In the Northern Hemisphere, the next vernal or spring equinox marks the astronomical start of the spring season. The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning “equal night.” The vernal, or spring, equinox is the point at which the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator from south to north, signaling the beginning of nature’s renewal in the Northern Hemisphere. To learn everything about this equinox, go to Almanac.com/spring.
Question of the Day
Where did the expression “behind the eight ball” come from?
The phrase comes from a type of pool game in which the balls must be pocketed in a certain order, except for number 8. Touching the eight ball carries a penalty, so if it is in front of another ball a player intends to pocket, the player is in a rather dicey situation.
Advice of the Day
Never gulp tea or gruel; always sip it.
Home Hint of the Day
If you’re a beginner, choose a small room or just one wall for your first wallpapering project. Avoid complex rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens until you build up some confidence.
Word of the Day
Precession
The slowly changing position of the stars and equinoxes in the sky resulting from variations in the orientation of Earth’s axis.
Puzzle of the Day
What is that which everyone likes to have but wants to get rid of as soon as possible after he gets it?
A good appetite
Died
King Henry IV of England–
Sir Thomas Seymour(brother of Queen Jane, uncle to Prince Edward)–
Sir Isaac Newton(physicist)–
Born
Henrik Ibsen(poet & playwright)–
Charles William Eliot(educator)–
Ozzie Nelson(actor)–
Sir Michael Redgrave(actor)–
Jack Barry(game show host)–
Carl Reiner(actor & director)–
Ray Goulding(comedian)–
Fred Rogers(educator, minister, host of children’s television show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood)–
Jerry Reed(actor)–
Bobby Orr(hockey player)–
William Hurt(actor)–
Carl Palmer(musician)–
Spike Lee(director)–
Holly Hunter(actress)–
Christy Carlson Romano(actress)–
Events
Uncle Tom’s Cabin, written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, was published –
American Bell Telephone Co. was organized –
The first Farm Bureau in U.S. formed in Binghamton, N.Y. –
First U.S. figure skating championship in international style took place in New Haven, Connecticut –
The first flight between England and South Africa was completed by Col. H.A. van Rejneveld and Maj. C.J. Brand of the South African Air Force –
USS Midway launched, Newport News, Virginia –
British troops captured Japanese-held Mandalay (WWII) –
The peace treaty restoring Japanese sovereignty was ratified by U.S. Senate, ending American occupation of Japan –
John Lennon and Yoko Ono were married in a civil ceremony in Gibraltar –
Communications satellite NATO 1 launched –
Libby Riddles of Teller, AK, became the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Dog Race, from Anchorage to Nome –
Skier Lauren Woolstencroft won her 5th gold medal of the Winter Paralympic Games –
A magnitude-7.6 earthquake located 120 miles east of Acapulco shook southern Mexico –
Weather
Snowstorm in Oklahoma dropped nearly a foot in Tulsa –
