What Happened on February 1 in History?
February 1st is a date marked by significant milestones in civil rights, space exploration, and cultural history.
Major Historical Events
Civil Rights Milestones:
1865: President Abraham Lincoln signed the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery.
1960: The Greensboro Sit-ins began when four African American college students sat down at a "whites-only" Woolworth’s lunch counter in North Carolina and were refused service.
Space Exploration Disasters:
2003: The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry over Texas, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members.
Global Political Shifts:
1790: The U.S. Supreme Court convened for its first session in New York City.
1979: Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran after 15 years in exile, marking a critical moment in the Iranian Revolution.
2021: A military coup in Myanmar ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Culture and Science
1884: The first volume (A to Ant) of the Oxford English Dictionary was published.
1896: Giacomo Puccini’s famous opera "La Bohème" premiered in Turin, Italy.
1964: The Beatles earned their first No. 1 hit in the U.S. with "I Want to Hold Your Hand".
1972: Hewlett-Packard introduced the HP-35, the first scientific handheld calculator.
Notable Birthdays
Langston Hughes (1901): Influential poet and leader of the Harlem Renaissance.
Clark Gable (1901): Iconic Oscar-winning actor known as the "King of Hollywood".
Boris Yeltsin (1931): The first President of the Russian Federation.
Harry Styles (1994): Globally recognized British singer and songwriter.
Holidays and Observances
National Freedom Day (USA): Commemorates the signing of the 13th Amendment.
Black History Month: February 1st marks the beginning of this annual celebration in the United States and Canada.
St. Brigid's Day (Imbolc): A traditional Gaelic festival marking the beginning of spring.
