Richard the Lionheart is released from captivity in Germany on February 4, 1194, after paying a ransom for his release.
View Historical Events by Day:
On This Day in History: February 4
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on February 4th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material. When possible, we show a link to a source which provides additional or unique perspective about the event.
We do our best to provide accurate information but would appreciate being notified if any incorrect information is found. You may do so by using our Feedback link.
Mongol forces led by Batu Khan captured and devastated the city of Vladimir on February 4, 1238, The battle was part of a brutal Mongol winter campaign which led to the destruction of Moscow, marking the start of the "Mongol-Tatar Yoke" over Russia.
George Washington is unanimously elected the first president of the United States on February 4, 1789 by all 69 presidential electors representing the 10 states that had ratified the Constitution at the time. John Adams of Massachusetts was elected vice president.
He was inaugurated as the first U.S. president on April 30, 1789, on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City. (the nation's capital at the time). Chancellor of New York Robert R. Livingston administered the oath of office to Washington. Following the oath, Washington delivered the first presidential inaugural address in the Senate Chamber which waws witnessed by a large crowd; setting the precedent for future U.S. presidential inaugurations. More
The Latter-day Saint exodus to Utah begins on February 4, 1846, with Brigham Young leading the first group of church members across the frigid Mississippi River from Nauvoo Illinois. Pioneers started arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, which was then part of Mexico, on July 24, 1847 when Brigham Young notably declared "This is the place"
Driven by intense persecution, thousands migrated to the Great Basin to establish a new, isolated community; traveling across the Great Plains and through the Rocky Mountains, often walking and pulling handcarts or using wagons. Over 100,000 people migrating to the Great Basin by 1877. Now, July 24 is celebrated as "Pioneer Day" in Utah. Utah became part of the United States in 1848 following the Mexican-American War.
Seven seceding states — South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas meet in Montgomery, Alabama, and create the Confederate Constitution, a document similar to the United States Constitution, but with greater stress on the autonomy of each state.
Jefferson Davis was named provisional president of the Confederacy until elections could be held. Four more States followed the secession path — Virginia (April 17, 1861), Arkansas (May 6, 1861), North Carolina (May 20, 1861), and Tennessee (June 8, 1861). These eleven states eventually formed the Confederate States of America. More
The Yalta Conference starts on February 4, 1945 , it was attended by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin to discuss post-World War II plans.
The Conference took place in a Russian resort town in the Crimea from February 4–11, 1945, with important decisions made regarding the future progress of the war and the postwar world. More
Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) gains independence from Great Britain on February 4, 1948, ending over a century of British colonial rule and becoming an independent dominion within the Commonwealth, The day is celebrated annually on February 4 as National Independence Day.
In 1972, the country became a Republic and changed its name from Ceylon to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia officially changes its name to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro on February 4, 2003, replacing the federal government with a loose union marking the the end of the "Yugoslavia" name, which had been in use since 1929.
The union lasted until June 3, 2006, when Montenegro declared its own independence following a referendum. Serbia's National Assembly formally declared its own independence, on June 5, 2006 as the legal successor state to the Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Formally spliting into two countries.
The social networking website Facebook is launched by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates under the name "TheFacebook" at thefacebook.com. The site allowed students to create profiles, upload photos, and connect with others based on shaered classes and interests. Over 1,200 students registered in the first day and a month later mor than half of Harvard’s undergraduates had signed up.