htm
List of Union soldiers who died and their cause of death:
http://www.civilwarindiana.com/andersonville/andersonville.php3
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov10.html
http://www.nps.gov/ande/
    1869 - American pathologist Alice Hamilton was born at New York, NY. She contributed to the workmen's compensation laws by reporting on the dangers to workers of industrial toxic substances. She taught at Harvard Medical School from 1919 until 1935. Hamilton died Sept 22, 1970, at Hadlyme, CT.
    1869 - John Willis Menard spoke to Congress in defense of his claim to a contested seat representing Louisiana's Second Congressional District, thus becoming the first black to speak to Congress. Congress decided against his claim, as well as the claim of the other contestant. Congressman James A. Garfield said "it was too early to admit a Negro to the U.S. Congress." So, Menard was actually the first black elected to Congress, in 1868, but he was not permitted to serve his term. He was reportedly paid by Congress a monthly salary for the term of office he was to fulfill. He was not only an active civil rights advocate, but a published poet.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~crackerbarrel/Menard.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1879852748/avsearch-df1-2-20
    1872 - Charlotte Ray, first African-American woman lawyer, graduated Harvard University. She was employed by the Brooklyn School System. Around 1886, she married a man with the last name Fraim and moved to Woodside on Long Island. She died on January 4, 1911 from bronchitis at the age of 60. She was a person who stood up for what she believed in. She did much to help women, black and white, to gain equal rights to vote and to hold the same occupations at men
http://www.loogootee.k12.in.us/east/ray.htm
http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/24/
Attorney_Charlotte_Ray_was_forced_to_teach
    1877 – Birthday of Walter Briggs, Jr. in Ypsilanti, MI.  He was an entrepreneur and part-owner of the Detroit Tigers (1919-35), and then sole owner (1935-52), when he died. Briggs also helped found the Detroit Zoo in 1928, and personally paid for many of its first exhibits.  He was also a patron of Eastern Michigan University and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
    1879 - Sugar substitute Saccharine was discovered by Constantine Fahlberg, who was working under the direction of Professor Ira Remsen at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Fahlberg described the discovery in an article entitle “On the Liquid Touensulphochloride,” which he submitted to the American Chemical Journal on this day. Saccharine is an edible substance 550 times sweeter than table sugar, but not absorbed by the body.
    1883 - Oscar Hammerstein of New York City, grandfather of the famous composer, received a patent for the first practical cigar-rolling machine.
    1888 – Historian Arthur Schlesinger was born in Xenia, OH.  He pioneered social history and urban history. He was a Progressive Era intellectual who stressed material causes such as economic profit and conflict between businessmen and farmers, and downplayed ideology and values as motivations for historical actors. He was highly influential as a director of PhD dissertations at Harvard for three decades, especially in the fields of social, women's and immigration history.  Schlesinger died in 1965.
    1890 - Cornet player Freddie Keppard born New Orleans, LA. Died 1933
http://www.centrohd.com/biogra/k1/freddie_keppard_b.htm
http://www.redhotjazz.com/keppard.html
http://artisttv.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio
/0,,452708,00.html?artist=Freddie+Keppard
http://atj.8k.com/noartist/atjkeppard.html
http://www.musikrunterladen.com/stars/31837-freddie-keppard--the-legend.html
    1891 - David Sarnoff, broadcasting pioneer, was born in Minsk, present-day Belarus.  Sarnoff moved to New York at age nine, and at seventeen, he took a job as a telegraph messenger boy. He used his first paycheck to buy a telegraph and taught himself Morse code. Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company hired him as a telegraph operator. In 1912, Sarnoff was the first telegraph operator to pick up the Titanic's distress call; he remained at his post for seventy-two hours, monitoring the call and passing on information. Sarnoff rose rapidly through the ranks of the company in various capacities from shortly after its founding in 1919 until his retirement in 1970.  He proposed that Marconi market a "radio music box" and, in 1921, became general manager of RCA. Sarnoff also set up the NBC radio network and established the first U.S. television service in 1939.  He ruled over an ever-growing telecommunications and consumer electronics empire that included both RCA and NBC, and became one of the largest companies in the world.   Sarnoff died in 1971 in Manhattan.  http://www.stfrancis.edu/ba/ghkickul/stuwebs/bbios/biograph/sarnoff.htm
http://www.mercurians.org/may99/d.sarnoff.library.html
    1892 – Actor William Demarest was born in St. Paul, MN.  He is best known as Uncle Charley in the TV series, “My Three Sons”.  A veteran of World War I, Demarest became a prolific film and TV actor, working on over 140 films, beginning in 1926 and ending in the 1970s. He frequently played crusty but good-hearted roles.  He died in 1983.
    1897 - Marian Anderson born at Philadelphia (some sources say in 1899 or 1902). Anderson's talent was evident at an early age. Her career stonewalled by the prejudice she encountered in the US, she moved to Europe where the magnificence of her voice and her versatility as a performer began to establish her as one of the world's finest contraltos. Preventing Anderson's performance at Washington's Constitution Hall in 1939 on the basis of her color, the Daughters of the American Revolution secured for her the publicity that would lay the foundation for her success in the States. Her performance was rescheduled, and on Apr 9 (Easter Sunday), 75,000 people showed up to hear her sing from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and the performance was simultaneously broadcast by radio. In 1957, Anderson became the first African-American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera. The following year, President Eisenhower named her a delegate to the United Nations. She performed at President Kennedy's inauguration and in 1963, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Some historians cite the Lincoln Memorial performance as the first strategic victory of the modern civil rights movement. Anderson died April 8, 1993, at Portland, Oregon.  http://www.afrovoices.com/anderson.html
http://oldsite.library.upenn.edu/special/gallery/anderson/index.html
    1900 - A massive snowstorm set records from Kansas to New York. 18.7 inches of snow was measured at Topeka, Kansas in 24 hours -- the city's greatest 24 hour snowfall on record. 17.5 inches fell at Springfield, Illinois, 43 inches at Rochester, New York, 60 inches in the Adirondacks, and 31 inches at Northfield, Vermont.
    1902 – Birthday of John (Ernst) Steinbeck, one of American’s best writers: “The Grapes of Wrath”, “Cannery Row”.  He was known also for his many short stories and “Travels with Charlie,” which generated several television programs. Died Dec 20, 1968. He lived a few blocks away from where I live now, and in the 1940’s and 1950’s wrote many of his books here.
http://www.steinbeck100.org/
http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/steinbec/chron.html
http://www2.tcu.edu/depts/prs/amwest/pdf/wl0424.pdf
    1902 - Gene Sarazen, golfer, was born Eugenio Saraceni at Harrison, NY. Sarazen was one of the game's greatest players and in his later years, one of its greatest goodwill ambassadors. The inventor of the sand wedge, Sarazen was also the first to win the modern grand slam (the Masters, US Open, British Open and PGA), although not in the same year. During the 1935 Masters, he hit one of golf's most famous shots, a four-wood for a double eagle on the par-5 fifteenth hole of the final round. The shot enabled him to tie Craig Wood for the lead and defeat him in a playoff. Sarazen's last shot was the traditional ceremonial tee shot to open the 1999 Masters. Died at Marco Island, FL, May 13, 1999. 
    1904 - James Ferrell, American author, novelist and short story writer, best known for his Studs Lonigan trilogy. Born at Chicago, IL, he died at New York, NY, Aug 22, 1979.
    1907 - Birthday of singer Mildred Bailey, Tekoa, WA. Tagged Mr. and Mrs. Swing she led a band with her husband Red Norvo, did solo vocals, and had her own radio show.  She died in 1951.  http://www.parabrisas.com/d_baileym.html http://www.mrlucky.com/songbirds/html/oct99/9910_bailey.html
http://www.amazon.com/absolutsearch05/102-1682336-8966565
    1909 - Guitarist Harrison Verrett born Napoleonville, LA
http://tec.uno.edu/george/Papers/HIST4991/fatsDomino.html
    1912 - Hilton Lee Smith, baseball player, born at Giddings, TX. Smith was a dominant pitcher in the Negro Leagues. He possessed a superb curve ball and was often considered the equal or better of Satchel Page. Died at Kansas City, MO, Nov 18, 1983.
    1913 – American playwright, author, screenwriter, Irwin Shaw, born Irwin Gilbert Shamforoff in The Bronx. He was best known for his book “The Young Lions.” Died 1984.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/ishaw.htm
http://www.ibgm.com/stinson/st-prod.htm
    1917 – Former Texas Governor and Secretary of the Treasury John Connally was born in Floresville, TX.  He was a passenger and was wounded on November 22, 1963 with President Kennedy, the latter falling to the assassins’ bullets.  Connally died in 1993.
    1922 - A challenge to the Nineteenth Amendment, allowing women the right to vote, is rebuffed by the Supreme Court in Leser v. Garnett.
    1923 - Guitarist Chuck Wayne born New York City.
    1923 - Tenor sax player Dexter Gordon, Los Angeles, CA (saw him play many times, often at the jazz house in Half Moon Bay --I believe.)
Died April 26, 1996
http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/dex.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0306803615/inktomi-bkasin-20/102-1682336-8966565
http://www.greatmodernpictures.com/pjazz11.htm
http://www.jazzreview.com/articledetails.cfm?ID=143
http://members.aol.com/jaz206/profiles/gordon.html/
    1926 - First jazz concert held at Chicago’s Coliseum, sponsored by Okey Records.
http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/su/cja/mapkey.html
    1928 - Guitarist Roy Montrell born New Orleans, LA.
http://www.centrohd.com/biogra/m4/roy_montrell_b.htm
http://www.theiceberg.com/artist.html?artist_id=20395
    1929 - The first movie by a major company for an African-American audience was shown at the Gaiety Theatre, New York City. It was the William Fox Movietone feature “Heats in Dixie”, a musical comedy drama of the South featuring 200 entertainers. It was a Paul Sloane production, written and directed by Eugene Walter, with story dialogue by Walter Weems. The featured actor was Stephen “Stepin” Fetchit. The entire cast, with one exception, was African-American.
http://www.cwpost.liunet.edu/cwis/cwp/library/african/movies.htm
    1930 - Birthday of actress Joanne Woodward in Thomasville, GA. Won Academy award for Best Actress, “The Three Faces of Eve” (1957) and nominated for several others. Won several Emmys for her TV work. Perhaps most remembered as long time wife of Paul Newman (Newman's Own).
    1932 - Birthday of actress Elizabeth Taylor in London, England. A complex and headline-grabbing private life and her violet eyes in an exquisite face, often eclipse the fact that she won two Academy Awards for Best Actress: “Butterfield 8” (1960) and “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf” (1966). She had been nominated three other times. She received the Presidential Citizens Medal, the Legion of Honor, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and a Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute, who named her seventh on their list of the “Greatest American Screen Legends”. Helped form pioneer AIDS-fighting organization Am-Far and was a cosmetic executive. Her mother was actress Sara Sothern. She died in Los Angeles, Ca., March 23, 2011.
    1933 – Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame receiver and one of Johnny Unitas’ favorite targets, Raymond Berry, was born in Corpus Christi, TX.
    1934 - Consumer advocate Ralph Nader born in Winsted, Connecticut. His claim to fame was his 1965 book, “Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile.” Today he is an active political candidate for change.
http://www.nader.org/
    1935 - The 7th Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel for the films of 1934. Actor/writer Irvin S. Cobb hosted the big show. "It Happened One Night" swept the awards, capturing Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Frank Capra), Best Actor (Clark Gable) and Best Actress (Claudette Colbert). A miniature version of Oscar was presented to child star, Shirley Temple “...in grateful recognition of her outstanding contribution to screen entertainment during the year 1934.” 
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0147992.html 
    1939 – The Supreme Court ruled that sit-down strikes violate property owners' rights and are therefore illegal.
    1945 - WATSON, WILSON DOUGLAS, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 26 and 27 February 1945. Entered service at: Arkansas. Born: 18 February 1921, Tuscumbia, Ala. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as automatic rifleman serving with the 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 26 and 27 February 1945. With his squad abruptly halted by intense fire from enemy fortifications in the high rocky ridges and crags commanding the line of advance, Pvt. Watson boldly rushed 1 pillbox and fired into the embrasure with his weapon, keeping the enemy pinned down single-handedly until he was in a position to hurl in a grenade, and then running to the rear of the emplacement to destroy the retreating Japanese and enable his platoon to take its objective. Again pinned down at the foot of a small hill, he dauntlessly scaled the jagged incline under fierce mortar and machinegun barrages and, with his assistant BAR man, charged the crest of the hill, firing from his hip. Fighting furiously against Japanese troops attacking with grenades and knee mortars from the reverse slope, he stood fearlessly erect in his exposed position to cover the hostile entrenchments and held the hill under savage fire for 15 minutes, killing 60 Japanese before his ammunition was exhausted and his platoon was able to join him. His courageous initiative and valiant fighting spirit against devastating odds were directly responsible for the continued advance of his platoon, and his inspiring leadership throughout this bitterly fought action reflects the highest credit upon Pvt. Watson and the U.S. Naval Service.
    1946 - Top Hits
“Let It Snow” - Vaughn Monroe
“Symphony” - The Freddy Martin Orchestra (vocal: Clyde Rogers)
“I Can’t Begin to Tell You” - Bing Crosby with the Carmen Cavallaro Orchestra
“Guitar Polka” - Al Dexter
    1946 - The fourth of the “Road” films, "Road to Utopia", starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour and Robert Benchley, opened in New York City. Bing and Bob wound up in Alaska posing as escaped killers in order to locate a lost gold mine. Tunes from the flick: "Put It There, Pal", "Welcome to My Dreams", "Would You?", "Personality", "Sunday, Monday, or Always", "Goodtime Charlie" and "It’s Anybody’s Spring”.
   1948 - The Jeep was to be made by Bantam Motor Company for the US Army.  Bantam owed the patent rights, but they were sued by Willys-Overland for the right of production. Willys-Overland wound up producing the Army vehicle that would come to be known as the Jeep (they actually subbed it out to Ford, who built the most as Willys could not keep up with the demand), but for the record, the patent was owned by the Bantam Motor Company.  The origin of the word “Jeep” has been difficult to verify. The most widely held theory is that the military designation GP (for Government Purposes or General Purpose) was slurred into the word Jeep. The company has had a string of owners in the interim as Willys was sold to Kaiser Motors which was acquired by American Motors which was acquired by Chrysler in 1987, which was acquired by Daimler-Benz, then spun off to Chrysler LLC, now part of Fiat.  http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Jeep_Man/bantam.htm
http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/UniversalJeeps.html
    1950 - The twenty-second amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, limiting the presidential term of office to two terms.
    1951 - Singer/politician Lee Atwater born Atlanta, GA 
http://www.soul-patrol.com/funk/lee_at.htm
    1954 - Top Hits
“Oh! My Pa-Pa” - Eddie Fisher
“Make Love to Me!” - Jo Stafford
“Cross Over the Bridge” - Patti Page
“Wake Up, Irene” - Hank Thompson
    1954 - Doris Day's "Secret Love" hits #1
    1955 - For the first time, the 45 rpm vinyl single begins outselling the previous industry standard 78 rpm record.
    1955 - Neal Schon, vocalist and guitarist with the hard-pop band Journey, was born in San Mateo, California. The group's fourth LP, "Infinity," sold a million copies in 1978. Three years later, "Escape" became Journey's first number-one LP. A single from it, "Open Arms," hit number two on the Billboard chart. Journey is said to be the first rock band to inspire a video game - "Journey - Escape" was in the arcades in late 1982.
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/schon_neal/bio.jhtml
http://nealschon.com/no-flash/index.html
http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/neal_schon.htm
    1956 - Elvis Presley released "Heartbreak Hotel"
    1956 - Little Richard's first Number One R&B hit, "Slippin' and Slidin'," backed with "Long Tall Sally," is released on Specialty.
    1960 - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles make their first ever TV appearance, singing "Shop Around" on ABC's American Bandstand. 
    1961 - Five months after topping the US charts with "The Twist", Chubby Checker does it again with "Pony Time".
    1962 - Gene Chandler's "Duke of Earl" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The record, released only ten days after Chandler signed with Vee-Jay records in Chicago, remained in the top spot for three weeks.  [true story:  at one of our high school dances, we kept playing “Duke” over and over and over, (no DJs then, just record players!!), everyone dancing and having a great time.  Our principal, tired of hearing the same record, pulled it.  Dance ended about 15 minutes later, maybe 10 pm.]
    1962 - Top Hits
“Duke of Earl” - Gene Chandler
“The Wanderer” - Dion
“Norman” - Sue Thompson
“Walk on By” - Leroy Van Dyke
    1963 - The New York Yankees' Mickey Mantle signed a baseball contract worth $100,000, a far cry from his 1949 contract which Mantle had signed for $1,100. With this, he became the highest-paid player of his time.  Mantle has hit some of the longest HRs in Major League history.  In April of 1953, Mantle, batting right-handed in Griffith Stadium, in Washington, DC, hit a long home run off Chuck Stobbs of the Senators, over the 460-foot sign, out of the stadium, with the ball flying an estimated 565 feet. On September 10, 1960, he hit a ball left-handed that cleared the right-field roof at Tiger Stadium in Detroit and, based on where it was found, was estimated years later by historian Mark Gallagher to have traveled 643 feet.  In 1962, Mantle appeared in the movie "That Touch of Mink". In 1995, Mickey Mantle died in Dallas, Texas.
    1966 - Ladies Figure Skating Championship in Davos won by Peggy Fleming of US. She now lives in Los Gatos, California, and she and her husband produce and sell wine.
http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/classic/bkgd2.gif
    1967 - San Francisco Police raided two Digger houses: 848 Clayton and 1775 Haight. The next day, a demonstration takes place at Park Station protesting the raids and police harassment, especially directed toward Patrolman Arthur Gerrans. Lt. John Curran estimated that 40 people stayed at each apartment on a nightly basis. 
http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/the-diggers-premium-vintage-print/GAP0073-VP.html
    1969 - A record snowstorm in Maine came to an end. Two to four feet of snow buried southern and central Maine, with a state record of 57 inches reported at West Forks. Drifts covered many single story homes, and the weight of the snow collapsed many roofs. Two to four feet of snow also buried northeastern Vermont and northeastern Massachusetts. In New Hampshire, Mount Washington reported 97.8 inches of snow, a record storm total for New England.
    1970 - Top Hits
“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)/Everybody is a Star” - Sly & The Family Stone
“Hey There Lonely Girl” - Eddie Holman
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” - Simon & Garfunkel
“It’s Just a Matter of Time” - Sonny James
    1970 - Simon and Garfunkel received a gold record for the single, "Bridge Over Troubled Water". The duo was so impressed with their deserved achievement that they played the gold disc on their stereo. But they heard Mitch Miller’s "Bridge on the River Kwai" instead, and on the same Columbia label they recorded for! Amazing but weird, huh? 
    1971 - Five months after her death, Janis Joplin began a nine-week stay at the top of the Billboard Hot 200 album chart with "Pearl". 
    1972 - Unseasonably mild weather prevailed throughout the central US. Temperatures soared to 83 degrees in Kansas City, Missouri, setting an all-time high record for the month of February.
    1973 - Baseball star Dick ‘Don’t Call Me Richie’ Allen signed a three-year pact with the Chicago White Sox for a reported $675,000 after leaving the Philadelphia Phillies.
    1973 - 200 members of the American Indian Movement, led by Russell Means and Dennis Banks, occupied Wounded Knee, SD, a town on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Their demands included a review of treaties between the federal government and indigenous peoples, a Senate investigation into the treatment of Native Americans, and free elections of tribal leaders. The occupation ended on May 8 when the group surrendered to federal marshals. Gunfights during the siege killed one marshal and two protesters. Wounded Knee was the site of a massacre in December, 1890 when Army troops machine-gunned 200 Sioux men, women, and children.
    1977 - Center Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks, scored the 500th goal of his career in Chicago’s 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Mikita finished his career with 541 goals and entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
    1978 - Top Hits
“Stayin’ Alive” - Bee Gees
“(Love Is) Thicker Than Water” - Andy Gibb
“Just the Way You Are” - Billy Joel
“Don’t Break the Heart that Loves You” - Margo Smith.
    1980 - The 22nd Annual Grammy Award winners for 1979 are announced. The Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes" wins both Record and Song of the Year. Billy Joel's "52nd Street" wins both Album of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
    1981 - Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder recorded "Ebony and Ivory", which will top both the Billboard Pop chart and the Adult Contemporary chart during a 15 week run.
    1982 - Earl “Square Eyes” Anthony becomes first pro bowler to win more than $1 million. Anthony, voted "Bowler of the Millennium" later falls down stairs in his retirement and dies August 14, 2001 as a result.
http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/anthonye.shtml
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bowling/2001-08-14-anthony-obit.htm
    1984 - A severe winter storm, which began on the 26th, spread blizzard conditions across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. 24 inches of snow fell in the Vichy-Rolla area in Missouri. 22 inches was reported in southern Illinois. Winds frequently gusted to 40 and 50 mph. Interstate 65, which connects Indianapolis with Chicago, was impassable for several days due to extensive drifting of the snow. Thunderstorms were reported which added to the heavy snow amounts.
    1986 - Van Halen released "Why Can't This Be Love," their first single since Sammy Hagar replaced David Lee Roth as lead singer. It would rise to number three on the Billboard chart.
    1986 - Top Hits
“How Will I Know” - Whitney Houston
“Kyrie” - Mr. Mister
“Sara” - Starship
“There’s No Stopping Your Heart” - Marie Osmond
    1986 – The Senate allowed its debates to be televised on a trial basis.
    1987 - Former White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan resigns after the Tower Commission report gives him responsibility for the Iran-Contra affair to trade guns for hostages with money going to the Nicaraguan Contras.
    1988 - Debi Thomas, figure skater, becomes first African-American to win a medal at the Winter Olympics. After her Olympic career, she toured for several years then returned to school. Thomas completed her education to become a physician, and today is a practicing orthopedic surgeon.  http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_debi_thomas.htm
http://www.thegrandstandinc.com/pages/9675.htm
http://espn.go.com/skating/news/2000/0209/345701.html
    1988 - George Michael reaches number one in the US for the second time in his solo career with "Father Figure". He would go on to have a total of six after scoring three chart toppers with Andrew Ridgeley in Wham!
    1991 - Allied troops entered Kuwait City, Kuwait, four days after launching a ground offensive. President George H. W. Bush declared Kuwait to be liberated and ceased all offensive military operations in the Gulf War. The end of military operations came at 9pm, EST, 100 hours after the beginning of the land attack. At 9 p.m. (EST), U.S. President Bush said on live television, “Kuwait is liberated. Iraq’s army is defeated. I am pleased to announce that at midnight tonight, exactly 100 hours since ground operations began and six weeks since the start of Operation Desert Storm, all United States and coalition forces will suspend offensive combat operations”. Feb 26 is commemorated as Liberation Day in Kuwait.
    1991 - James Brown was paroled in Columbia, South Carolina after serving 15 months of a six-year-term for leading police on a chase through South Carolina and Georgia. He performed at the Oakland Coliseum at age 71 and got rave reviews from all the newspapers. 
    1992 - Tiger Woods, 16, becomes youngest PGA golfer in 35 years.
http://www.tigerwoods.com/images/1.gif
http://ps1.sportsline.com/u/golf/open97/tiger/images/tilematch.jpg
http://world.std.com/~rgu/tigerwoods/tigerwoods.faq
    1993 - Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" replaces Boyz II Men's 1992 hit "End Of The Road" as the longest running Billboard chart topper when it stays #1 for its 14th consecutive week. 
    1995 - Canadian singer Celine Dion made British chart history by becoming the first artist in more than 30 years to have both the number-one album and single for five straight weeks. Dion topped the singles chart with "Think Twice" and the album chart with "The Color of My Love." The last time that happened for five consecutive weeks was in 1964 with "I Feel Fine" and "Beatles for Sale."
http://www.celineonline.com/
    2004 - The initial version of the John Jay Report is released with details about the sexual abuse in the American Catholic Church.
    2006 - African Burial Ground National Monument Established by President George W. Bush, who signed a proclamation declaring a seven-acre plot at the corners of Duane and Elk Streets in Lower Manhattan, New York, to be a national monument. From the 1690s to the 1790s, this land served as a cemetery for both free and enslaved Africans and is believed to be the resting place of more than 15,000 people. 
    2011 - Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre. Best Picture, "The King's Speech;" Best Animated Film, "Toy Story 3;" Best Actor in a Leading Role, Colin Firth, "The King's Speech;" Best Actress in a Leading Role, Natalie Portman,” Black Swan; Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Christian Bale,” The Fighter;" Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Melissa Leo, "The Fighter; Best Director, Tom Hooper, "The King's Speech;” Best Writer, Original Screenplay, David Seidler, "The King's Speech;" Adapted Screenplay, Aaron Sorkin, "The Social Network;" Cinematography, Wally Pfister, "Inception;" Music, "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3: Music and Lyric by Randy Newman. 
    2011 - Resolution 1970 is adopted by the U.N. Security Council.  The resolution imposes sanctions on the regime of Muammar al-Gaddafi.
    2014 - Food and Drug Administration proposed to revise food labels by providing realistic serving sizes, emphasizing calories and sugar amounts, and breaking down fat listings into 'good' and 'bad' fats.
    2014 - GE is focusing on development of wind power in Japan, seeing an opportunity for the nation to expand its renewable energy portfolio after Fukushima.  GE has designed a wind turbine capable of weathering the country's distinct weather challenges