Edward III of England proclaims himself King of France in Ghent, escalating the Hundred Years' War. More
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What Happened Today in History on February 1
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on February 1st. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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France declares war on Great Britain and the Netherlands, marking the beginning of the War of the First Coalition. The execution of French King Louis XVI on January 21, 1793, led other European monarchies such as Britain and other powers to form the coalition to contain the spread of the revolution.
Abraham Lincoln signs the Joint Resolution endorsing the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery which Congress had passed on January 31, 1865. The 13th Amendment was then sent to the states for ratification, which was completed by December 6, 1865, making it the law of the land and officially abolishing slavery in the United States.
Four African American students at North Carolina, Agricultural and Technical College, stage a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, sparking similar protests. The “Greensboro Four,” were Ezell Blair Jr. (now known as Jibreel Khazan), David Richmond, Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil. Their protest led to the Woolworth Department Store chain ending its policy of racial segregation in its stores in the southern United States. More
Space Shuttle Columbia breaks apart upon re-entry, tragically killing all seven crew members. Columbia lifted off on time on the first shuttle mission of the year on Jan. 16, 2003, at 10:39 a.m. EST, It carried seven crew members, on a marathon international scientific research flight. More