Today's Highlight in History:
On March ninth, 1862, during the Civil War, the ironclads "Monitor" and "Virginia" (formerly "Merrimac") clashed for five hours to a draw at Hampton Roads, Virginia.
On this date:
In 1796, the future emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, married Josephine de Beauharnais. (The couple divorced in 1809.)

In 1916, Mexican raiders led by Pancho Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico, killing more than a dozen people.

In 1933, Congress, called into special session by President Roosevelt, began its "hundred days" of enacting New Deal legislation.

In 1945, during World War Two, US B-29 bombers launched incendiary bomb attacks against Japan.

In 1954, CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow critically reviewed Wisconsin Senator Joseph R. McCarthy's anti-Communism campaign on "See It Now."

In 1975, work began on the Alaskan oil pipeline.

In 1977, about a dozen armed Hanafi Muslims invaded three buildings in Washington DC, killing one person and taking more than 130 hostages. The siege ended two days later.

In 1989, the Senate rejected President Bush's nomination of John Tower to be defense secretary by a vote of 53-to-47.

In 1996, comedian George Burns died in Beverly Hills, California, at age 100.

In 1997, gangsta rapper The Notorious B.I.G., whose real name was Christopher Wallace, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles; he was 24.

Ten years ago: Dr. Antonia Novello was sworn in as surgeon general, becoming the first woman and the first Hispanic to hold the job.

Five years ago: House Republicans unveiled their long-promised tax cut for families, businesses and investors. President Clinton sharply eased travel restrictions on Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and invited him to the White House for St. Patrick's Day. Los Angeles police detective Mark Fuhrman took the stand at the O.J. Simpson murder trial, denying ever meeting a woman who'd accused him of making racist remarks.

One year ago: RJR Nabisco Holdings Corporation, the food-and-tobacco conglomerate, announced it was getting out of the cigarette business.