Monthly Archives: February 2012

USS Houston and HMAS Perth under attack 70 years ago tonight (1942)

1940s, World War II

(Saturday, February 28, 1942, during World War II) — The heavy cruiser USS Houston and the Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth came under attack today by Japanese forces during Battle of Sunda Strait in the Netherlands East Indies. Both were sunk shortly after midnight. The Houston lost 693 men while the Perth lost 353.

Alicia Keys takes five Grammys 10 years ago tonight (2002)

2000s, Popular Music 2000s


Video: 'Fallin' performed by Alica Keys

(Wednesday, February 27, 2002) — Alicia Keys won five Grammy Awards tonight for her debut album Songs in A Minor, including Fallin (Song of The Year). Walk On by U2 won Record of the Year and O Brother, Where Art Thou? by various artists won Album of the Year.

Nixons depart China, ending historic visit 40 years ago this hour (1972)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: Shanghai Communique comes together (at 3:44)

(Sunday, February 27, 1972, 9:12 p.m. EST) — U.S. President Richard M. Nixon departed China this morning (10:12 a.m. local time, Feb. 28, 1972) with a goodbye wave from a solemn Premier Chou En-lai in his gray tunic. Nixon and his wife Pat spent a week in China, an important step in formally normalizing relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Taiwan jarred by Shanghai Communique 40 years ago this hour (1972)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: Shanghai Communique comes together (at 0:13)

(Sunday, February 27, 1972) — U.S. President Richard M. Nixon and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai issued the Shanghai Communique at the conclusion of Nixon’s historic visit to China, a step toward the eventual normalization of relations between the two countries.

Morant, Handcock executed for war crimes 110 years ago today (1902)

1900s


Video: 'Breaker Morant' film (part 12)

(Thursday, February 27, 1902, shortly before 6:00 a.m. local time) — Australian soldiers Harry “Breaker” Morant and Peter Handcock were shot this morning by a British firing squad in South Africa for the murder of 12 prisoners of war during the dying days of the Boer War. Questions have since been raised as to whether they received a fair trial.

‘Stonewall’ Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign begins 150 years ago today (1862)

1860s, American Civil War

Video: Shenandoah Valley Campaign begins (at 8:06)

(Thursday, February 27, 1862, during the American Civil War) — The Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Confederate Maj. Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s famous spring 1862 campaign through the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, began today.

In six small engagements (through June 9), at Kernstown, McDowell, Front Royal, Winchester, Cross Keys, and Port Republic, Jackson tied down large Union forces in the Shenandoah Valley that otherwise would have been used—probably decisively, in a Union offensive against the Confederate capital at Richmond.

‘Double Double Date’ episode airs on ‘The Wonder Years’ 20 years ago this hour (1992)

1990s, Television 1990s


Video: 'Double Double Date' (part 1)

(Wednesday, February 26, 1992, 8:30 p.m. ET) — Kevin wants to date Inga and he uses Winnie to help him get a date on tonight’s episode of the TV comedy-drama series The Wonder Years. Continue reading ‘Double Double Date’ episode airs on ‘The Wonder Years’ 20 years ago this hour (1992) →

Space is new horizon, Glenn tells Congress 50 years ago today (1962)

1960s, space exploration


Video: Glenn addresses Congress (at 24:14)

(Monday, February 26, 1962) — Astronaut John Glenn addressed a joint meeting of Congress today, six days after becoming the first American to orbit the Earth, telling lawmakers “exploration and the pursuit of knowledge have always paid dividends in the long run.”