1836
The Lone Star Republic
Texas declared its independence from Mexico.
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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.
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1917
Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory and Puerto Ricans gained American citizenship.
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1923
The first issue of Henry Luce's TIME magazine appeared on newsstands.
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1933
King Kong, starring Fay Wray, premiered in New York City.
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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.
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1956
Morocco gained independence from France.
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1962
Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain scored an NBA-record 100 points in a basketball game.
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2001
The Taliban began the destruction of ancient Buddha statues in Afghanistan.
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2008
Dmitri A. Medvedev, a former aide to Russian president Vladimir Putin who has never held elected office, won the Russian presidential election in a landslide. Putin remained in a position of power, serving as Medvedev's prime minister.
