The shooting seriously injures Reagan early in his presidency, and permanently disables his White House Press Secretary James Brady.

1867. Secretary of State William Seward reaches a deal with Russia to buy the territory of Alaska. At the time critics ridicule the 7.2-million-dollar purchase as Seward’s folly.

1986. “You’re a ground door flag, you’re a high flying flag, I’m forever in peace when you wake…” Actor James Cagney, known for him movie tough guy roles, dies at his farm in upstate New York at age 86. Cagney won an Oscar for playing Broadway legend George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy.

And 1945. British rock musician Eric Clapton is born in Surrey, England.

Today in History, March 30th. Ross Simpson, the Associated Press.