Just before breakfast on the morning of March 4, Private
Albert Gitchell of the U.S. Army reported to the hospital at
Fort Riley, Kansas, complaining of the cold-like symptoms
of sore throat, fever and headache. Soon after, over 100
of his fellow soldiers had reported similar symptoms,
marking what are believed to be the first cases in the
historic influenza pandemic of 1918, later known as
Spanish flu.

The flu would eventually kill 675,000 Americans and an
estimated 20 million to 50 million people around the world, proving to be a far deadlier force than even the First World
War.

On February 28, 1983, the celebrated sitcom M*A*S*H bows out
after 11 seasons, airing a special two-and-a-half hour episode
watched by 77 percent of the television viewing audience. It
was the largest percentage ever to watch a single TV show up
to that time.

After earning consistently high ratings throughout its 11-year
run, M*A*S*H enjoyed enduring popularity in the following
decades, as it became one of the world’s most syndicated
shows. It also spawned an unsuccessful spin-off, After MASH,
which CBS aired from 1983 to 1985.

A look at the production set.

ROSS SIMPSON

Johnny served four years in the Air Force.

Cash enlisted in the Air Force on July 7, 1950,
shortly after the start of the Korean War. After
basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and
technical training at Brooks Air Force Base,
both in San Antonio, Texas, he was assigned
to the 12th Radio Squadron Mobile of the U.S.
Air Force Security Service at Landsberg, West       
Germany.

The Man in Black.

Born to poor cotton farmers in Kingsland, Arkansas,
country singer – songwriter Johnny Cash rose to
fame during the mid-1950s in the burgeoning
rockabilly scene in Memphis, Tennessee.

Cash is one of the best-selling music artists of all
time, having sold more than 90 million records
worldwide. His genre-spanning music embraced
country, rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and
gospel sounds.

His crossover appeal earned him the rare honor of
being inducted into the Country Music, Rock and
Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame.

Bernard John Dowling Irwin
(June 24, 1830 – December 15, 1917)

U.S. Army assistant surgeon Bernard John Dowling "J.D." Irwin
rescued a kidnapped boy and 60 soldiers encircled by legendary
Apache warrior Cochise on this day in history, Feb. 13, 1861.

Irwin’s heroic volunteer effort under dire circumstances in the
Arizona Territory has gone down in American military lore as
the first Congressional Medal of Honor action.

It took place before the award even existed.

The Cochise Stronghold in Arizona.

Glenn Miller and His Orchestra topped the American pop charts
with the ebullient "In the Mood" as war raged overseas on this
day in history, Feb. 10, 1940.

His most famous song, along with other iconic hits, made Miller
the biggest bandleader of his era and provided the swinging
soundtrack of the Greatest Generation during World War II. 

Glenn Miller (1904-1944)