March 9: Indiana passes sterilization laws

On this date in History ... March 9, 1907:  

Indiana becomes the first state to pass sterilization legislation for the purpose of eugenics (the practice of “improving the genetic population”). The law targeted “confirmed criminals, idiots, imbeciles, and rapists”. 

When this law was struck down in 1921 by the Indiana State Supreme Court, a second law was passed in 1927 which limited the procedure to “Insane, feeble minded or epileptic”, indicating a move from sterilizing the mentally ill and criminals to only the mentally ill. 

The laws were designed to target those in state institutions, not the general public. They were repealed in 1974. Between 1907 and 1974, about 2500 of these procedures were carried out.

(See also May 2, 2013 and May 9, 2013 postings for additional eugenics history in Indiana.)

March 8: Ali/Frazier Fight

On this date in History .... March 8, 1971:  

Photo courtesy www.abcnews.go.com

Muhammed Ali fought Joe Frazier in what was dubbed “The Fight of the Century”.  Ali lost after 15 rounds, the first loss of his professional boxing career.  A rematch in 1974 was held at Madison Square Garden which Ali won by decision after 12 rounds. 

Later that year, Ali defeated George Forman, reclaiming his heavyweight champion title. 

After losing the title to Leon Spinks in 1975, Ali again took the title back just seven months later. 

When he left the ring for good in 1981 with a 56-5 record, he was the only fighter to take the heavyweight title three times.

March 7: First Woman Director Honored

On this date in History ... March 7, 2010:  

Kathryn Bigelow becomes the first woman director to win a Best Director Academy Award. Among those also nominated that year was her ex-husband, James Cameron, for his film "Avatar". 

In her acceptance speech she said,  "I hope I'm the first of many [women], and of course, I'd love to just think of myself as a filmmaker. And I long for the day when that modifier can be a moot point.”

MARCH: WOMEN IN HISTORY MONTH

March 6: Oreos are sold for the first time!

On this date in History .... March 6, 1912:  

The first Oreo was sold in Hoboken NJ, packed in a tin and sold by the pound in bulk for 30 cents a pound.  

The first Oreo was a plain cookie with the word “Oreo” in the middle and a thin wreath embossed around the outer edge.  It is now found in over 100 countries, the biggest market being the U.S.  (China comes in second.)  

Oreos have created their own little corner of the current culture ….. “recipes galore” can be found in which Oreos are a key ingredient!  No one is sure how the cookies came to be named “Oreo.”

Photo courtesy of www.thebakerynetwork.com

March 5: Stairway to Heaven

On this date in History .... March 5, 1971:  

Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” played for the first time in Belgium. The 8 min, 2 sec song is the most requested song on U.S. radio, despite the fact that it never actual hit any of the charts …the song was never released as a single due to its length and the band would not authorize a cut (shorter) version. It is the biggest selling single piece of sheet music sold in rock history.

Listen to video HERE

Photo courtesy of http://englishrockmelody.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/led-zeppelin.jpg 

March 4: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

On this date in History ... March 4, 1921: 

The 66^th Congress passed Public Resolution #67 to construct a tomb at Arlington Cemetery for an unknown soldier killed in France. This soldier represented all of the unknown soldiers killed in WWI. 


The Tomb has been under 24 hr guard since July 2, 1937 under the sole responsibility of the 3^rd US Infantry. 

The shoes worn by the Sentinals are built up so the heel and sole are equal in height, allowing the sentinel to stand with a perfectly straight back and to walk in a fluid movement, meaning the bayonet does not “bob” up and down in each step. 

The walk is 21 steps, then a 21 second pause facing the tomb, then changing the bayonet to the other shoulder, followed by another 21 second pause, which alludes to the 21 Gun Salute, the highest honor given to any military or dignitary.  

March 3: Women and the Supreme Court

On this date in History .... March 3, 1879:

Belva Lockwood became the first woman sworn in as a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, and was the first woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court. 

In 1884, Lockwood became the second woman (after Victoria Woodhull) to run for President of the United States. She was the first to appear on the election ballot and to engage in a full-fledged campaign as the candidate for the National Equal Rights Party. 

In 1914, when she was 84 yrs old and asked whether a woman would one day be president she replied, “If a woman demonstrates that she is fitted to be president she will someday occupy the White House. It will be entirely on her own merits, however. No movement can place her there simply because she is a woman. It will come if she proves herself mentally fit for the position.”

MARCH:  WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH