1756

Birth of Henry Raeburn, Scottish painter. He was known for his fashionable portraits, including those of Walter Scott, David Hume and James Boswell.

1789

The first US Congress convenes in New York City. Twenty-eight Senators and 65 Representatives sat for the then 13 States.

1793

George Washington is inaugurated for a second term as President of the United States in Philadelphia.

1801

Thomas Jefferson is inaugurated as the third President of the United States, the first to be inaugurated in the new capital of Washington.

1857

The Peace of Paris ends the Anglo-Persian War, and the Shah recognises the independence of Afghanistan.

1913

Woodrow Wilson is inaugurated as the 28th US President and only the second Democrat to become president since the American Civil War.

1917

The German army begins a major withdrawal from the Western Front in World War I.

1933

Franklin Roosevelt is sworn in as the 32nd US President and the first to be elected for a third and fourth term.

1949

During the first Indochina War, Vietnamese forces attack the French in the north-eastern provinces. By the end of March, they had overrun many positions, destroying 120 military vehicles and inflicting heavy casualties.

1973

Restoration of the Long Bien Bridge in Ha Noi is completed after 41 days. The bridge was heavily damaged during the American air war.

1975

Liberation forces begin a large-scale operation on Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) which ended on March 24 with the seizure of a series of Sai Gon-held positions in Buon Me Thuot, Kon Tum, Gia Lai and Phu Bon.

1975

Actor Charlie Chaplin is knighted at Buckingham Palace.

1998

Flash floods in Pakistan kill at least 300 people, including dozens of schoolchildren trapped by raging waters. Another 1,500 people are missing and feared dead. — AP/REUTERS/VNS