On this day, 54 years ago, Wilt Chamberlain set a single-game scoring record that stands until today.
Facing the New York Knicks at Hershey Sports Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Chamberlain sunk 100 points – the most ever by an NBA player in a single game – to help the Philadelphia Warriors down the Knicks 169-147.
Chamberlain set five other league records in that game including most free throws made. He shot 36-of-63 from the field and 28-of-32 from the free-throw line, to go with 25 rebounds. His 50.4 ppg scoring average in 80 games during the 1961-62 season remains an NBA record as well.
Here are some other memorable sporting events that happened on this day:
1927: Babe Ruth becomes highest-earning baseball player, making $70,000 per year.
1951: The first NBA All-Star game is played. East beat West 111-94 at Boston Garden, with Ed Macauley named MVP.
1991: Ryan Giggs makes his Manchester United debut as a 17-year-old against Everton at Old Trafford, coming on as a substitute for Denis Irwin.
2011: Kevin O’Brien scored the fastest hundred in Cricket World Cup history to help Ireland stun England in Bangalore.
