The People History Home

February 1st Major News Events

  1. 1898 First Auto Insurance Policy
  2. 1920 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Established
  3. 1943 Japanese Evacuated Guadalcanal
  4. 1953 England Record Storms
  5. 1957 The first working prototype of the Wankel engine
  6. 1992 Cold War Ends
  7. 2004 Hajj Pilgrimage Stampede

Find Out What Else happened February 1 This Day in History on your birthday

1992 Cold War Ends

1992 : George W Bush and Russian Leader Boris Yeltsin proclaim an end to the cold war in a joint statement following new arms limitations agreements.

1898 First Auto Insurance Policy

1898 : The Travelers Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, issue the first automobile insurance policy to an individual.

1957 Wankel engine

1957 : The first working prototype of the Wankel engine runs at the NSU research and development department Versuchsabteilung TX in Germany. The best known current production car fitted with a Wankel engine is the Mazda RX-8, a sports car powered by a Wankel engine.

1 Feb, 1920 Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police as the federal and national police force in Canada is established when Royal North West Mounted Police and the Dominion Police are combined as a single force .

1929 Wool Grower's Convention

It was reported on this day that the Wool Grower's Association had chosen San Angelo, Texas as the location for the next Wool Grower's Convention. This convention was sought for by other U.S. cities, such as Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Los Angeles.

1932 Unemployment In Depression Years

The Magnolia Petroleum Company had pledged to contribute money towards the emergency unemployment plan. The amount of money that this company planned to donate equaled to about $40 to $45 dollars monthly in 1932 money.

1933 Groundhog Day

1933 : Normally if a groundhog sees its shadow on Groundhog Day six more weeks of winter is predicted to take place. However, weather forecasters had warned people that even if the groundhog does not see his shadow tomorrow 1933) there still could be six more weeks of winter.

1 Feb, 1937 Flood

The National Guard and police forces were called to help flood victims. The role of these enforcement agencies was to help control the streets of Memphis as flood refugees made way from one place to another.

Another role of law enforcement-along with health personnel-was to provide services to certain unregistered Memphis residents. Unfortunately, it was reported that taking care of these unregistered residents was a "nuisance".

The 20,000 people of Memphis, Tennessee who were not registered had not been immunized before, and they also have not been examined previously. Therefore, guards have been stationed in various places, such as on the Harahan Bridge, which runs across the Mississippi River to the state of Arkansas.

1940 Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra sings the hits "Too Romantic" and "The Sky Fell Down" during his debut recording session with the popular Tommy Dorsey Band. This was his first recording with the band since replacing its previous singer - Jack Leonard.

Born This Day In History February 1st

Celebrating Birthdays Today

John Ford

Born: John Martin Feeney 1st February 1894 Cape Elizabeth, Maine, U.S.

Died: August 31st 1973 Palm Desert, California, U.S.

Known For : American Movie Director who won four best director Academy Awards and one Best Picture Academy Award for How Green Was My Valley. He worked with some of the best actors and actresses of their time including John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Maureen O'Hara, James Cagney and many more His movies included so very many great films so I have just listed some of my own personal favourites The Grapes of Wrath, How Green Was My Valley, Stagecoach, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Young Mr. Lincoln, Rio Grande, and The Quiet Man

Lisa Marie Presley

Born: 1st February 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Known For : Lisa Marie Presley was born in Memphis, Tennessee, exactly nine months after her parents Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley. wedding. Until her parents' divorce, she lived at Graceland, Elvis' Memphis estate. She is a singer songwriter who has had some success with her music.

1943 Guadalcanal

The Japanese had evacuated Guadalcanal on this day. Before the Japanese withdrew they were defeated by U.S. Marine troops. Likewise, they (the Japanese) hung on for as long they possibly could, and for as long as the emperor required them to fight.

1952 England TV Detector Vans

In the UK the BBC is funded via TV Licences issued by the British Government keeping the BBC free of commercial advertising, in 1952 following a report that showed large numbers of people were not paying for the licence the government bought in TV Detector Vans to track down users of unlicensed television sets in the UK.

1953 Netherlands Dikes Breached

A powerful storm breached sea dikes in the provinces of Zeeland, Zuid-Holland and Noord-Brabant due to the combination of spring tide and a northwesterly storm. The resulting flood accounted for more than 1,835 deaths in the Netherlands.

1953 England Storms

1953 : Gale force winds on the east coast of Britain are some of the strongest storms ever recorded breaking through flood defences from Yorkshire down to Kent, up to 150 lives are lost and thousands are forced to leave homes including all residents of Canvey Island when the area becomes flooded. Passengers on the Princess Victoria ferry, from Scotland to Ireland, are forced to abandon ship in the Irish Sea due to high sees.

1958 Egypt and Syria Become United Arab Republic

Between this date and 1961, Egypt and Syria became one. They were called the United Arab Republic. After 1961, Syria withdrew from this newly-formed union during a revolution and military takeover. Egypt continued to use the United Arab Republic name until the year 1971.

1960 protest against racial discrimination

Four black college students begin a sit-in protest against racial discrimination after they are refused service at a lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C.,.

1962 Lewd Dance

A woman was tried in court after performing a lewd dance at a local Hollywood night club. The reason that this woman went to court was because she had allowed audience members to stuff money into her costume-a practice more common in today's day.

The woman's argument regarding the allowing of money to be stuffed into her costume is that it is an old Greek custom. The jury had decided that it is Greek to them too, which implies that the jury probably ruled that she had done nothing wrong.

1962 Welfare Reform

President John F. Kennedy addressed Congress on the issue of welfare. He wanted to see to it that laws were changed in order to provide an incentive for people to return to work. He also wanted to create a way for people to become more independent and to lead productive lives.

Part of the welfare improvement plan proposed by JFK was to increase the amount of money funding rehabilitation. Part of this funding was to help pay social workers who would be in charge of helping people regain independence.

1968 Elvis Becomes a Dad

Elvis Presley and his wife Priscilla Presley became the proud parents of a little girl 6-pound, 15 ounce Lisa Marie Presley

1969 John DeLorean

1969: John DeLorean becomes general manager of Chevrolet, he went on to create the ill fated Delorean when he was provided major funding by the British Government to set up a factory in Northern Ireland. Although the car never took off the Delorean's are highly sought after by collectors today

1974 Ted Bundy

Lynda Ann Healy becomes the second victim murdered by Ted Bundy. During that summer Bundy attacked and murdered at least seven young women in Washington. He was eventually caught and confessed to the murder of 36 murders and was executed on January 24, 1989

1978 Roman Polanski

Roman Polanski skips bail and flees to France after pleading guilty to charges of engaging in sex with a 13-year-old girl.

1979 Patty Hearst

American newspaper heiress Patty Hearst was released from prison after joining SLA members in a bank robbery on April 15, 1974. ending a five-year drama during which the world saw her as a kidnap victim, A Bank Robber, an urban guerrilla and finally a convict.

1979 Ayatollah Khomeini

1979 : Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran after 14 years in exile, five million people turned out to welcome him in the nation's capital, Tehran, over the next two weeks he built an army of revolutionary forces and by February 15th they take over power in the country forcing the army to step aside. Ayatollah Khomeini was the start of the Islamic Fundamentalist regime that now controls Iran.

1982 Late Night With David Letterman

This was the first day that Late Night with David Letterman was aired. It became a favorite show for quite a few college students, and contended with what used to be the Tonight Show after Johnny Carson had retired.

1 Feb, 1984 Half Penny Coin Ends

The half penny coin ceases to be legal tender. Many believe this will lead to inflationary pressure as even government sales like stamps ( 12 1/2 p will increase to 13p )

From 1940s Toys Page

1940s toys including  Vintage 98 Cents Toys, Blackbird Crystal Radio Set, Vintage Gilbert Electric Train Set, Gilbert Erector Sets, Portable Electric Phonograph Walnut Finished Piano in Spinet Style Toy From www.thepeoplehistory.com/40stoys.html page

From our Computer Games Page

I am old enough to remember playing all of these

Pokémon 1995
Pong 1972
Prince of Persia
Quake 1996
Rayman 1996
Red Alert
RollerCoaster Tycoon
SimEarth
Simon The Sourcerer
Sonic the Hedgehog 1991
Space Invaders 1978
Super Mario
Tetris 1989

From 1950s Furniture Page

  • 1957 Stack Unit Storage 1957 Stack Unit Storage
    Price: $2.75 - $7.75 per piece
    Change unused odd-size places into valuable drawer and cabinet space... ideal for built-ins... make unusual chests, dressers, hi-fi cabinets and more to suit your own needs. Choose from different sizes and types of pieces to create a unique storage space.

  • 1957 Black Tubular Steel Group 1957 Black Tubular Steel Group
    Price: $79.95
    Smart streamlined design in tune with today's modern home, just the thing for living room, rumpus room, den, enclosed porch. Resilient sag-less spring construction in seats, padded with felted cotton over mesh insulator. Backs padded with buoyant cotton. Durable heavy-gauge plastic covers resist soil, wear... wipes clean with a damp cloth. Sturdy hardwood frames rigidly joined. Gold-color welt on all seams. Legs, arm, back supports are of heavy-gauge tubular steel, durably finished in black enamel. Brass-plated harmonizing trim. Unique lattice-shape iron treatment on tops add a touch that's distinctively different. Colors are turquoise, white, or charcoal gray.


  • 1991 Pakistan Earthquake

    An earthquake, measuring around 6.8 on the Richter scale, occurred near the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan

    1999 Monica Lewinsky

    1999 : Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky gives deposition via interview on videotape during impeachment hearings against President Bill Clinton with Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist was the presiding judge. ( Clinton was Impeached, but he was not Removed by the Senate. )

    2004 Janet Jackson

    Janet Jackson's breast is briefly exposed by Justin Timberlake during the Super Bowl half time show. Timberlake later referred to the incident as a "wardrobe malfunction."

    2004 Hajj Pilgrimage Stampede

    During the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia 251 people are trampled to death during a stampede. This brings the total who have died during similar incidents since 1990 to over 2,000 during the Hajj Pilgrimage.

    2006 France-Soir newspaper reprints the Mohammed cartoon

    The France-Soir reproduces a Danish newspaper's caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed. France-Soir says that it is publishing the cartoons in order to show that 'religious dogma' had no place in a secular society. Their publication in Denmark has led to protests in several Arab nations, and in Europe. The French government says that it supports press freedom.

    2006 President Bush says that a renewable energy source will be possible within six years

    George Bush says that scientists are close to a breakthrough on making ethanol from biodegradable materials. Speaking in Nashville, he says that this sort of technology will help the U.S. 'reduce if not end' his country's reliance on Middle Eastern oil. He had been critical of the U.S. addiction to oil in his State of the Union address. He told the Nashville audience that America was close to a breakthrough in making ethanol from materials like grass or wood, and explains that the substances can be converted into energy. 'We're told that if we continue to focus on research, we'll be able to within six years have a competitive fuel to gasoline,' he concluded.

    2007 J.K. Rowling announces the publication date of the last Harry Potter book

    2007 : J.K. Rowling's Web site has announced that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be published on Saturday July 21st , 2007 at 00:01 B.S.T. in the U.K. and at 00:01 in America. It will also be released at 00:01 B.S.T. on Saturday 21st July in other English speaking countries around the world.

    2007 The French ban smoking in public

    A ban on smoking in workplaces has come in to force in France. Anyone smoking in airports, railway stations, hospitals, schools, shops or offices will be fined. Restaurants and bars will have until December 2007 to comply. 70% of people in France are said they favour the ban, as do half of all smokers. France is the latest country to introduce a complete or partial ban on smoking in public.

    2008 Bagdad Attack

    A coordinated attack on two pet bazaars in Baghdad by two women wearing explosives under traditional black Islamic robes which were detonated remotely kill 90 people in the al-Ghazl pet market and a bird market in southeastern Baghdad making it the deadliest attack since the US surge of an additional 30,000 extra troops sent to the capital last year.

    2008 Germany will not be sending anymore troops to Afghanistan

    Germany has rejected a U.S. appeal for more troops to be sent to Afghanistan, despite manpower being named as one of the biggest problems in NATO operations there. The German defense minister had already ruled out any German combat troops being sent into southern Afganistan, and Robert Gates has asked for them to change their mandate on this.

    2010 Obama shuts down the moon project

    2010 : Barack Obama has canceled NASA's plans for taking men to the Moon. The Constellation program had been looking at new rockets and a crewship to put astronauts on the lunar surface by 2020. In the 2011 budget request that was issued on Monday, February 1st, Obama has said that the project is too costly, 'behind schedule, and lacking in innovation.'

    2010 Suicide Bomber Kills 41 pilgrims walking to a religious festival in Iraq

    A female suicide bomber has killed 41 pilgrims travelling to the holy Shia city of Karbala. Those dead included women and children,

    2011 Milorad Momic Arrested in France

    2011 :  Milorad Momic was arrested in France for suspected involvement in war crimes during the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. Momic was lively in France and using false documents to work, but was found by authorities and arrested under an international arrest warrant for his crimes in Serbia.    

    2012 American Airlines to Cut 13,000 Jobs

    American Airlines announced that it will cut 13,000 jobs in order to save money and raise revenue. The cuts would result in almost 15% of their workforce being fired. Most of the cuts will hit maintenance workers and baggage handler but it will also effect some 400 pilots.

    2013 Former New York Mayor Dies

    2013 : Former New York City mayor Ed Koch died at the age of eighty-eight. Koch was known for bringing the city into an economic boom after spending years in decline from 1978 to 1989. Koch had also been a US congressman.

    2014 Spain Abortion Law Protests

    2014 : Thousands gathered in Spain to protest a new law that would put greater restrictions on abortions in the country. The law would make abortion legal only in cases where the mother's life was at risk or pregnancies that were the result of rape. The protesters worried that the law would take established rights away from women.

    From 1950s Kids Clothes Page

  • 1955 Girls Clothes 1955 Girls Clothes
    Price: $1.94 - $8.44
    Description Girls in 1955 could choose from a widening range of bright and fun options, including corduroy jumpers ranging from yellow to bright pink and plaid circle skirt dresses with ruffle accents, bows, and beautiful collars. Teenage girls could go for a more sophisticated look with two piece ensembles, blazer jackets, and slimmer skirt shapes.


  • Roaring Twenties Fashions From the 1920s

    • Canton Crepe Dress 1921 Canton Crepe Dress
      Price: $13.95

      Pretty and tastefully applied trimming combined with rich lustrous material make this latest New York style appropriate for any occasion. Fashioned of all silk canton crepes in our usual good quality, which we know from long experience will give the service you expect. Bonaz embroidery is used in novel fashion on waist, skirt and sleeves, which are in the new puff design. Skirt of generous sweep is gathered at waistline with elastic girdle. Crushed sash ties in wide bow in back. Closes at left front. Choose from black with red trimming or black with green trimming.


    • Georgette Crepe Blouse 1921 Georgette Crepe Blouse
      Price: $5.98

      A very dressy Blouse and one that will appeal to the most conservative woman. Made of good quality silk Georgette. The collar, cuffs and front panel are effectively trimmed with silk Georgette in contrasting color. Front is also trimmed with hand embroidery, as pictured. Blouse slips on over the head and is held in place at each side with Georgette sashes.