MOMENTS IN TIME - March 4, 2010

The History Channel

• On March 17, 461 A.D., Saint Patrick — Christian missionary, bishop and apostle of Ireland — dies in Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade, though, took place not in Ireland, but the United States, when Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City in 1762.

• On March 19, 1842, French writer Honore de Balzac’s play “Les Ressources de Quinola” opens to an empty house thanks to a failed publicity stunt. Hoping to create a buzz for the play, the writer circulated a rumor that tickets were sold out. Unfortunately, most of his fans stayed home.

• On March 20, 1920, French automaker Bugatti delivers its first 16-valve car, to a customer in Switzerland. A symbol of wealth and status, Bugatti automobiles were equipped with massive racing engines. The renowned American dancer Isadora Duncan was driving in a 16-valve Bugatti when her trademark long scarf caught in the rear wheel of the vehicle, and she was instantly strangled to death.

• On March 18, 1937, nearly 300 students in the east Texas town of New London are killed when a natural gas explosion levels their school. The school sat in the middle of a large oil and natural gas field dominated by 10,000 oil derricks.

• On March 15, 1954, the Chords record “Sh-Boom” and kick off a new era of “doo-wop” music. Doo-wop hits included “Earth Angel” by the Penguins, “In the Still of the Night” by the Five Satins and “Book of Love” by the Monotones.

• On March 21, 1963, Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco Bay closes down and transfers its last prisoners. At its peak in 1950s, “The Rock” housed more than 200 inmates at the maximum-security facility. Alcatraz remains an icon of American prisons for its harsh conditions and record for being inescapable.

• On March 16, 1977, author Alex Haley files suit against Doubleday, publisher of “Roots,” for not promoting the book and failing to land a competitive paperback contract. “Roots” was made into a television miniseries, which attracted some 100 million viewers when it aired in January 1977.

(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.