1857, the US Supreme Court’s decision in the Dred Scott case brings the America closer to Civil War. The court rules against the slave suing for his freedom, and says Congress has no right to limit slavery's expansion. 1475, Michelangelo, the Renaissance artist whose works include the frescos on the ceiling of Sistine Chapel is born in Italy.

1981, “For almost two decades, after all, we’ve been meeting like this in the evenings. And I’ll miss that.” Walter Cronkite signs off for the last time as anchor man of the CBS evening news. Dan Rather follows Cronkite sitting in the anchor chair for 24 years until 2005.

1923, “Heeeeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!” Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson’s long-time side-kick on TV’s the Tonight Show is born in Detroit.

And 1947, actor and director Bob Reiner who played “MeatHead” on TV’s All in the Family is born in New York. Among the films he’s directed: Stand by Me, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, The Princess Bride and This is Spinal Tap.

Today in History, March 6th, Mike Gracia, the Associated Press.