Ken P's Today in History
March 24

What happened in history on this day: March 24? Since 1995, I have been collecting information on a variety of topics, creating several timelines of history. Here you will find specific events from those databases for this day, on the topics of personal computers, video games, the Walt Disney Company, Chevrolet Corvettes, A&W Root Beer, Sweden, and Canadian coins. On March 24 in ... Personal computer history: 2001 - Apple Computer begins selling the Mac OS X 10.0 operating system, for US$129. Code-name during development was Cheetah. 2003 - Intel begins providing samples of 200-400 MHz XScale processors to handheld device makers. The processors incorporate StrataFlash memory, allowing smaller handheld computers with improved battery life. Walt Disney Company history: 1925 - The Rivoli Theater in New York City premieres the Alice Comedy film Alice Solves the Puzzle. 1934 - The Silly Symphony film Funny Little Bunnies is released to theaters. 1949 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Short Subjects, Two Reels) for the film Seal Island. 1950 - The Donald Duck film Crazy Over Daisy is released. Daisy, Chip 'n' Dale, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, and Goofy also appear. 1956 - The Astro-Jets ride opens in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. 1963 - The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Kidnapped, part two. 1972 - The Bear Country area opens in Frontierland at Disneyland. 1972 - The Country Bear Jamboree attraction opens in Bear Country at Disneyland. 1974 - The NBC TV network airs The Wonderful World of Disney show, featuring Diamonds on Wheels, part three. 1980 - Antigua issues ten postage stamps depicting various Disney characters. 1986 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Scientific or Technical) to Disney's David Spencer for the development of an animation photo transfer process. 1987 - Michael Eisner and French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac sign the full agreement concerning the building and operating of Euro Disney. 1990 - The Disney Channel airs the Disney Channel Premiere film Chips, the War Dog. 1994 - Frank Wells tells Michael Eisner that he had decided to extend his contract with Disney for seven more years. 1995 - Buena Vista Pictures releases the Hollywood Pictures live-action feature film Funny Bones to theaters in the USA. 1995 - Buena Vista Pictures releases the Walt Disney Pictures live-action feature film Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill to theaters in the USA. 1996 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character says "enjoy Mr. Troy's Wild Ride", a reference to the Disney theme park attraction Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. 1996 - The Disney Channel airs the Disney Channel Premiere Film The Little Riders. 1997 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Achievement in Music (Original Song)) to Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) for the song "You Must Love Me" from the film Evita. 1998 - Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film A Thousand Acres on videocassette. 2002 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Music, Best Song) for the song "If I Didn't Have You" from the film Monsters, Inc.. 2002 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Sound Editing) to Christopher Boyes and George Watters II for the film Pearl Harbor. 2003 - Business Week magazine uses an image of Disney's Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket in an article on lying on applications to business schools. Chevrolet Corvette history: 1954 - A new styling model Corvette, S.O. 2151, is completed, ready for management presentation. Proposed design changes include a concave cross-hatched metal front grill, phony hood scoop, four diagonal openings behind the front wheels, larger trunk and lid. 1956 - In Sebring, Florida, the Florida International 12-Hour Grand Prix of Endurance race is held, round 2 of the World Sports Car Championship. Raceway Enterprises of Dundee, Illinois, enters four 1956 Corvettes prepared for racing by Chevrolet. Finishing 1st (only entrant) in Sports 8000 class, 9th overall, is the Raceway Enterprises #1 Corvette, driven by John Fitch and Walt Hansgen. The car has a 307-ci engine. Finishing 6th in Sports 5000 class, 15th overall, is the Raceway Enterprises #6 Corvette, driven by Ray Crawford and Max Goldman. The car has 265-ci engine and 3.70-to-1 final drive. Finishing 7th in Sports 5000 class, 23rd overall, is the Carl Beuhler #3 Corvette, driven by Don Davis and Robert Gatz. Ernie Erickson and Charles Hassan drive the Raceway Enterprises #7 Corvette in Sports 5000 class. After 22 laps, the engine fails. The car has 265-ci engine, and 4.11-to-1 final drive. Dale Duncan drives the Raceway Enterprises #5 Corvette in Sports 5000 class. After 3 laps, the driveshaft breaks. The car has 265-ci engine, high performance Duntov cam, and 4.11-to-1 final drive. Winner of the team prize is Corvette. 1962 - At the Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida, the 12 Hours of Sebring race is held, round 2 of the International Championship for Manufacturers, round 1 of the Challenge Mondial, and round 1 of the FIA Coupe des Sports. Finishing 1st in Grand Touring +4000 class, 18th overall, is the Grady Davis #2 1962 Corvette, driven by Duncan Black and M.R.J. Wylie. Finishing 2nd in Grand Touring +4000 class, 19th overall, is the Grady Davis #1 Corvette, driven by Don Yenko and Ed Lowther. Finishing 3rd in Grand Touring +4000 class, 21st overall, is the Johnson Chevrolet #4 Corvette, driven by Delmo Johnson and Dave Morgan. Finishing 4th in Grand Touring +4000 class, 31st overall, is the Fuller Murry Race Cars #7 Corvette, driven by Bill Fuller and Harry Washburn. Pat Pigott and Jerry Grant drive the Don Campbell #5 Corvette in Grand Touring +4000 class. After 148 laps, the car is out with a broken fuel pump. They place 39th overall. Johnny Allen and George Robertson Jr drive the Red VoGrand Touring #3 Corvette in Grand Touring +4000 class. After 59 laps, the engine fails. They place 47th overall. Rodger Ward and Bob Johnson drive the Ronnie Kaplan #6 Corvette in Grand Touring +4000 class. After 34 laps, the car is out with suspension failure. They place 55th overall. 1973 - In Sebring, Florida, the 12 Hours of Sebring race is held, round two of the Endurance Triple Crown. Finishing 3rd in IMSA GT +2500 class, 3rd overall, is the John Greenwood #50 Corvette, driven by Ron Grable, John Greenwood, and Michael Brockman. This is the best ever overall finish for a Corvette at Sebring to date. Finishing 5th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 11th overall, is the Phil Currin #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin, Danny Fortin, and Bill Johnson. Finishing 6th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 16th overall, is the Leldon Blackwell #94 Corvette, driven by Wilbur Pickett and Bill Bean. Finishing 7th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 17th overall, is the George Garcia #41 Corvette, driven by George Garcia and Vic Shinn. Placing 8th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 19th overall, is the John Greenwood Racing #49 Corvette, driven by Jim Greendyke and Robert Johnson. The car is not running at the finish. Finishing 9th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 21st overall, is the Sebring Racing #61 Corvette, driven by Scott Chapman, John McLaren, and Bill Hood. Finishing 10th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 24th overall, is the Sebring Racing #47 Corvette, driven by Terry Keller, Robert Gray, and Neil Potter. Placing 11th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 28th overall, is the Performance Associates #3 Corvette, driven by Dick Bauer, Jim DeStefano, and Nick Engels. The car is not running at the finish. Finishing 13th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 38th overall, is the Ansley Racing Enterprises #97 Corvette, driven by Tony Ansley, Ron Connelly, and Steve Avera. Placing 15th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 42th overall, is the WGB Niagara Wines #69 Corvette, driven by Ron Goldleaf and John Tunstall. The car is not running at the finish. Placing 16th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 47th overall, is the Troy Promotions #11 Corvette, driven by Tony DeLorenzo and Steve Durst. The car is not running at the finish due to engine failure about halfway through the race. Finishing 17th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 49th overall, is the Race Enterprise & Developments #5 Corvette, driven by David Heinz and Jerry Thompson. Placing 18th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 50th overall, is the John Greenwood Racing #48 Corvette, driven by John Greenwood and Don Yenko. The car is not running at the finish due to engine failure. Placing 19th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 51st overall, is the Pironell Racing #40 Corvette, driven by Tom Nell, Rich Dagiel, and Joseph Pirotta. The car is not running at the finish due to engine failure. Placing 20th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 57th overall, is the Murray Racing Team #34 Corvette, driven by Ike Knupp and Bob Tullius. The car is not running at the finish due to engine failure. Placing 22nd in IMSA GT +2500 class, 59th overall, is the Jeff Stevens Racing #62 Corvette, driven by Jef Stevens and Peter Sherman. The car is not running at the finish due to engine failure. Placing 23rd in IMSA GT +2500 class, 64th overall, is the Iroquois Racing #54 Corvette, driven by William Schumacher and Rick Hay. The car is not running at the finish. Placing 24th in IMSA GT +2500 class, 71st overall, is the Alex Davidson #6 Corvette, driven by Alex Davidson. The car is not running at the finish due to engine failure. 1977 - The 500,000th Corvette is delivered to owner Pat Merow of Detroit, Michigan. The car cost about US$15,000, with most available options. 1983 - The 1984 Corvette goes on sale in California. 1984 - At the Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida, the 12 Hours of Sebring race is held. Finishing 4th in GTO class and 21st overall is the Tim Morgan #62 Corvette driven by Tim Morgan, Peter Morgan, Charles Bair, and Marcus Opie. Finishing 13th in GTO class and 35th overall is the Comp Fibreglass #99 Corvette driven by Phil Currin, Steve Gentile, Jim Cook, and Tommy Morrison. Finishing 15th in GTO class and 40th overall is the K & P Racing #83 Corvette driven by Karl Keck, Robert Whitaker, and William Wessel. Placing 21st in GTO class and 62nd overall is the Dingman Brothers Racing #47 Corvette driven by Billy Dingman and Walt Bohren. The car is not running at the finish, due to engine failure. Placing 26th in GTO class and 75th overall is the Paul Canary Racing #20 Corvette driven by Paul Canary. The car is not running at the finish. 2002 - At the California Speedway in Fontana, California, round 2 of the Grand-Am Cup series is held. Finishing 1st in GSI class and 1st overall is the Powell Motorsport #11 Corvette, driven by Doug Goad and Devon Powell. Finishing 4th in GSI class and 4th overall is the Powell Motorsport #02 Corvette, driven by Michael Weinberg and Stuart Hayner. Finishing 9th in GSI class and 9th overall is the Planet Earth Motorsports #43 Corvette, driven by Joe Nonnamaker and Shane Lewis. 2002 - At the California Speedway in Fontana, California, the Grand American 400 race is held, Round 3 of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. Finishing 1st in AGT class and 5th overall is the Flis Motorsports #90 Corvette, driven by Paul Menard and Michael Ciasulli. Finishing 2nd in AGT class and 9th overall is the ACP Motorsports #19 Corvette, driven by Kerry Hitt, James Briody, and Brad Stout. Finishing 3rd in AGT class and 13th overall is the Morgan Dollar Motorsports #46 Corvette, driven by Andrew Richards, Rob Morgan, and Charles D. Morgan. Finishing 4th in AGT class and 15th overall is the Flis Motorsports #09 Corvette, driven by Craig Conway and Doug Goad. 2007 - At the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida, the Grand Prix of Miami race is held, round three of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. Finishing 12th in GT class and 27th overall is the Stevenson Automotive #57 Corvette driven by Dominic Cicero and Marc Bunting. Finishing 13th in GT class and 28th overall is the Stevenson Automotive #97 Corvette driven by Tommy Riggins and Vic Rice. Finishing 20th in GT class and 37th overall is the Team Sahlen #43 Corvette driven by Joe Nonnamaker and Wayne Nonnamaker. Finishing 21st in GT class and 41st overall is the Team Sahlen #42 Corvette driven by Joe Sahlen and Will Nonnamaker. World War II history: 1938 - Russian Army Commander B.M. Shaposhnikov produces a war plan, proposing a Red Army offensive or counter-offensive either north or south of the Pripet marshes, with a strong defence in the other sector. 1941 - German General Erwin Rommel sends a reconnaissance battalion to seize El Agheila. British forces withdraw after a brief fight. 1944 - The Zionist Relief and Rescue Committee proposes to Dieter Wisliceng, an aide of Adolf Eichmann, a US$2 million ransom with US$200,000 downpayment to guarantee that Hungarian Jews would not be deported or forced into ghettos. 1944 - The plane of Major General Orde Wingate crashes into a hillside near Imphal, killing him. 1944 - (evening) 811 British bombers attack Berlin, Germany. 72 planes are shot down, killing 392 crew members, and leaving 131 as prisoners. This is the final British air assault of the Battle of Berlin. Since August 1943, Bomber Command had flown over 10,000 sorties and dropped over 30,000 tons of bombs, making it the longest and most sustained bombing offensive against a single target in the war. 1944 - (night) The SS unit of Captain Erich Priebke rounds up 335 Italians, and machine-guns them in the Ardentine caves on the outskirts of Rome. The massacre is in reprisal for the killing of 33 German soldiers two days earlier by Italian resistance fighters. 1945 - (0200 hours) The US 9th Army begins its movement to cross the Rhine river, Germany. 1945 - (early) The Canadian 51st Highland Division of the British 2nd Army launches attacks on German villages north of Reeserward. 1945 - (dawn) The Canadian 1st Black Watch brigade of the 51st Division reaches the German town of Speldrop. 1945 - (1000 hours) Operation Varsity begins, as 134 American and British gliders cross the Rhine River, landing paratroops in Wesel, Germany. 1945 - A US naval task force begins bombarding the island of Okinawa, Japan. 1945 - (1730 hours) The Canadian Highland Light Infantry of the 51st Division attacks Speldrop, Germany. The attack is a success, but with many losses. 1945 - British bombers attack marshalling yard at Sterkrade, Germany. Video game history: 2003 - Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker video game for the GameCube in the US. 2005 - Sony releases the PlayStation Portable handheld video game system in North America. It includes a 32 MB Memory Stick Duo card, battery pack, and the film Spider-Man 2 on UMD. Price is US$249.99 in the US, CDN$299.99 in Canada. 2005 - Sony releases the Wipeout Pure video game for the PlayStation Portable in the USA. 2005 - Ubisoft releases the Lumines video game for the PlayStation Portable in the USA. 2005 - Nintendo releases the Nintendo DS video game system in two new colors, Graphite Black, and Pure White, in Japan. Price is about US$150. Swedish history: 1983 - The United States issues a 20c postage stamp commemorating the 200th anniversary of a treaty of friendship and trade with Sweden. Canadian coin history: 1972 - The Finance Minister announces that a 1972 silver dollar will be issued, featuring the canoe design on the reverse. 1983 - A proclamation sets the design of the 1983 $100 gold coin, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of St. John's, Newfoundland. 1992 - A Royal proclamation, effective April 1, specifies that the design of a 1992 25c nickel coin have "1867-1992" on obverse, and "Alberta" on the reverse. 1992 - A Royal proclamation, effective April 1, specifies that the design of a 1992 25c silver coin have "1867-1992" on obverse, and "Alberta" on the reverse. 1994 - The Royal Canadian Mint announces the design of the last two $20 silver coins in the ten coin series Powered Flight in Canada / The First Fifty Years. The ninth coin depicts the Curtiss HS-2L. The tenth coin depicts the Canadian Vickers Vedette. Issue price is $55.50. Sports history: 1913 - Netherlands soccer team's first victory over England. 1930 - R˙nsburgse Boys soccer team forms. 1936 - Red Wings beat Montréal Maroons in 16 minutes and 30 seconds of 6th period Stanley Cup game lasts 9 periods (176 minutes), ends 1-0. 1941 - Long Island University beats Ohio University 56-42 for NIT basketball championship. 1950 - Gracie de Moss wins LPGA Pro-Ladies Golf Championship. 1950 - US Ladies Figure Skating Championship won by Yvonne C Sherman. 1950 - US Men's Figure Skating Championship won by Richard Button. 1961 - New York Senate approves US$55 million for a baseball stadium at Flushing Meadows. 1962 - 24th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Cincinnati beats Ohio State 71-59. 1962 - Benny Paret is knocked out in a welterweight title; he dies ten days later. 1968 - Mickey Wright wins Port Malabar Golf Invitational. 1973 - Immaculata beats Queens College, 59-52 to win AIAW Basketball title. 1973 - Professional track debut of Kip Keino defeating Jim Ryun in the mile. 1973 - San Francisco 49ers' president Lou Spadia proposes NFL expand to 30 teams. 1974 - 36th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: North Carolina State beats Marquette 76-64; this ends UCLA's 7-year reign as NCAA basketball champions. 1975 - Muhammad Ali TKOs Chuck Wepner in 15 rounds to retain the heavyweight boxing title. 1979 - Ten rebounds and ten assists, as the Spartans cruise to a 101-67 by University of Pennsylvania; Michigan State's Earvin "Magic" Johnson registers triple-double 29 points. 1979 - First appearance as Australian cricket captain for Kim Hughes. 1980 - 42nd NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Louisville beats UCLA 59-54. 1980 - The Australia Olympic Committee announces it will send an Olympic delegation to Moscow, despite objections by Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser. 1981 - Bombay beats Delhi by innings and 46 to win Ranji Cricket Trophy. 1984 - International Olympic Committee agrees to six-team exhibition baseball tournament in Olympics. 1984 - Igor Malkov skates world record 10 km (14:01.51). 1984 - Andrea Schöne skates ladies' world record 5 km (7:04.52). 1985 - Jan Stephenson wins LPGA GNA Golf Classic. 1985 - Norman Gifford makes cricket ODI debuts at age 44 (v Australia, Sharjah). 1987 - Western Australia wins the Sheffield Shield by drawing cricket final versus Victoria. 1988 - Quarterback Dan Fouts retires. 1990 - Tom Hunter swims world record 50-metre freestyle (21.81 seconds). 1991 - Barcelona Dragons beat New York/New Jersey Knights 19-7 in their first WLAF game. 1991 - Danielle Ammaccapane wins LPGA Standard Register Ping Golf Tournament. 1991 - New York Yankees beat New York Mets, 9-3. 1996 - Laura Davies wins LPGA Standard Register Ping Golf Tournament. 2001 - During an exhibition baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Randy Johnson's fastball hits and instantly kills a dove flying in front of home plate. The bird appears to explode as the pitch sends it over the catcher's head. 2008 - In Greece, the Olympic torch begins its journey to Beijing, China. Space exploration history: 1930 - Planet Pluto named. 1965 - US Ranger 9 strikes Moon, 10 miles (16 km) northeast of crater Alphonsus. 1986 - NASA publishes Strategy for Safely Returning the Space Shuttle to Flight Status. 1992 - First Belgian in the space, Dirk Frimout on Atlantis Space Shuttle STS-45 (Atlantis 11) launches into space. Extreme weather history: 1910 - 83 degrees F highest temperature ever recorded in Cleveland in March. 2008 - In northern Chile, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes. Other history: 1989 - Worst US oil spill, Exxon's Valdez spills 11.3 million gallons off Alaska. You can pick a particular day to view that day's events in history. Bookmark this URL:   http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/today/   and revisit each day. (this URL will automatically re-direct to the file containing the current day's events) Or, visit my Timelines of History page. Other web pages of interest: Chronology of World History What's Notable About this Year? Ken P's Coin/Stamp/Bill Novelties