March 19 - The day in History

March 19 : General Interest 2003: War in Iraq begins On this day in 2003, the United States, along with coalition forces primarily from the United Kingdom, initiates war on Iraq... read more American Revolution 1734 : Thomas McKean is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thomas-mckean-is-born Automotive 2005 : Maverick auto exec John DeLorean dies http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/maverick-auto-exec-john-delorean-dies Civil War 1865 : Rebels fail to stop Yankees at the Battle of Bentonville http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-bentonville-north-carolina Cold War 1949 : East Germany approves new constitution http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/east-germany-approves-new-constitution Crime 1999 : Bodies found in Yosemite serial killer case http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bodies-found-in-yosemite-serial-killer-case Disaster 1971 : Peruvian town wiped out http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/peruvian-town-wiped-out General Interest 1916 : First U.S. air combat mission begins http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-us-air-combat-mission-begins 1931 : Nevada legalizes gambling http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nevada-legalizes-gambling 1953 : DeMille wins Oscar http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/demille-wins-oscar Hollywood 1953 : First Academy Awards telecast on NBC http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-academy-awards-telecast-on-nbc Literary 1842 : Balzac botches a publicity stunt http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/balzac-botches-a-publicity-stunt Music 1957 : Elvis Presley puts a down payment on Graceland http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/elvis-presley-puts-a-downpayment-on-graceland Old West 1864 : Artist Charlie Russell born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/artist-charlie-russell-born Presidential 2003 : Bush announces the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bush-announces-the-launch-of-operation-iraqi-freedom Sports 1966 : Texas Western defeats Kentucky in NCAA finals http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/texas-western-defeats-kentucky-in-ncaa-finals Vietnam War 1966 : Seoul agrees to send additional troops http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/seoul-agrees-to-send-additional-troops 1970 : National emergency declared in Cambodia http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/national-emergency-declared-in-cambodia World War I 1916 : First U.S. air-combat mission begins http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-us-air-combat-mission World War II 1945 : General Fromm executed for plot against Hitler http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/general-fromm-executed-for-plot-against-hitler