What Happened on February 4 in History?
February 4 marks several massive shifts in global politics, technology, and pop culture. Notably, it is the day the world's most popular social network was born and the day the first U.S. president was chosen.
Major Historical Events
George Washington Elected (1789): The U.S. Electoral College unanimously elected George Washington as the first president of the United States.
Facebook Launched (2004): Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard roommates launched "TheFacebook," initially as a social network exclusive to Harvard students.
The Yalta Conference Begins (1945): Leaders Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin met in Crimea to discuss the post-World War II reorganization of Europe.
Confederate States Formed (1861): Delegates from six seceded Southern states met in Montgomery, Alabama, to establish the Confederate States of America.
Sri Lankan Independence (1948): Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) officially gained independence from British rule.
O.J. Simpson Civil Verdict (1997): A civil jury found O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, ordering him to pay $33.5 million in damages.
Patty Hearst Kidnapped (1974): 19-year-old newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was kidnapped in California by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA).
Science, Arts, and Culture
"Snow White" Wide Release (1938): Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated feature, had its general release in the U.S.
"The Sims" Debut (2000): The revolutionary life-simulation game The Sims was released in North America, eventually becoming one of the best-selling PC game franchises ever.
World Cancer Day: Established in 2000, this international day is observed every February 4 to raise awareness and encourage cancer prevention.
Notable Births
Rosa Parks (1913): The "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement" was born in Tuskegee, Alabama.
Charles Lindbergh (1902): The legendary aviator who made the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight was born in Detroit.
Alice Cooper (1948): The American singer-songwriter and pioneer of "shock rock".
