We take a look at some of the events that occurred on March 30th.

Today In …

1842 - Ether was first used as an anesthesia during an operation. The operation was performed by Dr. Crawford Long.

1858 - Harry Lipman received a patent for one of the most useful inventions ever! The patent was for the eraser topped pencil!

1867 - What became known as “Seward’s Folly” occurred when William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State, purchased the land now known as Alaska.

1870 - The 15th amendment was ratified which guaranteed a person cannot be deprived the right to vote based on race.

1932- Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

1981 - John Hinckly Jr. attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

John Astin who starred on TV’s “The Addams Family” was born in 1930.

Warren Beatty the actor/director of such films as “Reds”, “Dick Tracy” and “Bugsy” was born in 1937.

Tracy Chapman the singer behind the song “Fast Car” was born in 1964.

Eric Clapton the legendary musician behind the songs “Layla” and “Tears in Heaven” was born in 1945.

Robbie Coltrane the star of such films as “Nuns on the Run”, “From Hell” and as the character Hagrid in the “Harry Potter” films was born in 1950.

Mark Consuelos from “All My Children” and TV’s “Hope and Faith” with wife Kelly Ripa was born in 1970.

Donna D’Errico the actress/model was born in 1968.

Celine Dion the songstress of such songs as “My Heart Will Go On” and “Because You Loved Me” was born in 1968.

MC Hammer who brought us such songs as “U Can’t Touch This” was born in 1962.

Norah Jones the voice behind the songs “Don’t Know Why” and “The Grass is Blue” was born in 1979.

Peter Marshall the actor and host of TV’s “Hollywood Squares” was born in 1930.

Paul Reiser the actor/comedian who starred on TV’s “My Two Dads” and “Mad About You” was born in 1957.

Secretariat the legendary champion horse was born in 1970.

Anna Sewell the author of “Black Beauty” was born in 1820.

Vincent Van Gogh the famous Dutch painter was born in 1853.

Ian Ziering from TV’s “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Dancing with the Stars” was born in 1964.

We Said Goodbye To…

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon who is best remembered as England’s Queen Mother passed away in 2002 at the age of 101. She was married to King George VI and was the mother of Queen Elizabeth II.

James Cagney the legendary actor who starred in “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “The Public Enemy” passed away in 1986 at the age of 86.

Bobby Driscoll who starred in “Song of the South” and “Treasure Island” passed away in 1968 at the age of 31. Driscoll was also the voice of the animated classic character “Peter Pan”.

Abigail Fillmore former First Lady and wife of the 13th U.S. President Willard Fillmore passed away in 1853 at the age of 55.

Michael Jeter who starred on TV’s “Evening Shade”, “The Green Mile” and was featured in the animated film “The Polar Express” passed away in 2003 at the age of 50.

Gary Morton the actor/producer passed away in 1999 at the age of 74. Morton married Lucille Ball in November 1961.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1963 - “He’s So Fine” by the Chiffons
1974 - “Sunshine On My Shoulders” by John Denver
1985 - “One More Night” by Phil Collins

TV Moments In…

1964 - The first incarnation of the TV game show “Jeopardy” debuted on NBC. Art Fleming was the host.

1978- The Waltons episode “Grandma Comes Home” initially aired. This episode saw the return of Ellen Corby who played Grandma Walton who had been absent from the series after suffering a debilitating stroke the previous year.

1994 - The comedy “Ellen” starring Ellen DeGeneres debuted on ABC.

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