George Eastman, Eastman Kodak, commits suicide 80 years ago today (1932)

1930s

(Tuesday, March 14, 1932) — Photography pioneer George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak Co., died by his own hand with a single gunshot to the heart today at age 77 in Rochester, New York. Eastman, in intense pain caused by a degenerative disorder affecting his spine, left a note which read, “To my friends: my work is done. Why wait?”

‘Howards End’ opens in U.S. 20 years ago today (1992)

1990s, movies 1990s


Video: 'Howards End' trailer

(Friday, March 13, 1992) — Howards End, a film about class relations in turn-of-the-20th-century England, opened today in U.S. theaters, including the Fine Arts in New York.

Directed by James Ivory, the film starred Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter and Emma Thompson. It would go on to receive nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

House votes to list names of 355 who wrote bad checks 20 years ago today (1992)

1990s


Video: Rick Santorum on House banking scandal (1992, part 1)

(Friday, March 13, 1992) — The U.S. House of Representatives, trying to weather a politically embarrassing firestorm, voted unanimously today to publicly identify 355 current and former members who had overdrawn their accounts at the House bank. Continue reading House votes to list names of 355 who wrote bad checks 20 years ago today (1992) →

Union officers forbidden to return escaped slaves to owners 150 years ago today (1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: Fugitive Slave Act

(Thursday, March 13, 1862, during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed a measure today prohibiting Union military officers from returning fugitive slaves to their owners, effectively superseding the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.

Ivar Kreuger, famous match king, kills self 80 years ago today (1932)

1930s


Video: Short history of Ivar Kreuger (in Swedish; death at 4:12)

(Saturday, March 12, 1932) — The so-called “Swedish Match King,” Ivar Kreuger, 52, was found shot dead today in his Paris apartment, an apparent suicide, leaving behind a financial empire that turned out to be worthless.

Girl Scouts are born 100 years ago today (1912)

1910s


Video: Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary (part 1)

(Tuesday, March 12, 1912) — The Girl Scouts of the USA had its beginnings as Juliette Gordon Low of Savannah, Georgia, today founded the first American troop of the Girl Guides, a movement which had originated in Britain along with the Boy Scouts.

‘Hero’ episode airs on ‘The Wonder Years’ 20 years ago this hour (1992)

1990s, Television 1990s


Video: 'Hero' (part 1)

(Wednesday, March 11, 1992, 8:30 p.m. ET) — McKinley High’s basketball team is having a great season thanks to their star player, Bobby Riddle on tonight’s episode of the TV comedy-drama series The Wonder Years. Continue reading ‘Hero’ episode airs on ‘The Wonder Years’ 20 years ago this hour (1992) →

Lincoln removes McClellan as general-in-chief 150 years ago today (1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: Lincoln and McClellan at Antietam, Oct. 1862

(Tuesday, March 11, 1862, during the American Civil War) — President Abraham Lincoln today removed Gen. George B. McClellan as general-in-chief of the Union armies, leaving him in command of only the Army of the Potomac, ostensibly so that McClellan would be free to devote all his attention to the move on Richmond.