Local history

50 years ago: March 19, 1975

The Quill and Scroll honorary journalistic society at Altoona Area High School, Elizabeth Folk advisor, named Marianne Sickles the first place winner in its poetry contest for her poem “Horizons.”

35 years ago: March 19, 1990

Attorney John T. Mitchell of the Video Software Dealers Association, composed of about 4,000 companies, said that the proposed video rental tax by the Altoona Area School District was not legal.

10 years ago: March 19, 2015

The Altoona Area High School Mock Trial team, Dave Andrews coach, beat Trinity High of Washington County in regionals at the Blair County Courthouse and advanced to state competition.

— Compiled by Tim Doyle

World history

Today is the 78th day of 2025. There are 287 days left in the year.

On this date:

– In 1987, televangelist Jim Bakker resigned as chairman of his PTL ministry organization amid a sex and money scandal involving Jessica Hahn, a former church secretary.

– In 2003, in a televised address, President George W. Bush announced that coalition forces had begun an invasion of Iraq. (Bush would declare victory just over five weeks later in his “Mission Accomplished” speech.)

— The Associated Press