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March 21
1800. Pius VII is crowned Pope in Venice. Due to an odd dispute with France and Napoleon I, which effectively controlled Italy at that point in time, he is crowned with a papier mache tiara.
1871. Otto von Bismarck is appointed Chancellor of the German Empire. Having overseen the unification of Germany, Bismarck goes on to a highly successful career as the "Iron Chancellor".
1963. Alcatraz prison closes.
1970. Vinko Bogataj, a Slovenian ski jumper, wipes out in a big way while participating in a ski jump in Germany. ABC's Wide World of Sports features the tremendous wipeout -- which only resulted in a minor concussion -- for many years when the opening announce teh "the agony of defeat." Although ABC changes what is shown during the "thrill of victory" part of the credits -- usually showing a recent championship moment -- Bogataj's wipeout is the consistent image for the "agony of defeat". Having retired to a quiet backwater, Bogataj is amazed to learn that he has become soemthing of a legend in America when he is invited to join a 30th anniversary Wide World of Sports reunion.
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