Today is the 83rd day of 2015 and the fifth day of spring.
TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1882, Robert Koch announced the discovery of the tuberculosis bacterium.
In 1958, Elvis Presley reported to the Memphis Draft Board and began service in the U.S. Army.
In 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, spilling millions of gallons of oil off the coast of Alaska.
In 1999, the NATO alliance began air strikes against Yugoslavia.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Andrew W. Mellon (1855-1937), financier; Harry Houdini (1874-1926), magician; Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle (1887-1933), comedian/director; Thomas Dewey (1902-1971), politician; Joseph Barbera (1911-2006), animator; Steve McQueen (1930-1980), actor; R. Lee Ermey (1944- ), actor; Tommy Hilfiger (1951- ), fashion designer; Star Jones (1962- ), TV personality; Jim Parsons (1973- ), actor; Alyson Hannigan (1974- ), actress; Peyton Manning (1976- ), football player; Jessica Chastain (1977- ), actress.
TODAY'S FACT: In 1944, 76 prisoners at the Stalag Luft III prisoner-of-war camp near Sagan, Germany, began their escape. The event was later dramatized in the film "The Great Escape," starring Steve McQueen, who was born on this day in 1930.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1936, the Detroit Red Wings won the longest game in NHL history, scoring in the sixth overtime period of a playoff game to beat the Montreal Maroons 1-0.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "Our problem is within ourselves. We have found the means to blow the world physically apart. Spiritually, we have yet to find the means to put the world's pieces back together again." -- Thomas Dewey
TODAY'S NUMBER: 18 -- inches of oil floating at the surface of parts of Prince William Sound after the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989.
TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (March 20) and first quarter moon (March 27).