Across centuries, 4 February has been associated with defining historical moments spanning religion, politics, science, music and social change. Several of the events listed below had lasting global consequences, from the shaping of modern states and civil rights movements to technological shifts and cultural landmarks.
362. Religious equality in the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Emperor Julian issues an edict granting equal rights to all religions across his empire.
1789. First US presidential election
The US Electoral College elects George Washington as the first president of the United States.
1826. A classic of American literature published
James Fenimore Cooper’s novel The Last of the Mohicans is released.
1861. Formation of the Confederacy
Six southern US states form the Confederate States of America in Montgomery, Alabama, a move that leads directly to the outbreak of the American Civil War.
1906. Fingerprinting adopted by police
The New York Police Department decides to use fingerprints for personal identification.
1913. Birth of Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks is born in Alabama. Her refusal decades later to give up her bus seat to a white passenger becomes a catalyst for the US civil rights movement.
1945. Yalta Conference
Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill meet in Yalta to coordinate Allied strategy during the final stages of the Second World War.
1948. Birth of Alice Cooper
American rocker Alice Cooper, born Vincent Furnier, is born.
1956. School closures in colonial Cyprus
British authorities shut down seven primary schools in Cyprus for flying the Greek flag.
1971. Collapse of Rolls-Royce
British engineering giant Rolls-Royce declares bankruptcy, described at the time as a national tragedy.
1974. New Cultural Revolution campaign
Chinese leader Mao Zedong announces a new phase of the Cultural Revolution.
1976. Central America earthquake
A powerful earthquake strikes Honduras and Guatemala, killing around 20,000 people.
1977. Release of Rumours
Fleetwood Mac release Rumours, one of the best-selling albums of all time.
1983. Death of Karen Carpenter
Singer Karen Carpenter dies in the United States from complications linked to anorexia nervosa.
1996. Internet restrictions in China
Chinese authorities impose controls on online communication, banning political and pornographic websites and requiring state registration.
1998. Earthquake in Afghanistan
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hits northeastern Afghanistan, killing approximately 5,000 people.
1999. Hugo Chávez elected
Hugo Chávez is elected president of Venezuela.
2001. Death of Iannis Xenakis
Composer Iannis Xenakis dies in Paris at the age of 78.
2003. Serbia and Montenegro formed
The federal parliament of Yugoslavia establishes the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.
2004. Facebook founded
Mark Zuckerberg launches Facebook.
2006. Stadium stampede in Manila
Seventy-one people are killed in a deadly stampede at a stadium in the Philippines.
2010. Death of Kostas Axelos
Greek philosopher Kostas Axelos dies.
2012. Last First World War veteran dies
Florence Green, the last known person to have served in the First World War, dies at the age of 110.
Source: Polignosi