FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2012

Today is Friday, March 23, the 83rd day of 2012. There are 283 days left in the year.

1743 ― George Frederic Handel's oratorio ``Messiah" premieres in London

1775 ― Patrick Henry proclaims ``Give me liberty or give me death"

1839 ― First recorded use of ``OK" [oll korrect] (Boston's Morning Post)

1891 ― First jazz concert was held at Carnegie Hall

1903 ― Wright brothers obtain airplane patent

1919 ― Benito Mussolini forms Fascist movement in Milan, Italy

1972 ― Evil Knievel breaks 93 bones after successfully clearing 35 cars

1983 ― U.S. President Ronald Reagan introduces ``Star Wars"-plan (SDI)

1987 ― West Germany SPD chairman Willy Brandt resigns

1994 ― Wayne Gretzky sets NHL record with 802 goals scored