Today in History - History - March 31st

1796Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Egmont" premieres in Weimar

1968Mickey Wright wins LPGA Palm Beach County Golf Open

1547Henry II succeeds Francois I as king of France

1988NY Islanders celebrate Denis Potvin night

1973Ken Norton defeats Muhammad Ali in a 12 round split decision

1991St Louis Blues Brett Hull scores his 86th goal

1980Larry Holmes TKOs Leroy Jones in 8 for heavyweight boxing title

1980President Jimmy Carter deregulates banking industry

1657English Parliament makes the Humble Petition to Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell offering him the crown: he declines

1933German Republic gives power to Hitler

1928Gordie Howe, Floral Sask, NHL right wing (Detroit Redwings)

1685Johann Sebastian Bach, Eisenach Germany, composer (Mattheus-Passion)

1943Christopher Walken, Astoria Queens, actor (Deer Hunter, Brainstorm)

1929Liz Claiborne, Brussels Belgium, American fashion designer, entrepreneur and founder of Liz Claiborne Inc (d. 2007)

1927Cesar Chavez, Yuma Az, farm labor leader (United Farm Workers)

1519Henry II, King of France (1547-59)

307Roman Emperor Constantine marries Fausta, daughter of the Emperor Maximian, later murdering her in 326

1834Religious leader Brigham Young (32) weds herbalist Mary Ann Angell (27)

1996Actor and director Clint Eastwood (65) weds news anchor Dina Ruiz (30) in Las Vegas

1993Actor and writer Larry David (45) weds environmental activist Laurie Lennard (35)

1727Isaac Newton, English physicist/astronomer, dies in London at 84

1850John C. Calhoun, American politician, dies of tuberculosis at 68