432 AD – Saint Patrick, a bishop, is carried off to Ireland as a slave. Wait a minute! He’s white. He can’t be a slave. He’s one of the Oppressors. Nobody cain’t be slaves but black people!

1756 – St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in New York City for the first time (at the Crown and Thistle Tavern).

1776 – American Revolution: British forces evacuate Boston, Massachusetts after George Washington and Henry Knox place artillery overlooking the city.

1780 – American Revolution: George Washington grants the Continental Army a holiday “as an act of solidarity with the Irish in their fight for independence”.

1836 – The Republic of Texas abolishes slavery. It comes back when Texas becomes a state of the United States.

1845 – The rubber band is patented by Stephen Perry of London, adding a new weapon to the classroom arsenal.

1945 – The Ludendorff Bridge in Remagen, Germany collapses, ten days after its capture. It’s too late. The Americans are all over the east bank of the Rhine and other bridgeheads are established.

1947 – First flight of the B-45 Tornado strategic bomber, America’s first operational jet strategic bomber.

1958 – The United States launches the Vanguard 1 satellite, our second. It’s still up there, the oldest man-made object still in orbit.

2008 – New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer resigns after a scandal involving a high-end prostitute. David Paterson becomes acting New York State governor. Makes darned little difference in how well the state is run.