February 1 has marked the birth of nations, the dawn of television, and turning points in the struggle for freedom.
The Supreme Court of the United States convened for the first time at the Royal Exchange in New York City. Chief Justice John Jay presided over a court that would become the final arbiter of American law.
Texas became the seventh state to secede from the United States. Governor Sam Houston, who opposed secession, was removed from office for refusing to swear allegiance to the Confederacy.
Thomas Edison completed construction of the world's first movie studio, nicknamed the Black Maria, in West Orange, New Jersey. The rotating building could follow the sun to maximize natural light for filming.
The Voice of America radio network began broadcasting, initially transmitting programs in German to counter Nazi propaganda. It would grow into one of the largest international broadcasters in the world.
Four African American college students sat at a whites-only Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Their peaceful protest sparked a wave of sit-ins across the South and energized the civil rights movement.
The Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart over Texas during reentry, killing all seven crew members. Damage to the thermal protection system during launch allowed hot gases to penetrate the wing.
Mark Zuckerberg launched 'TheFacebook' from his Harvard University dorm room. The social networking site would grow to connect billions of people worldwide and reshape communication.