Days History

This day in history

Days History

This day in history

This day in history: 4 february

Europa

  • 1945: Yalta Conference Opens
    The most notable event on this date is the opening of the Yalta Conference in Crimea, where the leaders of the United Kingdom (Winston Churchill), the United States (Franklin D. Roosevelt), and the Soviet Union (Joseph Stalin) met to plan the final defeat and occupation of Nazi Germany and to discuss the postwar order in Europe. This meeting was pivotal in shaping the political landscape of postwar Europe, including agreements on new borders, democracy restoration, and the occupation of Germany.
  • 1945: Liberation of Belgium
    On the same day, British and Allied forces liberated the final areas of Belgium still under German occupation. This marked a critical moment in the closing months of World War II in Europe, as liberated Belgian towns became key logistical centers for the Allies.
  • 211 CE: Death of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in York
    In British history, Roman Emperor Septimius Severus died in York (then Eboracum), leaving the Roman Empire to his two sons.
  • 1794: Abolition of Slavery in French Territories
    The French legislature abolished slavery throughout all territories of the French First Republic on this day, though it was later reinstated in some colonies.
  • 1810: Britain Seizes Guadeloupe during the Napoleonic Wars.
  • 1998: World Cancer Day is established by the signing of the Charter of Paris by the President of France and the Director General of UNESCO.

America

  • 1789: George Washington elected first U.S. President
    On this day, the U.S. Electoral College unanimously elected George Washington as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the presidency and setting a precedent for the new nation.
  • 1861: Formation of the Confederate States of America
    Delegates from six seceding Southern states met in Montgomery, Alabama, to begin forming the Confederate States of America, drafting a constitution that protected slavery and established a new government, a pivotal moment leading up to the American Civil War.
  • 1837: President Andrew Jackson’s “Big Cheese Tasting”
    President Andrew Jackson announced a public event at the White House where a massive block of cheese was shared with visitors, symbolizing openness and accessibility in government.
  • 1997: O.J. Simpson found liable in civil trial
    A civil jury in California found O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, a landmark legal decision following his earlier criminal acquittal.
  • 1801: John Marshall was sworn in as Chief Justice of the United States, beginning a long and influential tenure.
  • 1825: The Ohio Legislature authorized the construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal and the Miami and Erie Canal, crucial for the region’s economic development.
  • 1846: The first Mormon pioneers began their westward migration from Nauvoo, Illinois, toward Salt Lake Valley.
  • 1861: Former President John Tyler, as president of the Washington Peace Convention, certified delegates in an effort to prevent civil war, though ultimately unsuccessful.

Asia

  • 960 CE: Zhao Kuangyin is crowned Emperor Taizu of Song, founding the Song dynasty in China, which lasted over three centuries and marked a period of major cultural, technological, and economic advancement.
  • 1932: Harbin, Manchuria, falls to Japan during the Second Sino-Japanese War, a pivotal moment in the Japanese occupation of northeastern China.
  • 1975: The Haicheng earthquake (magnitude 7.3) strikes Liaoning, China. Notably, this is one of the first earthquakes to have a successful public warning issued before the main shock.
  • 1948: Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) gains independence from British rule, becoming a sovereign nation and marking the end of colonial rule on the island.
  • 1899: The Philippine–American War begins when hostilities erupt in Manila between Filipino forces and American troops, starting with the Battle of Manila.
  • 786: Harun al-Rashid becomes Caliph of Baghdad, ushering in the golden age of the Abbasid Caliphate, renowned for cultural and scientific achievements.
  • 1955: The Baghdad Pact (CENTO) is signed between Iraq and Turkey, forming a military alliance aimed at containing Soviet influence in the Middle East.
  • 1998: A 5.9 magnitude earthquake strikes Takhar Province, Afghanistan, resulting in over 2,300 deaths and significant destruction.
  • World Cancer Day is observed globally on February 4, following the signing of the Charter of Paris Against Cancer in 2000, with UNESCO’s Director General and the French President as signatories. This day is marked across Asia as well.

Africa

  • 1961: Start of the Angolan War of Independence
    On February 4, 1961, the Angolan War of Independence began with coordinated attacks by the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) on police stations and public buildings in Luanda and Uige. This marked the beginning of a long and violent struggle against Portuguese colonial rule, ultimately leading to Angola’s independence in 1975. The war was part of a broader wave of African anti-colonial movements during the 20th century.
  • 146 BCE: Final Destruction of Carthage (End of Third Punic War)
    On this day in 146 BCE, the Third Punic War ended with the complete destruction of Carthage by Roman forces. Carthage, located in present-day Tunisia, was a major power in North Africa and its fall marked a turning point in the region’s history, cementing Roman dominance in North Africa.
  • 2022: Cyclone Batsirai in Madagascar
    On February 4, Cyclone Batsirai caused significant devastation in southeast Madagascar, resulting in deaths and widespread destruction.
  • 1915: German Attack Repelled in South Africa
    During World War I, South African forces repelled a German attack, part of the broader conflict in German South West Africa (now Namibia).
  • 1920: First Air Flight from London to South Africa
    The first air flight from London to South Africa was completed, marking a milestone in aviation history for the continent.
This day in history: 4 february
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