TODAY IN HISTORY

halley's Comet

MARCH 30

 240 B.C.:Chinese astronomers in Cathay observe the first verified sighting of Halley’s Comet, which they describe as a “broom star” due to its tail. In 1705, British astronomer Edmond Halley theorizes that many of the comet sightings over the last two millennia are in fact visits from the same comet, returning on a parabolic orbit about every 75 to 76 years. Halley’s Comet is the best short-period comet visible to the naked eye on Earth; it will next be seen in 2061.

1867:Russia sells Alaska to U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward for $7.2 Million.

1964: Merv Griffin’s trivia quiz show Jeopardy! with original host Art Fleming, premieres on NBC’s daytime lineup.

1981: President Ronald Reagan is wounded by gunman John Hinckley, Jr., outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Hinckley also shoots White House Press Secretary James Brady, a Secret Service agent and a D.C. police officer. In his trial, Hinckley, Jr., will be found not guilty by reason of insanity—he claimed to have shot Reagan to gain attention from Taxi Driver actress Jodie Foster. He has been a patient in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., ever since.