TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1791, Congress passed its first excise tax, one on distilled liquors, which later sparked the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. In 1845, Florida was admitted as the 27th state of the U.S. In 1931, the United States adopted "The Star-Spangled Banner" as its national anthem. In 2005, U.S. millionaire Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo, non-stop around the world, without refueling.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), inventor; Jean Harlow (1911-37), actress; James Merrill (1926-95), poet; Ira Glass (1959- ), radio personality, is 49; Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1962- ), athlete, is 46; Jessica Biel (1982- ), actress, is 26.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1944, Bob Montgomery regained the lightweight boxing title in a rematch against Beau Jack.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you" - first words spoken on the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell to his assistant, Thomas Watson
TODAY'S FACT: There is no law that requires "The Star-Spangled Banner" to be set to a specific tune. The most popular version was originally composed around 1775 as the song of the Anacreontic Society, an English musicians club.
TODAY'S NUMBER: 6 - number of Olympic medals won by Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter (February 28) and new moon (March 7).
