page_title: March 1966
section_title: March 18, 1966 (Friday)
hierarchical_section_title: March 1966 / March 18, 1966 (Friday)
caption_attribution_description: English: APL Post-Panamax container ships Image ID: line0534, America's Coastlines. Collection Location: San Francisco. PRESIDENT TRUMAN IMO Number: 8616283 MMSI Number: 368598000 Callsign: WNDP Length: 275 m Beam: 39 m PRESIDENT KENNEDY IMO Number: 8616295 Length: 275 m Beam: 39 m
context_page_description: The following events occurred in March 1966:
context_section_description: The first regular trans-Atlantic container ship service was inaugurated as United States Lines dispatched the American Racer from New York to Europe, with a cargo of 50 containers.
  In Moscow, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, national legislative body for the Soviet Union, passed three laws restricting religious practice.  The organizer of an unauthorized gathering, ceremony or group could be fined up to 50 rubles.  Violations of the laws of separation of church and state were punishable under Article 142 of the Penal Code by one to three years imprisonment.  Finally, the definition of such violations was expanded to include organizing religious instruction to children, and carrying out religious activities that "disturbed public order".
  Pope Paul VI issued changes in traditional Roman Catholic laws concerning interfaith marriage, repealing the rule that a non-Catholic partner would have to sign a promise to raise children born of the marriage in the Catholic faith, as well as ending the penalty of excommunication of Catholics for unapproved marriage outside the faith.  Other requirements, such as having a Catholic priest perform the marriage in order for it to be recognized, remained in place.
  East German border guards shot and killed two children who had sneaked into the area near the Berlin Wall after nightfall.  Jörg Hartmann, aged 10, died at the scene, while Lothar Schleusener, 13, died of his injuries at the People's Police Hospital.  The relatives of the two boys were told by East German authorities that the children had died in an accident, and the facts would not be revealed until German reunification.
  All 30 persons aboard United Arab Airlines Flight 749 were killed when the plane crashed while attempting to land in Cairo during a sandstorm.  The final conclusion would be that a defect in the altimeter caused the crew to misjudge their altitude, and that the right wing of the plane struck sand dunes as it made its approach.
  Born: Peter Jones, British entrepreneur, in Maidenhead
caption: Container ships
exif: {}