NY Attorney General James Shuts Down Northern Leasing
Spinoffs for Continuing to Prey on Small Businesses

Leasing News has been receiving complaints on credit card programs and machines for small business for almost twenty years. Many of the lawsuits were settled but the companies continued to operate,

In a 2007 suit settlement with the Missouri Attorney General's office, Jay Cohen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Leasing Systems, commented, “Northern Leasing has always prided itself on the fairness of our business practices and the open dialogue we strive to maintain with our customers, financial partners and governmental agencies. Our swift and continued willingness to resolve issues whenever they arise is a strong indication that we take our reputation very seriously.” (1)

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

Attorney General James Shuts Down Northern Leasing
Spinoffs for Continuing to Prey on Small Businesses

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James has won another major victory to protect small business owners in New York and across the country from predatory and deceptive business practices. A decision and order, issued yesterday afternoon, granted a petition filed by Attorney General James last November, which sought to — among other things — permanently block NLS Equipment Finance LLC, Leasing Expenses Company, LLC. and a number of related entities and individuals from engaging in fraudulent practices and enforcing fraudulent equipment leases that were rescinded pursuant to a June 2020 court order in an earlier proceeding brought by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Since 1991, and until its fraudulent scheme was halted by the OAG’s earlier proceeding, Northern Leasing deceptively and illegally induced small businesses into abusive and overpriced financing leases for inexpensive credit card processing equipment.

Attorney General James, said, “This decision demonstrates that efforts to evade the rule of law will not be tolerated and that we will continue to hold fraudulent businesses’ feet to the fire, even after a victory.

“Despite being ordered to shut down last year, Northern Leasing and the individuals behind it attempted to continue their fraudulent practices, but this order sends a clear message that creating new corporate entities to continue deceptive and illegal practices that have been outlawed will never be an acceptable practice. Much-needed money will now be put back into the pockets of struggling small business owners around the country, many of which continue to suffer from the impacts of the COVID-19 public health crisis.”

In the earlier proceeding, the OAG alleged that Northern Leasing Systems, Inc. (Northern Leasing), its affiliated companies, and its principal, Jay Cohen, engaged in fraudulent conduct by targeting small, family-owned businesses — such as flower shops, hair salons, automotive repair shops, bodegas, delis, restaurants, and bars — and trapped them into overpriced, never-ending lease agreements for credit card processing equipment. The lawsuit further alleged that Northern Leasing abused the judicial process by suing to collect on these leases in New York City Civil Court. Deputy Chief Administrative Judge George J. Silver — as a co-petitioner in the proceeding — sought to vacate default judgments obtained by fraud, deception, or other improper means.

The June 2020 New York County State Supreme Court ruling found that the OAG proved that Northern Leasing engaged in fraudulent and illegal conduct, including finding that Northern Leasing’s method of procuring its lease agreements was deceptive and “created an enterprise conducive to fraud.” The court granted sweeping relief, including the rescission of hundreds of thousands of leases and restitution to defrauded merchants. Additionally, the court ordered a permanent injunction against Northern Leasing and the other entities from conducting the business of equipment finance leasing or the collection of debts under equipment finance leases, and blocked them all from purchasing, financing, transferring, servicing, or enforcing of equipment finance leases. That decision was recently affirmed by the New York State Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, First Department.

In November 2020, the OAG brought forward another, separate proceeding after discovering that Northern Leasing’s owners and officers had created two new entities — NLS Equipment Finance and Leasing Expenses Company — to continue defrauding small businesses using the same scheme barred by the court in the prior litigation, as well as to continue collecting on leases rescinded by the June 2020 court order.

The companies found liable by this ruling — also issued by the New York County State Supreme Court — were operated by former Northern Leasing Chief Financial Officer Ariel Schachter and former Northern Leasing officer Sara Krieger, and were owned by trusts that benefited the families of Northern Leasing’s owners, Jay Cohen and Leonard Mezei. The court found that these companies had “risen on [Northern Leasing's] ashes” in an earlier December ruling that granted a temporary restraining order barring them from collecting on any equipment leases.

In (Friday, February 26) decision and order, the court found that the different entities’ efforts to differentiate their business operations from those of Northern Leasing Systems did not “negate their liability” and — if allowed to prevail — “would all but obliterate the spirit and purpose” of the June order granted by Justice Lucy Billings. The court ordered Northern Leasing and the other entities to disgorge any funds acquired as a result of their fraudulent practices and to make restitution to victims of their scheme.

The parties named in this proceeding include Leasing Expenses Company LLC; NLS Equipment Finance LLC; Leonard Mezei; Ariel Schacter; Sara Krieger; Jay Cohen; a Jay Cohen Family Trust; Fieldston Capital LLC; and JS Ventures Holding LLC.

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Mark Ladov and Special Counsel Mary Alestra, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Laura J. Levine and Bureau Chief Jane M. Azia — all of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau. The Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau is a part of the Division for Economic Justice, which is overseen by Chief Deputy Attorney General Chris D’Angelo and First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

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

(1)Northern Leasing Systems and Missouri AG Agree to Dismiss Lawsuit
http://leasingnews.org/archives/November%202007/11-02-07.htm#nls

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Top Ten Leasing News
February 22 to February 26

(Stories most opened by readers)

 

(1) What Happens to LEAF Commercial Capital
    after M&T Bank acquires People’s United Bank?
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_24.htm#what

(2) M&T Bank and People’s United Bank
    Leaf Commercial Capital and People’s United Bank
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_26.htm#mt

(3) Super Brokers on the Rise
    By Christopher Menkin
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_22.htm#super

(4) Report on Texas Lease/Financing Operation
    During Snowstorm Last Week
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_22.htm#report

(5) We are not all in the same "boat"
    Placard
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_24.htm#placard

(6) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
    and Related Industries
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_26.htm#hires

(7) Companies who utilize Evergreen Clauses
    for Extra Lease Payments
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_22.htm#evergreen

(8) S.F. plummeted from No. 1 in a ranking of U.S. cities
    with the best economies. Here's where it landed on the list
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_22.htm#sf

(9) Top Mark Funding Announces Expansion with New Hires
    and a return to Travel for Dealer Account Representatives
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2021/02_26.htm#mark

(10) Manhattan wine store’s entire $300,000 inventory
    stolen: police
https://nypost.com/2021/02/24/nyc-wine-stores-entire-300000-inventory-stolen-police/

 

 

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Talent Crisis Seems Part of the New Normal
By Steve Chriest

Right now. we are seeing many corporate and government key management retire,  then return to work for the same company or competitor as an "independent contractor." They keep their pension but make about the same salary, sometimes higher, as is happening in several industries from the court system, telephone company, utilities or banking, when they leave for a corporate consulting job.

As leasing companies see the average age of their sales teams rising, the time is quickly approaching when they must step up efforts to recruit, train and retain sales professionals to replace not only retiring Baby Boomers, but younger team members who opt to ply their sales talents in other industries. For many companies, both large and small, mistakes in recruiting talent, and failure to retain talent, may impact their survival as competition for sales professionals heats up.

The dwindling supply of talent should be accompanied by increased costs of recruiting and retaining salespeople. The impact of these increased costs will be exacerbated by the consequences of bad hires. Smart management teams are already making plans to stop hiring and investing in poor performers. Identifying, hiring and retaining productive salespeople are fast becoming the top priorities for leading edge companies in all industries.

Too many companies make the mistake of chasing superstars when they recruit sales talent. The problem with this approach, frankly, is that there aren't enough superstars to go around and there will be fewer to choose from in the future. One of the keys to success is to concentrate on not hiring, promoting or training sub-par performers who don't have real potential for growth and improvement.

Sales team turnover, for many reasons, is unavoidable. Some turnover, at least in small amounts, is healthy for most companies. Fresh talent keeps the organization vital, as newcomers often bring new ideas and experiences that can benefit the business. Too much turnover is costly. For example, the turnover costs for telesales positions ranges from $75,000 to $90,000, while the total turnover costs for top sales producers can easily exceed $300,000!

Unless a significant number of those entering the business faze of the life turn out to be “born salespeople,” a talent crisis is joining the “new normal” created by the internet and sped along with the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic changing our way of life.

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

 

Micro Goals

The Ultimate Hire
by Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners

We are all on an extremely unique journey right now.

A journey that has no map, compass or end. A journey that is giving us unforeseen obstacles, fears, and unease, one that is unforgiving.

For many of us, it is costing us our physical and mental health, our income, and our purpose. It is a journey on which many of us are lost on.

The human body has an internal compass that, when lost, will spin you around in a circle unless you get some sort of bearing. I think that the only bearing many have is hope.  The hope of when will this be over, when and if things will come back to normal, and what will things be like after this global pandemic. 

What I have learned among this journey in business and life these last few weeks is the importance of micro goals. Micro goals get you through the hour, the day or the week. You need to celebrate these micro goals when you achieve them; they keep you going. The big picture is a bit blurry but the next marker is just ahead. Find the next marker and it will lead you down the right path. 

Keep your head up, stay strong and keep moving forward.

Ken Lubin
Managing Director
ZRG Partners, LLC
Americas I EMEA I Asia Pacific
C: 508-733-4789
https://www.linkedin.com/in/klubin/

"What is the Ultimate Hire? The Ultimate Hire is the professional that every business, team or leader needs in their organization. This is the high performance individual that always rises to the top, brings the team to the next level and can significantly add to the bottom line. The Ultimate Hire is the person that you can't afford to be without. Finding, Attracting, Hiring and Retaining these professionals is critical to the success of your business. We have identified these traits and can help you find these top professionals."

The Ultimate Hire Collection:
http://leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/ultimate.html

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Surging Patient Numbers Trigger Hiring Spree
in Florida’s Medical Marijuana Sector

In 2020 alone, Florida’s medical cannabis program created approximately 15,000 jobs and a new analysis revealed that, in total, approximately 31,450 Florida residents are now employed in this industry.

A report authored by Leafly & Whitney Economics shows that the total sales of cannabis last year was valued at $1.23 billion. These statistics show that Florida outdid every state with a legal marijuana program except Colorado and California, where robust adult-use programs exist.

According to the Office of Medical Marijuana, the state agency charged with overseeing medical cannabis in Florida, a total of 170,000 people registered as medical marijuana patients in 2020 in Florida. This number brought the total of active card holders within the state to 485,693. That growth is projected to retain its momentum to an extent that annual sales may hit the $6 billion mark every year.

That notwithstanding, Leafly & Whitney Economics experts are of the opinion that those numbers would pale if the state opted to establish a recreational cannabis program, or at least get rid of the cumbersome and even potentially unconstitutional way in which medical marijuana is currently regulated.

Since the state has a population of approximately 22 million residents, an adult-use mechanism would swiftly double the number of people consuming marijuana. Subsequently, sales would surge to $2.1 billion each year, and taxes for both the state and local governments would total $800 million a year.

Source: Cannabisnewswire

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Coronavirus cases and deaths are falling rapidly in the U.S. Several weeks of frigid weather keeping people inside coupled with an increase in vaccine distribution could be playing a role in cases dropping and many are expecting the trend to continue as the country approaches the warmer weather of spring. While vaccine doses are being administered at record levels across most U.S. states, survey data shows a lingering hesitancy and lack of trust in the vaccine science could prevent a quick adoption of herd immunity.

A new survey of 1,500 U.S. adults from YouGov shows nearly 50 percent of respondents say they either don’t plan on getting the vaccine when it becomes available to them or they’re still unsure. Another 39 percent say they will get the vaccine when it’s available, while 12 percent say they’ve already received the vaccine (despite data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing only 6 percent of the population have received the recommended two vaccine doses.)

While some who say they won’t take the vaccine have a mistrust in the science, others may still be hesitant based on being unsure of when and where to go for the vaccine, whether they can take time off from work or other personal factors preventing them from immediately going to get their shot.

Wiliam Rober, Editor, Statista

The World’s Black Billionaires in 2021
15 Black billionaires with a combined wealth of $48.9 billion

Full Story:
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/black-billionaires-in-2021/

 

 

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

ELFA Partners with TomorrowZone® for Innovative
 Virtual Collaboration Opportunities in Equipment Finance

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association today announced plans to partner with TomorrowZone, a future-focused consulting firm specializing in technology trends, to help equipment finance professionals capitalize on the latest innovations to prepare for the future. The partnership will allow ELFA members to access interactive and collaborative virtual experiences to connect and explore cutting-edge technology advances, generate fresh ideas, and include diverse voices in the industry innovation discussion. The collaboration will kick off with the first event, a virtual Innovator Roundtable on March 25 led by TomorrowZone CEO & Founder Deborah Reuben.

The Innovator Roundtable is designed for equipment finance business and technology professionals and produced in collaboration with ELFA’s Technology Innovation Working Group. The goal of the roundtable is to facilitate peer-to-peer discussions on innovation in equipment finance. Attendees will have an opportunity to engage with senior leaders from ELFA’s Technology Innovation Working Group in a facilitated open forum on the people, process, and technology sides of innovating in this new world. Attendees will gain insights into:

• How industry peers are evolving their thinking about the future of work.
• Actionable tips for innovating and collaborating while remote.
• Ways that technology is already shaping the future of equipment finance and preparing for what’s next.

The Innovator Roundtable will be held on March 25 from noon-2pm central time followed by a facilitated networking experience until 2:30 pm central time. Details and registration information are available at https://tomorrowzone.io/ELFA.

Additional Collaboration
Following the March 25 event, ELFA and TomorrowZone will produce additional virtual collaboration sessions for ELFA members to expand ongoing discussions about technology and innovation’s role in shaping the future of equipment finance. The sessions will take a “digital-first” approach to connecting people and ideas and including diverse voices in these important discussions. Through this partnership ELFA will leverage TomorrowZone’s unique virtual workshop ideation, design, and facilitation capabilities.

ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta, said, “We are in a time of rapid change, and the equipment finance industry is being challenged to innovate to compete in a new world in which disruption—from automation to blockchain to artificial intelligence—is the norm.

 “ELFA is pleased to partner with TomorrowZone to help our members access cutting-edge knowledge, new tech tools and collaborative networks to shape the future of equipment finance.”

Deborah Reuben, CEO and Founder of TomorrowZone and creator of Beyond Convention, commented, “Breakthrough ideas come from unusual collaborations, and we are designing virtual experiences to connect with new people and forward-thinking concepts.

 “We are excited to partner with ELFA to create impactful learning and collaboration opportunities that include fresh voices and ignite new ideas to shape the future.”

More information about the Innovator Roundtable on March 25 is available at https://tomorrowzone.io/ELFA.

TomorrowZone® is a consulting firm devoted to inspiring both futuristic thinking and action to innovate in the equipment finance and tech sector. The Beyond Convention: EF Innovators Conference is the only virtual community of professionals devoted to technological innovation trends and what they mean specifically for the equipment finance sector. Our mission is to help the industry embrace innovation, adopt technology, and future proof their businesses. Learn more at www.tomorrowzone.io

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the nearly $1 trillion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its 575 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers. In 2021, ELFA is celebrating 60 years of equipping business for success. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org.

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

Border Collie Mix
Las Vegas, Nevada  Adopt-a-Dog



OSO

Male
Young
Medium
Tricolor (Brown, Black & White)
House Trained
Neutered
Vaccinations up to date
Good in home with other dogs, children

WE WILL BE HOLDING ADOPTIONS ON SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS FROM 10-4 PM at our Adoption Center. No appointments necessary. Our adoption center is located next to CAL Ranch at 232 North Jones (I-95) Suite 170.

Oso is an almost two-year-old male Border Collie mix. He is reported be good with other dogs and children however he does like to jump for attention. Unfortunately, he had to live out his life in a backyard so he is looking for a home that can treat him as part of their family indoors. He is very loving and smart and even more so eager to please.

If you are interested in Oso, please contact dogrescuelv@hotmail.com to confirm the dog you are interested in, will be attending that particular event. We have limited space at the store; therefore, we cannot take every dog out to the event. Bring your entire family and dogs for a meet & greet.

A Path 4 Paws Dog Rescue
Las Vegas, Nevada
dogrescuelv@hotmail.com
(702) 591-6469

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Leasing News Advisor
Hugh Swandel

Mr. Swandel joined the Advisory Board July 6, 2011

Hugh Swandel | President
Meridian OneCap Credit Corp
4710 Kingsway
Suite 1500, Metrotower 1
Burnaby, B.C.,Canada  V5H 4M2
T: 604-646-2254  | 888-735-2201, extension 8298 (toll-free)
C: 204-996-4844
hugh.swandel@meridianonecap.ca
meridiancu.ca/mocc

Hugh Swandel has been active in the commercial equipment finance industry for 30 years in a variety of roles. Currently Mr. Swandel is the President of Meridian OneCap Commercial Credit (MOCC). MOCC is a market leader in the Canadian equipment financing sector with offices across Canada. Previously Hugh was the Senior Managing Director of The Alta Group in Canada and worked for clients in both United States and Canada. The Alta Group is a global consultancy practice specializing in the asset-based finance industry. During recent years Hugh Swandel has assisted many top North American firms on a variety of projects including market entry studies, acquisitions, due diligence, funding and strategic planning.

Hugh serves on the boards of directors of the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association (CFLA), is Chairman of the CFLA research committee, and is the past President of the National Equipment Financing Association (NEFA, USA). He also is a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association of America (ELFA). He has reported on many events and conferences for Leasing News and is an active participant on the Advisory Board.

In 2006, 2010 and in 2018, Hugh received the Canadian leasing industry’s highest honor when he was named “CFLA Member of the Year.” He is one of a small group of industry professionals to receive the award on three separate occasions.

Mr. Swandel is an active fundraiser and trustee of the Chris Walker Education Fund – an equipment finance industry charity dedicated to furthering research and education in memory of Chris Walker. In addition to supporting industry research, Mr. Swandel and his family operated fundraising concerts for Post-Traumatic Stress Charities in memory of RCMP officer and family friend Ken Barker.

Prior to founding his consulting firm, Swandel and Associates, in 2001, Hugh served as president and chief operations officer of Electronic Financial Group (EFG). EFG was a Canadian company that launched a multi lending web-based credit system. Earlier, Hugh spent 10 years with National Leasing Group in a variety of senior positions. National Leasing Group is a Canadian lessor that has won numerous awards for excellence in management and innovation.

News Briefs---

TD to Close 82 U.S. Bank Branches
    as COVID-19 Drives Digital Growth
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-25/td-to-close-82-u-s-bank-branches-as-covid-drives-digital-growth

Virginia joins 15 other states in legalizing marijuana
    "Sales would not start until 2024"
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/27/virginia-legalizes-marijuana-471840

COVID-19 at the Gym: Every Single Participant
    in This Mask-less Cycling Class Got Coronavirus
https://www.self.com/story/indoor-fitness-classes-covid-19-outbreaks

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You May Have Missed---

49.8 million people have received one or both vaccine doses
  Check Your State
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/covid-vaccine-states-distribution-doses/

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Sports Briefs---

Shocking Drew Brees video
    blows up retirement speculation
https://nypost.com/2021/02/27/shocking-drew-brees-video-blows-up-retirement-speculation/

NFL Could See Record 5 Quarterbacks
    Taken in Top 10 of 2021 NFL Draft
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2933724-nfl-could-see-record-5-quarterbacks-taken-in-top-10-of-2021-nfl-draft

Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, and our demands
    on aging superstars
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/28/opinion/tiger-woods-serena-williams-our-demands-aging-superstars/

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California Nuts Briefs---

Sacramento Major League Soccer expansion deal collapses.
    Key investor backs out
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article249560508.html?ac_cid=DM394760&ac_bid=-420611171

Monterey district says no
    to football this spring
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/02/28/mpusd-says-no-to-football-this-spring/

Oakland A's redesign proposed Howard Terminal stadium
    - again
https://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/athletics-new-stadium-designs-proposals-15983702.php

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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Channel Shifting, E-Comm Power Global Off-Premise
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataId=242162

Black Winemaker Dances to his Own Tune
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2021/02/black-winemaker-dances-to-his-own-tune

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

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

This Day in History

1493 - Martin Alonzo Pinzon (1440-1493), Spanish shipbuilder and navigator and co-owner of the Nina and the Pinta, accompanied Christopher Columbus on his first voyage, as commander of the Pinta. Storms separated the ships on their return voyage, and the Pinta first touched land at Bayona, Spain on this day in 1493, where Pinzon gave Europe its first news of the discovery of the New World, before Columbus's landing at Palos.
    1624 - Edward Winslow, governor of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, received cattle imported from Dover, England. Cows, were raised principally for their hides; secondly, for meat; and only very incidentally for their milk.
    1633 – Samuel de Champlain reclaimed his role as commander of New France in North America on behalf of Cardinal Richelieu. New France is generally considered most of eastern Canada, the Maritime Provinces and the US states of Vermont New Hampshire and Maine.
    1638 - The Dutch colonial administrator Peter Minuit arrived at the “Rockes” on Christina River, the future site of Wilmington, DE.  He built Fort Christina, named in honor of the Swedish queen.  He arrived in two Dutch vessels, “Lamar Nyckel” and “Vogel Grip,” with Jan Hendricksen van de Waeter as skipper.  Minuit, who was later to establish Patroons and grants of settlement in New York, led an expedition that sailed from Gothenburg, Sweden on November 20, 1637.  Another settlement, New Sweden, was built on the Delaware River, near the present site of Trenton, NJ.
    1639 - The first document known to have been printed in America was the “Oath of a Free Man,” by Stephen Day Press, Cambridge, MA. It was a one-page sheet that read: “I doe solemnly bind myself in the sight of God, that when I shall be called to give my voice touching any subject of this State, in which Freemen are to deal, I will give my vote and suffrage as I shall judge in mind own conscience may best donce and ten to the publick weal of the body, without respect of persons, or favour of any man.”
    1642 - Georgeana (York), Maine, became the first colonial city to incorporate.
    1692 - Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne and Tituba were brought before local magistrates in Massachusetts, the Salem Witch trails began, and the “witches” were put to death.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar01.html
    1713 - The siege and destruction of Fort Neoheroka began during the Tuscarora War in North Carolina, effectively opening up the colony's interior to European colonization.  A stronghold constructed in what is now Greene County by the Tuscarora tribe was attacked by a colonial force consisting of an army from the neighboring South Carolina, under the command of Colonel James Moore, and made up mainly of Indians.  Hundreds of men, women and children were burned to death in a fire that destroyed the fort. Approximately 170 more were killed outside the fort while approximately 400 were taken to South Carolina where they were sold into slavery.
    1776 – The first independent government was formed in Charleston, SC. John Rutledge was elected president, Henry Laurens vice president, and William Henry Drayton as chief justice. An army and navy were created, a privy council and an assembly were elected, and the issue of $600,000 of paper money and coins were authorized.
    1780 – Pennsylvania became the first U.S. state to abolish slavery (for newborns only). It was followed by Connecticut and Rhode Island in 1784, New York in 1785, and New Jersey in 1786. Massachusetts abolished slavery through a judicial decision in 1783.
    1781 – This should be the national holiday, as it commemorates the founding of the United States. A compact made among the original 13 states had been adopted by the Congress on Nov 15, 1777 and submitted to the states for ratification two days later. Maryland was the last state to approve, Feb 27, 1781 but Congress named Mar 1, 1781 as the day of formal ratification. The Articles of Confederation remained the supreme law of the nation until Mar 4, 1789 when the US Constitution went into effect.
    1790 – The first US Census was authorized.
    1803 – Ohio became the 17th state.  The Buckeye State (nicknamed because of the many buckeye trees, the state tree) with Columbus as its capital city, seems to have a penchant for the color red. Its state bird is the cardinal; the scarlet carnation is its flower; the state insect is the ladybug; and the state drink is tomato juice. The state song is “Beautiful Ohio.”  The word, Ohio, is derived from the Iroquois Indian word meaning ‘great river.’ The Ohio River is not as great as the Mississippi, but it is pretty big! Ohio’s state motto: With God, all things are possible.”
    1810 – Georgetown College was chartered in Washington, D.C., making it the first Roman Catholic institution of higher learning established in the United States.
    1836 - A convention of delegates from 57 Texas communities convened in Washington-on-the-Brazos to deliberate independence from Mexico. Known as "the birthplace of Texas" because it was here that the delegates formally announced Texas' intention to separate from Mexico and to draft the constitution of the new Republic of Texas. They organized an interim government to serve until a government could be elected and inaugurated.  They later signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.  During this time, the Battle of the Alamo was entering its final days of a 13-day siege.
    1845 – President Tyler signs a resolution annexing the Republic of Texas
    1864 – Rebecca Lee, received the first formal M. D. degree in the U.S. ever given an African-American woman, from the New England Female Medical College in Boston.  Lee received degree 16 years after Elizabeth Blackwell fought her way into the all-male medical establishment. Blackwell then established other women’s medical institutions.
    1864 – Believing the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia to be lightly fortified, President Abraham Lincoln ordered a surprise raid to capture the city and free Union prisoners. Federal troops under General Judson Kilpatrick and Colonel Ulric Dahlgren led the attack but failed when the plan was discovered by Southern forces in the wake of their retreat. Dahlgren was killed and two documents were discovered on his body. The incriminating documents contained plans to burn the city and kill Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet. Confederate General Robert E. Lee complained to the Union commander, George Meade, which infuriated President Lincoln. War historians have labeled Meade “incompetent,” whose indecision cost the Union many lives. As a side note, President Lincoln on March 10th appointed Ulysses S. Grant general in chief, replacing Henry W. Halleck, who systemically began replacing officers who seemed to be composed on “high society” appointments.
    1867 – Nebraska became the 37th state. The Cornhusker State, aka the Beef State, aka the Tree Planter State, Nebraska means ‘flat water’ in Oto Indian speak. Lincoln is the official seat of Nebraska government. Nebraska’s motto: Equality before the law. The western meadowlark holds the honor of being the state bird while the goldenrod takes its place as the state flower. Other state symbols include the cottonwood tree (state tree); the honeybee (state insect); blue agate (state gemstone); whitetail deer (state mammal); mammoth (state fossil); prairie agate (state rock); “Beautiful Nebraska” (state song).
    1867 – Howard University was charted.  Shortly after the end of the Civil War, members of The First Congregational Society of Washington considered establishing a theological seminary for the education of black clergymen. Within a few weeks, the project expanded to include a provision for establishing a university. Within two years, the University consisted of the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Medicine. The new institution was named for General Oliver Otis Howard, a Civil War hero, who was both the founder of the University and, at the time, Commissioner of the Freedman’s Bureau. Howard later served as President of the University from 1869 to 1874.  Congress chartered Howard and much of its early funding came from endowment, private benefaction, and tuition. In its first five years of operation, Howard University educated over 150,000 freed slaves.  From its outset Howard, has been nonsectarian and open to people of all sexes and races. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in more than 120 programs, more than any other HBCU in the nation.  It is a private, federally chartered historically Black research university in Washington, DC.
http://www.howard.edu/
    1872 - Yellowstone National Park was established. The first area in the world to be designated a national park, most of Yellowstone is in Wyoming, with small sections in Montana and Idaho. It was established by an act of Congress.
    1874 - Lawn tennis was introduced by Mary Ewing Outerbridge, who imported rackets and other equipment from Bermuda. A court was laid out at the Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club, New Brighton, NY to which Miss Outerbridge's family belonged. The first players were members of the family. Within seven years, tennis had become popular and on May 21, 1881, Eugenius H. Outerbridge, Mary Outerbridge's brother, organized the United States Lawn Tennis Association, to which 33 tennis clubs sent delegates.
    1875 - Congress passed a Civil Rights Act that would be invalidated by the Supreme Court in 1883.
    1887 - In preparation for the upcoming National Colored Base Ball League season, the Louisville Falls City signed Al Prater from Detroit and W.S. Purnsley from the Cuban Giants. In addition, they have recently started construction of a 2,000-seat park.
    1890 – The first U.S. edition of Sherlock Holmes, “Study in Scarlet,” was published.
    1903 - Baseball Rules Committee chairman Tom Loftus of the Washington Senators ruled that the pitcher’s mound must not be more than 15 inches higher than the baselines or home plate.
    1904 - Birthday of Glenn Miller (d. 1944) was born Alton Glenn Miller at Clarinda, IA.  American bandleader and composer. He enjoyed great popularity preceding and during World War II. His hit recordings included "Moonlight Serenade," "String of Pearls," "Jersey Bounce" and "Sleepy Lagoon." Major Miller, leader of the US Army Air Force band, disappeared Dec 15, 1944 over the English Channel on a flight to Paris where he was scheduled to give a show. There were many explanations of his disappearance, but 41 years later, in December, 1985, crew members of an aborted RAF bombing said they believed they had seen Miller's plane go down, the victim of bombs being jettisoned by the RAF over the English Channel. Singer Nick Hilscher leads the band that has continued Miller’s music and performs globally.  http://www.glennmillerorchestra.com/
    1909 - The Pittsburgh Pirates began construction of their new stadium near Schenley Park near the Oakland section of the city. The state-of-the-art stadium was named Forbes Field in honor of John Forbes, a pre-Revolutionary British general.  Forbes Field served as the Pirates’ home stadium until 1970 when it was replaced by Three Rivers Stadium.  Forbes was the scene of Bill Mazeroski’s World Series-winning homer in 1960 and, in 1935, of Babe Ruth’s’ final three home runs, one of which was the only one to ever be hit out of the stadium.
    1910 - The deadliest avalanche of record in the U.S. thundered down the mountains near Wellington Station, WA, sweeping three huge locomotives and some passenger cars, snowbound on the grade leading to Stevens Pass, over the side and into a canyon, and burying them under tons of snow. The avalanche claimed the lives of more than 100 people. The station house at Wellington was also swept away.
    1912 - Isabella Goodwin becomes the first woman detective with the New York City police department.
    1914 - Ralph Ellison (d. 1994), American writer and educator, born at Oklahoma City, OK. Author of the acclaimed novel “Invisible Man” (1952), the story of a young black man's struggle for his own identity in the face of rejection from both whites and blacks. Quickly recognized as a classic of 20th-century literature, it won the National Book Award in 1953. While only one of his novels was published, Ellison published collections of his essays, reviews and stories in “Shadow and Act” (1964) and “Going to the Territory” (1986).
    1914 – Harry Caray was born Harry Christopher Carabina (d. 1998) in St. Louis.  Orphaned as a boy, Caray had a difficult upbringing in The Hill section of St. Louis, the same neighborhood that spawned Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola.  His early broadcasting career was for the Cardinals, A’s and White Sox but he gained worldwide fame as the voice of the Chicago Cubs beginning in 1982 after Jack Brickhouse retired.  In 1987, a stroke ended Caray's 42-year streak of not missing a game. While preparing for his 54th season in 1998, Caray suffered a stroke on Valentine's Day. In a coma, he passed away two days later.
    1917 - American radio and television personality Dinah Shore (d. 1994) was born Frances Rose Shore at Winchester, TN. In addition to recording many hit songs in the 1930s and 1940s, she was one of the first women to be successful as a television host, beginning in the 1950s with the "Dinah Shore Chevy Show." She received 10 Emmys.
    1922 - Birthday of William M Gaines (d. 1992) in The Bronx. “Mad” magazine, especially popular in the 1960s and 1970s, was founded and published by William Gaines. Alfred E. Neuman, the loony, freckle-faced mascot of the publication, became a pop-culture hero…”What? Me, worry?” The magazine, known for its parodies of movies, comic strips and celebrities as well as its satire of politics and social mores, greatly influenced dozens of humorists.
    1923 - The first tenant moved into a shopping center as we know it today, designed for cars. It was the Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, MO, built by Jesse Clyde Nichols. The center occupied 40 acres and had 150 stores, a 2,000 seat auditorium, and a parking lot for 5,500 automobiles.
    1927 - Harry Belafonte birthday, born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr., Harlem, NYC.  Singer, songwriter, actor, and social activist, he is one of the most successful African-American pop stars in history.  He was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s.  Belafonte was an early supporter of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, and was one of Martin Luther King Jr's confidants. Throughout his career he has been an advocate for political and humanitarian causes. Since 1987, he has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. In recent years he has been a vocal critic of the policies of both the Bush and Obama presidential administrations. Harry Belafonte now acts as the ACLU celebrity ambassador for juvenile justice issues.
http://www.meninmovies.com/harry_belafonte.html
http://encarta.msn.com/index/conciseindex/6D/06D0F000.htm?z=1&pg=2&br=1
    1928 - Paul Whiteman and his orchestra recorded “Ol’ Man River” for Victor Records. The featured vocalist on the track was 29-year-old Paul Robeson.  The song became an American classic.
    1930 - Birthday of Benny Powell (d. 2010), New Orleans.  Jazz musician, trombone with the Ernie Fields band, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie veteran.
    1932 - Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr., 20-month-old son of aviators Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, was abducted from the crib in the upper floor of the Lindberghs' home in East Amwell, NJ.   On May 12, the child's corpse  was discovered by a truck driver by the side of a nearby road.  In September 1934, a German immigrant carpenter named Bruno R. Hauptmann was arrested for the crime. After a trial that lasted from January 2 to February 13, 1935, he was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Despite his conviction, he continued to profess his innocence, but all appeals failed and he was executed at the New Jersey State Prison on April 3, 1936.   Legal scholars have referred to the trial as one of the “trials of the century.”  The crime spurred Congress to pass the Federal Kidnapping Act, commonly called the "Little Lindbergh Law", which made transporting a kidnapping victim across state lines a federal crime. 
    1933 - Bank holidays were declared in six states, effectively preventing runs on bank assets by worried depositors. By March 4, bank panics reached their greatest intensity. At 4:30am, Gov. Herbert H. Lehman of New York declared a state bank holiday; Gov. Henry Honer of Illinois immediately followed suit.
    1934 - Primo Carnera beats Tommy Loughran in 15 for heavyweight boxing title
    1941 - FM Radio began in the U.S. when station W47NV in Nashville, TN started operations. W47NV was the first commercial FM radio station to receive a license, some 20 years after its AM radio counterpart, KDKA in Pittsburgh. FM stands for ‘frequency modulation´ as opposed to ‘amplitude modulation.’
    1947 - In anticipation of signing the team's first black players, Bill Veeck set up a spring training site for his Cleveland Indians near his home in Phoenix. Arizona was chosen because of its relatively tolerant racial climate. During the season, Veeck signed the American League’s first black player, Larry Doby, who trained at that camp.
    1948 - Top Hits
“Now is the Hour” - Bing Crosby
“I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover” - The Art Moonie Orchestra
“Ballerina” - Vaughn Monroe
“I'll Hold You in My Heart” (“Till I Can Hold You in My Arms”) - Eddy Arnold
    1950 - The FBI issued their first “Ten Most Wanted.” It was originally a publicity stunt but two men were caught within the month, based on tips from the public.
    1952 - Sam Phillips launches Sun Records by releasing "Drivin' Slow" by 16-year-old saxophonist Johnny London.
    1954 - Ted Williams fractures collarbone in the first game of spring training after flying 39 combat missions and crash-landing his jet without injury in Korean War.  In his first game back from the war, in 1953, Williams popped a home run. 
    1954 - US explodes 15 megaton hydrogen bomb at Bikini Atoll.  Detonation of "Bravo," 1,000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima and Nagasaki weapons, vaporized three islands, displaced the islanders and caused long lasting contamination.
    1955 - The Four Lads record their long-standing hit "Standing On The Corner."   It peaked at #3 on each of the various charts at the time: the Disk Jockey chart, the Best Seller chart, the Juke Box chart, as well as the composite chart of the top 100 songs.
    1956 - Top Hits
“Lisbon Antigua” - Nelson Riddle
“The Poor People of Paris” - Les Baxter
“Why Do Fools Fall in Love” - Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers
“I Forgot to Remember to Forget” - Elvis Presley
    1957 - Although nearly 30 other artists turned the song down, the Everly Brothers record "Bye Bye Love," a teen-age love song that was written by 37-year-old Boudleaux Bryant and his 31-year-old wife, Felice.
    1957 - Chuck Berry releases "School Days"
    1958 - Johnny Mathis, “Johnny's Greatest Hits” is released. 
    1958 - New Orleans mayor DeLesseps "Chep" Morrison, noting Elvis Presley's arrival in town to begin filming his movie King Creole, officially declares today "Elvis Presley Day" in the city.
    1961 - Official establishment of the Peace Corps by President John F. Kennedy's signing of executive order. The Peace Corps has sent more than 153,000 volunteers to 134 countries to help people help themselves. The volunteers assist in projects such as health, education, water sanitation, agriculture, nutrition and forestry. For info: Peace Corps, 1111 20th St NW, Washington, DC 20526. 
Web: www.peacecorps.gov .
    1962 - Gerry and The Pacemakers release their first British single, "How Do You Do It," which will go on to top the UK chart the following April. The song had been turned down by Adam Faith and although The Beatles had recorded it, they declined to release their version.
    1963 - Filming begins in Hollywood for Elvis Presley's 13th film, “Fun in Acapulco.” 
    1964 - Top Hits
“I Want to Hold Your Hand” - The Beatles
“She Loves You” - The Beatles
“Dawn” (“Go Away”) - The Four Seasons
“Begging to You” - Marty Robbins
    1965 - Petula Clark's first U.S. hit, "Downtown," is awarded a gold record.
    1967 - Black Congressman Adam Clayton Powell is stripped of his House seat for "gross misconduct." Ralph Bunche later commented: "...if Adam Clayton Powell were white, he would have his seat today." (Re-elected without campaigning, April 11.)
    1967 - The Beatles record "A Day In The Life," "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds."
    1967 – MLB Commissioner William Eckert approved the Baseball Writers Association of America's plan to select a Cy Young Award recipient from both the National and American Leagues.  The honor, which was initiated in 1956 and was awarded to the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Don Newcombe, had been given to just one pitcher in the Majors each season, a position strongly supported by former commissioner Ford Frick.
    1968 - Elton John’s first record, “I’ve Been Loving You,” was released by Philips Records in England. Philips, not realizing the potential of the soon-to-be superstar, released him in 1969, just prior to his teaming with lyricist Bernie Taupin. Elton then signed a contract with Uni Records and began to turn out what would become a string of more than 50 hits over the next 25 years.
    1968 - Country music stars Johnny Cash and June Carter got married. Johnny walked down the aisle knowing that his 1956 hit, “Folsom Prison Blues,” was about to be redone for a June release. Cash has a daughter, Rosanne, (previous marriage) who became a country star in her own right in the 1980s.
    1969 - Mickey Mantle announced his retirement from baseball. ‘Number 7' was the final link to the great Yankee dynasty of the 1950s and 1960s. Mantle's World Series records (still) include: home runs (18), runs scored (42), RBIs (40), walks (43) and strikeouts (54). Mickey Mantle died in 1995 from cancer.
http://www.themick.com
    1969 - BRUCE, DANIEL D., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Headquarters and Service Company, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Fire Support Base Tomahawk, Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, 1 March 1969. Entered service at: Chicago, 111. Born: 18 May 1950, Michigan City, Ind. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a mortar man with Headquarters and Service Company 3d Battalion, against the enemy. Early in the morning Pfc. Bruce was on watch in his night defensive position at fire support base tomahawk when he heard movements ahead of him. An enemy explosive charge was thrown toward his position and he reacted instantly, catching the device and shouting to alert his companions. Realizing the danger to the adjacent position with its 2 occupants, Pfc. Bruce held the device to his body and attempted to carry it from the vicinity of the entrenched marines. As he moved away, the charge detonated and he absorbed the full force of the explosion. Pfc. Bruce's indomitable courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty saved the lives of 3 of his fellow marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. 
    1971 - At Miami's Dinner Key Auditorium, Jim Morrison of the Doors is arrested for allegedly exposing his penis during the show. Morrison is officially charged with lewd and lascivious behavior, indecent behavior, open profanity and public drunkenness.
http://www.doors.com/miami/
    1972 - Top Hits
“Without You” - Nilsson
“Hurting Each Other” - Carpenters
“Precious and Few” - Climax
“It's Four in the Morning” - Faron Young
    1973 - The Robert Joffrey Dance Company opened with a unique presentation in New York City. The show featured music of the Beach Boys in "Deuce Coupe Ballet." A clever show, even if it didn´t do much to bring the masses to ballet.
    1973 - Elvis Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, sells all of Elvis' back catalog recordings to RCA for a lump sum of $5.4 million, forgoing all future royalties, in an apparent attempt to garner the King some quick, much-needed cash. Parker also renegotiates Elvis into a 50-50 split on new royalties, and lands another seven-year, fourteen-album deal with RCA for $3.5 million.
    1974 - Former Nixon White House aides H.R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman and former Attorney General John Mitchell were indicted on obstruction of justice charges related to the Watergate break-in.
    1975 - 17th annual Grammy Awards for 1974 are announced during ceremonies at the Hollywood Palladium. Olivia Newton John wins Record of the Year for "I Honestly Love You" (which also earns her Best Female Pop Vocal Performance). Album of the Year is Stevie Wonder's "Fulfillingness' First Finale" (he wins Best Male Pop Vocal Performance). Song of the Year is "The Way We Were."
    1975 - The Eagles had their first million seller and first number one record in the US when "Best of My Love" reached the top of the Billboard chart. "Take It Easy" had made it to number 12, "Witchy Woman" reached number 9, "Peaceful Easy Feeling" hit number 22 and "Already Gone" stalled at number 32.
    1977 - Sara Lowndes Dylan files for divorce from her husband of eleven years, Bob Dylan. The divorce is granted in June and she is given custody of their 5 kids and possession of their million-dollar home. Sara was the subject of such songs as "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands," "Lay Lady Lay" and "Sara."
    1977 - Manfred Mann gets their first gold record for "Blinded by the Light," one of the several Bruce Springsteen songs covered the group. The song hit Number One last month, 13 years after Mann's first Number One song, "Do Wah Diddy Diddy."
    1980 - Top Hits
“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” - Queen
“Yes, I'm Ready” - Teri DeSario with K.C.
“Longer” - Dan Fogelberg
“I Ain't Living Long like This” - Waylon Jennings
    1980 - Norfolk, VA, received 13.7 inches of snow to push their season total to a record 41.9 inches exceeding their previous record by more than four inches.
    1980 - An unusually large Florida tornado, 500 yards in width at times, killed one person and caused six million dollars damage near Fort Lauderdale.
    1981 - Duke Ellington-musical "Sophisticated Ladies" premieres in New York NY
http://www.nodanw.com/shows_s/sophisticated_ladies.htm
    1983 - The Philadelphia 76ers won their 10th straight game, beating the New York Knicks 106-94, their 50th win of the season. The Sixers lost only seven of their first 57 games. The team had the fastest start of any team in the 37-year history of the National Basketball Association
    1983 - Robyn Smith rode North Star to victory in the Paumanok Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack to become the first woman jockey to win a stakes race.
    1983 - Skier Tamara Mckinney became the first American woman skier to win the overall World Cup Championship.
    1987 - The Boston Celtics defeated Detroit 112-102 to become the first NBA franchise to win 2,000 games.
    1988 - Top Hits
Father Figure - George Michael
What Have I Done to Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield
She's like the Wind - Patrick Swayze featuring Wendy Fraser
I Won't Take Less Than Your Love - Tanya Tucker
    1988 - Center Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers earned an assist in a game against the Los Angeles Kings to become the NHL's all-time career assist leader. It took Gretzky 681 games to garner 1,050 assists and surpass Gordie Howe who set the record in 1,767 games.
    1991 - Director Oliver Stone's biopic “The Doors,” starring Val Kilmer, opens in Los Angeles.
    1993 – New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was reinstated. Commissioner Fay Vincent had banned Steinbrenner from day-to-day activities with the Yankees because of his relationship with convicted gambler Howie Spira.  Oddly enough, the signing of the Core Four of the 1990-2000s dynasty – Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter, were all signed while Steinbrenner was suspended.
    1994 - Aretha Franklin is honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Frank Sinatra is given the annual Living Legends Award at tonight's Grammys in New York.
    1994 – The senate rejected a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
    1995 - The 1994 Grammy winners are announced. Sheryl Crow wins Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Song for "All I Wanna Do" while Tony Bennett's "Unplugged" LP wins Best Album.
    1996 – Atlanta’s Lenny Wilkens became the first coach in NBA history to reach 1,000 career victories when the Hawks beat Cleveland, 74-68.
    2004 – Terry Nichols was convicted of state murder charges and being an accomplice to Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.
    2005 - The Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional for people who committed crimes before age 18.
    2013 - According to the U.S. Treasury Department, in June 2012, Japan surpassed China as the leading foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities.
    2014 - A Mt. Gox security breach that enabled hackers to defraud customers of over 700,000 in Bitcoins caused the Bitcoin exchange to file for bankruptcy.
    2015 - Astronauts at the International Space Station completed a tricky cable installation project to prepare for the addition of docking ports.  The ports will be able to receive manned commercial space capsules such as those launched by SpaceX and Boeing.
    2020 - First known COVID-19 case identified in New York, a health care worker returning from Iran. January 21 — CDC Confirms First US Coronavirus Case: A Washington state resident was the first person in the United States with a confirmed case of the 2019 novel coronavirus, having returned from Wuhan on January 15, thanks to overnight polymerase chain reaction testing. The CDC soon after deploys a team to help with the investigation, including potential use of contact tracing.