March third

Today's Highlight in History:
On March third, 1931, "The Star-Spangled Banner" officially became the national anthem of the United States.

On this date:
In 1845, Florida became the 27th state.

In 1849, the US Department of the Interior was established.

In 1849, Congress created the Minnesota Territory.

In 1875, the Georges Bizet opera "Carmen" premiered in Paris.

In 1887, Anne Mansfield Sullivan arrived at the Alabama home of Captain and Mrs. Arthur H. Keller to become the teacher of their blind and deaf six-year-old daughter, Helen.

In 1940, Artie Shaw and his orchestra recorded "Frenesi" for RCA Victor.

In 1969, "Apollo Nine" blasted off from Cape Kennedy on a mission to test the lunar module.

In 1974, nearly 350 people died when a Turkish Airlines DC-10 crashed shortly after takeoff from Orly Airport in Paris.

In 1991, 25 people were killed when a United Airlines Boeing 737-200 crashed while approaching the Colorado Springs airport.

In 1991, in a case that sparked a national outcry, motorist Rodney King was severely beaten by Los Angeles police officers in a scene captured on amateur video.

Ten years ago: President Bush sparked controversy by expressing opposition to the settlement of Soviet Jewish refugees in East Jerusalem. (Bush's comments came at a news conference following talks in Rancho Mirage, California, with Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu.)

Five years ago: President Clinton held a news conference in which he asserted his administration had built a safer world and stronger economy while Republicans were trying to cut money for the needy to give tax breaks to the rich. The dollar plunged to a new low against the Japanese yen.

One year ago: The Supreme Court ruled that public schools had to finance one-on-one nursing care for some disabled students throughout the school day. Monica Lewinsky, in an ABC interview timed to coincide with the publication of her book, recounted for Barbara Walters some of the fondest, as well as most painful, aspects of her relationship with President Clinton.

"Nothing is really real unless it happens on television."

-- Daniel J. Boorstin, former Librarian of Congress.