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. Find fun facts all about the month of February!
Daily Calendar for Thursday, February 1, 2024
Born
- Thomas Cole (painter) –
- Victor Herbert (cellist) –
- Louis Stephen St. Laurent (Canadian Prime Minister) –
- Clark Gable (actor) –
- Langston Hughes (poet) –
- John Hart (broadcast journalist) –
- Don Everly (musician) –
- Sherman Hemsley (actor) –
- Rick James (singer) –
- Princess Stéphanie of Monaco –
- Brandon Lee (actor) –
- Lisa Marie Presley (daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley) –
- Lee Thompson Young (actor) –
Died
- Mary Shelley (author) –
- Buster Keaton (actor) –
- Heather O'Rourke (actress) –
- Don Cornelius (creator of Soul Train) –
- Edward "Ed" Koch (former mayor of New York City) –
Events
- 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–
- First U.S. dental dispensary opened, New York City–
- The first dental college was incorporated, Baltimore, Maryland–
- Texas seceded from the Union–
- Battle Hymn of the Republic, a poem written by Julia Ward Howe, was published in Atlantic Monthly–
- “Edition One” of the Oxford English Dictionary was published–
- First automobile insurance policy issued–
- First U.S. Marine Division activated–
- Gordon Matthews received a patent for “voice message exchange” system (better known as voicemail)–
- Space shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry, killing all seven astronauts onboard –
- New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady became the youngest quarterback to lead his team to two Super Bowl victories–
- 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–
Weather
- Forty-five degrees below zero F in Pittsburg, New Hampshire–
- The greatest ice storm of record in the United States produced a layer of ice up to four inches thick from Texas to Pennsylvania, causing 25 deaths, 500 serious injuries, and $100 million worth of damage. Communications and utilities were interrupted for a week to ten days.–
- -50 degrees F, Gavilan, New Mexico–
- A high temperature of 50 degrees F was reported in Burlington, Vermont–