Looking Backward

The north

10 years ago

March 21, 2000:Difficulties in finding a full-time dentist have delayed the opening of a dental clinic in Lowville designed to serve low-income Lewis County residents. The clinic will be run by the North Country Children's Clinic of Watertown. If a full-time dentist can't be found, the Children's Clinic would find a dentist to staff the clinic a couple of days a week.

25 years ago

March 21, 1985:A House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Coast Guard will hold a hearing at Jefferson Community College in Watertown to receive testimony on planned cuts at its Wellesley Island search-and-rescue station, according to Rep. David O'B. Martin, R-Canton.

50 years ago

March 21, 1960:Up until recent years, pouring concrete in winter weather was considered a rarity. The start of construction of a new building was an oddity. This has all changed with contractors now looking upon their building season as a 12-month period. In the Watertown area, a total of 1,753 yards of concrete has been poured since mid-November on major projects.

75 years ago

March 21, 1935:Possibilities of the Midwest dust storm settling over Northern New York remained problematical today. Remnants of the storm settled in Dunkirk, Western New York, this morning. If it continues to travel east, it is estimated that it would arrive in Northern New York late this afternoon.

100 years ago

March 21, 1910:Yesterday about 80 students from Carthage High School enjoyed a half-day sugaring. In the forenoon a petition was circulated. Permission was given to those who brought written statements from their parents. A special car was attached to the southbound train. The party went to the Abbott sugarbush, where a great quantity of excellent sugar was waiting.

125 years ago

March 21, 1885:The work of excavating the cellar for the new Romang block on Court Street is nearly completed, and work on the foundation will begin soon.

The world

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Today is Sunday, March 21,the 80th day of 2010. There are 285 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On March 21st, 1960, about 70 people were killed in Sharpeville, South Africa, when police fired on black protesters; the shooting drew international condemnation. (On this date in 1985, police in Langa, South Africa, opened fire on blacks marching to mark the 25th anniversary of Sharpeville; the reported death toll varies between 29 and 43.)

On this date:

In 1685, composer Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany.

In 1965, more than 3,000 civil rights demonstrators led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. began their march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

Ten years ago:Pope John Paul II began the first official visit by a Roman Catholic pontiff to Israel.

Five years ago:A high school student on the Red Lake Indian reservation in Minnesota killed five schoolmates, a teacher and an unarmed guard before taking his own life; Jeff Weise (wees) had earlier killed his grandfather and his grandfather's companion.

One year ago:The Oakland, Calif. Police Department saw its deadliest day when parolee Lovelle Mixon shot and killed two motorcycle officers; Mixon killed two SWAT team members while holed up in an apartment before he was killed by other officers.

Today's Birthdays:Actor Al Freeman Jr. is 79. Violinist-conductor Joseph Silverstein is 78. Singer-musician Rose Stone (Sly and the Family Stone) is 65. Actor Timothy Dalton is 64. Singer Eddie Money is 61. Rock singer-musician Roger Hodgson (Supertramp) is 60. Rock musician Conrad Lozano (Los Lobos) is 59. Comedy writer-performer Brad Hall is 52. Actress Sabrina LeBeauf is 52. Actor Gary Oldman is 52. Actor Matthew Broderick is 48. Comedian-talk show host Rosie O'Donnell is 48. Rock musician Jonas "Joker" Berggren (Ace of Base) is 43. Hip-hop DJ Premier (Gang Starr) is 41. Actress Laura Allen is 36. Rapper-TV personality Kevin Federline is 32.

Thought for Today:"Entre los individuos como entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz." (Among individuals, as among nations, peace is the respect of others' rights.) — Benito Juarez, Mexican statesman (1806-1872).