TODAY IN HISTORY

MARCH 2

1836:Texas declared its independence from Mexico.

1877:Rutherford B. Hayes was declared president by a U.S. electoral commission since the original result was too close to call. He was the only president elected this way.

1917:Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory and Puerto Ricans gained American citizenship.

1923:The first issue of Henry Luce's TIME magazine appeared on newsstands.

1933:King Kong, starring Fay Wray, premiered in New York City.

1949:Captain James Gallagher completed the first non-stop around the world flight. He completed the 23,452-mile journey in 94 hours, 1 minute.

1956:Morocco gained independence from France.

1962:Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain scored an NBA-record 100 points in a basketball game.

2001:The Taliban began the destruction of ancient Buddha statues in Afghanistan.