On this day in history - March 2

What Happened On This Day – March 2

• 1995 The top quark is discovered

  The existence of this elementary particle, the bottom quark's counterpart, had been presumed since the 1970's.

• 1970 Rhodesia declares itself an independent republic

  By severing the country's ties with the United Kingdom, white Prime Minister Ian Smith attempted to prevent the institution of black majority rule.

• 1969 Concorde takes off on its maiden flight

  The supersonic airliner was retired in 2003, after Air France Flight 4590 crashed shortly after takeoff from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on July 25, 2000.

• 1959 Miles Davis records Kind of Blue

  It is considered the best-selling jazz album in history and one of the most influential works of jazz music ever produced.

• 1933 The film King Kong premieres

  The black and white movie marked a milestone in the history of film, especially due to Willis O’Brien's stop-motion effects.