Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Today is March 2. Violence in the Middle East continued to escalate on this date in 2002. Israeli ground forces invaded Palestinian refugee camps over a three-day period, killing 30 people. In Jerusalem, meanwhile, a suicide bomber killed himself and nine others. Advertisement It was on this date in 1836 that Texas proclaimed its independence from Mexico. Delegates to the convention chose David Burnet as provisional president, confirmed Sam Houston as the commander in chief of all Texan forces and adopted a pro-slavery constitution. Meanwhile, in San Antonio, Mexican Commander Santa Anna's siege of the Alamo continued as the fort's 185 or so American defenders waited for the final Mexican assault. It was a first step toward involvement -- covert and otherwise -- in a bloody, drawn-out civil war. On this day in 1981, the United States announced it was sending 20 military advisers and $25 million in equipment to El Salvador. Around the world in 94 hours: in 1949, a U.S. Air Force plane piloted by Capt. James Gallagher completed the first non-stop around-the-world flight in just over 94 hours. Today it only SEEMS that some flights are that long. Advertisement Paul McCartney shot down more rumors of a Beatles reunion when, on this date in 1996, he denied reports that the surviving Beatles were considering reuniting for a 22-city tour that'd pay them $225 million. We now return you to the present, already in progress.
