Leasing Gypsies Strike Again in Southern California
Bulletin Board Complaint

Leasing News has been writing about the leasing gypsies in Southern California.

The group is estimated at twelve with perhaps five separate companies, but they also change names, keeping the same web site but with a URL and name changes. One of the latest with more than a dozen complaints of the applicant sending in $350 to process a lease application, and then never hearing from them again, often telephone number no longer in service. They came from all over the United States. I tell them they are lucky it wasn't more.

Leasing News was told by ex-salesmen, who worked with the gypsies, they would get $50, one company $100, for each application that comes in with a $595 document fee in the proposal. They do return the other money, after a period of time, but keep the $595, even if they do nothing but run a consumer report. Often they don't even do that, Leasing News was told by ex-salesmen, who are concerned should they put the company on their resume. They left when they realized some of the deposits were not being returned and questioned the procedure. They did not leave as they were "commission only" and had put transactions together, waiting to get paid.

Due to liabilities involved, names will be left out of this complaint except for the company making the complaint, who is afraid their name will be tarnished. Leasing News recognizes them as part of the group named by others. While emails, copies of checks, agreements, and other material were sent, they are not included as many have names on them. The documents do substantiate the Bulletin Board Complaint.

From Taycor Financial, Los Angeles:

"These two guys opened a bank account in Taycor's name without Taycor's consent. Taycor had, at one time, agreed to look at deals ****** and ****** would bring to them. But Taycor realized early on that something wasn't right. Taycor cut ties with them. But ****** and ****** continued to use Taycor's name when calling on prospective Lessees. The Lessees would be told that their deal had been approved and an initial check was needed to commence the deal. Lessees wrote checks to Taycor Financial, believing that was who they were dealing with. ****** and ****** deposited those checks into their 'fake' Taycor account.

"When they then abandoned the Lessee, wouldn't return calls, etc. Taycor would, eventually find out what had happened because Lessees would call Taycor's office looking for refunds. Taycor explained the situation to the Lessees, tried to, and succeeded in getting some of their money back from ****** and ****** and then refunded the Lessees. On other occasions Taycor was not able to get them to return the money and those Lessees were left out in the cold, some hiring attorneys who can't seem to do anything about it.

"We have copies of cashed checks that were written to Taycor Financial including Taycor's actual business address. These checks amount to well over $10k. We also have copies of others but they had the address of ****** and ****** who adopted Taycor as a d.b.a., unfortunately this is legal in CA, same with opening a bank account using that name. We realize that we have a grand larceny case against them but intend to try to recoup some or all of that money by threatening to take the evidence we have to the DA."

Other Problems:
“They collected a check for $4,760.00 and returned $3,366.45 (nice doc fee for doing absolutely nothing). Attached is the signed agreement from *******.”

“####### – This deal was closed and funded under our name after we ceased working with them. They collected a 8k check with a 5k doc fee. Are you kidding me? I found out later after calling the customer that they funded the deal through ******* themselves but collected the money in our name and deposited into their account.

“####### – The email correspondence is from the lessee to the manager at ******’s bank. This guy caused so much havoc at the bank that they sent him his money back.”

“######- This poor customer was so desperate to get some money back (small business and they were hurting) so they signed the Lease Cancellation letter and only got $453.29 of their initial $1,600 check.”

Southern California Leasing Gypsies
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2010/3_24.htm#gypsies

Classified Ads---Operations

(These ads are “free” to those seeking employment
or looking to improve their position)

SF Bay Area Contract Administrator. Formerly Documentation /Compliance , Pentech; American National Leasing, VP-Operations. 30 years Experience. Available now. Resume gbflinn@gmail.com

Acton, MA Strong experience in lease accounting, operations, & systems.   Implemented lease plus, Great Plains, networks. Excellent financial reporting and analysis skills. Looking for new opportunity. LinkedIn alexanderzlenz@gmail.com| Resume

Nampa, Idaho 30 years equipment leasing, credit, collections experience. I want to work for a funding source with the broker/lessor community. Email - Resume

Phoenix, AZ (will relocate) Seasoned Credit/Operations Executive w/exp. in vendor, broker & direct origination, portfolio acquisition, collection, remarketing & business development. Available immediately. lmzaks@gmail.com | Resume

Seasoned Ops, Broker Development, Credit, Legal, Strategy, P & L Management detail oriented team player seeks position with Small ticket direct lender. Established remote office. Wgriffith61@yahoo.com Resume

Willing to Relocate Experienced Operations Manager, Broker Development – credit & documentation small ticket specialist – team leader with strong analytical, organizational & management skills – willing to relocate f.macdonald@comcast.net

Free Posting for those seeking employment in Leasing:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

All “free” categories “job wanted” ads:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

Comprehensive personal property tax outsourcing services We accept file exports and integrate personal property tax information with all lease management or accounting software. No other firm offers the combination of individual attention, software capabilities expertise, "full disclosure" and web port accessibility to information more than we do. Click here to learn what our clients say about our service Gary DiLillo, President 216-658-5618 or gary@avptc.com

Marlin Officers Acquire Stock Before 4th Quarter Announcement

Marlin Business Services (NASDAQ:MRLIN) stock had one of the highest gains reported by NASDAQ on Thursday, March 3" "Marlin Business Services Corp. rose 13.4 percent to $12.49."

It may have come from the officers acquiring stock.

Friday Close:
Last Trade: 12.39
Prev Close: 12.49
Open: 12.64
1y Target Est: 16.00
Day's Range: 12.36 - 12.78
52wk Range: 8.58 - 13.74
Volume: 31,359
Avg. Vol. (3m): 22,132

The company announced the Fourth Quarter and Year-end Conference Call for Wednesday, March 9. In the last quarters, the main profit from the company can be attributed to Evergreen Clauses (1)

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recorded the following, which certainly would have influenced the rise in the chart above:

March 1, Daniel P. Dyer, Chief Executive Officer, President & Treasurer, acquired 66,502 shares. He has more options available, and presently owns 434,642 shares.

March 1, Executive Vice-President, COO, General Counsel and Secretary, George D. Pelose acquired 41,562 shares of stock. He has more options available, and presently owned 265,024 shares.

March 1, Lynne C. Wilson, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, acquired 16,174 shares. He has more options available, and presently owns 93,052

That’s 124,238 shares. Other directors and officers may also have acquired shares in this time period.

1. "Evergreen" is Marlin’s Third Quarter
   http://leasingnews.org/archives/Nov2010/11_10.htm#marlins_3rd

Christopher Jones to lead new US Bancorp Gov't Leasing Group

US Bancorp Equipment Finance announces a new government leasing and finance group to be lead by Christopher Jones, who formerly was vice-president of Key Government Finance for over three years and director of Operations and Syndications for two and a half years. He joined U.S. Bank Equipment Finance November, 2010. He is on the board of directors of the Association of Government Leasing & Finance as well as the Frank Edmonson Foundation.

Paul Frisch, executive VP, U.S. Bancorp Equipment Finance, said, "This expansion into the tax exempt arena provides us with another opportunity to provide value and build deeper relationships with clients."

Jones will be working out of the Denver, Colorado area.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjonesvpkgf

Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Credit-Treasury Manager Riverside, California Maintain relationships w/various lending partners, source additional funds, for captive to major distributor of buses. Excellent writing/speaking skills dreynolds@A-ZResources.com www.a-zresources.com A-Z Resources captive affliate to a major business distributor founded in 1975, 150 people, generating over $120 million in combined sales.

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

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Leasing Industry Recruiters

These companies have experience in the finance and leasing industry

Please fax our request form back to 408.317-2066 or you
may e-mail to: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org .

Second Column: YCS - Year Company Started | YELB - Years in equipment Leasing Business

Name City, State Contact Website Leasing Association	YCS YELB (see above for meaning)	Geographic Area	Specialty
Executive Solutions for Leasing & Finance, Inc. 1141 Minisink Way Westfield, NJ 07090 Teri Gerson , President terigerson@exsolutions.com 908.654.1550 (f) 908.847.0377 ELFA www.exsolutions.com	1990 (1990)	Nationwide	Search firm specializing in leasing industry. Services include retained and contingent search, strategic consultation, compensation analysis, sales & management training, & customizable consulting products.
Financial Pro Solutions Hal T. Horowitz 22845 Ventura Blvd., Suite 124 Woodland Hills, CA 91364 Office:  (818) 347-FINA (347-3462) Fax: 818-597-3201 Cell:  (818) 730-0645 Email: halh@finapros.com www.finapros.com	1983 (2008)	Nationwide	Retained search firm seeking financial professionals for growth-oriented and challenging opportunities in commercial banking, equipment leasing, asset based lending. Also works with firms seeking V- and C-level financial executives with accounting, financial analysis or treasury disciplines.
Professional Profiles, Specialists in Executive Search, Inc. Mary Beth Norton mb@leasingrecruiter.com 708-403-9229 Voice 708-403-8854 Fax www.leasingrecruiter.com	N/A (1986)	Nationwide	We are, by choice, a small shop. We take a very personal approach with all our candidates and hiring managers. We treat them all (even those we are unable to help) with respect and professionalism.
Recruiters International, Inc. (RII) Pembroke Pines, FL 33025 Emily Fitzpatrick Sr. Recruiter riiemily@comcast.net Phone: 954-885-9241 recruitersinternationalinc.org	2000	North America	Explanation:  Boutique Executive Search Firm Specializing in the Finance & Equipment Leasing Industries. Our goal is to build long term relationships with our Clients & Candidates, keeping both sides abreast of current and future changes that effect supply & demand of Top Talent.  Excellent References & Testimonials

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Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

Obtaining Vendor Business

One of the main sources of business for leasing business is from a vendor or manufacture of equipment. The recent trend has been more to emphasize seeking such business rather than calling on direct prospects by in person, internet, mail, telephone, or even soliciting business supplied by independent leasing brokers.

By utilizing a vendor, it accomplishes two major things, acceptance of your involvement, and perhaps as important, contacting the customer at the time they are obtaining equipment instead of calling on the end users and hoping they are in the market for lease financing. However, a long term relationship with a vendor or manufacturer requires a lot of hard work. Vendors with multiple offices and long time being established are the most difficult to obtain. Even the smaller vendors, new to the field, want a lot, even ask for referral fees and expect the leasing expert to jump through a lot of hoops and take a lot of risks, plus get every deal approved. New salesmen and desperate salesmen sometime go overboard and except week credits to worm our way into a new vendor. This rarely works and becomes a “lose-lose” proposition. The oldest first words are often, “If you can do this deal, I’ll give you all my business.”

The best way to win a vendor is to bring them some leads, and if you have business from a current customer, be sure to delivered the check when the deal is funded. It will make you certainly welcome to speak to the sales manager or owner of the dealership.

If you have done some business with a vendor and want to establish a more permanent relationship, you might want to make it formal. It will then become more difficult for a new person delivering a check to steal from you.

It is important to have a letter of understanding with a set of procedures so that both sides understand the arrangement. Many the times what a vendor expects, and what a lessor delivers, are very different. This may save a relationship. You don’t need an attorney, just make it informal. On a sheet of paper, outline the following:

• Name of both the vendor and the lessor with a listing of who can act for both sides
• Type of leases offered
• Flexibility of rates
  
• What information on the lessee is required
  
• A complete description of the equipment
  
• Time required for credit approval
  
• When can lessor contact lessee
  
• Exclusivity of arrangement
  
• Vendor payment requirements
  
• Vendor support for week credits if available
  
• Discounts
  
• Hold backs
  
• Limited recourse
  
• Full recourse
  
• Vendor or sales personnel participation/commission
  
• Lessor’s limitations

Most lessors’ have some limitations from rates, territory, or credit requirements so it is wise to be up front about them so the vendor knows when to look elsewhere for funding. Problems arise and cool a vendor relationship when a lessor promises that he can do more that is possible and fails to perform. Most vendors understand that weak credits require a modification of the lease arrangements, but they get very angry when turndowns take a long time. It’s always best to be upfront.

In today’s world a fast turndown is almost as good as an approval. Slow turndowns are like starting a fire and watching it grow out of control. Many lessors know that a weak credit is going to require enhancements or vendor support so it may make sense to address the shortcomings before too much time, energy and money is spent looking for a miracle, especially in today’s marketplace.

It is so hard to find vendors in this market that we tend to go to extremes to try and make the vendor use our services. However, there is a reality and there are bad vendors just like there are bad customers so you need to check out the vendors you want to do business with and keep a sharp eye out for fraud. Make sure the vendor is in good graces with the manufacturer and his local bank. Make sure that the equipment is supported by the vendor and the manufacturer. Does it have a good reputation in the marketplace and check the guidebooks to see how much a two or three year old piece of their equipment is selling for to see how much its value falls off. The faster a piece of equipment is devalued has a lot to do with its quality. Leasing poor quality equipment is like trying to walk across quicksand. It will get you in the end.

A final warning! Look for support on equipment new to the marketplace and review the strength of a new manufacturer and avoid new manufactured equipment from foreign sources. Also make sure that the ownership comes from the vendor new in business or make your checks jointly payable to both the vendor and the manufacturer.

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, has been a teacher, consultant, expert witness for the leasing industry for thirty-five years and can be reached at leaseconsulting@msn.com or 502-649-0448

He invites your questions and queries.

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

(This ad is a “trade” for the writing of this column. Opinions
contained in the column are those of Mr. Terry Winders, CLP)

Bank Beat---Main Street Bank, Kingwood, Texas

September 1, 2010 the FDIC issued a Consent Order to Main Street Bank, Kingwood, Texas "...with the STIPULATION, the bank consented, without admitting or denying any charges of unsafe or unsound banking practices or violation of law or regulation, relating to management effectiveness, loan and lease review rating."

Perhaps the strongest consent is the replacement of Thomas Depping as CEO, as the bank is given 90 days to find:
"A Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated ability in managing a bank of comparable size and with experience in upgrading a low quality loan and lease portfolio.

a. Implement the provisions of this order
b. Act to restore the Bank to a safe and sound condition; and
c. Act as the "principal executive officer" of the Bank under Texas Financial Code 33.103 and 33.106" (1)

The Consent Order required a "strategic plan to the Regional Director and Commission for review and comment" as well as other conditions in 60 days, 30 days of each calendar quarter the results, and review by the Regional Director and the Commissioner 30 days after the end of each calendar year. The first order replacing the CEO, meaning Depping, was to take place 90 days after September 1, 2010.

Leasing News has attempted to learn the status regarding the following of the FDIC Consent Order but has found not such report on line and inquiries have not been able to find current information either. The bank did not return calls for information.

Tom Depping, Chairman, Main Street Bank
(photo: Main Street Bank)

The Main Street Bank web site shows Depping as Chairman of the bank, but what is new is he is listed as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MS Financial (the bank holding company.) No longer is he listed as CEO of the bank nor identified as such under his photo from the web site.
https://www.msbanktx.com/Pages/Public/Management.aspx

The latest news on web site is dated December 8, 2008, announcing "...that its new Professional Practice Finance Division will build on the current healthcare customer platform to provide financing for Physicians, Dentists, Veterinarians, Optometrists, CPAs and other practice professionals." Ironically, it is reported these are the unsecured loans that brought the consent order from the FDIC.
https://www.msbanktx.com/Pages/Public/News.aspx

In 1999, Thomas Depping, then CEO of First Sierra, told the Houston Business Journal:

By owning a bank, First Sierra will be able to "access our 50,000 to 60,000 customers and supply them with a broad range of banking products through the Internet," says Depping.

"Our goal is to be the top Internet business bank in the country. This will be the only operation of the holding company," he says.
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/1999/04/26/newscolumn5.html

Reportedly the application was denied. In 2004 he entered the banking field with Main Street National Bank, later changing its name to Main Street Bank, which today has four offices, two in Kingwood and one each in Cleveland and Humble, Texas.

Kingwood Town Center, 23 miles north of Houston

"Kingwood, also know as the "Livable Forest," was created by the Friendswood Development Company in 1971 and has grown rapidly since. The new community was named "Kingwood" after King Ranch, one of the original developers before being bought by the Friendswood Development Company. Now (2005) Kingwood has a population of about 65,000, and has almost 200,000 people living within a ten mile radius."
http://www.kingwood.com/community/

The latest financial information available on Main Street Bank comes from the December 31,2010 FDIC report which reveals the bank is down 40 employees, apparently the original group that saw the leasing and commercial loan department, including Executive Vice-President Bob Fisher, CLP, let go, now Small Business Banker, Bank of America

Bank FDIC report December 31, 2010 compared to December 31, 2009 shows total assets going from $448 million to $349.7 million, and net loans and leases decreasing from $381.8 million to $269.7 million with total insured deposits going from $388.3 million to $291.5 million.

While these numbers show a decrease, the bottom line is the total equity capital increased from $41.99 million to $46.83 million, indicating changes at the bank were positive, including less charge offs.

Net charge offs went from $7 million year-end 2009 to $3.4 million 2010, primarily with commercial and industrial loons $2.2 million and lease financing receivables 1.15 million compared to $4.2 million in commercial and industrial loans the year before and $2.7 million year-end 2009.

The 2010 charge offs would have been higher, actually $5.7 million, according to the FDIC, but Main Street recovered almost $1.1 million in commercial and industrial loans, and $1.2 million in lease financing receivables. There also were not real estate losses.

In additional positive news, from a loss of $1.85 million the year before, Main Street had a profit of $4.8 million and improved its Tier 1 risk-based capital to a very strong 16.15% and Total risk-based capital to 17.43%

(1)FDIC Consent Order:
http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/enforcement/2010-07-28.pdf

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SparkPeople—Diet and healthy living community

SparkPeople.com is the largest online diet and healthy living community with over 9 million registered members. You can create a free account to access information, set up goals, make a plan, or just find answers for questions you may have.

* Personalized diet & fitness plans
* Calorie counter, workout tracker, exercise demos & videos
* Answers from our dietitians & trainers on message boards
* Connect with others like you in our support teams

Chris Downie

"SparkPeople can be free because my wife and I were very early eBay employees and are now using our earnings from its success to make the world a healthier place," says founder Christ "SparkGuy" Downie. "This is our way to give back and help the world. Thousands of new people join every day and don’t pay a single penny. In fact, the majority of our new members join SparkPeople after hearing about us from their friends."

http://www.sparkpeople.com/

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Top Stories September 28--March 4

Here are the top ten stories opened by readers:

(1) Its Come Back to Bite Balboa on the...
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2011/3_02.htm#bite

(2) From Zero to over $450 Million in One Year
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2011/3_04.htm#from_zero

(3) Five Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2011/2_28.htm#cellphone
(This was added to the article, and brought to readers attention in the Wednesday edition)
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2011/3_02.htm#clarification

(4) March 4, 2002---Archives (Bob Fisher, CLP)
Firerock Capital in Formation---Fisher Anderson Winds Down
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2011/3_04.htm#archives_fisher

(5) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
Revisiting Recourse Funding
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2011/2_28.htm#recourse

(6) Saluting Leasing News Advisor Steve Crane, CLP
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2011/2_28.htm#crane

(7) New Hires---Promotions
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2011/3_04.htm#hires

(8) License Up-Date for Leasing in United States
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2011/3_02.htm#license

(9) GreatAmerica Gets 2.6 Times Tenth Term Securitization
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2011/3_02.htm#greatamerica

(Tie)(10) Bank Beat---Local Bank Investors Lose Out Again
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2011/2_28.htm#bank_beat

(Tie)(10) Lobbyists Getting their way on proposed FASB Lease Changes
by Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2011/2_28.htm#fasb_changes

Kingwood, Texas -- Adopt-a-Dog

Penny
Boxer Mix
Medium
Young
Female
Spayed/Neutered
Up-to-date with routine shots
House trained
Primary color: Red, Chestnut or Orange
Coat length: Short

“Friendly, affectionate PENNY loves belly rubs and is well known for her drive by kisses. Medium sized, fit and trim, loves walks and is an excellent jogging partner. She has a beautiful coat that is easy to maintain. She knows basic commands 'sit' and 'stay' and is good with children. Sociable with other dogs, she would love a playmate but has had no interaction with cats. Completely housebroken and has an impressive bark if needed."

Contact: Jesse Thompson at jbthomps3@gmail.com Penny's Picassa Web Album Contact jbthomps3@gmail.com *****If you would like more information about the dog featured above, be sure to send a note to the "Contact Person." This is the person fostering the dog and they will be happy to answer any questions you have. Also, in sending your note to the Contact Person Jesse Thompson at jbthomps3@gmail.com

Twyla's Friends
526 Kingwood Dr. #321
Kingwood, TX 77339
Phone: 832 488 7937
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/TX205.html
http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelterid=TX205

Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Adopt_Pet.htm

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

News Briefs----

Amazon.com on a hiring spree

You May have Missed---

How to conquer being called 'overqualified' in a job search
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2011-03-02-overqualified-in-job-search_N.htm

 

Sports Briefs----

Rice lends support to Stanford recruiting
http://stanford.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1195679

The Huddle
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/index

 

 

California Nuts Briefs---

Silicon Valley's breakneck speed allows companies to launch, grow and die in a matter of decades
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_17531563?source=most_emailed

SF Gavin Newsom is far wealthier than Oakland’s Jerry Brown
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/04/BAQB1I3D4D.DTL&feed=rss.news_politics

Concern over Newsom's shared office at Founders Den
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/06/BA3C1I4EFF.DTL&type=politics

John Kenny Receivables Management www.jrkrmdirect.com • End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement • Fraud Investigation • Credit Investigations • Asset Searches • Skip-tracing • Third-party Commercial Collections The Solution to Your Credit & Accounts Receivable Needs John Kenny 315-866-1167 |  John@jkrmdirect.com

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigations
and background information provided by John Kenny)

“Gimme that Wine”

Buena Vista Carneros Winery location to Close
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2011/03/ascentia-to-close-buena-vista-carneros.html

Bryant Family Winery Hires New Head
http://blogs.wsj.com/wine/2011/03/01/news-alert-famed -napa-winery-hires-new-head/

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/

Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\

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

    1539-Former black slave Estevanico (Esteban) de Dorantes, native of Azamoor Morocco, sets out to explore what is now the southwestern part of the US.
http://www.estevanico.org/history.html
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/EE/fes8.html
http://www.rra.dst.tx.us/c_t/people/ESTEVANICO.cfm
    1644-First Whaling Industry: Southampton, NY, a town on the coast of Long Island where whales were often cast ashore, established the first whaling industry. The town was divided into four wards of 11 persons each to attend to the whales. Two persons from each ward were employed to cut them up so that each inhabitant obtained an equal portion. The popularity grew to the point a whaling franchise was granted to a Mr. Whiting in 1647 for the waters of Long Island Sound between Stonington, CT, and Montauk Point, NY.
    1638 -Controversial colonial churchwoman Anne Hutchinson, 47, and nineteen other exiles from the Massachusetts Bay Colony settled in Rhode Island, at the site of modern Portsmouth.
http://www.annehutchinson.com/anne_hutchinson_biography_001.htm
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nwa/ah.html
    1717 - The "Great Snow", a composite of four winter storms to hit the eastern U.S. in nine days, finally came to an end. Snow depths averaged 60 inches following the storm. Up to four feet of snow fell around Boston MA, and snow drifts 25 feet high were reported around Dorchester MA.
    1729- Henrietta Johnston, self-taught portrait artist born in Ireland about 1655 and immigrated to the United States with her husband in 1707 and settled in what is now Charleston, SC. Her husband immediately became ill and while she nursed him and took care of her children and home in abject poverty, to raise money she began to draw portraits of local dignitaries in the new form of pastels.
Almost 50 portraits are credited to her and she is considered to be the first American woman artist. Her technique was straight forward with little adornment. Almost nothing is known about her life. She may have moved to New York to work after her husband's death.
http://askart.com/Biography.asp
http://desertfun.bestreadguide.com/charleston/stories/19990914/art_johnston.shtml
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0945578032/avsearch-df1-2-20/
102-1682336-8966565
    1774---The British close port of Boston to all commerce
    1776 - Lead by General William Howe, the British evacuate Boston. Howe’s army and a group of 1000 loyalists will set sail for Halifax, Nova Scotia on 17 March.
    1778 -Captain James Cook first sights Oregon coast, at Yaquina Bay
http://www.neworegontrail.com/lighthouse/yaquina.bay.htm
http://www.newportnet.com/coasthistory/RoadTrip.htm
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/1999/nt_news1029/general/nt_news-18.html
    1782 -Ohio Territory militiamen began a two-day massacre of the Moravian Indian town of Gnadenhutten (modern New Philadelphia, Ohio). In all, 96 Christian Indians of the Delaware tribe were slaughtered, in retaliation for Indian raids made elsewhere in the Ohio Territory.
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/colonial/pioneer/chap16.html
    1799 -- John Fries launches a rebellion in Pennsylvania against the imposition of the "direct tax" enacted by Congress 1 July 1798, on lands, houses & slaves. Fries' mob was dispersed by the Militia after a march on Bethlehem. Fries was arrested & sentenced to be hanged for treason, before being pardoned by the President.
    1802 -In Washington, D.C., the first Baptist church was organized with six charter members. Their first pastor Obadiah Brown was hired five years later, and Brown remained in that pulpit while involving himself in every important local Baptist program for the next 43 years!
    1848- In Hawaii, Great Mahele (division of lands) signed
http://hotspotshawaii.com/nalostuff/May96/GreatMahele.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0870221256/avsearch-df1-2-20/
102-1682336-8966565
    1849- Luther Burbank, American naturalist and author, creator and developer of many new varieties of flowers, fruits, vegetables and trees. born at Lancaster, MA.. Luther Burbank's birthday is observed in California as Bird and Arbor Day. He died at Santa Rosa, CA, Apr 11, 1926.
http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/lbhg/gardens.asp
    1850-Slave States Balance: the acquisition of territory following U.S. victory in the Mexican War revived concerns about the balance of free and slave states in the Union. This day Senator Daniel Webster delivered his famous three hour "Seventh of March" speech urging sectional compromise on the issue of slavery. Advising abolition-minded Northerners to forgo antislavery measures, he simultaneously cautioned Southerners that disunion inevitably would lead to war. He endorses the Compromise of 1850 proposed by Kentucky Senator Henry Clay on 29 January 1850, as a means of preserving the Union. It called for California to be admitted as a free state; for the passage of an inhumane Fugitive Slave law; for new territories in the Southwest to he allowed to organize without restrictions on slavery; for protecting slavery in the District of Columbia while abolishing domestic slave trade there; and for a settlement of $10 million to Texas if the state would relinquish claims to one-third of its territory (now in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming). The compromise would be adopted on 09 September 1850.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dwebster/speeches/seventh-march.html
Following the lead of senators Henry Clay and Stephen Douglass, Webster endorsed Clay's plan to assure sectional equilibrium in Congress. Passed after eight months of congressional wrangling, the legislation admitted California to the Union as a free state, permitted the question of slavery in Utah and New Mexico territories to be decided by popular sovereignty, settled Texas border disputes, and abolished slave trading in the District of Columbia while strengthening the Fugitive Slave Act. This speech by Daniel Webster supported Senator Henry Clay’s compromise, who had run for president, lost, and come back to the U.S. Senate as a most influential politician. It brought together the U.S. Senate for a brief period of time. He espoused the provisions of the Fugitive Slave Bill. It is said, John Greenleaf Whittier had Webster in mind when he wrote in his poem: “Ichabod:”
“ All else is gone from those great eyes
The soul has fled;
When faith is lost, when honor dies
The man is dead.”
http://www.lib.umd.edu/RARE/RareCollection/danielwebster.html
http://www.danorr.com/webster/7thofmarch-text.html
    1854- Charles Miller of St. Louis, MO, patented a sewing machine to stitch buttonholes,revolutionizing the garment industry.
    1860- -- 6,000 shoemakers joined by 20,000 other New England workers in Lynn, Massachusetts strike. During the great New England shoemakers strike, about 1,000 women workers in Lynn, Massachusetts, strike for a union & against wage cuts. Marching through a blizzard, the women carry signs proclaiming: "American Ladies Will Not Be Slaves."
In 10 days, a procession of 10,000 workers marches through Lynn in the largest labor protest prior to the Civil War. Within a month, shoe manufacturers offer higher wages to bring strikers back to the factories. But the companies refuse to recognize a union.
    1862 - Union forces under General Samuel Curtis defeat the army of General Earl Van Dorn at Pea Ridge, located in an extreme northwestern section of Arkansas. Confederate General Ben McCulloch was killed in one of the attacks. The Yankees suffered 1,384 men killed, wounded, or captured out of 10,000 engaged; the Confederates suffered a loss of about 2,000 out of 14,000 engaged. The Union won a decisive victory that also helped them clear the upper Mississippi Valley region on the way to securing control of the Mississippi River by mid-1863.
    1862 -- Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, Day 2, Generals McCulloch, McIntosh and Slack killed. Union Army gains control of Missouri.
http://civilwartraveler.bravepages.com/PR/PRPAN12.htm
http://www.oldalgonquin.net/civilwar/36th/pearidge/indexpearidge.htm
http://www.cwbattlefields.com/virtualtours/pearidgebattle.html
http://www.civilwarhome.com/pearidge.htm
http://stellar-one.com/civil_war/battle_of_pea_ridge_23.htm
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/mccullob.htm
http://www.members.cox.net/confed/third/mcculloch.html
http://www.2020site.org/texas/lesson58.html
http://stellar-one.com/civil_war/battle_of_pea_ridge_39.htm
    1865- Michael A. Healy of Georgia, became the first Coast Guard serviceman who was African-American. He was appointed this day to the Revenue Cutter Service, the predecessor of the Coast Guard. He became captain on March 3, 1883, and was commanding officer of the Bear from 1886 to 1895.
    1865 - Lieutenant Commander Hooker, commanding a naval squadron consisting of U.S.S. Commodore Read, Yankee, Delaware, and Heliotrope, joined with an Army unit in conducting a raid at Hamilton's Crossing on the Rappahannock River six miles below Fredericksburg. Hooker reported that the expedition succeeded in "burning and destroying the railroad bridge, the depot, and a portion of the track....; also the telegraph line was cut and the telegraphic apparatus brought away. A train of twenty-eight cars, eighteen of them being principally loaded with tobacco, and an army wagon train were also captured and burned. A considerable number of mules were captured and some thirty or forty prisoners taken. A mail containing a quantity of valuable information was secured." Throughout the war, rivers were avenues of strength for the North, highways of destruction to the South, which enabled warships and joint expeditions to thrust deep into the Confederacy.
    1865-Battles round Kinston NC
http://www.aboutthecivilwar.com/uscivilwar5/1577470273AMUS116707.shtml
    1869- the Suez Canal opened. This waterway across Egypt connecting the Mediterranean and Red seas was built by the French. In 1956, Egyptian president Nasser nationalized the canal, prompting an invasion by the British, French and Israelis. The Six-Day War in 1967 shut down the canal for eight years.
1872 -8º F in Boston MA
1888 Alcide “Slow Drag” Pavageau Birthday
http://user.tninet.se/~rrr043f/slow_drag.htm
    1876 - Patent #174,465 was issued to Alexander Graham Bell for his telephone.
    1893-(Alice) Lorena Hickok, highest paid woman newspaper reporter of her day with Associated Press, political reporter, and later became investigator for Harry Hopkins in the Department of Commerce after her involvement with Eleanor Roosevelt made her step out of journalism. She actually lived in the White House with Mrs. Roosevelt and slept in ER's apartment.
http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/abouteleanor/q-and-a/glossary/hickok-lorena.htm
http://www.gaussian.com/ptownfringe/lorena.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0306809982/ref=ase_atriumA/
102-1682336-8966565
    1908 -Cincinnati Mayor Mark Breith stood before city council & announced that, "women are not physically fit to operate automobiles"
    1911- Willis S. Famsworth of Petaluma, CA received two patents, one for a coin-operated locker, and one with William H. Reed on a coin receptacle “magazine-hinge and conveyor” The insertion of a coin in a slot released a key to open and close the locker. The “magazine hinge” enable newspapers
and magazines to be purchased from a locked stand.
    1911 - Twenty thousand US troops are sent to the Mexican border as the Mexican Revolution continues.
    1917- Drummer Lee Young born, New Orleans, LA.
    1917-- "The Dixie Jass Band One Step," by Nick LaRocca's Original Dixieland Jass Band (Victor 18255), becomes the first jazz recording released for sale in the US.
    1923 -- Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," is published in the New Republic magazine. Proud of the poem, he said the lines, "Whose woods these are, I think I know, his house is in the village though..." contained everything he ever knew about how to write.
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/programs/2006/03/06/
    1935-Monopoly was invented this day by Charles Darrow. While unemployed during the Depression, Charles Darrow devised this game and he sold it himself for two years. Monopoly was mass marketed by Parker Brothers beginning in 1935. Darrow died a millionaire in 1967.
    1936 - Nazi leader Adolf Hitler violates the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact by sending German military forces into the Rhineland, a demilitarized zone along the Rhine River in western Germany. Two years later, Nazi Germany burst out of its territories, absorbing Austria and portions of Czechoslovakia. In 1939, Hitler invaded Poland, leading to the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
    1938-Janet Guthrie, an aerospace engineer, was one of the first four women to qualify for the scientist- astronaut program of NASA, the first woman to race in the Indianapolis 500 races, finishing ninth in 1978. (She was forced to withdraw two other times because of engine trouble. Her other entries in 1977 and 1979 were aborted because of engine trouble. No women were even allowed in the repair and refueling pits at the Indy 500 until a lawsuit in 1972.)
http://www.janetguthrie.com/
http://www.britannica.com/women/articles/Guthrie_Janet.html
http://www.writetools.com/women/stories/guthrie_janet.html
    1939-- Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians record "Auld Lang Syne," a New Year's favorite for a very long time, perhaps 30 years.
    1945-A small advance force of the US first Army captured the Ludendorff railway bridge across the Rhine River at Remagen -the only bridge across the Rhine that had not been blown up by the German defenders-thus acquiring the first bridgehead onto the east bank, a turning point in World War II. Not since the days of Napoleon had an invading army crossed the Rhine. There have been several movies about this event, including, "Saving Private Ryan." tnks of the US Third Corps reach the Rhine River opposite the small German town of Remagen, Germany, and find the Ludendorff Bridge damaged but still usable The bridge, which had miraculously survived the massive Allied air assaults on Nazi Germany and then the country's own efforts to protect its interior from the Allied invasion, is an unexpected strategic coup for the US First Army. Troops and vehicles are immediately rushed across, and for the first time, the US forces secure a foothold on the eastern side of the fortified Rhine River shore. Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler is so furious to learn of the US'o use of the intact Ludendorff Bridge that he fires General Gerd von Rundstedt as commander of western German forces. German bombers attempt to destroy the bridge, but the US troops continue to move across and expand the beachhead on the other side. On 17 March, after transporting thousands of troops and military vehicles across the Rhine, the bridge collapses, killing twenty-five Americans. Nevertheless, the Allies now hold the area and engineers erect other bridges nearby. Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower later says that the discovery of the intact bridge "put victory just around the corner."
    1945--LEIMS, JOHN HAROLD Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. marine Corps Reserve, Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 7 marches 1945. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 8 June 1921, Chicago, Ill. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 7 March 1945. Launching a surprise attack against the rock-imbedded fortification of a dominating Japanese hill position, 2d Lt. Leims spurred his company forward with indomitable determination and, skillfully directing his assault platoons against the cave-emplaced enemy troops and heavily fortified pillboxes, succeeded in capturing the objective in later afternoon. When it became apparent that his assault platoons were cut off in this newly won position, approximately 400 yards forward of adjacent units and lacked all communication with the command post, he personally advanced and laid telephone lines across the isolating expanse of open fire-swept terrain. Ordered to withdraw his command after he had joined his forward platoons, he immediately complied, adroitly affecting the withdrawal of his troops without incident. Upon arriving at the rear, he was informed that several casualties had been left at the abandoned ridge position beyond the frontlines. Although suffering acutely from the strain and exhausting of battle, he instantly went forward despite darkness and the slashing fury of hostile machinegun fire, located and carried to safety 1 seriously wounded marine and then, running the gauntlet of enemy fire for the third time that night, again made his tortuous way into the bullet-riddled deathtrap and rescued another of his wounded men. A dauntless leader, concerned at all time for the welfare of his men, 2d Lt. Leims soundly maintained the coordinated strength of his battle-wearied company under extremely difficult conditions and, by his bold tactics, sustained aggressiveness, and heroic disregard for all personal danger, contributed essentially to the success of his division's operations against this vital Japanese base. His valiant conduct in the face of fanatic opposition sustains and enhances the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
    1946—Top Hits
Let It Snow - Vaughn Monroe
Symphony - The Freddy Martin Orchestra (vocal: Clyde Rogers)
Oh, What It Seemed to Be - The Frankie Carle Orchestra (vocal: Marjorie Hughes)
Guitar Polka - Al Dexter
    1946 - Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard was the site of the 18th Annual Academy Awards celebration. Bob Hope hosted the first half of the show with James Stewart stepping up to the mike for the second half. The Best Motion Picture of 1945 was Paramount’s "The Lost Weekend", produced by Charles Brackett. It also won for Best Director (Billy Wilder), Best Actor (Ray Milland), and Best Writing of a Screenplay (Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder). The Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role went to James Dunn for "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn". Best Actress was Joan Crawford for her performance in "Mildred Pierce". The votes for The Best Actress in a Supporting Role prize went to Anne Revere for "National Velvet". The Best Music/Scoring of a Musical Picture Oscar went to George Stoll for "Anchors Aweigh" and Best Music/Song was "State Fair" by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0148306.html
Make Love to Me! - Jo Stafford
Young-At-Heart - Frank Sinatra
Cross Over the Bridge - Patti Page
Slowly - Webb Pierce
    1951--BRITTIN, NELSON V. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company I, 19th Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Vicinity of Yonggong-ni, Korea, 7 March 1951. Entered service at: Audubon, N.J. Birth: Audubon, N.J. G.O. No.: 12, 1 February 1952. Citation: Sfc. Brittin, a member of Company I, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. Volunteering to lead his squad up a hill, with meager cover against murderous fire from the enemy, he ordered his squad to give him support and, in the face of withering fire and bursting shells, he tossed a grenade at the nearest enemy position. On returning to his squad, he was knocked down and wounded by an enemy grenade. Refusing medical attention, he replenished his supply of grenades and returned, hurling grenades into hostile positions and shooting the enemy as they fled. When his weapon jammed, he leaped without hesitation into a foxhole and killed the occupants with his bayonet and the butt of his rifle. He continued to wipe out foxholes and, noting that his squad had been pinned down, he rushed to the rear of a machine gun position, threw a grenade into the nest, and ran around to its front, where he killed all 3 occupants with his rifle. Less than 100 yards up the hill, his squad again came under vicious fire from another camouflaged, sandbagged, machine gun nest well-flanked by supporting riflemen. Sfc. Brittin again charged this new position in an aggressive endeavor to silence this remaining obstacle and ran direct into a burst of automatic fire which killed him instantly. In his sustained and driving action, he had killed 20 enemy soldiers and destroyed 4 automatic weapons. The conspicuous courage, consummate valor, and noble self-sacrifice displayed by Sfc. Brittin enabled his inspired company to attain its objective and reflect the highest glory on himself and the heroic traditions of the military service.
    1954 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Make Love to Me,'' Jo Stafford.
    1955-Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" enters the R&B chart. It is the first time a C&W artist has made the R&B chart.
    1955 - "Peter Pan", with Mary Martin and Cyril Richard, was presented as a television special for the first time. The complete Broadway cast production was also broadcast in color on WRCA, Channel 4, New York City on “Producer’s Showcase.” It could also be seen in black and white on the NBC network.
    1956 - Lonnie Donegan’s hit song, "Rock Island Line", was doing well on the pop music charts from across the big pond. The popular music from Great Britain’s ‘King of Skiffle’ ushered in the new music craze called ‘skiffle’. Donegan was born in Glasgow, Scotland and was a member of Chris Barber’s Jazz Band. He had one other major hit on the U.S. pop charts even bigger than "Rock Island Line". In 1961, Donegan’s "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It’s Flavor (On the Bedpost Over Night)" made it to the top five in America. The song was a top-10 hit in 1924 by Ernest Hare and Billy Jones. However, instead of "Chewing Gum" in the original title, it was "Spearmint". Donegan recorded his version of the song in 1959, two years before it became a hit. Incidentally, John Lennon and George Harrison of The Beatles both started their careers in skiffle bands.
    1957-- The Tune Weavers record "Happy Happy Birthday Baby," one of the top hits for the year.
    1962—Top Hits
Duke of Earl - Gene Chandler
Hey! Baby - Bruce Channel
Break It to Me Gently - Brenda Lee
Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke
    1964-The Beatles "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You" are, according to Billboard, "neck and neck" for the top spot on the singles chart.
    1964 -- Capitol Records is besieged with requests for heavyweight boxing champ Cassius Clay's album, "I Am the Greatest." It's in big demand because of Clay's defeat of Sonny Liston last month. Columbia expects to sell 500,000 copies & Clay (aka, Muhamed Ali) says, "I'm better & prettier than Chubby Checker."
    1965 -- First US "combat" troops sent to Vietnam. (As opposed to "advisers" & troops who are in a defensive roll.) The Johnson administration tries to hide this policy change & denies rumors, but a State Department spokesman "mistakenly" spills the beans a couple months later.
http://distefano.com/
    1965-Selma, Alabama March: 525 people began a fifty-four mile march from Selma, Alabama to the state capitol in Montgomery They were demonstrating for African American voting rights and to commemorate the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson, shot three weeks earlier by an state trooper while trying to protect his mother at a civil rights demonstration. On the outskirts of Selma, after they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the marchers, in plain sight of photographers and journalists, were brutally assaulted by heavily armed state troopers and deputies. Here is their story with photographs:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar07.html
    1966-The Shadow of Knights, a Chicago garage band, enter the Top Ten with their biggest hit, "Gloria."
    1966-- Brian Wilson releases his first solo single, "Caroline, No," the first release of the historic Pet Sounds sessions. Two months later, the PS album would appear with "Caroline, No" on it, but credited to the Beach Boys.
    1966-- Bob Dylan records "Absolutely Sweet Marie"
    1966---Tina Turn records "River Deep Mountain High"
    1967--The Beatles record "Lovely Rita"
    1967-Jim Morrison and The Doors performed at the Matrix, San Francisco, California
    1967 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``Love Is Here and Now You're Gone,'' The Supremes.
    1968--Elvis Presley records one of his most favorite songs, "A Little Less Conversation."
    1969-- Tommy Roe's "Dizzy" is certified gold
    1969-Tommy's Roe's single, "Dizzy" earns a gold record for sales over one million.
    1970—Top Hits
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
Travelin’ Band/Who’ll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Rainy Night in Georgia - Brook Benton
It’s Just a Matter of Time - Sonny James
    1970-Actor Lee Marvin, whose vocal skills were questionable at best, topped the UK singles chart with a song called "Wand'rin' Star", which was featured in the film Paint Your Wagon.
    1973-Traffic have a gold LP with "Shootout at the Fantasy Factory," their final LP with the extended group.
    1973-- Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandel's "Dueling Banjos" is certified gold
    1975-David Bowie's "Young Americans" is released.
    1976-Elton John becomes the first Rock star since the Beatles to be immortalized at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in London.
    1978—Top Hits
(Love Is) Thicker Than Water - Andy Gibb
Sometimes When We Touch - Dan Hill
Emotion - Samantha Sang
Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys - Waylon & Willie
    1981 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: ``I Love a Rainy Night,'' Eddie Rabbit. Before recording on his own, the singer writes songs for Elvis Presley, Ronnie Milsap, Tom Jones and Dr. Hook.
    1983- Willie Nelson received a lifetime achievement award at the Songwriters' Hall of Fame dinner in New York.
    1985 - The song "We Are the World", from the album of the same name, was played on the radio for the first time. Forty-five of pop music’s top stars had gathered together to combine their talents to record the music of Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson. Richie and Jackson sang, too, while Quincy Jones did the producing of the USA for Africa record. The proceeds of the multimillion-selling recording went to aid African famine victims. The project, coordinated by Ken Kragen, was deemed a huge success.
    1986—Top Hits
Kyrie - Mr. Mister
Sara - Starship
Living in America - James Brown
You Can Dream of Me - Steve Wariner
    1987 - Forty-five cities in the north central and northeastern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date. Huron SD hit 80 degrees, and Pickstown SD reached 81 degrees. Rochester MN and Rockford IL smashed their previous record for the date by sixteen degrees.
    1987 - World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champ, ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, became the youngest heavyweight titlist ever as he beat James Smith in a decision during a 12-round bout in Las Vegas.
    1987-- The first Beatles albums are released on compact disc: Please Please Me, With the Beatles, A Hard Day's Night, Beatles for Sale, and Help! This marks the first time the band's official UK albums have been available as standard Beatles albums in the US, many being presented for the first time in America in their original mono mixes.
    1990 - A major ice storm left much of Iowa under a thick coat of ice. It was the worst ice storm in at least twenty-five years for Iowa, perhaps the worst of the century. Up to two inches of ice coated much of western and central Iowa, with three inches reported in Crawford County and Carroll County. As much as five inches of ice was reported on some electrical lines. The ice downed 78 towers in a 17-mile stretch of a high voltage feeder near Boone costing three electric utilities fifteen million dollars. Damage to trees was incredible, and clean-up costs alone ran into the millions. Total damage from the storm was more than fifty million dollars.
    1997-Declaring that Steven Hoffenberg had "wreaked havoc on innocent lives," Federal Judge Robert Sweet sentenced the notorious Wall Street swindler to a twenty-year prison term. In the ruling, handed down on this day in 1997, Sweet ordered the former chief of Towers Financial Corps to pay out $462 million in restitution, as well as a $1 million in fines. Hoffenberg had been accused of pawning off vast sums of "worthless" Tower-backed bonds to unsuspecting investors. All told, Hoffenberg had conned investors out of a whopping $500 million, money which he used to fund his extravagant habits.
    2001-- The National Endowment for the Arts, in conjunction with the RIAA, announces its Top Ten songs of the 20th century. At #1: Judy Garland's rendition of "Over the Rainbow." Also making the list: Bing's "White Christmas" (#2), Aretha's "Respect" (#4), Don McLean's "American Pie" (#5), and the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (#9).
    2003 ---UAL Corp., the bankrupt parent company of United Airlines, announces that sales of 3.9 million shares of UAL by the company’s employee benefit plans (authorization by the IRS announced on 04 March) have lowered employee ownership in those plans below 20%, thereby triggering the "Sunset" provisions contained in the company’s certificate of incorporation that affect UAL’s corporate governance structure.