March 27th

President Barack Obama launched a fresh effort to defeat al-Qaida terrorists in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, ordering in 4,000 more troops.

NFL owners voted to make instant replay a permanent officiating tool.

A suicide bomber killed 30 people during a Passover Seder in Netanya, Israel.

A federal judge ruled that the University of Michigan’s affirmative action policy was invalid, a ruling that later would be reversed in an appeal.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Viagra, made by Pfizer, to fight male impotence.

An Israeli court convicted Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's confessed assassin of murder, then sentenced former law student Yigal Amir to life in prison.

Silvio Berlusconi rises to power in Italy. In his 20 years in Italian politics, Berlusconi arguably made more headlines for his numerous affairs and scandals than for his policies. In 2013, he was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for tax fraud.

The oil rig Alexander L. Kjelland collapses in high winds in the North Sea. Only 89 of 212 crew survived the Norwegian platform's capsizing, which was caused by a fatigue crack in one of the legs.

A KLM Boeing 747, attempting to take off, crashed into a Pan Am 747 on the Canary Island of Tenerife, killing 583 people in the deadliest aviation accident in history.

Anti Vietnam war demonstrations in US, Europe & Australia.

A 9.2 magnitude earthquake hit 80 miles east of Anchorage, Alaska, killing 117 and producing a 50-foot tsunami that traveled over 8,000 miles.

Nikita Khrushchev becomes Soviet Premier as well as First Secretary of the Communist Party.

Oregon won the first NCAA men's basketball tournament with a 46-33 victory over Ohio State in Evanston, Ill.

The Seattle Metropolitans became the first U.S. hockey team to win the Stanley Cup.

1st successful blood transfusion (in Brussels).

The first long-distance telephone call was made, between Boston and New York.

England and Scotland compete in the first international rugby match. Like association football, rugby is a British invention. Today, it is a popular sport mainly in large parts of the British Commonwealth.

President Andrew Johnson vetoed a civil rights bill which later became the 14th amendment.

The first Mormon temple was dedicated, in Kirtland, Ohio.

Congress authorizes the construction of six frigates, including the Constitution (Old Ironsides), for the U.S. Navy.

Charles I, King Of England, Scotland & Ireland, ascends English throne.

Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon sighted Florida.