This Date in History

March 19, 1979: The U. S. House of Representatives begins televising its day-to-day business.

This Date in History

March 19, 1917: The Supreme Court, in Wilson v. New, upholds the eight-hour workday for railroad workers.

This Date in History

March 31, 1908: Francis E. Leupp, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, lectured at the regular monthly meeting of the Anthropological Society in the assembly room of the Cosmos Club, where he gave “Some Sidelights on Indian Administration” to a large audience.

This Date in History

March 30, 1981: President Ronald Reagan was shot in the chest while walking toward his limousine following a speech inside the Washington Hilton. He was rushed into surgery to remove a 22-caliber bullet from his left lung.

This Date in History

March 29, 1924: The C&O Canal finally ceases operating after another of many floods causes excessive damage. The Canal had been owned for many years by the B&O Railroad keeping other would be competitors from the property.

This Date in History

March 28, 1903: The third annual automobile show of the Washington dealers closed with the sounding of laps by the bugler and a lingering “Home, Sweet Home” by the orchestra which had been in attendance throughout the week. The Light Infantry Armory, where the autos have been on exhibition, was again crowded with an interested throng of enthusiasts, and the management announced the entire show such an encouraging success.

This Date in History

March 27, 1976: Although the first phase of the Metro system ran 4.6 miles, 51,000 people lined up for free rides on the first day of service.

This Date in History

March 26, 1893: A serious runaway accident occurred on the Anacostia bridge in the morning. A horse attached to a light wagon and driven by Mrs. Catherine Simpson took fright and dashed into the iron work of the bridge. Mrs. Simpson was thrown with considerable force against one of the iron pillars and was seriously injured.

This Date in History

March 25, 1901: Capt. Harry Randall, of the steamer Estelle Randall, arrived in Washington at 5 o’clock in the evening, with the story of a ghastly discovery in the Potomac two miles below Gunston, Va. In the morning as the steamer was passing a fish-net trap below Gunston, the body of a man was found caught in the trap.

The man’s head was split open, as if with an ax, but the body had been so long in teh water that is was difficult to ascertain how the injury had been inflicted. The remains were apparently those of a man about 35 years of age, of medium build, and evidently a sailor.

The body was taken to Gunston, Fairfax County, and turned over to the local authorities.(Historical Society of Washington, General Photograph Collection, “Northland” steamboat at dock on Potomac River, #CHS 06028)

This Date in History

March 24, 1909: The home of Mrs. Annie W Balkam, 1025 G street northeast, was entered at noon and several pieces of jewelry were taken. Mrs. Balkam reported to the police of the Ninth precinct that she left her home shortly before to visit a friend. When she returned she found her bedroom in a topsy-turvy condition.