The final episode of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' aired after 33 years on PBS
Fred Rogers' gentle children's program produced 895 episodes and became a cultural institution. Rogers had been diagnosed with stomach cancer and woul...
February 21 in History
Significant events that happened on this day.
Historical Events
2003
1995
Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon
After four days and 5,400 miles, the adventurer landed in Canada after departing from South Korea. This was one of many record-breaking aviation feats...
1986
The first patient was diagnosed with 'video game syndrome' after a 12-hour Nintendo marathon
A Milwaukee teenager developed severe hand cramps, blisters, and tendonitis from gripping the controller too tightly. Doctors coined the term 'Nintend...
1972
Richard Nixon became the first U.S. president to visit China while in office
MajorNixon's week-long trip to meet with Chairman Mao Zedong marked a dramatic shift in Cold War politics. The visit, which was kept secret during planning...
1965
Malcolm X was assassinated while giving a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City
MajorThe civil rights leader was shot 15 times by three gunmen while addressing the Organization of Afro-American Unity. He was only 39 years old and had j...
1958
The peace symbol was designed for a nuclear disarmament march in Britain
Artist Gerald Holtom created it by combining semaphore signals for 'N' and 'D' (nuclear disarmament) inside a circle. He later said he regretted makin...
1947
Edwin Land publicly demonstrated the first instant camera, the Polaroid Land Camera
Land amazed an audience at an Optical Society of America meeting by taking a photo and producing a finished print in just 60 seconds. The revolutionar...
1925
The New Yorker magazine published its first issue
Harold Ross and Jane Grant founded the weekly with the goal of creating a sophisticated metropolitan magazine. The first issue was only 32 pages and s...
1916
The Battle of Verdun began, becoming the longest single battle in World War I
MajorGerman forces launched a massive offensive against French positions that would rage for 303 days. The battle resulted in over 700,000 casualties and b...
1885
The Washington Monument was dedicated in the nation's capital
Construction of the 555-foot obelisk had taken 36 years due to funding issues and the Civil War. You can still see where construction stopped for 23 y...
1878
The first telephone directory was issued in New Haven, Connecticut, listing just 50 names
The one-page directory didn't include phone numbers because operators connected all calls manually. It simply listed names of people and businesses wh...
1804
The first self-propelling steam locomotive made its debut in Wales
Richard Trevithick's unnamed locomotive successfully hauled 10 tons of iron and 70 men along nine miles of tramway. Despite winning a 500-guinea bet f...
1613
Mikhail Romanov was elected Tsar of Russia, founding a dynasty that would rule for 304 years
MajorThe 16-year-old was chosen to end Russia's 'Time of Troubles' and reportedly had to be convinced to accept the throne. His descendants would include P...
1431
Joan of Arc's trial for heresy began in Rouen, France
MajorThe 19-year-old military leader who had helped crown the French king was now a prisoner of the English. The politically motivated trial would last unt...