TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House. In 1940, Germany invaded Norway and Denmark. In 2003, Iraqis celebrating the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime tore down and beheaded the Hussein statue in downtown Baghdad.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Charles Baudelaire (1821-67), poet; Paul Robeson (1898-1976), athlete/actor/singer; Hugh Hefner (1926- ), publisher, is 82; Jean-Paul Belmondo (1933- ), actor, is 75; Dennis Quaid (1954- ), actor, is 54; Cynthia Nixon (1966- ), actress, is 42.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1965, the Houston Astros defeated the NY Yankees 2-1 in an exposition game--the first professional baseball game ever played indoors--at the Astrodome.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Everything considered, work is less boring than amusing oneself." - Charles Baudelaire

TODAY'S FACT: The Astrodome originally had a natural grass field; 'Astroturf' was installed only after the grass died due to a new coat of paint on the ceiling aimed at making pop flies more visible.

TODAY'S NUMBER: 15 - number of varsity letters that Paul Robeson received at Rutgers University for playing baseball, football, basketball, and track.

TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (April 5) and first quarter (April 12).