On This Day in History – February 1

Major Events

• 1327 – Edward III is crowned King of England following the abdication of his father, Edward II.
• 1709 – Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk is rescued after being marooned for over four years, inspiring the novel Robinson Crusoe.
• 1790 – The Supreme Court of the United States holds its first session in New York City.
• 1865 – President Abraham Lincoln signs the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, formally abolishing slavery.
• 1884 – The first volume of the Oxford English Dictionary is published, beginning one of the most ambitious language projects in history.
• 1943 – German forces surrender at Stalingrad, marking a decisive turning point in World War II.
• 1960 – Four African American students begin the Greensboro sit-ins, a major milestone in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement.
• 2003 – Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrates during re-entry, killing all seven astronauts aboard.
• 2014 – The European Union officially lifts restrictions on Croatian workers.
• 2020 – The United Kingdom formally exits the European Union, entering the Brexit transition period.

Famous Birthdays

• 1459 – Conrad Celtis, German Renaissance scholar (d. 1508)
• 1814 – John Camden Hotten, English publisher (d. 1873)
• 1901 – Clark Gable, American actor (d. 1960)
• 1902 – Langston Hughes, American poet and writer (d. 1967)
• 1935 – Don Wilson, American musician (The Ventures)
• 1942 – Terry Jones, English comedian and writer (d. 2020)
• 1951 – Harry Styles, English singer-songwriter
• 1965 – Brandon Lee, American actor (d. 1993)
• 1985 – Michael C. Hall, American actor

Notable Deaths

• 1327 – Edward II, King of England (b. 1284)
• 1943 – Friedrich Paulus, German general (captured at Stalingrad) (b. 1890)
• 1968 – Max Schmeling, German boxer (b. 1905)
• 1984 – Karen Silkwood, American activist (b. 1946)
• 2003 – Crew of Space Shuttle Columbia (collective remembrance)
• 2015 – Aldo Ciccolini, Italian pianist (b. 1925)
• 2018 – Rick Hall, American music producer (b. 1932)
• 2021 – Dustin Diamond, American actor (b. 1977)
• 2023 – Lisa Loring, American actress (b. 1958)

Holidays

• Lunar New Year – Observed in East and Southeast Asia (date varies)
• Imbolc – Pagan and Wiccan festival marking the start of spring
• National Freedom Day – United States

Fun Facts

• National Freedom Day commemorates the signing of the resolution proposing the 13th Amendment.
• The Greensboro sit-ins helped ignite widespread nonviolent protests across the U.S.
• Clark Gable was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars during the Golden Age of cinema.
• Imbolc traditions focus on renewal, light, and preparation for spring.
• The Oxford English Dictionary took over 70 years to complete.
• February 1 has marked both cultural beginnings and profound historical losses.