ELFA Takes Leadership in Coronavirus Update
   Letter from Ralph Petta, ELFA President and CEO

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association is closely monitoring and evaluating the situation around the COVID-19 coronavirus. Given the growing health concerns related to the virus, the association has made a number of changes to our event schedule. These changes are in keeping with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which, as of March 16, is urging a nationwide halt to gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks. We apologize for any inconvenience the changes listed below may cause, but as always, the safety of our participants, community and staff are our priority and we believe these changes are in the best interest of everyone involved:

• IMN/ELFA Investors Conference, March 25 in New York City - CANCELLED
• Principles of Equipment Leasing and Finance Workshop, April 7-9 in Chicago - POSTPONED
• Women’s Leadership Forum, April 20-21 in Chicago - CANCELLED
• Best Practices Roundtables, April 21 in Chicago - CANCELLED
• Emerging Talent Networking Event, April 21 in Chicago - CANCELLED
• National Funding Conference, April 21-23 in Chicago – IN-PERSON EVENT CANCELLED
• Legal Forum, May 3-5 in Washington, D.C. - CANCELLED

We will continue to monitor health professional advice and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus and follow the guidelines from these agencies and local health departments. We are evaluating all subsequent ELFA events and activities and will make any necessary modifications to our upcoming event schedule as needed to ensure the health and safety of our members, staff, vendors and others. We will share updates via the ELFA website at www.elfaonline.org/events. For questions regarding ELFA events, please contact meetings@elfaonline.org.

Although the upcoming event schedule has changed, what hasn’t changed is ELFA’s commitment to our membership. While we have instituted some operational changes, permitting staff to work from home in order to practice social distancing, the entire team remains fully functional and focused on serving our members and delivering on our mission. Please know that ELFA is here for you during this challenging time. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Sincerely,
Ralph Petta
ELFA President and CEO

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Merchant Cash Deals in Trouble?
Off the Record Comments

With many businesses closing or closed from restaurants to construction and non-emergency operations, those with Merchant Cash Advance loans will not be receiving credit card payments, the main method by which Merchant Cash Advances are paid. In trying to learn how companies who utilize this collection method, Leasing News contacted many regarding their plans and reactions will be. In many instances, the transactions are sold, borrowed against or syndicated to banks and other investment groups.

None wanted to be on the record.  Several did not return telephone calls or emails.

Off the record, here are various comments received:

"I remember 2000 and the hunt for money and worse, taking deals they should not just to keep cash flow going and it turns around and bites you at the wrong time, including more fraud as desperate businesses do desperate things."

"If its anything like the last credit crisis, our industry will be the first to have their loans called or suspended from borrowing through no fault of theirs."

"Simple answer is pure sh-t show. This is 2001 and 2008 combined. Thank God I have a deep pocket investor and don’t over lever my balance sheet."

"Nobody escapes without losing some blood in this battle. LOL reminds me of the joke of 2 guys running from a chasing tiger when one says we can’t outrun this tiger and the other quips I know, I just need to outrun you. The rediscount lenders control who survives amongst the MCA lenders."

"I remember the mergers to get money, acquisitions, and the hard money lenders getting hit hard.  The key is not to take bad business just to keep money coming in as it turns around and bites you."

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Marketplace Lending Association (MLA) Makes Pledge
Letter to Chairwoman Waters, Speaker Pelosi, Members of Congress

"The Marketplace Lending Association (MLA) and its members write to inform you that we are prepared and ready to assist borrowers impacted by COVID-19 to help move our nation forward. MLA member institutions are implementing a range of proactive measures to help existing borrowers impacted by COVID-19. This includes providing impacted borrowers with forbearance, loan extensions, and other repayment flexibility that is typically provided to borrowers impacted by natural disasters. During the time of payment forbearance, marketplace lenders are also electing not to report borrowers as “late on payment” to the credit bureaus. Members are also waiving any late fees for borrowers in forbearance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, posting helplines on company homepages, and communicating options via company servicing portals. Finally, MLA and its members have
postponed large gatherings and are implementing travel restrictions and asking employees to work from home.

"MLA Members are also standing by ready to assist with expertise if the government chooses to create a credit facility for consumers, small businesses, and students. Speed, security, and integrity in delivering credit to the market will be vital to success of any such effort. Absent a new government loan or credit facility program, it is important to note that citizens who are impacted by the virus may be seeking new financing to bridge an employment or income loss gap. MLA Members are committed to offering responsible, affordable credit products, and new borrowers who are being impacted by the virus will also receive the loan forbearance and fee relief terms being offered to our existing borrowers.

"We look forward to continuing to work with you to help those impacted during these challenging times."

Nathaniel L. Hoopes
Executive Director
Marketplace Lending Association
1875 Connecticut Avenue NW – 1oth Floor
Washington, D.C 2009

Members:
https://innovativelending.org/

Copy of Letter:
http://marketplacelendingassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MLA-Response-Letter-on-COVID-19.March-12.2020.pdf

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Managing Credit in a Time of Crisis
Three Major Points

Right now - TODAY, as new events unfold rapidly in front of us - we're entering a period in which credit will surely be earning its keep! We say this because instantly, we've suddenly have risk, and lots of it. When looking in the rear-view mirror, maybe just a week or two ago, we had seemingly been without it for quite some time (though, of course, that's not true; people -- even very smart people -- simply weren't seeing it.)

So what do you do you do now?

Well, first, it'll be critical to use all the skills and instincts you've built up over time. Skills of financial analysis. Skills of self-preservation. Skills of BS-detecting. Skills in collection. You name it. Now you're on stage.

Second, make sure you use the best resources you have to keep on top of the specifics of your customer base and the economy in general. Each market has its own unique characteristics. But it is safe to say, risk has suddenly risen everywhere.

As to the best resources, certainly your credit group, if you have one (or better, more than one) is a fantastic source of intelligence, maybe your best. In addition to the raw customer data generated, your contacts there will be an important way to stay grounded and see reality (that sounds strange, I know, but even with clearly dire situations emerging, there's much hyperbole, mis-information, and exaggeration out there now. Having trusted peers to bounce your concerns off of can be invaluable).

Third, maintain a sense of urgency and professionalism at all times. Be a leader.

Rob Lawson
Publisher, Credit Today
RobL@CreditToday.net

Help Wanted

Senior Leader Vendor Services/Equipment Lease Finance/Operations • Lead and further develop the Tandem Finance existing vendor services/ops organization • Small ticket, Vendor based originations model • Direct Lender, 38 years established publicly traded parent organization • Located in The Woodlands, TX (HOU area) • Reporting to President • Salary/Bonus/Benefits Bring your Passion, Experience and Enthusiasm to our rapidly expanding business in this senior level role. Reply to: msheehan@tandemfinance.com

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Professionals Don't Retreat - They Lead!

Sales Makes it Happen by Scott Wheeler, CLFP

The uncertainty of the coronavirus is causing disruption for all businesses and individuals throughout the world. But this, too, will pass. As a professional in the commercial equipment leasing and finance industry, how should an originator react? Professionals don't retreat - they lead. Below are just a few items to consider:

• The fundamentals of the U.S. economy were strong going into the crisis and the economy will react positively once accurate information is available and verifiable.
• Top producers are busy closing business and are positioned to have a strong first quarter.
• Existing vendors and end-users need to be reassured. It's important for you to communicate your resilience to handle this crisis.
• Businesses need our services in all economic situations. The commercial equipment finance and leasing industry propped up small and medium-size businesses during the 2008 downturn and is well positioned to provide essential financial services now.
• This crisis may cause delays in equipment purchases for some businesses. However, the pause will most likely be short-lived (a few weeks to a few months). Businesses will continue to replace worn-out equipment and purchase equipment for expansion and efficiency.
• Top originators will continue to reach out to new prospects and let more potential clients know about their services. The prospecting process never pauses for top producers.
• Top originators will empathize with vendors and end-users that are being disrupted. However, they will be a calming force and will let their partners and clients know that they are here to help.

Now is the time to get more fully engaged in the process, to reassure, to be a positive influence, and to lead the economy forward.

Leadership

Scott A. Wheeler, CLFP
Wheeler Business Consulting
1314 Marquis Ct.
Fallston, Maryland 21047
Phone: 410 877 0428
Fax: 410 877 8161
Email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com
Web: www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com 

Sales Makes it Happen articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Legacy/index.html

 

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A recent survey by Platform.sh reveals the lengths to which employees will go in order to fulfill the dream of working from home. 68 percent of workers said they would accept a 10 percent pay cut in return for being able to work from the comfort of their home. Almost half of all workers surveyed said they would take a pay cut and work more hours just for not having to show up to the office every day.

Half of workers were optimistic that they would actually work more hours while curled up on the couch. 65 percent were certain home office would make them like their job more. In terms of staying in touch while working from home, Microsoft Team was a much more common option than office chat pioneer Slack.

By Katharina Buchholz, Statista

https://www.statista.com/chart/21120/survey-remote-work/

Email from Phil Dushey, Global Financial Services
About New York City

“Hi, Kit. This is a report on what's doing in New York City. Last week, I went out to dinner with a few friends and everything was pretty normal. We laughed and had a really nice time.

In just one week, everything changed. New York has always been known as the city that never sleeps. At any time day or night, you could always find something to do. Broadway is closed, Times Square is a ghost town, the schools are closed, the museums are closed. Every bar and restaurant are closed.

I commute from my home in New Jersey to my office in downtown New York by a luxury ferry everyday but that is gone as well. Near my office, there are literally thousands of people walking around and now there are only a few stragglers in the area. Even in my business, Global Financial Training Program, we are giving online training programs instead of live programs. 

I am 76 years old and, in my wildest dreams, I could never believe what's happening now. This virus has made us prisoners in our own homes.

On the brighter side, business is good and all of this will end. In the future, when all of this is behind us, I think we have to stop taking the little things in life for granted. Like having a great wife and children and grandchildren. Like taking a walk in the park and having an ice cream cone or having a great dinner with friends or just having a glass of wine and relaxing.

We are all going through a lot of stress and uncertainty now but I really believe that this will end soon. I think at this time, regardless of religion, we should all say a prayer or two and put on a smile and be very positive. God bless everyone.”

Phil Dushey
Global Financial Services.”

Coda:
“I think tonight they are announcing Sheltered in Place. Not sure what that means but I am sure we will find out.” Phil

(See News Briefs below. Editor)

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##### Press Release ############################

Alliance Funding Group Announces
Acquisition of Pinnacle Capital Partners

Alliance Funding Group (“AFG”) is pleased to announce that it has acquired Pinnacle Capital Partners, (“Pinnacle”) an independent specialty finance and leasing company based in Tacoma, Washington.
Founded in 2000, Pinnacle is an industry specialist with a focus on the beverage, dental lab, construction, and specialty vehicle markets in addition to working capital solutions.  As a direct originator, the Pinnacle team brings a full-service platform with deep industry knowledge and expertise.

AFG, based in Tustin, California, is an independent specialty finance company with core strengths in small ticket and middle market equipment leases and short term working capital solutions.  In addition to its headquarters in Orange County, AFG also has an operations and sales office in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and a sales office in Los Angeles, California. 

Brent Hall, Pinnacle’s founder and President, declared, “I am very excited about our partnership with AFG and the alignment of two companies that will originate over $200MM in its first year.

 “Pinnacle will be able to leverage the resources of a larger company while bringing to AFG a tenured management team and a developed sales platform in the northwest.  Pinnacle will become a part of Alliance Funding Group and will operate under the AFG brand while still utilizing certain of its private label brands in core markets.”

The acquisition announced today brings together a management team with over 100 years of experience and a collective sales organization that is national in scope with expertise in small ticket, middle market, and working capital products. 

Brij Patel, Founder and CEO of AFG, expressed his excitement about the combination of the two companies and the addition of the Pinnacle management team and sales organization.

 “Both culturally and synergistically, this combination creates a specialty finance and working capital platform that is poised for real growth and success. I have known Brent Hall for many years through the industry and I’m truly excited to have someone of his caliber along with Pinnacle’s organization to add to AFG’s current tenured sales and management team. Starting with a baseline of $200MM in originations along with income-accretive structured finance and working capital products, we like our chances in the competitive equipment finance landscape.

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Statement on Use of the Discount Window
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Federal Reserve lending to depository institutions (the “discount window”) plays an important role in supporting the liquidity and stability of the banking system and the effective implementation of monetary policy. By providing ready access to a backup source of funding, the discount window helps depository institutions manage their liquidity risks efficiently and avoid actions that have negative consequences for their customers, such as withdrawing credit during times of market stress. Thus, the discount window supports the smooth flow of credit to households and businesses. Providing liquidity in this way is one of the original purposes of the Federal Reserve System and other central banks around the world.

The Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency encourage depository institutions to use the discount window to meet demands for credit from households and businesses at this time.

About Discount Window:
https://www.federalreserve.gov/regreform/discount-window.htm

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#### Press Release ############################

Maxim is Here to Help You Close More Deals!
How can we help you during this time of disruption?

During this time of uncertainty, Maxim Commercial Capital remains committed to providing your clients with the hard-asset secured financing they need. Our team is working around-the-clock to review and fund submissions for owner-operator truck financing, heavy equipment purchase financing and real estate-secured business loans.

Scroll down to learn more about our financing programs, access our Broker Guidelines or contact us. We are here to help you.

UPDATED BROKER GUIDELINES!!!

Now financing Trucks & Trailers 2013 and newer

Make sure to download our updated Broker Guidelines for 2020:

Broker Guidelines
https://www.maximcc.com/wp-content/uploads/Maxim-Broker-Guidelines-Package-web.pdf

Our Financing Programs
Maxim helps small and mid-sized business owners seize opportunity by providing financing in amounts up to $3,000,000 secured by heavy equipment and real estate. Maxim facilitates equipment purchases, provides working capital and refinances debt for companies across all industries located nationwide.
    
Truck Financing
Easy app and no minimum FICO gets owner-operators and business owners the trucks they want. Up to $55,000 funded; up to 75% LTV.
        
Heavy Equipment Financing
Fast and flexible leases and loans puts heavy equipment to work for business owners. $20,000 - $250,000 funded; up to 65% LTV.
        
Structured Financing
Custom 6-60 month solutions for business expansion, turnarounds or refinancing short-term debt. $20,000 - $3MM funded; up to 65% LTV for Heavy Equipment and 70% LTV/LTC for Real Estate.

        
Real Estate Secured Working Capital
Debt consolidation and working capital. $100,000 - $3MM funded; up to 70% CLTV. 6 - 60 month terms; interest-only and custom amortization structures.

Dana Freeman
Director, Broker Relations
o - 213-425-3163
m - 512-709-6293
dana@maximcc.com

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Labrador Retriever
Minot, North Dakota  Adopt a Dog

Yogi

Male
Medium
House Trained
Up-to-date Vaccinations
Adoption Fee $150

Yogi is a big loving dog looking for a great home. Yogi was brought in as a stray from the Bottineau area. A good Samaritan tried to reconnect him with his owner for 3 weeks but was unable to. The person that brought him in has reported that he plays well with dogs, kids and that cats do not bother him. They also report that he knows how to ''lay down", "go out", and is housebroken. Yogi will whine to go outside for a bathroom break. When left alone he behaved well in the finder's home and slept. Yogi will leave with all his shots except for his rabies shot and will also leave microchipped.

Souris Valley Animal Shelter (SVAS)
1935 20th Ave SE
Minot, ND 58701
701.852.6133
Contact Us Form:
https://svaspets.com/contact-us/

Shelter Hours
Tues – Sat: 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Sun – Mon: Closed

News Briefs----

Almost 7 million California residents ordered
 to shelter in place---earlier age 65 & Older, "Home Isolate"
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/us/coronavirus-california-shelter-in-place/index.html 

Military releases 2,000 ventilators,
  up to 5 million masks for coronavirus response
https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article241279361.html?

With New York in a State of Emergency, Its Legislators Rush
  to Regulate Disclosures in the Commercial Finance Industry
https://debanked.com/2020/03/with-new-york-in-a-state-of-emergency-its-legislators-rush-to-regulate-disclosures-in-the-commercial-finance-industry/

T-Mobile closes 80% of corporate retail stores
   in more aggressive COVID-19 response
https://www.fiercewireless.com/operators/t-mobile-closes-80-retail-stores-more-aggressive-virus-response

U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Drop
   to Lowest Since January 2017
https://www.equipmentfa.com/news/30538/u-s-manufacturing-technology-orders-drop-to-lowest-since-january-2017

Macy’s will temporarily close all stores due to virus outbreak
  As Will Nordstrom
https://nypost.com/2020/03/17/macys-will-temporarily-close-all-stores-due-to-virus-outbreak/

Major retail chains that no longer exist
  64 Images
https://www.sfgate.com/personal-finance/article/Major-retail-chains-that-no-longer-exist-15135571.php

 

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You May Have Missed---

25 Highest Paying Jobs in America
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2020/03/13/25-highest-paying-jobs-in-america/2/

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Tom Brady

“The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
But stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king
But lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man who never had to toil
To gain and farm his patch of soil,
Who never had to win his share
Of sun and sky and light and air,
Never became a manly man
But lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow with ease,
The stronger wind, the stronger trees,
The further sky, the greater length,
The more the storm, the more the strength.
By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees and men good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth
We find the patriarchs of both.
And they hold counsel with the stars
Whose broken branches show the scars
Of many winds and much of strife.
This is the common law of life”

Douglas Malloch #3days

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Why Tampa Bay Bucs landed Tom Brady
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2020/03/17/reports-tom-brady-is-headed-to-the-bucs/

Tom Brady Says Goodbye to Patriots,
   Thanking Belichick and Kraft
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/03/17/tom-brady-leaving-patriots-thanking-belichick-and-kraft/

Bill Belichick gets emotional about Tom Brady’s Patriots exit
https://nypost.com/2020/03/17/bill-belichick-gets-emotional-about-tom-bradys-patriots-exit/

Drew Brees to re-sign with New Orleans Saints
   on two-year, $50 million contract
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/saints/2020/03/17/drew-brees-resigns-new-orleans-saints-contract/5066970002/

Dallas Cowboys lose another starter as DE Robert Quinn
   lands five-year, $70 million contract from Chicago Bears
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/cowboys/2020/03/17/dallas-cowboys-robert-quinn-signs-chicago-bears/5068197002/

Sources: Witten joins Raiders on 1-year deal
http://www.theredzone.org/Blog-Description/EntryId/80822/Sources--Witten-joins-Raiders-on-1-year-deal

Raiders agree to deal with former Titans QB Marcus Mariota,
   per report
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/raiders/2020/03/16/marcus-mariota-las-vegas-raiders-nfl-free-agency/5065093002/

Raiders add future Hall of Fame TE Jason Witten,
   DT Maliek Collins, S Jeff Heath
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/03/17/raiders-add-future-hall-of-fame-te-jason-witten-dt-maliek-collins/

Nets' Kevin Durant Says He Tested Positive
   for the Coronavirus, Feels Fine
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2881572-nets-kevin-durant-says-he-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-feels-fine

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California Nuts Briefs---

Recession due to coronavirus could hit
   California harder than rest of U.S.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article241234036.html?

California plans to use private hotels, motels
   to shelter homeless people as coronavirus spreads
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article241216061.html?ac_cid=DM153161&ac_bid=140578477

About 75,000 people work in Sacramento restaurants
   and bars. They face economic disaster
https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article241273661.html?

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Wine Is for Sharing. What Does That Mean in Self-Quarantine?
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/dining/drinks/drinking-alone.html

U.S. Wine Industry Faces an Uncertain Immediate Future
https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomaspellechia/2020/03/15/the-us-wine-industry-faces-an-uncertain-immediate-future/#735025d3722c

Free Wine App
https://www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp/

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

This Day in History

     1543 - The first record of a flood in the United Sates was observed by the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto.  He noted the Mississippi River began overflowing its banks and continued until it crested on April 20.  By the end of May, the flood had receded. de Soto introduced wild pigs into the wilderness that environmentalists say changed the animal population considerably, including introducing smallpox that killed millions of Indians.  When expeditions returned a hundred years later, they questioned de Soto's reports because of the major changes to the landscape. http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2002/03/ 
    1644 – The third and final Anglo-Powhatan War, between the Powhatan Indians of Chief Opechancanough and the English settlers in Virginia Colony began and was not settled until 1646 when Opechancanough was captured and killed.   The First Anglo–Powhatan War, between the Powhatan and the English colonists, lasted from 1610 to 1614.  The second was 1622-28.  The Powhatan were forced to give up all the land between the James and York Rivers. The Third war resulted in a boundary being defined between the Indians and English lands that could only be crossed for official business with a special pass. The war's end ushered in 30 years of relative peace between the colonists and the Powhatan, shattered only by the attacks of Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676.  This resulted in the Treaty of Middle Planation signed by Cockacoeske, Opechancanough’s matrilineal successor.  Under her next two successors, lands within the original Pamunkey reservation, which was coterminous with King William’s County, would be sold to the English, resulting in the relatively small Pamunkey and Mattaponi reservations of the present.
    1673 - Lord Berkeley sold half of his holdings in New Jersey to the Quakers. He and Sir George Carteret were the founders of the Province of New Jersey.  Berkeley's personal relationships with Charles II and the Duke of York led to his receiving an interest in New Jersey, in addition to that in Carolina previously received. Berkeley was co-proprietor of New Jersey from 1664 to 1674. In 1665, Berkeley and Carteret drafted the Concession and Agreement, a proclamation for the structure of the government for the Province that also provided freedom of religion in the colony. Berkeley sold his share to a group of Quakers because of the political difficulties between New York Governor Richard Nicolls, Carteret, and himself. This effectively split New Jersey into two colonies: East Jersey, belonging to Carteret, and West Jersey. The division remained until 1702 when West Jersey went bankrupt; the Crown then took back and subsequently re-unified the colony.
    1692 - Following the accession of William III to the English throne, Pennsylvania is declared a royal colony and New York governor Benjamin Fletcher is declared governor of Pennsylvania, depriving William Penn of his proprietary powers. The Crown takes over Pennsylvania because the pacifist Quakers refused to involve themselves in the war against France and because William Penn had maintained friendly relations with the former English monarch, James II.
    1741 - The Conspiracy of 1741, also known as the Negro Plot of 1741 or the Slave Insurrection of 1741, was a purported plot by slaves and poor whites in the British colony of New York in 1741 to revolt and level New York City with a series of fires.  Manhattan had the second-largest slave population of any city in the Thirteen Colonies after Charleston, SC. Rumors of a conspiracy arose against a background of economic competition between poor whites and slaves; a severe winter; war between Britain and Spain, with heightened anti-Catholic and anti-Spanish feelings; and recent slave revolts in South Carolina and St. John in the Caribbean. In March and April 1741, a series of 13 fires erupted in Lower Manhattan, the most significant one within the walls of Ft. George, the home of the governor. After another fire at a warehouse, a slave was arrested after having been seen fleeing it. A 16-year-old Irish indentured servant, Mary Burton, arrested in a case of stolen goods, testified against the others as participants in a supposedly growing conspiracy of poor whites and blacks to burn the city, kill the white men, take the white women for themselves, and elect a new king and governor. 
    1748 - George Washington visited the public spa at a mineral spring deeded to the colony of Virginia in 1756 by Thomas Fairfax, sixth Baron Fairfax “to be forever free to the publick for the welfare of suffering humanities.” The spa was located in Bath, Berkeley County, VA (now Berkeley Springs, Morgan County, WV). 
    1766 - Opposition to the Stamp Act was not limited to the colonies. British merchants and manufacturers, whose exports to the colonies were threatened by colonial boycotts, pressured Parliament. The Act was repealed on March 18, 1766 as a matter of expedience, but Parliament affirmed its power to legislate for the colonies "in all cases whatsoever" by also passing the Declaratory Act. There followed a series of new taxes and regulations, likewise opposed by the colonists.  The episode played a major role in defining the grievances - later clearly stated within the text of the ‘Indictment of George III section of the Declaration of Independence’ - and enabling the organized colonial resistance that led to the American Revolution in 1775.
    1782 - Birthday of John Calhoun (d. 1850) at Abbeville District, SC.  American statesman and first Vice President of the US to resign that office (Dec 28, 1832). He was considered the South's strongest advocate for slavery. The Vice-Presidents ran as separate offices in his day and he served under John Quincy Adams from March 4, 1825 to March 4, 1829 and under President Andrew Jackson from March 4, 1829 to December 28, 1832. He resigned to fill the vacancy in the Senate caused by the resignation of Robert Young Hayne, senator form South Carolina. Calhoun was elected to fill the vacancy on December 12, 1832. He had been Secretary of War and Secretary of State. He was too weak and ill to read his speech or oppose Daniel Webster's brilliant oratory that brought about the “Missouri Compromise” regarding limited slavery in the Western territory. Senator Daniel Webster argued in favor of the compromise. He both cautioned Southerners that disunion would lead to war and advised Northerners to forgo antislavery measures. The Compromise of 1850 was passed and Calhoun died soon after on March 31, 1850. 
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar18.html 
    1806 - Birthday of African-American Norbert Rillieux (d. 1894), New Orleans.  Inventor of sugar refining. 
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blrillieux.htm 
http://gibbsmagazine.com/Rillieux.htm 
    1813 - David Melville of Newport, Rhode Island patented the gas streetlight. He first installed these lights in front of his own house on Pelham Street.  Soon everyone in the neighborhood wanted one. 
    1818 – Congress approved the first pensions for government service.  Public pensions got their start with various promises, informal and legislated, made to veterans of the Revolutionary War.  They were expanded greatly, and, more extensively, the Civil War and began to be offered by a number of state and local governments during the early Progressive Era in the late nineteenth century. 
    1837 - The 22nd and 24th president of the US was born Stephen Grover Cleveland (d. 1908) at Caldwell, NJ. Terms of office as president: March 4, 1885—March 3, 1889 and March 4, 1893—March 3, 1897. He ran for president for the intervening term and received a plurality of votes cast but failed to win in the Electoral College. Only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms. Also the only president to be married in the White House. He married 21-year-old Frances Polsom, his ward. Their daughter, Esther, was the first child of a President to be born in the White House.
    1848 - "California Star" reported that non-Native population of San Francisco was 575 males, 177 females and 60 children 
    1850 - Henry Wells and William Fargo formed American Express in Buffalo.  Wells had formed Wells, Butterfield & Company as the successor of Butterfield & Wasson. That same year, the American Express Company was formed as a consolidation of Wells & Company, Livingston, Fargo & Company, and Wells, Butterfield & Company. Wells was president of American Express from 1850 to 1868.  When John Butterfield and other directors of American Express objected to extending the company's service to California, Wells organized Wells, Fargo & Company on March 18, 1852, to undertake the venture. Edwin B. Morgan was the company's first president, and Wells, William Fargo, Johnston Livingston and James McKay were on the boards of both Wells Fargo and American Express.   
    1858 - Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel (d. 1913), the inventor of the diesel engine, was born in Paris.
    1865 – The Congress of the Confederate States of America adjourned for the last time.  One of its final acts was the passage of a law allowing for the emancipation and military induction of any slave willing to fight for the Confederacy.
    1869 – Neville Chamberlain (d. 1940) was born in Birmingham, England.  UK Prime Minister from May 1937 to May 1940. Chamberlain is best known for his appeasement foreign policy, and in particular, for his signing of the Munich Agreement in 1938, conceding the German-speaking Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia to Germany. However, when Hitler later invaded Poland, the UK declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, and Chamberlain led Britain through the first eight months of World War II.   His premiership was dominated by the question of policy toward the increasingly aggressive Germany, and his actions at Munich were widely popular among Britons at the time. When Hitler continued his aggression, Chamberlain pledged Britain to defend Poland's independence if the latter were attacked, an alliance that brought Britain into war when Germany attacked Poland in 1939. Chamberlain resigned the premiership on May 10, 1940 after the Allies were forced to retreat from Norway, as he believed a government supported by all parties was essential, and the Labour and Liberal parties would not join a government headed by him. He was succeeded by Winston Churchill but remained very well regarded in Parliament, especially among Conservatives. Before ill health forced him to resign he was an important member of Churchill's War cabinet, heading it in the new premier's absence. Chamberlain died of cancer six months after leaving the premiership. 1870 – The first wildlife preserve in the US was established at Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA.
    1874 - Hawaii signed a treaty with the United States granting exclusive trade rights.
    1886 - Edward Everett Horton (d. 1970) was born in Brooklyn.  Narrator: “Fractured Fairy Tales” on “The Bullwinkle Show;” actor: “It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” “Lost Horizon,” “Sex and the Single Girl,” “Arsenic and Old Lace.” 
    1901 - William H. Johnson (d. 1970) was born in Florence, SC. Johnson spent many years in Europe painting expressionist works. He was strongly influenced by the vivid styles and brushstrokes of Henry O. Tanner, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Edward Munch and Otto Dix. He left Europe when Hitler began destroying art that had primitivist or African themes. Back in the US, Johnson developed a new, flatter style and delved into subjects of his own experience as well as historical African-American figures and events. “Going to Church” (1940—41) and “Mom and Dad” (1944) are examples of his later work. 
    1902 - 29-year-old Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso was paid $50 each to record 10 songs on wax for the Gramophone and Typewriter Company in Italy; $500. He would go on to become the world's first recording star. Two years later, he began recording in America for the Victor Talking Machine Company (later RCA Victor). Over a 16-year span, he would earn millions of dollars in royalties from the retail sales of his 260 recordings. 
    1907 - The lawyers prosecuting alleged grafters score point after point in the proceedings before the grand jury and announce that they have sufficient evidence to prove that the United Railroads, the Pacific States Telephone Co., Home Telephone Co., the Prize-Fight Trust and the Gas Co., have bribed San Francisco supervisors and other city officials. 
    1909 – Ernest Gallo (d. 2007) was born in Jackson, CA.  He co-founded with brother Julio, E&J Gallo Winery in Modesto, CA shortly after the repeal of Prohibition. 
    1911 - Deane Kinkaide’s (d. 1992) birthday in Austin, TX.  Noted big band arranger, Dorsey's “Boogie Woogie,” Goodman's “Bugle Call Rag.” Had many of his arrangements in my high school/college gig.
    1919 - The Order of DeMolay was founded in Kansas City with nine members, as an international fraternal organization for young men ages 12 to 21. It was named for Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar who was burned at the stake on Mar. 18, 1314.
    1925 - The 'Great Tri-state Tornado' tore a 219 mile path through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, resulting in the greatest US tornado disaster ever. 695 people were killed, the largest death toll from a single tornado in US history. 234 deaths occurred at Murphysboro, Illinois, the biggest death toll within a single city from a tornado on record. At one point, the tornado was moving at a record setting 73 mph. This tornado was easily an F5 on the Fujita scale with winds exceeding 260 mph. Instead of occurring along a cold front or in a squall line, the tornado was closely associated with a surface low pressure area. In all respects, it was a remarkable tornado and stands alone in tornadic events. 
    1926 – Actor Peter Graves was born Peter Duesler Aurness (d. 2010) in Minneapolis, MN.  TV credits include:  “Fury,” “Mission Impossible,” “The Winds of War.”  Film credits include:  “Airplane,” “Airplane 2,” “Stalag 17,” “The President's Plane is Missing,” “The Night of the Hunter.”  He was the brother of actor James Arness, who lived near us and took my brother and I to University High School often.  Our next-door neighbor, James Whitmore, turned down the “Gunsmoke” role and recommended Arness instead.   He earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009.
    1927 – Author George Plimpton (d. 2003) was born in NYC.  He is widely known for his sports writing and for helping to found “The Paris Review.”  He was also famous for "participatory journalism" which included competing in professional sporting events, acting in a Western movie, performing a comedy act at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, and playing with the New York Philharmonic, and then recording the experience from the point of view of an amateur. Outside the literary world, Plimpton was famous for competing in professional sporting events and then recording the experience from the point of view of an amateur.  In 1958, prior to a post-season exhibition game at Yankee Stadium between teams managed by Willie Mays (National League) and Mickey Mantle (American League), Plimpton pitched against the National League. His experience was captured in the book “Out of My League.” Plimpton sparred for three rounds with boxing greats Archie Moore and Sugar Ray Robinson while on assignment for Sports Illustrated.  In 1963, Plimpton attended preseason training with the Detroit Lions as a backup quarterback, and ran a few plays in an intra-squad scrimmage. These events were recalled in his best-known book “Paper Lion,” which was later adapted into a feature film, released in 1968. Another sports book, “Open Net,” saw him train as a goalie with the Boston Bruins, even playing part of a NHL preseason game.  Plimpton's classic, “The Bogey Man,” chronicles his attempt to play professional golf on the PGA Tour during the 960s. Among other challenges for Sports Illustrated, he attempted to play top-level bridge, and spent some time as a high-wire circus performer.  In the April 1, 1985 issue of Sports Illustrated, Plimpton pulled off one of the greatest April Fools’ Day pranks of all time. With the help of the New York Mets organization and several Mets players, Plimpton wrote a convincing account of a new unknown pitcher in the Mets spring training camp named Siddartha Finch who threw a baseball over 160 mph, wore a heavy boot on one foot, and was a practicing Buddhist with a largely unknown background. The prank was so successful that many readers believed the story, and the ensuing popularity of the joke resulted in Plimpton writing an entire book on Finch.
    1931 - The first electric razor was manufactured by the Schick Dry Razor Company of Stamford, CT. Remington had introduced the dual-headed electric shaver in 1940. The electric shaver was invented by Colonel Jacob Schick (1877-1937), who recognized that soldiers in the field needed a razor that did not require soap or hot water.  He patented a tiny electric motor in 1923 and received patents on his “shaving implement” on November 6, 1928. He could not convince anyone to manufacture his invention so raised money himself to start his own company.  Jacob Schick's first business venture, the Magazine Repeating Razor Co, founded 1925, sold a razor with injection cartridge blades designed much like a repeating rifle, where the blades were sold in clips that could be loaded into the razor without touching the blade. This business provided the necessary capital to develop his electric razor concept when he sold it to the American Chain & Cable Company in 1928. Schick became a Canadian citizen in 1935 to avoid an investigation by the Joint Congressional Committee on Tax Evasion & Avoidance after he moved most of his wealth to a series of holding companies in the Bahamas.
    1932 - Author John Updike (d. 2009) was born in Reading, PA and was raised in nearby Shillington.  An American novelist, poet, short story writer, and art and literary critic, Updike's most famous work is his "Rabbit" series.  The novels “Rabbit, Run;” “Rabbit Redux;” “Rabbit is Rich;” “Rabbit at Rest;” and the novella “Rabbit Remembered,” chronicled the life of the middle-class everyman Harry ‘Rabbit’ Angstrom over the course of several decades, from young adulthood to death.
http://www.hycyber.com/HF/updike_john.html 
    1932 - Casa Loma Band cuts “Smoke Rings.”
    1938 – Singer and former minor league baseball player, Charley Pride, was born in Sledge, MS. He is considered to be the most successful black entertainer in country music. By the early 1970's, Pride had become RCA Victor's biggest-selling artist since Elvis Presley, with hits such as "Is Anybody Going to San Antone?" "Kiss and Angel Good Morning" and "Wonder Could I Live There Anymore." In total, he has garnered 39 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. When his first record, "Snakes Crawl at Night," was released in 1965, there was almost no publicity and few people realized that Pride was black. But by the following year, Pride had gained a huge hit and a Grammy Award nomination for "Just Between You and Me."  And in 1967, he was introduced on the Grand Ole Opry by Ernest Tubb.  From 1952-60, Pride pitched for several minor league teams after stints in the Negro Leagues.  Arm trouble forced him out of the game and into the music business. 
    1938 – New York became the first to require serological blood tests of pregnant women.  
    1939 - Frank Sinatra makes his very first recording, a demo called "Our Love," recorded with the Frank Mane band.
    1940 - Casa Loma Band cuts “No Name Jive,” (Decca)
    1941 - Wilson Pickett (d. 2006), one of the great soul singers of the 1960's, was born in Prattville, AL. Pickett joined a Detroit group called the Falcons in 1962, and sang lead on their hit, "I Found a Love." But Pickett, on the suggestion of the Falcons' producer, soon began a solo career. He signed with Atlantic in 1964, and had the first of his many hits with "In the Midnight Hour." His backup group on this record was Booker T. and the MG's. Pickett's other successes included "Land of 1,000 Dances," "Funky Broadway" and "I'm a Midnight Mover." 
    1942 - The War Relocation Authority was established in the United States to take Japanese Americans into custody. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, authorizing military commanders to create zones from which certain persons could be excluded if they posed a threat to national security. Military Areas 1 and 2 were created soon after, encompassing all of California and much of Washington, Oregon and Arizona, and subsequent civilian exclusion orders informed Japanese Americans residing in these zones they would be scheduled for "evacuation." The WRA was formed via Executive Order 9102, with Milton S. Eisenhower as the original director.
    1942 – Jackie Robinson and Nate Moreland requested a tryout with the Chicago White Sox during spring training in Pasadena, CA. Sox manager Jimmy Dykes allowed the two to work out but later dismissed them.
    1943 - MATHIS, JACK W., (Air Mission) Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 359th Bomber Squadron, 303d Bomber Group. Place and date: Over Vegesack, Germany, 18 March 1943. Entered service at: San Angelo, Tex. Born: 25 September 1921, San Angelo, Tex. G.O. No.: 38, 12 July 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack, Germany, on 18 March 1943. 1st Lt. Mathis, as leading bombardier of his squadron, flying through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, was just starting his bomb run, upon which the entire squadron depended for accurate bombing, when he was hit by the enemy antiaircraft fire. His right arm was shattered above the elbow, a large wound was torn in his side and abdomen, and he was knocked from his bomb sight to the rear of the bombardier’s compartment. Realizing that the success of the mission depended upon him, 1st Lt. Mathis, by sheer determination and willpower, though mortally wounded, dragged himself back to his sights, released his bombs, then died at his post of duty. As the result of this action the airplanes of his bombardment squadron placed their bombs directly upon the assigned target for a perfect attack against the enemy. 1st Lt. Mathis’ undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.
    1945 - MURPHY, FREDERICK C., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 259th Infantry, 65th Infantry Division. Place and date: Siegfried Line at Saarlautern, Germany, 18 March 1945. Entered service at: Weymouth, Mass. Birth: Boston, Mass. G.O. No.: 21, 26 February 1946. Citation: An aid man, he was wounded in the right shoulder soon after his comrades had jumped off in a dawn attack 18 March 1945, against the Siegfried Line at Saarlautern, Germany. He refused to withdraw for treatment and continued forward, administering first aid under heavy machinegun, mortar, and artillery fire. When the company ran into a thickly sown antipersonnel minefield and began to suffer more and more casualties, he continued to disregard his own wound and unhesitatingly braved the danger of exploding mines, moving about through heavy fire and helping the injured until he stepped on a mine which severed one of his feet. In spite of his grievous wounds, he struggled on with his work, refusing to be evacuated and crawling from man to man administering to them while in great pain and bleeding profusely. He was killed by the blast of another mine which he had dragged himself across in an effort to reach still another casualty. With indomitable courage, and unquenchable spirit of self-sacrifice and supreme devotion to duty which made it possible for him to continue performing his tasks while barely able to move, Pfc. Murphy saved many of his fellow soldiers at the cost of his own life.
    1945 - TREADWELL, JACK L., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company F, 180th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany, 18 March 1945. Entered service at: Snyder. Okla. Birth: Ashland, Ala. G.O. No.: 79, 14 September 1945. Citation: Capt. Treadwell (then 1st Lt.), commanding officer of Company F, near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany, in the Siegfried line, single-handedly captured 6 pillboxes and 18 prisoners. Murderous enemy automatic and rifle fire with intermittent artillery bombardments had pinned down his company for hours at the base of a hill defended by concrete fortifications and interlocking trenches. Eight men sent to attack a single point had all become casualties on the hare slope when Capt. Treadwell, armed with a submachine gun and hand grenades, went forward alone to clear the way for his stalled company. Over the terrain devoid of cover and swept by bullets, he fearlessly advanced, firing at the aperture of the nearest pillbox and, when within range, hurling grenades at it. He reached the pillbox, thrust the muzzle of his gun through the port, and drove 4 Germans out with their hands in the air. A fifth was found dead inside. Waving these prisoners back to the American line, he continued under terrible, concentrated fire to the next pillbox and took it in the same manner. In this fort he captured the commander of the hill defenses, whom he sent to the rear with the other prisoners. Never slackening his attack, he then ran across the crest of the hill to a third pillbox, traversing this distance in full view of hostile machine gunners and snipers. He was again successful in taking the enemy position. The Germans quickly fell prey to his further rushes on 3 more pillboxes in the confusion and havoc caused by his whirlwind assaults and capture of their commander. Inspired by the electrifying performance of their leader, the men of Company F stormed after him and overwhelmed resistance on the entire hill, driving a wedge into the Siegfried line and making it possible for their battalion to take its objective. By his courageous willingness to face nearly impossible odds and by his overwhelming one-man offensive, Capt. Treadwell reduced a heavily fortified, seemingly impregnable enemy sector.
    1945 - The first professional hockey player to score 50 goals in one season was Joseph Henri Maurice “Rocket” Richard of the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens, who scored his 50th goal at 17:45 of the third period against the Boston Bruins at the Boston Garden. He retired in 1960 with 544 goals in 16 regular seasons. 
    1945 - The Japanese released mechanized flying bombs piloted by young Japanese men. These suicide bombs, directed against the US aircraft carrier fleet attacking the Japanese fleet in the Kure-Kobe area, inflicted serious damage on Enterprise, Intrepid and Wasp. 
    1945 - About 1300 American bombers, with some 700 escorting fighters, drop 3000 tons of bombs on Berlin, despite heavy anti-aircraft defenses, including numerous jet fighters. The US fleet loses 25 bombers and 5 fighters.
    1945 - *WILKIN, EDWARD G., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company C, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Siegfried Line in Germany, 18 March 1945. Entered service at: Longmeadow, Mass. Birth: Burlington, Vt. G.O. No.: 119, 17 December 1945. Citation: He spearheaded his unit's assault of the Siegfried Line in Germany. Heavy fire from enemy riflemen and camouflaged pillboxes had pinned down his comrades when he moved forward on his own initiative to reconnoiter a route of advance. He cleared the way into an area studded with pillboxes, where he repeatedly stood up and walked into vicious enemy fire, storming 1 fortification after another with automatic rifle fire and grenades, killing enemy troops, taking prisoners as the enemy defense became confused, and encouraging his comrades by his heroic example. When halted by heavy barbed wire entanglements, he secured bangalore torpedoes and blasted a path toward still more pillboxes, all the time braving bursting grenades and mortar shells and direct rifle and automatic-weapons fire. He engaged in fierce fire fights, standing in the open while his adversaries fought from the protection of concrete emplacements, and on 1 occasion pursued enemy soldiers across an open field and through interlocking trenches, disregarding the crossfire from 2 pillboxes until he had penetrated the formidable line 200 yards in advance of any American element. That night, although terribly fatigued, he refused to rest and insisted on distributing rations and supplies to his comrades. Hearing that a nearby company was suffering heavy casualties, he secured permission to guide litter bearers and assist them in evacuating the wounded. All that night he remained in the battle area on his mercy missions, and for the following 2 days he continued to remove casualties, venturing into enemy-held territory, scorning cover and braving devastating mortar and artillery bombardments. In 3 days he neutralized and captured 6 pillboxes single-handedly, killed at least 9 Germans, wounded 13, took 13 prisoners, aided in the capture of 14 others, and saved many American lives by his fearless performance as a litter bearer. Through his superb fighting skill, dauntless courage, and gallant, inspiring actions, Cpl. Wilkin contributed in large measure to his company's success in cracking the Siegfried Line. One month later he was killed in action while fighting deep in Germany
    1949 - Top Hits 
“Far Away Places” - Margaret Whiting
“Powder Your Face with Sunshine” - Evelyn Knight
“Cruising Down the River” - The Russ Morgan Orchestra (vocal: The Skyliners)
“Don't Rob Another Man's Castle” - Eddy Arnold
    1950 - Teresa Brewer's "Music! Music! Music!" hits #1
    1951 – Bennett Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, was born in Merrick, Long Island, NY.  He first met his partner, Jerry Greenfield in 7th grade.
    1953 - In baseball's first franchise shift in half a century, the Boston Braves announced that they would become the Milwaukee Braves. The team remained in Milwaukee through the 1965 season after which it moved to Atlanta.
    1957 - Top Hits
“Young Love” - Tab Hunter
“Round and Round” - Perry Como 
“Little Darlin'” - The Diamonds 
“There You Go” - Johnny Cash 
    1957 - “Tales of Wells Fargo” premiered on TV. This half-hour western starred Dale Robertson as Jim Hardie, agent for Wells Fargo Transport Company. In the fall of 1961, the show expanded to an hour. Hardie bought a ranch and new cast members were added, including Jack Ging as Beau McCloud, another agent, Virginia Christine as Ovie, a widow owning a nearby ranch, Lory Patrick and Mary Jane Saunders as Ovie's daughters and William Demarest as Jeb, Hardie's ranch foreman. Jack Nicholson appeared in one of his first major TV roles in the episode "The Washburn Girl." My father, Lawrence Menkin, wrote many of the episodes.
    1957 - In what is believed to be the largest offer for a player to date, Cleveland Indians GM Hank Greenberg rejected a million-dollar offer for left-handed pitcher Herb Score from Boston Red Sox GM Joe Cronin. Greenberg refused, saying that Cleveland is interested in building for the future, not in selling its premier ballplayers. Score won 20 games in 1956 and led the AL with 263 strikeouts.  Unfortunately, six weeks later, Score will be struck in the eye by a batted ball by the Yankees’ Gil McDougald and would win only 19 more games over the rest of his career.
    1958 - Jerry Lee Lewis becomes the first musician to appear on American Bandstand actually singing and not lip-synching his performance. Singing "Great Balls Of Fire," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," and "Breathless" live, he also becomes the first guest to perform three songs on the program.
    1959 - Bill Sharman of the Boston Celtics began what was to be the longest string of successful consecutive free throws (56 in a row) to set a new National Basketball Association record.
    1959 - President Eisenhower signed the Hawaii statehood bill
    1959 - EMI announces its intention to halt production of 78 rpm records.
    1960 – “Rio Bravo,” the classic Howard Hawks/John Wayne Western that also stars Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson, opens in US theaters.
    1962 - Gary "U.S." Bonds appears on The Ed Sullivan Show performing his latest hit, "Twist, Twist, Senora," which will reach #9 in April.
    1963 – Construction began on the first domed sports stadium that was fully enclosed. The Astrodome, Houston, TX, formally known as the Harris County Domed Stadium. The overall cost was $35.5 million. The arena could accommodate 66,000 people. The first baseball game under the dome was played on April 9, 1965 between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees, who lost 2-1. In the game, Mickey Mantle hit the first home run there, off Turk Farrell.  The first football game was played on September 11, 1965, when the University of Tulsa defeated the University of Houston 14-0. 
    1964 - Birthday of Bonnie Blair in Cornwall, N.Y. She moved with her parents to Champaign, Ill., when she was 2 and began skating. In 1988, Blair won the gold medal in the 500 meters at the Winter Olympics in Calgary, and a bronze in the 1,000 meters. In the 1992 games in Albertville, France, she won two gold medals at the same distances, becoming the first American Woman to win three gold medals in the Winter Olympics and in 1994 she added more.
    1965 - Top Hits 
“Eight Days a Week” - The Beatles 
“Stop! In the Name of Love” - The Supremes 
“The Birds and the Bees” - Jewel Akens
“I've Got a Tiger by the Tail” - Buck Owens
    1966 - Robert C. Weaver became first Black presidential cabinet member when sworn in as Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs in the Johnson Administration.
    1967 - The Beatles went gold, receiving a gold record for the single, "Penny Lane." The ‘B' side of hit record was the also-popular "Strawberry Fields Forever."
    1967 - After three minor chart makers, an Oklahoma group called Five Americans release their biggest hit, "Western Union," which would rise to #5 on The Hot 100. 
    1968 - Congress repealed the requirement for a gold reserve to back US currency. In the 1780s, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Morris, and Alexander Hamilton recommended to Congress the value of a decimal system. This system would also apply to monies in the United States. The question was what type of standard: gold, silver or both.  The United States adopted a silver standard based on the Spanish milled dollar in 1785.  In 1792, Congress passed the Mint and Coinage Act, authorizing the federal government's use of the Bank of the United States to hold its reserves, as well as establish a fixed ratio of gold to the U.S. dollar. Gold and silver coins were legal tender, as was the Spanish Real. In 1792, the market price of gold was about 15 times that of silver.  Silver coins left circulation, exported to pay for the debts taken on to finance the American Revolution.  Passage of the Independent Treasury Act of 1848 placed the U.S. on a strict hard-money standard. Doing business with the American government required gold or silver coins.  Congress passed the Gold Reserve Act on 30 January 1934; the measure nationalized all gold by ordering Federal Reserve banks to turn over their supply to the U.S. Treasury. In return, the banks received gold certificates to be used as reserves against deposits and Federal Reserve notes. The act also authorized the President to devalue the gold dollar. Under this authority, President Roosevelt, on 31 January 1934, changed the value of the dollar from $20.67 to the troy ounce to $35 to the troy ounce, a devaluation of over 40%.  After the World War II, a system similar to a gold standard and sometimes described as a "gold exchange standard" was established by the Bretton Woods Agreements. Under this system, many countries fixed their exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar and central banks could exchange dollar holdings into gold at the official exchange rate of $35 per ounce; this option was not available to firms or individuals. All currencies pegged to the dollar thereby had a fixed value in terms of gold.  Starting in the 1959–1969 administration of President deGaulle and continuing until 1970, France reduced its dollar reserves, exchanging them for gold at the official exchange rate, reducing US economic influence. This, along with the fiscal strain of federal expenditures for the Vietnam War and persistent balance of payments deficits, led President Nixon to end international convertibility of the U.S. dollar to gold on August 15, 1971.  
    1969 – The United States began secret bombing of the Sihanouk Trail in Cambodia used by communist forces to infiltrate South Vietnam.
    1970 - Country Joe McDonald is convicted for obscenity and fined $500 for leading a crowd in his infamous Fish Cheer ("Gimme an F..!") at a concert in Massachusetts.
http://www.countryjoe.com/
    1970 - Brook Benton received a gold record for the hit single, "Rainy Night in Georgia." It was Benton's first hit since 1963's "Hotel Happiness." 
    1970 - A wild-cat strike of postal employee locals of the National Association of Letter Carriers that began in New York City spread to parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. On March 23, President Richard Nixon decaled a state of national emergency and called out 30,000 troops to move the mail. The strike ended on March 24.
    1970 – Queen Latifah was born Dana Owens in Newark, NJ. 
    1971 - High winds accompanied a powerful low pressure system tracking from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Lakes. Winds gusted to 100 mph at Hastings, Nebraska and to 115 mph at Hays, Kansas. High winds caused 2 million dollars in property damage in Kansas.
    1972 - The Knox-class ocean destroyer escort, the Jesse L. Brown, was named at the Avondale Shipyards, Westwego, LA, becoming the first naval ship to be named for an African-American naval officer. Jesse Leroy Brown of Hattiesburg, MI, was commissioned an ensign on April 15, 1949. He died near the Changjin Reservoir in Korea, becoming the first African-American flier in the Naval Reserve to be killed in combat.
    1972 - The Chicago vocal group, The Chi-Lites make their second appearance on TV's Soul Train, where they perform their newest release, "Oh Girl." The tune will go on to top the Billboard Pop and R&B charts and reach #14 in the UK. Not bad for a song that writer Eugene Record would later say he was surprised that the record company even wanted to issue as a single. 
    1972 - Neil Young enjoyed his only solo, US number one hit with "Heart of Gold."  Backup vocals were provided by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.
    1972 - Paul Simon's self-titled debut album topped the chart on the strength of the singles "Mother and Child Reunion" and "Me and Julio Down By The School Yard." 
    1973 - Top Hits 
“Killing Me Softly with His Song” - Roberta Flack 
“Love Train” - O'Jays Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001) - Deodato
“Teddy Bear Song” - Barbara Fairchild
    1974 - Most OPEC nations ended a five-month oil embargo against the United States, Europe and Japan.
    1978 - The Bee Gees started an eight-week stay at the top of the pop music charts with "Night Fever" (they had a total of nine #1 hits) from the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack.
    1981 – In a monumental contract misstep by the Red Sox that allowed C Carlton Fisk to become a free agent, he signed contract with the Chicago White Sox. The five-year pact will pay Fisk $2.9 million.
    1981 - Top Hits
“9 to 5” - Dolly Parton
“Keep on Loving You” - REO Speedwagon 
“Woman” - John Lennon 
“Guitar Man” - Elvis Presley 
    1985 - History was made in the short-lived United States Football League. A pro football record was set by Denver and Houston of the USFL with a total of 112 passes thrown in the game. Houston went airborne 69 times, Denver took to the air 43 times.
    1985 – New MLB Commissioner Peter Ueberroth reinstated Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, who had been banned from association with organized baseball by former commissioner Bowie Kuhn due to their employment by Atlantic City casinos. Ueberroth's ruling allowed both men to pursue employment with Major League teams.
    1989 - Top Hits 
“Lost in Your Eyes” - Debbie Gibson 
“The Living Years” - Mike & The Mechanics 
“Roni” - Bobby Brown 
From a Jack to a King - Ricky Van Shelton
    1989 - A storm in the western U.S. produced heavy rain in California, with heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada Range. Venado, CA was drenched with 5.40 inches of rain in 24 hours. A dozen cities in the eastern U.S. reported new record high temperatures for the date, including Baltimore, MD with a reading of 82 degrees.
    1990 - Heavy rain caused extensive flooding of rivers and streams in Georgia, with total damage running well into the millions. Flooding also claimed six lives. Nearly seven inches of rain caused 2.5 million dollars damage around Columbus, and up to nine inches of rain was reported over the northern Kinchafoonee Basin in Georgia.
    1992 - Disco Queen, Donna Summer gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
    1995 - Michael Jordan, considered one of the NBA'S greatest all-time players, made history again when he announced that he was returning to professional play after a 17-month break. The 32-year-old star had retired just before the start of the 1993—94 season, following the murder of his father, James Jordan. Jordan, who averaged 32.3 points a game during regular season play, had led the Chicago Bulls to three successive NBA titles. While retired, he tried a baseball career, playing for the Chicago White Sox minor league team. On his return to the Bulls, he led them to three more NBA titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998.   
    2012 - The Washington Nationals assigned top prospect Bryce Harper to the AAA Syracuse Chiefs in anticipation of a call-up to Washington expected before the end of the summer. Indeed, the call-up occurred on April 29, at the insistence of manager Davey Johnson, and Harper will never look back, earning Rookie of the Year honors in the NL.  He was the 2015 NL MVP.  After the 2018 season, he became a free agent, signing with the Philadelphia Phillies for a 13-year, $330 million contract.  In their first year without Harper, the Nationals won the World Series in 2019.   
    2013 - The FBI reported they have discovered who stole $580 million in masterpieces from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990, the greatest art heist in American history.  In the early morning hours of March 18, 1990, a pair of thieves disguised as Boston police officers gained entry to the museum and stole thirteen works of art. The total worth of the stolen pieces has been estimated at $500 million, making the robbery the greatest single property theft in world history.[7] Among the stolen works was “The Concert”, one of only 34 known works by Vermeer and thought to be the most valuable unrecovered painting at over $200 million. Also missing is “the Storm on the sea of Galillee,” Rembrandt’s only known seascape.  Despite efforts by the FBI, the works have not yet been recovered. The case remains unsolved, with the museum offering a reward of $5 million for information leading to recovery of the art. Empty frames hang in the Dutch Room gallery as placeholders for the missing works, in hopeful expectation of their return. The selection of stolen works puzzled experts, as more valuable artworks were present in the museum.  The FBI believe the thieves were members of a criminal organization based in the Mid-Atlantic and New England.