Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, March 20, 2026
1852 Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was published in book form. It became the first American novel to sell 1,000,000 copies. It had previously been published as a serial in a Washington D.C. anti-slavery newspaper.
1917 The modern all-purpose zipper was patented, by Gideon Sundback.
1976 Patty Hearst, heiress to the Hearst publishing fortune, was convicted of bank robbery and sentenced to seven years. She participated in the bank robbery with the Symbionese Liberation Army.
Music History:
1969 – John Lennon married Yoko Ono. They spent their honeymoon in Amsterdam campaigning for an international ‘Bed-In’ for peace.
Notable Birthdays:
Actress Holly Hunter 68
Hockey Great Bobby Orr 78
Actor Hal Linden 95
Credit to:
Thisdayinmusic.com and Thisdaytrivia.com
