UPI Almanac for Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Today is Tuesday, March 7, the 66th day of 2017 with 299 to follow.

The moon is waxing. Morning stars are Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Venus. Evening stars are Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Mars.

Those born on this date are under the sign of Pisces. They include British astronomer John Herschel in 1792; British painter Edwin Henry Landseer in 1802; U.S. newspaper publisher and philanthropist William Rockhill Nelson in 1841; U.S. botanist Luther Burbank in 1849; Dutch abstract painter Piet Mondrian in 1872; French composer Maurice Ravel in 1875; actor Anna Magnani in 1908; NBC weatherman Willard Scott in 1934 (age 83); race car driver Janet Guthrie in 1938 (age 79); actor Daniel J. Travanti in 1940 (age 77); former Disney executive Michael Eisner in 1942 (age 75); TV evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker Messner in 1942; actor John Heard in 1945 (age 72); musician Townes Van Zandt in 1944; football Hall of fame member Franco Harris in 1950 (age 67); football Hall of Fame member Lynn Swann in 1952 (age 64); tennis Hall of Fame member Ivan Lendl in 1960 (age 57); comedian Wanda Sykes in 1964 (age 53); actor Rachel Weisz in 1970 (age 47).

In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for the telephone.

In 1887, North Carolina State University was founded.

In 1936, Adolf Hitler ordered Nazi troops into the Rhineland, violating the Treaty of Versailles.

In 1945, the U.S. 1st Army crossed the Rhine at Remagen, Germany after capturing the strategically important, Ludendorff Bridge (also known as the Bridge at Remagen). World War II in Europe ended two months later.

In 1965, hundreds of civil rights marchers trying to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., were turned back by state troopers and sheriff's deputies. Dozens of people were beaten and injured in what became known as "Bloody Sunday." Marchers voluntarily turned around on a ceremonial walk to the bridge two days later and, on March 21, with protection by federal and National Guard troops, the main Selma-to-Montgomery march began.

In 1984, the U.S. Senate confirmed William Wilson as the first U.S. ambassador to the Vatican in 117 years.

In 1985, "We Are the World," a song composed by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and recorded by a series of high-profile music stars was released worldwide with the goal of generating funds for the USA for Africa charity. The song and related promotions eventually raised about $63 million.

In 2002, More than 600 people were reported dead after several days of Hindu-Muslim violence in the state of Gujarat, India.

In 2004, the openly gay V. Gene Robinson became the Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire.

In 2011, Warner Brothers removed actor Charlie Sheen from the highly rated show Two and a Half Men, saying his "statements, conduct and condition prevented him from performing his essential duties."

In 2012, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed a controversial bill requiring women seeking abortions to have an ultrasound at least 24 hours before the procedure.

In 2013, the U.S. Senate confirmed John Brennan as director of the CIA.

In 2014, Saudi Arabia designated several organizations as terrorist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, of which ex-Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi is a member.

A thought for the day: "There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." -- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis