Calendar for February 1st, 2010

National Freedom Day (United States)

2001: Chinese New Year

Month of February

February came from the Latin word februa, "to cleanse." The month was named after the Roman Februalia, which was a month-long festival of purification and atonement.

1709: Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor, was found on an island where he had been stranded for over 4 years. His experience was the basis for Daniel DeFoe's novel, "Robinson Crusoe"

Born 1801: Thomas Cole (painter)

1840: The first dental college was incorporated, Baltimore, Maryland

Died 1851: Mary Shelley (author)

Born 1859: Victor Herbert (cellist)

1861: Texas seceded from the Union

Born 1882: Louis Stephen St. Laurent (Canadian Prime Minister)

1884: Edition one of the "Oxford English Dictionary" was published

1898: First automobile insurance policy issued

Born 1901: Clark Gable (actor)

Born 1902: Langston Hughes (poet)

Born 1932: John Hart (broadcast journalist)

Born 1937: Don Everly (musician)

Born 1938: Sherman Hemsley (actor)

Born 1952: Rick James (singer)

Born 1965: Brandon Lee (actor)

Born 1965: Princess Stéphanie of Monaco

Died 1966: Buster Keaton (actor)

Born 1968: Lisa Marie Presley (daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley)

1983: Gordon Matthews received a patent for "voice message exchange" system (better known as voicemail)

Born 1984: Lee Thompson Young (actor)

Died 1988: Heather O'Rourke (actress)

2003: Space shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry, killing all seven astronauts onboard

2004: New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady became the youngest quarterback to lead his team to two Super Bowl victories

2009: During Super Bowl XLIII, Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison intercepted a pass on the goal line and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest play in Super Bowl history

Died 2012: Don Cornelius (creator of Soul Train)