This week 33 years ago, Scott Fahlman posted the first emoticons (on a message board at Carnegie Mellon University); NFL players began a 57-day strike; the first International Day of Peace was proclaimed by the United Nations; "E.T." topped the box office and the following songs were the most popular in the U.S., according to the Billboard Hot 100 chart archive.
Flying to the West Coast for vacation isn't often ideal for Baltimoreans. It can be difficult to find nonstop flights, and it's almost always a pricey venture. But that all changed this month when Alaska Airlines launched reasonably priced, nonstop service from BWI-Marshall to Seattle.
Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
