An army sergeant was recommended for promotion and had to appear before a promotion
board as part of the process, and answer questions about everything from current
events to military history. Just when he thought he had successfully completed
the interrogation, one first sergeant asked, 'What is the significanceof March
9?' His mind raced through the possibilities, but after several tense minutes
he gave up and replied, 'First Sergeant, I do not know the significance of March
9.' 'Too bad,' he said. 'I'm sure your wife would be pleased to hear that you
forgot her birthday.'