SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011

Today is Saturday, March 26, the 85th day of 2011. There are 280 days left in the year.

1780 ― First British Sunday newspaper appears (British Gazette & Sunday Monitor)

1812 ― Earthquake destroys 90 percent of Caracas; about 20,000 die

1824 ― First performance of Beethoven's ``Missa Solemnis"

1871 ― Paris Commune founded

1872 ― Thomas J. Martin patents fire extinguisher

1937 ― Spinach growers of Crystal City, Texas, erect statue of Popeye

1970 ― 500th nuclear explosion announced by the U.S. since 1945

1971 ― Bangladesh (East Pakistan) declares its independence

1979 ― Camp David peace treaty between Israel and Egypt

1982 ― Ground-breaking in Washington, D.C. for Vietnam Veterans Memorial