On This Day for March 30 - Failed assassination attempt against U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun is featured, and more

This message contains graphics. If you do not see the graphics, click here to view. March 30 FEATURED BIOGRAPHY Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun READ MORE   FEATURED EVENT 1981 Failed assassination attempt against U.S. President Ronald Reagan READ MORE   Advertisement Advertisement   MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY 2003: A law banning cigarette smoking in all places of employment, including restaurants and bars, went into effect in New York City. [Sort fact from fiction in our human health quiz.] 2002: Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who was queen consort of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1936–52), died in her sleep at Windsor Castle at age 101. [ Test your knowledge of English royalty.] 1968: French Canadian pop singer Céline Dion, who was known for her vocal prowess and her passionate showmanship, was born. [How much do you know about pop music?] 1945: British rock musician Eric Clapton , a highly influential guitarist who performed with such groups as the Yardbirds and Cream before embarking on a successful solo career, was born. [Test your knowledge of all things rock and roll.] 1867: William H. Seward, secretary of state under U.S. President Andrew Johnson, signed the Alaska Purchase, a treaty ceding Russian North America to the United States for a price—$7.2 million—that amounted to about two cents per acre. [Test your knowledge of American history.] 1853: Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, one of the greatest Post-Impressionists , known for works that convey not only keen observations of nature but the anguish of a mental illness, was born. [Sort fact from fiction in our artists and painters quiz.] SEE ALL EVENTS ON THIS DAY ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY 1968 Céline Dion Canadian singer 1853 Vincent van Gogh Dutch painter 1945 Eric Clapton British musician 1979 Norah Jones American musician and actress 1937 Warren Beatty American actor, director, and producer 1965 Piers Morgan British journalist and television personality 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