1794 – The United States Government establishes a permanent Navy and authorizes the building of six frigates.
1841 – 1st US steam fire engine tested, NYC.
1890 – A tornado strikes Louisville, Kentucky, killing 76 and injuring 200.
1912 – 1st Japanese cherry blossom trees planted in Washington, D.C.
1931 – John McGraw says night baseball will not catch on.
1933 – Farm Credit Administration (US) authorized.
1941 – Britain leases defense bases in Trinidad to US for 99 years.
1942 – Joe Louis KOs Abe Simon in 6 rounds to retain heavyweight boxing title (NYC)
1943 – Blue Ribbon Town (with Groucho Marx) 1st heard on CBS Radio.
1945 – Ella Fitzgerald and Delta Rhythm Boys record the song “It’s Only a Paper Moon”
1951 – Frank Sinatra records “I’m a Fool to Want You”
1952 – Sun Records of Memphis begins releasing records.
1958 – CBS Labs announce new stereophonic records.
1969 – Launch of Mariner 7, flies 2,190 miles above southern Mars.
1971 – 33rd NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: UCLA beats Villanova, 68-62: UCLA’s 5th consecutive title: Villanova later disqualified.
1972 – Adolph Rupp retires after 42 years of coaching University of Kentucky.
1976 – Washington, D.C. underground Metro opens.
1986 – Disney MGM Studio Tour groundbreaking.
1995 – 67th Academy Awards: “Forrest Gump”, Jessica Lange & Tom Hanks win.
2000 – PGA Players Championship, TPC at Sawgrass: 1983 champion Hal Sutton leads wire to wire to win by a stroke ahead of runner-up Tiger Woods.