This Week

March 8--United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace.

March 9--In 1959, Barbie dolls made their retail debut.

This is also the birth anniversary of Amerigo Vespucci. He participated in at least two expeditions from 1499-1502 to South America. He wasn't as famous as Columbus, but thanks to a German mapmaker we Americans aren't Columbians.

March 10--In 1862, United States paper money was issued in denominations of $5 (Hamilton), $10 (Lincoln), and $20 (Liberty).

In 1913, Harriet Tubman died.

March 11--On this day in 1918, the first cases of "Spanish" flu were reported in the U.S. when 107 soldiers in Fort Riley, Kansas became sick. By the end of 1920, almost 25% of Americans had contracted the disease. More than 1% of the global population--22 million people--died.

March 12--In 1938, Germany tested their war readiness as well as other countries' response by invading Austria.

March 13--Uranus was discovered in 1781 by Sir William Herschel. (Ed: Lame jokes soon followed.)

March 14--Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany in 1879.

Posted by Jennifer at March 8, 2004 12:54 PM

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