On This Day for March 19 - Iraq War begins, Glenn Close is featured, and more

This message contains graphics. If you do not see the graphics, click here to view. March 19 FEATURED BIOGRAPHY Glenn Close READ MORE   FEATURED EVENT 2003 Iraq War begins READ MORE   Advertisement Advertisement   MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY 2014: American church leader Fred Phelps—who founded (1955) the Westboro Baptist Church , which became known for its strident opposition to homosexuality and the gay rights movement, as expressed on picket signs carried by church members at funerals and other events—died at age 84. 2008: English writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke—who was best known for his visionary science-fiction novels and for his work on Stanley Kubrick's hugely successful motion picture 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)—died in Sri Lanka. [Test your knowledge of the names behind famous books in this quiz.] 1997: Dutch American artist Willem de Kooning, a major exponent of Abstract Expressionism and Action painting, whose series Woman I–VI caused a stir with its violent images and impulsive technique, died at the age of 92. [Take our ultimate art quiz.] 1982: Argentine forces mobilized after a dispute between Argentine workers and British scientists on British-controlled South Georgia island, leading to Argentina's invasion of the Falklands two weeks later. [Take our quiz about the history of war.] 1962: American musician Bob Dylan released his eponymous debut album to mixed reviews. [Test your knowledge of songwriters.] 1954: American journalist Jill Abramson, who was the first woman to serve as executive editor (2011–14) of The New York Times, was born. [ How much do you know about newspapers?] SEE ALL EVENTS ON THIS DAY ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY 1955 Bruce Willis American actor 1848 Wyatt Earp American frontiersman 1906 Adolf Eichmann German military official 1905 Albert Speer German architect and Nazi official 1947 Glenn Close American actress 1860 William Jennings Bryan American politician SEE ALL BIOS ON THIS DAY   Advertisement   FOLLOW: To unsubscribe from Britannica e-mails, click here. Encyclopædia Britannica 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 United States © 2021 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Privacy Policy • Help