What Happened in February?

Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini calls for the execution of British author Salman Rushdie over his novel "The Satanic Verses."

Nelson Mandela is released from Victor Verster Prison in South Africa after 27 years in captivity as South African President F.W. de Klerk lifts the 30-year ban on the African National Congress, and other black liberation parties, allowing freedom of the press, and releasing political prisoners marking the beginning of the end of apartheid. More

The Treaty of Maastricht is signed, formally establishing the European Union, effective on November 1, 1993 with the EEC becoming the European Community (EC) "first pillar" of the newly formed EU, which encompassed the EC alongside other areas like foreign policy and justice. Expand +

A bomb planted by terrorists explodes beneath the World Trade Center in New York City, killing six and injuring over 1,000 people. The World Trade Center building suffered more than $500 million in damage. The attack was carried out by Ramzi Yousef and 6 conspirators. One of them was never captured. More

American astronaut Eileen Collins becomes, the first woman to pilot a Space shuttle as she pilots the Discovery in what was the first flight of the new joint Russian- American Space Program. In July 1999, Collins went on to be the first woman to be a Shuttle commander on the STS-93 Columbia. More

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) declares an end to its 18-month ceasefire in Northern Ireland.

The 1998 Winter Olympics are held in Nagano, Japan.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declares the measles virus eliminated in the United States.

FBI agent Robert Hanssen is arrested for spying for Russia for more than 15 years.

The trial of Slobodan Milošević begins at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague.

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

Millions protest the impending invasion of Iraq. A coordinated day of protests was held across the world in which people in more than 600 cities expressed opposition to the imminent Iraq War. The demonstrations were believed to be the largest single day of anti-war protest in history. It was part of a series of protests and political events that had begun in 2002 and continued as the invasion, war, and occupation took place. More

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.

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri is assassinated in Beirut, sparking the Cedar Revolution.

The Winter Olympics open in Turin, Italy.

A suicide one ton bomb detonates in a busy market in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, killing 139 people and injuring over 300 people. The bomb brought down at least 10 buildings and coffee shops and completely destroyed market stalls in a largely Shi‘ite area.

Kosovo formally declares independence from Serbia.

The British film "Slumdog Millionaire" wins eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Australian wildfires, known as "Black Saturday," claim the lives of 173 people injured over 400 and destroy thousands of homes. The fires which burned over 1.1 million acres, were caused by extreme heat and drought conditions, resulting in a state of emergency and subsequent government investigations

The 2010 Winter Olympics open in Vancouver, Canada.