1. On March 14, 1864, the Illinois state legislature authorized the creation of a state hospital for the insane in Jacksonville. The hospital, known as the Jacksonville Developmental Center, operated for over a century before closing in 2002.

2. March 14, 1895 saw the birth of Sam Giancana, a notorious Chicago mobster who rose to power in the 1950s and 60s. Giancana was known for his connections to political figures such as John F. Kennedy and was rumored to have played a role in his assassination.

3. In 1902, the University of Illinois played its first-ever basketball game, defeating Purdue University by a score of 24-10. The game was played in Lafayette, Indiana.

4. On March 14, 1910, the Chicago and North Western Railway inaugurated the Chicago-Houston Limited, a luxury passenger train that provided service between the two cities. The train operated until the 1960s, when it was superseded by faster and more modern locomotives.

5. March 14, 1986 marked the death of Frank Zappa, a musician, composer, and bandleader who was born in Baltimore but spent much of his adult life in southern California. Zappa was known for his eclectic and experimental musical style and was highly regarded by fans and critics alike.