Significant Events this month – New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller signs legislation allowing the Port Authority of New York to begin construction of the World Trade Center (3/27). The WTC would finally open in 1973 and stand as a landmark for New York City until 9/11/2001, when its iconic twin towers (at the time of the opening the tallest buildings in the world) are destroyed in a terrorist attack that ushered in a new era of global instability.
On television, The Twilight Zone first airs “To Serve Man,” one of the series’ most famous episodes (3/2). Jack Paar ends his five year stint as the host of his late night show (3/29), which became informally known as The Tonight Show during his tenure. He would return in November for a Friday night talk program during prime time.
On the pop charts, Hey! Baby by Bruce Channel is the top record of the month, holding down the #1 spot for 3 weeks. Other top hits during March with their peak positions include: Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You by Connie Francis (#1); Midnight in Moscow, an instrumental by Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen that reaches #2; Break it To Me Gently by Brenda Lee and Let Me In by the Sensations, both at #4; and Crying in the Rain by The Everly Brothers (#6).
At the movies, Lover Come Back, the Doris Day-Rock Hudson romp, repeats as the #1 movie of the month for the second consecutive month. Other top grossers for March include West Side Story (#2), and new releases Walk on the Wild Side (#4), A View from the Bridge (#11), and Light in the Piazza (#12).
Happy Birthday to Jon Bon Jovi (3/2), Matthew Broderick (3/21) and Rosie O’Donnell (3/21), all born this year.
