Holidays
Photo Credit: André Karwath aka Aka
Photo Credit: André Karwath aka Aka
National Freedom Day
It commemorates U.S. President Abraham Lincoln's 1865 signing of the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery in the U.S.
Ratification by the states was completed on December 6, 1865.
Feast Day of St. Brigid (Bride)
She's the patron saint of Ireland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Irish nuns, and dairy workers. See Deaths below.
What Happened On
Nipplegate - Super Bowl Wardrobe Malfunction
February 1, 2004
Janet Jackson exposes her right breast during a Super Bowl halftime performance with Justin Timberlake in what became known as "Nipplegate."
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fined CBS a record $550,000, but the judgment was voided by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in 2011.
Crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia - left to right: David Brown, commander Rick Husband, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, Michael Anderson, William McCool, Ilan Ramon
Crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia - left to right: David Brown, commander Rick Husband, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, Michael Anderson, William McCool, Ilan Ramon
Columbia Disaster
February 1, 2003
The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrates upon reentering Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. During the launch a piece of foam insulation broke off from the Space Shuttle's external tank and struck the left wing of the orbiter. When Columbia re-entered the Earth's atmosphere, the damage caused hot atmospheric gases to destroy the internal wing structure, which caused the spacecraft to become unstable and break apart.
12-Year-Old Heather O'Rourke Dies During Emergency Surgery
February 1, 1988
12-year-old child actress Heather O'Rourke, who was famous for playing Carol Anne in the 1980s Poltergeist movies, dies after surgery to repair an acute bowel obstruction caused by congenital stenosis of the intestine.
In 1987, 12-year-old O'Rourke became ill with giardiasis and was diagnosed as having Crohn's disease. She was treated for the disease during the filming of Poltergeist III. On January 31, 1988, she began vomiting and the next morning she collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest en route to the hospital where she died later that day during surgery to repair an acute bowel obstruction caused by congenital stenosis of the intestine.
Poltergeist III was released four months after her death.
Rich Man, Poor Man
February 1, 1976
The Emmy-winning TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man begins on ABC, airing its nine episodes over the course of seven weeks. The miniseries starred Peter Strauss, Nick Nolte, and Susan Blakely.
The Greensboro Four
The Greensboro Four
Greensboro Sit-In
February 1, 1960
Four black college students, known as the "Greensboro Four", refuse to move from a Woolworth's lunch counter in North Carolina after being denied service. The peaceful protest quickly spread; 70,000 people participated, resulting in 1,600 arrests. Five months later, after losing over $200,000, Woolworth opened the counter to blacks.
TV's First Black-White Interracial Kiss
February 1, 1959
Jamaican actor Lloyd Reckord and English Caucasian actress Andrée Melly kiss on the ITV Armchair Theatre adaptation of Ted Willis's play Hot Summer Night. The first U.S. TV black-white interracial kiss occurred on the special Movin' with Nancy.
First Televised Atomic Explosion
February 1, 1951
KTLA transmits the first live images of an atomic bomb detonation to its local audience. This was supposed to be a secret test, so cameramen had set up on top of a Las Vegas hotel, about 65 miles (106 km) from the blast zone. The viewers saw their television screens fill with white light.
Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer
February 1, 1943
The U.S. Air Force bomber All American's tail is nearly sheared off after being struck by a German fighter plane. The bomber was able to make a safe landing despite the extensive damage and none of the crew were injured. This incident was one of several that popularized the phrase, "Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer," and inspired its 414th Bombardment Squadron's emblem, that of a puppy praying atop the rear fuselage.
American bombers from the 414th Bombardment Squadron were returning from a bombing run on German-controlled seaports in Tunisia, when they were attacked by German fighters. One of the incoming fighters was either disabled or its pilot killed and was unable to pull away from the All American, crashing into it slicing through the bomber. The tail section, housing the rear gunner, was barely attached to the aircraft. The fighter broke apart, leaving some of its pieces in the bomber's fuselage. The crew had donned their parachutes expecting to bail out, but despite the extensive damage, the All American was able to safely land and none of the crew were injured.
Note: Numerous false myths have been told about this incident, including that it made the bombing run after the damage and the that the crew used their parachutes to hold the plane together.
Early U.S. automobile
Early U.S. automobile
First U.S. Automobile Insurance
February 1, 1898
The first official U.S. automobile insurance is sold, by the Traveler's Insurance Co. of New York.
The policy was sold to Dr. Truman Martin of Buffalo, New York for $11.25 (about $400 in today's money).
Note: The previous year, Gilbert L. Loomis of Dayton, Ohio bought an insurance policy from Travelers Insurance Company for a car he built himself, although it was written as a horse and carriage policy. Some count this as the first car insurance policy. His policy was purchased for $7.50 and carried $1,000 in liability coverage.
Photo Credit: André Karwath aka Aka
Photo Credit: André Karwath aka Aka
13th Amendment
February 1, 1865
Illinois becomes the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery in the U.S.
Mississippi initially rejected the 13 Amendment and didn't officially ratify it until 2013.
Ratification by the states was completed the following December.
End of the World
February 1, 1524
London astrologers predicted the world would end beginning with a massive flood in London on February 1, 1524. 20,000 Londoners fled their homes in anticipation of the event.
When the date came and passed, the date was recalculated to 100 years later on February 1, 1624.
The Simpsons
February 1, 1993
The comic book based on the TV show The Simpsons hits the stands, Ay caramba!
Ernie
February 1, 1988
The comic strip Ernie by Bud Grace debuts. In 1998, it changed its name to Piranha Club.
Patty Hearst (right) robbing bank
Patty Hearst (right) robbing bank
Patty Hearst
February 1, 1979
Patty Hearst is released from prison after receiving clemency from U.S. President Jimmy Carter. She had served 22 months of her seven-year prison sentence for bank robbery. President Bill Clinton gave her a full pardon in 2001.
In 1974, she was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA). They demanded the Hearst family deliver $70 worth of food to every needy person in California. The estimated cost of such an operation would have been about $400,000,000. Patty Hearst's father tried to donate $2,000,000 worth of food to the Bay Area, but the distribution turned into chaos and the SLA refused to release Patty.
She later participated in a bank robbery with the SLA for which she was convicted. She claimed she was raped and tortured to coerce her into participating in their crimes, claiming she was a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, in which a hostage bonds with their captors.
The Beatles - I Want to Hold Your Hand
February 1, 1964
I Want to Hold Your Hand reaches #1 in the U.S.
Korean War
February 1, 1951
The United Nations General Assembly passes a resolution condemning the communist government of the People's Republic of China for acts of aggression in Korea and called for the removal of their troops. This was the first time since the UN formed in 1945 that it had condemned a nation as an aggressor. This measure was largely ineffective since Russia used its veto power to block any UN actions against China.
First U.S. Motion Picture Studio
February 1, 1893
First motion picture studio in the U.S. is opened by Thomas Edison in New Jersey.
Civil War - March Through South Carolina
February 1, 1865
Union troops, commanded by Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, begin their march through South Carolina. They destroyed large amounts of civilian property as well as military targets in punishment for South Carolina leading the rebellion.
Baylor University
February 1, 1845
Texas Baptist Educational Society is founded. In 1866 it merged with Waco University becoming Baylor University.
First U.S. Adhesive Postage Stamp
February 1, 1842
They were issued by a private New York City carrier for prepayment of postage. The Post Office Department later adopted this method.
Birthdays
Bill Mumy
Born February 1, 1954
American actor. Bill Mumy is best known for playing Will Robinson in the 1960's TV show Lost in Space. He also played the real Dr. Zachary Smith in the 2018 version of Lost in Space.
TV: Lost in Space (1965-68, Will Robinson), Babylon 5 (1994-98, Lennier), The Twilight Zone (1961, the child that terrorizes the town with his psychic powers).
Music: 
Fish Heads (1978, as Barnes & Barnes).
Richard Hooker and the original "Swamp" at the 8055th M*A*S*H
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Richard Hooker and the original "Swamp" at the 8055th M*A*S*HPhoto Credit: Wikipedia
The Real Hawkeye of M*A*S*H
Hiester Richard Hornberger, Jr.
Born February 1, 1924 d. 1997
American author. Hornberger wrote the book Mash: A Novel About Three Army Doctors (1968, using the pseudonym Richard Hooker) which was the inspiration for the movie M*A*S*H and TV series of the same name. The character Hawkeye Pierce was based on his experiences while an army surgeon during the Korean War (1950-1953).
Hornberger didn't like his portrayal in the TV series, as he was a political conservative and did not like the anti-war and liberal tendencies of his onscreen characterization.
His book was initially turned down by 21 publishers.
Clark Gable, and serving in WWII (1954, top right)
Clark Gable, and serving in WWII (1954, top right)
Clark Gable
Born February 1, 1901 d. 1960
American Oscar-winning actor. Warner Bros. Studios had turned him down, claiming "His ears are too big and he looks like an ape". He was then signed by MGM and became one of the most successful actors in history.
In 1942, Gable joined the U.S. Army Air Forces and flew five combat missions as an observer-gunner in B-17 Flying Fortresses. In a raid on Germany, one crewman was killed and two others were wounded, and flak went through Gable's boot and narrowly missed his head.
Film: Gone with the Wind (1939, Rhett Butler), It Happened One Night (1934, Oscar win), and Mutiny on the Bounty (1935).
The school building after the bombing
The school building after the bombing
Worst U.S. School Massacre
Andrew Kehoe
Born February 1, 1872 d. 1927
American mass murderer. In 1927, Andrew Kehoe committed the worst school massacre in U.S. history. Known as the Bath School Massacre, 38 elementary schoolchildren and six adults are killed when Kehoe set off explosives at the Bath Consolidated School in Bath Township, Michigan. At least 58 other people were injured.
Lisa Marie Presley
Born February 1, 1968 d. 2023
American singer-songwriter. Daughter of Elvis Presley and former wife of Michael Jackson. She was the only child of Elvis and actress Priscilla Presley, as well as the sole heir to her father's estate.
She married Michael Jackson in 1994 just 20 days after her divorce from her first husband Danny Keough. She would divorce Jackson in 1996, and be married to actor Nicolas Cage from 2002-2004 and married to music producer Michael Lockwood from 2006-2021.
Brandon Lee
Born February 1, 1965 d. 1993
American actor, son of Bruce Lee. He was killed, while filming the movie The Crow (1994) when the gun being used accidentally fired a real bullet. Instead of buying commercial dummy bullets, the crew made their own dummies by removing the bullets from live rounds, removing the gun powder, and then reinserting the bullets. However, the primer was accidentally left in one round. When the dummy rounds were used in a scene prior to the death scene, the gun was fired and the primer had enough force to expel the bullet into the gun's barrel. Brandon Lee's death scene was filmed later using the same gun, but using blank cartridges. A blank has the same gunpowder charge as an actual round, but no bullet. When the blank fired, it discharged the bullet that had been accidentally lodged in the barrel from the bad dummy round with nearly the same force as an actual gun shot. Brandon was hit in the abdomen and died at the hospital.
Rick James (James Johnson)
Born February 1, 1948 d. 2004
American Grammy-winning singer. Music: Come Get It (1978), Give It to Me Baby (1981, #1), and Super Freak (1981). In 1994 he was sentenced to 5½ years in prison for violent drug-induced attacks on women.
Jessica Savitch
Born February 1, 1947 d. 1983
American news correspondent. NBC newswoman and anchor of PBS news magazine Front Line. She and her boyfriend died in a car crash.
Bart Braverman
Born February 1, 1946
American actor. TV: Vega$ (1978-81, Bobby "Binzer" Borso).
Hemsley as George Jefferson (bottom right)
Hemsley as George Jefferson (bottom right)
Sherman Hemsley
Born February 1, 1938 d. 2012
American actor. TV: The Jeffersons (1975-85, George Jefferson) and Amen (1986-91, Deacon Ernest Frye).
Garrett Morris
Born February 1, 1937
American comedian. TV: Saturday Night Live.
Phil (left) and Don Everly
Phil (left) and Don Everly
Don Everly
Born February 1, 1937 d. 2021
American Hall of Fame singer. Performing as duo with his brother Phil Everly, they combined rock and roll, country, and pop, becoming pioneers of country rock. They were inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986) and the Country Music Hall of Fame in (2001).
Music: Bye Bye Love (1957, #1), Wake Up Little Susie (1957), and Gone, Gone, Gone (1965).
Photo Credit: www.kremlin.ru
Photo Credit: www.kremlin.ru
Boris Yeltsin
Born February 1, 1931 d. 2007
Russian President. He was the first President of Russian (1991-99).
Stuart Whitman
Born February 1, 1928 d. 2020
American actor. TV: Cimarron Strip (1967, Marshal Jim Crown). Film: Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines (1965).
George Beverly Shea
Born February 1, 1909 d. 2013
Canadian-born American gospel singer. George Beverly Shea was a featured performer for the Billy Graham ministry. Due to the Billy Graham's Crusades, Shea has sung live in front of more people than anyone else in history.
George Pal
Born February 1, 1908 d. 1980
Hungarian-born American Oscar-winning director. Film: When Worlds Collide (1951, Oscar), War of the Worlds (1953, Oscar), and The Time Machine (1960, Oscar).
John Ford (John Martin Feeney)
Born February 1, 1895 d. 1973
American Oscar-winning film director of over 130 films. Films: The Grapes of Wrath (1940), My Darling Clementine (1946), and The Quiet Man (1952).
Harry Scherman
Born February 1, 1887 d. 1969
Canadian-born American author. Founder of the Book-of-the-Month Club (1926).
Hattie Wyatt Caraway
Born February 1, 1878 d. 1950
American politician. She was the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate (1932, Arkansas), the first woman to preside over Senate Sessions (1932) and the first woman president pro tem of the Senate (1943).
Granville Stanley Hall
Born February 1, 1844 d. 1924
American psychologist, founder of child psychology. He was the first president of the American Psychological Association, the first president of Clark University, and founder of the American Journal of Psychology (1887).
Henry McNeal Turner
Born February 1, 1834 d. 1915
American Methodist clergyman. He was the first black chaplain commissioned in the U.S. Army (1863).
Charles Joseph Sax
Born February 1, 1791 d. 1865
Belgian instrument maker. His "omnitonic horn" (1824) used a piston to provide different keys. He was the father of saxophone inventor Adolphe Sax.
Thomas Campbell
Born February 1, 1763 d. 1854
Irish Presbyterian minister. He and his son founded the Church of the Disciples of Christ in America.
Deaths
Heather O'Rourke
Died February 1, 1988 b. 1975
American child actress. Film: Poltergeist (1982, Carol Anne), Poltergeist II (1986), and Poltergeist III (1988).
In 1987, 12-year-old O'Rourke became ill with giardiasis and was diagnosed as having Crohn's disease. She was treated for the disease during the filming of Poltergeist III. On January 31, 1988, she began vomiting and the next morning she collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest en route to the hospital where she died later that day during surgery to repair an acute bowel obstruction caused by congenital stenosis of the intestine.
Buster Keaton (Joseph Frank Keaton)
Died February 1, 1966 b. 1895
American silent film actor. Known for his dangerous stunts, he is one of the greatest physical comedians of all time. His film The General is considered one of the greatest films ever made. Film: The Navigator (1924) and The General (1927).
Creator of Frankenstein
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Died February 1, 1851 b. 1797
English author. Creator of Frankenstein. During the rainy, cold volcanic summer of 1816, known as the "Year Without Summer," caused by the eruption of Mount Tambora, 18-year-old Mary was challenged to write a horror story. Shortly afterwards, she had a waking dream of a corpse brought back to life. "I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life, and stir with an uneasy, half vital motion. Frightful must it be; for supremely frightful would be the effect of any human endeavour to mock the stupendous mechanism of the Creator of the world." She expanded her dream into the classic novel.
She was the wife of poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Writings: Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818).
Edward I. Koch
Died February 1, 2013 b. 1924
American politician, mayor of New York City (1978-89), U.S. House of Representatives (NY, 1969-77).
Hildegard Knef
Died February 1, 2002 b. 1925
German actress. During World War II, she disguised herself as a soldier so she could be with her German boyfriend and ended up fighting in the defense of Schmargendorf. She was captured by the Russians, but later escaped.
She caused a scandal in the 1950s when she performed a nude scene in the film The Sinner (Die Sünderin), the first in German film history.
Broadway: Silk Stockings (1955). Film: The Sinner (1951).
Marjorie Reynolds (Marjorie Goodspeed)
Died February 1, 1997 b. 1917
American actress. Film: Holiday Inn (1942) and Ministry of Fear (1944). TV: The Life of Riley (Peg Riley).
Jack Bailey
Died February 1, 1980 b. 1907
American game-show host. TV: Truth or Consequences (1945-56) and Queen for a Day (1948-64).
William Donahey
Died February 1, 1970 b. 1883
American cartoonist. Creator of The Teenie Weenies (1914), which ran in the Chicago Tribune for over 50 years.
George Cruikshank
Died February 1, 1878 b. 1792
English political cartoonist, illustrator of Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist (1838).
Alexander VIII (Pietro Vito Ottoboni)
Died February 1, 1691 b. 1610
Italian religious leader, 241st Pope (1689-91).
Saint Brigid (also Brigit or Bride)
Died February 1, 525 b. circa 451
Irish religious leader. She is the patron saint of Ireland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Irish nuns, and dairy workers.