February 1: Facts & Historical Events On This Day - The Fact Site

February 1st is Decorating With Candy Day and National Freedom Day.

Welcome to the very first day of the shortest month of the year. Today marks the 32nd day of the year.

You’re in for a treat if you were born on this day as we have some incredible facts and historical events that all fall on this special day including, technology discoveries and major advances in human rights.

Did you know that on this day, February 1, 1951, an atomic bomb explosion was aired on TV for the first time? This blinding light was produced by a nuclear device that was dropped on Frenchman Flats, Nevada.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about February 1st in history!

Historical Events

What memorable events happened on February 1 in history? Keep reading to find out!

2023

Legendary rock singer Ozzy Osbourne announced his retirement from touring.

The 74-year-old had faced health complications for years, including a spine injury and a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. After a number of canceled shows, he made the hard decision to quit touring to take care of his health.

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2021

Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi was removed from power by a military coup d’état.

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2017

MP’s in the UK voted in favor of triggering the European Union Bill (Article 50), which gave the government the power to prepare to leave the European Union.

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Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, founded the “Biden Foundation.”

However, in April 2019, Joe ended the Biden Foundation to focus on his campaign for president.

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2013

House of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey, was released as a Netflix Original.

House of Cards was one of Netflix's first original series to gain a significant audience.

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2005

The Civil Marriage Act was introduced, making same-sex marriage legal in Canada.

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2003

The first reusable spacecraft called “Space Shuttle Columbia” broke apart when returning to Earth, and all seven astronauts on board died.

This disaster led to suspended flights for two years while NASA investigated what happened.

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1982

NBC-TV premiered “Late Night with David Letterman.”

The first guest was comedian and actor Bill Murray.

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1972

The first scientific hand-held calculators (HP-35) hit the markets with a hefty price tag at $395.

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1965

Martin Luther King Jr. and 250 protestors were arrested.

On this day, Martin Luther King Jr. took over 250 people to the Dallas County Courthouse to register to vote as part of a peaceful protest. He and all protestors were arrested and later charged with parading with no permits.

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1951

An atomic bomb explosion was aired on TV for the first time.

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1942

Voice of America, the US’ official external radio and television service, began broadcasting.

"Voice of America" was founded to be broadcast to Axis-controlled regions to counter Nazi propaganda. Today it produces content in 48 languages for TV and radio.

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1908

King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir were assassinated in Lisbon.

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1893

Thomas Edison completed the world’s first movie studio in West Orange, New Jersey.

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1884

The first volume of the Oxford English Dictionary was published.

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1788

Briggs & Longstreet was awarded a patent for the first steamboat in the US.

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1587

Mary Queen of Scots received the death sentence from cousin Queen Elizabeth I.

Queen Elizabeth I took much time deciding Mary, Queen of Scots fate because by issuing a death warrant, she was committing femicide.

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Famous Births

Is today your birthday? If so, you share the same birthday with Harry Styles. Here are a few other famous people born on this day.

1994

Harry Styles

English Singer

Age

32 years old

Born IN

England, UK

2000

Justin Blake

American Social Media Star

Age

26 years old

Born IN

Minnesota, USA

1968

Lisa Marie Presley

American Singer

Died On

Jan 12, 2023 (Age 54)

Born IN

Tennessee, USA

1965

Brandon Lee

American Actor

Died On

Mar 31, 1993 (Age 28)

Born IN

California, USA

1994

Julia Garner

American Actress

Age

32 years old

Born IN

New York, USA

1971

Michael C. Hall

American Actor

Age

55 years old

Born IN

North Carolina, USA

Birthday & Zodiac

Everyone who was born on February 1st shares the same star sign, Aquarius.

Aquarians are known thinkers, and they’ll be able to shake your world once they are in it.

All those born in the month of February have the Amethyst birthstone. Ancient Greeks believed that the Amethyst protected the person wearing it from drunkenness and helped keep the wearer sober-minded.

February’s primary birth flower, the violet, symbolizes the loyalty and faithfulness of people born this month. Primroses, the secondary birth flower, represent youth and the first blush of love during winter’s coldest days.

People born on February 1 were likely conceived the previous year on May 11.

A baby that is conceived on February 1, 2026, will be due later this year around October 25.

Famous Deaths

Unfortunately, February 1st has also been a day where we've had to say some goodbyes over the years…

1948 — 2024

Carl Weathers

American Actor Carl Weathers was born on January 14, 1948. He died on this day in 2024, at age 76 in California, USA.

Quotes

Below you'll find the most popular things people have said or written on this day throughout history.

2012

“The good old days, when each idea had an owner, are gone forever.”

Paulo Coelho

(Brazilian Lyricist)

1975

“Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.”

Nelson Mandela

(South African President)

Special Holidays

If you've got a few minutes spare today, why not celebrate these special holidays.

United States

Decorating With Candy Day

For all of you with that super extra sweet tooth, this day is for you. That’s because today is Decorating With Candy Day, so give your food some sparkle and decorate everything with candy!

United States

National Freedom Day

Today marks the day that Abraham Lincoln signed a resolution that would later become the 13th Amendment. It’s celebrated as National Freedom Day because the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the US, so it’s a pretty big deal!

Fact Of The Day

The Hobbit has been published in two editions. In the first edition, Gollum willingly bet his ring on the outcome of the riddle game.

Check out our daily facts page for fresh, random facts updated every day!

Days Until

Your countdown to 2026's upcoming special days!

• Groundhog Day

  1 day

• Valentine's Day

  13 days

• Women's Day

  35 days

• St Patrick's Day

  44 days

• Earth Day

  80 days

• Cinco de Mayo

  93 days

• Halloween

  272 days

• Christmas Day

  327 days