Editorials

Today’s Highlight in History: 

One hundred and twenty-five years ago, on March 2, 1877, Republican Rutherford B. Hayes was declared the winner of the 1876 presidential election over Democrat Samuel J. Tilden, even though Tilden had won the popular vote. 

On this date: 

In 1793, the first president of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston, was born near Lexington, Va. 

In 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico. 

In 1899, President McKinley signed a measure creating the rank of Admiral of the Navy for Adm. George Dewey. 

In 1899, Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state was established. 

In 1917, Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship. 

In 1923, Time magazine made its debut. 

In 1939, Roman Catholic Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli was elected pope; he took the name Pius XII. 

In 1949, an American B-50 Superfortress, the Lucky Lady Two, landed at Fort Worth, Texas, after completing the first non-stop, round-the-world flight. 

In 1955, the William Inge play “Bus Stop” opened at the Music Box Theatre in New York. 

In 1977, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted a strict code of ethics. 

Ten years ago:  

A jury was seated in Simi Valley, Calif., in the assault trial of four Los Angeles police officers charged with beating motorist Rodney King. The U.N. General Assembly welcomed eight former Soviet republics and San Marino as its newest members. Actress Sandy Dennis died in Westport, Conn., at age 54. 

Five years ago:  

It was revealed that Vice President Gore had raised millions of dollars for the 1996 campaign through direct telephone solicitations, and that some of the calls were made on special phones installed in government buildings for that purpose. 

One year ago:  

The United Nations tried in vain to persuade Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban to reverse its decision to destroy a pair of giant, ancient statues of Buddha and other Buddhist relics that the regime considered idolatrous. 

Today’s Birthdays:  

Actress Jennifer Jones is 83. Bluegrass singer-musician Doc Watson is 79. Actor John Cullum is 72. Former Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev is 71. Author Tom Wolfe is 71. Actress Barbara Luna is 63. Actor Jon Finch is 61. Author John Irving is 60. Singer Lou Reed is 60. Actress Cassie Yates is 51. Actress Laraine Newman is 50. Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., is 49. Singer Jay Osmond is 47. Pop musician John Cowsill (The Cowsills) is 46. Tennis player Kevin Curren is 44. Rock singer Jon Bon Jovi is 40. Actress Heather McComb is 25. Actor Robert Iler (“The Sopranos”) is 17.