Today in history: March 27

updated 1:03 a.m. ET March 27, 2005

Today is Easter Sunday, March 27, the 86th day of 2005. There are 279 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:
On March 27, 1977, 582 people were killed when a KLM Boeing 747, attempting to take off, crashed into a Pan Am 747 on the Canary Island of Tenerife.

On this date:
In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon sighted Florida.

In 1625, Charles I ascended the English throne upon the death of James I.

In 1794, President Washington and Congress authorized creation of the U.S. Navy.

In 1836, the first Mormon temple was dedicated, in Kirtland, Ohio.

In 1917, the Seattle Metropolitans became the first U.S. team to win the Stanley Cup as they defeated the Montreal Canadiens.

In 1958, Nikita Khrushchev became Soviet premier in addition to First Secretary of the Communist Party.

In 1964, Alaska was rocked by a powerful earthquake that killed 114 people.

In 1968, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man to orbit the earth, died in a plane crash.

In 1980, 137 workers died when a North Sea floating oil field platform, the “Alexander I. Keilland,” capsized during a storm.

In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration approved the anti-impotence drug Viagra, made by Pfizer.

Ten years ago: Former President Jimmy Carter announced he had brokered a two-month cease-fire between Sudan’s Islamic government and rebels. “Forrest Gump” won six Academy Awards, including best picture and a second consecutive Best Actor Oscar for Tom Hanks; Jessica Lange won Best Actress for “Blue Sky.”

Five years ago: The Supreme Court decided the federal government could deny food stamps and other welfare benefits to people who live permanently in the United States but who are not citizens. DaimlerChrysler AG announced it would buy 34 percent of Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

One year ago: Nearly half a million people surrounded Taiwan’s presidential office and blocked major streets to protest their country’s disputed presidential election. Shizuka Arakawa of Japan was the surprise winner at the world figure skating championships in Dortmund, Germany.

Today’s Birthdays: Lord Callaghan, former British prime minister, is 93. Blues musician Robert “Junior” Lockwood is 90. Former newspaper columnist Anthony Lewis is 78. Dance company director Arthur Mitchell is 71. Actor Julian Glover is 70. Actor Jerry Lacy is 69. Actor Austin Pendleton is 65. Actor Michael York is 63. Rock musician Tony Banks (Genesis) is 55. Actress Maria Schneider is 53. Rock musician Andrew Farriss (INXS) is 46. Movie director Quentin Tarantino is 42. Rock musician Derrick McKenzie (Jamiroquai) is 41. Actress Talisa Soto is 38. Actress Pauley Perrette is 36. Singer Mariah Carey is 35. Rock musician Brendan Hill (Blues Traveler) is 35. Actress Elizabeth Mitchell is 35. Hip-hop singer Fergie (Black Eyed Peas) is 30. Actress Emily Ann Lloyd is 22. Actress Taylor Atelian is 10.

Thought for Today: “Often the test of courage is not to die but to live.” — Vittorio Alfieri, Italian dramatist (1749-1803).

MORE FROM EDUCATION

Education Section Front

Some schools drop driver’s ed to cut costs Teacher on leave for choir's Hooters lunch Parents battle school over son’s locks Police: Girl, 12, raped in school stairwell Georgetown students say campus satire is racist Education Section Front   Add Education headlines to your news reader: