1972 Easter Offensive in Vietnam

Heavy fighting broke out when North Vietnamese forces crossed into South Vietnam.

1979 Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident

Pennsylvania residents feared radiation after a nuclear reactor accident which began on March 28, 1979.  The reactor core overheated, causing a partial meltdown.  There was no evacuation ordered, but pregnant woman and young children were advised to stay away from the area.  Three Mile Island remains the worst accident at a U.S. nuclear power plant.

1981  President Reagan Shot

John Hinckley, Jr., shot President Reagan in the chest outside a Washington, D.C., hotel. A bullet pierced Reagan's left lung, and the president underwent surgery at the George Washington University Hospital.  He returned to office on April 11, 1981.  Hinckley was later ruled not guilty by reason of insanity and was placed in a mental institution.

Timothy McCarthy, Thomas Delahaney and James Brady were also hit.  All three recovered, but Brady suffered permanent brain damage.  Brady pushed for stricter gun control laws in America and his advocacy influenced the Brady Bill.  The bill was signed into law in 1993 and required background checks and a waiting period for anyone hoping to buy a gun.

Famous Birthdays

1957 Paul Reiser

1962 MC Hammer

1964 Tracy Chapman

1964 Ian Ziering

1965 Piers Morgan

1968 Celine Dion

1971 Mark Consuelos

1979 Norah Jones

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